151From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 23 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Frouillé, the bookseller here who is engaged in having your book translated and printed, understanding that you were about publishing a sequel to it, has engaged me to be the channel of his prayers to you to favor his operation by transmitting hither the sheets of the sequel as they shall be printed; and he will have them translated by the same hand, which is a good one. It is necessary for me...
152To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 16 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Governour of this Commonwealth will transmit to you Copies of Letters which lately passed between him and Capt Stanhope Commander of the British Ship of War Mercury. This is the same Person, as I am told, who, when a Prisoner here in the early time of the War, was not too delicate in Point of Honor to break his Parole. The Governor however had treated him from the Time of his Arrival with...
153To John Adams from Nicolaas van Staphorst, 16 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty in consequence of our conversation of yesterday evening with two Gentlement of the Council, commissaries in the Business of our claim to the Regency, to request your Excellency that you’ll be so kind to come at my house this morning at eleven o Clock, where you’ll also find M r. Willink, and when we’ll communicate to your Excellency the proposals of said two members of the...
154From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Baron Polnitz not going off till today enables me to add some information which I receive from Mr. Barclay this morning. You know the immense amount of Beaumarchais’ accounts with the U.S. and that Mr. Barclay was authorized to settle them. Beaumarchais had pertinaciously insisted on settling them with Congress. Probably he received from them a denial: for just as Mr. Barclay was about to set...
155From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy of ALS : Columbia University Library We duly receiv’d (Mr Jay & me) the Letters you did us the honour of writing to us the 27th of March & the 2d Instant. We shall transmit, as you desire, the Recommendation of Mr Browne to Congress; and enclos’d we send a Copy of the Treaty with Sweden. We expect Mr Hartley here very soon, to exchange the...
156To John Adams from Thomas Pownall, 30 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I feel so uneasy about the manner in which you went from hence to London without your Servants—& with a Man not used to drive— that I cannot satisfye myself without sending a Servant to know how you gott to town I hope without any accident—& that You & Your son are well. RC ( NjMoHP ); internal address: “Gov r Pownall P:H:C to the Hon le M r Adams”; addressed: “The Hon ble Mr Adams / &c &c /...
157To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 30 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
In my letter of the 11 th. instant I had the honour of inclosing you copies of letters relative to the Barbary affairs. others came to hand three days ago, of some of which I now send you copies, & of the others the originals. by these you will perceive that mr̃ Randall and mr̃ Lamb were at Madrid, that the latter means to return to Alicant & send on a courier to us. mr̃ Randall does not...
158From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I formerly had the honour of mentioning to you the measures I had taken to have our commerce with this country put on a better footing; and you know the circumstances which had occasioned the articles of whale oil and tobacco to be first brought forward. Latterly we got the committee, which had been established for this purpose, to take up the other articles, and on their report the King and...
159To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 2 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
Malades mon Epouse & moi, je ne puis qu’en peu de Lignes accuser à V. Excellence la réception, & remercier de la Lettre dont Elle m’a honoré en date du 25 du passé, dont le contenu aussi sage qu’obligeant, avec des ordres que j’observerai, me laisse l’espoir, que ceux dont mon sort & honneur dépend, auront soin de l’un & l’autre sans se mêler d’affaires nationales qui ne les regardent pas,...
160To John Adams from William Greene, 25 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have to address your Exc y. concerning the Liberation of a Subject of this State from English Service. Richard Low of a respectable Family in this State having commenced a Voyage on board of an American Merchantman AD 1776. was captured by the Niger, an English Frigate, and by Compulsion served on board her and a Variety of other Vessels in his Brittanic Majesty’s Service till the Year 1780...
161To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 27 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Being at this place, on private business, I cannot omit the opportunity of writing to you. The critical & alarming situation of this Country, makes me extremely anxious to hear the issue of your negociations at S t. James’s. An obstinate adherence, on the part of the british, to thier present commercial system; will, for a time, involve us in great difficulties. But I am persuaded, the...
162Daniel Crommelin & Sons to John Adams, 24 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
The occasion of our addressing you the present is to inform you, that we have to our Consignment a Vessel from New York, named the New York, Thomas Smith Master, which Vessel arrived here in October last, when he discharged some of his hands, & being now, on departure, stands in need of others; which he can get, but as our States at the beginning of the late War published an Ordonance, that no...
163Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 14 th and ever Since thursday have been in Hourly expectation of seeing you I hope it is oweing to all the packets being detaind upon this Side, as is reported, and not to any indisposition that your return is delayed, that unpleasing detention is sufficiently mortifying particularly as we wish to proceed to Falmouth as soon as possible, tho I shall fear to go from...
164To John Adams from Zachariah Loreilhe, 24 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
At the desire of M r. Thaxter I have the honor of Informing you that the Packetboat which Sailled from hence the 18 th: Inst t: for Newyork, was by distress of weather obliged to put back at the Ile of Groy yesterday in the afternoon, and last night at twelve OClock there being every apearance of a favorable wind, M r. Thaxter found it Necessary to go on board, and in Such a hurry as made it...
165To John Adams from Thomas Barclay, 5 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer Lieu t. Col: Franks waits upon You with some Dispatches from M r. Jefferson on the subject of which I need Not say much, but as M. Jefferson wishes Me to add any thing that occurs relative to the funds Necessary to accomplish the object, I shall just remark, that My Opinion is, the Presents ought Not to be Compleatly prepared untill we have a Certainty that the Treaty may be...
166To John Adams from the Baron von Thulemeier, 3 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Je ressens une veritable Sátisfaction, en mettant aujourdhui la derniere main a un Ouvrage qui a commencé d’ètre entrepris a la Haye sous Vos auspices, et que Vous avés favorisé, Monsieur, de Vôtre mieux. Vous verrés par la lettre ci jointe que j’ai l’honneur de Vous adresser en commun avec Messieurs Vos Collegues, que le Roi n’a rien laissé desirer aux Etats de l’Amerique. Il s’agit...
167To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 24 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Honour of your Letter of the 21 st. Instant, and I have given Directions for the necessary Notice to be sent to the Treasury of your Intention to embark your Effects on board the Ship Lucretia, and their Lordships will issue their Orders for your being allowed the Privileges usually granted to Foreign Ministers of equal Rank. I have received His Majesty’s Commands to...
168To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 5 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the honour of writing you from Harwich and Amsterdam— we have been very unfortunate as to roads & weather and were not able to reach Bresleau, time enough for the Review there— those of this place and at Potsdam will be finished about the 20 th. when I shall attempt a rapid passage to London by the way of Paris, I shudder at the Idea of tresspassing too far upon your indulgence—...
169From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Franklin sets out this morning for Havre from whence he is to cross over to Cowes there to be taken on board Capt. Truxen’s ship bound from London to Philadelphia. The Doctor’s baggage will be contained in 150. or 200 boxes &c. We doubt that the laws of England will not permit these things to be removed from one vessel into another; and it must be attended with great difficulty, delay...
170To John Adams from Thomas Pownall, 18 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have often wished, since I came here into the Country, to fancy I could find a time when I might suppose you at leisure & Liberty having a few daies that you might pass in the Country. Christmass is a kind of Saturnalia when, for a week or ten daies, nothing but eating drinking & gambolling about is done in London I wish to seize this interval to claim a kind of promise You made me to come &...
171From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Notables met yesterday. The king opened the assembly with a short speech, wherein he expressed his inclination to consult with them on the affairs of his kingdom, to receive their opinions on the plans he had digested, and to endeavor to imitate the head of his family Henry IV. whose name is so dear to the nation. The speech was affectionate. The Guarde des sceaux spoke about 20 minutes,...
172To John Adams from the Count Frederik von Reventlow, 22 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
C’est avec bien de la reconnoissance que j’ai reçû la communication que Vous avés bien voulu me faire, de la maniére dont les Etats unis d’Amérique, ont accueilli la decision du Roi mon Maitre, de la question proposée par Vous, Monsieur, il ÿ a quelque tems au Ministre du Roi, alors à la Haÿe, M r. de S t. Saphorin, par rapport à la reception de Candidats Américains dans les Ordres saints de...
173To John Adams from Thomas Pinckney, 10 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity of acknowledging your Excellency’s favors of the 21 st. of April by M r Miller and the 22 nd of the same month by M r. Heyward which were yesterday handed to me.— The intelligence they contain of attempts to counterfiet our paper Currency in Great Britain will I hope by putting Us on our Guard enable us to repell the threatened mischief. At the same time that...
174Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 25 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
As I passed through Nantes in my way to Bordeaux I received a letter from M rs. Barclay wherin she mentions your Intention of going to England Next Month, and that you wish’d to see me before you set out. I have three public accounts of Consequence to settle at Bordeaux, and shall the Moment they are finish’d proceed home. you will oblige me by letting me Know by a line, addressed to the Care...
175To John Adams from Rufus King, 10 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Letters are this moment receivid from Gen l. Lincoln giving the pleasing intillegence that he dispersed the Party under Shays on the morning of the 5 th. instant— the Insurgents had marched on the 4 th. from Pelham to Pitersham distant 30 miles, with about 1500 Men— Gen l. Lincoln moved after them at Eight OClock on the same Evening and came on them by Surprize at 9. OClock the next Morning,...
176Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I hope every post to hear from you, but every post has hithertoo dissapointed me. a month is a long time to be absent from Home without learning any thing from you. you have often left me and always was very punctual in writing to me. this is but the second time I have left you, and the first that I have been so long without hearing from you. I have written three times before, but have very...
177To John Adams from Christian Lotter, 3 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency’s good opinion and Satisfaction of my Conduct, and the gracious favour Your Excellency is pleased to bestow upon me, by Your own recommendation to Your Successor, are favours due of my Sincerest and most-dutiful thanks, with an impression of ever remembering Your goodness; I have done no more on my part, in consideration of trust and faithfulness, but which my duty required to...
178To John Adams from David Hartley, [6 September 1783] (Adams Papers)
I told you last night that I felt myself unwell with the Commencement of a complaint on my breast. I am this morning obliged to be bled. I s hd be very much obliged to you if you w d be so good as to prevail upon your Collegues to favour me with a visit this morning as I really cannot come out myself. The sooner the better, because I hope with bleeding & one day’s nursing that I may get off...
179From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 30 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 11th. instant I had the honour of inclosing you copies of letters relative to the Barbary affairs. Others came to hand three days ago, of some of which I now send you copies, and of the others the originals. By these you will perceive that Mr. Randall and Mr. Lamb were at Madrid, that the latter means to return to Alicant and send on a courier to us. Mr. Randall does not...
180Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
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 M r Hartley, that we are now ready to make the Exchange. With great Respect, I am,...
181To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 6 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the treasury have given notice to Willincks & Van Staphorsts that they shall not be able to remit them one shilling till the new government gets into action; and that therefore the sole resource for the paiment of the Dutch interest till that period is in the progress of the last loan. Willincks & V.S. reply that there is not the least probability of raising as much on...
182To John Adams from Richard Price, 2 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have been wishing to call upon you all this week, but the weather has been so discouraging as not to Suffer me to go much from home. I have communicated your request to the Gentlemen who manage the affairs of the meeting at Hackney. They agree with me in thinking the Society much honoured by your attendance; and they have directed me to inform you that, as the pew lately made is a permanent...
183To John Adams from John Thaxter, 28 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
At the last Term of the Supreme Judicial Court held at Ipswich came upon Trial the Celebrated Cause of John Murray vs the Inhabitants of Gloucester— (This Murray is known by the Name of Salvation Murray, to contradistinguish him from another of the same Name, who preaches a very opposite Doctrine, and is known by the Name of Damnation Murray.) M r. Murray about a twelvemonth agone brought an...
184From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 6 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners of the treasury have given notice to Willincks and Van Staphorsts that they shall not be able to remit them one shilling till the new government gets into action; and that therefore the sole resource for the paiment of the Dutch interest till that period is in the progress of the last loan. Willincks & V.S. reply that there is not the least probability of raising as much on...
185To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your’s of the 10 th. inst. and am happy to hear of the success of your journey to Amsterdam. there can be no doubt of it’s ratification by Congress. would to heaven they would authorize you to take measures for transferring the debt of this country to Holland before you leave Europe. most especially is it necessary to get rid of the debt to the officers. their...
186C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 28 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to answer briefly in poor English, your favour of the 11 th. inst. An Ideot, no.—à Lunatick, may be for what I know.— With me, and other plain people, the character is that of a bad man, near to become a Madman by disappointment. I am not misinformed, concerning the pretended principle and motive of a certain metaphysical Distinction. The nonsense I told you has been really alledged...
187To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 5 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I return you my sincere thanks, Sir, for the petition from the City of Bristol in 1775, which I have found here on my return from Holland in the letter you did me the honor to write me the 29 th. of December. It will be of great service to prove, that the conduct of our Countrimen has been & is continually misrepresented. The petition, memorial, or address to the King, or some body else from...
188To John Adams from Joseph Barrell, 24 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
I request the Liberty (in behalf of those who are engaged in the enterprize) to present to your Excellency a Medal which was struck to be distributed amongst the Natives on the North West Coast of America, and to commemorate the first American Adventure to the Pacific Ocean We have been carefull to Equip these Vessells in the very best manner, and that every Person on board Forty in number,...
189From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 1 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams and Doctr. Franklin and sends them his notes on the treaty with Prussia. He prays Mr. Adams, when he shall have perused them to send them to Dr. Franklin and proposes to meet them on the subject at Passy on Thursday at 12. o’clock. He sends the Prussian propositions, Mr. Adams’s and Dr. Franklin’s notes, and the former project and observations which...
190Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
M r Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to M r Adams, and enclosos a Paper left with him by the Secretary of the Portuguese Ambassador last Night, being an Extract of a Letter from the First Minister of that Court. No Notice is taken in it of the preceding Plan of a Treaty, and M r. F. mentions for Consideration, whether it would not be right to send a Copy of the new Plan immediately...
191Edmund Jenings to John Adams, 6 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have done myself the Honor of Answering your Excellencys Letter of the 10 th of Febry by two different Posts, as far as was then in my Power. I have now to give your Excellency Information of the only Metter which remained Unanswered. I am told an Express is Arrived from Congress brought by a M r or Major Franks announcing the ratification of the Treaty on the 14 of Febry,— The Major is...
192Charles Storer to John Adams, 22 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of forwarding your Excellency a letter, received from M r: Dumas, by the Post before last.— It came to hand a day or two before; but, not being able to find a private hand so soon as I imagined, from M r: Dumas’ letter to me, that it was necessary you should have it, I concluded it best & therefore forwarded it by the Post under cover to your Son— M r: Dumas writes me that,...
193From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10th. came safely to hand and I delivered the one therein inclosed to Mr. Grand. It was a duplicate of one he had before received. You will have heard of the safe arrival of Doctr. Franklin in America. Strange we do not hear of that of Otto and Doradour. If you know of the safe arrival of the packet in which they went, pray communicate it to me, as Madame de Doradour, who is...
194To John Adams from Robert Morris, 23 October 1783 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose the Copy of a Letter which I have just written to Mess rs. Wilhelm and Jan Willink, Nicolaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, De la Lande and Finje. This Letter will fully explain to your Excellency the Means I have adopted to bring our Funds into the most speedy Operation. Should the Plan meet your Approbation (which I hope may be the Case) I shall then rely on the...
195Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 7 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
We are favoured with yoúr Most Esteemed Letter of the 16 t. feb y. Whereout We Observe that Congress was to dispose in a Short time of the Moneý in Our hands, and that your Excell y. was daily Expecting their Orders. as the Whole Sum is Laying at their disposal, We Shall Comply with What dispositios Congress Shall think proper to make, not doubting but they will Leave us the Necessary funds to...
196To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 23 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
We have before ús Your Excell s. most Esteemed favour of the 13 h. Inst t. , and have taken Duely Notice of the Acceptances made by Yoúr Excell y. to Whom all honoúr Will be done by Mess s. Puller. We observe What yoúr Excell y. is pleased to Say aboút the Credit of £1000 St g. in favoúr of M r. Jefferson, of Which We made mention in Our last letter, Mess s. Van den Yver freres & C
197To John Adams from De la Lande & Fynje, 1 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Mess rs: Willink and van Staphorst have acquainted your Excellency last post, with the calamity that hath befallen our House. We now make free to inclose to your Excellency our Letter to the Honorable the Commissioners of the Board of Treasury, in which we advise them ourselves, of this for us so grievous news, begging your Excellency after perusal to forward it to those Gentlemen. May we...
198To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
Frouillé, the bookseller here who is engaged in having your book translated and printed, understanding that you were about publishing a sequel to it, has engaged me to be the channel of his prayers to you to favor his operation by transmitting hither the sheets of the sequel as they shall be printed; & he will have them translated by the same hand, which is a good one. It is necessary for me...
199To John Adams from Thomas Cushing, 3 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
This will be delivered you by The Sieur De le Tombe Consull General of France for the four New England Governments, who during his Residence here have behaved to universal Acceptance, I recommend him to your kind Attention. I embrace this opportunity to trasmit you an Authenticated Copy of an Act passed the General Court of this Commonwealth at their present Session entituled an Act for the...
200To John Adams from the Baron von Thulemeier, 11 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Le Roi m’ayant fait adresser la Ratification du Traité de Commerce & d’Amitié que j’ai eu l’avantage de négocier avec Vous, Monsieur, & Messieurs Vos Collégues, je m’empresse à Vous en donner connoissance. Dès que celle des Etats-Unis d’Amérique Vous sera parvenue, j’adopterai les mesures que Vous jugerez les plus convenables pour procéder à l’échange usité dans les affaires de ce genre....