1From George Washington to John Adam, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I understand Mr Skinner is gone to Philadelphia. You will keep the inclosed Letter for him till he returns, when You will take the earliest opportunity of delivering it to him. I desire to see him as soon as he arrives & have written to him for the purpose. You will inform the Officer who came with a flag to Elizabeth Town Yesterday—that he is not to wait for an Answer to the Letters he...
2John Bishop to Abigail Adams, 16 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 14th. ultmo., should not have defer’d answering it so long had I been able to have wrote you, but have had a lame hand, and was unable to put Pen to Paper when I receiv’d it. I sent you a b arre l of Flower which you acknowledge the Rec eip t off in your Letter. I hope it will prove good. I got Mr. Hall (Baker of this place) to exammine all the Flower we then had in...
3James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 27 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed is from no new Admirer. But it will not be less wellcome on that Score to a Female devoid of Coquetry. It came under Cover to the hon. Mr. Bee from Commodore Gillon, who has been so kind as to aid Mr. A——by interpreting, in Holland. Mr. A——is authorized to negociate the money matters that were entrusted to Mr. Laurens and had actually received his Powers by the happy Arrival of...
4Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Promiss made to my son to spend a week with our Friends at Braintree is readily Caught at nor Can I Receed had I inclination. I hope his Behaviour is such as no one will think it too Long Except his mamah who is very Choice of the Precious Moments of Youth. But you will put into his hand such Books as will both instruct and Entertain. I am sorry Naby is not at home. Why will my Friend be so...
5William Smith to Abigail Adams, 20 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Cap. Davis arrived here last Thursday, by him Mr. Adams had sent a number of Letters, and was order’d to throw them over in case he was chased. He was chas’d on his passage and threw them over. Messrs. De Neufville wrote a Letter to my father inclosing one for you which was saved and have sent it by the Bearer. The packet for you will be taken care of as soon as it is out of the Vessell. A...
6Edward Wigglesworth to Abigail Adams, 13 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am directed by the Corporation to advise you, that the Hon. Mr. Adams, in his Letter favoured by the Hon. A. Lee, informed them, “that you would deliver five Volumes of M. Court de Gébelin’s Monde Primitif with the L’Histoire natural de la Parole for our Library.” M. Gebelin has been pleased to enrich our public Library with that very learned Work. And as Mr. Adams had the five first Volumes...
7To John Adams from James Warren, 22 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Two days ago I received your favour of the 18th. March, without ever hearing before of, or seeing since the Gentleman there recommended. When I have an opportunity I shall most certainly pay proper respect to your recommendations, by takeing proper Notice of him. My last to you was by a French frigate from Newport with a Copy of what went by Capt. Hayden from here to Amsterdam. I beleive I...
8To John Adams from Francis Dana, 9 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I reached Leide in the Scout at 6. o Clock, and finding it impossible from thence to get to Roterdam that night in a Scout, I took a Carriage, and rode on to that place, where I arrived between 10 and 11 Clock at night. There I luckily found a French Gentleman who was bound for Antwerp; with him I took another Carriage at Rotterdam, and tho’ the road was exceedingly bad, we got on within one...
Since you know the ardor and sincerity of my feelings for the cause of liberty, you can understand my gratitude at receiving the honor of your trust in the letter of 23 October. I regret only that I cannot devote all my powers and abilities to the defense of this noble cause. The duties with which I am burdened at present leave me scarcely a free moment. This did not prevent me, however, from...
10To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 1 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 23d Ultimo, acknowledging the Receipt of mine of the 19th. I am happy to find my Sentiments of things confirmed by your Excellency. What your Excellency has said with respect to the Improbability of Peace, and Treatment of Mr. Lawrens affects me much. I have taken the liberty of writing it to England for the public Perusal and...
11Hendrik 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...
12Jean Luzac to John Adams: A Translation, 24 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose two more copies of the Pensées . I am not including more because you can get them more easily in Amsterdam from the booksellers listed in the advertisement appearing in today’s Gazette . I am very glad that you approve of the preface which is, however, far beneath the encomium that you bestow upon it. I agree with you regarding the intentions of the people whom you...
13To 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...
14Rector Verheyk to John Adams, 10 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
La Desobeissance et L’impertinence de Monsieur votre Fils ainé, qui fait de son mieux pour corrompre son aimable Frere, n’etant plus a soufrir, puis qu’il cherche lui même par sa brutalité, a s’attirer le chatiment qu’il merite, dans l’Esperance de quitter les Ecoles, sous ce pretexte. Je vous prie donc Monsieur d’avoir la bonté de le retirer d’ici, plutot que de voir la Discipline publique...
15To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 17 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was an ardent partisan of the noble cause of America, only on account of my great love for liberty. But, since I have the honour of Knowing you, I have another motive of loving America, seeing that it produces so worthy and so brave Gentlemen. When occasion has occurred, I have never been backward in serving it with my pen, the feeble but the only help which I could bring. And when this...
16C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
You will have seen from today’s supplement to the Gazette de Leyde that I followed your instructions to the letter and had the extracts concerning Mr. Laurens inserted. Only the last two or three lines, where White-Eyes is charged with the ignominious treatment inflicted upon Mr. Laurens, have been omitted, for including them would have risked exposing ourselves. Moreover, I am very grateful,...
17To John Adams from Alexander Gillon, 12 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Fever having confind me to my lodgings some days, debar’d me of the pleasure of waiting on your Excellency, and of making a Verbal instead of A written application to you in behalf and for the use of the State of South Carolina. Your Excellency has been partly a Witness to the unavoidable delays I have met with here, proceeding from a three months spell of Easterly winds and not sufficient...
18C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 1 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Although I have had the honor to write to you since the favor of your letter of the 4th, I now realize that I did not adequately answer it. I have been unable to procure a copy of the dispatch from St. Petersburg because the plenipotentiaries insisted that it not be distributed. But, in substance, it contains 1. A convention proposed by the Empress of Russia whereby, with the five known...
19To John Adams from Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 17 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have found a little Inconvenience in having nobody here on the Spot, that I could call my Guardian. I spoke to Doctor Franklin of it who directed me to write to you and to inform you that if you would agree to it he would take me under his Care. I receiv’d the other Day a Letter from my Grandpappa in which he told me that my Father had sent you a large Remittance which if you receive and...
20To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Returning the day before yesterday from Boulogne, I had the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter by the Hands of Mr. Bowdoin, to whom I shall pay every attention due to your Excellencys Recommendation and his own Merit. Before this comes to Hand your Excellency will have heard of the Disaster in Carolina; the Consequences of which may be sensibly felt by us. However there are Matters,...
21To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 10 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Nothing material occurring, I did not write you on the last post day. Things were then in a train for other communications and I am in hopes to add something to this letter in the Evening before I seal it, from our friend. Mr. S ear les letter and some late ones from home via Nantes got to Him. Mr. L——ns treatment remaind with usual and unabated rigour till the 8th Instant. His Son and Mr....
22To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 19 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I shall make no apology for troubling you, Sir, as you have been so Kind as to grant me that liberty. I hope you received by Mr. Celesia my preceeding letter of 19th. August, inclosed in which there was one for the Govr. of Virginia numbered 21. You will find here the following, numbered 22, which I beg you to peruse, and forward to its destination. You will see by it that after Mr. Celesia...
23To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 14 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 28th ultimo and 7th Instant came both to hand since mine of the 10th and I began from yesterday to forward the two news papers as directed. You need not apologise for any trouble given me of this sort, for I shall be always glad to serve You. The Books you request in both these last letters will be forwarded by a Ship to Amsterdam to sail in a few days; there are other...
24Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
How long is the space since I heard from my dear absent Friends? Most feelingly do I experience that sentiment of Rousseaus’ “that one of the greatest evils of absence, and the only one which reason cannot alleviate, is the inquietude we are under concerning the actual state of those we love, their health, their life, their repose, their affections. Nothing escapes the apprehension of those...
Aiant appris que le Congress vous a muni des memes pouvoirs qu’Il avoit confié au Collonel Laurens, dont la facheuse catastrophe me desole, et qu’entre autres votre mission a pour but une negociation pour L’Amerique Unie, je prens la liberté de Vous prier de m’en envoier le plustot possible les Conditions; un Parent m’aiant temoigné de l’inclination d’y placer 20,000 florins de Hollande. Si...
26To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Understanding that in Case of Mr. Laurens’s Absence, you are charged with the Affair of procuring a Loan in Holland, I think it Right to acquaint you, that by a Letter from Mr. Jay of the 12th. Instant, from Madrid, we are informed that the King of Spain has been so good as to offer his Guarrantee for the Payment of the Interest and Principal of a Loan of Money for the Use of the United...
27From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 20 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Understanding that in Case of Mr. Laurens’s Absence, you are charged with the Affair of procuring a Loan in Holland, I think it Right to acquaint you, that by a Letter from Mr Jay of the 12th Inst, from Madrid, we are informed that the King of Spain has been so good as to offer his Guarrantee for the Payment of the Interest and...
28To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 23 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The discovery of Arnold’s treachery, and the new Bennington Affair in the South, have given fresh hopes and Spirits to the Whigs. We had forgotten former deliverances under our late losses and mortifica tions. But we now find that providence is on our Side, and that our independance is as secure as the everlasting mountains. We have discovered at last that God means that we should live only...
29To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 15 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I put a Letter of Introduction into the Hand of a son who has since unfortunately been made a prisoner by the Portland Man of War, and though held as an Hostage till the fulfilment of Certain Conditions Mentioned in a Cartel sent to Boston, he has been treated with great Humanity and politeness by Admiral Edwards, and by late letters I find he purposes to pursue his Voyage to Europe, and if he...
30To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 14 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai été bien fâché d’avoir vu trainer si longtems l’impression de la Brochure en question, d’abord par le refus du Libraire, auquel je m’étois d’abord adressé, et sur lequel j’avois compte, ensuite par les lenteurs continuelles de l’Imprimeur. Là voilà enfin achevée: J’ai l’honneur de vous en envoyer ci-joint deux Exemplaires: J’en ai demandé une douzaine gratis pour votre usage, et je vous...
31Jean Luzac to John Adams: A Translation, 19 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Upon returning home, I found the letter that you honored me with of last Monday. Please accept my apologies for thus far being unable to speed up the publication of the pamphlet. Unexpected family matters, particularly the death of a relative, have caused me to make frequent trips out of town and have deprived me of the leisure necessary to address myself to the task as promptly as I had...
32To John Adams from Bartholomé Wild, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Vôtre ami Mr: Cerisier m’a dit de vous envoyer quelque brochure pollitiques Sur les affaires du tems, c’est ce que je fait. 3 Destin de l’Amerique 8° à 16 Stvrs: F 2. 8 1 Tableau historique des Provinces Unies 12°. 6 vol. 9. 16 1 Advocaat pour et Contre 8° . 11 1 Lettres Hollandoise 4 T et T 5 No. 1 à 9. 24. 6 1 observation et Suitte 2 parties 8° 1. 5 1 Reponce aux memoires de York . 4
I shall endeavor to write largely to you, en Ami, but I will not risque the Sailing of the Vessel for that Purpose, at this moment. It is reported Mr. Searle is taken; our Affairs in Holland must in such Case be very bad as you will not have received any Powers for acting instead of Mr. Laurens who is too probably taken and carried to England from New foundland. And I also know of other...
34To John Adams from François Barbé-Marbois, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Je viens de recevoir la Lettre que vous m’aves fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 1. du mois de mars dernier. J’ai appris dans le tems avec le plus grand plaisir la resolution que vous avies prise d’emener Mrs. vos fils avec vous. En suivant l’exemple de leur pere ils ne peuvent manquer de contracter une sincere amitié pour notre nation. Je vous prie de me rappeller au souvenir de notre petit...
35Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I closed a long Letter to you only two days ago and sent it to Cales, but as no opportunity is omitted by me, I embrace this, as Col. Flury was kind enough to write me on purpose from Newport to inform me of it, and to promise a carefull attention to it. Yet I feel doubtfull of its safety, the Enemy seem to be collecting a prodigious force into these seas, and are bent upon the destruction of...
36To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 15 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Comme vous connaissiez l’ardeur et la Sincérité de mes sentimens pour la cause de la liberté, jugez avec quelle reconnaissance j’ai reçu l’honneur de votre confiance par Votre lettre du 23 octobre. Je regrette Seulement de ne pouvoir consacrer toutes mes forces et tous mes talens à la défense de cette noble cause. Les occupations dont je suis a présent accablé, me laissent à peine un instant...
37To John Adams from James Warren, 12 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
My last two or three Letters were by Capt. Samson, who if he has not Shared the ill fate of some Others, must have been handed you long before this. Three Letters went by my Son. He had the Misfortune to be taken, and carried to Newfoundland, and I suppose the Letters went to the Bottom with a great Number of Others. In them I Endeavoured to give you as perticular an Account of our Affairs...
38To John Adams from Henry Grand, 24 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
After the receit of the Letter you honoured Me with the 3rd of this Month I immediately wrote to Messrs. Ve. J. Fleury & Desmadieres at Orleans, to send up the Wine Mr. Williams had procured you; and following the Circumstances it shall be disposed of in the best Manner possible. Respecting the News Papers for America, they have till now been most regularly shipped. I have not been so...
39To 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...
40To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 24 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer ci-joint encore deux Exemplaires sur du Papier à écrire des Pensées : Je n’en ajoute pas un plus grand nombre, parce que vous pouvez l’avoir actuëllement plus facilement à Amsterdam même, chez les Libraires indiqués dans l’Avis, qui se trouve dans notre Gazette d’aujourd’hui. Je suis bien aise, que vous approuviez la Préface, qui néanmoins est audessous de...
41Abigail Adams to John Adams, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The vessel by which I mean to send this is bound for Amsterdam and had very nigh given me the slip. I have been writing to you when ever I was able by other opportunities, and should have compleated several Letters for this conveyance, but I have been very sick with a slow fever, and your Mother has been sick here of a fever, occasiond by great fatigue, the old gentleman dyeing about 3 weeks...
42To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 10 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of the 6th there has been no material incident relative to Mr. H. L——s Commitment; nor is the rigour of his confinement abated. No person whatever can speak to Him but in hearing and sight of the two attending Messengers. It is said the Secy. of States order will produce admittance to his room, but nothing else. Some of his torey relations, and a Mr. Manning a Merchant of the...
43To John Adams from Stephen Sayre, 1 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I make no Apology for troubling you with a Letter, because your Excellency must know me by reputation, and because the purport of it is of a public nature. As to myself, I trust, you must be persuaded, there is not an American, now in arms, more ardent in our cause—I am sure none can have more reason to detest the British Government. When I left Great Britain, I did it with a full...
44Hendrik 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...
45To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 3 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your line with an inclosure the 24th. ultimo, wrote to the partys, and am now busey in putting forward four of the Horses requird by my new Correspondant. By the time limited, I hope to send Him a set that will compleat His Carriage. As 17 or 18 have been sent from me since the 6th of last mo., I hope a considerable part of them will answer and give a good temporary lift. A...
46Cotton Tufts to John Adams, with a Copy of a Letter from Daniel Little, 27 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to You last March also in June, the former by Capt. McNeil who had the Misfortune to be taken, the Latter by the Ship Mars Capt. Sampson bound to France, which must have reached You before this Time if no Misfortune has befallen the Ship. By Capt. Sampson I sent You Allens Narrative, a Journal of the Weather from November last with a general Account of Vegetation also a particular...
47Additional Instructions Respecting a Peace Treaty with Great Britain, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letters of 23 and 24 March last from the honble. John Adams minister plenipotentiary for negotiating a treaty of Peace and a treaty of commerce with the king of G Britain and thereupon Resolved That the said minister be informed it is clearly the Opinion of Congress that a short truce would be highly dangerous to these United...
48To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Vous aurez pu voir par le Supplément de la Gazette de Leide de ce jour, que je vous ai ponctuellement obéi, en faisant insérer les Extraits concernant Mr. Lawrens. On a seulement omis les 2 ou 3 dernieres Lignes, où White-Eyes est chargé de la bassesse du traitement indigne qu’éprouve Mr. Laurens: parce qu’on n’auroit pu les mettre sans s’exposer. Du reste je vous Suis très-obligé, Monsieur,...
49To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 1 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Quoique j’aie eu l’honneur de vous écrire depuis la faveur de votre Lettre du 4e., je dois néanmoins me souvenir que je n’y ai proprement pas répondu. Je n’ai pu me procurer une Copie de la Dépêche de Petersbourg, parce que les Plenipotentiaires ont exigé qu’elle ne fût point communiquée. Mais elle porte en Substance 1º. une Convention proposée par l’Impératrice de Russie, où, aux 5 articles...
50To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 17 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
It was not until the 14th Instant that any person Whatever was permitted to see Mr. Laurens in the Tower. On that day after repeated applications for admission, Mr. Manning, and Mr. Laurens Jur. (a youth of 16 or 18 who has been some years at Warrington school) was permitted to see Him. An order went signd from the 3 Secretarys of State Hillsborough, Stormont, and Germain, to the Govr. of the...