1John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 20 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received yours of Ap. 18. Via Leverpool. Money may be sent to the East, to purchase Tea and other Commodities for which We now send it to London, and pay double Price. Besides Tobacco Peltries and Ginzeng, may be procured. Our Oil might easily find a Market in almost any great Town in Europe. Nothing is wanting but to make known the superiour Qualities of our Sperma Caeti Oil, by...
2From John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 12 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Terror in the Minds of our Sailors, of the Barbary Rovers, is an immense Loss to our Country, in Insurance, and in Trade with Italy, Spain, Portugal France England Holland: indeed with all Parts of the World. The Question is whether it is better Policy to fight them or treat with them. To fight, with a possibility of any effectual Success will cost us a Million sterling a Year. To treat...
3From John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 2 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday made a Visit to your old Friend M r Boylston, and his Nephew at their Sugar House on Pauls Wharf, Upper Thames Street. They have a pretty Situation, and a good Room with a Bow Window, which shews them the whole Scæne of the River, upwards to Blackfryars Bridge and downwards a great Way. We are to have a View from this Window of the Lord Mayors Show. These gentlemen represent to me,...
4From John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 6 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
My Son who is upon his return home will deliver to you and your worthy Family in all its Branches, the Respects and Affections of mine: but I ought not to Send him away without a Letter to you. The Letters with which you favour Us now and then by the Way of Spain and Portugal, always come Safe as I believe and are an agreable Refreshment to Us. We Shall always be thank full for a Letter, by...
5Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 13 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
The ship Dutche’s of Kingston in which M r Dana came in is now bound to Lisbon, from whence this will be forwarded, as probably itt may reach you allmost as soon as any Other way— M rs. Adams was with us lately who with the family are well Col o. Quincy departed this life last week— Our G. C. are seting & have been for sometime past— a few days since came on the salaries for the Officers of...
6From 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...
7To 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...
8Isaac 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...
9Isaac 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...
10Isaac 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...