21To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 1765 (Adams Papers)
My known fondness for Agriculture and Manufactures, has given many Opportunitys, which I have often embraced, for recommending the forming Societies for their improvement; but as nothing of that kind has yet taken place among us, that I know of; I wou’d now take the liberty of proposing a Society in this Town, for improvements in Agriculture, Commerce, Arts , and Manufactures : Agriculture is...
22To John Adams from Jonathan Sewall, 5 October 1765 (Adams Papers)
The Bearers John Oliver and Michael Nagail are indicted of the ignominious narrow-Soul’d Crime of Sheep-stealing (at Taunton Superior Court). They depended on my going down to defend them but my Business at Boston Court prevents me. I have therefore advised them to you; they intend also to engage Colo: White with you. Their Defence principally rests on these two points which they expect to...
23To John Adams from William Cooper, 18 December 1765 (Adams Papers)
Boston, 18 December 1765. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 1:265–266 . See Notes on the Opening of the Courts 19 Dec. 1765 , and Argument before Gov. Bernard 20 Dec. 1765 , below. Printed : ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and...
24To John Adams from the Sons of Liberty, 5 February 1766 (Adams Papers)
You doubtless and every American must be Sensible, that where there is a Union happily established we Should Endeavour to Support it by all possible Means Especially when the grand Object in View is the Preservation of our Invaluable Rights and Priveledges . The Colonies (we Mean) New York and Connecticut have entered into Certain Reciprocal and Mutual Agreements Concessions and Associations,...
25To John Adams from Thomas Crafts Jr., 15 February 1766 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I wrote you a few Lines by Docr. Tuffts informing you the Sons of Liberty Desired your Company at Boston Next Wensday and Mentioned for What Occation. I would now Desire it as a favour if you Can spare the time to Come on Monday Next Because they want you to Write those Incriptions that I mentiond to you when Last at Boston, one in favour of Liberty Not forgiting the Tru Born Sons...
26To John Adams from Jonathan Sewall, 11 March 1767 (Adams Papers)
11 March 1767. Enclosed in a letter from JA to Hezekiah Niles (5 Feb. 1819, LbC , Adams Papers ). Sewall’s letter was “in answer to a letter I had written to him in which I JA had enclosed a copy of the notes I had taken of Mr. Otis’s argument against writs of assistants.” MS not found. Niles neither printed nor returned the original letter of Sewall which JA sent to him. See L. H....
27Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 September 1767 (Adams Papers)
The Doctor talks of Setting out tomorrow for New Braintree. I did not know but that he might chance to see you, in his way there. I know from the tender affection you bear me, and our little one’s that you will rejoice to hear that we are well, our Son is much better than when you left home, and our Daughter rock’s him to Sleep, with the Song of “Come pappa come home to Brother Johnny.” Sunday...
28Isaac Smith Jr. to John Adams, 21 February 1771 (Adams Papers)
I have very little of a political, or of any other kind of entertainment to give you. Yet I cannot omit a few lines, however small an expression they may be, sir, of my esteem and regard for you. The apprehensions of a war, the delay of Commerce, the distress of individuals, and the liberal expences of public treasure have at length ended in this—after a negociation of four months—that the...
29To John Adams from Catharine Macaulay, 19 July 1771 (Adams Papers)
A very laborious attention to the finishing the fifth vol of my history of England with a severe fever of five months duration the consequence of that attention has hitherto deprived me of the opportunity of answering your very polite letter of August 9. 1770. Your observations of the history of England are highly favorable and flattering to the Author but you must give me leave to say that on...
30Isaac Smith Jr. to John Adams, 3 September 1771 (Adams Papers)
I have just returned from an agreable excursion, in the course of which I had the pleasure of receiving your favour of April last, with that of Mrs. Adams, for each of which I beg leave to return my thanks. I am sorry to find that you have deserted Boston. You plead as an excuse, sir, “the load of public and private care, which oppress’d you.” But you would have pleased me better, if instead...