1051Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
This is the first Day of March, and I have no Letters from you of a later date than the 11 th of Feb’ ry. and then only a few lines. Several things which I have written to upon, and which I wish for directions before I proceeded to execute, are I suppose lost and forgotten by upon, in the Multitude of Your Thoughts. I must proceed with the advise of D r Tufts, for whom I have this day sent, in...
1052Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Two vessels are notified, one for England, the other for Hamburgh. I will write by both, but the pleasure and freedom of communication, is much damp’d by the restraints of Station, and the apprehension of Capture. It is now several Months since I took my pen to address you. I believe my last date was in December. I have since written largly to Thomas, but fear my Letter is still waiting a...
1053John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have passed the Law allowing 14,000 d to purchase furniture. The State Legislature have done nothing about their new House: so that I shall take the House the President is in, at a 1000 £ or 2700 dollars rent, nothing better can be done. M r Jefferson arrived Yesterday and came to visit me in the Evening. Tomorrow will be a worse day than the 8th. of Feb. was. We are to take the...
1054To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 30 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
We had the pleasure of waiting on you in may & in Oct r. A o . D o: in forming you by the latter of your good luck of your number 995. of the Obligat s. of 4 per C t. wh ch. had a price drawn of f 1000:— one thousand Guild s. among those drawn Last Year conform the agreem t. wh
1055From John Adams to Pierpont Edwards, 2 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honour to write me, on the twenty Seventh of last month, inclosing the Freedom of the City of New Haven, elegantly engrossed on Parchment, and authenticated under the Signature of the Mayor, City Clerk and Seal of the City May I request of you, Sir to present my best respects and most Sincere Thanks to the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Councill and...
1056From John Adams to William Tudor, 3 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your fav r. of 22 Ult. is rec d. — I was well aware that many of my Friends and the Well Wishers to good Gov t , would be prevented from making their Compliments to me, on my Departure, by their alienation from the House from which I Set off: but perhaps their delicacy, upon that occasion, was too great. The Duty of 6 Cents on Mollasses, appears to me to be generally reprobated at present as...
1057From John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 3 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Every Thing has happened, as I could wish Since I left you, excepting the delay of making Provision for my Subsistance; and this has proceeded from an Uncertainty what they ought to do. I am very easy on that Point, as I am determined to live in Proportion to my allowance. I beg leave to mention one Thing, which may be of Some consequence, both to the Public and to me.— If Thomas would...
1058To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 7 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Presuming on the Confidential & unremiting Friendship that has long subsisted between us; Grounded on the close connextion commenced with mr Warren in the early part of your life; I again address you without waiting an answer to my last, which according to your usual politeness & punctuallity I doubt not will be noticed as soon as the particular engagments that have lately occupied your...
1059From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 8 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind favour of April 22 d and Shall not be easy till it is answered, though it is not easy to find the time, amidst the Confusion of innumerable Visits, formal Ceremonials, Balls, Commencements, Levees, &c a &c a , blended with the constant more serious Duties of my Situtation.— I agree with you entirely, that among the first dangers to be apprehended is a contest between...
1060From John Adams to William Tudor, 9 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Thank you for your favour of 28. Ult.— There is an entire harmony, between the two Persons you Speak of, and there is no probability of its interruption. The first is modest and the Second at least Shall be unassuming. The Constitution has furnished him with a justification of a cautious conduct, and imposed it on him as a duty. Cæsar would never have been displeased, at a Compliment on his...
1061To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Since mine of Jan. 14. yours of Jan. 2. & Mar. 1. have been handed to me; the former by mr̃ Jones, whom I am glad to know on your recommendation and to make him the channel of evidencing to you how much I esteem whatever comes from you. the internal agitations of this country & the inactivity to which England is reduced by the State of imbecillity in which the madness of the king has...
1062To John Adams from Samuel Allyne Otis, 11 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
You will pardon me a few observations upon some apprehended arrangements, by a Committee of conference now in being— When M r Thomson was my competitor, it was a doctrine, that the Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary of State were inseparably blended by the Constitution, and to elect other than M r Thomson Secretary of the Senate, would be an exclusion of him— The doctrine was admitted,...
1063To John Adams from James Searle, 11 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I persuade myself that even surrounded as you are with the Plaudits of a gratefull & Sensible Country, you will not be displeased to receive the heartfelt expressions of respect and esteem of an old friend, of one who has never ceased to love and admire you from the time he first saw you in Europe in the Service of his Country. I am my dear Sir now happily settled in business in this City in...
1064To John Adams from Joseph Willard, 13 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have just received a letter from D r Price, enclosing one to your Excellency, which he desires me to convey to you, and I now transmit it. Your Excellency may remember the application to you, respecting D r Minto.— So many and weighty are the national affairs, in which you are engaged, that the Corporation can hardly expect that you should have opportunity to attend to the matter yourself;...
1065From John Adams to Roger Sherman, 14 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter of Thanks to our fellow Citizens of New Haven and to M r Edwards, for the most endearing Compliment I ever received. I suppose myself chiefly indebted to your Friendship for the favourable Representation of my Character among your Neighbours which has produced this obliging Result. I hope it will not be long before We shall have an opportunity to renew our former...
1066From John Adams to James Searle, 15 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I received your friendly Letter last Evening, and thank you for your kind Remembrance, of your Old Friend. To hear of your Success and Prosperity in Business; the Independence of your Circumstances, and the Contentment of your heart, gives me a Pleasure, the more exquisite, as it is so rare.— It is almost the Single Instance, that I have received Since my Return to America. My Correspondence...
1067To John Adams from John Bondfield, 15 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Permit me join in the United Voice of America. Accept my sincere Congratulation on the Nomination to the High Office Confer’d on you by the Choice of a free People An Honor superior to any in the Gift of Europe I hope in a few days to receive the Journals of the Opening and proceedings of Congress much more interesting than the Mock scheens of present Assembled States General of many of the...
1068Address from the Senate to George Washington, 16 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
We the Senate of the United States, return you our sincere thanks for your excellent speech delivered to both Houses of Congress; congratulate you on the compleat organization of the federal Government, and felicitate ourselves and our fellow-citizens on your elevation to the Office of President: an Office highly important by the Powers constitutionally annexed to it and extremely honorable...
The President of the United States wishes to avail himself of your sentiments on the following points— 1 st Whether a line of Conduct, equally distant from an association with all kinds of Company on the one hand, and from a total seclusion from Society on the other ought to be adopted by him?— and in that case how it is to be done? 2 d: What will be the least exceptionable Method of bringing...
1070John Adams’ Reply to George Washington’s Queries Regarding Presidential Conduct, [17 May 1789] (Adams Papers)
The Vice President of the United States has the honour to present his humble Opinion, on the Points proposed, for his consideration. 1. That an Association with all kinds of company, and a total Seclusion from Society, are extreams, which, in the actual Circumstances of this Country, and under our form of Government, may be properly avoided. 2. The System of the President, will gradually...
1071From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 17 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 19 of March deserves a particular consideration and answer, which I have not, till now, been able, from a multitude of avocations some frivolous yet indispensable, others of more consequence, to give it. The Influence which you Suppose I may have as President of the Senate, will be found to be very little, if any at all. you Say the Eastern States must not be Suspected: but...
1072From John Adams to Jabez Bowen, 18 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two letters of April 21 and 28 th and am obliged to you for introducing your Brother Oliver Bowen Esq r , to whom I wish success in his pursuits— But the Senators & Representatives from Georgia and other States in its neighbourhood will be most naturally consulted upon his application your Observations upon the high duty upon Molasses, are all very just and have been...
1073To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have just been honoured by the receipt of your favor of the 8 th. instant— I have not time, as I must soon leave town, to observe now on that part of it which is in answer to a sentiment of mine on which we seem to differ— There is no proposition, to which I can more fully accede than to the one which affirms how important it is to People that the President, the vice President, the Senate...
1074To John Adams from William Tudor, 18 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your very obliging & confidential Letters of the 3 d. and 9 th. of May I received on the 15. I mention their coming to my Hands together only to mark the Difference between the Dispatch of the Post & the Punctuality of Individuals. I am rejoiced to find You, Sir, pronouncing the upper House of Congress a wise, mild and noble Body of Men. From such a Body we must find dignified, firm & national...
1075To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 19 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
On the 6 th. of this Month was held our General Election for Officers for the Ensuing Year; they are nearly the same as the last, saving a few more Federal Charecters in the Lower-house. Their was Instructions from the Towns of Newport & Providence to their Deputies to use their Influence for a State Convention the Business was taken up, but we soon found Their was no probability of succeding,...
1076To John Adams from William Smith, 19 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
As the Revenue Act has past the House & it is probable may now be before the Senate, I will take the freedom to hint to you the uneasiness that prevails here respecting the duty of 5 Cents fixed on Molasses, without permitting a drawback on the Rum exported to foreign Markets. 6 to 7000 Hh ds of Rum are exported from this State annually to foreign ports, & the quantity is encreasing, as New...
1077From John Adams to Richard Price, 20 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I last night received your friendly letter of March the fifth: and am happy to find that I have a place in your remembrance. There are few portions of my life that I recollect with more entire satisfaction than the hours I spent at Hackney, under your Ministry, and in private society, and conversation with you at other places— The approbation you are pleased to express of my Speculations on...
1078From John Adams to Arnold Welles, 21 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honour to write me, on the fifth of this month and thank you for your obliging congratulation on the event of the votes of the Electors. as far as I am personally concerned in this Event it was not a subject of much congratulation: it was rather a mortification to me to see that in our first great Election, so great a portion of our Fellow Citizens had...
1079From John Adams to William Hindman, 22 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of April 24 th —recommending Gustavus Scott Esq r for employment in the Law Department— The President is you know in the first Instance the sole Judge of the Persons proper to be nominated to officer When the Nomination is made the Senate have a Negative but the Vice President has no Voice excepting in the case of an equal division of the Senators— There are...
1080From John Adams to Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant, 22 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I received with pleasure your friendly letter of the 25 th of April—your recommendation of M r William Pickman has great weight with me. but you must give me leave to enquire whether he has made application to the President: if he has not he should be advised to do it, immediately. There you know the Constitution has wisely placed the Authority of judging in the first instance of the Merits...
1081From John Adams to Hendrik Fagel, 26 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
M r Van berckel informs me that you were desirous of seeing the second and third Volumes of the Defence & c When I gave orders for the first to be sent you I expected that the other two would have been sent. I am very glad nevertheless Sir of renewing to you the assurances of my sincre esteem attachment and respect. My regards at the same time if you please to my Friend D r Marclane— My Fellow...
1082From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 26 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am, this Evening favoured with yours of the 18. In Answer to your Question, I ask another.— Where is the Sovereignty of the Nation lodged? Is it in the national Government, or in the State Governmen[ts?] Are there more Sovereignties than one? if there is more than one there are Eleven. if there are Eleven there is no general Government—for there cannot be eleven Sovereignties against one.—...
1083From John Adams to William Smith, 27 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging Letter of the 19 th . a drawback on Rum exported is admitted by the House, and I believe will not be taken off by the Senate. The duty on Molasses will be reduced to 4 Cents and I hope to three. Your Reasoning appears to be very just and I think will prevail. The jealousies Distilleries and Breweries are natural and cannot be wholly prevented: but I hope they will...
1084From John Adams to William Tudor, 27 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 18 th. but cannot agree with you that “a considerable Period must elapse before the United States can arise to Greatness.”— They are already arrived at Greatness, and their greatest Misfortune is that they know it not.— The Politicians, if such there are, who think it best We never should be great are already disappointed. They may possibly contribute to keep...
1085To John Adams from Paul R. Randall, 27 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of laying before you a memorial epistle, I have presented to the President stating my right to presume upon the publick attention— As I have availed myself of an opportunity of mentioning your name, I think it my duty in apprising you of it, to solicit your patronage in support of those pretensions which you sir in a great measure have put it in my power to claim. My long...
1086From John Adams to William Tudor, 28 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
What is there which the new Government possesses, on which to found its Authority.? Has it Honours? has it pleasures? has it profits to bestow, which may Attract the Attention, excite the Love, or alarm the Fear, of Such a Majority in every State as will compell the Minority to Obedience? Has the national Government at this moment, Attractions enough to make a Seat in it, an Object of Desire,...
1087To John Adams from Richard Peters, 28 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Until I met with your Letter to Day I could not conceive I had been so remiss as not before this Time to have acknowledged the Favour of it. It lay in Town for some Days & I was mortified at not receiving it soon enough to pay the wished for Attention to M r Beal who left the Letter at a Friend’s House in the City & tho’ I made every Enquiry after that Gentleman I had not the Pleasure of...
1088From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 29 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
A little before my departure from Braintree I received your favour inclosing a letter from M rs Walker. last night I received that of the 7 th May There was no necessity of any apology for writing to me after so long a correspondence there has never been on my part any failure of friendship to M r Warren or yourself— you are very much mistaken in your opinion of my situation. I have neither...
1089To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 30 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I should not have thought of troubling you with the inclosed sermon, if it had not been suggested to me by a friend who heard it that it seemed to be formed on the principles which were advanced in your defence of the American Constitutions & to recommend such Checks and Balances in Ecclesiastical as you had thought necessary in civil Government. If in this view of it, or any other it may be...
1090To John Adams from James Bowdoin, 30 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
The attachment of M r. Boid to the American Cause has, as you are Sensible, occasioned the forfeiture to the British Government of all his Lands upon the Schoodac: to which river they have extended their Province of New Brunswick.— The Papers that relate to his Case, as well as to that encroachment, were by order of Congress, as I have understood, transmitted to you, during your residence in...
1091To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am fully in sentiment with you respecting the danger of an established aristocracy and had I fully explained my self when I mentioned the subject in my letter of the 22 Ult o. there would not I suppose have been even a “seeming” difference in opinion thereon. The words slavery and aristocracy have been used here for political purposes as synonymous— They have been equally terrifying to Many...
1092To John Adams from Samuel Barrett, 1 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
On Advice of my very excellent Friend the hon be Mr Bowdoin I inclose you Copies of my Letter to Major General Knox & his Answer, with a rough Draught of a Letter to his Excellency the President of the United States; requesting you to peruse them & to give me your opinion as to the best Mode of Conducting my intended Application, & if you approve of this mode & see any Prospect of Success to...
1093From John Adams to James Lovell, 4 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
By the last post I was favoured with yours of the twenty first of May: M r Duncan I presume has not come on—neither by his letter or your own am I made acquainted with his Views or the Object of his Wishes— I can only say to him as to all others, that his application must be made to the President and it ought to in writing Your testimony in his fav r will have weight— I thank you Sir for your...
1094To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 4 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I find you, & I must agree , NOT to disagree , or we must cease to discuss political questions. I could as soon believe that the British parliament, never had once a right to tax America, as believe that a fourth major part of the citizens of New york were federal , or that many of the federal minority were so, from proper motives.— I know from good authority that some of the leading...
1095From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 5 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have this Evening received, your favour of May 30 th. inclosed with a Sermon at the Installation of M r Morse. This elegant Discourse, I have read with the more pleasure, because that, besides the good Sense, the moral Sentiments and christian Benevolence which it breaths, I had the last Week an Opportunity of commencing an Acquaintance with M r Morse himself, who appears to be an...
1096From John Adams to Richard Peters, 5 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 28 th. of May. M r Beals Intention was not to Stay in Philadelphia more than two or three days, and his absence from this Place was accordingly very short. I thank you, for your obliging Enquiries after him, and for your kind offers of Civility to others of my Friends. I hope e’re long to be in a Condition to receive any Friend of...
1097To John Adams from Thomas Brand Hollis, 6 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
your long silence gave me much uneasiness but I endeavour’d, to assign a thousand reasons which must have prevented you & some of them most natural at last however your favor restored my calm. I should have been surprised indeed, had Cato’s house stood uninjured in the general conflict for Existence life & liberty. remember the glorious contest the Anxious fears the painful doubts the dreadful...
1098To John Adams from William Tudor, 6 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
That I was right in my Position “that a considerable Time must elapse before the united States can arise to Greatness” I find confirmed by your last Letter. That our Situation, Resources and Population may & ought to rank Us high on the Scale of Nations is indisputably true. But the heterogeneous Materials which compose our extensive federal Republic; the Jealousies, the Ignorances, & the...
1099From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 9 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
No! You and I will not cease to discuss political questions: but We will agree to disagree , whenever We please, or rather whenever either of Us thinks he has reason for it.— I really know not what you mean by apeing the Corruptions of the British Court. I wish Congress had been called to meet at Philadelphia: but as it is now here, I can conceive of no way to get it transported thither,...
1100To John Adams from James Searle, 10 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I was duely favoured with your obliging letter of the 15 th. of last Month and feel myself not a little gratified with the renewal of a correspondence with M r. Adams, a friend for whom I feel a most exalted respect and affection.— When I took the liberty to write to you last I mentioned my happy situation in business, and my independent feelings, but I hope I have not been misunderstood by M...