201From 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,...
202To John Jay from John Adams, 16 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
Last night I was honored with your letter of April 7 th . and am happy to find that Twelve States, have granted to Congress the Impost. New York I am persuaded will not long withhold her Assent, because, that in addition to all the other Arguments in favour of the measure, she will now have to consider that all the Blame of Consequences must now rest upon her, and she would find this alone, a...
203From John Adams to John Cranch, 31 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the Seventeenth of this Month, was delivered to me, last night.— I left London on the third of this Month So that your kind Present of Game, afforded a Regall, to M r Stockdale in Piccadilly, but I am not less obliged to you for it, than if I had been so fortunate as to receive it myself.— I beg you sir to accept my Sincere Thanks for it. As the Nephew of my most valuable...
204London April 19. 1786. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This is the Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, and of my Reception at the Hague, by their High Mightinesses. This last Event is considered by the Historians, and other Writers and Politicians of England and France as of no Consequence: and Congress and the Citizens of the United States in General concur with them in Sentiment. I walked to the Booksellers, Stockdale, Cadel, Dilly, Almon,...
205From John Adams to John Jay, 11 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
There is no better Advice to be given to the Merchants of the United States, than to push their Commerce to the East Indies as fast and as far as it will go. If Information from Persons who ought to know may be depended on, the Tobacco and Peltries as well as the Ginseng of the United States, are proper Articles for the China Markett, and have been found to answer very well, and many other of...
206John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 23 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I receiv’d with Pleasure, your Favour of the 16 th. which informs me of the Engagement of the Undertakers for a Million. I have receiv’d Letters from Some respectable Gentlemen, at Amsterdam, containing a Remark upon the Plan, which I beg Leave to transmit you in the Words of one of the Letters. “Il me semble que selon la teneur dudit Plan, il ne convient guere, pour ne pas dire, point du...
207From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of 30. May with its Inclosures. You have Since that day no doubt received my Answer to yours of the 11 th. , in which I agreed perfectly with You in the Propriety of Sending M r Lamb to Congress without Loss of time. I am content to Send M r Randal with him but had rather he Should come to You first and then to me, and embark in London after We shall have had...
208From John Adams to John Jay, 24 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to transmit to Congress, a Letter from M r Harrison, with an Account of Disbursements for Captain Erwin and his Associates on their return to Cadiz from their Captivity in Morocco. Situated as M r Harrison was he had every motive of Humanity, and love of his Countrymen to relieve their necessities, and it would be too Severe, if not unjust, to leave the burthen upon him....
209To 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,...
210From John Adams to Rufus King, 14 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I had heard Sometime ago, of your Marriage with the amiable Daughter of my old Friend, M r Alsop, as well as of that of M r Gerry, and of both with the more Pleasure, probably as a good Work of the Same kind, for connecting Massachusetts and New York in the Bands of Love was going on here. Last Sunday under the Right Reverend Sanction of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of st Asaph...
211John 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...
212From John Adams to John Jay, 6 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Colonel Smith, on the third of this Month informed me, that Col Forrest, had been with him, in behalf of two Gentlemen of Glascow, M r Calquhoun Provost of that City and M r Alexander Brown, who were deputed by the Merchants of that Place who had Debts in America to confer with the Creditors in London concerning an Application to Ministry and Parliament to obtain their Interposition for the...
213From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 8 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning, D r. Franklin produced a Resolution of Congress, that A. F. & J. should be joined in a Commission to treat of Commerce with Great Britain. This is well, & I hope you will pursue the plan & send another Commission to the same Persons to treat with Joseph, Catharine, Denmark & Portugal. Jay & I do admirably well with the old Man. We go on very smoothly, & make him know what is...
The Subscriber, Minister Plenipotentiary, from the United States of America, to his Britannic Majesty, has the honour to represent to the British Ministry, that the said United States in Congress assembled, have received Information, that a number of their Citizens are Still detained, in the Service of his Majesty; and particularly, that Richard Low, who, in the Year 1776, was captured in an...
215From John Adams to John Jay, 30 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inclose the Kings Speech at the Opening of Parliament as it has been transmitted to me from the Marquis of Carmarthen: and the Morning Chronicle of the 28, which contains, not the debates, for there were none, but the Panegyricks upon it. I have long Seen sir, in silent Astonishment and Grief the negligent and imprudent Conduct of a deceased French Minister of foreign...
216John 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...
217From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
I last night received, the Ratification of my last Loan and the inclosed Resolution of Congress of 18 July last, for the Redemption of Prisoners at Algiers.— It is probable you have received it before, but as it is, in your Department to execute it, and possible that you may, not have received it, I thought it Safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honour to do, here inclosed. M r...
218John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
We Suppose, that you had your Degree last Wednesday, and upon that Supposition, I congratulate you upon it. it is hinted that you think of studying Law with Judge Dana till next Spring. if you can have the Honour and the Priviledge of studying under, two such great Masters as Judge Trowbridge and Judge Dana, I approve very much of the design. You cannot be in so good hands. but will the...
219To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 10 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I last night received, the Ratification of my last Loan and the inclosed Resolution of Congress of 18 July last, for the Redemption of Prisoners of Algiers. It is probable You have received it before, but as it is, in your Department to execute it, and possible that you may not have received it, I thought it Safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honour to do, here inclosed. Mr....
220[March 1785] (Adams Papers)
Saturday. Met Mr. F ranklin and Mr. J efferson at Passy, read the Letter from Mr. Carm ichael at Madrid, with the Letters from C. de Florida Blanca, the Letters from Morocco to Mr. Harrison at Cadiz, and the Letters from Morocco to Dr. F. concerning the Vessell of Mr. Fitzsimmons of Philadelphia, taken by a Morrocco Frigate. I asked for Books and Collections of Treaties. They were brought. I...
221To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Nathaniel Barrett, a Gentleman of a respectable Family in Boston, of a fair Character and long Experience in Trade, will have the Honour to deliver you this Letter. He comes to France for the express Purpose of negotiating with proper Persons concerning the Proposals of Monsieur Tourtille de Sangrain, relative of Sperma Cœti oil. I beg Leave to recommend him and his Business to your...
222John Adams to Arthur Lee, 6 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of 14. Jan. was brought me Yesterday. I have been obliged to come here, in order to raise Money, for the Payment of Bills to a large amount, which M r Morris drew, at a venture, and have at length Succeeded, but it is So lately, that I have not yet joined my Colleagues in Paris, and I am undetermined, whether I Shall go there before the Commission you mention arrives, to treat with...
223John Adams to Baron von Thulemeier, 19 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter which you, did me the Honour to write me the twelfth of this Month: We also received the Honour of your Letter to M r: Franklin, Jefferson, and me, and agreed readily upon an answer, which I hope will be satisfactory, although M r: Humphreys our Secretary of Legation has not yet transmitted it. We have been cautious of sending it by the Post, in these inquisitive...
224John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have this Day, by Special Permission from their Majesties obtained by Mr. West the Painter who with Mr. Copely do so much honour to our Country, Seen the Appartements in the Queens House, as it is called, or Buckingham House. It is a great Curiosity indeed. There is an inestimable Collection of Paintings by the greatest Masters, Raphael, Rubens, Vandyke, and many others. There is one Room...
225Instructions to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 October 1783 (Adams Papers)
To the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, at the Court of Versailles empowered to negociate a Peace, or to any one or more of them. First. You are instructed and authorised to announce to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Germany or to his Ministers the high Sense which the United States in Congress assembled entertain of his exalted Character and eminent virtues, and...
226John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 1 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Favour of Yesterday and thank you for the Promptitude with which you answered mine of the 29. Ult. I have been informed particularly by the two worthy Pensionaries, Vanberckel and Vischer, as well as by your Letter, of the Difficulties of Succeeding with your venerable Regency, and therefore See no hopes of Saving the Bills but in the Plan of a new Loan, or in that...
227From John Adams to William Paca, 9 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I rec d. soon after my arrival in London the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 29 th. of April, with the enclosed copy of a letter from M r: Chace to the Minister— Your Excellency & the Council may depend upon every assistance I can give to the Cause. The Agent & Solicitor of Maryland have been with me several times, & the last time to request that I would speak to the Minister...
228From John Adams to John Jay, 14 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday received M r Remsens Letter of the 14. of December, with the Journals and Gazettes inclosed. At the last Conferences at Whitehall which were last Thursday, Lord Carmarthen thought proper to express a Wish that this Country had Some Sort of Treaty of Commerce with the United States of America, that it might be no longer necessary to take new Measures from time to time, which looked...
229From John Adams to James Warren, 9 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received, Your Favour of October the 22 d. and am Sorry to find you so true a Prophet.— Yet I am happy to perceive that Government arrouses itself with some degree of Dignity, and is likely to prevail.— It is apparent however that Discontents, and a restless Temper, have taken a deep root and will require much Prudence as well as firmness, to guard against their Tendency.— When We find...
230John Adams to Francis Dana, 8 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favour of 12 Dec r , Some days ago, and rejoice to hear of your returning Health and increasing Family. I wish the Young Lady whom I love the better for the much respected Name you have given her as good an Husband as the World Shall afford, whether Charles Shall be fidele to his Engagements or not.— I thank you, Sir for your kind attention to my Sons, the eldest of whom I hope...
231John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure of yours of July 30. and advise you to purchase the Coach and prepare every Thing to set off with me to Dover in a Week from this Day. I will not loose a Moment, of the agreable Company, that I can avoid. Indeed I have repented 20 times that I did not go with you. The Pas of Calais and the Pas of Harwich will make me sick, but do me no harm. Purchase Johnsons Lives of the...
232John Adams to Richard Cranch, 21 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I believe there is not another Man in the World whose Life has been such a series of Remorses as mine. It seems as if there was a Destiny that I should never be paid. The time is drawing near, for eleven or twelve months will soon be round, when we embark for Home. This is an irksome undertaking—to break up a settled habitation and remove a family across the Seas, at any time of life is no...
233From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 26 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
You will have Seen by my Public Dispatches what Prospects We have of any Sudden Arrangement with this Country. I may be more free, in a Letter to you, than I have been, in the Public Letters to M r Jay.— There is a mysterious Reserve among the Ministers which indicates either a Want of Unanimity among them, or a Dissatisfaction towards Us, or a Timidity arising from the Prejudices and Passions...
234From John Adams to Richard Henry Lee, 24 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your Letter of 23. oct r. and I must confess to you, that the situation I am in is the most pleasant in many respects, that I have ever been in, on this side the ocean. But still there is something wanting, which is quite essential: I mean a more benevolent spirit in the Nation towards the United States— a more honest disposition too is wanting— I even wish that my Candour...
235From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 16 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
last night M r Randal arrived with yours of the 9 th. If the Prussian Treaty arrives to You, I think you will do well to Send M r Short with it to the Hague and Exchange it with Thulemeier, and get it printed in a Pamphlet Sending a Sufficient Number to you and to me. if it comes to me and you approve, I will Send Some one or go myself. The Chev r. De Pinto’s Courier unfortunately missed a...
236Sunday. Ap. 23. (Adams Papers)
Heard Dr. Priestley at Mr. Linseys in Essex Street. Theophilus Lindsey (1723–1808) , minister of the Essex Street Chapel; the first avowedly Unitarian place of worship in London ( DNB Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee, eds., The Dictionary of National Biography, New York and London, 1885–1900; 63 vols. plus supplements. ; Thomas Belsham, Memoirs of the Late Reverend Theophilus Lindsey ..., London,...
237John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 8 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your favour from Rochfort of the 25 th Ult: I may inform you, entre nous that if I should go to England, D r: F and M r: J: will go with me: we shall go all together upon the business of our Commission. But whether we shall go or not is yet problematical, and depends upon an Answer, as yet to be received from the British Ministry. In all Events I think we shall not go before you...
238From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 6 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letters I Sent to M r Jay in Cypher, but as the Conversations with the King and Queen have been reported by Lord Carmarthen and the Lord and Ladies in waiting on the Queen, and are become generally known, there is no longer a Necessity of so much mystery, yet you must be Sensible of the Delicacy of the Subject, and therefore communicate them with Discretion and in Confidence. if M...
239From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favours of Feb. 20. and 23 by M r Carnes, and the curious Pamphlets. Opening a direct Communication between Paris and America will facilitate the Trade of the two Countries, very much, and the new Treaty between France and England, will promote it still more. John Bull dont see it. and if he dont See a Thing at first, you know it is a rule with him ever...
240John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 18 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 10 th. as well as the two former, with their Inclosures. The first I Sent by M r Tracy a Sure hand, by the Way of London, and the two Latter, I shall Send the Same Way by another private Hand, so that all three will go safe and as soon or sooner than by the Way of L’orient The two Abbys who continue their freindly and brotherly Course of Life, very often...
241John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
A young Gentleman of 17, must not talk of low Spirits for Small disappointments. He must reconcile his Mind to them. He will meet with many. My Friend Dr. Warren often told me, I was the most uniformly lucky Man, he ever knew, and indeed I must acknowledge, I have been often fortunate, both before and Since his Compliment. Notwithstanding which my Life has been a Series of dissappointments,...
242From John Adams to Benjamin Vaughan, [ante 2 April 1787] (Adams Papers)
I am very much mortified to loose the Pleasure and Advantage of an Excursion to Windsor, to see M r Herschell in Such Company: but the State of my Family is such that I cannot justify leaving it.— M rs Smith is in Travel and the Anxiety occasioned by this Event has made M rs Adams so much worse, that I should be very bad Company at Windsor, and what is more decisive, it becomes my Duty to stay...
243John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am proud to learn by your Letter of 13. April that I am so rich at the University. If Thomas gets in, I shall be still happier. The Expence will be considerable, and your Draughts shall be honoured for the necessary. A Year will soon be about, and what are We to do then with John? What Lawyer shall We desire to take him, in Town or Country? and what Sum must be given with him? and what will...
244From John Adams to James Grubb, 7 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, on the 23 of May, relative to the seizure of the Brigantine Nancy, Cap t. John Limeburner, by the Pilot Cutter Commanded by Leiu t. Seymor Lynn. You desire me, Sir, to demand from the Court of Great Britain, that the Ship and Cargo be given up, with Damages for the detention, but this is not in my power. The Laws of every Country...
245From John Adams to the President of Congress, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
As I am to remain in Europe for sometime longer, I beg Leave to take a cursory view of what appears necessary or expedient to be further done in Europe, for I conceive it to be not only the Right but the Duty of a foreign Minister to advise his Sovereign according to his Lights and Judgment, although the more [extensive Information], and Superior Wisdom of the Sovereign may frequently [see]...
246From John Adams to Benjamin Goodhue, 10 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of 20 Dec r. has much obliged me. The accurate States of the Mackarel, Cod and Whale Fisheries are very valuable Pieces of Information, and as long as I shall Stay in Europe I shall be happy to learn from you, from time to time the Progress of these valuable Branches of Commerce, and of all others in which our Country is interested. We have Such Advantages over France &...
247To John Jay from John Adams, 8 May 1787 (Jay Papers)
I am honoured with your Letter of April 2 d , and am happy to receive the Resolutions of Congress, inclosed in it, especially those of the twenty first of March 1787. The Convention at Phyladelphia, is to consist of Members, of Such Ability, Weight, and Experience, that their Result must be beneficial to the United States. The Settlement of So many great Controversies Such as those between the...
248From John Adams to William Gordon, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of 28 June & thank you for the information it contains— In all domestick Disputes I wish our countrymen, may moderate their passions, & manifest as much mutual forbearance as possible. I dread the course of our elections if parties prevail. Every publick Man is in a dangerous & perplexed Situation at present, & as few obstacles should be thrown in his way & as much Candour &...
249From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Before the Arrival of your kind Letter by Wingrove I had heard, from various quarters, of your Marriage and had received the most agreable Accounts of the Character of the Lady. give me leave to congratulate you, on this happy Event. Nothing can be more pleasing than the Transition from the Turbulence of War and Politicks to the Tranquility of domestick Life, in the Arms of a Lady of so much...
250John Adams to J. F. Rosart & Co., 18 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Letter of Yesterday with seven Copies of the English Translation of the Abby de Mably’s Letters. I have read part of the Translation and it seems to be well done: But I have read the whole of the Translator’s preface, and can find no other fault in it, than that it is not so long as I wish it. His observations are so good, that I wish he had treated more at large a...