851From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 31 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Parker furnishes me an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your favors of Nov. 10. Dec. 6. 10. 18. and 25. which I avoid doing thro post. The orders on the subject of our captives at Algiers have come to me by the last packet. They are to be kept secret even from the captives themselves, lest a knolege of the interference of government should excite too extravagant demands. The...
852Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I intended to have written to you some posts ago, But I found that a few of your things had been lock’d up in a Chamber at Auteuil, and left there with some matters belonging to M rs. Barclay, and that they had Escaped her Memory and My knowledge. There are Two Coat’s and 2 laced hats belonging to your servants—1 lamp to write by with 2 Ink stands, a Coat of Arms in a Frame, 2 wooden stands...
853To John Adams from Nathaniel Barrett, 29 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have delayed for some Time writing to your Excellency, being desirous of compleating some g. of Importance.— I have now the pleasure of informing you, that I have contracted in my own Name, & in behalf of others in America, for Oil to the Am t of 400,000 Livres per annum, for 6 years, at a price which I think will answer, I have the Guarrantee of Mess Le Couteulx, for accepting 1/3 bills on...
854To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 26 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
We have before us the honour of your Excell y’s esteemed favour of 16 July, wh ch. only is arrived with us the 24 inst, in conformity of your desire we shall endeavour to take care for the Hotel with all œconomy possible, as far as our position in Amst d will admit. We Shall procure ourselves a copy of the Contract of de La Lande & fynje with Geyer to transmit it to you, if possible next mail...
855To John Adams from William Carmichael, 28 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive until the 26 th Ins t. the Letter you did me the honor to address me the 3 d of June announcing your presentation & audience at S t. James. Permit me to congratulate you on the favorable Auspices with which you commence your mission & to express my hopes that it will continue to be as agreable to you as I presume it will be useful to our Country. I this day write to M r...
856To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 21 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I hope this will find you in Health and that Harmony and Unanimity prevails in the Councels of the United States, altho we cannot yet joyn, them. By the Choice of the Representatives that has taken place in this State we have some prospect of the Lower house Voting a State Convention, hope our Friends in Congress will be mindfull of the Mercantile Intrest in this State. and if a Letter could...
857From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I have the honour of acquainting Your Excellency, that an Express from Congress is at last arrived, with their Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. Inclosed I send Copies of the President’s Letter, the Recommendatory Resolution, and the Proclamation, together with three Letters for yourself. We have written to Mr Hartley, that we are now ready to make...
858To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 17 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
This moment I have been notified of the first opportunity I have known since your departure of writing to Boston. Altho it be past eleven at night I have dispatch’d a servant to M r Copley for such letters as he may have had deposited for you in George Street during the last six weeks:—to which when I have superadded a few recent newspapers and a very few words—I must close my parcel. In one...
859To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 4 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
We have to acquaint Your Excellency that the Time drawing now very near for the Payment of the Interest Two Hundred & Fifty Thousand Guilders due by the United-States first June, and as it would be advantageous to have it inserted in the Public-papers so early as possible; We are very uneasy at the total Silence of the Board of Treasury to us on the subject. We still flatter ourselves the...
860To John Adams from the Massachusetts General Court, 18 June 1788 (Adams Papers)
Ordered that Caleb Strong, Joseph Bradley Varnum, and Thomas Dawes esq rs , with such as the honorable House may join be a committee, to present to the honorable John Adams esq r the following address— sent down for concurrence Read & concurred & M r Russell, of Boston, M r Jones, M r Heath, & M r Ames are joined The return of yourself and family to the United States, and to this your native...
861To John Adams from Matthew Robinson-Morris, 25 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am honor’d with your letters both by M r. Partridge and by the post and am proud to observe; that we so much concur in our public and political sentiments. I am particularly pleas’d to agree with you in the reciprocal opinion; that the closest union and connection between our two countries is one of their very first and greatest mutual interests. I do for that and other reasons so...
862To John Adams from Sir Herbert Croft, 5 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
M r. Croft takes the liberty to present his compliments to M r. Adams. His friend M r. Shippen was to have done him the honour of introducing him to M r. Adams, but, upon asking after M r. S., it seems that he has left this country for France. M r. C. hears also that M r. Adams returns soon to America. If M r. Adams would condescend so far as to afford M
863Jan Willink to John Adams, 10 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
The express set of thursday morning the 3 d of June, with the bills of exchange, your letter to M r. J: Barclay Esq r. & a letter from us to Mess: Van den Yver Freres & Comp̃: at Paris to furnish him with the necessary money, the reason, why I did not advice the same was occasioned by a Severe Sickness of mine eldest Son, who retained me at my seat, & who is thank the Almightÿ on the way of...
864To John Adams from John Jeffries, 15 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
Encouraged by the high opinion I entertain of your personal character, and persuaded, that in the important publick one, which you now hold, you will be actuated as much for the justice & honour, as you are by your wishes to promote any other interests of America in general Permit me Sir, to address you in that honourable publick character, & claim your Excellency’s attention to the following...
865Jonathan Jackson to John Adams, 25 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
When I parted with you at Paris I flattered myself to have had the pleasure before this of seeing you here with M rs Adams & your Family, but the hope of that is at an end while I remain in England, & I almost despair of any Good arising to our Country from the Gent n in our Commission coming here at all— such is the strange Blindness & Perversion of all ranks of People in this Country whom I...
866Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
At length Heaven be praised I am with our daughter safely landed upon the British Shore after a passage of 30 days from Boston to the Downs. We landed at Deal the 20 instant, rejoiced at any rate to set our feet again upon the land. What is past, and what we sufferd by sickness and fatigue, I will think no more of. It is all done away in the joyfull hope of soon holding to my Bosom the dearest...
867To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
Col o. Franks will have the honor of delivering you the treaty with the emperor of Marocco, & all it’s appendages. you will perceive by mr̃ Barclay’s letters that it is not necessary that any body should go back to Marocco to exchange ratifications. he sais however that it will be necessary that Fennish receive some testimony that we approve the treaty: and as, by the acts of Congress, our...
868Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I was this day made very happy by the arrival of a son in whom I can trace the strongest likeness of a parent every way dear to me. I had thought before I saw him, that I could not be mistaken in him, but I might have set with him for some time without knowing him. I am at a loss to know what you would wish me to do, as Mr. Jefferson arrived last week at Portsmouth, immediately from Boston,...
869To John Adams from Christian Lotter, 16 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
It is with the greatest reluctance, most honor ble: Sir! that Your continuing Silence, forces me to incumber You again, to weary Your patience, with Sollicitations of which Your Excellency knows too well, that they ought to be granted, because it is Salary, made by Your own agreement, and for which I have Served. Your Excellency will be graciously pleased, to consider that it is too hard to be...
870To John Adams from John Thaxter, 19 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
’Tis two Months this day since I arrived at New York— I delivered the Treaty & Dispatches on the 22 d. Nov r. to General Mifflin, the President of Congress, then at Philadelphia— One delay & another prevented my reaching home ’till the middle of December— I am ashamed that I have omitted writing so long—but Visits & Sickness have prevented.— M r. Gerry wrote you so largely upon the general...
871From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (third letter) (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter in which you mention M r Warren. Your opinion of that Gentleman, added to the Merits of his Family, cannot fail to operate powerfully in his Favor. I have communicated that Letter to M r King, an able & valuable Delegate from Massachusetts; who I have Reason to think wishes well to you, and to all who like You, deserve well of their Country. Our Friend...
872To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, 21 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of Sep t. 9 t I rec d. and Your Present of Neckar for which I return You Thanks and am much gratified with Your Sentiments on the Whale Oil Fishery, to this Branch of Business, the General Court have given Encouragement as You will find by a Bill sent you by M r Cranch— Every Day more and more convinces me, that the commerical Restraints of Great Britain, so far as they respect...
873To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 6 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I received, my dear Sir, your Republics, & am much honord with the office you assign me. I had before read them & nothing material occurrd to me as amendments. The title is the only thing exceptionable, because it applys to that particular part only which respects M. Turgot. But the work will undoubtedly be of very great service, in directing the consideration of our Countrymen to the defects...
874Charles Sigourney to John Adams, 21 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
I now presume on the liberty of acquainting you of my arrival in this City and sincerely Lament am disappointed of the happiness of seeing your family here, with which expectation I much flatterd myself.— It will afford me the greatest pleasure to hear that you enjoy better health than when in Holland, and that your Lady & family are also in perfect health, which blessing I sincerely wish may...
875To John Adams from William Peterkin, 26 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I presume, in all humility, to request the protection of the Embassador of the United States of North America. I have been, for above sixteen years, a Clergyman of the Communion of the Church of Scotland. Having had repeated invitations to settle in N. America, I signified my intention of complying with them, to Lord Fife my present Patron. His Lordship has thought proper to hasten my...
876To John Adams from Samuel Allyne Otis, 18 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I flattered myself my friends would have supported my election for the District of Suffolk but I am dissappointed, But long dissciplined in the School of adversity, dissappointment sitts the lighter upon my mind; Espesially, as I rather viewed this an object whereby I might gain subsistence rather than gratify my vanity. I think Sir I shall hardly be dissappointed in my expectations that you...
877Marquis de Castries to John Adams, 26 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
Je Vous remercie, Monsieur, des éclaircissements que Vous avez bien Voulu me donner relativement aux matieres que L’On peut extraire de L’Amérique Septentrionale et Sur La Maniere &c Se les procurer. Ce Sera avec empressement que je profiterai de Vos observations Sur Cet Objet important. J’ai l’honneur d’etre tres parfaitement Monsieur, Votre tres humble et tres obéissant serviteur. je vous ai...
878To John Adams from Stephen Higginson, 17 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
You may recollect that the Court of France by an edict, about 2 Years since, opend a trade to the Americans to Mauritius and the french settlements in India, upon the same terms as their own sub-jects pursue it. This permission we soon improved, & for two Years past, many vessels have gone to port Louis in the Isle of France from different parts of the Continent, with cargos of the various...
879To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 28 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Il y a longtemps que je me serois fait un devoir de vous écrire, si j’avois eu votre adresse, qu’on vient de m’apprendre de la part de Mr. Ridley. Je ne puis cependant entrer dans les mêmes détails, ni parler aussi clair, que lorsque vous êtes à Paris. Car si nous som̃es présentement bien avec la Tamise, ceux d’ici ne le sont pas encore tout-à-fait; & ils trouveroient mauvais, avec raison, que...
880William Bingham to John Adams, 19 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favor of the 10th Ins t Mr Jay has recovered his Health in a great Measure by his Excursion to Bath, & has returned to Paris— I have not as yet heard of his Arrival there— We have recently received but little political News from America— The refractory States seem more favorably inclined towards the Appropreation of such Funds as Congress required for doing Justice to the...
881To John Adams from the Comte de Sarsfield, 29 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Il faut donc vous Ecrire Clairement et Sans Enigmes. on m’avoit dit que Mademoiselle Adams alloit Se marier, mais que cela n’etoit pas assez avancé pour que Je pusse Vous En faire mon Compliment. dans ces cas là, parmi les peuples civilisés on Se garde bien de parler Clairement; mais on dit quelque Chose d’entortillé qui Se devine toujours et on Se trouve avoir fait Son compliment avec Grace....
882Joseph Reed to John Adams, 21 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I was duly honoured with your Favour of the 11 th. Inst t. which I communicated to D r. Witherspoon who joins me in reciprocating every Mark of your polite & friendly Attention, & in expressing our very cordial Acknowledgments— The Establishment of our Funds in America tho long delayed & occasionally interrupted will I flatter myself take Place this Winter, at least so far as to establish the...
883To John Adams from John Jay, 21 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving two Days ago your Letter of the 30 th. November by M r. Mitchel —it was the next Morning laid before Congress.— Nine States are now represented, but as yet little Progress has been made in the Business before them. My Report on the Infractions of the Treaty complained of by Britain, has been referred to a new Committee, and I think a very good one; various...
884Christian Lotter to John Adams, 10 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellence’s of the 25 th: of last Month, wherewith I have been favoured, did give me very great Satisfaction and Joy of the perfect State of health of Your Excellence and honor ble: Family, and their Safe arrival at Auteuil; I immediately after perusing the Letter, communicated Your Excellence Compliments to Mr: Maclaine, who was very much delighted at Your Kind remembrance of him,...
885To John Adams from William Gordon, 4 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your two letters of Ap r 27 th & June 26 th were duly received. The first at the President’s, Rich d Henry Lee Esq r , where I had the pleasure of dining with your son on the 10 th of Aug t , being at New York on my last tour for collecting historical materials. I have not seen him, since he reacht this state; but have heard of his welfare. I am busily employed in the way you mention; & am...
886To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 3 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
We have your respected Favor of 29 Ult o: notifying your having been appointed Minister Plenipotentiary from the United-States of America to the Court of Great-Britain; In the Execution of which important Employment, We sincerely wish every Success in advancing the Interest of your Country, And that you may enjoy perfect Health— We shall carefelly attend to your directions in packing &...
887To John Adams from James Sullivan, 10 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
By the Ship which will sail in a day or two, I beg leave to inform you that our Situation in america is, by no means so pleasing as would be agreeable to you, the poverty of the general treasury, as soon as the money now resting in holland shall be exhausted will be very distressing. a reluctance in the Legislatures to levy taxes and a greater in the people to pay them seem to urge us with...
888To John Adams from David Humphreys, 5 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Colonel Smith has been so good as to take charge of a printed copy of M r Dwight’s Poem and a letter from that gentleman to your Excellency, which I found at my return from London had been forwarded under cover to me. He is also the bearer of a manuscript copy of M r Barlow’s Vision of Columbus together with letters from the Author and our friend M r Trumbull on the subject of its publication....
889To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 11 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
Under date of the 21 st Decem, of the last Year, I did myself the honor of addressing You; since which time I have not had the pleasure of receiving any advise of your good Self or esteemed Family, except by enquiry from some of their near connections—who, with me, regret their personal loss in not hearing oftener; tho’ they submit to the consideration of the great importance of your every...
890Elkanah Watson Jr. to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
In leaving the Hague, I fully intended returning the same way and acknowledging personally my gratitude for the polite reception I mett at Amsterdam in consequence of your Excellencys letters of introduction. I was hurried back from Holland in consequence of my affairs haveing advanc’d to a close more rapidly than I had reason to expect. I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that I am...
891To John Adams from John Jay, 13 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you on the 15 th: March last mentioning your Appointment to the Court of London; on the 18 th: of the same Month enclosing your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence and sending with it the Journals of Congress necessary to compleat your Set; and on the 31 st: March I wrote you another Letter with an Act of Congress directing you to communicate to M r. S...
892To John Adams from Patrick Miller, 19 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive Your Excellencys letter of the 30 th. April. In the treatise on Naval Architecture which I requested you to transmit to Congress I signifyed my intention to make an Experiment with the Steam Engine as a Power to work my Water Wheel.— When preparing for this experiment, I conceived an Idea that the Capstorn might be employed as a Power better fitted to that purpose...
893From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, with Enclosure, 28 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of July 16. and 18. came to hand the same day on which I had received Baron Thulemeier’s inclosing the ultimate draught for the treaty. As this draught, which was in French, was to be copied into the two instruments which Doctr. Franklin had signed, it is finished this day only. Mr. Short sets out immediately. I have put into his hands a letter of instructions how to conduct...
894To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 31 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu la Lettre Ministerielle de N. York que V. E. a eu la bonté de m’acheminer. Je suis sensible com̃e je le dois à la part tout-à-fait obligeante que Vous daignez y prendre; & j’ai l’honneur de vous en transmettre ci-joint copie du contenu, ainsi que ma reponse à la dite Lettre, qu’après avoir lue V. E. voudra bien avoir la bonté de fermer & faire acheminer. V. E. verra le recours que je...
895Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 6 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your letter relative to the House at Auteuil, since which several Messages pass’d between the Count de Rouault and Me, and all have Ended in an appointment to Meet Tomorrow on the spot, where I shall make known my demands for Repairs, and more than probably I will Inform you by next post that the House is taken for you The Furniture must absolutely be alterd,...
896To John Adams from Charles Storer, 26 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r: Martin , who will deliver you this, is a Kinsman of ours & therefore I take the liberty of begging your notice of him: assuring you I shall think myself equally obliged by any attentions he may receive.— Since writing the within there has been an insurrection in the State of New-Hampshire— President Sullivan & the Court were sitting at Exeter: an armed mob, ab t: 500, surrounded the House...
897From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 30 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of this day I omitted to inform you that according to what we had proposed I have had a long consultation with the Count de Vergennes on the expediency of a Diplomatic mission to Constantinople. His information is that it will cost a great deal of money, as great presents are expected at that court and a great many claim them; and his opinion is that we shall not buy a peace one...
898From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
As I propose to write you on business by Mr. Cairnes who will set out in a few days for London, the object of the present letter is only to inform you that the Count de Vergennes died yesterday morning and that the Count de Montmorin is appointed his successor: and further to beg the favor of you to forward the inclosed by the first vessel from London. I set out on my journey on Sunday the...
899To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my sincere Congratulations upon your arrival in new york, and upon your advancement to the second honor in the United States.— Your influence in the Senate over which you have been called to preside, will give you great weight (without a vote) in determining upon the most suitable Characters to fill the first offices in goverment. Pennsylvania looks up with anxious Solicitude for the...
900John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 18 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
After a very warm and dusty Journey, setting out early, and riding late, I arrived here on Monday the 16th. instant at about 4. o’clock in the morning. As soon as I had taken a little rest, I enquired for Mr. Barclay; and immediately went for him. He would have been in Paris, before now, had he not been retained by illness: he is not yet well but seems determined to go for Paris to-morrow...