201From John Adams to the Chevalier de Pinto, 10 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, which you did me the honour to write me, on the 7 th. of this month, and have observed with great satisfaction; the assurances of her most faithfull Majesty’s desire, to conclude with the united states of america, a treaty of Commerce upon convenient Conditions. I am very well convinced sir, of the utility and Convenience, which would be found in the nomination of...
202To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am Sorry to give you the trouble of this Commission: but I fear it will not be effectually done but by you, and therefore let me beg the favour of you to send for Mr. de La Blancherie and withdraw my Subscription to the Society of whose affairs he has the direction, and put a stop to his sending me the Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres et Des Arts. He persuaded me at the Hague to...
203John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am glad to find by your Letter that you are so well situated, at Mr. Sewalls, make my Compliments to that Gent. and thank him for the Kind present of his translation of Young—it appears to me to be well done. You will write to me from time to time, if you want Books, or any assistance in your studies, from this side the Water. I hear a good account of your Conduct, your studies you must...
204John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 23d. has made me the happiest Man upon Earth. I am twenty Years younger than I was Yesterday. It is a cruel Mortification to me that I cannot go to meet you in London, but there are a Variety of Reasons decisive against it, which I will communicate to you here. Meantime, I Send you a son who is the greatest Traveller, of his Age, and without Partiality, I think as promising...
205From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 20 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
By the Seventh Article of the provisional Treaty of Peace, signed on the thirtieth of November, One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty two, confirmed by the definitive Treaty of September one thousand, Seven hundred and Eighty three, it was Stipulated, that his Britannic Majesty should, with all convenient Speed withdraw all his Armies and Garrisons from the United States of America and from...
206John Adams to Jonathan Jackson, 1 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
This day I receiv’d, your kind Letter of the 27 of April, with the two Letters. I left England in January, to get some money in Holland to discharge Bills to a very large Amount, drawn at a Venture the like of which will not, I hope be repeated.— I have been here Since that time and shall go probably in three or four Weeks for Paris, where it would give me great Pleasure to see you. I can give...
207From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, 2 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have received your friendly Letter and am much obliged to you for your kind remembrance and felicitations. I also thank you for the Trouble you have taken in sending my Books to the gentlemen of whom I gave you a List. But I wish to be informed whether you sent the three Volumes or only the first. I directed M r: Dilly, Bookseller in the Poultry, London to send fifty Copies of each of the...
208From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I received with great Pleasure your favour of the first.— Your Excursion I dare answer for it, will be advantageous in many respects to our Country.— The Object of mine to Holland was to procure Money, and I had the good fortune to obtain as much as was necessary for the then present Purpose: but it was not in Consequence of any orders from Congress, and therefore I am under Some Apprehension...
209To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 29 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter to Mr. Lamb and another to Mr. Randall: if you approve them please to Sign them and send them on. Why those Gentlemen have lingered in Spain I know not. I have long expected to hear of their Arrival in Paris. Possibly they wait for orders. If so, the inclosed will answer the End. The Chev. De Pinto told me on Wednesday that he had orders from his Court to inform me, that...
210John Adams to Royall Tyler, 3 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday received your Letter of the thirteenth of January. The Subject of it has for some time been to me an Occasion of Solicitude, chiefly on Account of the Uncertainty in which I have been too long left respecting every thing which concerns me and my Family. Your Connections and Education are too respectable for me to entertain any objections to them: Your Profession is that for which I...
211From John Adams to Jean George Holtzhey, 24 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Since I have been in London, a number of Gentlemen have expressed a Desire to have the Medals, struck by you in Commemoration of the Connection between your Country and mine.— I should be obliged to you, if you would send me three of each Sort, and apply to Mess rs Wilhem & Jan Willink for your Pay, who will charge it to my Account. Send them, if you please, to the Care of M r: John Stockdale...
212John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 14 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Letter of Yesterday, as I Suppose, tho without a Date and have maturely considered its Contents. I have weighed your Reasons and considered your Advice, and upon the whole, I think it most prudent to agree, upon the Terms you propose, the Undertakers engaging for a Million, but yet I would pray you to endeavour to perswade them to engage for at least fourteen hundred...
213John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Let me request of you, to turn your Attention as soon as possible to the Subject of a Treaty of Commerce between the United States of America and Great Britain, and transmit to me, a Project that you would advise me to propose in the first Instance. For my own Part I like the Plan agreed on with Prussia so well, that I must request you to send me a Copy of it, and with such Changes as you may...
214John Adams to States General of the Netherlands, 2 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Le Sousigne Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de L’Amerique, a l’honneur de proposer, qu’il laissa l’année passée, a Paris, quelques Effets, en Habillemens, Papiers, Livres, Argenterie &c dont il S’etoit Servi pendant Son Sejour dans cette Ville—qu’il envoya, il y a quelque tems, un Exprès, nommé Egberts D’Amsterdam, pour transporter ces Effets a la Haye; que le dit Expres est...
215John Adams to the president of Congress, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Having been obliged to come to Holland, the Beginning of this Year to obtain Money, to prevent M r Morriss Bills from being protested, I have remained here untill this Time, in Expectation of receiving the further Commands of Congress. From the Resolution of the 1. of May 1783 and from many private Letters, I expected that a Commission would have arrived to the late Ministers at the Peace, to...
216From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 12, but Yesterday, and wish it were in my Power to order the Interest due to the French Officers to be paid: but it is not.— They must remain unpaid, be the Consequence what it may untill Congress or the Board of Treasury order it. indeed, I dont know how your Subsistence & mine is to be paid after next month.— M r Grand will be likely to advance yours, but from...
217John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 3 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 26. Oct r: with the seven Questions inclosed. I have answered these Questions to the best of my Judgment, believing it to be my Duty to give to my enquiring Countrymen, all the satisfaction in my Power upon such occasions. I should wish too to gratify the Dutch merchants, and all others as far as I can in Character. But we must above all Things have the...
218John Adams to Baron von Thulemeier, 27 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, the twenty fifth of this Month, and the Note included in it, both of which I have copied and transmitted to Congress, for their Instructions. As the Note relates to a private Affair, perhaps the Congress may refer it to the Delegates of Georgia, but I should think it most prudent for the Interested, to send a Procuration to some...
219From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 4 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I last Night received the letter you did me the Honour to write me the 28 th of Octr I have the Honour now to inform you that I have not only accepted the three Bills you have been made acquainted with drawn by M r Barclay One of 120£ another of 100£ and a third of 100£— but I have since accepted three others vizt 200£ St accepted the 31 st of October drawn by M r Barclay 140£ St accepted the...
220John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 16 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 6 th: of January and that of the second of February and am much obliged to you for the particular Account of the State of the Cash and Obligations in your Hands. By all that I have learnt from your Letters, as well as by Enquiry in Conversation it seems to be so possible and indeed so probable, that the United States might be exposed to a loss of several...
221To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 27 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I embrace the opportunity, by Mr: Bingham, to enclose to your Excellency, Copy of a Letter from Mr: Jefferson, by which it appears that we are joined in some affairs which will give me the Occasion to visit Paris once more, and reside there for some little time at least. As Mr: Jefferson will not probably arrive before the latter End of August, and...
222From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 28 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been So taken up with Royal Societies and Royal Accademies, with British Musæums and Sir Ashton Levers Musæum with Wedgwoods Manufactory of Earthen Ware and Parkers of Glass, &c that I have not had time to write you a Line. You Observe I say nothing of Politicks for although I have been introduced to the great Politicians at their Desire I have not found them Sufficiently well disposed...
223From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 4 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your favour of the 28 th Nov r: and hope in future to hear often from you, although I dont expect to be informed of the Politicks of the Country, so particularly as heretofore, yet you may write freely under the Same Cover. I should be glad, however to know, truly what has happened upon the Frontiers; I hope the Comte de Linden will be appointed notwithstanding the...
224John Adams to the president of Congress, 3 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the Signature of the Preliminary Articles of Peace, I requested, of Congress, their Permission to return to America. This Request they did not at that time judge proper to grant, me, but on the contrary resolved that a Commission should be sent to me, M r: Franklin & M r: Jay, to make a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. But as no such Commission has arrived in Europe, the...
225From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & J. van Staphorst, 15 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, you did me the honor to write me, on the 9 th. of this month: informing me that His Excellency M r. Jefferson has applied to you to honour his orders monthly for about five thousand Livres, and that he has already drawn B. f. 5492:14, which you have accepted & paid, and desiring my directions for your Justification— As these orders of Mr. Jefferson are for the...
226John Adams to Baron von Thulemeier, 4 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
M r Adams presents his Compliments to the Baron De Thulemeier: He has received from Paris, the Project of a Treaty, returned with the Remarks of his Colleagues Mess rs Franklin and Jay. He desires to know the Hour tomorrow, when it will be most agreable to the Baron, that he Should wait upon him, to make the Communication. LbC ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 107. From Benjamin Franklin and John...
227From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 7 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
The Letter from the Board of Treasury of the 4. of April, in which this is inclosed, I received open, on Fryday, together with the Bills for 75,000 Guilders mentioned in it. I went immediately to Mr Ruckers House with them: but no one was at home, but a Servant, who told me, his Master and Mistress were in the Country, and the Clerk not at home. on Saturday, I went again. The Clerk was then at...
228From John Adams to the Massachusetts General Court, 18 June 1788 (Adams Papers)
To the Honourable the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts The kind and condescending Congratulations of So illustrious a Body as the Legislature of the Massachusetts, on my arrival with my Family, in this my native Country, does me great honour and demands my most gratefull Acknowledgments If the Dangers and Fatigues which have fallen to my Share in the Course of a memorable...
229John Adams to Richard Cranch, 24 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
In yours of the 10th. of Novr. you desire me to give you the Connection between the Premises and conclusion, when I said that the Navigation act would compell all the other states to imitate it. If they do not the Massachusetts will soon get so much of their carrying Trade as will richly compensate her for any present Inconvenience. I take it for granted that the United States will make peace...
230John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 11 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
My Express who sett off, on the third from Amsterdam is with you before now, and I hope you have found the Bills of Exchange to your Satisfaction. I am anxious for his Return, that I may have once collected together, under my own Eye, all that belongs to me in Europe, and be able to finish my Accounts. I should be much obliged to you, if you would examine my Accounts and Vouchers and give me...
231From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Col. Forrest, informed me last Night that he delivered you the Letter I wrote by him. in which were orders upon the Bankers of Amsterdam to pay you your Salery, till then I was anxous about it, as you make no mention of it in yours of the 25 th of Sep r I am extreamly Sorry to hear of your unfortunate Situation, at the date of that Letter. but hope before this time there is some change for the...
232From John Adams to the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux, 8 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Permettez moi de vous presenter Mon Ami monsieur John Trumbull Fils du Governeur Trumbull et cidevant Colonel au service des Etats Unis— Il a l’Ambition noble de consigner a l’immortality les Evenemens de notre Histoire par son Pinceau— vous verrez son Warren et son Montgomery— M r. Trumbull est un Citizen tres estimable, et Je vous prie de l’assister avec vos Bontés Allow me to present to you...
233From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 23 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favours of the 8. &. 10, and although I am Sorry you did not find every Thing to your Satisfaction in America, I congratulate You on your Safe Arrival in Europe and wish you Success in your Views. If by giving a proper Consistency to our Confederation you mean, the making of Congress Souvereign and Supream in the Negotiation of Treaties of Commerce, and in Regulating the...
234From John Adams to Herman Heyman, 30 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me on the 17. of this Month. I wish Sincerely well to your Plans of Connection with America, but as they are of a private Nature I have no more Authority to give you Advice or Assistance, than any private Citizen. I cannot give you any Encouragement, that Congress or the State of Maryland, or any other of the United States, will give...
235John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 22 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Capture of one or two of our Vessells by the Barbary Rovers, obliges Us to think Seriously of treating with the Port, Morocco, Algiers Tunis Tripoli, and the rest. But We wish to be informed as nearly as We can, how much the Expences of every Kind will amount to. let me beg the Favour of you then, to apply to M r Bisdom and M r Vanderhope and inquire of those Gentlemen, what Presents they...
236From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to introduce to you John Coffin Jones Esq r , an eminent Merchant of Boston and a late Member of the Legislature from that Town. His Character both in public and private Life is much respected, and his Intelligence will enable him to give you a much better Account of the general and particular Politicks of this Country than I can. our Fellow Citizens are in the midst of their...
237From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 2 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 28 th. of June, and have conveyed your Letter to the Board of Treasury, by a Vessell which sails this Day for Rhode-Island— I feel most sensibly for the Misfortune of your late associates, De La Lande & Fynje—and as their affairs are most probably irretrievable, it would be to no purpose to enquire how the disaster happened, or to make any Reflections upon...
238From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 10 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 4 th of this Month and am surprised to hear of the bad Condition of the Hotel, after all the great Expences which have been laid out upon it to put it in tenantable repair.— the House is so vast and requires so much Expence to furnish it.— it stands upon so vile a Gragt and has so miserable a Prospect in Front, that I know not whether another Minister from...
239From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 5 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Commodore Jones is just arrived from Philadelphia with Dispatches. Those directed to the Ministers I opened. one contained nothing but Newspapers and Proclamations. The other contained a Letter to “the Commissioners” and a Sett of Instructions. The Letter bears Date the 1. of November the Instructions the 29 of Oct r. — a remaining Packet is directed to you alone, but probably contains a...
240From John Adams to Richard O’Bryen, 29 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
I, Yesterday received your Letter of July 25, and am obliged to you for the Information it contains. You may possibly have heard an erroneous Report, of what M r Lamb Said to the Dey. it is not likely that He made any Promises. however that may be, We must all wait the orders of Congress. It is painfull to the Mind of a Freeman, to think that he is in Slavery, and every one of your Countrymen...
241From John Adams to William Carmichael, 29 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r Samuel Watson, a Citizen of the United States of America and Settled at Charlestown South Carolina as a Merchant Sailed from thence about two Years ago on board a Vessell bound to the Havannah and nothing has been heard of him or Vessell Since, till lately, a Gentleman from the Havannah has reported that a M r Watson from Charleston was taken in the Bay of Mexico and carried into...
242From John Adams to the Count Frederik von Reventlow, 30 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed a certified Copy of an Act of Congress of the 21. of March last, instructing me to communicate to M r St. Saphorin, the high Sense, the United States of America in Congress assembled, entertain of the liberal Decision made by his Danish Majesty, on the Question proposed to his Minister by me, respecting the ordination of American...
243To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 23 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night, I received your Favour of the 17. If both Governments are possessed of the Contéents of my letter of the 7th. by opening it in the Post Office, much good may those Contéents do them. They both know they have deserved it. I hope it will convince them of their Error, and induce them to adopt more liberal Principles toward Us. I am for answering their Utmost Generosity with equal and...
244John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 3 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed with this is a Letter to Dr Holyoke and all the original Papers from the Royal Society of Medicine. You will be so good as to inclose and direct them to him. I hope Mr. John is, or will soon be at Colledge. You may draw upon me for two hundred Pounds st. and invest it as before, to help you pay the Expences of my Boys. Yours Inclosed is a Note from my Friend Count Sarsefield. Will you...
245From John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 12 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
Every Question you ask about the new Constitution Shows that you understand the subject as well as I can pretend to do, and that you are well aware of the reasonable Difficulties and objections. But is there not danger that a new Convention at this time, would increase the Difficulties and reasonable Exceptions rather than remove any of them? a Declaration of Rights I wish to see with all my...
246From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 1 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
having understood with much anxiety and Concern the unfortunate and critical situation of Public affairs in your Republick and particularly in Amsterdam, and considering the Accidents that may Happen, it has appeared to me most safe and Prudent both for the Public and for you as well as myself that the Money you have on Hand or may receive Should be lodged in the Bank of Amsterdam at least...
247From John Adams to Matthew Ridley, 25 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I rec d , last Week, at Amsterdam, your Favour of Dec r. 27. and Sympathize, most Sincerely with you, in your Affliction but I Still hope, M rs Ridley will recover. As an Article in our Confederation, Stipulates, that “no State Shall confer any Title of Nobility” and as the Genius of our Governments is averse to all Such Distinctions, I am no Friend to the Errand of Major L’Enfant. I wonder,...
248To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 23 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We are just arrived, covered with Dust, and we have hired our Boat, to go over tomorrow at ten. No green Peas, no Sallad, no Vegetables to be had upon the Road, and the Sky is still as clear dry and cold as ever. The Flocks of Sheep and herds of Cattle, through the Country, stalk about the Fields like Droves of Walking Skeletons. The Sheep are pastured chiefly I think in the plowed grounds,...
249John Adams to Charles Adams, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Kind Letter of the 9th. of April, and congratulate you on the admission of your Brother, which must add much to your happiness. Thomas I suppose will join you in the fall, my Heart will be often with my treasure, at the University. My friends in their Letters give me favourable accounts of all my sons and of my Nephew Mr. Cranch, Your Characters are fair take care to keep...
250John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of your Letters of the 27 of June and 4. July, and Should advise your Excellency to present the C. de Mercy, a Copy of the Instruction as you propose. By the Length of Time, We have been left without Information respecting foreign Affairs, and by other Circumstances, there are greater Divisions among our Countrymen, respecting these as well as their Finances, than are...