1411To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 8 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
Since my last of the 3 d of August I am favoured with yours of the 26 th of June, 6 th of July, 26 th of August & 11 th of September, & am much obliged to You for the papers inclosed in the July Letter, as well as for the useful Information contained in all of them. The Conduct of the Court of London, clearly indicates, & convinces Us on this Side the Atlantic that they have an unfriendly...
1412Abigail 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...
1413To John Adams from James Lovell, 21 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
By a Letter from one of the most lovely of Women in your Quarter of the Continent, I find you are engaged about a governmental Constitution for Massachusetts Bay. And by another Letter from a Friend of a different Sex I find that, after a free and full Discussion of Principles you have determined to constitute a free Republick. From the unanimous Result of your past Deliberations I am led to...
1414To John Adams from John Marshall, 12 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 2d. inst. returning the dispatches from our envoys of the 17th. of May, is just receivd. I now perceive that my having omited to accompany those dispatches with a letter requires an apology. After decyphering it, I had been engagd with the heads of departments until it became necessary to forward the package immediately to you, or to lose a mail which I was not inclind to...
1415To John Adams from J. Morton, 31 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed communication from a Committee of the Corporation of this City— I am Sir / with very great respect / Your Hb. Sert. MHi : Adams Papers.
1416To John Adams from George McClelland, 13 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Prompted by the purest principles of patriotism, and inspired with the warmest zeal for the maintenance of our Liberties and independence, We presume at this momentous Crisis, to offer to the Executive magistrate of one Country our sentiments and determinations. Considering ourselves as individually outraged in every insult offered to our Government, We should do injustice to our own feelings,...
1417To John Adams from Henry Knox, 10 June 1791 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the occasion of enclosing some letters, to thank you and Mrs Adams for the comfortable accommodation of your house at Bush Hill. While the inhabitants of this City are panting for breath, like a hunted hare, we experience a in the Hall at Bush Hill a delightful and animating breeze The paragraphs in the Connecticut and New York papers relative to your journey indicate envy and...
1418To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 14 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Quoique je n’aie encore vu personne, je prends néanmoins la plume, pour avoir l’honneur de vous dire, qu’après y avoir bien murement pensé depuis que nous nous sommes quittés, il me semble que vous ne pourrez vous passer, pour éviter tout blâme et inimitié, lorsque vous viendrez ici pour la démarche en question, de faire votre premiere visite chez M. l’A—— de F—— afin de lui donner...
1419To John Adams from John Marshall, 1801 (Adams Papers)
Inclosd is the answer of the secretary of the Senate to a request that he woud furnish the department of state with the names of the Senators. There being no official certainty of the Senators newly elected to serve after the 3d. of March may produce some doubt respecting the propriety of a summons addressd to them individually. There is not to be found on the files of this department any copy...
1420To John Adams from Stephen D. Kingston, 29 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
The obligation confered by the letter you did me the honor to write in September last will always be highly estimated, and as the subject on which I took the liberty of troubling you appears to involve important considerations particularly as to our treaties. I beg leave to inclose the printed documents laid before the Legislature of this State. I am sorry to add in vain. With great Respect...
1421Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
I believe I must devote this page to the History of Farming. our people have carried up the Hill all the manure which they suppose will be necessary and which can be spaired from the corn ground. they have carried up Burrels quantity which will be necessary for the Land which is to be broke up upon pens Hill, and they are now getting Down the stones for the Wall on Quincys Medow. No crossing...
1422To John Adams from Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant, 23 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
My Brother, Mr. Christopher Sargeant, the bearer has occasion to travel to South Carolina, he is a Stranger in almost all places he has to travel ’thrô. He has, a few months past, finished his Studies under our Brother Lowell. I think I can recommend him as an honest trusty person, and one that is a sincere friend to his country. He probably may stand in need of your favour and Patronage....
1423To John Adams from James Wilson, 2 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Officers of the second Lincoln regiment of Militia in the State of North Carolina, in Court Martial met at Lincolnton on the 2d. of October 1798. Resolve that Colo. James Wilson be requested to prepare and send forward an address to the President of the United States expressive of our approbation of the measures adopted by the Executive respecting our differences with the French Republic....
1424To John Adams from James Lovell : Confidential, 27 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
Not knowing, my dear Sir, how certain Things now in agitation may this day be terminated here, I chuse to state, at this time, some Proceedings two days old, that I may not be thought to give them a Gloss in the Stile of an After-Prophet turned Historian or Painter. For a Ground Work I refer you to the Report of the Committee of 13 with its consequent Yeas and Nays, which is certainly now in...
1425To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Both the Ganges, and the Warren, have been driven from their station at the Havanna, by the Sickness of their Crews. The Ganges arrived at New Castle a few Days ago, and the Warren I expect is by this time at Norfolk. I am taking measures to send the Delaware to the Havanna, without delay, that our Commerce to that place, at this moment unprotected, may not be long exposed to the depredations...
1426To John Adams from William Vernon, 25 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I hope the Length of Time since I had the Honor of paying my Respects to you, will be no Objection to your granting my present Request, that is of great Consequence to me— In the Month of May last I had a Concern in the Ship Ascention, Saml. Chase Master, which enter’d the Harbour of the Havanna with 198 Negroes, where they were sold, principally upon a long Credit, to the Amount of upwards of...
1427To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 8 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
After the late conference yoúr Excellency honourd me with, we should have had the honoúr to answer her most Esteemd favoúr sooner, bútt I am confind to my room, and in want of some information aboút the form of the bonds. As to the terms Yoúr Excellency pleased to fixe on the Loan, relating to oúr Comission, we can have no objection, we wish chearfully to comply there with; as also, to leave...
1428To John Adams from Abraham Holmes, 10 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
You will pardon (I hope) the freedom I take in introducing to your Notice the bearer of this, who has a strong desire (from respectable motives) to have the satisfaction of conversing a few moments with the man who took so large a share in the important and arduous business of our Revolution and to whose exertions (under God) we are in a great measure indebted for the blessings of...
1429To John Adams from Abiel Wood, 15 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the request of the Feild & Commision officers of the first and fourth Rigement of the first Brigade Eighth Division. I enclose you the their address. (those of the Second and Third Rigements with those of the several Companys of Artilery And Cavalry being allready forwarded—) I am Happy to find that every officer with out Exception—in the Brigade I have the honr. to Comand, feel that Just...
1430To John Adams from John Cropper, Jr., 28 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a crisis when the sovereignty of our Country is assalted: when demands are made upon us by a foreign nation altogether incompatible with our honor and independence, & when in case of a refusal to accede to these demands, even our National existence is threatened: when we have reason to believe that an opinion has gone forth, which has contributed to produce this conduct; that we are a...
1431To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 26 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I am honored by your confidential letter of the 30th of Decer, & am sorry that any event should render it uncertain, whether you shall appoint Consuls to France. that Mr Lee, amidst the interfering applications of so many candidates, should be represented to the President as a Jacobin, is not to my mind, in this epoch of intrigue, slander, injustice, unexpected or extraordinary. but I am...
1432To John Adams from Eliphalet Brush, 8 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have Receiv’d your much Esteemed favour of the 26 Ult o: for which I thank you most sincerely. In Consequence of a report of the preliminary Articles of peace being Sign’d, I take the Liberty to ask your Influence, that the duplicates may be sent in the Minerva, which I’ll have ready to send to Phil a: the moment I Receive your Orders for that purpose.— I shall be Infinitely oblig’d to you...
1433To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 18 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I left Saratoga last Tuesday and arrived at this place the same afternoon. I expected to find the Lake open but am disappointed. General Thomas left this yesterday Morning, and intended to break his way. On this Day about 40 Batteaus went off with the same Intention, with about 500 Men. The Residue of the Troops here, about 300, and the Cannon, 4.32. 4.24. 4.18 and some 9 pounders, with 8 Ton...
1434To John Adams from Silas Talbot, 5 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency will find by the date hereof that it Comes from a prisoner, and which is the cause of my present address, therefore on the Confidence of your favour, beg leave to inform you, that in October last being then in, and having the command, of the Arm’d Ship of war Called the Genl. Washington, in which Vessel I had the misfortune to be captur’d by his Brittannick Majesties Ship...
1435To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I receivd your Excellencys Letters of the 29th ultm. and 1st Instant yesterday and (not before) to my great Surprize and Yesterday was out of the Course of the Dutch post which arrivd to day. I was fearful that your Excellency had not quite recovered of your Illness in the Summer, the Nature of which is to Continue some time without great care. That your Excellency has been very busy I can...
1436To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose the Aurora, because it contains an address from Genl. McPherson—& one from a German Clergyman, to the Insurgents. The Accounts from Northampton, are that the People are very much alarmed; & that there is not the least shew of resistance— I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & esteem / sir yr. most obed Serv. MHi : Adams Papers.
1437Charles Adams to John Adams, 4 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 20 th Ult o I received, and most cordially thank you for the parental wishes expressed for me and my amiable companion. In a season of joy your mark of affectionate regard added greatly to my happiness. From a hint which M r Jay dropped to you one day in conversation I supposed it probable that my brother would be sent to England upon important business. I have written...
1438To John Adams from Daniel Hitchcock, 22 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the third instant yesterday came safe to Hand, for which I thank You; am glad to hear that the Burden lying on Colonels of Contracting for Cloathing Arms &c. is removed by the Establishment of a Pay Master, tho I think if he is to purchase Cloathing it ought to be assertained what or whether he is to put on any, Profit on the Cloathing, and that to be under the Inspection of the...
1439To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 13 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
On as mature deliberation as the time would permit I have concluded that it is proper for me to decline the honor intended for me in your nomination of yesterday. At present I am certainly unqualified for the duties of the Office; & such have been my pursuits & such are my habits, that my mind would not be devoted to it, & consequently I never should acquire the ability of conducting the...
1440To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 7 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I should have paid my respects to you before now had I known where to have directed my letters, for at this time I have no other method than to inclose the present to our friend Mr. Lovell at Philadelphia, who I trust will know the best manner of conveying it. The enemy appear to have abated very little of their pride, however much their power may be lessened. It may be expected nevertheless...
1441Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
on twesday Evening I received the Mercury, and read in it, the arrival of Capt Jenkins in the America, on sunday. you may well suppose I felt greatly rejoiced expecting from Thomas’s Letter, that he was undoubtedly a passenger. no mention was however made of him in the paper: I expected for two days to hear of him, then I conjectured that not knowing of my being here, was the reason of my not...
1442To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Alex. Bryant Johnson returned me the ms—Had I more time I Should be tempted to write a geogological history of a part of this western world—Say between the little falls and Lakes—but now I give it up, and, nevertheless, can not cease of collecting materials. I lately finished a treatise—on agriculture—I ought rather to Say—its Skeleton—but it remains yet in the brouillon. And now I am...
1443To John Adams from Jacob Morton, 9 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer is charged with a Communication from Mr. Malcom to the President, the object of which is to ascertain the time of his arrival that we may pay him those respects which we feel are his due—We wish if possible to receive notice the evening previous to his arrival, as it takes some time to communicate the necessary orders to the Troops— Will you be good enough to convey to me by the...
1444To John Adams from Anonymous, August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your communication in the late Chonacle has capt all your other transactions—not content with plunging the Provinces in a wicked and unjust Rebellion against the mother Country—not content with hagging with the vilest Nation on Earth, when Great Britain offerd every thing that we could wish, yet by the War was in —Not content after you was forgiven by the Best of Kings & all the true friends...
1445Enclosure: James Lovell to John Adams, 13 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
I shall not look through my Almanac to see whether I have written to you 22 or 24 Letters, I shall go upon the easier task of acknowledging all I have had from you—Decr. 6 1778 received Feb. 16 1779 answered 17th. and Sepr. 26. 1778 received Mar 4 1779 answered Apr. 28th. 3 months ago Mr. Gerard communicated to us in a private audience that Spain was mediating and that we ought to take speedy...
1446To John Adams from D. Lynch, Jr., 14 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
“The American Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Manufactures”, instituted in this city, sensible of the zeal you have uniformly displayed in the promotion of every object; connected with the Welfare and Independence of our Country, had the honor, to elect you a member, at their last meeting, convened on the 13th: Inst. for the purpose of initiating into the Society James Monroe,...
1447To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 2 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Vous voudrez bien avoir la bonté de joindre le Postcrit ci joint à ma derniere Lettre pour le Congrès. Deux personnages, sur lesquels je puis me fier, m’ont promis de s’informer touchant le sort de votre Meme. à L. H. P. Mr. Visser croit qu’il a été remis par le Président au Committé secret de L. H. P., qui est toujours compose des premiers Députés des provinces respectives. Si vous êtes à...
1448To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Never Shall be obliterated the few days, which I enjoy’d at Quincÿ—I fostered allways indeed a faint hope—to See you once more, and know, that I Should meet with a cordial reception—but never my ardent imagination did reach to that which I received—From you I expected all the warmth of an old friend—but—even if I was more presumtuous—I could laÿ no claim whatever on the numerous civilities,...
1449From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 7 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Adams, and sends such of his Trunks as can be got at; W.T.F. in whose Chamber it is suppos’d there may be more, being gone to Paris; and having with him Mr F’s Carriage prevents his waiting on Mr Adams immediately as he would otherwise wish to do; but Mr F. requests the Honour of Mr Adams’s Company at Dinner...
1450To John Adams from Joseph Thaxter, 21 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have never lost the Veneration, I imbibed for your Character in my Young Days—I rejoice that you yet live & enjoy so good Health—I have received a Pamphlet from Jedediah Morse DD—announcing the Establishment of a New Society for the civil iz ation of the Aborigines of this Country—your Name stands at the Head of the honourary members or Vice Presidents. I am requested to aid by money the...
1451To John Adams from Charles Lee, 17 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the directions of the President of the United-States, the Attorney General has taken into his consideration, the several questions stated by the Commissioners of the City of Washington, relative to the claims of Daniel Carroll of Dudley, together with all the papers accompanying their statement, and the trust Deed to which they refer;—and has come to the following opinions...
1452To John Adams from James Lloyd, 5 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
The Hon’ble Daniel Corry, Judge Bridge, Ruel Williams Esqr. and Colonel Corry of Augusta in the District of Maine, have recently sent me two barrels of flour, made from wheat grown on the borders of the Kennebeck, and there manufactured,—believing, as they state, that I should be gratified with the accounts of the abundant wheat crops which that District will produce, and on which its...
1453To John Adams from Richard Rush, 23 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I was made happy by your last esteemed favor, from its assuring me that your health was restored to its usual tone. I lately spent an evening with young Mr Dallas, who came home in the John Adams. He is an intelligent young gentleman, and deals out a great deal of European anecdote, of Lords and Emperors, Kings and princes. He speaks with nothing but praise of Mr J. Q. Adams; who, he says, was...
1454To John Adams from William Tudor, 21 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I arriv’d in this City last Monday 15th. Instant. I left Boston with much Regret, not so much because I was coming to this unfriendly Town, as because I left that defenceless, or next to it. Nothing had been done towards securing the Harbour except building a Fort on Fort Hill. The 5 Regiments left there are neither of them full, and the General Officer who commands the little Army is but...
1455To John Adams from Rev. John Disney, 14 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I was much flattered by the receipt of your letter by Mr. Harris, which he delivered to me here on his arrival on the 2d, inst: to spend a few days at the Hyde. Your testimony would have made me hesitate question my own judgment, if I had formed any opinion contrary to your’s respecting that gentleman. But the truth is, our interview abundantly confirmed every credential he brought with him,...
1456To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 30 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
Not knowing the President’s determination respecting the Consulate of Madeira, the Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President a letter of the 24th instant, just received, from some respectable citizens, recommending Mr. Marien Lamar for Consul in that island. Mr. Lamar is the nephew of the late Henry Hill Esqr. of Philadelphia, & has resided some time at Madeira, in Mr. Hill’s...
1457To John Adams from William Elliot, 6 January 1824 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed small volume and map, relate to a subject in which you took an early and distinguished part: viz. the planning and laying out of this infant Metropolis, and believing that you still feel a deep interest in its welfare, I have sent you this small tribute of my high respect, hoping that you may find some satisfactory information in it, as regards the progress and improvement of the...
1458To John Adams from William MacCreery, 4 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last night arrived here from Baltimore the Brigantine Saratoga, Captn. Murray, who has brought 2 Packets from Congress for the Honble. the Commissioners, and as many for Yourself. My Letters are of the 28th. May, at which time it was generaly understood there, that the Enemy were about embarking from Philadelphia with all haste, and that Genl. Washington was advanceing towards the City in...
1459Abigail Adams to John Adams, 6 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favours of the 19 th 23 & 26 of Nov’ br came safe to Hand, together with the pamphlet. the writer appears to have ransakd Pandimonium, & collected into a small compass the iniquity and abuses of Several generations, “sitting down all in Malice & Naught extermating.” If the representations of our Democratic Societies both of Men and measures, for these two years past, were to be...
1460John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have been detained about ten days in this place, waiting for a wind, and am very like to be detained as many more; the westerly winds prevailing in the channel at this Season of the year almost without intermission. Since my arrival here I have received your favour of August 25. transmitted to me by my Brother, who remains at the Hague, with the care of our affairs during my absence.—...