101To 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...
102To 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...
103To 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...
104To 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...
105To John Adams from John van Heukelom & Son, 27 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
Oúr distressed Sitúation on the one Side, and the Manÿ Civilities & friendlÿ regard Which ÿoúr Excellençÿ bestowed on ús on the other, make ús So free to implore ÿoúr Kind assistance: We dailÿ lament of having Sent anÿ goods to America, We cannot get anÿ accoúnts or remittances ever Since Several Years: and as M r. Cranch wrote ús, he woúld be glad to get rid of the whole búsiness, we invested...
106To John Adams from John Jay, 4 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Since the 22 d. February which was the Date of my last Letter to You, I have been honored with yours of the 4. 5. and 11 Novem r. and 2. 6. 9. 12. and 15 and one of Decem r. last, and also of 4 th. 21. and 26. January 1786. All of them have been laid before Congress, from whom I have no Instructions to say any thing more on the Subjects of them than what you will find in my Letter to you of...
107To John Adams from John Lillie Jr., 7 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
Nothing but the importance of the following subject which immediately concerns myself could have induced me to beg your attention upon it, by being persuaded your time was gennerally employed in National affairs,— But as the result of this business is very interesting to me, I have taken the liberty to write & request your assistance & advice, and that you would have the goodness (if not too...
108To John Adams from John Jay, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to You was written the 2 d. Ult:— It acknowledged the Receipt of your Letters of 15. 17. 21. 25 & 27 th: October last—no others have since arrived. All those as well the Letters which accompanied your Draft of a Treaty with Britain, together with my Reports in favor of them and of that Draft are … under the Consideration of Congress, and as yet have produced no Instructions to you on...
109From John Jay to John Adams, 14 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
Since the Date of my last to you which was the 6 th . Sept r . last, I have been honored with yours of the 10 th . & 26 th . June, & 19 & 29 July— with the Papers mentioned to be enclosed within They are now before Congress, and I am persuaded that the strong Marks they bear of Industry and Attention will give them Pleasure. I perfectly concur with you in Sentiment respecting the conduct...
110To John Adams from John Murray, 10 February 1789 (Adams Papers)
How grateful, how thankful, this moment I feel— To who, for what? To the infinitely good, the infinitely great, who, having the hearts of all in his hand, hath in the course of his Providence, dis-posed one of the best, one of the greatest of his speies to feel kindly disposed towards his humble thankful servant. You will, good Sir, (I might had said great , but great you may be, and not good,...
111To John Adams from John Jay, 6 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to You was dated 4 th: Ult:, since which I have been honored with several from you viz t. two dated 24 th. November last —9. 16. 17. 20. 22. 26 & 27 th. February and 4 th. March last —all of which with their several Enclosures were immediately laid before Congress.— I have at length the Pleasure of informing you that nine States begin to be frequent in Congress, and consequently that...
112From John Jay to John Adams, 3 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
Still I am unable to give you satisfactory Information on the Subject you must wish to have old & interesting Subject of your Return. My Report on it has been is not yet decided upon by Congress, altho some Progress has been made in it—My Endeavours to forward it shall continue unremitted. My last ^ letter ^ to you was on the 4 th . Day of Septem r ., since which I have not had the honor of...
113John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 2 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
After having suffered so long an interval of Time to pass, since I wrote you last, it is absolutely necessary, for my own justification, to give you, an account of my Studies, since my return home, and if it is not sufficient, to exculpate me intirely, I hope, at least it will induce you to forgive me. When I arrived here, I found, that I had far more to go through, than I had an Idea of...
114From John Jay to John Adams, 1 November 1786 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was dated 4 th . ult. since w h . I have been honored with yours of the 15 th July last, w h . was immediately communicated to congress— My Report on the answer of the british Minister to your memorial reques respecting our Frontier Posts is under the Consideration of Congress— Your Ideas & mine on those Subjects very nearly correspond, and I sincerely wish that you may be...
115To John Adams from John Jay, 2 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Copy of a Letter of the 21 st: December from M r: Temple to me, which I laid before Congress. They have been pleased to direct that you communicate it to His Britannic Majesty— That you inform him, that the Complaint stated in it, being in general Terms, and unsupported by any particular Facts, or Evidence, they do not think it...
116To John Adams from John Jay, 25 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
It gives me pain to have occasion so often to repeat that the irregular Attendance of the members of Congress has, for a long Time past, prevented their paying a seasonable Attention to their foreign Affairs; for there have been very few, and those very short Intervals in which nine States were represented in Congress this Year. Hence, and from some other Affairs deemed more pressing, it has...
117John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 6 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Last Wednesday Mr. W. Vaughan, got me introduced into the house of Commons, and I was there, from about 2. in the afternoon till 1. the next morning. The Subject, was a very dry, uninteresting one to me, it was the Westminster election, and the time, till 10 at night was taken up in hearing the Council counsel , on one side for Mr. Fox, and the electors of Westminster who petitioned, and on...
118To John Adams from John Dudley, 2 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
With all due deference—I beg Leave to Lay before you the following facts— Necessity is the motive—that frequently obliges me to actions contrary to my Inclination—hope it will Be admited to pleade in Excuse for the Liberty I take in soliciting your Intrest in my Behalf—without previous Leave— my case is as follows) I am a native of America N Carolina—was an officer in the Service of the united...
119From John Jay to John Adams, 1 November 1785 (first letter) (Jay Papers)
The enclosed Letter from President Lee to you (of the Subject and Contents of which I am informed) will explain to you the Design of the Letters and papers which accompany this. The one to the archbishops of York and Canterbury are left open for your Information; and that you may the more easily determine with yourself either to deliver it in Person, or merely to forward it by a proper...
120To John Adams from John Jebb, 13 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
My delay in answering your obliging favour of the 21 st. ult. has arisen partly from business, partly ill health. which have alternately prevented me from giving the proper degree of attention to the objections you have stated against the 36 th Article of the Pensylvanian Frame of Government. I esteem myself much honoured by your invitation to communicate mutually our sentiments upon the...
121From John Jay to John Adams, 16 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to You of the 3 d . Instant I have not been favored with any Letters from you. I have at length the Pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress complying with your Request to return, and expressing their Sentiments of, and their Thanks for the important Services you have rendered your Country. They have not yet come to any Decision respecting a Minister...
122To John Adams from John Jay, 16 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 3 d. Instant I have not been favored with any Letters from you. I have at length the Pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress complying with your Request to return, and expressing their Sentiments of, and their Thanks for the important Services you have rendered your Country. They have not yet come to any Decision respecting a Minister...
123From John Jay to John Adams, 25 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
It gives me pain to have occasion so often to repeat that the irregular attendance of of the members of Congress has for a long Time past prevented their paying a seasonable attention to their foreign affairs, for there have been very few, and those very short Intervals in which nine States were represented in Congress this Year— Hence, and from some other affairs deemed more pressing, it has...
124To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was dated 4 th: Ult: since which I have been honored with yours of the 15 th. July last, which was immediately communicated to Congress.— My Report on the Answer of the british Minister to your Memorial respecting our frontier Posts is under the Consideration of Congress. Your Ideas and mine on those Subjects very nearly correspond, and I sincerely wish that you may be enabled...
125From John Jay to John Adams, 6 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was of the 26 Ult. in which I mentioned the Dates of the Letters with which you had honored me, and the Rec t of which then remained as unacknowledged. ^ none from You have since arrived. ^ I have now the Honor of transmitting to You herewith inclosed a copy of an act of congress of the 18 th . Ultimo—it contains a correspondence between the Gov r of Massachusetts and cap t ....
126Eliphalet Brush to John Adams, 4 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
Count de Montauto Governor of this City has informed me of the Commissioners having made propositions to the Court of Tuscany respecting a Treaty of Commerce between this Country and America: The Governor requests me to inform the Commissioners, that he has lately received instructions from the Grand Duke relative thereto, which leaves him no doubt but a commercial Treaty may be formed to the...
127From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I have received a Letter from a very respectable Person in America, containing the following Words, Viz “It is confidently reported, propagated, and believed by some among us, that the Court of France was at bottom against our obtaining the Fishery and Territory in that great Extent in which both are secured to us by the Treaty; that our Minister at that...
128To John Adams from Thomas Wren, 22 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
At the request of Sir John Carter, I take the liberty to inform your Excellency, that Rob t. Muir, detained in our goal, having lived upon his own money till about a week ago, is now according to the custom of the goal allowed 3 d. per day which is paid by the parish. But the parish officers object somewhat to the making this allowance, as this man’s offence, they say, does not principally...
129Richard Cranch to John Adams, 19 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the within Letters, and as I hear Capt. Young is to sail tomorrow I take the liberty of inclosing them to you. By Capt. Cushing who sailed a few Weeks ago I sent you the News-Papers from last May, and by Capt. Young I have sent the Papers since and a Register for 1786. I have also sent a little Bundle for Sister Adams. I wrote you largely by Capt. Cushing, and have wrote...
130To John Adams from Rufus King, 27 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I intended to have written to you previously to my departure from New York— M r. Jay has undoubtedly transmitted to you the late Acts of Congress permitting your return to America after the expiration of your Commission to the English Court, and giving you the unequivocal thanks of the U.S. for the diligent, faithful, and able discharge of your various public Duties since your Residence in...
131Christian Lotter to John Adams, 30 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
The orders I have lately reicived from Your Son M r: J: Q: Adams for packing up his goods, on purpose to be Shipped to another End of the World, gave me very great concern, I rather like to unpack, then to pack up, especially for Such for whom I maintain the greatest Esteem and am proud to Serve; I am in this point alike the Hollander, all under een dak van’t huÿs, but changes will and must...
132From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 27 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Inclosed I have the Honour of sending to your Excellency Copies of Papers contain’d in a Dispatch just receiv’d from Congress. The Affair of the Free Ports recommended to us, has been sometime settled: They are Dunkirk, L’Orient, Bayonne & Marseilles.— I wonder much that we hear nothing from Congress of their foreign Arrangements. This short Line from the...
133Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 19 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have the pleasure to advice your Excellency that the Loan is So far advanced, that all the drafts will be payed, and we hope in course of time to compleat the whole sum of 2 millions. M rs. de Neufville & Son have applyed to us for the payment of coupons of the loan opened at their House formerly consisting in 7 coupons of Sept r. 1782 at ƒ25 ƒ175 — 7 dito March 1783 175 — ƒ350: — postage...
134To John Adams from Walter Mowbray, [20 April 1787] (Adams Papers)
As the intelligence I am to communicate is in my opinion of the highest consequence to the mercantile interest of America I presume any apology for the freedom I take in writing to your Excellency is unnecessary. The discovery I am to make an intended forgery of the paper currency of America, so ingeniously executed as to elude discovery. One of the persons concerned in this nefarious business...
135To John Adams from Robert Morris, 20 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellency’s favors of the fifth tenth and eleventh of July— I have taken the Liberty to make some Extracts from the two latter which are transmitted in a Letter to the Governor of Massachusetts Copy whereof is enclosed— Permit me Sir to give my feeble Approbation and Applause to those Sentiments of Wisdom and Integrity which are as happily expressed as they...
136From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 20 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favor of Jan. 25. Colo. Franks sailed in the packet of this month from Havre for New York. This arrangement of the packets opens a direct communication between Paris and America, and if we succeed as I expect we shall in getting Honfleur made a freeport, I hope to see that place become the deposit for our Whale oil, rice, tobacco and furs, and that...
137To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 20 October 1788 (Adams Papers)
In a Letter of October 7 th rec d from D r Rush of Philadelphia I find the following Paragraph “Mr John Adams will probably have all the [. . .] of our State for the Vice Presidents Chair.” I have the Honor to be Sir / Y r respectful & obed t Serv t RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “The Hon M r Adams”; endorsed: “J. Belknap / Oct
138To John Adams from Richard Cranch, 21 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Having this moment been informed that our Hon d: Friend M r: Temple is about to sail for England this Day, I gladly embrace the Opportunity of writing a few Lines to you by him. He informs me that he shall use his Influence with those in Power, to promote the forming the Treaty of Commerce on the largest and most liberal Principles, if that Business is not already finished. His great Knowledge...
139From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 12 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had just closed the preceding letter when M. de Blumendorf the Imperial Secretary of legation called on me with the answer to Doctr. Franklin. It was that of Sep. 28. 1784 which you remember as well as myself, wherein Count Merci informed us the Emperor was disposed to enter into commercial arrangements with us and that he would give orders to the Government of the Austrian Netherlands to...
140Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
We are favoured with your esteemed letter of 30 th: June, we had wrote upon the same Subject to our M r. Van Berckel, and he has been so obliging as to send us directly a letter for our minister in Bruxelles, to whom we Send the same, with your letter, in order to make the required use of the Same, so we hope may Soon be released and return hither, the advice we receive we shall not fail to...
141To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 30 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am Much Better pleased with Your Second Volume than with the times—And the politics of this Book Agree Better with me than those of the World— indeed, My dear Sir, You Have Made an Excellent work— I Confess I am the less unprejudiced as I love the Author, and His principles are Conformant to Mine— But independant of that, I am your Book’s warm Admirer and Constant Reader—its Usefulness will...
142To John Adams from Richard Peters, 10 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I should be wanting in those Evidences of my very sincere Respect & Esteem for you which I shall ever be happy in shewing, if I did not take the Oppertunity your Election to the honourable & respectable Station you now fill affords me of joining my Congratulations with those of the great Numbers of our Fellow Citizens who are gratified by your Appointment. I very truly wish you every...
143To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 19 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving your letter of the 10 th. ins t. the last evening, and should have done myself the Honour of meeting you at New Rochelle this day were I not kept in check by Mr: Jay’s proposing that if I would wait untill the morning he would accompany me to meet you at Kings-Bridge, where we suppose you will be at 12. o Clock— The arrangements for your accomodation and that of...
144Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 18 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cranch last Evening informed me, That a Mr. Standfast Smith of this Town is empowered to sell Verchilds Lands. Would it not be agreable to You to purchase those belonging to His Heirs which you have improved for some Years past? Sometime past I sued Sloane and recovered judgment against Him. He has given a Release to the Lands mortgaged and I think it would be best to sell them as they...
145To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 25 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
I Will not Enter on a detaïl of European Affairs, Still less So of our trouble in france, as M. Barret will tell You What Has Happened Since You Embarked— Governement Have Made a Great Effort— I think it will Be like Turnus’s Big Stone in the Æneïd— for the present the Parliaments are Put to the Rout, But Rallying Again under Cover of public Opinion, which you know Has a Great force in this...
146To John Adams from William Paca, 29 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
We take the Liberty to solicit every possible Assistance you can give on the Subject of the enclosed Copy of a Letter which Samuel Chase Esquire Agent for this State while in England addressed to the Minister M r Pitt. the Bills in Chancery are still depending and We have instructed M r. Chase to make the Attorney General a Party if the Crown will not disclaim it’s supposed Interest. The State...
147To John Adams from William Smith, 2 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you about 3 Weeks since by Col. Norton & inclos’d you some of our last papers. since which a Meeting of the Merchants & Traders of this Town has been held to consider what measures were necessary to be taken, to place the trade of the Continent, on a respectable footing. they have drawn up a petition to Congress, recommending a general system of Commerce thro’ the United-States, &...
148C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 25 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
En vous acheminant les Lettres, &c. ci-jointes, j’ai le plaisir de pouvoir vous dire, qu’il s’agit en ce moment très-sérieusement à l’Assemblée d’Holl de. des mesures pour arriver à la conclusion d’un Traité avec la F ce. . Le Traité définitif de la pax, avec l’Angl e. a été signé à Paris le 20. Je suis avec les respects de ma famille joints au mien, De Votre Excellence / le très-humble &...
149Marquis de Lafayette to John Adams, 2 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Altho’ I Have not Been Honoured with an Answer to My last letter, I will not lose time in Acquainting You that My departure from l’orient is fixed on the 22 d in sant — Any letter from You that Reaches Paris Before the 17 th will Be Carefully forwarded By me, and in Case You Had Any to send Clear of post offices, their Being put into My Hands will insure their Being Safely delivered to the...
150To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 11 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
You will be pleased to recollect that, in the Month of May 1783, M r. Hartley communicated to You, and the other Plenipotentiaries then residing at Paris, pursuant to the Instructions he had received, a Memorial from the Merchants trading to South Carolina and Georgia, representing their just Claims to an Indemnification for Debts due to them from the Creek and Cherokee Indians, for the...