31To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 3 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago, I received at once your Letters of Novr: 11. from Quincy and of Decr: 5. from Philadelphia. In the course of three or four days indeed, I had a flood of American Letters pouring upon me, and can no longer complain of that inattention and neglect which an interval of three or four months had occasioned me to mention in my last Letter. Very soon after you wrote, the Elections of...
32To John Adams from Anna [de] Neufville, 3 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hope Sir you will excuse the intrusion from an unhappy widow, whose distress Situation has obliged her to fly for succour for her and her child an infant daughter, to that goverment thrue which Cause my husband has been Ruined; as you was Sir in Europe at the time of my husbands excertions, you Remains as it were the only Personell witness of the Truth of his Zeal and friendship, should...
33To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 3 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The newspaper, which you did me the honor to inclose, containing Mr Pickering’s letter to Mr Pinkney on the subject of Mr Adets letter to the former, I have carefully perused; but, a further examination of it, with the documents & Mr Adet’s letter, is necessary to obtain a clear idea of the subject. That part of it which discusses the claim of gratitude made by France, I consider in a certain...
34To John Adams from Henry James Pye, 3 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Encouraged by the honor you have done me by quoting a poem of mine in your valuable work I have taken the liberty to send you by my cousin Mr Rich two of my publications. I am now employed on a poetical work on the progress of navigation of which I send you six lines from that part which relates to the discovery of America & its consequences. —proud Ambition with exalting voice Avows one Chief...
35To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 2 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hasten to acknowledge my sense of your politeness in transmitting the very valuable official paper contained in your letter, and of your condescension, in intimating, that any information within my capacity to collect could be of any worth to you. If this attention, as unexpected as it was unmerited, should fail of drawing from me any valuable fact, I hope, Sir, you will not regret your...
36Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter for our Daughter which you will be so good as to cover and address. it is in reply to two which I have received from her pressing Me to come on & be with her untill March I have replied to her, as to you that if it was necessary I would come, but that I had rather not untill I knew what was necessary & saw the means for executing, having no inclination to proceed in the...
37To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 30 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Nothing could give me greater pleasure than the opportunity I had of annexing my signature to the number of those which have destined you to the “forlorn hope” of the presidential chair, a post the most honorable in the gift of your country, & rendered particularly so at this time by the difficulties attending it. if my conduct in this instance has been erroneous, you must impute it to the...
38To John Adams from John Lathrop, 30 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yours by the post, accompanying Dr. Bancroft’s learned work on permanent colors has been duely recieved. Agreeably to your request, at the meeting on the last Wednesday, the Volume was presented to the Academy, and is considered a valuable addition to the Library.— On your recommendation I nominated Dr Bancroft for a member, and he was unanimously approved by the Council: at the next meeting,...
39To John Adams from Thomas Welsh, 30 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Reciprocating the Wishes expressed in your’s of the 19th Instant permit me to add mine that not only your private Concerns may be prosperous, but that your public Administration about to be commenced may be glorious to yourself and produce encreasing prosperity to your Country. Last Saturday I saw a Letter in the Post Office in the Hand writing of Thomas which I desired Mr Beals to take to his...
40Abigail Adams to John Adams, 29 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yes My Dear Friend I had seen and read the Tenth Muse, and I think she abuses our poor old Govenour who tho quite in his Dotage, is not the Man there represented I do not think him a Hypocrit, but a real Lover and Friend of Religion from pure Principles. He has served his Country many Years with honour and with fidelity. I respect his Virtues, tho I pitty his weakness. it is said that he means...
41Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received by the post on thursday the whole Mail containing your Letters of the 5 th 9 th 11 th 14 & 16 th I began to be very impatient at rude Boreas for laying an Embargo upon that intercourse which alone mitigated the pain and anxiety of Seperation. Gen ll Lincoln had call’d upon me the beginning of the week and informd me that you was well. the steady cold weather has been more favourable...
42To John Adams from James McHenry, 27 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to submit to the Senate reports on the petitions of Mary Hibborn and Michael Van Hleeck. With the greatest Respect I have the honor to be / Sir / Your most obedt servant DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
43Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 23 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Our Newspapers have announced to us the Choice of a President of the United States and that it has devolved on You. I congratulate You on this Occasion. as an American I feel highly gratified—as a Friend I confess that I feel some Deduction from my pleasing Sensations, when I contemplate the Fatigue Anxiety & Vexation to which you must be expos’d; this is indeed a Misfortune annexed to every...
44To John Adams from Joseph Wales, 23 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Whilst engaged in more Important concerns,—and contemplating the additional burthen that will soon be on your mind;—I presume your goodness , will readily excuse my soliciting the relaxation of a few moments.— By a line just received from my worthy friend Mr. Cranch, I am informed of your kindness in so far attending to my situation, as that you have taken with you, a letter I wrote him on the...
45Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have not received a Line from You of a later date than the 3 d Instant the last week is the only one which has past since you left me, without Letters I hope it is not oweing to any other cause than the difficulty of passing the North River. we have had this Day Something very like a snow storm. it has Bankd some tho not very deep. it is two Months tomorrow since you went away, and we have...
46Abigail Adams Smith to John Adams, 20 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure a few days since to receive your favour of the 11th inst. and was happy to hear of your health: the season has with us, been extremely severe, and my faculties have been, I believe, congealed by the cold. I have scarcely had any intercourse with any of my friends; and this must be my apology, for having omitted to offer you my congratulations upon your election to the...
47To John Adams from Joseph Habersham, 19 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Post Master General presents his respectful compliments to the Vice President, and sends him a Map of the United States exhibiting the Post Offices and Roads, with a correct Table of all the Offices now established, and the distance of each Office from the present Seat of Government. MHi : Adams Papers.
48To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit you herewith, a list of Invalid Pension-Applicants, who have been re-examined by Physicians, agreably to a Resolve of Congress of the 18th day of April 1796. I am with great respect / Sir / your obedient servant DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
49From Thomas Wright Bacot to John Adams, 16 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
That your Petitioner was appointed Post Master in this City in January 1792, and trusts that he has performed the duties required of him, as such, with fidelity. That from the small profits of the Office, particularly for the first three years, your Petitioner has several times determined to resign his appointment, but was induced to continue the same, partly from an expectation that the...
50To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 16 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Among the many Congratulations that will be presented to You, on your being elected to the high & important Office of President of the United States, permit me to present mine—I pray You not to accept them as offered to the Shrine of Power only, but as proceeding from the Heart of Friendship& the Soul of unfeigned regards— While our Country shall thus express their Gratitude to, and Confidence...
51To John Adams from Cyrus Griffin, 16 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
A late Mail having brought Intelligence that you are certainly elected the future President of the United States permit me to congratulate you and my Country upon the happy Event; I do it with Sincerity and heartfelt pleasure; and tho’ Virginia has contributed but little to the joyful Occasion in the vote of her Electors, still I can pronounce with confidence that a great and respectable part...
52Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Cold has been more severe than I can ever before recollect. it has frozen the ink in My pen, and chilld the Blood in my veins, but not the Warmth of My affection for Him for whom my Heart Beats with unabated ardor through all the Changes and visisitudes of Life, in the still Calm of Peace Feild, and the Turbelent Scenes in which he is about to engage, the prospect of which excite, neither...
53To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 14 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of October 23 and it is by several weeks the latest Letter that I have from America.—It tells me that the Elections were going on with as little bitterness as could be expected, and this in the present circumstances is grateful intelligence. But all my American correspondents public and private as they appear to care nothing about the affairs of Europe, seem...
54To John Adams from Samuel Griffin, 12 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Permit me much respected Sir, to congratulate Your Excellency, as well as the good Citizens of America, on Your late election to the Presidency of the United States, and to assure You Sir, that from every information that can be collected, it was the general wish of most of the good people of Virginia, who are attached to order & good Government, that this happy & fortunate event should take...
55To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 8 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to advise you of my arrival to this City on thursday last; the important news from Europe, furnished us on that day, by an Arrival from France, you have e’re this received The inclosed containing the Speech of Governor Jay to our Legislature I have taken the Liberty to transmit for your perusal; from the choice of the Council of appointment, We are made happy in the overthrow,...
56Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
The new year opens upon us with new Scenes of Life before us. what are to be the trials the troubles and vexations of it, are wisely with held from our view. To him who sits Supreem let us commit the hour the Day the Year, and fearless view the whole. there needs but thinking right, and meaning well, and may this ensure to you, the Souls calm sun shine, and the Heart felt Joy. I seldom think...
57Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I received by the last post, Your Letters of the 14 th. 16 th 18 th & 19 th . The frequent and repeated fires in the various capitals of Savanna Baltimore and N york are really shocking, but renderd vastly more allarming from the opinion that they are the effect of design, and not accident. I fear America will be the harbour and assilum of the Dissolute and abandoned of the Nations of Europe,...
58To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed extract of a Letter from Paris, which has been communicated to me, contains certain paragraphs from the Rédacteur a newspaper used by the French Directory for their official and non-official publications. It explicitly denies as you will observe that the Directory have determined to suspend their intercourse with the Government of the United States. It is among those paragraphs...
59Charles Adams to John Adams, 28 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the last week I have received. Your ideas respecting a young man’s having a Record of a regular education in the Law I think are perfectly right with regard to my Young friend Malcom his age will not permit his taking an examination until near fifteen months after he leaves my office which will be in June next His uncle M r Joshua Sands is his guardian and has since my...
60To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately, in placing us in point of opposition to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves personally. In the retired canton where I am, I learn little of what is passing: pamphlets I see never: papers but a few; and the fewer the happier. Our latest intelligence from Philadelphia at present is of the...
61I. To John Adams, 28 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately in placing us in a point of opposition to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves personally. In the retired canton where I am, I learn little of what is passing: pamphlets I see never; papers but a few; and the fewer the happier. Our latest intelligence from Philadelphia at present is of the...
62Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Was it ever colder in this Country. the glasses have fallen much below 0, tho a bright sunshine on fryday and saturday. many people froze their feet hands and Ears. I really compasionate you that you must Sleep alone. not one Day here since the 23 of Nov br in which it has thaw’d so as to Drop from the houses. the snow is very level and near a foot deep. our people are getting wood home....
63To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The french Directory have refused to receive Mr: Pinckney as Minister from the United States, and have taken a resolution, that all communication between them and the American Government shall be suspended untill the wrongs of which the French Republic has a right to complain, shall be repaired. The motives alledged for this proceeding are said to be that the Treaty between the United States...
64Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I received by the last post Your favours dated 7 h 8 th & 12 of the present Month together with Pains Letter & the counter part Jasper I tremble when I look forward to the scene opening before Me. My own reflections and Meditations are similar to yours, except that I do contemplate a return to the Bar. Retirement at Peace Feild I think would be a much more Eligible situation than to be fastned...
65To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
By the direction of the President of the United States, I have the honor to inclose a report of the Director of the Mint, suggesting the expediency of some alterations in its establishment, to render it less expensive to the public, and more accommodating to depositors. The report is accompanied with statements of the gold, silver, and copper coins issued from the mint from its commencement to...
66To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 17 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
In my last Letter I purposed giving you an account of the measures which have been taken upon the Constitution produced after seven months labour by the Committee appointed to draw it up. But after mentioning the frowns which had been cast upon it while yet in embryo, by the citizen Noël, it would be perhaps superfluous now to relate how soon after its birth it has been overlaid.—The principal...
67To John Adams from Charles Willson Peale, 13 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The American Philosophical Society, desirous of expressing due Regard for Preeminence in Science and Virtue, have directed an Eulogium to be prepared to the Memory of their late President Dr. David Rittenhouse ; which is to be pronounced before the Society on Saturday next, the 17th instant, in the Presbyterian Church, in Market Street, at 12 o’clock. With the highest Deference, it is...
68Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Captain Beal who is always attentive to the post office for me in your absence, brought Me on the Evening of the Seventh your Letter written at Stratford Nov br 27 th , which is the only line which has yet reachd me; I fear you sufferd from the cold on the journey, for it has been unusually so, for the Season. the continuence of it, has frozen the Ground very deep. I fear we shall not be able...
69Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
on the desicions of this Day, hangs perhaps the Destiny of America, and May those into whose hands the Sacred Deposit is committed be guided and directed by that Wisdom which is from above, and the result prove the prosperity Peace and happiness of our Country. this is My most fervent Wish & petition to Heaven, totally divested of every personal feeling and sentiment. I have twice written to...
70Abigail Adams to John Adams, 4 [December] 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Weather has been & held so uncommonly cold ever since you left Me, that I had no expectation of getting a line from you untill you reachd N york, but that line I have not yet received, and by this Time I presume you have reachd the city of Sedition, the Hot bed of France; I wrote you this Day week, and inclosed to you our Sons Letters. Gen ll Lincoln & mrs Lincoln Dined with Me yesterday...
71To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 1 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I beg your acceptance of one of these volumes & that you would give the other to the President with the most respectful Compliments of the author Yr most obedt Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
72Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
Winter has caught you on the Road I presume, for a colder Day than this we seldom have in Jan’ ry You will want to hear how the Farming goes on. the Letters inclosed which I received last evening have put it all out of my Head, and almost put out My Eyes to read. no other than the printed Duplicate has come to Hand. I send you both yours and mine, both of which are important at this time when...
73Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 26 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
Two days since I had the pleasure to receive your kind favors of the 9 th: June and 8 th: of August, which came by the way of England with one of the 16 th: August from my mother. I find by these, that my letter’s to you and my mother of the last of June, had not then been received, but they must have come to hand soon after, as I have an answer to a letter, which I wrote my brother at...
74To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 25 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of August 7. The first time I have had the pleasure of a letter from you since the same date. I have also to acknowledge an unusual interval since my last to you was written. I shall not plead in excuse that a very considerable American correspondence, which I find myself obliged to furnish altogether on my part, with few returns of any kind, and those few...
75To John Adams from Samuel Allyne Otis, 16 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
After our agreeable journey we arrived here in the midst of Election, and by lies, abuse & bribery the disorganizers will carry their tickets thro the State. This I supposed with the efforts of Massachusetts Jacobins would have given Jefferson the vote—But old Samuels defeat which I think but a prelude to his overthrow, has revived my hopes. The No of Votes 138, 70 makes a Majority— I count on...
76To John Adams from Mr. Sydney, 16 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have ventured to put into the Hands of a Gentleman on his Departure for America a Letter of Introduction to you. I am sensible however, that the warm interest, which I take in the Welfare of Mr Wollaston, has drawn me in some degree to transgress the bounds of discretion. He is the son of a most respectable Clergyman in my Neighbourhood, with whom I have lived in intimacy and friendship the...
77To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I hasten to send your Excellencÿ another letter from mÿ solitarÿ mansion. before the united American Electors have called you to occupy the chair of their President. It would have been a pleasant satisfaction if I could have contributed to it my part. it seems this must not so be, but you know my heart. Once—in my life—I begged of a man in place the favor, to be classed among the electors that...
78To John Adams from Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, 1 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
Stimulated by the same ambitious views which first impelled me to become a Scribbler, I am solicitous to attain the highest emenance of that summit, which, with many an anxious effort, my unwearied footsteps have long sought to ascend—Hence proceeds my application to that Luminary whose refulgent beams hath brightened with transcindent lustre; this younger world, and whose unborrowed rays can...
79To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 1 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
The last time I had the honor of being at your house your lady intimated to me, it would be agreeable to you, to peruse the enclosed paper for a few subsequent weeks. I then promised her I would transmit mine, as it was of no use to me. But it escaped my memory until this moment. I now take the liberty to comply with her request. When you find me a subscriber to this paper, I hope you will not...
80To John Adams from John Browne Cutting, 18 October 1796 (Adams Papers)
I regret that urgent business hinders me from making yourself and Mrs Adams a visit at Braintree prior to my return to Philadelphia. It was a pleasure I had reckond upon and the rather as my friend H.G. Otis had promised to accompany me in his carriage. As it is very possible I may be absent during the next Session of Congress in Philadelphia—and considering you Sir, in the double capacity of...