1From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 8 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind favour of April 22 d and Shall not be easy till it is answered, though it is not easy to find the time, amidst the Confusion of innumerable Visits, formal Ceremonials, Balls, Commencements, Levees, &c a &c a , blended with the constant more serious Duties of my Situtation.— I agree with you entirely, that among the first dangers to be apprehended is a contest between...
2To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have just been honoured by the receipt of your favor of the 8 th. instant— I have not time, as I must soon leave town, to observe now on that part of it which is in answer to a sentiment of mine on which we seem to differ— There is no proposition, to which I can more fully accede than to the one which affirms how important it is to People that the President, the vice President, the Senate...
3From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 26 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am, this Evening favoured with yours of the 18. In Answer to your Question, I ask another.— Where is the Sovereignty of the Nation lodged? Is it in the national Government, or in the State Governmen[ts?] Are there more Sovereignties than one? if there is more than one there are Eleven. if there are Eleven there is no general Government—for there cannot be eleven Sovereignties against one.—...
4From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 30 th. of May, and find We are well agreed in opinion in all points. Nothing Since my return to America, has alarmed me So much, as those habits of Fraud, in the Use of Language which appear in conversation and in public writings. Words are employed like paper money, to cheat the Widow and the fatherless and every honest Man. The Word Aristocracy is one...
5To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 14 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure a few days since of receiving your kind favor of the 19 th. ult o — When I first saw the new constitution I was very apprehensive that the President would not be able to maintain his ground and preserve such a stand, on the stage of our political theater, as to keep up that equilibrum essential to our enjoying all those blessings which are derived from a constitution in...
6From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received but not duly answered your favor of April 3 d . It is a misfortune that a man can never be spoken to by a projectors without being misunderstood or misrepresented I told M r. Forbisher that if he expected any thing from the general government, he must apply to it by petition. But I never told him, that I had the least suspicion that the general government would ever do...
7To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
The exertions of disappointment & of antifederalism have had little effect I congratulate you My dear sir most sincerely on the happy event— When you left us no arrangment was made for the return of the few dollars you received of me—As I do not know what would be most convenient for you whether to forward the money or for me to draw on you I take the liberty to say now that when ever it shall...
8To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 11 September 1793 (Adams Papers)
Before this can reach you, you will be informed that our attempts to establish a peace with the hostiles tribes of Indians North of the Ohio has been ineffectual; and lest you should be perplexed with vague and uncertain accounts of the state of the business I have now taken up my pen to give you a short detail of the matter.— On my arrival at Niagra the 25th. of May I was informed by the...
9From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 14 November 1793 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Reasons Why the Commissioners did not make Peace with the Indians, I have read with all the Interest that the Subject and the manner of treating it naturally inspire. The Facts are so natural and conformable at the Same time to all the Observations I was able to make, and all the Information I could obtain during my Residence both in France and England, that I have not a doubt of...
10To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 14 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
I return your letters with my most cordial thanks for the sight of them—In the perusal I have been highly gratified and informed and have been confirmed in the idea that if our Jacobins intend to sap the foundation of our present constitution and thereby bring on a serious contest now is the momint for them to attempt their mad pursuit while the powers of Europe have full employ at home and...
11From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I was in hopes to have troubled you no more in this Way: but am disappointed. If you can oblige me, I shall transmit the Sum to you, as soon as I get to Philadelphia. I am with Usual Esteem and / Love, yours NjP : DeCoppet Collection.