1Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 6 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolved, that the Hon. John Hancock Hon. Thomas Cushing Esquires Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Pain Esquires appointed by the last provincial Congress “to represent this Colony on the 10th of May next or sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia” be and they hereby are, authorized and impowered “with the Delegates from the other American...
2To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams mentioned to me last evening that you wanted to know the state of our forts, the number of men we have to support the lines and the number of cannon in the town and vicinity of Boston. She desired I would write upon those matters. We have on Fort Hill in Boston a square fort about an hundred feet Curtin with four Bastions, a good ditch with pickets therein; a small fort at...
3To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Congress, a few days since, received your letter of the 19 of April last which announced to them that you had been received by the States General of the United provinces in the quality of Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America—an event interesting and important—besides a participation in the general joy occasioned hereby my private feelings are perfectly gratified that...
4From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Honour of your Letter of 25. September, and I beg leave to thank you, for your kind Congratulations on our little Success at the Hague.— I wish to have it in my Power to congratulate you Soon, upon a good Peace.— But, every Thing within my Observation, is disposing itself, both on the side of France and England for another Campaign So that I cannot give much Encouragement...
5To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
At my last interview I mentioned to your Excellency my apprehensions that there were some influential characters in the United States, who, if a change of the constitution could not be effected in the first instance would endeavour to destroy the influence of the new government and make it subservient to the views of the different States I see no reason since to change my opinion but am rather...
6From 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...
7To 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...
8From 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.—...
9From 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...
10To 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...
11From 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14From 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...
15To 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...
16From 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.
17From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 30 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received with much Pleasure your favour of the 19th. If I should meet with any “Roses,” in my Path, I shall thank you for your congratulations, and when I set my foot on “thorns” as I certainly shall, I will thank you equally for your condolence. But when you assure me that you “feel a confidence in the safety of our political Bark,” you give me much comfort, and I pray you may not be...
18To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed will be presented to you by a committee from a number of Citizens on Monday next at half fast ten oClock should you at that time be at Quincy and in a situation to receive them—Our mutual friend Mr. Jonathan Jackson is with me & proposes to return here to meet our brethren Vzt. Colo: Daws Dr. Mason Mr Higginson Judge Wendal J Jackson B Lincoln With sincere wishes for your...
19From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Congratulations on my return to my Family and Friends are very obliging. Your polite Invitation is accepted with Pleasure. At this Period, when Disorder, Indiscipline and Disobedience of every kind fashioned into a kind of Science, are vindicated as Rights and inculcated as Duties, it is not to be expected that our Country should wholly Escape their contagious Effects. Although many...
20To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed address stands as first written. When you shall have both before you you will greatly oblige the Committee by selecting which shall the most fully comport with your own feelings.—The alterations between the Copy I left on Saturday and the address delivered on monday were the result of ideas highly respectful; which I will more fully explain when I shall call on monday next in the...
21To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
When Mr. Shaw was the other day at my office he mentioned to Mr. Weld my assistant that he had been informed that my drafts had been refused at every bank in this town. I have not, nor have I had a right to draw, nor have I drawn, on any bank but that of the branch where as Collecter I lodge the public monies and draw them as the public service and my duty requires.— My having, with General...
22To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Revd. Mr. Evens call to tender his services as a Chaplain to the troops now raising—In that Character he passed thro our long Contest with Great Britain to great acceptance. He joined my family during the seige of York town I not only became atteached to him as a friend, but as a Gentleman well qualified & disposed to discharge with fidelity the duties of his station. I think him now...
23From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I presume Mr. Pickering has sent you the inclosed declaration. But least it may not have come to your hand I send you a copy. This unaccountable misunderstanding, I hope will have no ill consequences. With great esteem I am Sir your / most obedient servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
24To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Monies recd. by the President of the U. S. from Benjn. Lincoln Collector at Boston. 1799 April 12. P. recd of this date—being the amt. due to Presdt. for his compensation to 4 Mar: 1799 Ds. 6,000 June 5. P. recd. of this date 2,000 Augt. 23. P. ditto—Co 2000 Sept: 25. P. ditto—Co 2000 30.
25To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The late collector of Portsmouth Mr. Whipple has often spoken and written to me respecting his removal from Office and wished me to converse with you on the subject which I declined being persuaded of the impropriety of the measure without evidence to substantiate the facts he set up. But at last upon his admitting the Justice of his removal upon the proof adduced in the case and giving up all...
26From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received your favour of the 3d and rejoice in the recovery of your usual health and pray that it may continue many years. When I came into office it was my determination to make as few removals as possible; Not one from personal malice; Not one from mere party Considerations. This Resolution I have invariably observed. Conviction of Infidelity to a Trust cannot be resisted...
27To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The same reasons which prevented my having the honour of dining with you yesterday now exist, and deny me the pleasure of doing it to day—From the confidence I have that your wishes are that every officer should be at his post, when his duties as such manifestly require it I persuade my self that you will not charge me with with neglect in these instances.— Believe me my dear sir in /...
28To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Major Hatch has shewn to me the draft of a system he has formed for discharging a number of Cannon at the same instant and proposed so to connect the balls by chains and sharpened Knives so as to cutt their way thro every body which shall come in contact with them.—I have not any pretentions to that kind of science on which their operation must be founded. I therefore hope that my silence...
29To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
The extreme bad traveling for some time past has prevented my calling and paying to you the debt of my most dutiful Gratitude While I sympathise with my country in the loss which they have sustained by the events of the late election it is some consolation that you will suffer less by the change than any other of your fellow citizens in the Union. Some few of them may be ingrateful for your...