2261John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
The new Orders I have received from your side the Water, have determined me to stay here untill further Orders. Write to me, by every Vessell this Way, or to France or Spain. The Air of Amsterdam is not so clear and pure as that of France, but I hope to preserve my Health. My two Boys are at an excellent Latin School, or in the Language of this Country, Den de Latÿnche School op de Cingel by...
2262Enclosure In: James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 5 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
1 Nankin Jacket 1 Brown Coat 1 Flannel Drawers 1 Shirt 2 Stocks 1 Pr. Thread Stockings 1 Pr. Worstead Stockings 1 Beaver Hatt 1 Straw Hatt 6 Packets of Papers 1 Raisor Case with 2 whole & 1 broken Razor 1 Letter Book, Manuscript 1 Printed Book latin 1 small Pamphlet 1 Shoe Brush As to the Nankin Jacket it happens most accurately to fit me in the Length and Width, and, having two Pair of B——’s...
2263Fleury to Abigail Adams, 6 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of forwarding to you two months ago, some Letters of your husband, deliver’d to me at Paris; and two small pack’s that I suppose to be silk handkerchiefs, or some goods of the same kind. I do not know if you have Receiv’d them. I beg you would inform me of it, that I could inquire after, if they are not in your hands. There is I believe a french fregate, going soon for France;...
2264Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
My unkle who is very attentive to acquaint me with every opportunity of conveyance, last Evening let me know of a vessel going to Spain, and tho my Letters cost you much more than they are worth; I am bound as well by inclination, as your repeated injunctions to omit no opportunity of writeing. My last to you was by way of Bilboa. A vessel will soon sail for Amsterdam, by which I shall write...
2265Edward Wigglesworth to Abigail Adams, 13 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am directed by the Corporation to advise you, that the Hon. Mr. Adams, in his Letter favoured by the Hon. A. Lee, informed them, “that you would deliver five Volumes of M. Court de Gébelin’s Monde Primitif with the L’Histoire natural de la Parole for our Library.” M. Gebelin has been pleased to enrich our public Library with that very learned Work. And as Mr. Adams had the five first Volumes...
2266Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I closed a long Letter to you only two days ago and sent it to Cales, but as no opportunity is omitted by me, I embrace this, as Col. Flury was kind enough to write me on purpose from Newport to inform me of it, and to promise a carefull attention to it. Yet I feel doubtfull of its safety, the Enemy seem to be collecting a prodigious force into these seas, and are bent upon the destruction of...
2267John Bishop to Abigail Adams, 16 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 14th. ultmo., should not have defer’d answering it so long had I been able to have wrote you, but have had a lame hand, and was unable to put Pen to Paper when I receiv’d it. I sent you a b arre l of Flower which you acknowledge the Rec eip t off in your Letter. I hope it will prove good. I got Mr. Hall (Baker of this place) to exammine all the Flower we then had in...
2268Abigail Adams to John Adams, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The vessel by which I mean to send this is bound for Amsterdam and had very nigh given me the slip. I have been writing to you when ever I was able by other opportunities, and should have compleated several Letters for this conveyance, but I have been very sick with a slow fever, and your Mother has been sick here of a fever, occasiond by great fatigue, the old gentleman dyeing about 3 weeks...
2269John Adams to the Rector and Preceptor of the Latin School at Amsterdam, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams presents his Compliments to the Rector and the Preceptor, and acquaints them that his eldest Son is thirteen Years of Age: that he has made considerable progress already in Greek and Latin: that he has been long in Virgil and Cicero, and that he has read a great deal for his Age, both in French and English; and therefore Mr. Adams thinks it would discourage him to be placed and kept...
2270Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Promiss made to my son to spend a week with our Friends at Braintree is readily Caught at nor Can I Receed had I inclination. I hope his Behaviour is such as no one will think it too Long Except his mamah who is very Choice of the Precious Moments of Youth. But you will put into his hand such Books as will both instruct and Entertain. I am sorry Naby is not at home. Why will my Friend be so...
2271Rector Verheyk to John Adams, 10 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
La Desobeissance et L’impertinence de Monsieur votre Fils ainé, qui fait de son mieux pour corrompre son aimable Frere, n’etant plus a soufrir, puis qu’il cherche lui même par sa brutalité, a s’attirer le chatiment qu’il merite, dans l’Esperance de quitter les Ecoles, sous ce pretexte. Je vous prie donc Monsieur d’avoir la bonté de le retirer d’ici, plutot que de voir la Discipline publique...
2272John Adams to Rector Verheyk, 10 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received, with Surprise and Grief, your Billet. I pray you Sir, to send my Children to me this Evening and your Account, together with their Chests and Effects tomorrow. I have the Honour to be, with great Respect, Sir, your humble servant, FC ( Adams Papers ); in JA ’s hand, written on verso of Verheyk’s note, q.v. preceding; at foot of text: “M. H. Verheyk, Rector Gymn....
2273Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
How long is the space since I heard from my dear absent Friends? Most feelingly do I experience that sentiment of Rousseaus’ “that one of the greatest evils of absence, and the only one which reason cannot alleviate, is the inquietude we are under concerning the actual state of those we love, their health, their life, their repose, their affections. Nothing escapes the apprehension of those...
2274Enclosure: List of Articles, 13 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
26 yards of Dutch bed tick 2 Gray muffs and tippets 2 Bundles of english pins 2 sets of House Brushes 1 doz. of blew and white china tea cups and sausers half a doz. pint china Bowls half a doz. diaper table cloths 2, 5 Ells wide 2 four 2 three. one Scotch carpet 4 yards square or 6 Ells. half a doz. white gauze handerchifs the same size that the black were NB an Ell in Holland is but 3...
2275William Smith to Abigail Adams, 20 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Cap. Davis arrived here last Thursday, by him Mr. Adams had sent a number of Letters, and was order’d to throw them over in case he was chased. He was chas’d on his passage and threw them over. Messrs. De Neufville wrote a Letter to my father inclosing one for you which was saved and have sent it by the Bearer. The packet for you will be taken care of as soon as it is out of the Vessell. A...
2276James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 27 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed is from no new Admirer. But it will not be less wellcome on that Score to a Female devoid of Coquetry. It came under Cover to the hon. Mr. Bee from Commodore Gillon, who has been so kind as to aid Mr. A——by interpreting, in Holland. Mr. A——is authorized to negociate the money matters that were entrusted to Mr. Laurens and had actually received his Powers by the happy Arrival of...
2277Cotton Tufts to John Adams, with a Copy of a Letter from Daniel Little, 27 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to You last March also in June, the former by Capt. McNeil who had the Misfortune to be taken, the Latter by the Ship Mars Capt. Sampson bound to France, which must have reached You before this Time if no Misfortune has befallen the Ship. By Capt. Sampson I sent You Allens Narrative, a Journal of the Weather from November last with a general Account of Vegetation also a particular...
2278John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of August 21. and Sept. 9. I have received and am much obliged to you for them. I hope you will be so good as to write me, by every Vessell. From the great Number of American Vessells which have arrived, in Europe in the Course of the past summer, I think our Commerce as well as Privateering is on the rising hand, and I hope that next year, it will increase considerably, and that...
2279Abigail Adams to John Thaxter, 8 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have been all impatience for several Months looking and longing to hear from abroad. From June to december would be many Eternitys in the warm imagination of a Lover. Such extravagancys are at no time admissible in a Female Breast, but the anxiety of a wife and the affection of a parent, may be productive of sensations known only to those who feel them, and which language would poorly...
2280John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 9 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of July 25th was received in Paris in my Absence, and I have never had opportunity, to acknowledge it, till now. You are now I hope happy, both in the Constitution and Administration of Government. It cannot be long before We shall see the Lists. I am obliged to you for the Journal of the Weather, but cannot admit your Excuse for not writing me Politicks. Every one says you will...
2281Benjamin Waterhouse to John Adams, 13 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
It so happened that I could not see the persons of whom I wished to enquire concerning the Schools, mode of education &c. untill yesterday, otherwise I should have written before.—The Gentlemen from whom I have my information have each of them a young person under their care about the age of your eldest, and are well acquainted with every thing appertaining to education in this City, from...
2282John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning sent Mr. Thaxter, with my two Sons to Leyden, there to take up their Residence for some time, and there to pursue their Studies of Latin and Greek under the excellent Masters, and there to attend Lectures of the celebrated Professors in that University. It is much cheaper there than here: the Air is infinitely purer; and the Company and Conversation is better. It is perhaps...
2283James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
As you are entitled to a Wife’s Portion of Mr. A’s Honors and Satisfactions I inclose for your Reading some Papers to be afterwards forwarded to Holland. I do not intend to have any of my future Letters to Mr. A. thrown overboard unless they are specially so directed on the Cover. I chalenge any body to tell the Contents truly. The Letters of Mr. Luzerne are never sunk.—I am told the Enemy...
2284John Thaxter to John Adams, 19 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here last Evening at six oClock. This Morning We have a Sky and Air truly in the American Style. We have been to a Lecture, where many curious Experiments were made by the Professor of Medicine Mr. Horne. At four Clock We go to a Law Lecture. I have engaged two Rooms at fifteen Guilders per Month, in the same Lodgings with Mr. Waterhouse, whom I find very polite and attentive. On...
2285John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
You are now at an University, where many of the greatest Men have received their Education. Many of the most famous Characters, which England has produced, have pursued their Studies for some time at Leyden. Some, tho not many of the Sons of America, have studied there. I would have you attend all the Lectures in which Experiments are made whether in Philosophy, Medicine or Chimistry, because...
2286John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just received a Letter from Mr. Thaxter and another from your Brother, and should have been equally pleased with one from you. Write me as often as you can, and let me know what Professors you Attend and what Instructors attend you, whether you understand the Lectures &c. The Lectures upon the Greek of the New Testament, I would have you all attend, and those upon Euripides, Sophocles,...
2287John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 21 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Thaxter and brother Charles wrote both to you the day before yesterday and as I had no subject to write upon, I did not write But I can now give you an account of our journey. We dined on Monday at Haerlem and arrived at Leyden at Six oclock. We lodged at the Cour de Hollande and saw Mr. Waterhouse that evening. The next day we went to hear a Medicinal lecture by Professor Horn , we saw...
2288Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 21 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I should have wrote before according to promiss, but have been prevented the use of my Eyes by a Cold fixing there and Even now believe I had better not write, but unless I do your Excelency may think it too Great Condesention to inquire after the Cottagers, at Plimouth. You have spent a week at Boston, and what think you of affairs now. I dare say you have Collected many Curious annecdotes,...
2289Benjamin Waterhouse to John Adams, 21 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the satisfaction of informing you that Mr. Thaxter and your Sons are now settled in their lodgings in the same house with me. I could wish the rooms were better as well as larger, but they think the y answer very well, and seem well pleased with their situation. Tomorrow we are to converse with the teacher of Latin and Greek, and to make our terms &c. with him, this person teaches the...
2290John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 22 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have this day received two letters from you of the 20th. in one of which you say you would have me attend all the lectures in which Experiments are made, but I shall have to attend two lectures upon law, and therefore shall have no time. As to the lecture upon Greek; there is but one, and the Gentlemen with whom Mr. Thaxter has consulted, think that it is necessary, to have made some...
2291John Thaxter to John Adams, 22 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of your favour of the 20th this Morning. I am happy to hear that your Eyes are better. Altho’ I have not as yet been able to obtain a Master for the Children, yet they are pursuing their Studies. The Master that is recommended is said to be the best in the place, and has a happy Faculty in teaching the Languages. The Vacancy begins to day and lasts for three Weeks. The...
2292John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I last night received yours of 21st. I have written twice to Mr. Thaxter and inclosed in each Letter, one for you and another for Charles. I directed the Letters to Mr. Thaxter a la Cour D’Hollande. Enquire for them at that House. You tell me you attended a Lecture on Medicine, but you have mistaken the Name of the Professor. It is not Horn, but Hahn. Is not the Professor of Law named Pestel?...
2293John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 22d came to hand this Morning. I shall leave it wholly to Mr. Thaxters Judgment, what Lectures you are to attend, as at this distance I cannot form any opinion. You will apply the most of your Attention, I hope, to your Latin and Greek Master, for the present. I am pleased to see that you recollect the 22 of December, the day on which, those Patriots and Heroes landed at Plymouth,...
2294Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
How much is comprised in that short sentance? How fondly can I call you mine, bound by every tie, which consecrates the most inviolable Friendship, yet seperated by a cruel destiny, I feel the pangs of absence sometimes too sensibly for my own repose. There are times when the heart is peculiarly awake to tender impressions, when philosophy slumbers, or is overpowerd by sentiments more...
2295John Thaxter to John Adams, 26 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of your favour of the 24th. instant this morning. The Master has been here twice this day and given for the first time Lessons in Greek and Latin to the Young Gentlemen. I am happy that they have begun. Their Instructor appears to be well acquainted with his Business, and to proceed with great Judgment. The Greek Grammar is one of his own Composition, and at present in Manu...
2296Benjamin Waterhouse to John Adams, 26 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was glad to find by your letter of the 23d. inst. that what we have hitherto done meets with your approbation, and it is with no small satisfaction that I see all three of my countrymen pleased and contented with their situation. In regard to Mr Charles’s attending the lectures there is no rule or custom that forbids him. As there are none so young who attend the public-lectures, we only...
2297John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Ice is so universal now that I suppose you spend some Time in Skaiting every day. It is a fine Exercise for young Persons, and therefore I am willing to indulge you in it, provided you confine yourself to proper Hours, and to strict Moderation. Skaiting is a fine Art. It is not Simple Velocity or Agility that constitutes the Perfection of it but Grace. There is an Elegance of Motion, which...
2298John Thaxter to John Adams, 1 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose You “Les fondemons de la Jurisprudence Naturelle” by Professor Pestel. It was originally wrote in Latin; but the french Translation is allowed even by the Professor himself to be well executed. If You prefer the Original, I will purchase and forward it to You. The Young Gentlemen have been very steadily employed since they have had an Instructor, and their...
2299Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 3 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of december 19 was deliverd me this day. I would not omit by this post to thank you for it, and for your confidential communications. I cannot however comprehend your Letter to my best Friend for want of the promised key. I am more reconciled to ambiguity and ciphers, than formerly, and not a little thankfull, that the Robberies have been committed now rather than twelve Months...
2300Abigail Adams to Nathaniel Willis?, 4 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of december 21 was deliverd me enclosing the extract relative to Mr. Hutchinson. As you were pleased to express an approbation of it, and to suggest a publication of it, I have returnd it, that you may make that use of it if you think proper. In a Letter from Mr. Adams dated the 25 of Sepbr. he writes me that the late orders he had received from Congress would oblige him to a...
2301Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 8 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
No, my dear Madam, not affronted I hope; you did not say so with a good grace, the only time I ever knew you miss it in my life. Yet by recalling your son so soon, I believe you a little out of the Way. I thought you would have spaird him longer, and given me a little time to have wrote you a Letter. Now I shall only scribble you a line, not worth your worrying your Eyes to read. You have...
2302James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 8 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Yes I will try it. To one of the most sensible, virtuous and consequently most lovely of the Loveliest Sex, it will drop its Ink in Paragraphs of calmer Stile than for the last fifteen minutes. My Penknife formed it at first for the Purposes of Friendship; whence then such a Flow of Bitterness and Execration? All this too to the Husband of Portia! Will he become a Distributor of such Evil? No....
2303Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Caznew is now just about to sail. I wrote large packets to go by him a month ago, but hearing Capt. Trash was going from Newbury to Bilboa I sent them by him. It was thought that Caznew would not sail till Febry. But all of a suden I am calld upon unprepaird having but an hours warning—he shall not however go without a line or two. Your last which I have received was by way of...
2304Richard Cranch to John Adams, 18 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
As there is a Vessell now here bound for Holland by which (if not sooner) you will doubtless hear various accounts of the Affair that has lately happen’d in the Pensilvania Line of the Army, I embrace the Oportunity to let you know the true state of that affair as far as the Genl. Court has been inform’d of it, to prevent your being misled by false Reports. Genl. Knox who left Head Quarters...
2305Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
The vessel is not yet gone, and I find I have a towns man going in her. He came this evening to let me know it, and to take Letters from me. What has taken place in the last week Mr. C ranc h has informd you of, so that I shall not write politicks. I inclose a paper or two, and a journal or two of congress. In one of the papers you will see an Excellent Letter from a Friend of yours, and a...
2306Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Tis a long time since I had the pleasure of a Letter from you. If you wrote to me by Capt. Davis as I suppose you did, your Letters were all thrown over Board. If you have since written by a Brig call’d the Fame , I fear it will never reach me. She is still missing and must be taken or lost. The Mars from France we daily expect. The last Letters which I received from you came by the Alliance,...
2307John Thaxter to John Adams, 23 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of your Note and the inclosed Extracts yesterday Morning; I waited on Mr. Luzac immediately with the Paper and shewed him the Extracts, with which he was highly gratified. He sent them so late last Evening that I had only time to inclose them to You. The News cannot but be agreable to every one who loves his Country, and feels interested in every Event that affects it: but the...
2308John Thaxter to John Adams, 25 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of yesterday was recieved this morning. I suspect it was opened before it came to my hands. The Seal appeared to have been good at first, but when delivered to me, it the Impression was very faint in many places—perhaps it may be accidental. The Hymn to Ceres was forgotten at the time that I inclosed the fundamenta Jurisprudentiae Nat:—I shall send it by this Opportunity. I shall...
2309Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening General Lincoln call’d here introducing to me a Gentleman by the Name of Col. Laurence the Son as I suppose, of your much esteemed Friend, the late president of congress who informed me that he expected to sail for France in a few days, and would take dispatches from me. Altho I closed Letters to you by way of Holland a few days ago, I would not omit so good an opportunity as the...
2310John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received, by the Way of Bilboa, a Letter from your Mamma, of the 8th of October, in which She presents her tender Affection to you and your Brother, as well as her Respects to her agreable Correspondent Mr. Thaxter. Your Sister was at Boston, your youngest Brother at School learning fast. You should write me a few Lines, now and then, to inform me of your Health and of your Progress in...