351To John Jay from John Adams, 30 November 1787 (Jay 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...
352From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I found that either the Duke of Dorsetts Letter to the Premier, had produced an order at Dover or that his Graces Letter to the Custom House Office had as good an Effect, for I was allowed to pass without Molestation, and indeed received Marks of particular Respect. We arrived Yesterday 26. in the Afternoon, and as Fortune would have it Coll Smith arrived the Night before 25.— We Soon met.— I...
353To John Jay from John Adams, 8 May 1785 (Jay Papers)
In executing the Instructions of Congress of the Seventh of March last, as well as all former Orders, which concern the Court of Great Britain, the Ministry will no doubt find my Commission and Letter of Credence Sufficient Authority. But you will See by a Letter from the Duke of Dorsett, which your Ministers here sometime since transmitted, that the British Cabinet have conceived doubts,...
354From John Adams to John Jebb, 25 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have read with pleasure your Letter of the 13 th and although I cannot entirely agree with you, I find the difference between us is very Small in comparison with that between me and some other of my friends, in M r Humes perfect commonwealth “no representative Magistrate or Senator as such has any salary. The Protector Secretaries, Councils and Ambassadors have salaries” your opinion...
355From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 29 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Our Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties We are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. Feb. 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter.— I know nothing of Capt Lambs...
356To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Letters of December 20. and Jan. 11. by Coll. Franks. The whole of the Business shall be dispatched, and Coll. Franks sent to Congress as you propose, as soon as possible. I have prepared a Draught of a joint Letter to Mr. Barclay and signed it, concerning Mr. Lamb, and shall inclose it to you with this. As to the Treaty with Portugal, the Chevalier De Pinto’s Courier whom...
357John Adams to Hendrik Fagel, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I was in London last November & December I amused myself often, by running into Booksellers Shops, and purchasing now and then a Book, which I had occasion for. My Son who was lately in London had them embarked for Rotterdam, where, I was last night informed they are arrived. It was said that they must be entered at the Custom House, and that a Value must be set upon them by the owner,...
358From John Adams to Christian Lotter, 8 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 30 of March as I did another Sometime ago. I congratulate you on the Increase of your family and wish the New born as well as his Parrents Health Long Life and Happiness My son is to embark in May for his native Country, where he is to finish his education for a Profession in which I hope he will be a usefull Man, you will be so good as to pack up for him...
359To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Project of a new Constitution, has Objections against it, to which I find it difficult to reconcile my self, but I am so unfortunate as to differ somewhat from you in the Articles, according to your last kind Letter. You are afraid of the one—I, of the few. We agree perfectly that the many should have a full fair and perfect Representation.—You are Apprehensive of Monarchy; I, of...
360From John Adams to the Comte de Sarsfield, 21 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
If I were as fortunate as you are and could pass the Water from Dover to Calais in 3 hours, I would go to Paris & dine with you in some of your American Parties but I can never get over from Harwich to Helveot nor from Dover to Calais in less than 17 hours, & sometimes not under three Day’s— I have all the peices relative to the United Provinces excepting Le Pay’s de Drenthe. I have one peice...
361London July 20. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
“Every Act of Authority, of one Man over another for which there is not an absolute Necessity, is tyrannical.” “Le Pene che oltre passano la necessita di conservare il deposito della Salute pubblica, sono ingiuste di lor natura.” Beccaria. The Sovereign Power is constituted, to defend Individuals against the Tyranny of others. Crimes are acts of Tyranny of one or more on another or more. A...
362To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 11 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your enquiry in your letter of the 4th. inst. I can only say that I knew Mr. Matzei at Paris and that he made long journeys. But in what stile he lived and at what expence he travelled I know not. He always made a genteel appearance without any unnecessary show, and kept good Company wherever he went. I observed this in Paris and heard of it in Holland. In Italy it could not be...
363October 21. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Amiens, and put up, at night, at Abbeville. The Roads are the best I have ever seen in France. They are not paved, or if they are, the Pavement is covered, with Flynt Stones. They Pick up in the neighbouring Fields, a Species of small Flynt Stones, which they lay along in heaps on the Side of the Road, and with these they mend the high Ways from time to time. The Wheels of the...
364From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 30 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
The Letter of Recall, herewith enclosed never reached my hand till this Moment when I was ready to Step into the Carriage for Portsmouth where I am to embark. its omission in Season, was wholly owing to the Sickness of M r Jay, our Secretary of State for foreign affairs. With great / Truth and Respect I have the Honour / to be, my Lord, your Lordships / most obedient and most humble / servant...
365John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
After a Passage of two days, against contrary Winds, and a terrible Jolt through the Mud, from Helvoet, I arrived here this day, in good health and not bad Spirits. The Princes Birth day is on Saturday: so that I shall not be able to take Leave before Monday, and if I go to Amsterdam afterwards, I shall not be able to leave that City before Wednesday or Thursday: so that I fear you cannot...
366John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have received from Congress a Resolution by which We are to be impowered to negotiate a Treaty of Commerce with G. B. My self Mr. Franklin and Mr. Jay. This will detain me in Europe this Winter. If this Letter arrives in Season, that you can come to me this Fall with Miss Nabby, I shall be Supreamly happy to see you. But Still Things are so unsettled in Congress that you may expect to...
367John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have past through the Ceremonies of taking Leave of the States General, the Prince and Princess &c to the Satisfaction of all Parties—and have been feasted at Court, and all that.— made my Compliments to the Prince on the 8. of March his Birth Day, and to the Princess at her Drawing Room &c &c &c. and should have been in London at this hour if you had not have laid a Plott, which has brought...
368From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you Since you inclosed me a Letter for M r Gardoqui from the Comte de Sanefe. I pray you to present that Nobleman with my Sincere Respects and let him know that I Sent his Letters with my first Dispatches. My Son arrived, at New York after a Passage of fifty five days, and was received by his Countrymen with great joy Cordiality. I have no Letters or News from him after he...
369John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 25 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I had a tedious Passage of two Days from Helvoet and was at last obliged to Land at Leostoff a dozen Leagues from Harwich, and ride from thence twenty four miles in a Cart before I could find a Post Chaise; but on Saturday noon, I had the Satisfaction of meeting my friends in perfect Health at the Adelphi Buildings in London, I never set my Foot in any other House, till next Morning at ten,...
370From John Adams to John Trumbull, 28 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
It was with much Pleasure that I received your Letter by M r Humphreys, in whom I have found all those valuable qualities, you led me to expect. from him too I received a Copy of M c Fingal, a Poem which will live as long as Hudibras. if I Speak freely of this Piece I can truely Say, that altho it is not equal to itself throughout and where is the Poem that is so? yet there are many Parts of...
371To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 7 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
As to the Cask of Wine at Auteuil, it is not paid for. If you will pay for it and take it, you will oblige me. By a sample of it, which I tasted it is good Wine, and very, extreamly cheap. I am happy to find We agree so perfectly in the Change which is made in the Project. The Dye is cast. The Proposal is made. Let them ruminate upon it. I thought of proposing a Tariff of Duties, that We might...
372From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 2 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Imputation of a weak Passion has made So much Impression upon me, that it may not be improper to Say a little more about it, even although I Should convert you, more and more to the Opinion of those who think the public Interest in danger from it. The Truth Should come out, and if the danger is real the Remedy is easily applied. According to all that I have read of Morals or Seen of...
373From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 21 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inclose to your Lordship, for the Consideration of his Majestys Ministers, the Papers relative to the Brigantine Jane and Elizabeth the Property of James Sheafe and William Sheafe Citizens of the United States of America; by which it appears that the Said Brigantine was taken by Force, not only from the owners, but even from the officers and Custody of the Court of...
374From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 21 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
My Friend D r Price has kindly permitted me to read his Letter and to inclose mine with it— before the Commencement of Hostilities in America a Pamphlet was presented to me at Boston in your Name, which I read with more pleasure than I ever received from any other. it was intituled Considerations on the Measures Carrying on &c— it has been a Constant sceurce of Astonishment to me that a Nation...
375John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 24 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am here to collect together the Bills and Send them to you by Express. When this Express returns, I pray you to Send by him, my Trunk and all my Cloaths. The Books you will deliver also to him or his order to be Sent to me. Will you be so good as to pack the Trunk yourself, and see that the Books, Papers, and Plate are well placed and fixed So that they may not shake too much. You will Send...
376From John Adams to John Jay, 26 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Envoy from Portugal, has received from his Court an Answer to his Dispatches relative to the Treaty with the United States, and the enclosed Extract from it, which has been delayed sometime by the Sickness of the Chevalier de Freire, the Portuguese Secretary of Legation, this Minister did me the Honour to deliver to me two days ago, with his request that it might be transmitted to...
377From John Adams to François Adriaan van der Kemp, 1 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, and am much concerned to perceive your Apprehensions that Affairs might take an unfavourable Turn. The Questions you do me the Honour to propose to me, are very difficult to Answer. I have ever been Scrupulous of advising Strangers to emigrate to America. There are difficulties to be encountered in every Exchange of Country. Arising from the Climate soil, Air,...
378Monday. Aug. 6. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Totness, thro which the River Dart runs to Dartmouth. Slept at Newton bushell. This date is evidently correct, being a second entry written this day (see note 1 on preceding entry). On the 7th the Adamses were back in Exeter, for on that day JA recorded receiving a supply of cash at the bank in Exeter (Accounts, 31 May 1785–10 April 1788, Lb/JA/36, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No....
379From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 12 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your Letter and refer you to General Warren for what respects your son.— You suppose my present situation to be eligible and I confess it.— I have it in my Power here to enjoy the Society of Persons of great Worth, and if I please of high Rank, and if our publick Affairs here went well, I should not desire a better situation. but they do not. A Lady, who was born...
380[August 1787] (Adams Papers)
At Kin gsbridge, the southerly Point of the County of Devonshire, the birth Place of my Brother Cranch. Wen t Y ester day to Church in the Morning, dined with Mr. Burnell, went to the Presbyterian Meeting afternoon, drank Tea with Mr. Trathan, and went to the Baptist Meeting in the Evening.—Lord Petre is the Lord of this mannor.—The Nephew of my Brother Cranch possesses the Family Estate,...
381To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you Mr. Samuel Hartley a Relation of the late Minister at Paris. He has Business at Paris which he will explain to you, whether you can be of any Service to him in that or not, your Civilities will be very agreable to him and oblige Dear Sir your most humble Servant, RC ( DLC ). Noted in SJL as received 31 Apr. [1 May?] “by Mr. S. Hartley and Colo. Jas. Hartley.”
382From John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 15 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Last evening Mons r: de le Tombe called upon me with your letter of 3 d. July, inclosing the Massachusetts’ Act of Navigation. As you do me the honor to ask my Sentiments of this law, you shall have them without disguise. If the legislature passed it from a sanguine expectation that it will soon force or intimidate the British Ministry into such a treaty of Commerce as we desire, or can agree...
383From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received a Letter from my Friend General Warren of Milton Hill near Boston, acquainting me, that Congress have it in Contemplation to appoint their Ministers Consuls General, or rather to give them Authority to appoint Consuls, and that you are to have the nomination of that Officer for Lisbon. that his son Winslow Warren, went Sometime ago And Settled at Lisbon, partly upon Some...
384From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 23 of June is come to hand, with a Copy of M r Lamb’s of 6 June from Aranjuez. There is no Intelligence from America of Armies marching to take the Posts from the English. The News was made as I Suppose against the opening of the Three Per Cents, and it had the intended Effect to beat down the Stocks a little. Altho the Posts are important, the War with the Turks is more So. I lay...
385Wednesday [29 March.] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Blakes. Mr. Middleton and Wife, Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Williams, Mr. Jefferson. Coll. Smith and my Family. William Blake (1739–1803) , a wealthy and well-connected South Carolina planter, lived much of his life in England but contrived to save most of his property in America; his wife was the former Anne Izard ( S.C. Hist. and Geneal. Mag. , 2:231–232 [July 1901]; 9:81–82 [April...
386To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 4 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Preston has at last found and sent me your Letter. Dr. Bancroft spoke to me, about Commodore Jones’s Demand upon Denmark: but upon looking into the Papers we found that the Commodore is recommended by Congress wholly to the Minister at the Court of Versailles, so that We were apprehensive our Powers would be disputed. The Danish Minister however was not here; I offered to go with Dr....
387From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 28 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to Your Lordship, an authenticated Copy of a Resolution of Congress of the third of May, relative to Phineas Bond Esquire, His Majestys Consul in the States of New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania Delaware and Maryland. Congress being desirous, on this and every other occasion to manifest their Disposition to cultivate a friendly Correspondence with Great Britain,...
388John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 15 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
What would be the Consequence if We should have an immediate War with Great Britain? dont be allarmed there is no danger of it. but it is usefull to Speculate. Would not our Produce be all fetched away to Europe in Dutch French, Portuguese, Italian Sweedish Vessells &c— and would not our Privateers made great Havack among British Commerce? They might pour into Nova Scotia and Canada Troops,...
389From John Adams to Jean Luzac, 2 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
It is with great and sincere Pleasure, that I have to acknowledge the receipt of your friendly and obliging Letter of the 26 th of August. Your kind congratulations on my arrival are very agreeable to me. I assure you it was a very pleasing Event. and the few Months that have passed since I have been at home, have been the happiest portion of my Life. The Agriculture, the Manufactures and the...
390John Adams to Joseph Reed, 11 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Favour of the 30 Ult. was deliverd to me last night, together with the Packet, which our Friend M r Gerry committed to your Care. You give me great Pleasure, Sir by your assurances that the Removal from Philadelphia and the prohibitory Restrictions passed in Great Britain have Strengthened the American Union, the Authors of those Restrictions, depended upon our Divisions, and...
391To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 5 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Chevalier de Pinto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, from Portugal, after a long absence by leave of his Court is lately arrived here from Lisbon. Upon several occasions, when I met him at Court and upon visits, he told me that he had orders from his Court to confer with me upon the Project of a Treaty between the United States and Portugal, but he [nev]er descended to...
392John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 11 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
Our anxiety for you, in your present circumstances and situation among strangers, (though we doubt not you have many friends,) has prevailed upon me to make a great sacrifice, in consenting to your mother’s journey to Long Island. * * * * * * * I am kindly obliged to Col. Smith and to you, for your many invitations, and I have a great desire to see you, your friends, and even your situation....
393John Adams to John Jay, 14 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening, after mine to you of Yesterdays date, was gone to the Post office, yours of the Sixth, was sent me from thence. If I were to pray to Neptune, for Liberty of passing thro his Realm, again I should be tempted to Use the Form of a new converted American Indian, at Cape Cod, who went off in a fishing Vessell further to sea than he had ever been before, & was over taken by a storm. He...
394From John Adams to John Jay, 25 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have not presented a formal Memorial in the Name of our Sovereign concerning the Negroes carried off contrary to the Treaty, although it has been frequently and constantly, insisted upon with the British Ministry, for Several Reasons, one was a desire to confine the first Memorial to one point, the frontier Posts that the real Motives and Intensions of the Cabinet might be the more...
395John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 27 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favour of the Second of June by M r Tracy. as I Stopped in London only a few Hours, I had not an Oppertunity to see him: but I flatter myself with the Hope of Seeing him and M r Jackson here, where at length I am happily established with my Family. M r Jefferson and M r Humphreys are arrived, and Shall Soon begin our Work. I am So near D r Franklin, that it is but a pleasant...
396From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 29 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am now to inform you, that I am ordered by Congress to this Country, and you will please to address your future Letters to me as Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, at the Court of Great Britain. The Relation nevertheless between you and me, is not yet dissolved, because Congress have not yet sent me a Letter of Recall, nor appointed another Minister to succeed me at...
397Notice to Foreign Ministers on Mourning, 30 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
To Acquaint the Foreign Ministers of the Courts going into Mourning on Sunday next the 2 d: of Oct r. for His late Royal Highness The Infant Don Lewis Brother to His Catholic Majesty Viz t The Ladies to wear black Silk or Velvet, Coloured Ribbons Fans and Tippets, or plain white or white and Gold or white and Silver Stuffs with black Ribbons. The Men to wear black Coats, and black or plain...
398To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 June 1786 (Jefferson 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 11th., in which I agreed perfectly with you in the Propriety of Sending Mr. Lamb to Congress without Loss of time. I am content to send Mr. 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...
399From John Adams to Richard Price, 8 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I received sometime ago from D r Franklin a Copy of the first Edition of your Observations, on the Importance of the American Revolution, and a few days Since, a Copy of the Second. I am very much obliged to you, Sir, for your kind Attention to me, and for these valuable Presents I think it may be said in general, in Praise of the Citizens of the United States, that they are Sincere Enquirers...
400From John Adams to Rufus King, 22 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I was honoured with your Letters of the 4. and 10. Dec r. — The Act of Congress respecting the British Consul General, is wise, and well guarded: Nevertheless I think that We Should not be So inattentive to Ettiquette, as to omit a Proposition for Sending a Minister Plenipotentiary. We give up, a Point, by receiving a Consul in return for a Minister, which, although it may appear of...