51John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 14 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I forwarded a Letter to You, Madam, yesterday by Capt. Barney, Commander of the Packet Washington, and this I expect will go by the Cicero, Capt. Hill. Have the Vessels done passing between Boston and Europe? I have received no Letters a long time from home, and I begin to grow a little impatient, especially since I have heard of my Father’s Misfortune. I have a half Story about the Matter,...
52John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 10 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here the 26th. last Month after a tedious Journey in a crazy Carriage, with the additional Circumstances and Douceurs of constant Rains and bad Roads. Nothing however compared to Spain. At Valenciennes, the first City of France in coming from Holland, we stopped half a day. The greatest Curiosity we saw there was in a Church, where we found the Virgin Mary encirling the City with a...
53John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The King of Great Britain, by a Commission under the great Seal of his Kingdom, has constituted Richard Oswald Esqr. his Commissioner to treat with the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, and has given him full Powers which have been mutually exchanged. Thus G.B. has Shifted Suddenly about, and from persecuting Us with unrelenting Bowells, has unconditionally and...
54Charles Storer to Abigail Adams, 8 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose a line to my Papa, under cover of yours; knowing it will go more expeditiously as well as safely— to your Excellency —than by itself, and presuming upon your goodness to excuse it. Let me request you to forward it to Boston as soon as may be convenient, and to accept my thanks therefor. Permit me to congratulate you on the Event, of which Mr. A. has given...
55Charles Storer to Abigail Adams, 17 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I write you, Madam, agreable to the request of Mr. Adams, having put up for you the sundry articles you gave orders for in a late letter. You will receive by Captain Coffin, a Trunk containing an Invoice of things from Mr. Willink for you, which I assisted him in purchasing yesterday. Wish they may be agreable to you. Besides these articles there are some others, viz, 1. ps: Scarlet Broad...
56John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 17 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am thus far advanced on my Journey, and shall continue it from hence tomorrow. I found Mr. Storer writing to You as I came in, and he has consented to inclosing a few lines in his. Your letter of 5th. Septr. to Mr. A. has duly come to hand. You express a strong desire to make a Voyage to your dearest Friend. I am not surprized at that, and think your Patience and Sacrifices are perfect...
57John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday arrived your kind Letters of the 3 and 5 of september. I am preparing to sett off tomorrow Morning for Paris, so that I am unable to write you more than a Line. Your Proposal of coming to me would make me the happiest of Men, if it were probable that I should live here where I am well settled. But, if the Negotiations for Peace should take a serious Turn, I shall be obliged to live...
58John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I believe I shall set off for Paris next Fryday. Mr. Thaxter and Mr. Storer will go with me. The Treaty of Commerce and the Convention respecting recaptures were Signed on the 8 of this Month, and they go by this and Several other Opportunities. I hope they will give Satisfaction. Mr. Jay writes me that on the 28 of Septr. that the Day before Mr. Oswald received a Commission to treat with the...
59John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 9 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
In receiving the Communication, that the T reaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States of America, and the seven United Provinces, was yesterday signed , You will at the same Time accept my sincere Congratulations upon this Event. It has been a long, tedious and troublesome Negotiation, and fortunately for our Country in very good Hands. Every Negotiation here takes up so much Time,...
60The Chevalier de Ronnay to Abigail Adams, 2 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Je Suis au désespoire d’avoir oublié de vous remettre Le mémoire que vous avez eu La Complaisance de me preter L’avant derniere fois que j’ai eu L’honneur de vous voir. Je vous en demande mille pardons. Ce mémoire fait honneur à Mr Adams d’autant plus qu’outre qu’il est très bien écrit il a pour base des Sistêmes fondés Sur Sa L’âme politique. Je prie Mademoiselle Adams d’agréer L’assurance de...
I am sorry that I forgot to return to you the memoir which you had the kindness to lend me when I had the honor of seeing you the time before last. Please forgive me. This memoir greatly honors Mr. Adams not only because it is very well written but even more so because it is based on systems founded on his political conscience. Please ask Miss Adams to accept the assurance of my respect. RC (...
62John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Lyars Stick at nothing. The Paragraphs in the enclosed Paper, which respect me, are impudent Forgeries. So far from thinking that the French never meant to treat, I have been long of opinion that the English never meant to treat, and that the French, from the Sincerity of their Desire to treat, have given a too ready Attention to Maneuvres of the English which have been only insidious...
63John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have transmitted Money to the young Men, whom you mentioned to me, and have expected every day for a long time to hear of their Sailing in a Cartel for America. They have been better treated since the Change of Ministers. My Respects to their Parents. It is now five Months since my publick Reception here but We have not yet learned, that any News of it, has arrived in America. The Refugees...
64Benjamin Waterhouse to Abigail Adams, 10 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
When I was at Braintree I mentioned to you that I was pretty certain I had a letter from Mr. Adams to you, among my papers which I left behind at N. York and that when my trunk arrived I would carefully examine it and send it to you. I have done so, but without success. I therefore conclude if there was one, the Goths have taken it. We hear there is a Vessel arrived at Boston from Amsterdam;...
65John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 3 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
What pleasing Sensations does a Packet from the other side of the Atlantic produce? Every part of the human frame sympathizes and is in Unison. This Truth I have most sensibly felt this day, in recieving three Letters from America. I was at Peace with myself before I opened them. The Superscriptions, in informing me from whence they came, saved me a Turn of the Fever, which threatened before....
66John Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
All well.—You will send these Papers to some Printer when you have done with them. We have found that the only Way of guarding against Fevers is to ride. We accordingly mount our Horses every day. But the Weather through the whole Spring and most of the Summer has been very dull, damp, cold, very disagreable and dangerous. But shaking on Horseback guards pretty well against it. I am going to...
67John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of June 17. arrived this Day and gave me, all the tender and melancholly Feelings of which my Heart is susceptible. How shall I express my solicitude for my amiable, my venerable Friend and Brother? This World contains not a wiser or a more virtuous Man. Just now placed in a situation, too where all his great Talents and excellent Virtues might have their full Effect!—But it is but...
68John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Situation of my dear Brother, at the date of yours 17. June, has allarmed me so much that I dread to hear any further News of him. An Affection for him has grown old with me as it commenced very early in Life and has constantly increased. Mr. Smiths Letter of 6 of May did not surprise me so much because I had often known him in great distress in the Lungs but these disorders are new. The...
69John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 16 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am to express my Acknowledgments to You for your kind favor of the 17th. June last, with which I was honoured this day. I expressed my Chagrin in not recieving a Letter by the Firebrand in mine of the 27th. July, which accompanies this. Little did I think that in that moment the tender sympathetic Heart of Portia was sharing, and participating in the Cares and Agonies of her dear Sister, who...
70John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Thaxter is getting better and Mr. Charles Storer is now with me, and We may be all now said to be pretty well. Our northern Friends are well too. You will hear a great deal about Peace, but dont trust to it. Remember what I have often said “We shall not be able to obtain Peace, while our Ennemies have New York and Charlestown or either of them.” I know the Character and Sentiments of the...
71John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 27 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Soon after writing You at Amsterdam, I was unfortunate enough to have a Relapse, after I thought that the Fever had entirely quitted me. I was confined there about a fortnight, and then came to this place. I am at present perfectly recovered I hope—for another Turn would fret me out of Existence, which would be no great loss except to my “fair American,” who might whimper and sigh a day or two...
72John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
In this Country, as in all others, Men are much Addicted to “Hobby Horses.” These Nags are called in the Language of the Dutch “Liefhebbery,” as they are called in French “Marotte.” I had rather ride a Dutch Hobby Horse than an English one or a French. It is the wholesomest Exercise in the World. They live to great Ages by the Strength of it. My Meaning is this. They pitch in early Life upon...
73Hannah Fayerweather Tollman Winthrop to Abigail Adams, 19 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Near the dusk of last Evening, I was Honored with your Favor, by the hand of the amiable Master Charles Adams, but was unhappy in not having a light ready to know the Contents. The Young Gentleman Seeming in hast, having Company in waiting, prevented my detaining Him. I regret my not having His Company to lodge and the Young Ladies who were with Him, as it would have greatly amusd me in my...
74John 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...
75Ingraham & Bromfield to Abigail Adams, 1 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
We had the Honor to write you 23d. March by the Ship Enterprize, Capt. Danl. Deshon and then sent an Invoice of Articles to Amount of f428.1— Hol lan d Cur renc y. By Direction of Mr. Adams we now enclose a like Invoice of Goods ship’d on his Account on the Brig Sukey, Capt. Grinnel for Boston— the Bill of Lading for which we forward to Isaac Smith Esqr. Wishing that they may reach you safely,...
76John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 23 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since my last an important Revolution has taken place here respecting our Country. A formal Acknowledgment of our Sovereignty and Independence in the Admission and Reception of your dearest Friend is what I allude to. But You will have heard of the Event long before this reaches You, with many of its Circumstances. At present I am too feeble to enter into a detail of Matters, being upon my...
77John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I find that the Air of the Hague, and the Return of warm Weather, tho later than was ever known, is of great Service to my Health. I mount on Horseback every Morning, and riding is of Use to me. I have not escaped the “Influenza,” as they call it, which began in Russia and has been epidemical, in all Europe. Mr. Thaxter too has at last submitted to this all subduing Climate and had a Fever,...
78John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the Twelfth, I removed into this House which I have purchased for the United States of America. But, it will be my Residence but a little while. I must go to you or you must come to me. I cannot live, in this horrid Solitude, which it is to me, amidst Courts, Camps and Crowds. If you were to come here, such is the Unsteadiness of the Foundation that very probably We should have to return...
79Hugh Hill to Abigail Adams, 16 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yours I reseved this morning and I asner you madam that twenty five Guines is the Costomry Pasage that is payd too or from uerap I apeled to Captn. Dixey that Comanded a ship of Mr. Treaseys in bilbao wher I was: You will ples to Draw me a set of bils at the present Discount Which is fiften pr cent and fored them to Captn. Job Prince: four Sets the Som is thirty Nin pounds at ten Dayes Sight...
80Hugh Hill to Abigail Adams, 10 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Shold Estem a fever to Ordr Som of your frends to pay me for your Son Charls Pasheg from bilbao to America Mr. Smith I heare had Som altication on the matr and thinck it is too much, but Madam Shold thinck a great Desrespet Cast on a son of Mr. Adames not to Charge him the Saim as Other Gentelmen ples to ordr it Payd to Captn. Joab Prince I am Madam most Respetfoly your most homble Servt The...
81John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
The States of Holland and West Friesland have followed the Example of Friesland, in acknowledging American Independence. I received The American Minister received Yesterday officially, from the Grand Pensionary of Holland a Copy of their Resolution. We have not yet the Mail, with an Account of the new British Ministry, tho the last informed Us of a Change. Whether for the better time will...
82John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
The states of Holland and West Friesland have resolved, 28 March to admit Mr. Adams to an Audience. The inclosed Papers will shew what is going on here. You will hear much more of it. —I have yet no news of Charles’s Arrival. John is well—&c. British Ministry changed. RC ( Adams Papers ). “ I nclosed Papers” not found. The relevant passage in “the Resolutions of the Lords the States of Holland...
83Ingraham & Bromfield to Abigail Adams, 23 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
By direction of Mr. Adams We have Consignd to Isaac Smith Esqr. a Case of Merchandize for you, which is Ship’d in the Enterprize Capt. Daniel Deshon for Boston. This encloses the Invoice for it, the Amount being f428:1. H ollan d Curr enc y. We wish the goods may arrive Safe, and to your Approbation. Presenting our Respectful Compliments, We are Madam. Dupl RC ( Adams Papers ); at foot of...
84John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your humble Servant has lately grown much into Fashion in this Country. Nobody scarcely of so much importance, as Mynheer Adams. Every City, and Province rings with De Heer Adams &c. &c. &c. and if I were to judge of things here as We do in other Countries, I should think I was going to be received, at the Hague in awfull Pomp in a few Weeks. But I never can foresee one hour what will happen....
85John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 7 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. of December last informs me of the Arrival of the Apollo, Minerva, and Juno, three of fabulous Divinity who know nothing of me You observe. I do not wish to altercate even with Gods, much less with Goddesses: but I have a Right to quarrel with the Destinies, or bad Men, and there is but little benefit, I fear, arising from Contests of this kind. What am I to do with such...
86James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 28 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
“Mr. Lovell, do let me entreat you, this thirtieth time, to write a few Lines to Mrs. Adams. Are you not clearly convinced that it is in vain for you to determine, as you have done, day after day, that you will go to see her? You are betrayed, by a thousand Interruptions, not merely into Unpoliteness, but really into Ingratitude to that Lady. If you do not feel for yourself, I pray you to...
87John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
My Health is returning to me by degrees, and I hope to be fully reestablished by the Help of constant Exercise, and great Care, but I want the Consolations of my family.—Alass! When shall I have it. Charles I presume is sailed in the Cicero from Bilbao, and John is well with Mr. D ana at Pete r sbourg. The political Questions here are, a seperate Peace with England and the Mediation of Russia...
88John 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...
89John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the last Mails came the King’s Speech, the Address of the two Houses in answer, and the debates in Parliament. His most gracious Majesty is sorry, that the Americans and French have catched one of his flying Generals with an Army, because the Rectitude of his Cause entitled him to better luck. He tells his Parliament the Rebellion is still fomented, and that his Subjects continue in that...
90John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have Letters from Mr. Dana and his young Attendant, at St. Petersbourg. Both well and in good Spirits. Letters to Mrs. D. and to you go by Captn. Troubridge and by Dr. Dexter. I have no certain News, as yet of Charles’s Sailing from Bilbao, but I presume he is sailed. You will have suffered great Anxiety on his Account, but I pray he may arrive safe. I acted for the best when I consented he...
91James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 4 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
In answer to some Questions contained in your Letter of Sepr. 26 you may know that Mr. Laurens might pay any sum up to five hundred po unds s terling therefore the same is now to be done at discretion. F. Dana is accompanied under somewhat similar discretionary stipulations. Indeed you are mistaken about the Scales. I should be happy to be sure of what you only conjecture. I mean that J. Jay...
92John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of September 29 and Oct. 21. are before me. I avoided saying any Thing about Charles, to save you the Anxiety, which I fear you will now feel in its greatest severity a long time. I thought he would go directly home, in a short Passage, in the best Opportunity which would probably ever present. But I am dissappointed. Charles is at Bilbao with Major Jackson and Coll. Trumbull who...
93John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
’Tis a pleasing Reflexion to one absent, that his Correspondence with his friends meets with no untoward Accidents, even though the subject matter of his Scralls should be in a stile little interesting or entertaining. But I am deprived of even this satisfaction, for almost all my Letters are on board the Indian. It is needless for me to add an Apology after this, especially as Newman, Brown,...
94Elizabeth Ellery Dana to Abigail Adams, 1 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is the first opportunity I have had since my Journey of congratulating you upon your dear Sons safe arrival in Spain, and hope it will not be long before you have the happiness of seeing him. The frequent arrivals lately from Europe have I hope made you happy in letters from Mr. Adams. Mr. Dana I hear nothing of by letter. Mr. Guild informed me that he left Amsterdam for Russia in July...
95Joseph Gardoqui & Sons to Abigail Adams, 30 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
We beg leave to Trouble you above with duplicate of our last Respectts to you, and as have had since the very high pleasure and satisfaction of seeing with us your worthy Amable little Son Mr. Charles Adams under the Care of Major Jakson Intending boath to Returne home on Board the Armed Ship the Cicero Capt. Hugh Hill, have with the Majors advice Taken the liberty of altering your...
96James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 29 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
My Almanac says that I wrote to you on the 9th. of October, but your Favour of Sepr. 26. received the 8th. of Octr. is not endorsed answered. Is this the Reason of your Silence? Or, Heaven forbid it! are you sick? At best, I fear you are in Distress.—Mr. Adams was well late in Augst., but I cannot conceal my anxieties about your second Son, who was to take Passage with Gillon. That Frigate...
97James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I shall have an excellent Opportunity to send those Articles of yours, which have been long under my Care, by a Waggon of Genl. Lincoln going in a few days to Boston and perhaps also to Hingham. I feel a Sort of Mortification, at the Air of Negligence which seems to be thrown over my past Endeavors to serve you, by this early Execution of the Promises which our good Friend Lincoln made to you...
98John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am afraid you will think I was negligent in not writing more than I did by so good an opportunity as my brother Charles, but I hope you will excuse me as a journey of two thousand of our miles of which I had not the least thought a week before I set out was the only reason for it, so that I had not time to write before I left Holland, as all my time was employed in getting ready to go. We...
99John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have not yet seen the Work from whence the inclosed Extracts were made. A set is on the Road, a Present from the Friend of Man, to me. Meantime a Friend at a Distance who has a Set has sent me these Extracts. They are worth printing in the Gazette, not to gratify the Vanity of an Individual so much as for the noble Testimony of a Character so much respected as that of Mr. Hollis in favour of...
100Joseph Gardoqui & Sons to Abigail Adams, 14 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since the above duplicatte of our last Respectts to you has Kissed our hands your allways obliging Esteemed favour of the 18th. Jully and therewith your Remmittance for Livers 300 on Paris which in Repply have the pleasure to Informe you has by us been punctually forwarded for Acceptance, as such when in Cash your Account with us will be creditted for the same at the Exchange of 76 Souls per...