1To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 20 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of having recived your Excellencys Letters of the 1st and 7th Instant. My Friend B cannot tell me any thing more of the Anonymous Letter, but that He receivd it by the foreign post, and that it cost 10 d. The post mark does not appear on it. B had sent a Copy of it to Mr L. It was therefore the Subject of a Conversation between us. Wherein He declared his Disbeliff, and...
2To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 28 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Altho I am fearful, that my Correspondance has lately been Troublesome to your Excellency, yet I cannot help sending the inclosed Letter from a Friend, whose Heart is sensible to every Impression of public and private Virtue. He has been a long Time acquainted with his Excellency Mr Lawrens, and therefore esteems Him. He is touched, your Excellency will see at his present Situation, I must...
3To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 23 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to inform your Excellency that I arrivd here Safe last Friday after having had a tolerable good Journey. I have seen a Gentleman in this Town twice since my Arrival— He has said nothing in particular to me, but his Reception has been somewhat Cool.— if He Continues his Silence, I propose to go, where your Excellency recommended to me. but I do it with some Anxiety, being...
4To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I cannot express the pleasure it gave me; when I heard of your Safe Arrival in Europe; permit me to congratulate you and myself thereon, and what is more our Country, whose true Interests I Know you have so much at heart. If I may trust the Common reports, you come in the Character of the blessed Peace Maker, who is always welcome to the Friends of Mankind; No one can wish you more success in...
5To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 6 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I recievd yesterday your Excellencys Letter of the 1st Instant. I am sorry to hear that your Excellency is sick in Body your Heart is am sure not so, I see that is sound by all your Actions. I sent your Excellency a Receipt from one of our unfortunate Countryman in prison; If I remember right Mr Sawrey wrote on it, recommending to your Charity 7 of those, who were releivd in March last: Their...
6To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 27 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just this Moment receivd your Excellencys Letter of the 23d. Instant, it Honors and flatters me much and is a fresh Proof of your Excellencys Partiallity for me. Your Wishes that I was better known to my Countrymen proceeds from your Goodness to me—I well Know that you have taken every pains in your Power, that I should be so, but whether they are acquainted with me or not I shall serve...
7To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 28 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I trouble your Excellency with This to inform your Excellency, that I receved this Day the Bill of £10. on London to be applied to the Relief of five poor American Citizens. I shall write to my Friend for that purpose by the next Post. But shall not send the Bill yet, as I see that it appears on the face of it, that the value of it was paid by your Excellency, whose Name, however honored by...
8To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 14 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I trouble your Excellency at this Time to transcribe the following Letter “sent by Person of some Distinction at Paris to a Man not less so in London” the Copy of which I have just now receivd. “Nous ne donnons pas á Monsieur Ad: une Confiance bien aveuglé; et ce n’est pas sans cause quils ont mis autour de lui des Hommes, qui l’Observent, on le croit honnête; on le scait ardent; inflex ible...
9To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 16 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty of writing to your Excellency this Letter, expresly to recommend my Friend Mr Ridley to your Excellencys Notice. I Knew Him long in England and Ever found Him warm, Active and Affectionate to the Cause of America, we left the Ennemys Country together. He has since been in America where He signalized Himself, in being very instrumental in providing Vessels for transporting...
10To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Four mails arrived yesterday, by them we find that Eleven East Indiamen are arrived at Brookhaven in Ireland. A Ship is arrived from N York, but no news transpires. The English Minister seems to be ready to pardon the Dutch on condition they submit. He treats them as He did the Americans, and will I Hope receive the same Treatment as from our Countrymen. One of the Court news papers says there...
11To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 1 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Supposing your Excellency ignorant of what is true, I take the Liberty of sending you what may be false, but it comes from England, that Land of Insidiousness. Preliminaries of a Peace, said to be formed by the Rockingham Party, but if formed by any one I think Ld Shelburne is the Man. 1st That the british Troops shall be withdrawn from the 13 Provinces of N America and a Truce made between G...
12To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 22 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is so very long since I had the Honor of hearing from your Excellency, that I am fearful your Excellency is out of order. I take the Liberty of informing your Excellency, that I shall leave this place the Tenth of next Month, in order to Conduct my Nephew to Nantes, where He will embark about the first of June for America. Should your Excellency have any Commands I can Answer for Him, He...
13To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 1 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have not heard from Mr Lawrens since He sent me the Letter of a part of which I have sent your Excellency a Copy but Mr Lee tells me that He has written to London demanding a Passport to go from thence to America as He finds a difficulty in getting a safe Passage there from France. My Friend in London writes me that the Passport is granted at the request of Lord Cornwallis. I Know not...
14To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Assure myself, that your Excellency will permit me to offer my Congratulations to you on your Excellencys being publickly Acknowledged Minister of the United States. I am rejoiced at this Event for your Excellencys Honor, as well as for the Interest of our Country—you will believe me, I am Confident, when I say I feel for both, and both are in good Hands. Go on in your Noble Career; I Know...
15To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive any Slips by the two last Posts. I am particularly obliged to your Excellency for your Favor of the 16th. Instant. The Dutchman Compliment was really polite the Sentiments of certain public Characters relative to the American Independance lead to something Substantial. I find it is the wish of some to see the letters now publishing in the news papers collected in a Pamphlet....
16To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to Congratulate your Excellency on the late Glorious News received from Virginia and Carolina. It seems to be of the last Importance. The English here are Confounded by it, and I should think the Court of London will not be less so, when it receives it, altho it has had for some Time reason to expect it. The English Minister here sent a Messenger immediately on the receipt...
17To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 30 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 27th. Instant, which afforded me the greatest pleasure, as it assured me of your Excellencys Health, which I was fearful was affected, and shewed at the same time that you were in Spirits. The natural and political Climate of the Country, where your Excellency now is, being foggy a Man must have a stout Heart and strong Body...
18To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 18 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 3d Instant at Paris, where I had gone in Company with Mr De Neufville. I paid my respects to his Excellency at Passy, and was invited to dine with Him on Sunday last, after He Was informed that I proposed quitting Paris on that Day. I have long paid a particular Attention to your Excellencys Movements in Holland, and it is with the...
19To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have this day the Honor of receiving your Excellency Letter of the 5th. Instant: It mentions no particulars, but says in general all things are well in the North, and shews that your Excellency is well-satisfied, I am rejoiced at it. I inclose to your Excellency a Copy of the Translation &c. I Hope the Print thereof will meet with your Excellencys Approbation. I have three more of them,...
20To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 5 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have followed your Excellence to this Town in hopes of seeing you before your departure. I should follow you stil, if I could flatter myself with having the pleasure of overtaking you. However having met with a Gentleman on my route, who has promised to find you out if Possible at Rotterdam I shall return tomorrow to Brussels. The End of my Journey was to inform your Excellency, that I...
21To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing to your Excellency the 20th of this Month and inclosing some Papers from Mr. Amory of Boston. I now take the Liberty of sending you a Letter, receivd this Day from Mr. L. for your Excellency’s Perusal—give me leave to beg that your Excellency would return it and the former one from the same Gentleman, if your Excellency has no further Occasion for them. There...
22To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 29 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter inclosing your Epistle to Mr. Wythe and the resolutions of the Convention. I have read them with the utmost Attention and Admiration. I have showed them to others, who have had the same Sense of them, as myself. They appeal to the reason of all, and having evidently in View the Happiness of good men, by securing them Against the Oppression...
23To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I inclose herewith some Slips which came to Hand by the last Mail. A Letter from Mr L of the 7th Instant has the following Paragraph. I have had the Honour of corresponding with Mr Adams, All is well, it could not be otherwise it cannot be otherwise, when Men are not determined to be Knaves or Fools. I am Happy to find Mr L satisfied with your Excellencys Conduct towards Him. I have sent the...
24To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 29 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Am honoured with the Receipt of your Excellencys Letter of the last Post. The Letter of which I gave your Excellency an Extract about a fortnight Ago made me very Uneasy, as it shewed me there was a misunderstanding somewhere—I could wish your Excellency would clear it up by a Letter to our Friend at Nantes. I fancy He imagines that His name is joined with yours in the Different Commissions,...
25To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 10 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have only Time to Acknowledge the Receipt your Excellencys Letters of the 6th. and 7th. of this month—the last inclosing the Report of a Constitution of &c.—(it shall be taken due care of.) and sending the inclosed Letter; which is more puzzling than the former; but which Serves, I think, to show there is no certain ground for Suspicion. I shall press for a more perfect Elucidation. I am...
26To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 16 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency on having Compleated the work of which you have been the Sole Author. This being finished will not your Excellency Show yourself openly in an Affair, which must Stand in need of your inate Stubborness, in order to Check anothers Pliancy. In short Shall I not have the Pleasure of seeing your Excellency Soon in your way to Paris? Are not things ripe for you? By...
27To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing to Your Excellency about a Week Ago. I have now only to enclose the last bill introduced into the House of Commons for the purpose of opening an Intercourse with the United States. and what passed thereupon Yesterday in the House, where I was, & where I observed as much embaressement arising from Ignorance or Selfishness, as can be imagined. Your Excellency...
28To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 17 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
I Hope this will find Your Excellency’s Health well established, and that your Disorder has not left the Remains usually attendant on it, but that your wonted Spirit and Fortitude are continud, for indeed, they are necessary to you at this Juncture, if I am rightly informed of a late transaction in America, which has grievd and Confounded me above Measure. The Hints given me of it are...
29To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 1 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 23d Ultimo, acknowledging the Receipt of mine of the 19th. I am happy to find my Sentiments of things confirmed by your Excellency. What your Excellency has said with respect to the Improbability of Peace, and Treatment of Mr. Lawrens affects me much. I have taken the liberty of writing it to England for the public Perusal and...
30To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 8 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have done myself the Honor of sending You a Copy, of what was written into Holland and have since (the 5th Instant) taken the Liberty of giving my Idea of the Conduct of the Parties in England and Ireland, and likewise laying before you an Extrait of what I have written on the Phantastic Notion taken up of a Constitutional Impossibility of Acknowledging the Independance of America. I receivd...
31To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 1 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to congratulate your Excellency on the Commencement of the New Year and to assure your Excellency of my sincere Wishes, that it may be productive of all Happiness and the most perfect Liberty to You and Yours and our Country in General. I think your Excellencys Mind must be much occupied at present. The late desperate Step, which England has taken has I believe astonished Most....
32To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 3 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had this Day the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 31 Ultimo; which gives me the greatest Satisfaction. I think with your Excellency, that the Emperor cannot engage in this Contest without being abundantly paid by England, whose Resources will thereby be diverted from Acting directly Against Us, but it is worth her while to pay Him the Utmost in order to Embroil France. In...
33To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 11 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
On my return to this Town I found a Letter from London informing me that the 20£ was paid according to order. The Gentleman, who executed this Commission is named Bridgen and his address is Bridgen & Waller London, putting a little, b thus under the Seal, which prevents his Partner opening the Letter. He sent me the inclosed Copies of an Ode. I find in his letter the following Paragraph: “I...
34To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 2 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have this day receivd your Excellencys Letter of the 28th. Ultimo, which shall be made the proper Use of but its Silent with regard to two others, which I had the Honor of addressing to your Excellency, one about Six days Ago, and another about ten, I am under a great Uneasiness for their fate. In particular for one which inclosd a Letter from London, which had in it Something...
35To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 5 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have receivd your Excellencys Letters of the 28th and 30th Ultimo, together with that, which I had the Honor of Communicating to your Excellency upon a very serious Affair. Whatever Explanations I may receive on that Head, I shall think it my Duty to lay them before your Excellency, whomever they may Affect. Your Mind is fortified Against Unmanly and dangerous Suspicions, and therefore no...
36To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
I beg your Excellency would Accept my Thanks for the publications, which I have lately had the Honor of receiving from you; and for your Letter to the Abbé Raynal, who receivd me in Consequence thereof with the utmost Politeness and Attention. He spoke of your Excellency with the Greatest Cordiallity and respect, and seemed concerned, that you was not quite satisfied with the facts, as laid...
37To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 25 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am greatly obliged to You for your favor of the 13 Instant. I am flattered much to find, that my Sentiments meet with your Approbation, the great Part you have taken in the American Question, and your Judgement in it, are such as give You a right to Influence and direct every One interested in the Event. Be Assured, Sir, it is my Inclination and Duty to Attend to whatever you may think...
38To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 5 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving a Letter from your Excellency yesterday without a date in Answer to that, which I took the Liberty of writing of the 18 Ultimo and am Sorry to find your Excellency equally sensible with me of the Absurdity of the Idea taken up in Europe of the future formidableness of America. I was in Hopes, that my fancy on that Head was not well-founded and that the folly of...
39To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I receivd your Excellencys Letters of the 29th ultm. and 1st Instant yesterday and (not before) to my great Surprize and Yesterday was out of the Course of the Dutch post which arrivd to day. I was fearful that your Excellency had not quite recovered of your Illness in the Summer, the Nature of which is to Continue some time without great care. That your Excellency has been very busy I can...
40To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 10 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I Hope this will meet you in good Health at Nantes and that you will find every thing there Agreable to your Wishes. By the Mail from England we learn Lord Norths Plan for raising the Money already voted. 1stly. a Surcharge of 5 per Cent on the Amount of all the Articles of the Duties of Excise and Customs, except, Beer, Soap, Candles and Hides *2dly. 9d. per Stage for last Horse in Post...
41To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Returning the day before yesterday from Boulogne, I had the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter by the Hands of Mr. Bowdoin, to whom I shall pay every attention due to your Excellencys Recommendation and his own Merit. Before this comes to Hand your Excellency will have heard of the Disaster in Carolina; the Consequences of which may be sensibly felt by us. However there are Matters,...
42To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 7 [August] 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am much Obliged to you for your Letter of the 26 th Ult. it was so long that I had heard from you, that I was fearful either mine or yours had Miscarried especially as I did not recive One from his Excellency until a Month after date. We Agree in the effect that the late Proclamation’s relative to the American Trade will have on the Temper of our Countrymen, who must besides at this Time be...
43To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 11 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have received Letters from your Excellency of the 24 th & 28 th Ult. what accompanied the last will be published with other Matters of a like Nature & altogether will make an handsome & interesting Collection. The mischiefs, that might have ensued from the intended American Trade Bill are at length guessed at by many, and the Difficulty of drawing it up, to the Content of Selfishness, (which...
44To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 14 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been now three weeks in this City, mixing with men of various characters & Parties in order to find out their Desposition towards our Country, the result of my Observations is that the people at large tho by no means having any real Friendship for the United States, are willing to Acquiesce in the present Situation of Things, & to serve themselves of the commerce, which America holds...
45To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 14th Instant: in Answer to which, I can only return your Excellency my most humble Thanks and assure you that the Confidence, with which I am honored, shall not be Abusd by me, and Care shall be taken, that it shall not be so by any One Else. I will Keep together what I receive from Your Excellency, to be returnd to You or your...
46To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 18 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I Have the Honor of having receivd your Favor of the 12th Instant, which flatters me much in informing me of your Approbation of my Letters of the first the fifth and the Eigth. I beg the Continuance of your Partiallity, and that You woud Command me in all things. I now set down to Answer your Enquiry into the “Sums paid Annually, as Subsidies by France or England to the House of Austria or...
47To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 27 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have enclosed by a former Post an Extraordinary Letter received from London. Your Excellency will perhaps understand it better than I do. I have written for an Explanation of it and the grounds and proofs, if possible to be had of the Suggestions therein. I have an opinion of my Correspondent, or should not have troubled your Excellency with his Letter. I cannot think that Austria is inclind...
48To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 22 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 27 th of June; it surely ought to have arrived before.— I did myself the pleasure of sending to your Excellency about a fortnight ago several Peices cut out of News Papers. and in my Letter sent therewith informed you that the Treaty with Holland was printed with other Treaties at the End of a new Edition of the...
49To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 6 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
You have done me a great deal of Honour, in communicating to me the Object of your Commission which is certainly of the most honorable and important Nature in itself, and has been confered on you in a manner the most flattering. I sincerely Congratulate you thereon, and most earnestly Wish, that the Envy of the Times may not Thwart your Intentions for the publick Good, but that you may be Able...
50To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Congratulate your Excellency on the Confusion in England. A Letter from thence received this day says, that the King sent on Saturday night (ie, Saturday sennight), for the Chanceller conversed with Him, and deffered—so parted, and about 4 o Clock on Sunday Morning sent again for Him to come immediately; the Chancellor sent him Word, that He was too ill, but would come as soon as He arose,...