1From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 6 – 7 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 26 ultimo is before me. That of 9th. have received. I have received the Box of Books &c—but nothing since. Pray drop all the Papers, I will get the Courant the Same way, that I have the General Advertiser and Morning post. I wish to have a Poem that is advertised, in which some American Characters are Said to be drawn —good or bad—let it come. I want also that Volume of the...
2From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 14 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had not till This afternoon, your Favour of the third of this month. I am greatly obliged to you, sir for this and the other of the 7th. I may promise to be as faithfull a Correspondent, as the particular Situation I am in, will permit: But you must be very sensible, that I cannot be very exact in the Payment of Debts of this sort. I really cannot devine the Principle, nor the Passion, nor...
3From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 21 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams will Stay, at home, for the Gentleman in No. 10, whom he will receive at ten o Clock, this Day, Sans Ceremonie, provided the Gentleman is content the Conversation Should pass in presence of Mr Thaxter, Mr Adams’s Secretary. But Such is the Situation of Things here and elsewhere, that it is impossible for Mr. A. to have any Conversation with any Gentleman from England, without Witness....
4From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 14 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 6 and 10 are received. Upon what Principle is it, that they confine Mr. L. as a Prisoner of State? After So many Precedents as have been set. Sullivan, Sterling, Lee, Lovel, and many others have been exchanged as Prisoners of War. Mr. L. was in England when Hostilities commenced, I believe. He came into public, in America after the Declaration of Independence, after the Extinction of...
5From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 28 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 26 and 29 Ultimo I have received and another with the Court Gazette with the Capitulation of Charlestown and also that of 8th. instant. I have also received the Box of Books, and all the Bundles of Newspapers and Pamphlets. I thank you most Sincerely for your Care. I beg you Pardon, sir, for sending you, half of the Report of the Committee. I thought it entire when I sent it. It is...
6From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 28 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Give me Leave to trouble you, to Send me two Newspapers, the General Advertiser and the Morning Post, Let them be sent constantly by the Post, to the Address of Mynheer Henry Schorn, Amsterdam. I have an opportunity already of Seeing Some other Papers. Let me beg the favour of your sending me also, General Burgoines and General Hows Narrative. When your Funds are near exhausted let me know. It...
7From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 17 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I regularly recieve the Newspapers, but have not recieved the Books or Pamphlets of any kind. If a Majority of the People your Way think America still theirs, they are a Majority of Ideots. They might as sensibly think Gascoigne and Guienne still theirs —poor deluded Fools! how I pity them! Sir Jo. Y. is pelting the Dutch with Memorials, in the Stile of Bernard’s Speeches and Hillsboroughs...
8From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 24. 27 and 31. Ultimo came altogether last night. The Note in that of 27 is of much Use much Importance to me. I wrote, Sometime ago, to see if any Thing could be done by Way of Exchange. If a certain Sett, are governed wholly by Passion, it must be confessed they have as constant a gale of it, as a Tempest so furious, will in the ordinary course of Nature admit of. C’en est...
9From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 17 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am lodged at Mr. Henry Schorns in this City, to which place you may direct your Letters, for Some Weeks to come. You may continue to Send the Pamphlets to Paris, or Send them here, which you please. The Bearer will tell you all the News I know. Pray what do the Politicians on your Side the Water think of the Plan of Russia, Sweeden and Denmark? Do they think the dutch will acceed to it?...
10From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 14 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment received yours of 7th—that of the 3d is not come to hand. I had received the Gaz. Ex. and Ad. Digby’s Letter, which falls very short of what was feared, for it was reported the whole Fleet was taken. There is Scarcely an Example of Such a Series of fortunate Contingencies as that which had happened to Rodneys Fleet. But as it has been simply, good Fortune, there may be an...
11From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 13 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge, one of 14 Ap. and one 2d. May. The Parcells, have not yet seen nor heard of. You may Stop the London Evg. and the London Packet for the future, but send on the courant if you please. Have not yet received, the debate upon C onway s motion. I have seen the paper and read the debate. It is the scene of the Goddess in the Dunciad reading Blackmore to her Children. The...
12From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 15 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of April 6. I have this day received. That of 28 Ultimo received. That of 20th not. Let me beg of you to send me duplicates, of Pamphlets, as they come out, when you send Letters to another Gentleman. Any Banker in London who will draw upon, Me or Mr. Grand the Banker for the Expence of them, shall be punctually paid, or I will get Mr. Grand to desire some Banker of his Correspondence to...
13From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 25 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
The People on your Side, Seem determined to revenge themselves for the Loss of their Power, on those who have done all they could to Save it. I should not Say, all they could. They have never made an opposition upon Any Principle or System. The Man who condemns a Minister in one Breath for the American War, and in the next condemns him for not doing more in it, and not succeeding in it, will...
14From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 27 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged to you, for the Trouble you have kindly taken in Sending me Gazettes, Pamplets, and Books, but the alteration of Circumstances, has rendered the Communication So difficult and expensive that I am obliged to desist. Two or three Packets which you mentioned in Letter not long Since have not arrived, nor have I heard any Thing of them. The Gazettes cost me by the Post, at a...
15From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 27 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of the 17. with its Inclosure and that of the 22d.—and thank you for both. Things are coming to an Extremity, that Philanthropy would wish to avoid: but thus it ever was, in Similar Cases. A free Nation corrupted, becomes an Hell, a Society of Devils. Angells fallen, retain nothing but immortal Hate. Come out of her, my People! Says a good old Book. This Republick has...
16From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 19 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Bundle by Mr. B romfield I received, and one or two Parcells since. Yesterday I received the N. Papers and yours of the 14th. I wish to know, how Sir. J. Y. Mem. is considered among you. Will they declare this Republick in Rebellion, or not? Whenever my Lord H—h has charged Faction and Cabal, it has been followed Soon by outlawry, and Charges of Rebellion and War. Poor Arnold! Where are...
17From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 19 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Convoy, with sixty Sail of Merchantmen from St. Domingo, is arrived safe, which shows that Rodney’s good Fortune is not to comprehend all things, and gives great Spirits in this Country. Pray what foundation do You find for the Report of a Quintuple Alliance, between Sweeden, Denmark, Russia, Prussia and the United Provinces for the reciprocal Protection of their Flags from Insults? What...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours inclosing a very obliging Letter from Mr. President Banks. The Congress cannot be said to have ordered the Instructions I gave, tho’ they would no doubt have done it, if such a Thing had been mentioned to them. It is therefore not proper to use any farther Endeavours to procure a Medal for them. I do not indeed perceive that one is intended for me as...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 5 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We have inquired at the Bureau des Diligences de Flandres, and can learn nothing yet of the Picture which chagrines me greatly, A Portrait in of G.W. came to Hand, I now not from whom, executed with admirable art. I shall transmit it by the first good Opportunity, after I receive orders so to do. The Bill you drew on me for Expences on the Prisoners is accepted....
20From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I thank you for your favours of Oct. 8. and 12. and for the news Papers. I wrote fully to our friend Mr. B. about the Coppers. I hope you will soon be freed from the Trouble you have with the Prisoners by their Exchange, I can now only add that I am, with great Esteem Dear Sir, &c. XXX , 490–4, 490n, 525–7. Edward Bridgen had sent two samples of copper for possible...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 30 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 29th. past, and of Inst. but that you mention as sent by Barnet never came to Hand, and he has already play’d so many cheating Tricks in France that I do not expect to see him here again. It is an Irishman who having been once employed in one of our Privaters, and taken, has ever since he escaped from England rambled about Europe pretending to...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I comply’d readily with your late Recommendations, placing faith in the Declaration of the Parties, that the Transaction was bonafide intended, for the Purpose mentioned, getting home their Property. If this should be extended to cover an illicit Trade, it will when discovered effectually put a Stop to such Operations. I see by some thing in a late paper from that...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 7 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of Sept. 4. & 6. and am glad to hear that Mr. Peters’s affair is settled to his Mind.— I have received the Letter he wrote me and have forwarded that to his son. I am Sorry to hear that any innocent Men Should suffer on suspicion of holding a criminal Correspondence with me. The Truth is, that I do not know that Capt. Hutchins, and never had a...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 7 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received several Letters from you lately which I have been unable to answer, a severe Fit of the Gout having confined me to my bed for these three Weeks past. I inclose the Bill accepted by Mr. Goddard: But I do not clearly see how it is to be managed; for I gave a little Note to Jones acknowledging my having received such a Bill of Security for the Sum lent;...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 15 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In compliance with your Recommendation, which I very much respect, I have given the Passports desired by Captains Mitchel and Carpenter. All these Businesses give me trouble for which I charge nothing; I hope there fore that the Gentlemen will in return do some thing on my Recommendation, and that is, to let me see their Names in the list of Subscribers for the Relief...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received yours by Capt. Belt I shall Comply with his request as he is recommended by you. I have written largely to Mr Hartley by Mr. Barber and before to Mr. Hodgson about the American Prisoners and the Cartel.— I am concern’d for Capt. Manley, who is a brave and useful Officer, and desire you to supply him with Necessaries to the amount of 25. Guineas....
27From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 20 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I hear Capt. Cunningham is confined in England a Prisoner. I desire you would take care to supply him with Necessaries that a brave Man may not suffer for want of assistance in his Distress.— I ordered Payment of your Bill but it has not yet appear’d.— I am ever Your affectionate For Gustavus Conyngham’s capture near New York in April see XXIX , 670n. He arrived in...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 17 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 30th. past: I suspect that several of mine to you and Mr. H. have been stopped in the Post-Office here since the mail ceased going by Calais, for want of Being frank’d here, which I did not till lately know was necessary. I shall inclose you the next Post a Copy of one I wote to Mr. B. which by yours it seem he had not received. I sent Copies...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 30[–31] May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favours of the 14th. 18th. and 21st. Instant. You mention one of the 12th. which is not come to hand. I never had nor have I now the least Expectation that any Good can come of the Propositions made to certain Persons. Whatever is reasonable and prudent for them to do, Seems to be out of their sphere: for hitherto they have constantly rejected the best...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 2 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your favours of Jany. 9. 10. & 11. I gave Orders immediately for the Acceptance and Payment of the Bill you drew on Mr. G, and you may rely on its being done. Mr. Carmichael is not yet arrived, nor is there any News of the ship in which he sail’d. Mr. Adams is not yet arrived in Paris but daily expected. The story of his bringing propositions of Peace...