151John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Disappointed again.—The Post brought me no Letter from you, which I dont wonder at much, nor any Intelligence concerning you, which surprizes me, a good deal. . . . I hang upon Tenterhooks. Fifteen days since, you were all inocculated, and I have not yet learned how you have fared. But I will suppose you all better and out of Danger. Why should I torture myself when I cant relieve you? It...
152John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
I hope, Charles is at home by this time or that he will be in a few days. I presume he sailed from Bilbao in the Cicero, with M ajor Jackson and Mr. Trumbul, one of the first days of december yet I have no certain news of his sailing at all. John is well with Mr. D ana at Petersbourg. I cannot tell you any News—there are great questions upon the Tapis here, but how they will be decided, I know...
153John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Eliot of Fairfield, is this Moment arrived in his Way to Boston. He read us a Letter from the Dr. his Father dated Yesterday Sennight being Sunday. The Drs. Description of the Melancholly of the Town, is enough to melt a Stone. The Tryals of that unhappy and devoted People are likely to be severe indeed. God grant that the Furnace of Affliction may refine them. God grant that they may be...
154John Adams to Abigail Adams, 6 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received Information that so many of our Letters have been thrown overboard, that I fear you will not have heard so often from me, as both of us wish. I have written often. But my Letters have not been worth so much as other Things which I have sent you. I sent you a small Present by Captain Niles. But he is taken by a Jersey Privateer. I sent you also, some other Things by Captain...
155John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Prices with you are much more moderate than here. Yesterday I was obliged to give Forty shillings Pen. Cur. Thirty two L.M. for one Gallon of Rum. In my station here, I have Business with many Gentlemen who have occasion to visit me, and I am reduced to the Necessity of treating them with plain Toddy and Rum and Water—a Glass of Wine, once in a while to a great stranger, of uncommon...
156John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening We arrived safe in this Town after the longest Journey, and through the worst Roads and the worst Weather, that I have ever experienced. My Horses performed extreamly well. Baltimore is a very pretty Town, situated on Petapsco River, which empties itself into the great Bay of Cheasapeak. The Inhabitants are all good Whiggs, having sometime ago banished all the Tories from among...
157John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am now settled at Amsterdam on the Keysers Gragt near the Spiegel Straat. Charles is with me to recover his Health after his fever. John is at Leyden. Mr. Thaxter with me. De la Motte Piquet has taken half Rodneys Plunder. I know not what other News to write. We hope, that Vessels will soon arrive from Boston. Hope you have received your Boxes by Sampson and Jones. I shall send you, as I...
158John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will go by two Gentlemen, who are travelling to your Country, for the Sake of acquiring military Knowledge. The Name of one of them is Mr. John Folwell and the other Mr. Josiah Hart. Each of them is the Captain of a Company of Militia in their Country, which is no small Honour here. Captn. Hart is the Son of a Mr. Joseph Hart of Warminster in the County of Bucks in this Province,...
159John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bass arrived this Day, with the joyfull News, that you were all well. By this Opportunity, I shall send you a Cannister of Green Tea, by Mr. Hare. Before Mr. G erry went away from hence, I asked Mrs. Yard to send a Pound of Green Tea to you. She readily agreed. When I came home at Night I was told Mr. G. was gone. I asked Mrs. Y. if she had sent the Cannister? She said Yes and that Mr. G....
160John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
L’Ambition dans l’oisiveté, la Bassesse dans l’orgueil, Le Desir de s’enrichir Sans travail, l’Aversion pour la vérité; la flatterie, la Trahison, la Perfidie, l’Abandon de tous Ses Engagemens, le mépris des devoirs du Citoyen, la Crainte de la Vertu du Prince, l’espérance de Ses foiblesses, et plus que tout cela le ridicule perpétuel jetté sur la vertu, forment, je crois, le caractère du plus...
161John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of the 5th. came by Yesterdays Post, and I intended to have answered it by this Mornings Post, but was delayed by many Matters, untill he gave me the slip. I am sorry that you and the People of Boston were put to so much Trouble, but glad to hear that such Numbers determined to fly. The Prices for Carting which were demanded, were detestable. I wish your Fatigue and...
162John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
On the 30 Nov. our Peace was Signed. On the 28. March We dont know that you have Yet heard of it. A Packet Should have been Sent off. I have not yet received the Ratification of the my Dutch Treaty. I know not when I Shall be able to embark for home. If I receive the Acceptance of my Resignation, I Shall embark in the first ship, the first good ship I mean, for I love you too well, to venture...
163John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
IT is now almost three Months since I left you, in every Part of which my Anxiety about you and the Children, as well as our Country, has been extreme. The Business I have had upon my Mind has been as great and important as can be intrusted to One Man, and the Difficulty and Intricacy of it is prodigious. When 50 or 60 Men have a Constitution to form for a great Empire, at the same Time that...
164John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is the first Time, I have been able to write you, since my Sickness.—Soon after my Return from Paris, I was seized with a Fever, of which, as the Weather was and had long been uncommonly warm, I took little notice, but it increased very slowly, and regularly, untill it was found to be a nervous Fever, of a dangerous kind, bordering upon putrid. It seized upon my head, in such a manner...
165John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I give you Joy of Boston and Charlestown, once more the Habitations of Americans. Am waiting with great Impatience for Letters from you, which I know will contain many Particulars. We are taking Precautions to defend every Place that is in Danger—The Carolinas, Virginia, N. York, Canada. I can think of nothing but fortifying Boston Harbour. I want more Cannon than are to be had, I want a...
166John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
It is now a Year within a Day or two of my Departure from home. It is in vain for me to think of writing of what is passed. The Character and Situation in which I am here, and the Situation of public Affairs absolutely forbid my Writing, freely. I must be excused.—So many Vessells are taken, and there are so many Persons indiscreet, and so many others inquisitive, that I may not write. God...
167John 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...
168John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Day after day, Week after Week, Month after Month, roll away and bring Us no News. I am So weary of this idle useless Time, that I dont know what to do with myself. I dont wonder that People who have So much more of Such Time, than has fallen to my Share, have recourse to Play for dissipation. I find myself in the Same Situation with my Lord Chesterfield who Says in one of his Letters, that he...
169John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Proposal of coming to Europe, has long and tenderly affected me. The Dangers and Inconveniences are such and an European Life would be so disagreable to you that I have suffered a great deal of Anxiety in reflecting upon it. And upon the whole, I think it will be most for the Happiness of my Family, and most for the Honour of our Country that I should come home . I have therefore this Day...
170John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have a confused Account, from the Northward, of Something Unlucky, at Ticonderoga, but cannot certainly tell what it is. I am much afraid, We shall loose that Post, as We did Forts Washington and Lee, and indeed, I believe We shall if the Enemy surround it. But it will prove no Benefit to them. I begin to Wish there was not a Fort upon the Continent. Discipline and Disposition, are our...
171John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received a Letter of 26 April from Brother Cranch, for which I thank him and will answer as soon as possible. He tells me you have drawn a little Bill upon me. I am sorry for it, because I have sent and should continue to send you, small Presents by which you would be enabled to do better than by drawing Bills. I would not have you draw any more. I will send you Things in the...
172John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I never fail to inclose to you the News papers, which contain the most of the Intelligence that comes to my Knowledge. I am obliged to slacken my Attention to Business a little, and ride and walk for the Sake of my Health, which is but infirm.—Oh that I could wander, upon Penns Hill, and in the Meadows and Mountains in its Neighbourhood free from Care! But this is a Felicity too great for me....
173John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
After a Series of the souerest, and harshest Weather that ever I felt in this Climate, We are at last, blessed with a bright Sun and a soft Air. The Weather here has been like our old Easterly Winds to me, and southerly Winds to you. The Charms of the Morning at this Hour, are irresistable. The Streakes of Glory dawning in the East: the freshness and Purity in the Air, the bright blue of the...
174John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Fells Point, which I mentioned in a Letter this Morning, has a considerable Number of Houses upon it. The Shipping all lies now at this Point. You have from it on one side a compleat View of the Harbour, and on the other a fine Prospect of the Town of Baltimore. You see the Hill, in full View and the Court House, the Church and Meeting House, upon it. The Court House makes an haughty...
175John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday yours of Octr. 9th. came to Hand. Your Letters never failed to give me Pleasure—the greatest Pleasure that I take, is in receiving them. And altho every one, which has yet come to Hand is replete with melancholly Tidings, yet I can truly say I never was so earnest to receive them. I rejoice in the happy Principles and the happy Temper, which apparently dictated them all. I feel...
176John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
This Day compleats three Years since I stepped into the Coach, at Mr. Cushings Door, in Boston, to go to Philadelphia in Quest of Adventures.—And Adventures I have found. I feel an Inclination sometimes, to write the History of the last Three Years, in Imitation of Thucidides. There is a striking Resemblance, in several Particulars, between the Peloponnesian and the American War. The real...
177John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have an Express, today from Governor Johnson, Captn. Nicholson and several other Gentlemen with an Account that the Fleet, to the Number of Two hundred and Sixty Three Sail, have gone up towards the Head of Cheasapeak Bay. They lie over against the Shore between the River Sassafras and the River Elke. We have also a Letter from General Washington acquainting Us that Tommorrow Morning at...
178John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last Night an Express from M. De Sartine, whose Politeness upon this Occasion, was very obliging, brought me your Letters of September 29 and Octr. 10. The Joy which the Receipt of these Packets afforded me, was damped, by the disagreable Articles of Intelligence, but still more so by the Symptoms of Grief and Complaint, which appeared in the Letters. For Heavens Sake, my dear dont indulge a...
179John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is intended to go by my Friend Mr. William Barrell, whom I believe you have seen in Boston. If he calls at our House you will please to receive him complaisantly and thank him for your Present of Pins. I have been treated by him with great Civility, both at this and the former Congress. This Day, I have heard my Parish Priest, Mr. Duffill from 2. Chron. 15. 1. 2. This Gentleman...
180John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
Here I am.–I am bound home.–I suppose it will take me 14 days, perhaps 18 or 20, to reach Home.–Mr. S.A. is with me.–I am tolerably well. The American Colours are still flying at Fort Mifflin. The News on the other Side, is from a Merchant to his Partner. RC ( Adams Papers ). Concerning the enclosure, if it can be truly called one, see notes 2 and 3 . On 7 Nov. JA and Samuel Adams were voted a...
181John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your charming Letters of April 10 and 22d were brought me, Yesterday. That of 22d is upon Business. Mr. Hill is paid I hope. I will honour your Bill if you draw. But be cautious—dont trust Money to any Body. You will never have any to lose or to spare. Your Children will want more than you and I shall have for them. The Letter of the 10 I read over and over without End—and ardently long to be...
182John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday was as fine for Travell as ever occurred at this season of the Year.—I reached Ipswich, and lodged, at the House where I used to put up, old Mrs. Treadwells. This Morning I satt off, in a horrid cold Rain, and after getting wett through all my Coverings, I putt up at our Friend Mr. Tufts’s, having no Courage to proceed farther. Tomorrow Morning, I must proceed. Coll. Doane who was in...
183John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Post was later than usual to day, so that I had not yours of July 24 till this Evening. You have made me very happy, by the particular and favourable Account you give me of all the Family. But I dont understand how there are so many who have no Eruptions, and no Symptoms. The Inflammation in the Arm might do, but without these, there is no small Pox. I will lay a Wager, that your whole...
184John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Brown is here, and I cannot miss the Opportunity by him, to write you a Line. I know not how often you receive Letters from me, so many are taken, or sunk: but I write as often as I can. I have received some Letters from you, which will occasion your Name to be classed with Mrs. McCaulay and Mad ame Dacier for ought I know. Johnny is very well. Stevens had a fall Yesterday which hurt him a...
185John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
We are very much affected with the Loss of Charlestown—it seems the most disagreable Affair, We have ever met with. I dont know that the Consequences will be bad, but the Loss of so many Men, ships, and Artillery and stores is heavy besides the Town. To maintain it, they must weaken themselves at N. York and elsewhere. We hope to hear of something to ballance it. I inclose a Paper, giving an...
186John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Dont be two much alarmed at the Report of an Attack of Boston. The British Court are pursuing a system which in the End I think they will find impolitick. They are alarming the Fears of the People, every where. Wentworths Letter was contrived to terrify Portsmouth. Other Threats are given out against Boston. Others against the Eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland. Now Philadelphia is to be...
187John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
On the 13 of Feb. I left you. It is now the 3d. of June, and I have not received a Line, nor heard a Word, directly nor indirectly, concerning you since my departure. This is a Situation of Mind, in which I never was before, and I assure you I feel a great deal of Anxiety at it: yet I do not wonder at it, because I suppose few Vessels have sailed from Boston since ours. I have shipped for you,...
188John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
At half past four this Morning, I mounted my Horse, and took a ride, in a Road that was new to me. I went to Kensington, and then to Point No Point, by Land, the Place where I went, once before, with a large Company in the Rowe Gallies, by Water. That Frolic was almost two Years ago. I gave you a Relation of it, in the Time, I suppose. The Road to Point No Point lies along the River Delaware,...
189John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hall, by whom this Letter will be sent, will carry several Letters to you, which have been written and delivered to him, several Days. He has settled his Business, agreably. I have not received a Line from the Massachusetts, since I left it. Whether We shall return to Philadelphia, soon, or not, I cannot say. I rather conjecture it will not be long. You may write to me, in Congress, and...
190John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I had the Pleasure of dining with Mr. Purveyance. There are two Gentlemen of this Name in Baltimore, Samuel and Robert, eminent Merchants, and in Partnership. We had a brillant Company, the two Mrs. Purveyances, the two Mrs. Lees, the Ladies of the two Colonels R ichard H enry and F rancis , Mrs. H ancock and Miss Katy Quincy , and a young Lady that belongs to the Family. If this...
191John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Legion of Lauzun has arrived, and We hope has brought the Orders of Congress, for Us, but We have not yet received them, and are as much at a Loss as ever. I know not whether my Resignation is accepted, and consequently can give you no Conjecture, when I Shall be able to get away. As the Spring and Summer Passage is lost, I cannot now embark before September or October, or November....
192John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here, last Evening, in good Health. This Morning, General Whipple made me a Visit, at the Tavern, Tiltons, and insists upon my taking a Bed at his House, in so very affectionate, and urgent a Manner, that I believe I shall go to his House. The Cause comes on Tomorrow, before my old Friend Dr. Joshua Brackett, as Judge of Admiralty. How it will go I know not. The Captors are a...
193John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Fall of Dr. Ch urc h, has given me many disagreable Reflections, as it places human Nature itself in a Point of bad Light, but the Virtue, the sincerity, the Honour, of Boston and Massachusetts Patriots in a worse.—What shall We say of a Country which produces such Characters as Hutchinson and Church?—However to turn my Attention from this detestible Subject to another more agreable....
194John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
Have but Yesterday received yours of Octr. 21. Your Letters of the following Dates I have received. Septr. 8. and 10. 16. 29. Oct. 1. 9. 21. 22. These Letters and indeed every Line from you, gives me inexpressible Pleasure, notwithstanding the melancholly Scenes discribed in most of them of late. I am happy to learn that the Family is in Health once more, and hope it will continue. My Duty to...
195John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
In a Letter from your Uncle Smith, and in another from Mr. Mason which I received by this days Post I am informed that you were about taking the Small Pox, with all the Children. . . . It is not possible for me to describe, nor for you to conceive my Feelings upon this Occasion. Nothing, but the critical State of our Affairs should prevent me from flying to Boston, to your Assistance. I...
196John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
There is at length a Ministry in England composed of Kings Friends and Peoples Men, which will effervesce, and throw out a great deal of fixed Air like Potash and Lime Juice. Mr. Laurens and Mr. Hartley are to be here in a few days to enter upon the definitive Treaty, but it is now probable there will be a Congress under the Mediation of the two imperial Courts at least respecting the Terms...
197John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of Aug. 12 and 13, came by this Mornings Post. A letter from Cheasopeak Bay, dated Yesterday Morning, informs that the Enemy had not then landed. This Morning General Nash, with his Brigade of North Carolina Forces, marched thro the Town with their Band of Musick, their Train of Artillery, and their Bagage Waggons, their Bread Waggons, travelling Forges &c. General Washingtons Army...
198John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have written so seldom to you, that I am really grieved at the Recollection. I wrote you, a few Lines, June 2. and a few more June 16. These are all that I have written to you, since this Month began. It has been the busyest Month, that ever I saw. I have found Time to inclose all the News papers, which I hope you will receive in due Time. Our Misfortunes in Canada, are enough to melt an...
199John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
If I knew of any more endearing Title I should certainly give it. But this appears to me to express the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. It is at this Time a very still season for News. We are all Impatience to hear from America, having nothing certain since the 3d. July. My Son is well, and servant, and both behave well. The first is in high Reputation here.—Please to draw...
200John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Izard goes off, the day after tomorrow, and will carry this, and all the News there is. We have none from America, a long time. I have only yours of 10 decr. since I left you. I hope you have received Letters from me, from Corunna and Bilbao. There are gone many for you, since my Arrival here, but I suppose are still detained at the Sea Ports. They will soon sail. My 3 Boys dined with me...