3511780 January 8. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from San Juan Segun, to Paredese de Nava. We have passed thro a Village every League. The Villages are all built of Mud and Straw. They have no Timber nor Wood nor Stone. The Villages all appear going to decay. Every Village has Churches and Convents enough in it, to ruin it, and the whole Country round about it, even if they had nothing to pay to the King or the Landlord. But all three...
3521780. January. 11th. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Arrived at Burgos. We came from Sellada el Camino, 4 Leagues. We had Fog, and Rain and Snow, all the Way, very chilly, and raw. When We arrived at the Tavern, (which is the best in the City, as I am informed, and my Servant went to examine the others,) We found no Chimney. A Pan of Coals in a Chamber without a Chimney was all the Heat We could get. We went to view the Cathedral, which is...
3531780. January 12. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Arrived at Bribiesca, where there are two Convents, one of Men, the other of Women, both Franciscans, and two Parish Churches. The Tavern We are in is a large House and there are twelve good Beds in it, for Lodgers. Yet no Chimneys, and the same Indelicacy as in all the others.—Smoke and dirt, yet they give us clean Sheets. A Spanish Kitchen is one of the greatest Curiosities in the World, and...
3541780. January 13. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Bribiesca to Pancourbo where we dined. We passed thro Courbo, which is a little Village with half a dozen other small Villages in Sight. In every one of them is a Church. Pancourbo is at the Beginning of the Rocks. There is the Appearance of an ancient Carriage Way, up the steepest Part of the Rocks. We passed between two Rows of Mountains consisting wholly of Rocks, the most lofty,...
3551780. January 14. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Ezpexo to Orduña, four Leagues. The Road is made all the Way, at a great Expence, but the Descent of the Mountains of Orduña is a great Curiosity. These Mountains are chiefly Rocks, of a vast hight: But a Road has been blown out of the Rocks, from the Hight of the Mountains, quite down into the Valey. After winding round and round a great Way, and observing the Marks of the Drills...
3561780. January 15. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Followed the Road by the Side of the River, between two Rows of Mountains, untill We opened upon Bilboa. We saw the Sugar Loaf some time before. This is a Mountain, in the shape of a Piramid, which is called the Sugar Loaf. The Town is surrounded with Mountains.—The Tavern where We are is tolerable, situated between a Church and a Monastry. We have been entertained with the Musick of the...
357January 16. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Reposed and wrote. Among other letters written this day JA addressed a very long one to Pres. Huntington devoted mainly to the geography, commerce, and governmental administration of the maritime provinces of Galicia and Biscay ( PCC , No. 84, I; copied from LbC , Adams Papers , into JA ’s Autobiography under its date ).
35817. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Dined, with the two Messrs. Gardoquis and a Nephew of theirs. After Dinner the Gentlemen accompanied Us, to the Parish Church over the Way, then to the old Parish Church of St. Iago, which was certainly standing in the Year 1300. The high Altar appears very ancient, wrought in Wooden figures, the Work very neat. The Choir, and the Sacristie &c. as in all others.—We then went to the Chambers of...
3591780. January. 18. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Day in Walking about the Town. Walked round the Wharf upon the River, through the Market. Saw a plentiful Markett of Fruit and Vegetables, Cabages, Turnips, Carrots, Beets, Onions &c. Apples, Pairs &c. Raisens, Figs, nuts &c—Went as far as the Gate, where We entered the Town—then turned up the Mountain by the Stone Stairs, and saw fine Gardens, Verdure and Vegetation. Returned, and...
3601780. January 19. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Went down the River, on a Visit to the Rambler a Letter of Mark, of 18 Guns, belonging to Mr. Andrew Cabot of Beverly, Captain Lovatt Commander, and the Phoenix a Brig of 14 Guns belonging to Messrs. Traceys at N ewbury Port, Captain Babson Commander. We were honoured, with two Salutes of 13 Guns each, by Babson and with one by Lovat. We dined at the Tavern on shore and had an agreable day....
3611780 January 31. Monday. (Adams Papers)
On the 20th We left Bilbao, arrived at Bayonne the 23d. Staid one day, there. Sat off for Bourdeaux the 25th. Arrived at Bourdeaux Saturday 29th. Dined Yesterday at the Hotel D’Angleterre at the Invitation of Mr. Bondfield with Sir Robert Finlay and Mr. Le Texier and Mr. Vernon. Went to the Comedy, saw Amphitrion and Cartouche. Mr. A rthur L ee at Paris. Mr. I zard at Amsterdam. Mr. W illiam L...
362[February 1780] (Adams Papers)
Dined Yesterday, at the Hotel D’Angleterre, with Mr. Maccartey, Mr. Delap, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Bondfield, and my Company, at the Invitation of Sir Robert Finlay. Towards Evening Mr. Cabarras came in with the News of a Blow struck by Rodney upon the Spaniards, off Gibraltar. On Wednesday, the second of Feb. We took Post for Paris, and on Fryday the 4 arrived at Coué, where We lodged, but in the...
3631780. Feb. 1. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined Yesterday, at the Hotel D’Angleterre, with Mr. Maccartey, Mr. Delap, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Bondfield, and my Company, at the Invitation of Sir Robert Finlay. Towards Evening Mr. Cabarras came in with the News of a Blow struck by Rodney upon the Spaniards, off Gibraltar.
3641780 Feb. 5. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday, the second of Feb. We took Post for Paris, and on Fryday the 4 arrived at Coué, where We lodged, but in the night it rained and froze at the same time untill the Roads were a glare of Ice, so that the Postillions informed Us, it was impossible for their Horses which in this Country are never frosted to go. We passed by Angouleme Yesterday Morning and encircled almost the whole...
365[Personal Expenditures, February–July 1780.] (Adams Papers)
1780 £ s d Feby. 13th. Joseph Stevens for three Month Wages. 30 Dolls. 150: 0: 0 15th. John Thaxter for thirty Louis D’Ors on Account 720: 0: 0 15th. Joseph Stevens for Sundries bo’t 31: 4: 0
366[July 1780] (Adams Papers)
Setting off on a Journey, with my two Sons to Amsterdam. —Lodged at Compiegne. Fryday night, lodged at Valenciennes. Saturday arrived at Brussells.—This Road is through the finest Country, I have any where seen. The Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Peas, Beans and several other Grains, the Hemp, Flax, Grass, Clover, Lucerne, St. Foin, &c., the Pavements and Roads are good. The Rows of Trees, on each...
3671780 July 27. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Setting off on a Journey, with my two Sons to Amsterdam. —Lodged at Compiegne. Fryday night, lodged at Valenciennes. Saturday arrived at Brussells.—This Road is through the finest Country, I have any where seen. The Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Peas, Beans and several other Grains, the Hemp, Flax, Grass, Clover, Lucerne, St. Foin, &c., the Pavements and Roads are good. The Rows of Trees, on each...
3681780. July 30. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Cathedral Church. A great Feast. An infinite Crowd. The Church more splendidly ornamented than any that I had seen. Hung with Tapestrie. The Church Music here is in the Italian style. A Picture in Tapestry was hung up, of a No. of Jews stabbing the Wafer, the bon Dieu, and blood gushing in streams, from the B read . This insufferable Piece of pious Villany, shocked me beyond...
Mr. John de Neufville, et Fils. Le Chr. de Luxembourg. Le Chr. de Launay. Cs. Van der Oudermeulen M. Grand. M. Fizeaux. G. H. Matthes. Henry du Bois. Hodshon Mr. Jean Luzac, Avocat, Leide. Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst. Mr. Vinman. Mr. John Gabriel Tegelaer, by the new Market. Mr. Daniel Crommelin and Sons. This undated list appears on the last page but one of D/JA/31, separated from the...
370[August 1780] (Adams Papers)
Lodged at the Mareschall De Turenne. Dined with Mr. Dubblemets. Went to see the Statue of Erasmus, the Exchange, the Churches &c. Mr. Dubblemets sent his Coach in the Evening and one of his Clerks. We rode, round the Environs of the Town, then to his Country Seat, where We supped.—The Meadows are very fine, the Horses and Cattle large. The Intermixture of Houses, Trees, Ships, and Canals...
3711778 [i.e. 1780] Aug. 5. (Adams Papers)
Lodged at the Mareschall De Turenne. Dined with Mr. Dubblemets. Went to see the Statue of Erasmus, the Exchange, the Churches &c. Mr. Dubblemets sent his Coach in the Evening and one of his Clerks. We rode, round the Environs of the Town, then to his Country Seat, where We supped.—The Meadows are very fine, the Horses and Cattle large. The Intermixture of Houses, Trees, Ships, and Canals...
3721778 [i.e. 1780] Aug. 6. (Adams Papers)
Went to the English Presbyterian Church, and heard a sensible sermon, the mode of Worship differs in nothing from ours but in the organ, whose Musick joins in the Singing.
3731780 Aug. 28th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Heeren Graagt, by de Veisel Straagt. Burgomaster Hooft, D.Z. Mr. Hartzinck. Scheepen. Heeren Gragt. M. G. H. Matthes.—burgwal opposite the Lombard. J. Vandevelde. Agter zyds burgwal. Mr. Hartzinck is the Son in Law of Madam Chabanel, Mr. Le Roy’s Aunt. Keep us poor. Depress Us. Keep Us weak. Make Us feel our Obligations. Impress our Minds with a Sense of Gratitude. Let Europe see our...
37429 Aug. (Adams Papers)
30 Wednesday. Mr. Vanberckle 31 Thursday. Mr. Crommelin opde Keyzers Gragt. 1 Fryday. Mrs. Chabanels. 3 Sunday. M. De Neuville, De Neuville 6 Wednesday. Bicker 7 Thursday. 10 Sunday. Cromelin 12 Tuesday. Grand 13 Wednesday. Chabanell 14 Thursday. De Neufville This list of engagements appears on the last page but one of D/JA/32. The entries may or may not have all been put down on 29 Aug.;...
375[30 August.] (Adams Papers)
School op de Cingel. 30 of August, my Sons went to the Latin School. Dined at Mr. Vanberkles Pensionary of Amsterdam, with Mr. Bicker and an Officer of the Army. Mr. Calkoen Keyzers Gragt. This was the well-known Latin school or academy on the Singel (a canal in the heart of Amsterdam) near the Muntplein (Mint Square). The building is now occupied by the Amsterdam police. There is a...
376[Miscellaneous Memoranda in Amsterdam, August–September 1780.] (Adams Papers)
H. Grotius, de Jure Belli ac Pacis. C. van Bynkershoek G. Noodt Opera Apologeticus eorum qui Hollandiae praefuerunt ab H. Grotio Considerations sur l’Etude de la Jurisprudence par M. Perrenot. Janiçon Republik der Vereenigde Nederlanden Ploos Van Amstel, the first Lawyer of Holland. Mr. Calkoen the next. Heerens Gragt, pres Vissel Straat. Burgomaester Hooft. Q. A Society or Academy for the...
377[January 1781] (Adams Papers)
Returned from the Hague to Leyden. Was present from 12. to one O Clock, when the Praeceptor gave his Lessons in Latin and Greek to my Sons. His Name is Wenshing. He is apparently a great Master of the two Languages, besides which he speaks French and Dutch very well, understands little English, but is desirous of learning it. He obliges his Pupills to be industrious, and they have both made a...
3781781 January 11. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Returned from the Hague to Leyden. Was present from 12. to one O Clock, when the Praeceptor gave his Lessons in Latin and Greek to my Sons. His Name is Wenshing. He is apparently a great Master of the two Languages, besides which he speaks French and Dutch very well, understands little English, but is desirous of learning it. He obliges his Pupills to be industrious, and they have both made a...
37912. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Mitchel, Mr. Luzac, Dr. Waterhouse, Mr. Thaxter and my two Sons supped with me at the Cour de Holland.
38013 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Returned to Amsterdam, having dined at Haerlem, at the Golden Lion. Went in the Evening to see Ingraham and Sigourney and C ommodore Gillon. Chez la V euv e Wynen, dans le premier Wezelstraat, à main gauche. Address of Cerisier. “There are three Gentlemen, in the Mercantile Way, Mr. Sigourney, Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Bromfield, who are now in this City, and propose to reside here and establish a...
3811781. Sunday. Jan. 14. (Adams Papers)
Questions.—How many Ships of War, are determined to be equipped? How much Money have the States General granted for the Navy? Have the States General resolved to issue Letters of Marque? Are the Letters issued? Is there a Disposition to demand them? Will there be many Privateers? How many? Will the Manifesto be published? When? How many Troops are ordered to Zealand? Have the States General...
3821781. Monday. Jan. 15. (Adams Papers)
Visited old Mr. Crommelin and Mr. De Neufville. There is a wonderful Consternation among the Merchants. Many Houses have great difficulty to support their Credit.
383[February 1781] (Adams Papers)
Went to the Hague, in the Trecht Schuit. At Leyden I have seen Mr. Vander Kemp, and Mr. and Mr. I also visited two large Manufactures, one of Cloth, another of Camblet. Canal boat or tow-boat. “... partly by the Trech Schuits, that is the Barks which ply in this Country in the Canals” ( JA to Huntington, 6 April 1781 , LbC , Adams Papers ). JA spells the word in a multitude of ways. Francois...
3841781. Feb 24 [i.e. 23]. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Hague, in the Trecht Schuit. At Leyden I have seen Mr. Vander Kemp, and Mr. and Mr. I also visited two large Manufactures, one of Cloth, another of Camblet. Canal boat or tow-boat. “... partly by the Trech Schuits, that is the Barks which ply in this Country in the Canals” ( JA to Huntington, 6 April 1781 , LbC , Adams Papers ). JA spells the word in a multitude of ways. Francois...
3851781 Feb. 28. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
At the Arms of Amsterdam. What can be the Ground of the Malice, of so many, against America? This implies that JA had given up his lodgings at Madame Schorn’s in the Agterburgwal. During the early months of 1781 he was much on the move between Amsterdam, Leyden, and The Hague, but on 27 April he wrote Edmund Jenings: “I have taken an House on the Keysers Gragt near the Spiegel Straat, and am...
386[July 1781] (Adams Papers)
Expences of a Journey from Amsterdam to Paris. Sat off the 2d of July from Amsterdam, passed by Utrecht, Gorcum, Breda, Antwerp, Brussells, Valenciennes &c. and arrived at the Hotel de Valois Rue de Richelieu, Paris the 6th of July, 1781. £ s d July 6. 1781. Expences, on the Road, Fifty four Ducats 1781. July 9. Reed, of Mr. F. Grand at Paris four Thousand Eight hundred Livres, for which I...
387[Accounts, July 1781.] (Adams Papers)
Expences of a Journey from Amsterdam to Paris. Sat off the 2d of July from Amsterdam, passed by Utrecht, Gorcum, Breda, Antwerp, Brussells, Valenciennes &c. and arrived at the Hotel de Valois Rue de Richelieu, Paris the 6th of July, 1781. £ s d July 6. 1781. Expences, on the Road, Fifty four Ducats 1781. July 9. Reed, of Mr. F. Grand at Paris four Thousand Eight hundred Livres, for which I...
388[April 1782] (Adams Papers)
Chez M ess rs. De Pallandt } Korte Houtstraet chez Scheuer Lohman De Schepper Hekeren De Brantsenbourg Heeregragt Grand Pensionaire Van Blyswijk Heeregragt Van Citters—Princesse gr acht à coté de l’Amte. d’Amst. l’Admiralité d’Amsterdam D’Aylva—ibid. Bigot—Kl eine Voorhout, over York’t hoek Hardenbroek }
389[Memorandum of Visits Made and Received at The Hague Following Dutch Recognition of American Independence, April 1782.] (Adams Papers)
Chez M ess rs. De Pallandt } Korte Houtstraet chez Scheuer Lohman De Schepper Hekeren De Brantsenbourg Heeregragt Grand Pensionaire Van Blyswijk Heeregragt Van Citters—Princesse gr acht à coté de l’Amte. d’Amst. l’Admiralité d’Amsterdam D’Aylva—ibid. Bigot—Kl eine Voorhout, over York’t hoek Hardenbroek }
390[September 1782] (Adams Papers)
Supped last Night at Court in the Maison du Bois. M. Boreel told me he had been to Paris which he quitted 8 days ago. That M. Franklin had been sick. It was at first reported that he had been struck with an Apoplexity. Then it was said he had a billious Cholick, and afterwards a Retention of Urine. But that he had got well before he left Paris. Fell into Conversation naturally with Don Joas...
3911782 September 14. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Supped last Night at Court in the Maison du Bois. M. Boreel told me he had been to Paris which he quitted 8 days ago. That M. Franklin had been sick. It was at first reported that he had been struck with an Apoplexity. Then it was said he had a billious Cholick, and afterwards a Retention of Urine. But that he had got well before he left Paris. Fell into Conversation naturally with Don Joas...
3921782. Septr. 19. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Comedy. Saw the Sage dans sa Retrait, and Le Jugement du Midas—both well represented. The Mustek was good, and the Show upon the Stage splendid. The Princess and all her Children were there. The foreign Ministers chiefly.
393[October 1782] (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Boreel a Deputy to the States General from the Province of Holland, with Lt. General Van derdussen, Mr. De Llano, Mr. Thulemeyer, Mr. Renovallis, Mr. Visher, Mr. of the Council of State for the City of Amsterdam, Mr. a Gentleman of the Court &c. The Dinner was elegant and a splendid Shew of Plate, as We see at the Tables of the rich Dutch Families. A little Pleasantry with Mr....
394Oct. 1. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Boreel a Deputy to the States General from the Province of Holland, with Lt. General Van derdussen, Mr. De Llano, Mr. Thulemeyer, Mr. Renovallis, Mr. Visher, Mr. of the Council of State for the City of Amsterdam, Mr. a Gentleman of the Court &c. The Dinner was elegant and a splendid Shew of Plate, as We see at the Tables of the rich Dutch Families. A little Pleasantry with Mr....
3951782. Oct. 2. (Adams Papers)
Walked Yesterday to the House in the Woods in the rain. To day will dine with me Comte Sarseneld, Mr. Vischer and Mr. Gyselaer.— Received Yesterday a Volume of the Journals of Congress with some News papers by the Post from L’orient which cost me 37 Guilders.— The Comte, Mr. Vischer and Mr. Gyselaer, dined here. The Comte Sarseneld began as usual when We were alone to give me a Lesson of...
396Oct. 3. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Vanderdussen, Lt. General of the Cavalry, in Company with Mr. De Llano Minister of the King of Spain and Mr. De Renovalis, Secretary of his Legation, Mr. and Madame Boreel, Mr. and Madame Geelvink, Madam Dedel, the Rhinegrave de Salm, Mr. Saumase, a descendant of the famous Salmasius whom John Milton disputed with. Mr. Boreel is a Deputy to the States General for the Prov. of...
397The Hague October 5. 1782. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
In conference with the G rand Pen sionary Bleiswick. He told me, it was determined to sign the Treaty of Commerce, on Monday next at Noon. That I should not find the Greffier Fagel for that being Saturday, he would spend it at his Country Seat and not come to Town. That the Revolution in the Crimea and the commotions among the Tartars would probably find Employment enough for Russia. That...
398Oct. 7. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. D umas has been out, upon the Discovery.—Neither Mr. V. nor Mr. G. could guess the Reason, why their H igh M ightinesses had sent their Agent De Spieringshoek to desire me to postpone the Signature of the Treaty untill tomorrow. Mr. B. whom he met in the Street explained it. He says the Prince had sent Word to their High M. that he desired a Conference with them to day, and as the...
399Oct. 8. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. D. is indefatigable in his Way. He visits, every Day, the French Am bassador , Mr. G., Mr. V.—and occasionally Mr. K. and sometimes the Prince de Gallitzin, Mr. D’Asp, &c. No American Minister could do this. It would ruin his Character. I dont know whether it would do for a Secretary of Legation to do this. I can, however, make an excellent Use of him in this Way. I can get or communicate...
400October 9. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Went this Morning to the Secretary Fagel and returned him the original Treaty, and the original Convention which was designed for their High Mightinesses. The others designed for Congress, I kept. We run over together the few litteral Variations, and corrected all, indeed all the Inaccuracies were found to be in my Copy which I kept to compare. Mr. Fagel said that one day this Week he would...