251To 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...
252To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 13 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
A croud of thanks to You for the pleasure and instruction I have received from your defence of the american constitutions. I have as yet read it but three times, because I wish to forget it a little before I read it a fourth; but I find that impossible: I shall therefore only wait till you give us the augmentation promised. Let me intreat You for the sake of mankind in general and the united...
253To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 12 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
We are honored by your Excellency’s respected Favor of 1 st. Ins t: with an Enclosure from the Board of Treasury of the United-States, whereof we transmit a Copy for Your Excellency’s Perusal and Government. In directing the Payment of the Premiums f 60,000:—:— to be effected in new Bonds, the Commissioners appear to have been apprehensive, they should not be able to provide timely for the...
254To 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...
255To John Adams from John Wingrove, 6 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to the kind intimation You was pleased to do me the Honor of making the last time I was with You, has induced my taking the liberty of troubleing you to acquaint that I am on the eve of my Departure to the East Indies, and God knowes I hope to be of some usefulness to the United States in that Country—if sincerity of Attachment to them can have any influence over the People I am...
256To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, 14 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Rec t. of your Favor, which I should have answered sooner, had any Thing within the Compass of my Knowledge occurred, of sufficient Consequence to inform you of.— The present Secretary for foreign Affairs, I have no Doubt, keeps you well informed of all the political Occurances here.— But in a Government, where expedients only keep up its Existence; it is impossible...
257To 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...
258To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
accept my thanks for your Letter mentioning the Marriage of your Daughter, and my cordial Congratulations on that pleasing Event.— they who best know the Col l: speake of him as brave and honorable; and Strangers to the Lady draw the most favorable Inferences from her Parentage, and from the attention and Example of a Mother whose charater is very estimable. I sincerely wish my dear Friend...
259From 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...
260To John Adams from the Board of Treasury, 31 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
In your Letter of the 19 th May last, you were pleased to inform us that you had already accepted Bills which had been drawn on you to a considerable amount by M r. Barclay and Lamb, in consequence of the appropriation which had been made by Congress for forming Treaties with the Barbary Powers; but as we have no advice from you since that date, we are at a loss to know whether the whole or...
261To John Adams from François Adriaan van der Kemp, 31 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
L’accueil, dont vous m’avez honorés pendant votre Sejour dans cette Republique et les marqúes d’estime et d’amitie, avec lesquelles vous m’aves daigné de favoriser, m’ont animé, d’interrompre vos occupations Serieuses, et d’implorer en vous les secours d’un ami, qui je hesiterai de vous communique en qualite d’Ambassadeur, n’etant point accoutumé, de faire la cour aux gens en place, et ne...
262To John Adams from Edward Augustus Holyoke, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose Your Excellency a Vote of the Massachusetts medical Society; by which You will percieve the grateful Sense they entertain of your Excellency s. Favours: and, in Compliance with their agreable Injunction, to return You the Thanks of the Society, for the fresh Instance of your Excellency s. Attention to their Interests, in forwarding the Extract from the Register of...
263To John Adams from John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Rev d. Doctor Provost is so obliging as to take Charge of this Letter together with other Dispatches which he will deliver to you.— This Gentleman being elected by the Convention of episcopal Congregations in this State, and having the most express Recommendations from that Body, as well as from a general Convention lately held at Wilmington, is going over to be consecrated a Bishop.—...
264To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 October 1786 (Adams 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; & you know the circumstances which had occasioned the articles of whale oil & tobacco to be first brought forward. latterly we got the committee, which had been established for this purpose, to take up the other articles, & on their report the king & council...
265To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honor to acquaint Your Excellency, that agreeable to the Conditions of the Loan of Two Millions raised for the United-States, the Second Drawing of Premiums was effected the 25 th: Instant to the Amount of Sixty Thousand Guilders; Which it is at the Option of the United-States, to pay in New Bonds the 1 st: February 1787 or in Specie Six Months after the Drawing. The first drawing...
266From 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...
267To John Adams from Benjamin Hichborn, 24 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have long intended to write you, but the fear of giving you more trouble than Information, has hitherto prevented me— the present critical Situation of public Affairs, & the probable issue of them, so different from what is conceived by most of our Polititians, have at length overcome every other Consideration & I have now taken my Pen to communicate a Sentiment which I must entreat of you,...
268To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of Sept. the 11 th. came to hand in due time & since that I have recieved the copies of the Prussian treaty you were so kind as to send me. I have recieved a short letter from m r. Barclay dated Cadiz Sep t. 25 th. only announcing his arrival there & that he should proceed immediately to Madrid. At this latter place he would meet my letter informing him that we did not propose any...
269From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 23 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sept. the 11th. came to hand in due time and since that I have recieved the copies of the Prussian treaty you were so kind as to send me. I have recieved a short letter from Mr. Barclay dated Cadiz Septr. 25th . only announcing his arrival there and that he should proceed immediately to Madrid. At this latter place he would meet my letter informing him that we did not propose any...
270To John Adams from James Warren, 22 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
A few days since, I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 4 th. July— You think the picture I gave you in my last too high wrought. You Cannot be of my opinion that there is here a total Change in Principles, & Manners. nor that Interest is the only pursuit. & that riches only are respected. Your distance will not permit you to form your Opinion from your own Observation. Your partiality...
271To John Adams from John Singleton Copley, 15 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the loan of the Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, they have afforded me much entertainment particularly those written by Governor Bowdoin on the structure of the Heavens, and on Light; I feel my-self happy that my Countrymen are inspired with a thirst after knowledge, and to see them emulating the Nations of Europe in the cultivation of the Arts and...
272To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
Autant nous avons été en peine de Vous savoir avec Madame en mer par la tempête qu’il faisoit, autant nous a réjoui la nouvelle de votre arrivée à Londres, laquelle écrite ici par Mr. De Lynde, me fut com̃uniquée en son temps par Mr. Fagel, avec qui j’eus occasion de m’entretenir de V. E. à l’hôtel de France, & qui m’a chargé de vous faire parvenir ses complimens. Mr. Jrujo, mon très cher ami,...
273To John Adams from Richard Cranch, 3 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Gen l Court met here last Wednesday being called together much sooner than was expected, on acc t. of the Disturbances that have taken place in several Counties by unlawfull Assemblies of armed-Men to stop the Courts of Justice. I herewith send you the News-Papers in which you will find a general account of the Proceedings in the Counties of Bristol, Hampshire, Worcester, and at Concord in...
274To John Adams from Rufus King, 3 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
You will undoubtedly hear much of the tumultuous and irregular conduct of a considerably numerous class of people in the western counties of massachusetts— the same temper which appears to have collected these illegal Assemblies in Massachusetts, has shewn itself in New Hampshire; but General Sullivan, who is now President of that State, by very proper and decisive Measures has put an End to...
275To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last letter to you was dated the 27 th. of August, since which I have recieved yours of Sep. 11 th. — The letter to m r. Lamb therein inclosed I immediately signed & forwarded. In mine wherein I had the honor of proposing to you the mission of m r. Barclay to Algiers, I mentioned that my expectations from it were of a subordinate nature only. I very readily therefore recede from it in...
276To 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...
277From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 26 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was dated the 27th. of August since which I have recieved yours of Sep. 11th. The letter to Mr. Lamb therein inclosed I immediately signed and forwarded. In mine wherein I had the honor of proposing to you the mission of Mr. Barclay to Algiers, I mentioned that my expectations from it were of a subordinate nature only. I very readily therefore recede from it in compliance...
278To John Adams from Charles Storer, 16 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wish you would finish your business in London & return home—We want you here more than a little— Every thing seems to be going wrong, and there is great reason to fear that we soon shall be in a state of anarchy & confusion— When Government has not energy eno: to enforce the laws, what is to be done? When our executive Officers have not power to suppress Mobs, Riots & armed associations,...
279John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 30 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days agone, your favour of June 2d: you mention an Affair, concerning which I had determined to write in the begin ning of this Quarter. I have thought much of an Office in which to Study the Law. Should you return home next Spring, and be yourself at Leisure to instruct me, I should certainly prefer that to studying any where else. But if you are still detained in Europe, I...
280To John Adams from Ezra Stiles, 28 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I think you will make no Impression upon the Court of Great Britain. And it is probable little Impression will be made on Algiers, while Britain on one hand may be inciting them to stand on too high Terms for us, & we on the other hand send Characters too trifling for so important a Negotiation. Was the Levant Trade open to America, the Profits to us would soon be very great, as we could...
281To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of July 31. was lately delivered me. the papers inform me you are at the Hague, and, incertain what stay you may make there, I send this by mr̃ Voss who is returning to London by the way of Amsterdam. I inclose you the last letters from mr̃ Barclay & mr̃ Carmichael, by which we may hope our peace with Marocco is signed, thanks to the good offices of a nation which is honest, if it...
282From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of July 31. was lately delivered me. The papers inform me you are at the Hague, and, incertain what stay you may make there, I send this by Mr. Voss who is returning to London by the way of Amsterdam. I inclose you the last letters from Mr. Barclay and Mr. Carmichael, by which we may hope our peace with Marocco is signed, thanks to the good offices of a nation which is honest, if...
283To John Adams from John Jay, 19 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you on the 7 th: of last Month, and also on the 18 th: of this enclosing some Papers respecting an american Vessel seized at Barbadoes by a british Man of War. I have been honored with yours of 16 th. 25 th. and 28 th. May and 6 th. June last, which with the Papers accompanying them were immediately laid before Congress.— The Situation in which the Want of an adequate Representation...
284To John Adams from Charles Storer, 19 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
Excuse me if I only enclose letters to your family— I have not wherewithal to gratify you in the News way, as our brightest prospects are but gloomy—and I know you have enough to vex you where you are— I mentioned to M rs: Adams a County Convention forming here in the County of Bristol— They have called upon almost every other County to join them— Worcester however has given them a positive...
285To John Adams from John Jay, 18 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a Copy of a Report on the Case of the Brig Jane and Elizabeth of Portsmouth in New Hampshire seized by a british man of War at Barbadoes; together with Copies of the Papers on that Subject annexed to it.— The Conduct of the Captain of the Boreas as stated in these Papers appears very exceptionable, but unfortunately for the Brig, her...
286To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed came to hand this morning. mr̃ Carmichael you observe, and mr̃ Barclay suppose something may yet be done at Algiers. it remains for us to consider whether the conduct of the Dey of that country leaves any room to hope that any negotiator can succeed without a great addition to the price to which we are confined? and should we think in the negative, yet whether the expences of mr̃...
287From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 13 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed came to hand this morning. Mr. Carmichael you observe, and Mr. Barclay suppose something may yet be done at Algiers. It remains for us to consider whether the conduct of the Dey of that country leaves any room to hope that any negotiator can succeed without a great addition to the price to which we are confined? And should we think in the negative, yet whether the expences of Mr....
288To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 10 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
J’apprends dans l’instant par l’une de nos Gazettes Hollandoises que Votre Excellence est actuellement à la Haye; & je m’empresse de vous faire passer le renouvellement du respect & de la venération que j’ai toujours eus & invariablement fait éclater pour votre Personne & vos vertus. La confiance & l’amitié dont vous avez bien voulu m’honorer dans les tems de votre Residence dans ce Pays-ci,...
289William Stephens Smith to John and Abigail Adams, 8 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
We were pleased by the receipt of yours of the 5th. inst. from Harwich, to find that your jaunt to that period and place had proved so agreable, you have our earnest wishes for its continuance. But we have been apprehensive since, that the fine Sun and fair Brieze which invited you on board in the morning, forsook you before, you had crossed the Channel. At this place, the after part of the...
290From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 8 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of July 16. came duly to hand by Mr. Trumbul. With respect to the whale oil, tho’ this country has shewn a desire to draw it hither, and for that purpose have reduced the duties to about four guineas on the English ton, yet I do not see a probability of a further reduction at this moment. It has been much pressed, and I expect every day to receive a final determination. Should it...
291To John Adams from Stephen Higginson, July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Letter of 18 Feb y. I duly received. to me it is extraordinary, that having a common Interest in a commercial View, and a Rival in France equally dangerous to both, no Arrangements can be made between us and the British for our mutual safety and advantage. it is not uncommon for Individuals to sacrifice their Interest to gratify their resentment; but it does not often happen that...
292To John Adams from Richard O’Bryen, 25 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
your letter by M r. Lamb I received and wrote you shortly Afterwards Informing you of the Unfortunate event of M r. Lambs Voyage to Algiers. the particulars long Ere to this you have known. M r. Lamb Signified to the Dey that he would try & Get the Money for our Redemption in four Months. but three is past and we have heared nothing particular Since But hopes that our Country will Shortly...
293To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 21 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
There are two great Objects which I think should engage the Attention of Patriots here, & which appear to me to involve every thing else—to preserve entire our political Liberties, & to support our National Faith. To effect either of these Capital Ends, we must counterwork the Designs of Great Britan, who to say the least does not appear to be our most cordial Friend, by her Emissaries amongst...
294To John Adams from Charles Storer, 21 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Nay, Sir, do not confine enthusiasm & patriotism entirely to Tories & Refugees— You have always had a good share of it, and I was going to claim a little too— You will see by my letter to M rs: Adams how I mean to dispose of my self here—w h: I hope will meet with your approbation— On an other score I wish to ask your advice & opinion—but I always remember what you once told me, viz t: that,...
295Cotton 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...
296To John Adams from Isaac Stephens, 18 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty of Directing a Letter to your Honour in order to Convey My Letters to Boston and Will be much obliged to you to forword them & further for gods Sake and the Love of Man to assist Us in this Sad State of Slavery allthough the Sum Is Large But we Cannot help that it is Despreat To be Under the Situation of a Slave as We are the property of the King as Much as his horse Sir if...
297To John Adams from Samuel Austin, 11 [July] 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 25 May last per Cap t Biggilo, now lies before me.— In answer to which, shall only Observe. The difficulties and Obstacles you mention, which are in the way, and which at Present Prevents my Recovering my money, however Plausible, are altogether falacious, and without foundation with Respect to this State, yet it seems they are made an objection of such Magnitude that neither...
298To John Adams from James Bowdoin, 11 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
In addition to the papers I sometime ago sent you, relative to the encroachments made upon our Eastern boundary by our Neighbours of New Brunswick, I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency copies of other Letters & papers upon the same subject— By Mess rs. Smith & Bowles’s Deposition it appears, that the Province of New Brunswick is by its Charter bounded on the Western shore of...
299To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 11 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
This morning has honored me with your most esteemed favors of the 26 th May—for which be pleased to accept my sincere thank[s—] All on this side of the Atlantic, who speak of the affairs of these United States, joyn in the Opinion you express, “that they must soon take a turn for the better or become much worse—[ ” ] Most of our Citizens appear too unconcerned, falsely supposing that they now...
300To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 11 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Our instructions relative to the Barbary states having required us to proceed by way of negotiation to obtain their peace, it became our duty to do this to the best of our power. whatever might be our private opinions, they were to be suppressed, and the line marked out to us, was to be followed. it has been so honestly, & zealously. it was therefore never material for us to consult together...