51From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I was Sometime in doubt, whether any Notice Should be taken of the Tripoline Ambassador, but receiving Information that he made Enquiries about me, and expressed a Surprize that when the other foreign Ministers had visited him, the American had not; and finding that He was a universal and perpetual Ambassador, it was thought best to call upon him. last Evening, in making a Tour of other...
52From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have desired Colonel Smith to go Express to Paris, to intreat you to come here without loss of Time. The Portuguese Minister has received his Instructions from his Court, and We may here together conduct and finish the Negotiation with him, I suppose in three Weeks. But there is another Motive more Important. There is here a Tripolitan Ambassador with whom I have had three Conferences. the...
53From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 11 th. with the enclosures from M r Lamb, M r Carmichael and M r Barclay. I am not Surprized that M r Lamb, has only discovered that our means are inadequate, without learning the Sum that would be Sufficient. Il faut marchander avec ces Gens la.— They must be beaten down as low as possible. but We shall find at last the Terms very dear. The Algerines will never...
54From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of 30. May with its Inclosures. You have Since that day no doubt received my Answer to yours of the 11 th. , in which I agreed perfectly with You in the Propriety of Sending M r Lamb to Congress without Loss of time. I am content to Send M r Randal with him but had rather he Should come to You first and then to me, and embark in London after We shall have had...
55From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
last night I received yours of the 16.— M r Lamb has not written to me. M r Randal I have expected every day, for a long time. but have nothing from him, but what you transmitted me. my opinion of what is best to be done, which you desire to know is, that M r Lamb be desired to embark immediately for New York, and make his Report to Congress and render his Account, and that M r Randal be...
56From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 26 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Sometime Since I received from Gov. Bowdoin some Papers relating to Alexander Gross, with an earnest desire that I would communicate them to the French Ambassador here. I did so and his Excellency was so good as to transmit them to the Comte De Vergennes.— M r Bartholomy however advised me to write to you upon the Subject, that you might prevent it from being forgotten. inclosed is a Letter,...
57From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 23 of June is come to hand, with a Copy of M r Lamb’s of 6 June from Aranjuez. There is no Intelligence from America of Armies marching to take the Posts from the English. The News was made as I Suppose against the opening of the Three Per Cents, and it had the intended Effect to beat down the Stocks a little. Altho the Posts are important, the War with the Turks is more So. I lay...
58From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 16 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
last night M r Randal arrived with yours of the 9 th. If the Prussian Treaty arrives to You, I think you will do well to Send M r Short with it to the Hague and Exchange it with Thulemeier, and get it printed in a Pamphlet Sending a Sufficient Number to you and to me. if it comes to me and you approve, I will Send Some one or go myself. The Chev r. De Pinto’s Courier unfortunately missed a...
59From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d , the Ratification of the Prussian Treaty, and next Thursday Shall Sett off for the Hague in order to exchange it with the Baron De Thulemeyer. Your favour of the 11 th. instant I have rec d. There are great and weighty Considerations urged in it in favour of arming against the Algerines, and I confess, if our States could be brought to agree, in the Measure, I Should be very...
60From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
On my Return from Holland, on the Sixth instant I found your Favours of the 8. and 13. Aug.— on my Arrival at the Hague The Exchange of Ratifications was made on the 8 of August with The Baron De Thulemeier, and I had it Printed. it is only in French.— Copies Shall be Sent you as Soon as I can find an Opportunity. We were present at Utrecht at the august Ceremony of Swearing in their new...
61From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
By D r Gibbon a young Gentleman of Philadelphia whom I beg Leave introduce to you, I have the Honour to send you a few more Copies of the Prussian Treaty: and to inclose in this, a Resolution of Congress of september 26. annulling M r Lambs Commission & Instructions. M r Jay desires me to transmit it to him, and although I hope M r Lamb is on his Passage to New York or already arrived there,...
62From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letters of December 20. and Jan. 11. by Coll Franks.— The whole of the Business shall be dispatched, and Coll Franks Sent to Congress as you propose, as soon as possible. I have prepared a Draught of a joint Letter to M r Barclay, and Signed it, concerning M r Lamb, and shall inclose it to you with this. As to the Treaty with Portugal, the Chevalier De Pinto’s Courier whom...
63From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favours of Feb. 20. and 23 by M r Carnes, and the curious Pamphlets. Opening a direct Communication between Paris and America will facilitate the Trade of the two Countries, very much, and the new Treaty between France and England, will promote it still more. John Bull dont see it. and if he dont See a Thing at first, you know it is a rule with him ever...
64From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I received with great Pleasure your favour of the first.— Your Excursion I dare answer for it, will be advantageous in many respects to our Country.— The Object of mine to Holland was to procure Money, and I had the good fortune to obtain as much as was necessary for the then present Purpose: but it was not in Consequence of any orders from Congress, and therefore I am under Some Apprehension...
65From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 August 1787 (Adams Papers)
On my return from an Excursion to Devonshire with my Family, where We have been to fly from the Putrefaction of a Great City in the Summer heats, I had the Pleasure to find your favours of 17. & 23. of July. a Million of Guilders are borrowed on a new Loan in Holland, and I went over lately to Subscribe the Obligations, a Punctillio which the Brokers were pleased to think indispensible, to...
66From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am Sorry to give you the trouble of this Commission: but I fear it will not be effectually done but by you—and therefore let me beg the favour of you to send for M r de La Blancherie and withdraw my Subscription to the Society of whose affairs he has the direction, and put a stop to his sending me the Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres et Des Arts.— he persuaded me at the Hague to...
67From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 9 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I Sent you a Copy of my Second Volume by Mr Barthelemy the French Chargé here now Minister, with a Letter about Money matters. in your favour of Sept. 28. you dont mention the receipt of them.— I have indeed long thought with Anxiety of our Money in the hands of our Friends, whom you mention, and have taken the best Precaution in my Power, against Accidents.— I do not consider the Game as up.—...
68From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r Daniel Parker will have the Honour to deliver you this. He is an intelligent American, and well informed as any Man you will see from hence. I beg leave to introduce him to you. Let me thank you for your late Letter and the important State Papers inclosed with it.— I have ordered to your Address, a dozen Copies of my Boudoir for the Marquis, who desired M r Appleton and M r Paine to have...
69From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r Boylston is going to Paris, with a Cargo of Sperma Cæti oil, and will be obliged to you for any Assistance or Advice you can give him. I forwarded a few days ago, from M r Gerry, a Copy as I suppose of the Result of Convention.— It Seems to be admirably calculated to preserve the Union, to increase Affection, and to bring Us all to the Same Mode of thinking. They have adopted the Idea of...
70From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
The Project of a new Constitution, has Objections against it, to which I find it difficult to reconcile my self. but I am so unfortunate as to differ somewhat from you in the Articles, according to your last kind Letter. You are afraid of the one—I, of the few. We agree perfectly that the many Should have a full fair and perfect Representation.— You are Apprehensive of monarchy: I, of...
71From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
I last night received, the Ratification of my last Loan and the inclosed Resolution of Congress of 18 July last, for the Redemption of Prisoners at Algiers.— It is probable you have received it before, but as it is, in your Department to execute it, and possible that you may, not have received it, I thought it Safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honour to do, here inclosed. M r...
72From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your Letter of the 12. M r Jarvis and Commodore Jones are arrived here from New york both charged with large Dispatches for you. M r Jarvis sent his Packet on by Col. Trumbul who departed from hence for Paris last Thursday. Com r Jones went off a day or two ago. but both will arrive to you before this Letter. The Papers they carry, with a Renovation of your Commission at...
73From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
By the last Post I answered your Letter of the 12, and Yesterday received yours of the 16.— Com. Jones has before now delivered you dispatches that will Serve no doubt for your direction. M r Van staphorst, will have no Objection to an handsome Commission, for paying off, the Debt M r Fizeaux mentions: and M r Fizeau, will be glad to have it paid off, that the Money Lenders not knowing what to...
74From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 6 th. and had before received the Same Information from Amsterdam. I know not how to express to you, the Sense I have of the disingenuity of this Plott.— The Difficulty of Selling the Obligations I believe to be mere Pretence. and indeed the whole appears to me to be a concerted Fiction, in consequence of some Contrivance or suggestion of M r Parker, the...
75From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to introduce to you John Coffin Jones Esq r , an eminent Merchant of Boston and a late Member of the Legislature from that Town. His Character both in public and private Life is much respected, and his Intelligence will enable him to give you a much better Account of the general and particular Politicks of this Country than I can. our Fellow Citizens are in the midst of their...
76From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from The Hon. Stephen Higginson Esq r , is upon a Subject of so much Importance, and contains so much Information that I cannot withold it from you. The little Jealousy, Envy or Caprice, that shall deprive our Merchants of the Benefit of Trading to the Isles of France & Bourbon, will only compell them to seek the Ultimate Marketts upon the Continent, directly. In four days,...
77From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society These People are so accustomed to see every thing done by Sollicitation of Interest, or what they call Protection, and nothing without it, that they hardly conceive it possible to obtain the Payment even of a just Debt but by means of Persons whom they suppose to have Influence enough to support and enforce their Pretensions. We should...
78From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me the enclosed letter, under cover from the Marquis de la Fayette. If you have any News that you are at liberty to impart, it would be charity to communicate a little of it, to a body. It is unnecessary, I hope, to repeat to you the assurances of the pleasure I should feel at seeing you at this retreat, or of the sincere esteem & regard with which I am—Dear Sir—Yr Most...
79From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Baron de Steuben informs me, that he is about to make a final settlement with Congress; and to obtain from them that compensation which his Services shall appear to have merited; having entered into no stipulation at the time he engaged in the Service either for Pay or emoluments; chusing rather to let his Services point to their own rewards (after they were performed) than to set a value...
80From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th came to my hands the 2 2d—at the moment the Governor & some other company came in. I can do no more at present than to acknowledge the rect of it, but will take the first leisure moment to write fully to you on the points it contains. Capt. Barney informs me that he has two packages on board, from the Marqs de la Fayette; the enclosed to him contains a request to land...
81From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not in my power to answer your favor of the 15th by the last post for the reason then assigned. I wish I may be able to do it to your satisfaction now, as I again am obliged to pay attention to other Company (the Governor being gone). My opinion coincides perfectly with yours respecting the practicability of an easy, & short communication between the waters of the Ohio & Potomack, of...
82From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 8 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
If with frankness, and the fullest latitude of a friend, you will give me your opinion of the Institution of the Society of Cincinnati, it would confer an acceptable favor upon me. If to this opinion, you would be so obliging as to add the Sentiments, or what you suppose to be the Sentiments of Congress respecting it, I would thank you. That you may have the best Materials on which to form a...
83From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not until I had arrived at Annapolis, on my way home, that I heard of Colo. Humphrys’s appointment as Secretary to the Commissioners for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe. Permit me now Sir, to recommend him to your countenance and friendship, which I would not do, did I not think him deserving of both. In him you will find a good Scholar, natural & acquired abilities, great...
84From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to find by the public Gazettes that your passage to France had been short, and pleasant. I have no doubt but that your reception at the Court has been equally polite, & agreeable. I have the honor to inclose you the copy of an Act which passed the Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland at the close of their respective Sessions; about the first of last month. The circumstances...
85From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 10th & 17th of July which were committed to the care of Mr Houdon; but I have not yet had the pleasure to see that Gentleman. His Instruments and materials (Doctr Franklin informs me) not being arrived at Havre when they Sailed, he was obliged to leave them; & is now employed in providing others at Philadelphia, with which he will proceed to...
86From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letters you did me the favor to write to me on the 4th & 7th of Jany have been duly received. In answer to your obliging enquiries respecting the dress, attitude &ca which I would wish to have given to the Statue in question—I have only to observe that not having a sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of Connoisseiurs, I do not desire to dictate...
87From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 14th of November last, did not come to my hands till the first of the present month; and at a time when I was about to set off for the Convention of the States, appointed to be holden in this City the 14th Instt. Consequently, it has not been in my power, at an earlier period, to reply to the important matters...
88From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday put an end to the business of the Fœderal Convention. Inclosed is a copy of the Constitution, by it agreed to, not doubting but that you have participated in the general anxiety which has agitated the minds of your Countrymen on this interesting occasion, I shall be excused I am certain for this endeavor to relieve you from it —especially when I assure you of the sincere regard and...
89From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th of August, and am sorry that it is not in my power to give you any further information relative to the practicability of opening a communication between Lake Erie and the Ohio, than you are already possessed of. I have made frequent enquiries since the time of your writing to me on that subject while Congress were sitting at Annapolis, but could never...
90From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was very much gratified by the receipt of your letter, dated the 3d of May. You have my best thanks for the political information contained in it, as well as for the satisfactory account of the Canal of Languedoc. It gives me pleasure to be made acquainted with the particulars of that stupendous work, tho’ I do not expect to derive any but speculative advantages from it. When America will be...
91From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having found that there is a vessel on the point of sailing from Alexandria for Havre de Grace I would not forego so good an opportunity of addressing a letter to you; although nothing very material has occurred since the date of my last, which was transmitted by Mr Gouverneur Morris. As you will doubtless have seen in the Gazettes the Measures taken by the different States for carrying the...
92From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1785 (Jay Papers)
You will learn that a virulent att ^ From ^ the public papers which will go by the Packet you will percieve that a very indecent attack has been made upon me by a M r Littlepage who was formerly in my Family & from whom I merit better things— It has so happened however that almost all the Enemies ^ among ^ the few Enemies I have the far greater Part are men on whom I have conferred great...
93From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 19 January 1786 (Jay Papers)
Since my last of 7 Dec r last & indeed for some time before that, congress has been composed of Represen so few States actually represented, as that not to have it in their power to pay proper ^ that ^ attention to their foreign affairs which they would doubtless have otherwise done—Hence it has happen’d that no Resolutions have been entered into on any of the important Subjects submitted to...
94From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 14 July 1786 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to You of 16 Ult: I have been honored with your Letters of 23 d & a joint one from You & M r Adams of 25 April— Considering the Importance of our Commerce with Portugal, It glad to gives me Pleasure to learn that a Treaty with that Kingdom was nearly concluded— Until our Affairs shall be more perfectly arranged We shall treat under Disadvantages, and therefore I am not surprised...
95From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
my last to you was dated the 14 of last month, since which I have rec d . and laid before Congress your several Letters of 12. 22. 23, two of 27 & one of 31 May last with the Papers enclosed with them. It has happened from various Circumstances, that several Reports on foreign affairs still lay before Congress undecided upon. The want of an adequate Representation for long Intervals, & the...
96From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1786 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was dated 27 October by the way of London since which I have been honored with yours of the 11 and 13 August— They both arrived the 23 november ^ ult ^ , and ^ November, but ^ Congress not having made a House since the 7 th . of that month, they have not yet been comm officially communicated. The Information relative to S r . Guy Carletons Instructions is in direct opposition to...
97From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 9 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you of the 14 Dec r I have been honored with yours of the 26 Sept r last, which with the Papers that it enclosed, have been laid before Congress, but neither on that nor any of your late Letters have any orders as yet been made. The annual Election produces much Delay in affairs—from that Time to this scarcely any thing has been done—It was not until last week that, seven...
98From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you of the 9 Feb I have been hon d . with yours of the 27 th October, 12 th Nov r 31 st . Dec r . 9 th . Jan y & 1 st . & 8 th
99From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 8 September 1787 (Jay Papers)
I had flattered myself that Chev. Jones w d . have been ready he been prepared to go in the french Packet w h . is to sail the Day after Tomorrow, but certain Circumstances make it necessary for him to postpone his Departure to some future Opportunity. M r . It seems also that M r . Jarvis who had given me Notice of his Intention of taking a ^ his ^ Passage in the Packet, finds it convenient...
100From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1788 (Jay Papers)
Since the 3 Nov r last I have been honored with your Favors of the 19. 22 & 24 September—8. & 27 October. 3 & 7 Nov r . 21 & 31 Dec r —and 5 Feb y last— all of which have been laid before Congress; but they have given me no orders respecting the Subjects of them— The State of The State of my Health was for a long Time such as to oblige me to omit some good Opportunities of writing to You...