751To John Adams from Daniel Roberdeau, 28 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
I would not take pen in hand until I could reasonably suppose you safe arrived to your long wished for home, on which I now presume to congratulate you and sincerely hope you have met with Mrs. Adams and your Children well and every domestick concern to your entire satisfaction for all which I feel myself much interested from the sincere regard contracted for you in our short intimacy, which I...
752To John Adams from Lemuel Robinson, 30 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
These Lines are to inform you of my Situation which in the Multaplicity of your Business is undoubtaley far from your Mind. Let it Suffice to Say an Army is Raising in which I have no part. As to the part I have taken for Several Years past to prepare for the Last Appeal is not unknown to You. At the Battle of Concord, So Called, You was there When we took post On Roxbury Hill. I was obliged...
753Resolution of the States General Authorizing the Signature of the Dutch-American Treaty and Convention on Recaptures, 17 … (Adams Papers)
De Heeren van Randwijk, en andere Haer Hoog Moge: Gedeputeerden tot de buijtenlandsche Saaken, ingevolge en ter Voldoeninge van derserlver Resolutie Commissoriael van den 23 April deezes jaers, in conferentie getreeden Synde met den Heere Adams Minister Plenipotentiaris der Vereenigde Staten van America over het aangaan van een Tractaat van Vriendschap en Commercie met wel gem: Staaten,...
754Abigail Adams to John Adams, 16 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had just retired to my Chamber and taken up my pen to congratulate you upon the arrival of the Fleet of our Allies at Newport, when I was call’d down to receive the most agreable of presents—Letters from my dearest Friend—one Bearing date March 28 by Mr. Izard and one of May 3d, taken out of the post office, but to what port they arrived first I know not. They could not be those by the...
755To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The reason, why I have not called on Your Excellency for seeing together the House I had spoken of, is that it is doubtful, as I have been informed, whether it is yet to be let or not, a Lady being at present in treaty about it with the Proprietary. If they do not agree, I will hear further of it, and have the honor of informing Your Excellency instantly. This time at least I have proved a...
756Jan Heefke to John Adams: A Translation, 7 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
For a long time I have had an ardent and avid desire to be in North America, but never did my wish come true: for three long months it seemed as if I would be able to get there; I asked Mr. Willem Hooft (who knows me) whether this honorable gentleman might help me. This particular gentleman sent me to Mr. Jean de Neufville, who did not only allow me this favor graciously but also promised to...
757To John Adams from the Comte de Vergennes, 24 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Monsieur, les deux lettres que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire les 12. et 19. de ce mois. Je n’avois pas besoin de votre apologie pour rendre justice aux sentiments patriotiques qui vous animent: vous connoissez les interêts et les engagements de votre patrie: je suis certain que vous n’aurez jamais d’autre objet que de consolider les uns et les autres. Vous pourrez juger par...
758To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 24 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
La maniere subite & imprévue dont on a reçu ici la nouvelle de la signature des Préliminaires par toutes les autres Puissances belligérentes, sans que celui qui tient le plus à coeur ici ait été fixé, a d’abord consterné nos Amis; mais après être revenus de leur premiere Surprise, Mr. Van Berkel, à la requisition & Sur les instances de Mr. le Grand-Pensionaire, dans une conférence secrete, a...
759To John Adams from John Bondfield, 7 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
We have many American Vessels arrivd within these five or six days past most of them belonging to No. Carolina but last from the West Indies, the situation of the Army’s preventing their return and will detain them in a foreign Trade til a change takes place, the latest advices we have by them are of May consiquently them at hand Via London are later and more circumstial. Our letters from...
760Abigail Adams to John Adams, 18 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I think myself very happy that not a week passes but what I receive a Letter or two, some times more from you; and tho they are longer in comeing than formerly oweing I suppose to the posts being obliged to travel farther round, yet I believe they all faithfully reach me, even the curious conversation between Mr. Burn and your Honour arrived safe and made me laugh very Heartily. Your Last...
761Richard Cranch to John Adams, 18 January 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was last Evening at your House and left Mrs. Adams, Miss Nabby and Master Tommy well, as are also all the rest of our Connections. The Communication between this Town and Braintree is at present extremely difficult by means of a greater Quantity of Snow on the Ground than has been known for forty Years past. I bro’t two Pacquets from Mrs. Adams which I deliver’d to Genl. Warren for...
762Jean Luzac to John Adams: A Translation, 24 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose two more copies of the Pensées . I am not including more because you can get them more easily in Amsterdam from the booksellers listed in the advertisement appearing in today’s Gazette . I am very glad that you approve of the preface which is, however, far beneath the encomium that you bestow upon it. I agree with you regarding the intentions of the people whom you...
763To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 19 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Several favors, the last of which, the 10th Inst., I just now received. I have not had time to write, and thro’ abundant business my health has Sometimes been reduced; I now write in Committee of Safety, a few lines at a time as I can; all the business in this Committee has been done by only 6 or 7 Members, upon whom it has fallen very heavy, public business having pressed...
764To John Adams from C.W.F. Dumas, 27 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
N’attribuez qu’à la peine que j’ai eue de me procurer la Brochure que vous m’avez demandée, Si je ne n’ai pas répondu plutôt à l’honorée vôtre du 18. Certainement elle n’est pas imprimée ici, où tout le monde la méprise, et où elle n’est connue que des Libraires à qui on l’avoit envoyée pour en vendre ce qu’ils pourroient. J’ai donc été obligé d’attendre qu’elle vînt de Rotterdam, d’où on me...
765To John Adams from Jean Henri David Uhl, 1 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Votre Excellence étant Ministre plenipotentiaire des provinces unies de l’Amerique accredité auprès des hautes puissances les états generaux d’Hollande à la Haye à fait eclater autant de marques de ses grandes qualités, qu’elles me donnent la confïance d’implorer vos secours dans un cas singulier qui m’est arrivé avec un armateur Americain. Le Plantage Fredericdorp à Suriname appartient à ma...
766To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 29 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is with equal Surprize and concern that I find not the least attention paid to the several Letters I have written you since I have had the honor to be in Office. I attributed this to their not having reached you, till I saw an extract of a letter which I had written to Mr Dumas, and which went by the Same conveyance with one to you published in the Courier de l’Europe, from which...
767From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 20 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I hope your Excellency received the Copy of our Instructions which I sent by the Courier from Versailles some Weeks since. I wrote to you on the 13th. to go by Capt. Smedly and sent a Pacquet of Correspondence with Mr. Hartley. Smedly did not leave Paris so soon as I expected: but you should have it...
768To John Adams from Andrew Henshaw, 3 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I this day had the pleasure to converse with the Hon. Mr. Warren who appears desirous to serve me. He informs me the present Establishment for the Navy Board is only one Clerk. I would not presume to dictate, but beg leave to suggest that the Business must be very extensive and whether there will not be ample Employ for both a Secretary and Clerk. Several Gentlemen of Character have spoke to...
769Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bromfield was so obliging as to write me Word that he designd a journey to the Southern States, and would take perticuliar care of a Letter to you. I rejoice in so good an opportunity of letting you know that I am well as usual, but that I have not yet got reconciled to the great distance between us. I have many melancholy Hours when the best company is urksome to me, and solitude the...
770To John Adams from Martha Laurens, 16 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your very kind and polite Letter, which I received in its proper time, deserved my earliest and most hearty ackowledgements, but the hopes of receiving some Intelligence from London with regard to my dear Papa, worth Communicating, joined to some other Circumstances, have been the means of my delaying a duty, which finds itself most strictly united with my satisfaction, as it is undoubtedly...
771To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 29 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Hier au soir à 8 h es. Leurs H. P. s’assemblerent; & le résultat fut l’expédition d’un Courier à 10 heures, avec l’accession de la Rép. au Traité Définitif, que nous nous attendons ici d’apprendre avoir été signé mercredi prochain 3 e. Voilà donc la fin de toutes nos incertitudes. Je vous en félicite, Monsieur, de tout mon coeur, & je souhaite pareillement, que le navire le Washington, que...
772Joseph Mandrillon to John Adams: A Translation, 12 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I will have the honor of delivering my work to you this evening between five and six o’clock but in the meantime, I am sending you the best map of North America that could be found here. The map of the thirteen states that I asked for is expected from England. I am also enclosing the Atlas de l’histoire philosophique et politique so that you may give me your opinion as to the accuracy of these...
773John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 19 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I reciev’d this morning your yesterday’s favour, in which you say, you want to hear of my beginning in Sallust; I have not begun yet but shall soon; but am for the present continuing in Cornelius Nepos. I have got a fair copy of Phaedrus bound, it is My Master’s Translation which if you desire to read, and have time for it, I will send to you. The Vacancy does not begin at the same time,...
774To John Adams from Jeremiah Allen, 26 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
On my arrivel here—I enquir’d if any person was going for L’orient that might be depended on—but no such opportunity offer’d—Therefore agreable to your orders—I sent an Express with the packet under cover to M r Barclay, who Wrote me, that he should forward them as deser’d— The charge of the Express I have paid—(ten Louis) The Vessells at L’orient and here, which Were to sail for Boston—remain...
775To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that unless the Specie he sent to Holland is stopt there, I shall not be in a Condition to...
776To John Adams from David Hartley, 25 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r Hartley presents his Comp ts to M r Adams and if it be convenient to him, w d be glad to have the honour of waiting upon him and the gentlemen who are the other Commissioners and Ministers from the united States of America at 11 O’clock on Sunday morning, at M r Adams’s hotel, or any where else if more convenient. M r Hartley has had the pleasure of seeing D r Franklin who lives at the...
777Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been highly favourd this week past. No less than 5 Letters I have received from you. It is a releif to one to know that we have a Friend who shares our misfortunes and afflictions with us. Your Letters administer comfort to my wounded Heart. It will sometimes when of of my Gaurd swell and exceed the bounds I endeavour to set to it. It is natural to mourn the loss of any comforts in...
778To John Adams from Richard Devens, 16 – 20 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I was honoured with yours of April 29. It gives me much pleasure that any inteliganc I was capable of giving respecting Salt Petre was in any degree sattisfactory. My last to you Was April 10. At that time we had taken into the Colony Store 7670 lb saltpetre. The next period for receiving it was the 23d. when we took in 4500 lb. The next time was the day before yesterday when we...
779To John Adams from De Kemtenstrauss and Others, 9 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Une Societé de Gens aises a formé le Déssein d’établir une Colonie Dans les Etats Unis de l’amerique Septentrionale, Offre qui ne tendrait qu’a donner de Nombreux, de fideles d’utiles et Vertueux Sujets a cette puissante République; Guides par le Désir de réaliser un Project si Sage et avantageux, et encoûrages par la Solidité Du present offert, Les Membres de cette Societé osent s’addresser à...
780From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 22 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Dr Franklin presents Compliments to Mr. Adams, and requests that all the Public Papers may be sent him by the Bearer. Dr. Franklin will undertake to keep them in order; and will at any time chearfully look for and furnish Mr Adams with any Paper he may have occasion for. Mr Adams on receit of this put all the Public Papers, then in his Possession, into the...
781To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 19 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry, there appeared something suspicious to you in the paragraph, mentioned in your last Letter. If it had been send to me by some person or other, perhaps I would make no secret of it: But I can assure you on my word, the whole paragraph is of my own frame and contains my own sentiments on the subject. Nobody whosoever had any part in it nor any notice of it: And, when I shall have...
782To John Adams from Charles Lee, 19 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I receiv’d your obliging letter and cannot express the pleasure I feel in standing so high in your opinion as without flattery I esteem you a Man of excellent judgment and a singular good heart. Some of the queries You offer to my consideration are perhaps above my sphere, but in a post or two I shou’d endeavour to answer ’em, had I not hopes of conversing with You soon in propria persona. I...
783To John Adams from John Jay, [2? March 1783] (Adams Papers)
on calling this Moment for my Man Manuel to comb me I am told he is gone to shew my Nephew the Fair— I fear they will have so many fine Things & Raree shows to see and admire, that my Head will remain in statu quo ’till afternoon, & consequently our intended Visit to C t. Sarsfield be postponed. Thus does Tyrant Custom sometimes hold us by a Hair , and thus do ridiculous Fashions make us...
784M. Addenet to John Adams: A Translation, 13 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
The first portion of my translation is well advanced and as soon as I have the rest I will be able to complete the task. But I need to have the complete extract. It is essential in order to tie it together coherently, otherwise the style will suffer. If your copy is completed, please have the goodness to send it to me. I am with profound respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient...
785To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 10 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you several Times when I was at Boston, and receivd your Favor by the Marquis de la Fayette. Another, to which you referrd me, has not yet come to hand. This Letter will be deliverd to you by Mr. Searl, a Member of Congress for the State of Pennsylvania. He will be better able to inform you of the State of things here, than I can, who after twelve Months Absence from this City,...
786To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 11 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of Your Excellencys request, We have Sent the Accounts to Mrs DelaLande & Fynje and these Gentn: in combination with Mrs W & J Willink, and N & J Van Staphorst, have paid the Same, against double receipts for each. We added to that of Your Excellencys private acct: f 12:15:— for the frame of Young Mr Adams’s picture in conformity to our last. We Could as to ourselves have no...
787From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 28 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The Bearer, Mr Harrison, is a young Gentleman of good Fortune & Character, a Native of Philadelphia, and extremely well recommended to me by Persons of Distinction there. I beg leave to introduce him to your Excellency & to request for him your Protection and Counsels. He will explain to you his Views in going to Holland, where he purposes to reside some...
788Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I sit down this Evening to write you, but I hardly know what to think about your going to N.Y.—The Story has been told so many times, and with circumstances so perticuliar that I with others have given some heed to it tho my not hearing any thing of it from you leaves me at a loss. Yours of Sepbr. 4 came to hand last Night, our Worthy unkle is a constant attendant upon the Post office for me...
789To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 17 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Packet, containing the Correspondence relating to the Goods. I suppose that Mr Barclay is there before this time, and the Affair in a way of Accomodation. Young Mr Neufville is here, but I have thought it best not to give him as yet any Hopes of my Paying the Bills unless the Goods are delivered. I shall write fully by next Post. This serves chiefly to acquaint you that I...
790To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai mis sous les yeux de M. le Cte. de Vergennes un Extrait de la lettre du general Heath, que j’ai lhoneur de vous renvoyer ci jointe. Vous aurés vu ici que j’en ai dit quelque chose dans le No. 46. des affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amérique. Le No. 47. n’attend pour paroitre que les premieres nouvelles qui vous viendront et que vous voudrés bien me communiquer toujours par la poste. Cet...
791To John Adams from William Tudor, 7 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter from Baltimore of 25th. Feby. I got to Day and was not a little pleased with its Receipt, as it convinc’d me You was not averse to renewing a Correspondence which is the most pleasing and honorary I can boast of. There was not sufficient Evidence to satisfy the Court Martial that Buckner ought to suffer capittally. With me there was not the least Doubt. I am sure the Man is a...
792To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 24 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
Philadelphia, 24 April 1779. Dft ( ViU : Lee Papers). printed : The Letters of Richard Henry Lee , ed. James Ballagh, 2 vols., N.Y., 1914 (repr. N.Y., 1970), 2:46–49. Given its date and its existence only in draft, this reply to John Adams’ letter of 5 Aug. 1778 (vol. 6:350–352) probably never reached him. Lee commended Adams for his determination to remain outside the quarrels of the...
793To John Adams from James Lovell, 20 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
The receipt of your letters of Decr. 24th variously directed gave equal and uniform satisfaction here yesterday. There was an error in the date of the Commission but it is judged to be of no importance. I send all the dispatches to you open as before that you may be acquainted with the contents, in case you should forward them before you sail yourself. I will endeavour to send your Chest by...
794To John Adams from Hendrik Bicker, 11 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur, Les Courtiers ten Kate du temps que j’etais dans les Affaires ont eu l’entree Libre chez moi, je les crois capables, Mais je les ai trouves si interressables pour Eúx memes que je ne pouvais jamais terminer avec Eux, quand au Sieur van Vloten je crois que sa Residance est a Utrecht et qu’il a des bonnes occasions pour placer de L’argent des Habitants de cette Province qui pourtant ne...
795To John Adams from William Tudor, 16 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Since the Return of one half their Troops from Rhode Island I think the Enemy must be full 10,000 Men. They have only two out Posts Bonam Town and Piscatuqua which are too near their main Body to be surpriz’d, were the Detachments at those Posts less vigilant than they are. The Enemy never sleep with their Cloaths off, and are always prepared for an Attack. They have been continually harrassed...
796C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 3 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that a courier from the republic’s plenipotentiaries at St. Petersburg has arrived with dispatches that remove any plausible pretext for the temporizers to delay the accession of the republic to the armed neutrality and indicate the likelihood that Portugal, the King of Prussia, and the Emperor will also join. It is apparent that the purpose of all this is not...
797Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I do not feel easy more than two days together without writing to you. If you abound you must lay some of the fault upon yourself, who have made such sad complaints for Letters, but I really believe I have wrote more than all my Sister Delegates. Their is nothing new transpired since I wrote you last, but the sailing of some transports, and 5 deserters having come into our camp. One of them is...
798To John Adams from J. D. Schweighauser, 26 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of sending you inclose a Letter received per this Morning’s post and altho I expect to have that of seeing you dayly I have thought proper to send it you per this conveyance as if you are on your way here that it can not miss you on the road. We have learnt that the french frigate the Surveillante has sent it in two English Privateers at L Orient and sunk three others. The...
799To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yorktown, 22 January 1778. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Benjamin Rush, Letters Letters of Benjamin Rush , ed. L. H. Butterfield, Princeton, 1951; 2 vols. , 1:190–192. Whatever might be said about the graces needed at the French court, Rush praised the choice of the “perfectly honest” Adams as commissioner. Critical of American generalship, Rush yet dreaded the entry of France into the war...
800[Daniel Smith’s Bill for Entertainment.] (Adams Papers)
Jno. Adams Dr. s d 1775 To Club Venison Dinner 10 10 2 Bottles Cyder 2 S 12 10 M-Ar : vol. 210. Date supplied from an entry in JA ’s Account with Massachusetts, Aug.–Dec. 1775 , above.