851To John Adams from David Ramsay, 7 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
By this time I suppose that the fame or rather the infamy of our new instalment law has reached you. I wish that it may not embarrass your hands in negotiating with the British ministry. I can only say that it was forced on the legislature by polical necessity. Our necessities were great at the close of the war. Our negroes were carried away & our plantations laid waste. 700,000 sterling of...
852Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 18 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter which I received Yesterday under Cover from M r. Dumas, I suppose the old Gentleman sent it to Me, as you are wholly Unknown in and about Paris— I hope the security of the Conveyance will make You amends for the Delay— I have purchased for M rs. Adams some Hyson, and other Teas, which will be left at Pichinies at Passy Near the Barrier au Conferance, who keeps a Pension,...
853To John Adams from Ezra Stiles, 28 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
Last Sum̃er I wrote you acknowleding the Receipt of the Abbe Mably’s Pamphlet, and your Letter accompanying it. On the 19 th. Ins t. I received the two Volumes of your Letters in a most neat & elegant Edition, thro’ the Hands of M r Andrew Craige of New York. I am greatly honored by these repeated Testimonials of your Excellencys Friendship. These last Volumes shew a more thorough...
854Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 13 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
The ship Dutche’s of Kingston in which M r Dana came in is now bound to Lisbon, from whence this will be forwarded, as probably itt may reach you allmost as soon as any Other way— M rs. Adams was with us lately who with the family are well Col o. Quincy departed this life last week— Our G. C. are seting & have been for sometime past— a few days since came on the salaries for the Officers of...
855C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 26 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Depuis quelque temps, & plus les apparences de guerre se fortifient, plus je me trouve obséde, tant par des Americains que par des Hollandois, pour leur procurer des Lettres de mer Américaines. Il m’est aisé de me défaire de ces derniers, quoiqu’ils reviennent toujours à la charge, en leur disant que cela n’est pas en mon pouvoir, & en leur promettant d’en écrire à V. E. Mais il n’en est pas...
856From John Jay to John Adams, 25 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
It gives me pain to have occasion so often to repeat that the irregular attendance of of the members of Congress has for a long Time past prevented their paying a seasonable attention to their foreign affairs, for there have been very few, and those very short Intervals in which nine States were represented in Congress this Year— Hence, and from some other affairs deemed more pressing, it has...
857To John Adams from William Wenman Seward, 1 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Having perused the ordinance of the United states dated 20 th. May last, concerning the disposal of lands in the Western Territory; and finding that the money arising from the sale thereof is to be applied to the discharge of the Debt incurr’d by that Country during the late War: I feel the strongest desire of contributing my mite, toward the benefit of a People, who deserve so much from every...
858Arthur Lee to John Adams, 12 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th of April found me here two days ago, waiting for the necessary preparatives to a definitive treaty of peace & boundary, which in conjunction with some other gentlemen I have undertaken to negociate with the indian nations. To œconomize, by saving the expence of a monthly bounty to which the troops of Massachusetts & N. Hampshire, were entitled, A Majority of Congress...
859Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 13 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am favor’d, with your letter of the 4 th. and thank you for the Trouble you took with the letters for Amsterdam— I am about half Converted to your opinion on the subject of the Vouchers, and will try to get them by other means than your Interposition— I have made a Memorandum of the Repairs which will be Necessary at Auteuil, and will finish the affair Tomorrow. I left it unclosed untill I...
860From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 16 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 12th instant, that is to say, by the last post. But as that channel of conveiance is sometimes unfaithful I now inclose you a copy of my letter of that date, and of the one of Fiseaux & co. inclosed in that. I have since received my letters by the packet, but, among them, nothing from the Board of Treasury. Still their orders may be among the dispatches with which Paul Jones...
861To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was dated 4 th: Ult: since which I have been honored with yours of the 15 th. July last, which was immediately communicated to Congress.— My Report on the Answer of the british Minister to your Memorial respecting our frontier Posts is under the Consideration of Congress. Your Ideas and mine on those Subjects very nearly correspond, and I sincerely wish that you may be enabled...
862Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 2 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
Last week we have received your much esteem’d Favour of 10 January, and observed with much pleasure your Satisfaction on the flourishing State of the Treasury of the United States into our Hands. Your Excellency desires our Opinion, whether the Prospect of making new Loans for the Congress would be favorable. In answer to this we heartily Wish that we may not very Soon be charged to try it,...
863To John Adams from Timothy Dwight, [ca. 8-12 December 1785] (Adams Papers)
This letter accompanies to you the Conquest of Canaan. It is the wish of the writer, that this poem may be published in England. For the accomplishment of this design, he becomes a suitor to your Excellency, for such assistance as may be necessary. As an apology for this application, he could allege, that it was recommended to him by Col Wadsworth, who indeed offered him a letter of...
864To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
On the arrival of mr̃ Boylston I carried him to the Marquis de la Fayette, and received from him communications of his object. this was to get a remission of the duties on his cargo of oil, & he was willing to propose a future contract. I proposed however to the Marquis, when we were alone, that instead of wasting our efforts on individual applications, we had better take it up on general...
865To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 27 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
I was honored with your two esteem’d Favors of the 18 t. & 21 st. Ult o. — I should have been a better Correspondent to you since your departure had I not been & still continue to be, under the greatest distress of a kind for M rs Ridley’s health. I fear she will not recover. I am happy to hear that you have profited so well by your Journey— May you continue to reap every advantage from it,...
866To John Adams from Pelatiah Webster, 7 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r. John Churchman of This City Thinks he has Discover’d a Method by Which the Longitude at Sea or Land may be Ascertain d. by one Simple Observation in Any part of The World, & Which is certainly Very Easy if the Great fact on which the whole depends can be well Ascertain’d, & Which I think not Improbable, ’tis this, Viz that the Magnectic needle has two poles one north 13.°56′ from the N....
867Francis Dana to John Adams, 12 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
This day twelve months I arrived at Boston from Europe, and when I consider that I have never written to you since, I am almost ashamed to do it now; indeed I shou’d be quite so, if I did not recollect that you yourself have been guilty of the like omission towards me. Being persuaded that neither of us have waited for the ceremony of a first address from the other, before we renewed our...
868To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Among the instructions given to the Ministers of the United states for treating with foreign powers, was one of the 11 th. of May 1784. relative to an individual of the name of John Baptist Pecquet. it contains an acknowlegement on the part of Congress of his merits and sufferings by friendly services rendered to great numbers of American seamen carried prisoners into Lisbon, and refers to us...
869Richard Cranch to John Adams, 20 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your esteemed Favour of the 10th. of Sepr. 1783, and am sorry to find that the Happiness we flatter’d our selves with soon enjoying on your Return, is postponed to a more distant Period. But the Consideration of the very important Services for your Country that you are still engaged in, makes it our Duty to sacrifice our private Enjoyments to the greater Good of the Public. The...
870To John Adams from James Warren, 15 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Since my last which went in a French Brig t: by way of Nantes, Copy of which you have above, Nothing Material has taken place, except a Resolution of Congress to erect Buildings & to reside alternately on the Delaware & Potowmack, & in the mean Time they have adjourn’d to Annapolis on the 12 th Instant,— this is consider’d by the Patriots as a Triumph. Our Friend Gerry thinks the Measure will...
871To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 24 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 18 th. inclosing your compliments on your presentation. the sentiments you therein expressed were such as were entertained in America till the Commercial proclamation, & such as would again return were a rational conduct to be adopted by Gr. Britain. I think therefore you by no means compromitted yourself or our country, nor expressed more than it would be our...
872V. From the Baron von Thulemeier, 24 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
Vous recevrés, Monsieur, par un Courier Hollandois adressé a Messieurs de Berckenrode, et Brantzen un paquet sous Votre enveloppe et celle de Messieurs Francklin et Jefferson. Il renferme les observations du Roi sur le Contre-Projet du Traité de Commerce, qui m’a été remis de Vôtre part, au mois de Novembre de l’année dernière. Agréez qu’en qualité de Vôtre ancien Collègue, toujours...
873To John Adams from Hendrik Fagel, 18 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
J’ai eû l’honneur de bien recevoir Votre Lettre du 1. du courant, par laquelle Vous m’avez envoyé un Memoire pour Leurs Hautes Puissances, au sujet des circonstances dans lesquelles Monsieur Du Mas se trouve. Ce Memoire n’etant pas écrit en François, comme il est de coutume, mais en Anglois, n’a pû étre mis en delibération formelle; mais comme il a cependant été porté par moi à la connoissance...
874To John Adams from James Bowdoin, 12 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am honored by your Excellency’s Letter of the 2 d. of Sept. by M r. Storer. The navigation Act of Massachusetts having been found to militate with the french treaty of commerce, & to exclude our fish from the Levant by excluding the subjects of the italian & other states coming with their Vessels for it, when our own in attempting to carry it to them would be intercepted by the Algerines, it...
875To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed came to hand this morning. mr̃ Carmichael you observe, and mr̃ Barclay suppose something may yet be done at Algiers. it remains for us to consider whether the conduct of the Dey of that country leaves any room to hope that any negotiator can succeed without a great addition to the price to which we are confined? and should we think in the negative, yet whether the expences of mr̃...
876To John Adams from Nathaniel Barrett, November 1785 (Adams Papers)
The generous Exertions of the Marquis de la fayette, having obtained prosals for introducing a Quantity of Oil into the Kingdom of France, free from Duty, have been undoubtedly comunicated to your Excellency.— The Terms on which the Offers have been made, have not been aceeded to, for reasons given by the Merchants in Boston, thro’ the Medium of M r Breck The present unsettled state of our...
877To John Adams from the Baron von Thulemeier, 19 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Les Ordres du Roi m’ont autorisé a mettre la derniére Main au Traité de Commerce et d’amitié entre S. M. et les Etats Unis de l’amérique, Traité que j’ai eû l’avantage de negocier dans Ses principes avec Vous, et ensuite avec Messieurs Vos Collegues. Je profite du paquet des Etats Generaux pour adresser a Monsieur Jefferson la Copie du Traité calquée absolument sur l’original Anglois, et pour...
878Address from Rhode Island Federalists, 2 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
The Federalists of this State though denied the Priviledge of giving you their Suffrages, are peculiarly happy, to find your Excellency by so decided a Majority, One of the Gentlemen placed at the Head of that August Body, to which, with Anxious expectation, this Country now looks up to rescue it from that Anarchy & Prostration which have So long degraded the American Character, and rendered...
879To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 30 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners for American Claims having notified to me, that, by Virtue of the Power given to them by the Act of Parliament now in force, they have appointed John Anstey of Lincoln’s Inn, Barrister at Law, to repair to the United States of America, to enquire into such Facts and Circumstances as may be material for the better ascertaining the several Claims which have been or shall be...
880Contract for the Second Dutch Loan, 9 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
On the ninth day of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and eighty four, appeared before me Lambert Sythoff Notary Public, duly admitted and sworn by the Honourable Court of Holland, dwelling att the Hague, and in the presence of the underwritten Witnesses.— The Honourable John Adams Esq r: Minister Plenipotentiary on the part of the United States of America by their High...
881C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 21 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mardi 19 au soir Leurs H. P. dépecherent un Exprès à Paris, avec l’acceptation unanime de la part des 7 provinces des points réservés en blanc dans le Traité défensif adopté de part & d’autre; & pouvoir à leurs plénipo: de signer ce Traité &c. J’attends l’adresse demandée à Londres, non seulement pour les Lettres que je pourrai écrire à V. E. par cette route, com̃e la plus sure dorénavant pour...
882Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have lately received a Letter from the Secretary of Congress, of which I enclose a Copy, accounting for the Delay of the Ratification; & we have sent a Copy of it to M r. Laurens, who being on the Spot can easily negociate an Agreement to extend the Term if necessary; but I imagine it can hardly occasion any Difficulty, since the Ratification will certainly be made, seven States being...
883To John Adams from Charles Storer, 13 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
By M r: Thaxter I ought in duty to have written you, and, not having done it, I fear you may be inclined to lay some neglect to my Charge. I have only to say in apology that our time, from our arrival to M r: Thaxter’s departure, was constantly employed—and I hope to his satisfaction, as that was our object here.— My motive in writing to you is particular. I have acknowledgements to make for...
884Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
Not a word have I heard of, or from you Since you left me this day week. I am anxious to know how you got over & how you do. I am so unfortunate as to be confined for several days past with an inflamation in my Throat attended with canker, & some fever. it is rather abated to day, and I hope is going of. we go on packing, but it is a much more labourious peice of buisness than I imagind and...
885Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 17 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mr̃ Jefferson’s compliments to M r. Adams & D r. Franklin, and incloses to them the letter to the D. of Dorset on the separate articles. he also sends one on the general subject & in the general form as had been agreed when they parted last: but thinking that it might be better, by reciting what had been done with mr̃ Hartley to keep the ground we have gained, and not to admit that we...
886Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Résumé, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society ⟨March 1, 1785: Mr. Jefferson sends Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin his notes on the treaty with Prussia. When Mr. Adams has perused them, he should send them to Dr. Franklin. Mr. Jefferson proposes a meeting at Passy on Thursday [ March 3 ] at 12 o’clock. He sends “the Prussian propositions, mr. Adams’s & Dr. Franklin’s notes, & the former project & observations...
887To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je vous remercie de m’avoir mis à même de pouvoir répondre aux questions qu’on me fait sur votre retour ici; & je vous félicite de la nouvelle besogne dont vous êtes chargé. Quoiqu’elle doive être un peu longue, elle ne peut que vous être agréable par son importance, en occupant tout à la fois votre activité, votre intelligence & votre fermeté. Dans l’incertitude où vous êtes, Monsieur, si...
888From John Jay to John Adams, 6 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was of the 26 Ult. in which I mentioned the Dates of the Letters with which you had honored me, and the Rec t of which then remained as unacknowledged. ^ none from You have since arrived. ^ I have now the Honor of transmitting to You herewith inclosed a copy of an act of congress of the 18 th . Ultimo—it contains a correspondence between the Gov r of Massachusetts and cap t ....
889Thomas Mifflin to Franklin and John Adams, 20 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I have the Honor to transmit to you the following Acts of Congress relating to the formation of commercial Treaties &c Viz— N 1. Letter to the Ministers plenipotentiary at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid dated 17th. of October 1780— N 2. Instructions to the Ministers of the United States for making Peace with Great Britain dated May 30th. 1783 N 3. Instructions to...
890Thomas Mifflin to Franklin and John Adams, 20 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives I have the Honor to transmit to you an Act of Congress of the 16th. Inst: together with Copies of the several Papers to which that Act refers. I am with the Greatest Respect, Gentlemen, Your obedient & humble Servant In L’Air de Lamotte’s hand. The enclosed resolutions of March 16 (Hist. Soc. of Pa.; see JCC, XXVI ,...
891To John Adams from John Jay, 7 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I lately sent you five or six copies of the last Edition of my Pamphlet. I then supposed it to be correct, but have since discovered in it the Errors mentioned in the inclosed note— be pleased to correct it accordingly. we are well tho not officially informed that all the States have granted the Impost to Congress, except new York, in whose Legislature there is a strong Party against it. You...
892Thomas Cushing to John Adams, 16 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Favor of the 7 th of May last; am oblidged to you for the Intelligence it contained— I Perceive you are somewhat uneasy about the Line between Massachusetts and Nova Scotia, The Provisional Articles make the River S t Croix the Boundary, There are three Rivers of the same name that Empty themselves into the Bay of Passamaquaddy & although they are not very far distant...
893Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Résumé, 17 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society ⟨Cul-de-sac Tetebout, October 17, 1784: Mr. Jefferson sends to Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin drafts of the two letters to be sent to the Duke of Dorset. One is on the separate articles. The other is on the general subject, and written in the form that they had agreed upon during their last meeting. Having reconsidered the latter, he sends a second version...
894From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 17 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin, and incloses to them the letter to the D. of Dorset on the separate articles. He also sends one on the general subject and in the general form as had been agreed when they parted last: but thinking that it might be better, by reciting what had been done with Mr. Hartley to keep the ground we have gained, and not to admit that we...
895David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and press copy of copy: National Archives; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office It is with the sincerest Pleasure that I congratulate you on the happy Event which took Place Yesterday, viz., the Signature of the Definitive Treaty between our two Countries. I consider it as the auspicious Presage of returning...
896To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 27 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I thank you sir for your favour of the 13 th Decmber. I take up my pen to acknowledge it, & to Congratulate you on your Domestic Felicity in the Last Eight months. but shall not direct to you at the pleasant Villa of Auteuil: but to the Court of London, as it is probable before this you & your Family have left the Residence of the distinguished literati of France; perhaps for the Grotto of...
897From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 1 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams and Doctr. Franklin and sends them his notes on the treaty with Prussia. He prays Mr. Adams, when he shall have perused them to send them to Dr. Franklin and proposes to meet them on the subject at Passy on Thursday at 12. o’clock. He sends the Prussian propositions, Mr. Adams’s and Dr. Franklin’s notes, and the former project and observations which...
898Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Two Memoranda, [before 10 November 1784] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AD and AD (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) AD and AD (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society When Congress instructed the commissioners to negotiate twenty treaties in two years, it did not send a draft treaty; it specified nine “points [to] be carefully stipulated” in the accords. Faced with so daunting an assignment...