551Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 16 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received with pleasure your Excelly’s favour this morning and hope you are satisfyed with our endeavours to safe the honour of Congress drafts, the more as on the Reduced sheme is agreed for the million, so the inclosed explication will manifest to your Excellency, that in the final redeeming it is more profitable ƒ 1.89.946:17— than negotiated at 6 per C: a principal House the Broker,...
552From John Adams to John Jay, 28 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
An Agent from South America, was not long Since arrested, at Rouen in France, and has not Since been heard of.— another Agent, who was his Associate, as I have been told is here, and has applied to Government, for Aid. Government, not in a condition to go to War with Spain declines having any Thing to do with the Business. but if Application Should be made to rich Individuals, and profitable...
553To John Adams from Rufus King, 10 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Letters are this moment receivid from Gen l. Lincoln giving the pleasing intillegence that he dispersed the Party under Shays on the morning of the 5 th. instant— the Insurgents had marched on the 4 th. from Pelham to Pitersham distant 30 miles, with about 1500 Men— Gen l. Lincoln moved after them at Eight OClock on the same Evening and came on them by Surprize at 9. OClock the next Morning,...
554John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 8 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your friendly Letter of the 19. June, by my dear M rs Adams, with great Pleasure and Shall ever be obliged to you for a Line when you have Leisure.— I am very glad our University has so able a Professor of Physick, and I doubt not you will soon Silence all Opposition. I should be obliged to you for your two orations. All Paris, and indeed all Europe, is at present amused with a Kind...
555John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 18 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have only time to write a few lines for the present as the Post is about to depart. On Saturday the 15th. instant I sailed in the Packet Boat from Hellevoetsluys, and had another, long tedious voyage, tho’ the weather was so fine as to compensate for it in some measure. I arrived yesterday in the afternoon at Harwich, from which place I came in the Stage Coach here. The Adelphi Hotel, being...
556Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I hope every post to hear from you, but every post has hithertoo dissapointed me. a month is a long time to be absent from Home without learning any thing from you. you have often left me and always was very punctual in writing to me. this is but the second time I have left you, and the first that I have been so long without hearing from you. I have written three times before, but have very...
55731. (Adams Papers)
Eve with Foster at Mr. Jackson’s, He was out.
558From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 4 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your favour of the 28 th Nov r: and hope in future to hear often from you, although I dont expect to be informed of the Politicks of the Country, so particularly as heretofore, yet you may write freely under the Same Cover. I should be glad, however to know, truly what has happened upon the Frontiers; I hope the Comte de Linden will be appointed notwithstanding the...
559Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams, 21 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
J’espere que dans peu vous aurez la satisfaction de voir paraître l’ouvrage de Mr de Mably, ouvrage qui honore également l’Ecrivain & le héros. Un Régent de cette République a bien voulu se charger de le traduire; il est déjà connu par une traduction de l’Esprit des loix très estimée. Cette production est trop intéressante pour tarder à fixer l’attention des Anglais & des Allemands. J’aurais...
560From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
D r Gordon who is arrived with your Favour of the 13 of April, will probably be disappointed in his Wishes that mutual affection may be restored; as much as he is mistaken in his opinion; that this is the only means of the Prosperity of both Countries.— America will prosper whether Love or Hatred Subsists. It is indeed improbable that mutual affection will ever be restored, not indeed So much...
561To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favor of Jan. 25. Col o. Franks sailed in the packet of this month from Havre for New York. this arrangement of the packets opens a direct communication between Paris & America, and if we succeed as I expect we shall in getting Honfleur made a freeport, I hope to see that place become the deposit for our Whale oil, rice, tobacco & furs, & that from...
562Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 24 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
The affliction under which you are now labouring has been protracted to a much longer period, than I feard when I first left America. It was then I Buried the Dear and amiable Youth, for whose loss your Maternal Bosom heaves the sad Sigh, and over whose urn, all who knew him must drop a tear of affectionate remembrance. Nor were the admonitions given in vain. The last visit which I made him, I...
56324th. (Adams Papers)
Pickman went to Salem this morning. In the evening, I took a long walk with Thompson, down towards Newbury Bridge, in hopes of meeting Mr. Andrews; we were however unsuccessful. When we returned, I stop’d and past an hour with Putnam. He told me they had received a letter at Mr. Bradbury’s from Andrews informing them, that his health, would necessarily prevent him, from coming to-morrow, but...
564To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of May 23. and the two of May 27. came safely to hand, the first being open. that of the 22 d. from Montreuil sur mer had been received and answered on the 25 th. The day before the receipt of the letters of the 27 th. we had had your cases brought to the barrier of Paris in order to get the proper officer to go that far to plumb them. From there they were put on board the boat...
565From John Adams to the President of Congress, 5 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday the third day of this Month, the American Ministers met the British Minister at his Lodgings at the Hôtel de York, and signed, sealed and delivered the Definitive Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the King of Great Britain. Altho’ it is but a Confirmation or Repetition of the Provisional Articles, I have the honor to congratulate Congress upon it, as it is a...
56627th. (Adams Papers)
Judge Sargeant, went away this forenoon proceeding on his way to Cambridge. Tom went to Lincoln. In the afternoon, I went with Charles and Kirkland to see my uncle Quincy. Mr. Wibird was here in the evening.
56714th. (Adams Papers)
Finished reading in Wood’s Institutes; a book which has been rendered almost useless by the publication of Blackstone’s commentaries. Dined with Mr. Parsons. Took a long walk in the afternoon, and pass’d the evening with Townsend at Mrs. Hooper’s. Pickman went to Salem this morning.
568From John Adams to Stephen Higginson, 4 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your judicious Letter of August the Eighth I have received and read with Pleasure. it was a great sattisfaction to me to find, that the representation I had made from time to time to the British Ministry had been in general consistent with your sentiments, although I confess there are some Points in your Letter, which I have hitherto touched only, with reserve It is no doubt true that there is...
569Abigail Adams 2d to Lucy Cranch, 25 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday my Dear Lucy I received your kind favour of the 9th of April, and it was the only Letter for me, in Pappas packett. However I hope there are others on Board. My Brother I am sure must have written. Indeed my Dear Cousin I feel under great obligations to you for your repeated attentions to me, and only lament that it is not in my Power to make you more frequent returns. I have really...
5704th. (Adams Papers)
We left Cambridge by nine o’clock, and got into Boston in the midst of the bustle. We went immediately to Bracken’s tavern. After dressing, I walk’d out; and met with a number of my very good friends. At about eleven we went to the old South meeting house, and heard Mr. Otis deliver an Oration. The composition and the delivery were much superior even to my expectations, which were somewhat...
571To John Adams from Christian Lotter, 3 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency’s good opinion and Satisfaction of my Conduct, and the gracious favour Your Excellency is pleased to bestow upon me, by Your own recommendation to Your Successor, are favours due of my Sincerest and most-dutiful thanks, with an impression of ever remembering Your goodness; I have done no more on my part, in consideration of trust and faithfulness, but which my duty required to...
572To John Adams from David Hartley, [6 September 1783] (Adams Papers)
I told you last night that I felt myself unwell with the Commencement of a complaint on my breast. I am this morning obliged to be bled. I s hd be very much obliged to you if you w d be so good as to prevail upon your Collegues to favour me with a visit this morning as I really cannot come out myself. The sooner the better, because I hope with bleeding & one day’s nursing that I may get off...
57331st. (Adams Papers)
Saw Charles in Boston, on his way to Cambridge, as the vacation closes this day. At about noon I set out for Cambridge myself. The supreme Court sits there this week. I dined and lodg’d at Judge Dana’s. I attended the Court in the afternoon, but no case came on, of any consequence. Saw Stedman there. He has not yet opened an office, but proposes to do so very soon. The House of Representatives...
574To John Adams from James Warren, 6 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you very lately, & very largely, without any Interested views but what arise from the pleasure of Corresponding with a Man, whose Confidence, & Friendship, I have long Experienced and wish to Continue. The design of this is to Engage your Interest in a matter which I wish Exceedingly to Accomplish. Applications to great Men are Taxes which they must submit to. your rank & Influence,...
575From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 4 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Among all the Pamphlets which have been written Since the Peace—I cannot recollect One, before the Address to the Landed Interest &c—which did not appear to me to be written with an express Intention to deceive the Nation by concealing Some real danger or holding out Some false hope, in order to recommend One Candidate for the Ministry, or Surpress another. You will not be Surprized at the...
5767th. (Adams Papers)
Quite industrious this day in copying forms. Alone in the office a great part of the day. Amory, even when he is in town, is not very attentive at the office. I pass’d the evening with Putnam.
577Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 10 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Storer is arriv’d and I have got my Letter and am very sorry to hear you have been so sick. If I had receiv’d this Letter before those by Callahan I should have been very uneasey till I could have heard again. I Will hope you are by this time perfectly recover’d. You will see by mine of November 29th that our thoughts in September and October were imploy’d about the same melancholy...
57824th. (Adams Papers)
We had last evening a Class meeting; a petition drawn up by Little, as additional to that already presented, was read to the Class, and approved by them: the Committee, were ordered to carry it down to the President. I was employ’d the greatest part of this day in projecting my Eclipse for exhibition. The elements are as follows. for a solar Eclipse. May 15th. 1836. D. H. M. S. 1. True time of...
579John Adams to the president of Congress, 3 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the Signature of the Preliminary Articles of Peace, I requested, of Congress, their Permission to return to America. This Request they did not at that time judge proper to grant, me, but on the contrary resolved that a Commission should be sent to me, M r: Franklin & M r: Jay, to make a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. But as no such Commission has arrived in Europe, the...
580To John Adams from Francis Dana, 10 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
A short time before the receipt of your letter of the 4 th. of Nov r: I had written to you & enclosed an account of the cash I had advanced for your Son; and acquainted you that I shoud not draw upon you without your express direction: being unwilling to put you to the least inconvenience in the payment of it. In the letter abovementioned you have desired me to draw upon you for it, unless I...
581To John Adams from Thomas Brand Hollis, 4 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
Tho revelling in what you justly call luxury, planting and adorning the place round me, yet you have presented me with the highest luxury in producing a people emancipated and enjoying their natural rights under just & equal laws procured by your exertions. Did envy enter into my composition you would have no small share of it. but my walk is humble and limited. I endeavour that the good is...
58224th. (Adams Papers)
Another Snow storm; almost all day. Closed the Acts, in the Testament, and began the Romans. In the last Chapter of Acts, there is a Story, which, shows how far ignorance and prejudice, mislead the judgment of men. A Viper sticks upon St. Paul’s hand, and the People, immediately suppose him to be a murderer, but as soon as they find he receives no hurt from it, they conclude he is a God....
58314th. (Adams Papers)
Spent the day very much like the two former. We have destroy’d almost all the birds within five miles about: I am reduced to neglect the improvement of the mind for the sake of the body. This is as dull and insignificant a manner of doing away a man’s life, as any that could possibly be invented.
58411th. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting, with Townsend, the whole day at Dr. Tucker’s: much pleased with this gentleman as a preacher. Little came home with me: in the evening Williams came in: from Salem yesterday. We went with him to Putnam’s, and finished the evening.
585Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I did not design to write another line till I could get my pen mendid but not a creature can I get to do it, and I am so affraid that Captain Lyde will sail without my Pacquit that I dare not venture to wait till the children come from college tomorrow. I hope to see the dear Boys, and if the ship should not go so soon as I expect I will write again. I shall certainly write by the way of New...
58614th. (Adams Papers)
At 7 in the morning, we mounted our horses, and went about half a mile up the River where a passage for a Boat was cut through, yesterday, as the Ice was so much weaken’d as made it dangerous to cross over it. We went in to Mr. Allen’s, for about half an hour, and then proceeded before dinner as far as Wilmington. We arrived at Cambridge, a little after Sun set, much fatigued as the roads were...
587James Lovell to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I did not omit to write by the Conveyance of one of the most amiable Women I ever knew. I only omitted to send my written Congratulations to you upon that Felicity which her Presence must afford after so long a Seperation. Capital Sacrifice to your Country thus pleasingly in part rewarded! The Consul Gen l. of France, my Neighbour, then informed me that M rs. Adams had sailed while I slept,...
588The American Commissioners to John Jay, 13 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
Our letter to you the 18 th day of March with those preceding that period which had been addressed to the President of Congress have conveyed exact details of our transactions till that time. Since the making out of that dispatch the following proceedings have taken place. The letter N o 1. from M r. Carmichaels to D r Franklin dated Feb y. 27. 1784 (instead of 1785) will apprize you that...
5894th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams at 11 o’clock gave us a philosophical lecture in which he blended two of those he gave last year; upon the centripetal force; and upon the lever. Wrote a great deal this day. Mrs. Cranch, and Miss Lucy, were here this afternoon.
590Saturday December 1st. 1787. (Adams Papers)
I dined at Mr. White’s; after dinner I went to Mr. Shaw’s, stay’d about an hour, and just before Sun-set, departed for Newbury-Port. I got into the town just as the clock struck seven. Pass’d the evening with Putnam; and came home at about 9. I found Dr. Kilham, at home: he return’d from Boston on Thursday; and although his conduct during the late session of the general court, upon the subject...
591From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & J. van Staphorst, 15 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, you did me the honor to write me, on the 9 th. of this month: informing me that His Excellency M r. Jefferson has applied to you to honour his orders monthly for about five thousand Livres, and that he has already drawn B. f. 5492:14, which you have accepted & paid, and desiring my directions for your Justification— As these orders of Mr. Jefferson are for the...
592Abigail Adams Smith to Lucy Cranch, 14 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
most readily my Dear Lucy do I acknowledge the tittle of friend with which you address me—and am very happy to have preserved your esteem thus far in Life— I wish it had been my fate to have enjoyed the Society of my friends more than it has,— three years have now elapsed since I parted with every female friend that I had acquired from my earliest infancy to the age of Nineteen; and I have not...
593Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 6 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Tyler has this moment reciev’d a Letter from Cousin Nabby by Captn. Lyde. I hope there are some in Boston for me. I have not heard one word from you Since you left England. The time has appeard very long. The Scenes you are now ingag’d in are so very different from any of your former ones, that I fear you will not have so much time to devote to your Pen as your Friends could wish. I am all...
5947th. (Adams Papers)
We had a lecture from Mr. Wigglesworth in the afternoon, and in the evening the weather being fair, we look’d through the telescope at the moon. The objects were not so much magnified as I expected, nor so plain, as they are represented in books. We held a court at Beale’s chamber after tea.
595Aug. 4. (Adams Papers)
Sett off, for London, had a tedious Passage from Helvoet, of near two days. Obliged to put in at Leostoff Lowestoft , and ride from thence 24 miles in a Cart. JA ’s sudden decision to go to London himself and take his family directly to Paris without a pause of some weeks at The Hague, was prompted by the news of Jefferson’s arrival in Europe a month or so before JA expected him; see JA to AA...
596The American Commissioners to John Lamb, [ca. 11–19 September 1786] (Adams Papers)
We have received your two Letters, of the 15 & 18. July from Alicant and are sorry to learn that your indisposition discourages you from travelling by Land or sea We still think it most adviseable, both for your own interest & that of the United states, that you should return to Congress, for their further Instructions, as soon as possible, & we again propose to you, to embark from spain, by...
597[July 1784] (Adams Papers)
May not the Ascent of Vapours be explained, or rather accounted for upon the Principle of the Air Balloon? Is not every Bubble of Vapour, that rises, an Air Balloon? Bubbles are formed at the Bottoms of Canals, Rivers, Ponds, rise to the Top, and mount up. These Bubbles are particles, or small quantities of inflammable Air, surrounded with a thin film of Water. Champaign Wine, Bottled Porter...
598Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I give you joy of the day, as I presume it is commencment with you at Cambridge, and as it is about 4 oclock in the afternoon, I imagine you have past through your performance, I hope with approbation of the hearers, and reputation to yourself, pray favour me with a sight of it by the next opportunity and now I Suppose you will be deliberating with yourself what is next to be done? but why...
59914th. (Adams Papers)
We went down to General Palmer’s at German town. Went to catch fish, forenoon and afternoon, but with little success; It was late before we got home, and I was very much fatigued; I have, not walk’d so much in one day these 6 months.
60011th. (Adams Papers)
We had another Lecture at 11 from Mr. Williams, to give us the theory of solar and lunar eclipses. In the evening after tea, we held a court at Foster’s chamber, and tried a number of causes.