1751To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 6 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of adressing your Excellency the 26th Ultimo advising that by the officious impertinence of the asesor to this Governour, I had been Arrested and my house Embargoed notwithstanding I had presented my Certifycate and Passport, given by the Plenipotenciarys of the united States Residing at Paris, and allso proved that I had always Subscribed a subject of those States, in the...
1752To John Adams from Jonathan Loring Austin, 7 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
When Individuals emerge from Difficulties, and by a happy turn of Fortune, suddenly find their Circumstances, not only bettered, but their future prospects very promising, the Gloom of Sorrow, which before clouded their Brows, is removed, and Joy and Gladness resume the place. Its thus with our Country at this happy Period. The Letter herewith, which is a Copy of my last, was a Representation...
1753To John Adams from James Warren, 29 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am Told that in the few Letters which have been received from you here you Complain greatly that your Friends dont write to you oftner, and that you seldom hear from America. I easily Conceive such A Situation painful, and have Contributed my Mite to prevent it by writeing by every good Opportunity and long Letters too, for I know that People in high Stations have their Curiosity as well as...
1754To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 29 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
This Morning your Vigalent and invariable Friend wrote you a long letter which makes it unnecessary for me to take up my pen nor should I have done it by this opportunity but in Compliance with the Wishes of Him who is so partial as to think it in my power to Contribute to the Entertainment of a Gentleman who (from Interest, from Vanity and from more Noble principles) has such a Multitude of...
1755To John Adams from the Chevalier de La Luzerne and François Barbé-Marbois, 7 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
Le Chevalier de la Luzerne et m. de marbois sont bien sensibles au souvenir de Monsieur Adams et ont appris avec bien de plaisir que son indisposition n’avait point eu de suites. Le Docteur Cooper ne prechera point aujourd’hui: M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne espere avoir une autre occasion de l’entendre. M. de marbois a pris des arrangemens avec M. Cushin pour assister aujourd’hui à un autre...
1756Chevalier de La Luzerne to John Adams: A Translation, 7 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Chevalier de la Luzerne and M. Marbois are very moved by the remembrance from Mr. Adams and learned with a great deal of pleasure that his indisposition has had no serious consequences. Dr. Cooper will not preach today: M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne hopes to have another opportunity to hear him. M. de Marbois has made arrangements with M. Cushing to attend another sermon today. We hope to...
1757To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
The same Opinion of your Abilities and Zeal for our country which made me rejoice in your accepting of an embassy to France, leads me to rejoice with most of your countrymen in your Safe return to your native Shores. I am sure you cannot be idle nor unconcerned ’till the Vessel in which our All is embarked is safely moored. We stand in greater Need than ever of men of your principles. You may...
1758To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 20 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
Had I not expected you here before this Time, on your Way to Philadelphia, where I conceived your safe and speedy Arrival must be anxiously wished for by all Patriots, you would, long since, have received a congratulatory Letter from me. It would have been congratulatory indeed; for, whatever Station you maybe in, I firmly believe, Sir, you will prove eminently useful to your Country. Your...
1759To John Adams from James Lovell, 20 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favors of Decr. 19, Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 the 1st. on the 16th, the two latter yesterday by Mr. Partridge. I ought also to profess myself obliged by your long Letter this day read in Congress dated at Braintree. I am quite pleased with finding I had formed a just Opinion of the several Character mentioned in these your Letters to me; And should have...
1760To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have only Time by this Days post to express the pleasure I feel on the News of your safe Arrival to your Family and Friends, and the prospect of an agreable and early Interveiw with You. The Letters to me which You mention in your’s to Mr. Lovell never came to Hand, or I should certainly have acknowledged the Receipt of them; altho I have been under the Necessity of giving up my most...
1761To John Adams from James Lovell, 24 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am much chagrined at not having a Line about you by last Post. I did not expect one from you. You are so sick of Party abroad that you would not venture to have any thing to do with Individualities, here. Every Line that I read from France, like as yours have done, confirms me in an Approbation of the part I have taken all along through the contests of many months back relative to our...
1762To John Adams from James Lovell, 31 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received yours of May 14 from L’Orient and Aug. 13th. from Braintree with several valuable Papers. I hope to be able to write shortly to you on those Topics which are the Subject of your Correspondence with de Vergennes. At present, as I have been for several days past, I am engaged in a severe wrestling Match with a Chap who has laid many on their Backs here lately. He is known in...
1763To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 3 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I most cordially congratulate You on Your safe Arrival to your Country, Family and Friends. I was honoured with a letter from You last Winter, which I should have answered, but what was worthy of your Notice or conveying Information could not with Prudence be intrusted to Paper without a Cypher. Our political Climate has been greatly changed since I had the Pleasure of Seeing You last in...
1764To John Adams from Henry Knox, 4 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
To the numerous congratulations which you have received on your safe arrival in America, permit me to add my tribute, and to felicitate you on your safe return to your Family, friends and Country, and event which I am certain gives you true pleasure and happiness, whatever motives produc’d it, Whether Faction, Ambition, or—as I am a very bad Statesman—true policy in order to procure proper...
1765To John Adams from the President of the Congress, 7 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
On the 20th. August last I had the Pleasure of recieving and communicating to Congress your Favors of the 3d. and 4th. of that month. Be pleased to accept my Congratulations on your safe Return to your Family and Country. Yours of the 27 Feby. and 1st. March last came to Hand about ten Days ago. An Expectation of having Commands from Congress to transmit, induced me to delay writing ’till now....
1766To John Adams from James Lovell, 14 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 4 came yesterday to hand with the Pamphlets. If the Chevalier does not take his Bias at Bethlehem or Easton where he is to be documented 2 or 3 days, I shall continue in the hopes which your good Judgement has inspired. We have indeed had a stormy Time; and some Villains, I guess wanted to get hold of the Helm and the main Stays at a critical Moment. We are going to tell S...
1767To 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...
1768To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 24 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I cannot omit this opportunity of congratulating you, on your being again in the bosom of those you love; after delays so many and so mortifying. I have signifyd my hope to our firm friend , that you will be immediately sent to Congress as a Member, where I hope you and M. de la Luzerne will be able to put a stop to those unworthy proceedings, by which little and malignant Spirits joind with...
1769To 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...
1770To John Adams from James Lovell: Confidential, 28 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday in Whispers the proposal was made to send JA to Spain, the Baloting for that business being first called for. But Conecttt. and Pensylvania discovered a total abhorrence of the Consequences in the second Balot; therefore the Plan was dropped; and the Balots were N Hamp A Lee, R Is. Pensyl Sth. Car. no Vote. For the 2 other Commissions J A the only Nomination. All the States but one...
1771To John Adams from James Lovell, 28 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jay having resigned the Chair on account of other public Engagements, the Honble. Mr. Huntingdon was Elected President of Congress. Tomorrow, will be chosen Secretaries for France Spain and the Negociator {nominated Peter Scull { Mr. Carmichael { Jno. Trumbull by by by Mr. Atlee Mr. Hewes Mr. Laurens Col. John Lawrence Mr. Searle Jona. Trumbull by
1772To John Adams from François Barbé-Marbois, 29 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:174 ( JA ’s English translation); for the French text, see JA, Works The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols. , 7:116–117. Barbé-Marbois was touched...
1773To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 29 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
It is with the greatest pleasure, that I inform You of the late Arrangement of our foreign affairs, in which You are appointed to negotiate the Treaties with G Britain and our Friend Mr. Dana to be your Secretary. Mr. Jay is to negotiate with Spain, Mr. Carmichael to be his Secretary, and Colo. John Laurens, Son of the late president Laurens, to be Secretary to Doctor Franklin. I shall not be...
1774To John Adams from the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 29 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:173–174 ( JA ’s English translation); for the French text, see JA, Works The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols. , 7:115. Praising John Adams for...
1775To John Adams from James Lovell, 1 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Resolve of the 26th. of Sepr. for appointing a Minister plenipotentiary for Spain was reconsidered on the 27th. and the words in lieu of a Commissioner were added, by the Urgency of Brother Gerry least our State should appear to be against an Alliance with Spain. On this Mass: was divided and Sth. Carolina. All the rest stood as the day before. On the 28th. Order for Tomorrow for...
1776To John Adams from Henry Marchant, 2 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
By the last Post I was highly gratified by your kind and very polite Favour of the 10th. of Sepr. The Notice and Recollection of my former Letter sufficiently convinces me that You have not forgot an old Friend. In your Absence I had frequent Temptations to write You; but I was affraid of being amongst the Number of troublesome and useless Correspondants. We have finished Our foreign Affairs...
1777To John Adams from Henry Laurens, 4 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
The receipt and perusal of your favour of 10th Ultimo afforded me a very high satisfaction—the answer with which you honored my Letter of May 1778. has not yet reached me. From the earliest intelligence of your return to America I felt a strong disposition to wait on you with a line or two of sincere congratulation on your happy return to your family and American freinds, but there were...
1778To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 8 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you most sincerely on your safe return to your family and your country. I hope you found the former in good health, and the latter I am very sensible will be at all times benefitted by the assistance of so able a Citizen, and the more especially at this time, when the most important of all sublunary things is under consideration, the establishing of government. Independent of...
1779To John Adams from Henry Knox, 10 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging favor of the 19th last month by Mr. Lowell, for which I thank you. Mr. Gerard has been to Camp, and has return’d to Philadelphia, to embark on board of the Confederacy for France, on board of the same Ship Mr. Jay and his Family embark. Mr. Gerard made us happy, politically so I mean, by informing us of your appointment as sole Minister plenipotentiary for the purpose...
1780To John Adams from Nicolas Maurice Gellée, 11 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I hope this Letter will reach you safe at Home amongst your Family and Friends. Supposing you are no less famish’d for News from this Side of the Atlantic than we are for American ones, I’ll tell you the State of Affairs in Europe is almost the same as when you left it. Spain, tho’ she is declared, four Months ago, seems as yet unconcerned about your Independance. The joint Fleets of France...
1781To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 12 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have received from Mr. Lowell your Accounts and Vouchers, and shall deliver them to the Board of Treasury; how far they will be able to comply with the proposition of returning the latter, which is contrary to their usual Practice, I am unable to say, but will use my best Endeavours to accomplish it. Having lately explained to You some Matters, relative to our internal political Manoeuvres,...
1782To John Adams from John Lowell, 12 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have but a few Minutes in which I can write, and I cannot devote one of them to any other, than the main Purpose of this Letter. You must accept the Appointment which Congress has lately made you, a more important and more critical one never fell in your Way. Every restraining Motive must be forgotten or banished. Your Choice was unanimous, save one Vote, yet, there are not a few, who wish...
1783To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 12 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my thanks for your early and puntual Attention to my letter. I have ever thought myself honoured in your friendship, and shall be happy at all times in cultivating a correspondence with you. In your first letter you enquire after the state of our goverment. The best answer I can give to your Question, is that I am Afraid to commit my Opinion of men and measures in our state to...
1784To John Adams from James Lovell, 14 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you the decent Fashion in which we it was yesterday opinioned to let the World know Mr. Lee has a Successor. Pray strive by Mr. Issac Smith’s Knowledge of the Sailing of Vessels to let Arthur get the paper before his Foes. The 3 Ministers are to have per An: £2500 sterling. Their Secretaries £1000 in full of Services and Expences. To commence at Outset and finish in 3 months after...
1785To John Adams from James Lovell, 14 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you a Peice of Intelligence perhaps altogether new. The uti possidetis offered by Spain will appear alarming perhaps to some but we are told She acted upon full Knowledge that King George the 3d of England had sworn in his Cabinet that he would not acknowledge our Independence. Spain at least knew that we would never enter into any commercial Treaty without a total relinquishment...
1786To John Adams from Johann Kalb, 15 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I heard with a great deal of pleasure your happy return to Boston and your appointment by Congress as plenipotentiary for the next Peace, they could not commit Such an important Trust to abler hands than yours. I wish with all my heart you may have the earliest opportunity of going to work, and to Settle all matters to the greatest honor Glory and happiness for the United States and yourself....
1787John Adams’ Instructions Respecting a Peace Treaty with Great Britain, 16 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
Philadelphia, 16 October 1779. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:181–183 . Although dated 16 October, the instructions had been adopted on 14 August ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 14:956–960)....
1788John Adams’ Instructions Respecting a Commercial Treaty with Great Britain, 16 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
Philadelphia, 16 October 1779. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:183–184 . Like those for the peace treaty (calendared above), these instructions had been adopted on 14 August ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington,...
1789To John Adams from James Lovell, 19 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I begin to be very impatient at not hearing from you; and this not barely from the Number of days elapsed since my Information of Sepr. 28 &c. &c. but from the Opinion dropped by Mr. Lowell that we should not be able to obtain your Consent again to trust us here. It is the Desire of many that you should execute an intermediate Negociation with Holland, and you are named but others think it...
1790To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I cannot help troubling you with a second Answer to your letters on purpose to congratulate you upon the Success of your Schemes for prosecuting the war in the Southern states. Count D’Estang has done wonders. He will be acknowledged by posterity as one of the deliverers of our country. We have just heard that he is safely arrived with all the trophies of his American conquests off the Capes...
1791To John Adams from the President of the Congress, 20 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit you herewith enclosed Two Commissions wherein you are Authorized and appointed Minister Plenipotentiary from these United States to Negotiate Treaties of Peace and Commerce with Great Brittain; Accompanied with instructions in each Case, for your government in the Execution of those Several Commissions. For your further Information and benefit, are enclosed Copies...
1792To John Adams from Bidé de Chavagnes, 1 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Je me faisois une grande feste, samedy dernier, D’avoir Ihonneur de vous voir, de diner avec vous et de boire a votre santé chez monsieurs alain, mais 1’utilité de votre travail pour le bien public m’a fait supporter plus aisement cette privation, j eus cependant eté bien content de pouvoir vous parler moy même au sujet des besoins urgents ou commence a se trouver la fregatte du roy de france...
1793Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 1 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
I was greatly looking forward to having the honor of seeing you, dining with you, and drinking to your health at Mr. Allen’s house last Saturday, but the usefulness of your work for the public good has allowed me to bear this deprivation more easily. And yet, I would have liked to have been able to speak with you personally about the urgent needs that are beginning to be felt by the frigate of...
1794To John Adams from James Lovell, 1 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Favor of Octr. 17th. came this day to hand by the Post and contains such flattering Sentiments in regard to my subserving your Mission as almost to intoxicate me into a Wish that I had not spurned much personal Honor and family Emolument in pursuing a comparitively evident public Interest. But, nearly drunken as you have made me, depend upon it I am sober enough to distinguish between the...
1795To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 8 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
On my return from the circuit a few days ago I was honoured with your letter of the 20th. Septemr. last, and proud to find that I was not forgotten by one I so much esteem. You must have had your difficulties in these times, I know, I too have had my full share of the anxieties cares and troubles attending the present war. For sometime I was obliged to act as President of the Delaware State...
1796To John Adams from Bidé de Chavagnes, 12 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
D’après lespece de certitude que m’avoit donné monsieur allaine que j aurois Ihonneur et le plaisir de vous voir jeudy et de diner chez luy avec vous ce qui en grande partie m’a fait remercier monsieur déné a cambridge pour le même jour. Je me flattois de pouvoir prendre avec vous les arrangements qui vous eussent convenus pour votre embarquement qui reglera avec les vents notre depart. J...
1797Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 12 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Allen’s assurance that I would have the honor and pleasure of seeing and dining with you at his house on Thursday was my major reason for declining Mr. Dana’s invitation to Cambridge of the same day. I flattered myself that I would be able to make suitable arrangements with you for your embarkation which will, with the winds, govern our departure. I also would have liked to share with you...
1798Abigail Adams to John Adams, 14 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
My habitation, how disconsolate it looks! My table I set down to it but cannot swallow my food. O Why was I born with so much Sensibility and why possessing it have I so often been call’d to struggle with it? I wish to see you again, was I sure you would not be gone, I could not withstand the temptation of comeing to town, tho my Heart would suffer over again the cruel torture of Seperation....
1799To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 14 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
The very kind Readiness which you express’d to me, to allow my Grandson to be a Companion to your Sons in the Voyage to France has laid me under an Obligation that I can never forget: Accordingly I now commit him to you happy in the Perswasion that he will pursue his Studies with them under your Eye, and Direction. His Father who accompanies him to the Ship will most gratefully acknowledge...
1800To John Adams from James Lovell, 16 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Not a Line by yesterday’s Post from either you or Mr. Dana; nor indeed from any Person whatever in Massachusetts. The Principles of Equality in the Treaty between France and us being held up as a model for future Treaties may betray Negotiators into an Error; because tho’ the Equality in regard to France and America is conspicuous, yet Partiality to France compared with other Powers has been...