951To John Adams from Thomas Brand Hollis, 28 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
Having an opportunity of writing by M r Rutledge I embrace it with great pleasure to convey to you a few lines & some tracts & to convince you that you are often in my memory & could I find conveyances easy you would hear often from me being interested in the progress that Novi homines new men make in virtue & knowledge. The state of the publick in general is astonishingly changed since we...
952To John Adams from William Vernon, 5 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
I was honoured with your most obliging favours of the 6th. Decr. & 29th. Janry. on the subject of obtaining permission from the Ministers of Spain, for the Ship Ascention, S. Chase Master, to Enter the Port of Havanna.—The week past we had, by a special messenger, that we had sent on to Philadelphia, with the required, authenticated certificates, the honour of receiving, from His Excellency...
953Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
a Memorable Day in the Annals of France; God forgive them, I would say. yet upon recuring to My Heart, I had a Doubt whether the petition was sincere the Scripture tells us that we must pray for our Enemies, but it does not say that we must pray, that they may not be punished according to their Deserts. The post of this Day brought Me the Letters of two posts viz Yours of Jan’ ry 2 d 5 th 7 th...
954To John Adams from Eliphalet Fitch, 11 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favor of the 18th. Febry and the valuable Present of Books you were so obliging as to send me.—I have recieved much Pleasure and Instruction from your Defence of the American Constitutions; and I am fully of opinion that the great Offices of Government should afford the most ample Compensation; and thereby invite the Services of the first Characters in the Nation. How far it...
955To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 16 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith, persuant to the order of the Senate, of yesterday, the following documents—viz Books, No 1 and 2 , containing the current Cash Account between the United States and the Bank of the United States from the commencement of the operations of that Institution until this day. Files A, B, C, D A containing a series of accounts beginning the 16th of June 1792 and...
956Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I hope you are agreably lodgd and that your Company will be to your mind. I rejoice in the ReElection of mr Ames, and mr Smith of Carolina. tis Said mr Freeman is chosen for Barnstable a clasmate of our Son JQA, a Lawyer, a worthy Sensible Man as I have heard. for this district mr Reed I hear is chosen. I do not however approve of Clergymen becomeing politicians. you may mak a Chaplin of him....
957To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 17 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
After your Excellency’s advice, for which I am much obliged, I wrote, by this Sloop to his Excellencÿ the President, State the affair, and requested his interference, so far, as He maÿ think proper, and I flatter mÿself, that it wil be promoted bÿ you in the Same manner. But this occasion Sir! is to favourable, not to make use of it in enlarging—for a moment upon a particular article of your...
958Enclosure: To John Adams, 27 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Secret United States [New York] August 27th 1790 Provided the dispute between Great Britain and Spain should come to the decision of Arms, from a variety of circumstances (individually unimportant and inconclusive, but very much the reverse when compared and combined) there is no doubt in my mind, that New Orleans and the Spanish Posts above it on the Mississippi will be among the first...
959I. Charles Adams to John Adams, 6 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your excellent letters have been duly received. I have been much instructed by them. The necessity of turning our attention to the two great questions which now agitate the world, must be sufficiently apparent to every thinking mind I esteem myself peculiarly happy in having a father to aid my pursuits and assist me in my researches. The mind of man however it may sometimes wander in the...
960Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
your last date, as yet received, was the 14 of Jan’ ry , I may have Letters in Town; but as the week has been stormy I have not got them: I wrote you last from Boston the day before the Civic Feast, as it was Stiled. the day past in much better order than was apprehended; for to men of reflection the Cry of Equality was not so pleasing, and to men of Property very alarming it was agreed...
961To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
After the renewed marks of distinction, which your Excellency’s favour bestowed on me, I maÿ be so bold, without fear of incurring any blame, to appeal to you under this familiar epitheton—there you, calling yourself my real friend, contributes so much to that serenety of mind and comfort, which I enjoy in my retirement, notwithstanding so many toils and disappointments which would have...
962To John Adams from William Goforth, 11 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
I would beg your attention for a few minutes while I lay before you the greivances of a number of remote, industrious; but unfortunate Citizens, who have formd a settlement near the confluence of the Little Miami & the Ohio Rivers, which I shall attempt by an induction of a number of particulars. The Honourable John Cleves Symmes in a pamphlet Signd of Trenton the 26th day of November 1787....
963Thomas 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...
964To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I hope not, that I shall be importune in writing again; it is my anxious concern for America’s prosperity which prompts me to it—though I flatter myself, that the wisdom and Integritÿ of the majority of Both houses maÿ preserve us be the blessings of Peace, however I cannot set aside a Suspicion, that too manÿ are entangled bÿ the intrigues of European Emissaries, whose boasted love for the...
965To John Adams from Henry Marchant, 10 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
Upon the close of your last Session and your return to Massts. it became not so convenient to return you my Thanks for your last friendly Communication of the 14th. of Jany. 1793. which I now do; hoping my delay will work no forfeiture of your future favours. The unexampled ingratitude and scandal, which about the Date of your last, seemed to have spent all their venom and malitious Spite...
966To John Adams from William Smith, 21 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
I take the freedom to introduce to your notice Major Kent. a Grandson of the late Cap Kent of Charlestown. he goes to Philadelphia, to procure from Congress the same compensation for his services as the other Officers of the late Army receiv’d.— He enter’d the Army as a private in Col. Henry Jackson’s Reg t. by his good conduct was soon promoted as an Officer and continued in the service ’till...
967To John Adams from Henry Marchant, 29 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
’tis done,—’tis done— The Constitution this Day was adopted by Our State Convention, by a Majority of two— Never were Days of more anxiety, Labor and Assiduity, Hope and Fear, than the last six— It is a happy Circumstance that the Convention was adjourned to this Town, where we had the largest fœderal Interest, and little Influence of the Country Anties— The late Act passed by the Senate of...
968To 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...
969Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 13 May 1792 (Adams Papers)
Those Letters which I was directed to Copy and deliver to M r. Cary for insertion in his “Museum”, were prepared in season for last month; when I took them to Cary, he wished me to explain the occasion upon which they were written. I told him that the Gentleman to whom one of the letters is addressed, (M r. M. Weems), had applied in England for Orders, as an Episcopalian Bishop, but that the...
970To John Adams from Jabez Bingham, 6 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
have you heard any thing from your Son John—and shall I be the barrer of Agreeable, or disagreeable News—if I tell you he is alive, and in good Helth, (my Story must be my Appollogy for writing this letter), some time in April 1793, I was at the Natchees, on the Missicippia—and one Afternoon, while I lay in the Harber, your Son came on board, and soon let me know he was from New England, and...
971Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
And why should I feel so anxious, so heavy at My Heart, and So depressed in My spirits? I cannot help it, aya, theres the Rub. if I could help the matter, seeing the subject in the light in which I view it, I would instantly comply, and vote the necessary measures for preserving the Plighted Faith, the honour reputation and the Peace of My Country. these were my Sleepless reflections, as I lay...
972Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind favour of the 24 th of Jan’ ry together with the News papers. the writings of the American Mirabeau, if he is an American & those under the Signature of Cincinnatus are insolent indeed, and are in unison with a Number of papers Published in the Boston Chronical calld the crisis, Supposed to be written in Philadelphia and sent here for publication as I was told in Boston...
973Abigail Adams to John Adams, 16–18 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind Letters of Jan ry 28 & 30 th I well recollect receiving a Letter from mr Gerry soon after you went first to France informing me of your being Elected a member of the Phylisophic society in Philadelphia and when you received the vol m in England of their transactions, I never could account for not finding your Name with the Members. the loss of the Records at that time...
974Abigail Adams to John Adams, post 28 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your Several Letters inclosing those from Thomas—I do most sincerely rejoice in the safety and welfare, of our sons I hope I am not unmindfull of the repeated favours of Providence towards my Family, in Protecting and preserving them both by Sea & Land May the same gracious Providence continue to Gaurd them, and to make them usefull in the various Stations in which they...
975To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, 18 September 1790 (Adams Papers)
Accounts have been exhibited to me by several Dep y. Sheriffs for Service of Writs committed to them by You while in the Practice of Law. I have found myself embarrassed with Respect to the Payment of them not being fully acquainted with your Mode of transacting Business with them. I have found it necessary to examine Your Writ Execution & Account Books; in some Cases where the Minutes in them...
976To John Adams from James Lovell, 26 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had often considered your Situation, before the Receipt of your Letter of the 16 th , and I had hoped you would “Possess yourself in Patience. ” If you already draw a Picture Teste di legno and talk of sharpening an Ax for Decapitation, what am I to look for in the Run of a Twelvemonth? I do not like your diminutive italien Idea. You who are said to be more than half british ought to have...
977Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 14 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
I owe you a volume, & the certainty that I have not time to compile it at present is more terrifying to me than the weight of the debt. Your two kind letters of June 29 & August 25. though some time since received have never before been acknowledged; but my gratitude for these precious testimonials of Parental affection has not I trust diminished in force by having remained thus long in...
978William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 5 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
I should have long before this answered your affectionate Letter of Congratulation on my return to my family and friends but since my arrival, I have really been so perfectly and fully engaged, that I could scarcly call an hour my own— I had hurried myself for this week past in expectation of attending M rs: Smith to Braintree, but the situation of my public and private business tho’ agreable...
979To John Adams from William Cranch, 24 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you some time ago, & desired Mr Lovell, who told me he should see Mr Ames before he left Dedham, to forward it by him. Your Son Tom writes me that you have not recieved it. I shall enquire of Lovell what he did with it. It contained several letters, one to Mrs Smith, one for Louisa, one or more for my Aunt, one for Tom & one for Charles. Our Legislature is now sitting. A question has...
980Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 6 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
We begin to feel the good Effects of our national Government— By the Presidents Speech at the opening of the present Session of Congress, our public Affairs wear a promising Appearance. His Speech gave a new Spring to public Credit; in the Course of Three or Four Days after it reachd us public Securities rose 10 or 15 P r C t — The several Departments of Government being well filld, from the...
981Abigail Adams to John Adams, 18 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
I received two day ago yours of Jan’ ry 6 th with the Pamphlet, and last Evening our Son brought me yours of the 9th. When he comes, his first request is, to read all the Letters which I have received since his last visit. I usually grant him this indulgence. the compliment of “Learning force of Reasoning Style” &c barely compensated for the censure which follow’d. he felt it a little hard to...
982To John Adams from Francis Dana, 27 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have the satisfaction to inform you that I have at last receiv’d from the Secretary of the Treasury the money which Congress granted me for my expences for a private Secretary while at the Court of St: Petersbourg: and can now refund you the whole expence you have been put to on John’s account while with me there, as well as upon his return to Holland—In pursuance of your letter of the 4th....
983Abigail Adams to John Adams, 19 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I received by Saturdays post Yours of Nov br 8 th , and was happy to find that you had got well to Philadelphia, and that there was a fair prospect of Peace on all sides. I was fearfull that they would make a senate before you reachd Philadelphia. Butlers conduct is much like the Man, unsteady and wavering. the Democrats have found a spirit in the Body of the people too enlightned, & too...
984V. Charles Adams to John Adams, 17 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received your letters up to the first of this month and am grateful for your kindness towards me your extracts from Heineccius and your remarks About three years ago I read this author. I cannot find him in this City our public library is very badly selected in my opinion although it has the effect of all public libraries that is to make individuals careless of collecting books....
985To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 28 October 1792 (Adams Papers)
As I learn from your son, who was good enough to call on me on Friday Evening, that you do not expect to leave Massachusetts, ‘till the middle of November I do myself the Honor of writing to you on present appearances here. The exertions of the enemies of the government in Pennsa. and the weight of a public character & his friends which, in my opinion, has been industriously thrown into that...
986Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
What ever the Majority of the House of Representitives may think of their conduct, and motives, the people, the Sovereign people will Support their constitution, and no stab has ever been more fatal to the Enemies of our Government than what they will now receive from the voice which cries from all New England. our Faith Shall be preserved, we will fullfill our engagements, we will not submit...
987Abigail Adams to John Adams, 14 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will not bear you so melancholy tidings, as from the close of my last, I apprehended. our Parent still lives; the ulcer which in my last, I informd you had broken upon her Lungs, and brought on the Symptoms of a speedy dissolution; she had Strength sufficient to Grapple with; all day on Sunday, we expected every moment would be her last, but she fell in to a quieter Sleep; and was...
988Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is now the Middle of Feb’ ry it will be the 20 by the Time this reaches you. the whole Months has been a Thaw So that to present appearences we shall have an early Spring. Billings has been Several Day at work upon the Wall. he tells me he shall want help to cart & Digg. Veseys time is just expiring, and as he is a bird of passage, he does not incline to tarry longer, So that I have to Seek...
989To 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...
990To John Adams from Richard Price, 1 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
This comes to you with a Discourse which has been much talked of here; and which, I hope, you will accept as a Small testimony of my gratitude and respect. It is an effusion of zeal in the cause of human liberty and virtue; and, ’tho a Subject of censure with many in this country, I can be confident that you will approve the Spirit of it, and the general Sentiments it contains. I thought...
991To John Adams from Nathaniel Hazard, 16 April 1792 (Adams Papers)
I was duly honored with your Favor of 10th. March, & delayed acknowledging its Receit, fearing, I might be considered, as too prompt, & intrusive for a recent Introduction & Acquaintance. Early in this last Summer, I was assured; that the Author of “the Defence of the american Constitutions” would be closely attacked in the Fall. My Informant, was an intimate Friend of the Printer’s, whose...
992From Sc., Merchants of Charleston to John Adams, April 1792 to May 1792 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial and Petition of Sundry Merchants engaged in Commerce previous to the late Revolution Humbly Sheweth. That your Memorialists chearfully concurred with their Fellow–citizens from the year 1774 in such measures as were deemed necessary to oppose the Claim of Great Britain over America, to Secure its Independence and to Establish the blessings of Liberty and the happiness now enjoyed...
993Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
The weather from an unhealthy warmth has changed to an insufferable cold. I had little expectation of getting my Letters to night, but a market Man whom I requested to call upon our son, was faithfull to his promise, and brought me yours of the 12 and 14 th. I also received a letter from an other hand so late as the 17th but not a Word of the important foreign intelligence, which so greatly...
994To 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...
995To John Adams from André Jean La Rocque, 18 November 1793 (Adams Papers)
je suis arrivé à new-york, le 4 de ce mois. je viens d’y Rencontrer M Bansel; et j’ai appris, de lui même, que la lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous ecrire et les Brochures qui lui etoient jointes, vous sont parvenues. Les dificultés, que la République francoise met à la sortie des Personnes qui sont sur son territoire, me faisoient douter que le porteur voulut courir le Risque de passer...
996To John Adams from Theophilus Parsons, 8 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
Conscious of the persecutions you would meet with, by applications for your influence in the appointment to offices, I had determined not to increase the number of them; but being just informed, that the President proposes to nominate as officers, for the collection of the national revenue, those persons who hold the like offices in the collection of the state revenues, unless complaint was...
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...