1John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 7 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Two days ago, I was very agreably surprized by a Letter from you, which was acceptable both for the important public Intelligence it contained and as it informed me of your Escape from Boston. I had suffered much Anxiety, on Account of yourself and your Family, supposing you were confined in Town and subject to I knew not what Inconveniences or Indignities. I cant yet learn that Mr. Boylstone,...
2John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of August 21. and Sept. 9. I have received and am much obliged to you for them. I hope you will be so good as to write me, by every Vessell. From the great Number of American Vessells which have arrived, in Europe in the Course of the past summer, I think our Commerce as well as Privateering is on the rising hand, and I hope that next year, it will increase considerably, and that...
3John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 20 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
In an Hand Bill printed at Baltimore the 17th instant is as well made a Lye as ever I read. It is in these Words viz. “last night Mr. Charles Cook, arrived here in 12 days from Newbern, in North Carolina, and brings the following important Intelligence, vizt. “That the day before he sat out, Capt. Charles Stedman, of the North Carolina Forces, a Gentleman of Credit, just returned from...
4John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 16 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of 26th. Feby. was sent me by Mr. John Hodshon of Amsterdam, whom I shall request to convey You this. You can’t imagine how much pleasure this Letter gave me. I should be obliged to You to write me and desire Mrs. Adams, and my friends to write by every Vessel to Amsterdam and Spain. The Newspaper inclosed was very agreeable. I have procured the Account of Captain Water’s...
5John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 19 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will be delivered you, by two Gentlemen who are returning to America, Sir James Jay of New York, a Brother of The Hon. John Jay, once a Member of Congress, now Chief Justice of that state. The other is Mr. Digges a Gentleman from South Carolina. These Gentlemen will be able to give you, a particular Account of all the News. I should be obliged to you if you would introduce Dr....
6John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 1 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of May 14. and 22d. are now before me. The first I shewed to Mr. Morris, as soon as I received it. The last contains Intelligence, from Hallifax of the Streights to which our Enemies are reduced, which I was very glad to learn. I am very happy to learn from you and some other of my Friends that Boston is securely fortified; but still I cannot be fully satisfied untill I hear that...
7John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 11 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 18th. of Decr. reached me to day. I lament the Loss of my Letters by Davis, but I hope Mrs. Adams did not lose her Present, which I hear nothing of. I thank You, Sir, for the kind News of my Family. Mr. Guild is taken and all my Letters and other things sent by him lost. I wish I could give You any good News, especially of Peace, but alass there is no hopes of it. The...
8From John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 15 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure to congratulate you, upon the provisional Arrangement of our Affairs with England. The Terms are as good as we could obtain, and much better, considering all the Difficulties and Dangers we were in, than could have been expected. The Fishery I think is so well secured, that we have no cause to complain, and as soon as Peace is concluded you may revive your long neglected...
9John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 17 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the Eighth contains Intelligence of an interesting Nature to the Public as well as to me, and my Family in particular.—The Small Pox is so terrible an Enemy that it is high Time to subdue it.—I am under the greatest Obligation to you, Sir, and Mrs. Smith for your kind Offer of the Accommodations of your House to Mrs. Adams and my Children. I shall be very, very anxious, untill I...
10John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 26 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I must intreat You to write me, and persuade others to write by every Vessel to Spain and Holland. We have just received Clinton’s Letter. A Spanish Armament, 12. Ships of the Line, 5 Frigates &c. &c., 12,000 men sailed 28th. April. The Brest Armament of 8 Ships and 6000 Men sailed 2d. May. Walsingham and Graves are still in Port, for any thing We have heard. The maritime Powers have all...
11John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 16 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your Favour of December the 12, and thank you for your Attention to the Widows, whose Letters came safe by the same Conveyance. The Way of Spain is a very good one to send light Letters containing any interesting Intelligence, but large Packetts mount the Postage so high as to make it too heavy. The Method of cutting out from Newspapers interesting Paragraphs, and inclosing...
I had wrote you several posts before my hearing you was returned. I should be very glad if you and Mrs. Adams could take a turn this way before you return to Philadelphia again. I had lately a schooner arrived, with some powder, at Barnstable, rather better than three hundred pounds, which was disposed of there, as the people wanted it much. I understand that any person importing powder shall...
13Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 9 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams not knowing of this Opportunity by Mr. Sears and Capt. Cheevers, who are going in a Dutch ship, who probably may call on you as the ship is designed to touch at Bourdeaux. I wrote you by a Vessell of my Own a few days since by the way of Cadiz, I then wrote you I had received a Trunk by Capt. Tucker, for Mrs. Adams, in good order. You will doubtless have heard by the packet Count...
14Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 6 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a post or two Ago, of being informd Mr. Gearey had wrote his brother to procure a Cargo or two of fish, to ship to Europe and had Applyed to me for some I have by me, but as I have sundry Vessells of my Own lying by should be glad to have them imployed, and iff the Congress wants to purchase I would let them have mine and would see to the loading of her and to follow there...
15To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 16 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 4t. Instant, I have received which I received by Via Watertown but As the post is most certain would not have you be affraid of writing that way On Account of the postage. I Observe what you say about liberty of going to foreign ports which, there has been no Obstruction As to going in ballast. You say trade, you expect, will be Open very soon. We have little or nothing in this...
16To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 29 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you One or two letters not knowing of your being coming home all that time. We have nothing Material in this quarter. By some people a few days since Out of Boston they seem to think they will move off soon, As the Transports seem to be in readiness to receive any thing On board, and that there are Apprizements on the Friends of goverments Estate but I apprehend itt differantly that is...
17Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 28 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Not haveing anything worth troubling you with for sometime have been silent. The late Affair of Ticonderogia, makes us all sick. I have been of Opinion for sometime itt would have been best iff itt had been evacuated last spring and come down lower by which means the laboring Oar would have fell more on the Enemy, but to give itt up with such immence stores and charge we have been att, is...
18Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 22 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 25th Ulto. I received sometime since by my Schooner and have sent your B arre l flour—As likewise a packet of yours by a schooner a few days since. A schooner that came Out with mine charged by Our Commite of Warr (Arnold Master) is suppos’d to be taken. As to my Affairs att Baltemore they fell into the hands of those people not by choice and wish I had known sooner what sort of...
19Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 13 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you the post before last to which refer you. In your last you mention the prize price of Salt, which am very sorry to see was so high. I had a little parcel lately which I retaild Out att 12/ a single bushel, and sold a Gentleman from the Jerseys who are deprived from geting that Article and to compasionate there case let him have itt att 10/ tho was offerd 20/ for itt, but as he...
20To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 11 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have not been favord, with any from you for sometime. As to News of any consequence this way, we have None. The most important is your way, trusting on the divine beaing for a blessing on Our Arms. Hope in the end we shall be crownd with success—though the present prospect Appears gloomy. I have been Appointed by the General Court last Year to take care of the poor belonging to the Almshouse...
21Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 6 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Hopeing this might find you safe Arrived, and haveing an Opportunity by Via Cadiz, thought itt might be Agreeable to let you know your family and friends are well. A fleet from France is now Arriveing. The Dean Frigate with Young Cushing &c. is att Portsmouth. Mr. Dean was landed att the Eastward as you will know as the ship returnd. —Tryon sent Out part of an Act to Govr. Trumbal. I have...
22Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 22 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
You will by this itts likely have heard, of the departure of the Troops from Boston. I went in this week and found my home in good Order, though great devastation as to many Others. I here Mr. Gearey Gerry has wrote to his brother about purchaicing a Cargo, of fish—and have been with me, About purchaicing some I have. I Understand, itt is by the Order of Congress. I dont purpose parting with...
23To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 4 – 8 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I suppose there were some dispatches went of f yesterday to your body respecting the late News of more Troops expected. I did not think they would have been Able to have procured so many Troops. By some London papers which Cap. Lee saw on board the Vessell bound to N.F.Land, not a Transport but a Vessell that came Out with them, itt seems the Ministry have Agreed to pay the K. of Prussia his...
24Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 26 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I forgot in my last epistle, to desire you to speak to the Phila. printer’s of the News paper’s generally sent this way for to send me One, weekly which as the posts are now regulated, comes here a Thursday Afternoon, the Hartford post arriving att Cambridge a Wednesday Night. Your two Peices Issue’d by your Congress meets with general Applause—but we want to see that to the King and as itt is...
25Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours by Docto. Jackson I received last week, he had letters to Others likewise. I waited on him with some Others att his lodgings. Mr. Jonathan Williams Offering his servise, itt was not worth while for more to be concerned. I recommended him to a person att Salem, and to Our Kindsman Tufts att Newbury, who writes me he has undertaken to dispose of a quantity and whose fidellity may be...
26Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 23 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
In Haveing an Opportunity by Via Bilbao, I have the pleasure of communicating to you the Arrival of your son Charles, after a passage of 45 days from Bilbao. —The ship Robinhood that Charles Storer &c. went in is Arrived from Gottenburgh, in 45 days likewize a Brig att Providence from france by which we here the News of the Capture of Cornwallis had reacht there. The Congress has past an Act...
27Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 10 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours by post I have received, and with what Armes is Arrived this way, hope will be a full supply, and wish there were an equal Number to make Use of them. Although Our Number is not compleated, yet by what we can learn, we have as many or more than any of the goverments and are marching forward dayly. The story of the burning the Arsenal att Plymouth wish was more Authenticated, As we have a...
28Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 23 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Not knowing but this may reach you as soon or sooner than a conveyance from Newbury (a ship of the Tracy’s Capt. Brown) by whom Mrs. Adams has wrote you—As such I take upon me to trouble you with a few lines, to let you know Mrs. Adams and family were well Yesterday. We have a ship from Port Loreon Lorient last week in 27 days, but as to News we have nothing Material, was in hopes the Dutch...
29To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 6 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 17th. Ultimo I have received, As to the Massachusetts raising more Men—would say, the seaports are driand very much by there going a privateering &c. and the late success of One belonging here (Cap. White) who with Another has taken four ships &c. two are in att the Eastward. One between 4 and 500 hhds claid Barbadoes Sugars, the Other from Antigua. His success, now with two other...
30Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 26 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening we had an Account from Newbury that a Vessell was Arrived there from Bilbao, but haveing stopt att Coronia, brings the Agreeable news of your having Arrived att that port after a very short passuage. I sent word to day to Mrs. Adams, and iff any letters should come to hand from Newbury, shall forward them. But as yet no letters are come, Occasiond by the badness of the roads. I...
31Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 8 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
You will hear by this Conveyance, itts probable that the small pox is likely to spread here chiefly by Innoculation As 4. or 500. I suppose are already received itt and people that have moved Out several times now tarry, Amongst which is Mrs. Edwards.—I am just agoing to set Out for Salem and am to meet Mr. Cranch and Mrs. Adams att Roxbury to settle About both families coming in and Cousin...
32Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 27 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few days since by a ship which goes in Company with this of the success under Genl. Morgan in the Caralinions Over the famous Tarleton. Since which we have the Agreeable Advize of an Expedition of a 64 ship and 2 frigates part of the french fleet att Rd. Island, haveing been to Virginia in order to ketch Genl. Phillips and Arnold, which business they have compleated haveing saild...
33To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 22 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you, by last Weeks post, and am confirmd in my Opinion As to what I wrote you, with referance to a free trade with the Neutral Islands by the many Captures of the southern Vessells in the West Indies; two days since I saw a Master from Gaudelupe who left itt 24 days Ago and he heard of two Briggs two days before being taken One from Virginia or Maryland and the Other from Philadelphia...
34Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 2 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you sometime Ago, desireing you to inquire of the So. Carolina Gentlemen whether they wanted to make Exchange of some money, I had in So. Carolina, but as itt is not very likely I Apprehend I have concluded, to send a Vessell to bring the Value in Rice, which I find is Allowed—so would not give you the trouble. I wrote Mr. Black to send me a Phila. weekly paper but as I have not...
35Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 25 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
The bearer is Thomas Russell Esq., who is going to The Congress in order to make Application in behalf of the Town of Charlestown for some temperal releif for the many sufferers amongst which are many widows, more so than in general, and iff any thing could be done for them, under there present dificulties, consistant with the general good I should be glad and hope some method might be found...
36Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 24 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Long before this will reach you, you will have an Account of the Action, att Charlestown, in which though the regulars have gaind an Advantageous Cituation have paid for itt very dearly, which loss in Millitary Accheivements is lookt upon as trivial. The distruction of Charlestown is a most Melancholy seen, as Three quarters of the Inhabitants have lost there, all. Brother Kent house, W....
37To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 9 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by Via france, lately, but beleive the Ship is not saild (cald the Marquis Fayetta) on Account of Our Coast being very much infested with Cruzers, the brige. Capt Hales who came from Holland with the bearer Capt Grinnel was taken in Our bay and Carrd. to Bermudas, att which place great many Vessells are carried. The french fleet are here fiting, and will leave considerable of money...
38Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 14 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you some time Ago requesting your Asking some of the Gentlemen of the Congress, belonging to Georgia, whether the Continental Certifycates would Answer to purchase a Cargo of Rice. My friends in Europe often you’st to say when nothing Material turnd up worth Adviseing me, they had nothing worth troubling me with so I may say as to my self for sometime past.—But to day we have a prize...
39Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 14 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I received last post a letter from Mr. Morris with referance to the fish I wrote to you about, sometime Ago—since which, and not hearing from you sooner I have concluded to ship itt on my Own Account. Upon Over hauling some of itt, by itts lying so long has hurt itt very much, some part of which is Only fit for the West India Market. I know of some which has been sold lately for the European...
40Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 13 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
Itt is sometime since any of your friends have had a line from you though many Vessells have Arrived from France by which conveyance they have been expecting letters from you. There has been Three frigates with money, some for the Congress, and Cloathing. The Marquis Lafaett that had a quantity of Cloathing is supposd to have founderd. We have been very much troubeld on Our Eastern Coast and...
41Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 22 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your esteemed favors of the 29th. Ulto. and 6th Inst. now before and in Answer say I shall att all times be willing to communicate my sentiments or give any intelligence, that may tend to the public good.—As to Boston I think when the works are compleated the enemy will never attempt coming that way, but as soon As that is compleated hope there will be some way found to keep the ships from...
42Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 7 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday received your long lookt favor being the Only One I have received for two Years. I dont know that I am intitled to any particular Notice, more than many of your friends but thought I might claim some share. I received a letter from Mdm. the Widow Chabenel incloseing some letters to be forwarded to her relations att the southward. Billey lately returnd from Philadelphia were he saw...
43Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 12 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your several packets for Mrs. Adams which have been forwarded.—I have thoughts of sending a Vessell to Georgia to load with Rice, and as I should have Occasion to send money for the purchase, I should be glad iff you would enquire of the Gentlemen from Georgia, whether the Continental Loan bills would Answer as some Value in them might be easier conseald in case I should send...
44Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 27 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Sir I wrote you by last, to which refer you. I beleive the brigantine of Mr. Gearey is taken, a Vessell from So. Carolina which left itt About 20. days Ago, the Master of which says he saw a sailor who said he belonged to a brigantine with powder designed into the Eastern part of Our goverment, and that they came athot of a M an of War and threw in the Night part of the powder Over, before...