1301To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 2 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of Jany 23 & Feb 4 enclosing a Certificate from the Secretary’s office & Mr Madison’s answer, with the History of Geneva have been duly recd & I thank you for them; I am now waiting for Mr Thomson’s answer which must be decisive , tho’ enough may be said without it to satisfy every person not excepting Dr Kippis himself. When I shall have recd this I will draw up something & send...
1302To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 15 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
I regret that Mr Thomson’s Letter did not come to hand till after the others were printed; but I believe there is enough to prove the misinformation of Dr Kippis. Several copies have been printed separately from the Collections of the Historical Society, three of which I enclose; if you wish for any more, you shall have them. If it be agreeable to you I could wish one may be sent to your Son...
1303To John Adams from Jonathan Bell, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
We the underwritten, composing the Companies of Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry, and others, convened with the said Companies, inhabitants of the town of Rutland, in the western district of the State of Vermont, deprived from the remoteness of our situation, of the privilege of approching you personally, desire, in this manner, gratefully to address you, and subscribe to you our sensibilities...
1304Thomas Bell to the American Commissioners, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sailed from Philad. the 6 of Sept. I Recd. no Letters from the Committe of Congress. The privet Letters I Recd. from Mr. Deane and the Honbl. Richard Henery Lee & Mr. Carmichell as to the dispatches for the Court of France I Recd. them from Monsr. Gerard as to Aney Other Letters I Recd. non— Gentln. I shall Sail Shortly for Philad. If you have Aney...
1305Joseph Belton to the American Commissioners, 17 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Passy, April 17, 1778: I was captured at sea last January en route from Baltimore to Charleston, and imprisoned in England until the Admiralty released me; I then came here needing assistance. You will, I hope, lend me fifteen guineas, which I will repay on my return to America. > Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 37. Belton had been experimenting...
1306Joseph Belton to the Commissioners, 17 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being unforunately, on a Voyge from Baltimore to Charles Town, in January last, disabled at sea, through stress of Weather, which occasion’d my faling into the hands of Capt. Man, and carried into Dover in England, and sent on Board the guard Ship in the Downs, a Prisoner, from Whence at length I obtaind my liberty by an order from the board of Admiralty, And being in an enimies Countery, and...
1307To John Adams from Joseph Bemis, 11 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Gentlemen of the town of Canton conven’d last evening in order to make an arrangement for the selection of Gentlemen to join the County convention propos’d to be holden at Dedham, the 17th. inst. 9 OClock AM and at Marshe’s Tavern—Having made the aforesd. selection, it was then suggested after honourable mention of your name and appeared to be the unanimous wish of the assemblage that you be...
1308[Jacob Beninghove’s Bill for Tobacco.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Adams To Jacob Beninghove s d To 1 Carrot pigtail Tobacco 2 6 To 6 lb. Cutt Do. @ 12d per lb. 6 0 To Earthen pott 0 4 8 10 M-Ar : vol. 210; accompanied by a duplicate; neither is receipted.
1309To John Adams from William Bentley, 11 May 1810 (Adams Papers)
I could not refuse myself the pleasure of sending the inclosed view of the Tree in the Endicot Orchard. It is from the pen of a young Female Pupil, belonging to the family in which I live, & from the same person who accompanied me in my journey through Quincy, in the last year; & who was present with me when I took the Grafts of this season, which I sent to you. I add in confirmation, that the...
1310To John Adams from William Bentley, 28 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have the great pleasure of sending you a portion of the Pears, collected from the Endicott Tree. It is an additional pleasure, that among the increasing demands, Capt E. assures me, that this is the only portion spared from the family, & that I have the direction of it. In Gratitude only are our exclusive faverers rich to us, & this gift I intend as the testimony of my grateful recollection...
1311To John Adams from William Bentley, 17 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Having been requested by J Marston Esqr to send to him through your hand, a copy of the Mecklenburg N C. resolutions as printed in the Essex Register, June 5. I have taken the liberty of adding another copy for your own use, as he assured me you had sent your own copy to a friend. With increased affection, / & with the highest reverence of your personal virtues, / & unrivalled public services...
1312To John Adams from William Bentley, 19 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
After I sent my reply to Mr Marston, I received your affectionate Letter of July 15. I am persuaded your indulgent opinion has given my young friend more pleasure, than all the applause of his audience. He has not a friend, who has not seen the extract I gave him. In regard to the North Carolina declaration we have been as much surprised, as any persons who have read it. We searched general &...
1313To John Adams from William Bentley, 16 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to express my gratitude to the first of men, by sending another portion of the Endicott pears from the Oldest tree planted by Europeans in our portion of America, & to add two bottles of wine made last year in Salem by Ladies in my Society from the berries of New England. I am with the highest respect / of your public & private character / your devoted Servant MHi :...
1314To John Adams from William Bentley, 19 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
Captain John Endicott performed yesterday his promise of the Pears. He observed that they were not quite ripe, but in some of them had made demands, from curiosity, endless. The good old man therefore, at fourscore, took a few in his hand, infact that he might give no notice, travelled to my door, & observed, that he had resolved I should not lose the pleasure of sending them to the President...
1315To John Adams from William Bentley, 1 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of Oct. 26, & am happy, if, in any degree, I have satisfied the curiosity, I excited. It would have been a great pleasure, to have been introduced to Mr Adams at Quincy, but I received every attention due to a Stranger in his absence. I took the earliest notice of your Letter, & offered such evidence of the fact; as I immediately recollected; & to which I could instantly...
1316To John Adams from William Bentley, 12 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your letters on the day of our nation’s birth are in consent with the wonderful character you have supported in the best services to your country. Our young orator, Mr Andrew Dunlap, has expressed our gratitude & hopes. He is a son of Harvard, on his mother’s side from our primitive families, a gentleman of the bar, a man of talents & of the best prospects. Permit me to accompany his oration...
1317To John Adams from William Bentley, 14 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
We have received from the Editor of the Raleigh Register an account of the Mecklenburg resolutions. The editor is the Father of the Editor of the National Intelligencer, Joseph Gales. The whole will appear in our next number. I thought it however respectful to you to give you, the most early notice, & to justify the enthusiasm your patriotism had employed on the occasion of such a possible...
1318To John Adams from William Bentley, 22 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter, informing me of the doubts respecting the M ecklenburg . Resolutions. I am persuaded you hold me innocent. I saw the document as represented. I made no use of it, because I know nothing of its authority. At the bottom it was announced to be of known as well as high authority. I have requested my Printer to write to NC on the subject & whatever we hear we will...
1319To John Adams from William Bentley, 10 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I received with great pleasure your request for an explanation of a note left at Quincy. Having been in the habit for many years of receiving from Mr Endicott a portion of the Endicot Pears, & being desirous to honour the man, who above all others, deserved the name of the Father of New England, I concluded, in passing, I should be accepted, if, in the reverence of my heart, I...
1320To John Adams from William Bentley, 11 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
Agreably to your request, I accompanied Capt. John Endicott, senior, above seventy years of age, yesterday to the Pear Tree, & received from the Tree the twigs which I have sent by a careful hand, to be sent directly from Boston to Quincy. Capt Endicott said he had been in two wars for his Country, & to be remembered by Mr Adams, by a respect for his Ancesters, was good to his old age. I trust...
1321To John Adams from William Bentley, 23 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I inclose for you a copy of the National Register printed at Washington City, from which we copied the Document to which you have referred. The dignity of your mind will require that I satisfy you that the document has been displayed in the most public manner without reprehension, & it may serve as a proof that I reverence the judgement of the Father of my Country. With the utmost reverence /...
1322E. F. van Berckel to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 23 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The undersigned, Councilor Pensionary of the City of Amsterdam, has the honor to inform all the gentlemen who find themselves duely commissioned by the congress of the United States of America, that he finds himself authorized by the burgomasters of the city to declare in their name that, assuming the said congress will not enter into any agreement with the English commissioners that would be...
1323Engelbert François van Berckel to John Adams: A Translation, 19 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Van Berckel, who could not have expected that the illustrious anonymous one would bestow such a great distinction on her, has the honor to show her gratitude toward him. The note that accompanies this letter will very much serve as a sweet reminder of this happy day when unbreakable ties were made between the republic of the United States of America and this city, as well as binding ties...
1324Engelbert François van Berckel to John Adams: A Translation, 22 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Madame d’Hogendorp, who currently lives at The Hague, and her husband, councilor of Rotterdam, who is presently in the East Indies, are strongly urging me to intercede on behalf of an unknown, introduced to your excellency by the young M. d’Hogendorp, son of the aforementioned. According to what I hear, it seems your excellency would have given him some addresses in America, but not a letter...
1325Engelbert François van Berckel to John Adams: A Translation, 8 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure and honor to communicate to you that tomorrow Amsterdam’s deputies to the States of Holland will receive the Amsterdam council’s resolution made today, regarding the treaty of amity and commerce between their High Mightinesses and the United States of America. This council’s resolution contains very precise orders to conform with Holland’s report of 18 July, with which all...
1326E. F. van Berckel to the Commissioners, 23 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le soussigné, Conseiller Pensionaire de la Ville d’Amsterdam, a l’honneur de faire savoir à tous les Messieurs qui se trouvent duement qualifiés de la part du Congrès des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, qu’il se trouve autorisé par Mrs. les Bourguemaîtres de la dite Ville, de déclarer en leur nom, que, dans la supposition que le dit Congrès rientrera pas avec les Commissaires Anglois dans des...
1327Engelbert François van Berckel to the American Commissioners, [23 September 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society <[Amsterdam, September 23, 1778], in French: The undersigned, counsellor pensionary of Amsterdam, informs the commissioners that the burgomasters of the city authorize the following declaration: assuming Congress will not enter into any agreement with the English commissioners that would be harmful or prejudicial to Dutch trade in Europe either directly or...
1328To John Adams from Engelbert François van Berckel, 19 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Madame Van Berckel, qúi ne pouvoit pas S’attendre a úne Si grande distinction, qu’elle viént de recevoir de la part de L’illústre Anonÿme; a l’honneúr de lui en temoigner toúte Sa reconnoisance. En effet, Le Billet qúi a accompagné le Present, Servira d’un doux Soúvenir de cette heúreúse Joúrnée, qúi vient de Serrer des Liens indissolubles entre La Republique des Etats únis en Ameriqúe et...
1329To John Adams from Engelbert François van Berckel, 22 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Par Madame d’Hogendorp, qúi demeúre actúellement a La Haÿe, Son Epoux, le Conseiller de la Ville de Rotterdam, Se troúvant, a present, aux Indes orientales, Je me trouve continuellement pressé, poúr m’interesser en faveur d’ún Inconnu, qui doit avois été presenté a votre Excellence, pas le jeune Monsieúr d’Hogendorp, fils des Súsmentioner; et a qúi, Selon qu’on me dit, Votre Excellence aúroit...
1330To John Adams from Engelbert François van Berckel, 8 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai le plaisir et l’honneúr, de Voús commúniqúer, qúe les Depútez de la Ville d’Amsterdam a l’assemblée des Etats d’hollande Vont recevoir, demain, la Resolútion dú Conseil de la ditte Ville, prise aújourd’huÿ, aú sújet dú Traité d’amitié et de Commerce, entre Leúrs Haútes Púissances, et les Etats Unis en Ameriqúe. Cette Resolution dú conseil contient les ordres les plús precises, poúr se...
1331To John Adams from Pieter Johan van Berckel, 5 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
Púisqúe J’ai la satisfaction d’être elú par Leúrs H: Puissances poúr aller resider aúpres dú congres dés Etats únis de L’Ameriqúe en qúalité de ministre Plenipotentiaire de notre Repúbliqúe Je n’ai pú me dispenser de voús en informer. Mais encore je me fai cette occasion de voús ecrire a profit, et je la saisis poúr voús temoigner, qúe L’honneúr de cette commission me flatte extrémement, parce...
1332Laurent Bérenger to John Adams: A Translation, 5 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
I just received a letter from the Comte de Vergennes in which he gave me the honor to tell you that the interests of the United States require your presence in Paris, and that he desires that you go there as soon as your affairs in Holland permit you to leave. I ask you, sir, to inform me of your intentions regarding this matter so that I may inform M. le Comte de Vergennes. I dare flatter...
1333From John Adams to Laurent Berénger, 8 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter which you did me, the Honour, to write me, on the fifth of this month, informing me, that you have received a Letter from the Compte de Vergennes, by which his Excellency directs you to tell me, that the Interests of the United States require my Presence at Paris, and that he should desire that I would go there, as soon as my Affairs in Holland, will permit me. I...
1334To John Adams from Laurent Bérenger, 5 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je viens de recevoir une Lettre de Mr. le Comte de Vergennes par laquelle il m’ordonne d’avoir l’honneur de vous dire, que les intérêts des Etats unis exigent votre presence à Paris, et qu’il desireroit que vous voulassiez bien vous y rendre, aussitôt que vos affaires en Hollande vous le permettront; Je vous Supplie, Monsieur, de me faire part de vos intentions à cet egard, afin que je puisse...
1335Berubé de Costentin to the American Commissioners, 4 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, September 4, 1778, in French: In accordance with your request of August 15, Thomas Wilkinson left yesterday for St. Pol de Léon. I await your orders regarding the prisoners here.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII .
1336Hendrik Bicker to John Adams: A Translation, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am glad that you were able to meet with Mr. Bouwens, but mortified that his broker, Blomberg, is so ill that you have to resort to another one. Please allow me to suggest that you ask Mr. Bouwens’ advice or let his bookkeeper find you one whose references you can check. You may not be able to find one who speaks French or English for they are rare. Mortier and Merckemaer have the best...
1337To John Adams from Hendrik Bicker, 11 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur, Les Courtiers ten Kate du temps que j’etais dans les Affaires ont eu l’entree Libre chez moi, je les crois capables, Mais je les ai trouves si interressables pour Eúx memes que je ne pouvais jamais terminer avec Eux, quand au Sieur van Vloten je crois que sa Residance est a Utrecht et qu’il a des bonnes occasions pour placer de L’argent des Habitants de cette Province qui pourtant ne...
1338Hendrik Bicker to John Adams: A Translation, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
A few weeks ago you met Mr. Saportas, the broker, at my house. I could not refuse writing to you on his behalf and telling you again that I have come to know him as an honest man who could contribute in helping you secure a loan for your country, and who would like you to keep him in mind when you decide on a brokerage house here. RC ( Adams Papers ). Samuel Saportas, an Amsterdam broker. At...
1339To John Adams from Hendrik Bicker, 21 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Pour que je ne fusse trop preoccupé de mon sisteme, j’ai profitté de votre permission de consulter autrui, quoique seulement une seule personne, mais qui en valloit bien dix en fait de connoissances Sur votre Commission du Congres des 13 Etats, mais malgré que Messieurs Franklin, Deane, Lee n’ont eu d’autres Titres que vous Monsieur, nous n’y pouvons trouver d’autre autorité ni d autres...
1340Hendrik Bicker to John Adams: A Translation, 1 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am much chagrined to hear that the visit you made at my suggestion was not more successful. The significant utterances, made in no uncertain terms and often repeated by this House, lead me to believe that you should give up the idea of an alliance before you start the matter at hand. I am not too surprised you did not find there as much confidence in the solidity of your United States as you...
1341To John Adams from Hendrik Bicker, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Je suis bien aise que vous aiés eú un Entrevue avec Monsieur Bouwens, mais mortifié que son Courtier Blomberg se troúve si mallade, que voús vous trouvés obligés d’avoir recoúrs a un autre, sur qúoi vous me permettrés de voús conseiller de demander conseil a Monsieur Boúwens meme ou bien que son Teneur de Livre voús en troúve un sur Le Compte de qui vous pouves prandre des informations, s’ils...
1342To John Adams from Hendrik Bicker, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Vous aves vú chez Moi il y a quelques sepmaines Le Courtier Saportas, a la vive sollicitation je n’ai pú lui refuser un mot de Lettre en sa faveur pour vous repetter que je Le reconnois poúr un parfait honnet Homme et qui pourra contribuer en bien, si tot ou tard vous charger quelque Maison ici de faire pour vos Souverains une devis d’argent et que vous voudres faire a cette Maison mention de Lui.
1343Hendrik Bicker to John Adams: A Translation, 11 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The brokers Ten Kate, had free entry at my house when I was in business. I think them capable, but I found them so liable to influence through their own interests that I never could close with them. As to Mr. van Vlooten, I think his residence is at Utrecht, and that he has fair opportunities of placing the money of citizens of that Province, who are not, however, capitalists enough to set in...
1344Hendrik Bicker to John Adams: A Translation, 21 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
In order that I not be too absorbed in my own system, I profited from your permission to consult with others, and even though it was only with one person, he was worth at least ten in his understanding of your commission from the Congress of the thirteen states. But despite the fact that Messieurs Franklin, Deane, and Lee held no other titles than you do, sir, we cannot find any authority,...
1345To John Adams from Hendrik Bicker, 1 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Je suis bien mortifié de voir que la Visitte que vous avés été faire a mon insinúation n’a pas eú un meilleur succes. Les Expressions significantes, positives, et reiterées dont cette Maison a fait usage, me font croire qui vous devés abandonner l’idée de vous Lier avec Elle pour ne entamer l’affaire en question. Il ne m’etonne pas que vous n’aies pas trouvé chez Elle, autant de confiance dans...
1346To John Adams from Barnabas Bidwell, 20 June 1796 (Adams Papers)
In behalf of the Connecticut Susquehannah Company, I take the liberty of addressing to you an enquiry relative to one point of their Title to land lying west of New York, within the limits of their Charter, and covered also by the Charter to Sr. William Penn. I need not mention that their claim rests upon three foundations, viz. the earliest royal grants, the earliest valid Indian Deed, and...
1347To John Adams from Barnabas Bidwell, 16 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
By various arts of indirect attack, since the Recess of Congress, considerable impression has been here made, on many well-disposed but warm minds, against the French Negociation and more especially the Dissmission of the late Secretary Pickering. Several of your friends, who admire “the sublime policy, which pursues, as its chief end, the restoration of peace abroad, and the cultivation of...
1348To John Adams from J. A. Bingham, 24 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
In presenting to the People of the United States, proposals for so important a work as the designation: of that which is here inclosed, I have thought it no less prudent than respectful, to make the object known in the commencement, to those who have bourne a conspicuous part in the formation, and administration—our government, Under this impress sir, I have taken the liberty to address a...
1349To John Adams from Jabez Bingham, 6 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
have you heard any thing from your Son John—and shall I be the barrer of Agreeable, or disagreeable News—if I tell you he is alive, and in good Helth, (my Story must be my Appollogy for writing this letter), some time in April 1793, I was at the Natchees, on the Missicippia—and one Afternoon, while I lay in the Harber, your Son came on board, and soon let me know he was from New England, and...
1350William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform You that the Count D’Estaing arrived here with the Fleet under his Command the Beginning of last Month. Admiral Byron, with 14 Ships of the Line, had been cruizing off Boston Harbor, watching the Motions of the French Fleet; but, the Day previous to its Departure, a violent Storm arose, which cast the Somerset ashore on Cape Cod,...