31John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure of yours of July 30. and advise you to purchase the Coach and prepare every Thing to set off with me to Dover in a Week from this Day. I will not loose a Moment, of the agreable Company, that I can avoid. Indeed I have repented 20 times that I did not go with you. The Pas of Calais and the Pas of Harwich will make me sick, but do me no harm. Purchase Johnsons Lives of the...
32To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, [ante 25 August 1787] (Adams Papers)
M r Cutting presents respectful compliments to the American Minister and returning his warmest acknowledgments for the entertainment and invaluable instruction comprised in those sheets of his second Volume entitled a defence of the Constitution of Government of the United States of America (with which M r C. was lately favour’d and which having read rapidly once he is now again perusing with...
33Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 28 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We had the honor of receiving your Favour of the 20 th: Inst, and are persuaded that the Communication of the Friendly Disposition of his Prussian Majesty made to you by the Baron de Thuilemeyer will give great Pleasure to Congress. The Respect with which the Reputation of that great Prince has impress’d the United States, early induced them to consider his Friendship as a desirable Object;...
34To John Adams from John Singleton Copley, 15 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the loan of the Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, they have afforded me much entertainment particularly those written by Governor Bowdoin on the structure of the Heavens, and on Light; I feel my-self happy that my Countrymen are inspired with a thirst after knowledge, and to see them emulating the Nations of Europe in the cultivation of the Arts and...
35To John Adams from John Jay, 9 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last night I rec d. your obliging Favor of the 7 Inst. & the Letters mentioned to be enclosed with it— The one for M r Laurens was immediately sent to his Lodgings. The Circumstances you mention are interesting, and will afford matter for Deliberation & Comments when we meet. My Return to London will depend on one of two Things Viz t. on being satisfied that I am to expect little or no Benefit...
36From John Adams to John Jay, 18 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your Letter of the 4. of July and thank you for your friendly Congratulations on my Arrival. The Decision of the Convention at Poughkeepsie, is of very great Importance to this Nation, perhaps to Some others.— I am extreamly anxious, that, as the new Constitution has already proceeded to far, it Should be adopted kindly and cordially, by all the three that remain. a little...
37From John Adams to John Jay, 16 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
There is no Maxim more clearly Settled in all Courts, and in all Negotiations between Nations, than that Sovereign Should always Speak to Sovereign and Minister to Minister. I am not at all Surprised therefore, although I am much mortified at having my Memorials to their High Mightinesses and to His most Serene Highness returned to me, with the Letter inclosed from M r Fagel. I Should have had...
38To John Jay from John Adams, 11 May 1784 (Jay Papers)
Your favour of the 27. April is, before me.— I wish very Sincerely that my family had made a Visit to me, or I to them on the Conclusion of the Peace. The two Ladies will be affectionate Friends, I dare answer for it, if they should ever meet. There are Things constantly to be done here, but if there were not, it would be impossible for me, to come to Paris at present, without arranging...
39From John Adams to John Jay, 21 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had my Audience of Leave of His Majesty. I Shall not trouble you with any Particulars, of the previous steps to obtain this Audience (which you know are always troublesome enough); nor with any detail of the Conversation, farther than the Publick is immediately interested in it. The substance of my Address to His Majesty was no more than, a Renewal of assurances in Behalf of the...
40John Adams to John Jay, 11 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 27. April is, before me.— I wish very Sincerely that my family had made a Visit to me, or I to them on the Conclusion of the Peace. But The two Ladies will be affectionate Friends, I dare answer for it, if they should ever meet. There are Things constantly to be done here, but if there were not, it would be impossible for me, to come to Paris at present, without arranging...
41To John Jay from John Adams, 14 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Letter, inclosing two Pamphlets one of which I have sent to M r Jefferson, by Coll Humphreys who setts out for Paris this morning. These Letters will be sufficient to shew any Man of common Decency, the Characters of the Writers. On one side there is the Condescension of a provident but indulgent Father: on the other the Impertinence and Ingratitude of a Prodigal Son, not...
42From John Adams to John Jay, 25 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you Yesterday, in your Ministerial Capacity as well as mine, my ulltimate Determination to revisit my Country, this time twelve months.— I now write you this private Letter to intreat you as a Friend, to promote in every Way in your Power, an Arrangement as early as possible, by which I may be permitted to return, with Decorum.— It is not from a desire to stimulate any Body to vote for...
43John Jay to John Adams, 15 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Extracts from the Journal of Congress will inform you of your Appointment to go as Minister to the Court of London, and of M r. Smith’s being elected Secretary to the Legation. I congratulate you on this Event. It argues the Confidence reposed in you by the United States, and I am persuaded will redound to their Advantage as well as to your Reputation.— The necessary Papers are...
44John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I hope, that before this day you are Safely arrived at New York, and that in another Month, I shall receive a Letter from you dated from that City. Before this reaches you I Suppose you will be at Boston or Cambridge, or Braintree or Haverill or Weymouth. Let me hear from you as often as you can. We have taken a House in Grosvenor Square, at the Corner of Duke Street, and hope to get into it...
45John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 20 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received the Letter which D r Franklin did me the Honour to write me on the 16 th. with the Copy of the Treaty with Sweeden. I have before inclosed the King of Prussias Project of a Treaty, prepared as I am assured by his Minister with his own Hand in his private Cabinet. I believe it has been reserved to the present Age when the subtilties of Aristotle and the schools are...
46From John Adams to John Lamb, 31 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r Randall who proposes to Sail in a few Days for N York, will deliver you this Letter. If, I have not Overlookd any Article in your Account you have drawn Bills upon me which have been accepted & paid to the amount of 32 hundred and 12 Pounds 12 shillings Sterling for the Expenditure of which you will Account with Congress and pay the Ballance into their Treasury after paying M r Randall his...
47To John Adams from John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Rev d. Doctor Provost is so obliging as to take Charge of this Letter together with other Dispatches which he will deliver to you.— This Gentleman being elected by the Convention of episcopal Congregations in this State, and having the most express Recommendations from that Body, as well as from a general Convention lately held at Wilmington, is going over to be consecrated a Bishop.—...
48To John Jay from John Adams, 26 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have only Time to introduce to you and M rs Jay, my Daughter Smith and to recommend her to your Patronage and M rs Jays Friendship. I Shall embark in Six or Eight days. I am just returned from a cold Journey to the Hague and Amsterdam, where I met M r Jefferson very unexpectedly. He has persuaded me, to open another Loan, which he will transmit to Congress. I am very anxious least it Should...
49John Adams to John Jay, 20 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am extreamly Sorry, to read in your Letter of the 8 th. that you think of embarking for America. Let me beg of you to reconsider that Project. if you persist in it, I shall repent of having written for my Family and wish I had it in my Power to go there too. The Committee to whom, the Dispatches by Thaxter were referred have reported that a Commission be sent to the 3 named in the Resolution...
50To John Adams from John Singleton Copley, 11 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Copley presents his compliments to M r: Adams, has seen Lord Mansfield and been informed that it is necessary to be early at the House, M r Copley will go with M r Adams and his friends at 12 o’Clock precisely, and shall be glad to know where they are to meet and thinks there will be no dificulty in gaining Admittance RC ( PHi :Dreer Coll.); addressed: “John Adams Esquire”; endorsed: “M r...
51John Jay to John Adams, 18 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Packet not sailing until to morrow has put in my Power to get your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence completed. I also send You in another Parcel, of which M r. Randall is also to take Charge, the Journals printed since those with which I understand you have already been furnished.— With great Esteem & Regard / I am Dear Sir / Your most ob t. & hble. Serv t: RC and enclosure...
52From John Adams to John Jay, 27 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Chevalier De Pinto, the Envoy of Portugal, informed me, this Day that he had received Instructions from his Court, to inform me, “that the Queen his Mistress has Sent a Squadron to cruise in the Mouth of the Streights with Orders to protect all Vessells belonging to the United States of America equally with those of her own Subjects and that She would continue those orders as long as they...
53From John Adams to John Hancock, 2 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
This letter will be delivered you by M r: S. —a Gen t: who has lived sometime in my family at the Hague, in Paris & in London. He will inform you in what manner the late Navigation-Act of the Mass a: has been rec d. here— Some say it is a measure taken in a passion, & not well-weighed in the scales of reason—that we are ruining ourselves—that an act of Parliament will be passed to retaliate...
54To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
accept my thanks for your Letter mentioning the Marriage of your Daughter, and my cordial Congratulations on that pleasing Event.— they who best know the Col l: speake of him as brave and honorable; and Strangers to the Lady draw the most favorable Inferences from her Parentage, and from the attention and Example of a Mother whose charater is very estimable. I sincerely wish my dear Friend...
55John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 10 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Inclosed is Copy of a Letter from the Baron de Thulemeier and Copy of a Project of a Treaty transmitted to me by order of the King of Prussia: I should be glad if your Excellencies would examine it, and write me your objections, and proposals of alterations, which I shall immediately communicate to his Majesty through his Minister. I presume too...
56To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 8 October 1788 (Adams Papers)
Many unexpected obstacles have concur’d to detain me man months longer than I either wish’d or meant to remain here. I have not however been idle or inactive. Nor have my exertions been altogether selfish. On the contrary I have attempted to discharge the duty of a good citizen—from the simple impulse of republican integrity—with an immediate reference to some of the great interests of our...
57From John Jay to John Adams, 4 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
I congratulate you my dear Sir! most cordially on your Return to your native Country, and am greatly pleased with the Reception you have met with— You deserve well of your country, and I am happy to find that the acknowledgment of your Services is not left solely to Posterity. our Convention is still sitting. The opposers of the Constitution have proposed many amendments. As yet we proceed...
58To John Adams from John Jay, 18 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a Copy of a Report on the Case of the Brig Jane and Elizabeth of Portsmouth in New Hampshire seized by a british man of War at Barbadoes; together with Copies of the Papers on that Subject annexed to it.— The Conduct of the Captain of the Boreas as stated in these Papers appears very exceptionable, but unfortunately for the Brig, her...
59To John Adams from John Lyddiard, 20 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will Pardon my Boldness of Wrighting to you Itt is to Ask the Favour of you to Gett me my Discharge from a English Man of War, I am a Native of Boston in the Province of Messetucet Bay, New England, I Saild out of Boston in the Year of 1778 in a Brig of 16 Guns in the Continantal Servis Cap t William Burk Com md and was Taken Septem ber 16 th in the Same Year By Byron Fleet and was...
60To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 12 October 1788 (Adams Papers)
The following was the return of the Greenland Fishery on the 17 th of June last. made here London ships Number of Fish Whitby Ships Number of Fish Broderick 5 Ann & Elizabeth 2 John and Margaret 7 El Falconberg 2 Butterworth 3 Resolution