301To John Adams from Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 30 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
We are honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of 19 th: Ins t: mentioning You had perfected the Congress Bond N o: 4543 and returned it by M r: Daniel Parker, Who has delivered same to us— We take the Liberty, to inclose Your Excellency, the Edict of His Most Christian Majesty, appointing us in conjunction with Mess r: Henry Fizeaux & C o: the Treasurers of his Finances in these...
302To John Adams from Thomas Wren, 20 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I think it requisite to inform you that we have in our town M r. Waller Mowbray, a printer, in rather a confined way of business, but of fair & honest character, to the utmost of my knowledge. An unknown person applied to him ab t. two days ago for his assistance to work off some counterfit notes of several of the American States, and put into his hands extreme well-executed box blocks, &...
303Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received your Excellency’s most Esteemed Favoúr of the 10 th. Inst t. which advice ús that M r. Jefferson having Orders from Congress to receive a Súm of Money in Europe, your Excell y. had furnish’d a draft upon ús in his favoúr of ƒ6000:—:— to which due honoúr is paid—. The Same reception will meet your Excell ys. draft on ús of £1000.— in favoúr of Coll o. Humphriys Secretary as there is...
304To John Adams from Richard Price, 4 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the favour of your letter, and feel an impatience to thank you for it. Your recommendation of M r Neckar’s book raises my expectations from it, and I will take the first opportunity to purchase it, and to endeavour to perswade Some of the booksellers to get it translated. Will you be so good as to inform M r Bowdoin that he was balloted for last night at the Royal Society...
305To John Adams from Samuel Williams, 9 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wish to present to the Royal Society of London the memoirs of our American Academy of Arts and Sciences: and to convey to Manheim the inclosed packet of papers. As we have no direct conveyance from America, may I take the liberty to commit them to your care? It gives us much pleasure to have two of your Sons in this University. Both of them are young Gentlemen from whom their friends have...
306To John Adams from François D’Ivernois, 30 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
Lord Lansdown ayant satisfait mon impatience en me confiant votre defense of the American Constitutions ; j’ai commencé cet ouvrage avec un plaisir et une attention, qui (dans le cas ou il y aurait une 2 de edition) me feraient desirer d’avoir avec l’auteur un entretien sur la suisse en general et sur Geneve en particulier. En attendant cet honneur, j’ai celui Monsieur de vous envoyer un petit...
307To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 13 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
Doctor Gordon is to deliver you this Letter. He is going to the Land of his Nativity, wishing for the best Happiness of his own Country & ours and hoping that mutual Affection will be at length restored, as the only Means of the Prosperity of both. As he determines to spend the Remainder of his Days in the Country where he was born, what rational Man who considers the Ties of human Nature will...
308To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 11 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
We have before us your Excell favor of 4 ins inclosing 20 Coupons due 1 febr @ 40 f f 800— 20 d o. — 1 June next 50 1000— f 1800— Wh ch: payment we anticipate with much pleasure as we have no doubt to receive the remitt e from the board of treasury to discharge the June intrest & in consequence we inclose you two new bonds f 2000— purchased at 96 ½ per C
309To John Adams from William Wenman Seward, 4 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to return you my sincere thanks, for your obliging information in Answer to what I before took the liberty of Addressing to you.— it now falls to my lot (pursuant to direction) to communicate to you certain inclosed resolutions enter’d into since, at a meeting of associated Irish Gentlemen, in this City, (principaly Merchants), who have done me the honour of nominateing me their...
310To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 2 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r Franklin presents his Respects to M r Adams, & acquaints him, that a New York Gentleman, Paul Randal Esq r. is just arriv’d at Paris, and has Letters for M r Adams. He lodges at the Hotel d’Orleans, Rue S t. Anne. He has been with M r Franklin, but not knowing that M r Adams liv’d so near, did not bring his Letters out with him. He intends waiting on M r Adams, but perhaps the Letters may...
311To John Adams from the Board of Treasury, 5 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 2 d. July last has been received by me in the absence of my Colleague M r. Osgood, who has gone for a few days to Boston. I laid it immediately before Congress and adopted those measures for securing the Interest of the United States, which are suggested in your Letter.— You will oblige the Board in transmitting all the information you can obtain as to the Connection which...
312From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 5 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Chevalier Dolomieu of the order of Malta, who served in the army of Count Rochambeau in America being to pass into England, I take the liberty of introducing him to you. An acquaintance with him in America enables me to assure you of his merit; his politeness and good understanding will of themselves recommend him to your esteem. I have the honour to be with the highest respect Sir Your...
313To John Adams from the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 21 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur trumbull ma fait remettre monsieur, la lettre dont la charge votre excellence. 1 jai été bien faché de n’etre pas chez moi lors qu’il sest donné la peine d’ÿ passer, mais jvai certainement le chercher, et lui rendre tous les soins que je dois a votre recommendation monsieur, aus vertus de son respectable pere et a ses propres talens. je vous prie d’etre persuade quil ne tiendra pas a...
314To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 17 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
We had the honour to write your Excellencÿ the 3 th: instant, in consequence of which M r: de la Lande hath been at the Hague to see everÿ thing in the Hotel of the United States properlÿ packed to be forwarded to Rotterdam; We since received your Excellencÿ’s favour of the 10 th: and have according to your orders to send everÿ thing bÿ M r: Lotter, forwarded the two Trunks to Rotterdam to the...
315To John Adams from Clement Cottrell Dormer, 22 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r: Cottrell presents his Compliments to M r: Adams, and informs Him, that there is no Ceremonial attending the Presentation of the Ladies of Foreign Ministers, except an Ambassadress, who has Private Audience of their Majesties attended by the M r: of the Ceremonies— M rs: and Miss Adams will be Presented in the Circle, in the same manner as all other Ladies—to the King by the Lord in...
316Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 14 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have had the honour to receive your most esteem’d Favour of the day before yesterday, and observe with pleasure that your Excellency agrees to the alteration which we have proposed by our last in the Plan of a new Loan. We had this morning a conference with the Brokers, which was proposed for to have the answer of the Undertakers, and in which we expected the Matter should be quite...
317To John Adams from Theophilus Lindsey, 30 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r Lindsey presents his most respectful comp ts to M r Adams, with many thanks for his acceptable present. M r L. hopes that America is now reaping some of the fruits of his labours in its new and wise constitution lately published to the world and will profit by them for ages of ages. M r L. has been prevented from paying his acknowlegements sooner by having been hitherto almost altogether...
318Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter your Excell y. did me the Honour of writing to me the 29th past. The Annunciation directed by the Instruction you mention has not yet been made; some Circumstances and Considerations, not necessary to particularize at present, occasioned the Delay here; but it may now be done immediately by your Excellency, if you think proper, to the Imperial Minister at the Hague;...
319From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 18th. inclosing your compliments on your presentation. The sentiments you therein expressed were such as were entertained in America till the Commercial proclamation, and such as would again return were a rational conduct to be adopted by Gr. Britain. I think therefore you by no means compromitted yourself or our country, nor expressed more than it would be...
320To 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...
321To John Adams from Samuel Allyne Otis, 20 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
After my most sincere congratulations upon your arrival at the present Seat of the Federal Goverment, I do myself the honor to enclose you a Copy of the Rules adopted by the Senate, A list of the members, present, a list of the members of the House, present, And a Copy of an order passed the Senate this day, which will be executed whenever your Honor shall appoint, as I presume the Committee...
322To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 28 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
I made up a parcel (directed for you by the Commerce) on the evening of the 17 th ; but M r Prentice who was to forward the same to Gravesend cou’d not be found. He has since absented himself from his english creditors—who say that he owes them forty thousand pounds. Bankruptcies however are so frequent and fashionable here now that fresh ones occur every day and are mention’d as mere matters...
323To John Adams from Benjamin Vaughan, 20 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r B Vaughan presents his respectful comp ts. to M r Adams, and having waited for the inclosed, wishes for the favor of an answer upon the subject of it. D r. Gray makes a private party for M r V:, and of course will be happy to see M rs & Miss Adams, with Col Jefferson & Col smith. M r V: is endeavoring to procure M r Bolton’s permission to see the immense machinery at Blackfriars Bridge
324To John Adams from George Clinton, April 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 4 th: of Feb y: inclosed in one from M r: Dumas of the 9 th: of August last, did not reach me before some Time in December. It seems the Gentleman who had solicited your Introduction, has deferred his Voyage to this Country for some time; if ever he should call upon me, I beg you to be assured, he will meet with the Civilities and attention due to a Person...
325To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 3 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
J’espere que les Lettres d’Amérique, que je vous ai acheminées il y a quelque temps, vous sont bien parvenues, & que leur contenu vous a été des plus agréable. J’ai lu dans le dernier London Chronicle du 26 Avril, un article de N. York du 3 e. Mars, partant “qu’il a plu au Congrès de nom̃er Mr. Adams son Ministre Plenipo: à Londres, & le Col. Smid, ci-devant Aide de Camp du Gen l. Washington,...
326To John Adams from William Short, 5 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 30 th arrived here on Saturday so that tomorrow’s Post is the first by which it is possible to inclose what you desire— I had been decieved in supposing that you had only had a Copy of the English Part of the Treaty taken, & for that Reason did not send you a List of the Errata with my first Letter— They are at present forwarded Sir & I have only to regret that you do not...
327To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 20 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
The proceedings of the Convention being this day published, I embrace the Oppertunity of transmitting them by a Vessel which is to sail this morning for London. There were only three dissentients Governor Randolph & Col o Mason from Virginia & your friend who now addresses you, from Massachusetts. The objections you will easily conceive without their being enumerated: & they will probably be...
328From 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...
329To 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...
330John Adams’ Commission as Minister to Great Britain, 24 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
The United States of America in Congress assembled. To our trusty and well beloved John Adams Esquire Send Greeting We reposing special trust and confidence in your Integrity Prudence and Ability have nominated constituted and appointed and by these Presents do nominate constitute and appoint you the said John Adams our Minister Plenipotentiary to reside at the Court of His britannic Majesty...
331To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 7 th. {this was 4. days later than} mr̃ Short’s of the {same date.} it {had evidently been opened. so we must} therefore consider {both govm̃ts as possessed of it’s contents.} I write you a line at this moment merely to inform you that {mr̃ Barclay is willing} to {go to treat with} the {Barbary states if we desire it} & that {this will} not {take him from...
332To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 6 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received His Majesty’s Commands to inform You, that, in order to prevent the Abuses to which the Indulgence given by the Foreign Ministers is frequently liable, by granting that Protection which their Compassion often inclines them to afford to Persons who solicit it for the sole Purpose of screening themselves from the Laws of their Country, His Majesty has instructed His Secretary of...
333Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 20 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your most esteem’d Favor of the 11 th. Inst t. we have the honour to advise, that you’ll find us at every Time disposed to give your Excellency every information concerning the State of Business of the United States, which you may require from us, and much more so when your Excellency informs us, that the public Service requires we should do so. There is indeed at present a large...
334To John Adams from Paul Joseph Guerard de Nancrede, 4 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to send you inclosed, the prospectus of a french periodical publication lately offered to the patronage of the Americans— I feel so much the more sollicitous to submit the plan to your abilities as your thorough knowledge of Europeans, and their Views of America, in general, has no doubt, long since, convinced you of the necessity of a periodical paper that might, propagate in...
335Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 16 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have received your most honour’d Favour in answer to our Letter of Saturday, and observe with pleasure, that after having weighed our Reasons, and considered our advice Your Excellency thinks it most prudent to agree upon the Terms we have proposed. In consequence of this authorization we have this day accepted the Engagement of the undertakers for a Million, however on condition that we...
336To John Adams from Richard Price, 8 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
When I writ to you last week to return you my thanks for the instruction and pleasure given me by your Defence of the American Constitutions I had no reason to expect that you Should give yourself the trouble of making any reply to it. I am therefore the more obliged to you for your letter; and I cannot make myself easy without Sending you a few lines of acknowledgm t: — The circumstance you...
337From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society We have lately received a Letter from the Secretary of Congress, of which I enclose a Copy, accounting for the Delay of the Ratification; & we have sent a Copy of it to Mr. Laurens, who being on the Spot can easily negociate an Agreement to extend the Term if necessary; but I imagine it can hardly occasion any Difficulty, since the Ratification will...
338To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 30 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
My Nephew Tho s. Lee Shippen wishes to be recommended to your patronage; & I am satisfyd he cannot be under better protection. I therefore entreat you to let him find favor in your sight, & that you will have the goodness to assist him with your advice, in the conduct of his legal Studies which he purposes to finish at the Temple. Our finances are unhappily at as low an ebb, as they who think...
339Thomas Mifflin to Franklin and John Adams, 20 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I have the Honor to transmit to you the following Acts of Congress relating to the formation of commercial Treaties &c Viz— N 1. Letter to the Ministers plenipotentiary at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid dated 17th. of October 1780— N 2. Instructions to the Ministers of the United States for making Peace with Great Britain dated May 30th. 1783 N 3. Instructions to...
340Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 2 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
We receive Notice of th’ Express, that a friend of his in Brussel, known by the Gouvernor remained Caution for him, that the trunks and Goods belonged to your Excellency; whereupon it has been released under payment of the charges, and duties. it is owing all to the Carelessness of M r. Barclay, who had promised to hand him a certificate, that it is your property, and the Clercq of him, who...
341From 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...
342Thomas 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...
343To 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...
344To 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...
345To 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...
346To 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...
347From 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...
348To 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...
349To 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...
350To 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