1From John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 12 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
Every Question you ask about the new Constitution Shows that you understand the subject as well as I can pretend to do, and that you are well aware of the reasonable Difficulties and objections. But is there not danger that a new Convention at this time, would increase the Difficulties and reasonable Exceptions rather than remove any of them? a Declaration of Rights I wish to see with all my...
2John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 23 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
So many Things appear to be done, when one is making Preparations for a Voyage, especially with a Family, that you must put up with a short Letter in answer to yours. We shall embark in March on board of the ship Lucretia Capt n Calahan, and arrive in Boston as soon as We can: till which time I must suspend all Requests respecting, my little affairs. Your Bills shall be honoured as they...
3From John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 16 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am very happy to learn, by your Letter of the 30. June that my Son is with M r Parsons at Newbury Port. There is so much Appearance of War, that I thought it a Precaution of Prudence to Send my Manuscript Letter Books, and Collections of Papers, relative to all my Transactions in France and Holland, home by M r Jenks. They are contained in a large Trunk, and are so numerous as to fill it, so...
4John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 27 August 1787 (Adams Papers)
You mention to M rs Adams a Piece of Land adjoining to me, of 56 Acres at 25 s an Acre: but are at a Loss, whether it will be for my Interest to purchase it, as you are not informed of my Views, &c.— My View is to lay fast hold of the Town of Braintree and embrace it, with both my Arms and all my might. there to live—there to die—there to lay my Bones—and there to plant one of my Sons, in the...
5From John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 1 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of May the fifteenth, and am greatly obliged to you for your kind Attention to my little Affairs. Let me pray you to purchase M r Borlands Place for me at the best Price you can and draw upon me for the Cash. Your Bills Shall be honoured, at ten days Sight. if M r Borland is about purchasing M r Vassals Place, he may remit the Cash in this Way. but you will however...
6John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 21 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Having determined to return to Pens hill, I begin to think in what a pitiful Condition I shall find my Meadow and Hill &c &c. Poor as a heath I Suppose, as I found them, but am determined they shall not remain long in such a contemptible plight. This is therefore to beg the favour of you to purchase for me Josh. Bracketts Heap at his stable for a year, and desire my Brother or my Tenant to...
7John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 4 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have accepted your Bill in favour of Storer, of 50£. and paid that in favour of Mr Elworthy of 40£. I wish you to buy that Bit of an House and Land, which you mention, but am afraid they will make you give more for it than it is worth, it lies so to me that I must have it. The Pieces of Marsh adjoining to mine, I wish you to buy likewise. Draw upon me for the Money to pay for them. Let...
8John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am proud to learn by your Letter of 13. April that I am so rich at the University. If Thomas gets in, I shall be still happier. The Expence will be considerable, and your Draughts shall be honoured for the necessary. A Year will soon be about, and what are We to do then with John? What Lawyer shall We desire to take him, in Town or Country? and what Sum must be given with him? and what will...
9John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 26 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
There is a Subject So closely connected, with the Business of my Mission to this Court, that I can no longer be Silent upon it, with Honour. The most insuperable Bar, to all their Negotiations here, has been laid by those States which have made Laws against the Treaty. The Massachusetts is one of them. The Law for Suspending Execution for British Debts, however coloured or disguised, I make no...
10John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 3 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed with this is a Letter to Dr Holyoke and all the original Papers from the Royal Society of Medicine. You will be so good as to inclose and direct them to him. I hope Mr. John is, or will soon be at Colledge. You may draw upon me for two hundred Pounds st. and invest it as before, to help you pay the Expences of my Boys. Yours Inclosed is a Note from my Friend Count Sarsefield. Will you...