51John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Senate received a Message from The President of the United States, containing a Nomination of John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts to be Resident Minister of U. S. at the Hague: and this day the Senate are to Say whether they Advise & consent to his Appointment or not. M r Monroe, who is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France, Yesterday desired me to mention to You in my...
52From John Adams to John Trumbull, 13 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
I am at length determined to omit no longer to write to you.— You read yourself to death. this let me tell you, is a Sin and a crime. Whether it is not of a deeper die, than, intemperate Indulgences of the Bottle or the Girl, is a Case of Casuistry. You know best whether You are guilty of it, or not. if you are I enjoin upon You, Pennance, either of a Walk of five miles a day, all at one time...
53John Adams to John Jay, 21 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
A difference of opinion having arisen among those of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund, who are now in this City, respecting the construction of their authority under the Act making provision for the Reduction of the Public Debt, by which they are equally divided, your presence here towards settling the principle which is in question, in order to the future conduct of the business, has become...
54From John Adams to John Sinclair, 2 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
I received the letter you did me the honour to write me last summer, with your projects of a Natural History of Sheep, and a Survey of Scotland. You could not have made a wiser choice. The natural history of that animal, so useful to man, must be very useful as well as very curious: and a detail of particulars relative to your native country, must be interesting to all, but especially to the...
55From John Adams to John Trumbull, 11 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to Mr. Frederick Bull for keeping a pair of Horses last fall and for storing a Chaise, Harness, Saddle and Bridle for me, through the winter. Inclosed are twenty Dollars, in a Bank Bill which I must beg the favour of you to apply to the payment of his demand. And will you be so good as to Subscribe The Vice President for the Hartford Paper, and get the Printer to address it to...
56From John Adams to John Singleton Copley, 27 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have it, at length, in my Power to inform you that I have received the two Copies of your admirable Picture of The Death of The Earl of Chatham. The Copy designed for the President of the United States I had the honour to deliver to him in Person, who requested me to make you his Compliments and present you his Thanks for your obliging Attention. Soon afterwards he desired me to transmit you...
57From John Adams to John Codman, Jr., 10 October 1790 (Adams Papers)
I duely received your obligin letter of the 27 th of August; but a journey to Philadelphia, and the confusion of preparations to remove to that City, have prevented an earlier answer to it. I concur very freely and very fully with you, in your sentiments respecting the appointments of Consuls abroad; but I find the President and Secretary of State, are impressed with an apprehension of...
58From John Adams to John Trumbull, 18 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday night, Mr. John Quincy Adams my Son, and no doubt your friend, brought me from Boston your letter of the 25th. of Feb. returned by the Pact. from Philadelphia. I thank you Sir for your friendly congratulations, which with Some others contribute, not a little to animate me, under the dull Aspect of jolting journeys and tedious sessions which in my old Age would otherwise be rather...
59John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received your agreable Letter of the 19. Ult. and am pleased with your prudent deliberation and judicious decision, upon the Place of your future residence. The Promotion of M r Sullivan, will lead him out of Town upon the Circuits and give room to others to take his Place upon occasions. You are not however to expect a run of Business at first. Your Project of boarding...
60From John Adams to John Trumbull, 31 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
Are you acquainted with the natural History of Mother Careys Chickens ? I know not the Latin Name of these chattering Birds, having never consulted the Dictionaire D’Histoire naturelle, nor Buffon nor Tournefort for information concerning this important Subject: but as a Mariner I have had frequent Occasion to curse the rascally Species of Mischief makers. In the calmest Moments at Sea, they...
61To John Adams from John Adams To Jeremy Belknap, 26 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your favour of the 19 th. and learn with Pleasure your design to pursue your valuable History of New Hampshire. The Anecdote of “Positive Proof from Holland that military Stores, to the amount of 400,000 £ st. were ordered and purchased from N. America,” is wholly unknown to me. that Col Lee of Marblehead ever “rec d or dispersed” any stores I never heard nor that he was...
62John Adams to John Quincy Adams, before 8 September 1790 (Adams Papers)
I received with great Pleasure your Letter of the 9 of August, inclosing a Receipt from Mr Parsons for one hundred Pounds lawful Money, which you paid him in the month of August, Second day, in full for your Tuition as a Clerk in his office for the term of three Years. I learned, with Pleasure also, that on the 9 th of August you took Possession of an office in my house, where I wish you more...
63From John Adams to Rev. Manasseh Cutler, 11 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from Mr. Taylor, contains an Answer to the Letter you did me the honour to write me on the 5. of February last, which I pray You to communicate to the American Accademy of Arts and sciences at their next Meeting. With much respect and Sincere / Esteem I am, sir your most / obedient servant MBAt : American Academy of Arts and Letters Collection.
64From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 9 April 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honor to write me this morning and as the Secretary of State accidentally fell in before I had opportunity to answer it, we agreed to propose a meeting at his House at two o’Clock on Monday next. If that time and place are agreable to you, and the Secretary at War, they will be particularly so to me, who have the honor to be with great regard, Sir your...
65John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Letters in Succession to N. 9. I think inclusive but they are in So much request in this Country that I can never keep them long enough to make regular Answers to them. The Last appeared to me of Such Consequence that I Sent it to The President to whom I have communicated all of them I believe or all but the first, from London. I have Reason to think that your whole...
66John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
I, Yesterday rec d your favour of June 27. N o. 10. It is in common with all the Numbers which preceded it, full of accurate Information, profound Sagacity and nice discernment. I sent four of your preceeding Numbers to the President, who wrote me on the 20 th of August that “they contain a great deal of Interesting matter and N o. 9 discloses much important Information and political...
67From John Adams to George Hammond, 16 June 1794 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you, rather too formally to be sure, as it is an old Acquaintance, my son John Quincy Adams, whom the President has honoured with an Appointment to Holland. His Disposition to Peace is as hearty as that of his Father, and in every Thing that may depend upon him, his Endeavours will not be wanting I presume to preserve it. Mrs Adams joins me in Compliments to Mrs....
68John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
I rec d by the last post your favour of the 16. The Votes from New Hampshire to Maryland inclusively have been unanimous excepting the factious Voice of New York, and one D r Johnson of Conecocheague formerly a New Yorker a Particular Friend of M r Clinton and by his own confession under particular Obligations to him. Southward of Chesapeak all are for Clinton except S. C. I thank you for your...
69To Alexander Hamilton from John Adams, [4 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Quincy, Massachusetts, August 4, 1792. On August 16, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Adams : “I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 4th Instant.” Letter not found. ]
70John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 October 1790 (Adams Papers)
The Note from Piemont, I would not have Sued by any means. Hopkins’s Pretentions I have no Idea of. I Suppose an account with him may be found in my Ledger, But I can Say nothing upon memory. Piemont ought to make out his Account— He says I had a Bar Wig and a Bob Wig of him. If so he should make out his Account and if they amount to as much as the Note, there is an End of the Business. If...
71John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your favour of the 22 d I believe it is, and am glad to hear that the People of Boston are disposed to Stand firm on neutral Ground. Much will depend upon their Stability. There are so many Interests constantly contriving to draw Us off, from that Position, that if Boston should fail Us We should be in great danger. I feel for the Sufferers under the Unexampled depredations of the...
72John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
The Public Papers will inform you that M r Jefferson has resigned and that M r Randolph is appointed Secretary of State. The Attorney General is not yet nominated. M r Lewis M r Lawrence M r Benson M r Gore, M r Potts &c have been mentioned in Conversation. The Motives to M r Jeffersons Resignation are not assigned, and are left open to the Conjectures of a Speculating World. I also am a...
73From John Adams to John Trumbull, 9 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
Coll Humphreys; at the Levee, this morning, delivered me Your kind Letter of Feb. 6, for the favour of which you cannot imagine how much I am obliged to you.— not less delighted with Your frank communications respecting your own affairs, than Satisfyed with your friendly cautions to me, I shall make a kind of Commentary, or at least some marginal Notes upon both. I rejoice in your health, and...
74From John Adams to Joseph Willard, 1 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from Mr Taylor one of the Senators from Virginia, as it contains Information which may become useful to the Agriculture of the Northern Parts of America I request the favour of you to communicate it to the American Accademy of Arts and Sciences. I am Sir with great / and Sincere Esteem, your most / obedient Servant MBAt : American Academy of Arts and Letters Collection.
75John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have but lately received your kind Letter from Amsterdam of the 17 th of November and another from the Hague much longer and of an earlier date. The last I have Sent to M r Randolph to be laid before the President, as it contains ample and important Information. These are the only Letters I have as yet rec d from you. Your Mother has received others. Your Letters both public and private, I...
76From John Adams to Dwight Foster, 29 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams thanks Mr. Foster for a delicious Entertainment. Has read nothing American upon the Subject more judicious, wishes to know the Author. MHi : Foster Family Autograph Collection.
77John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
Although your modesty would not inform Us, of your commencement as a Faneuil Hall Orator, it is impossible to conceal from the Public so important an Event, when there are 500 talkative noisy Witnesses of it, and accordingly it has come to me from an Eye and Ear Witness, as I suppose, your young Friend Breck. I rejoice that you have taken the Unpopular Side of the Questions concerning...
78John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 November 1795 (Adams Papers)
Since my last I have received your N o. 11. dated 27. July with the Pamphlets which accompanied it. The Entertainment and Enjoyment I derive from these Communications as well as from all your Letters, is beyond all your Conception as well as my Expression. My greatest Satisfaction arises from the Proofs they carry with them that your Judgment and Constancy and Fortitude are not to be warped by...
79From John Adams to William Cranch, 18 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Mr Robert Denison an English Gentleman from Nottingham in England proposes to visit the City of Washington. If you can shew him the City, or any other Attentions you will oblige me. He belongs to a wealthy and worthy Family of Dissenters, who have it in contemplation to fly from Persecution He is recommended to be by one of the most benevolent Men in England. I am, my / Dear Sir Sincerely...
80John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Senate advised the Appointment of M r short to Madrid, but there has as yet been no nomination to the Vacancy at the Hague. The Person however is determined on, and the Nomination will probably be made as soon as I am gone homewards— I have but one night and an half more to stay here. This Nomination, which is the Result of the Presidents own Observations and Reflections, is as...
81From John Adams to Caleb Strong, 17 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose you an order of the Senators present, of this date, by which you will find that your immediate attendance to your duty in Senate is earnestly requested. I have the honor to be with great respect. / Sir, / your most humble Servt: MHi : Caleb Strong Papers.
82From John Adams to Samuel Allyne Otis, 28 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
I believe you may with propriety deliver to Mr Macpherson all his Papers except the Petition which was read in Senate, and a Copy of that if he desires it. I am Sir, with great regard / your most obedient OFH .
83From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 June 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Reverend Dr Belknap and Dr Morse being upon a Journey into your Neighbourhood I have been desirous that they Should have an Opportunity of Seeing you, and that you Should have an Opportunity of Seeing them. They are clergy men of great Fame and what better of great Merit. I have not add any Thing more , assurances of unva esteem humble sert PHi : John Adams Papers.
84John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
Congress have rec d from the President all the Negotiations with France and England as well as those with the Indians. On Monday We expect those with Spain and all the Intelligence rec d respecting the Algerines. The whole forming a System of Information which Shews our dear Country to be in a critical Situation. So critical that the most sanguine are constrained to pauze and consider. The...
85From John Adams to John Trumbull, 31 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
The Secy. of the Treasury is so able and has done so well that I have Scarcely permitted myself to think very closely whether he could or could not have done better. I may venture however to Say to you, that I have always been of your Opinion, that a System a little bolder would have been more Safe: and that it would have been better to have begun at once with a small direct Tax, a pretty...
86From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 23 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have delivered your Letter to the Secretary of State and he has caused the Records to be searched, and the Result is the Report inclosed. I shall send you more upon this subject. Mean time, you will preserve this. With great Regard &c MHi : Andrew Kippis Papers.
87John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am in such a situation that I cannot see the way clear for you to come on, till some resolution is passed in the House.— You will be as ready as you can, and I will write you the Moment to come on . any Thing is done.— I will resign my office rather than bring you here to be miserable. Yours eternally RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “M rs Adams / Braintree.”
88John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 September 1790 (Adams Papers)
Since my return from Philadelphia where I have been to get Lodgings, against the meeting of Congress, your Mamma has shewn me your Letter: and I consent you Should keep the Horse for the present.— My Brother may Supply you with hay, as far as your occasion for it may go. Can nothing be done to make my Estate at Boston and Braintree more productive? The House where you are is at a miserable...
89John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Holland, according to our latest Accounts from Europe, may so very possibly have been overrun by the French that it is uncertain where this Letter will find you. As you have a French Tongue in your head, and received a Part of your Education in France, I Should be under no Apprehensions, of your receiving any uncivil Treatment if you were to be wholly among the French, especially as you are a...
90John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
After a tedious Session of Congress, rendered uncommonly disgusting by the obstinacy of a Party in the House of Representatives, I had an Opportunity of Signing a Bill for the appropriations necessary for the Treaties with Great Britain Spain Algiers and some Indians and then asked and obtained Leave of Absence— Here I am, so absorbed in the Embraces of my Family and my rural Amusements that I...
91John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
M r Wilcocks a Son of M r Wilcocks a respectable Lawyer of this City is bound to Hamborough and from thence intends to go to Holland where I hope you will Shew him as much Civility as you can. He will be able to tell you all the news we have. Congress has had the most Serene Session I ever knew. We are waiting for M r Jays Treaty and hope it will Settle all disputes with England and quiet many...
92John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 October 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read with great Pleasure, your modest Sensible, judicious and discreet Letter of the 31. of Sept r. The Town of Boston is at present unhappily divided into political Parties, and neither Party I presume has tried Experiments enough upon you to discover to which Side you belong. You might very easily induce either Side to make much of you, by becoming a zealot for it: but my...
93John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am again entertained by your kind Letter of the 22. Ult. The Intrigues of M r Clinton M r Burke M r Dallas M r Pierpoint Edwards, &c with Several Members of Congress from Virginia N. C. Georgia and Kentucky aided by Governor Hancock, have given a very odd cast to the Election: but they have Seperated the sheep from the Goats— There must be however more Employment for the Press in favour of...
94From John Adams to Lot Hall, 1 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
Received of Lot Hall, Esq. A Packet Certified by the Electors of Vermont to contain a List of their Votes for President and Vice President of the United States Catalog--RAAB Collection.
95From John Adams to Oliver Hart, 26 November 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have received from you an agreeable present of your Thanksgiving Sermon, and have read it with pleasure; The text I think was very appositely chosen; for every Balaam in the World, I think, unless a more abandoned deceiver of himself than the original prophet of that name must cry, “How shall I curse, when God has not cursed,” when he is called upon to prophecy evil concerning America....
96John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here Yesterday from Philadelphia in my Way to Quincy. My little Flock are now all collected, except the two in Holland and all in good health excepting Johnny Smith who has the Ague severely. The Senate after a Session of 19 or 20 Days compleated their deliberations on the Treaty. The Result is Advice to ratify it except one Article or rather to ratify it all provided a new Agreement...
97John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have but lately received your kind Letters of the 3 d and 21. of Dec r. — They were like cold Water to a thirsty soul.— While I acknowledge your and your Brothers goodness in writing to me, I am afraid I ought to make an Apology to both, for having written so seldom to You. The late Elections to Congress have gone in general in favour of the Fœderal Government, in the Senate especially. The...
98From John Adams to Benjamin Russell, 10 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
Vice President United States to Benjamin Russel, Dr. L.s.d. To the Columbian Centinel, from March 10, 1793 to 1. Jany. 1794 two Setts 1-0-8 Received Payment, MHi : Adams Papers.
99John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
If the combined Powers are exhausted by their Exertions The French must be no less distressed by theirs, and each Party thinks it is contending for Existence.— My Calculation is that the other Powers in Combination will hold out as long as England although Spain and Prussia may Slacken their Exertions: and that England will continue the War till the Three Per Cents Consolidated fall to fifty...
100From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I was in hopes to have troubled you no more in this Way: but am disappointed. If you can oblige me, I shall transmit the Sum to you, as soon as I get to Philadelphia. I am with Usual Esteem and / Love, yours NjP : DeCoppet Collection.