1891Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 16 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
If I have not had the honor of writing to you since my arrival at Brest it is because, having understood at La Coruña that your plan was to go to Madrid, I thought at the very most you would have arrived at Paris or Versailles. However, I take too strong and sincere an interest in your health, and that of your children and Messieurs Dana and Allen, not to ask you for news while reiterating my...
1892Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 10 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
The interest I take in you and your health, as well as that of your dear family, is too sincere and constant to keep me from writing to you and to ask you for any news. Also, I would like to reiterate my sentiments of at tachment that you, yours, and your compatriots have inspired in me. I wrote you at Paris a while ago, but you apparently did not receive my letter, which expressed just how...
1893Bidé 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...
1894Bidé 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...
1895Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 24 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Captain Chavagnes is very flattered by the honor of your acquaintance and promises to you the most sincere sentiments in reiterating the interest he has in your health and that of your dear children and Mr. Dana, and wishes you all the happiness you deserve. I would like it very much if, after having seen you work so fruitfully for your country, which could not be in better hands, I could...
1896Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 15 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
The letter that you did me the honor to write, and which I received two days after I arrived at Brest, gave me great pleasure on learning that you, your dear children, and Messrs. Dana and Thaxter were enjoying good health. I sincerely hope that it will remain so for a long time. My own health is quite good, despite my sadness at having to leave Mme. de Chavagnes, who asked that when I wrote I...
1897Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 2 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter that you did me the honor to write. Knowing your honesty, I was able to understand a portion and an American from Boston, whom I have befriended here, explained the rest. Madame de Chavagnes and I have been very touched by your remembrance and by the new proofs of your friendship, which I greatly cherish. I was equally pleased to learn from you that after suffering...
1898L. de Chavannes de la Giraudière to John Adams, 23 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Le politique Hollandais est mort, et le Mercure Hollandais vient reprendre sa place. J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer à Votre Excellence le premier N o de cette feuille nouvelle. Vous pourrez vous procurer les suivantes chez les Libraires de la Haie qui débitent le Courrier van Europa. J’espere que le public n’aura pas à regretter M. Cerisier pour le zele et le patriotisme, mais moi je regretterai...
1899To John Adams from John Cheves, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Not being acquainted with the situation of the different ports of our Country; nor the minds of the people; I think it most expedient to send my address to you. I know my intention is honest; but I know also, that every honest intention does not prove advantageous; therefore I wish to have your approbation; which will be manifested, by its appearing in our Public papers— Permit me to Observe,...
1900To John Adams from Benjamin Chew, Sr., 19 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Chew requests the Honor of Mr. The Vice Presdt. of the United States his Company to Dinner on Tuesday the 19th of February the at 4—o’clock. Apology. The favor of an answer is desired. MHi : Adams Papers.
1901To John Adams from Caleb Child, 5 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Pardon the intrusion I am bold to make from a sense of your well know character; and pray receive with candor an Address from a citizen of the United States. In company with this comes a memorial to Congress, praying assistance in consequence of my losses in the late War.—My House, which was almost new, with a Store, and several out Buildings, were demolished by a detachment of the British...
1902To John Adams from J. Loring Child, 18 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
In this town on the 1st of October 1819 an “Athenaeum” was established with a view to extend the means of useful knowledge in this section of our Country. It being the first of the kind in the new state, a laudable zeal has been manifested on the part of its friends and patrons, which encourages the belief that ere long it will hold a respectable rank with other similar institutions. The...
1903To John Adams from John Childs, 13 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The subscriber takes the liberty of bringing into the View of Your Excellency the following Statement of Facts— That on or about the first Session of the present Congress, foreseeing the event of our unhappy rupture with France; and having (and still holding) a Military Commission under the State of New-York; which he did not wish to resign in the time of danger; but ever ready to serve his...
1904To John Adams from Nathaniel Chipman, 17 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I find there will be a vacancy in the office of judge for the district of Vermont—permit me sir to say that I should think myself honored by an appointment to that office if you should think proper to nominate me—I hope sir you will find in the present situation nothing improper in this direct application.— I am sir with the / highest respect your / most obedient servant MHi : Adams Papers.
1905To John Adams from Thomas Chittenden, 9 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit to Congress a Copy of a Resolution of the Legislature of this State approving of and ratifying the Articles proposed by Congress as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I am with sentiments of perfect esteem, Your Honour’s / most obedient and / very humble Servant DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
1906To John Adams from Edward Church, 14 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Notwithstanding the deep wound which one branch of our fishery had rec’d by an act of the british parliament, We were not without hope, while we had a free and an uninterrupted Commerce with the Mediterranean, and it’s neighbouring ports, that we might still be able not only to employ, but increase the number of our fishermen, and from our local advantages, it is not an extravagant Idea to...
1907To John Adams from George Churchman, 13 July 1804 (Adams Papers)
Having taken a Journey this summer to New-England to meet with my friends at their Yearly meeting held at Newport on Rh., Island (which is lately over), I rememberd the kind attention thou paid whilst in the station of Chief Magistrate of the United States, to a letter & transcript therein enclosed, which I, in conjunction with my frd. Jacob Lindley, sent thee, on the subject therein...
1908To John Adams from George Churchman, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Herewith cometh the transcript of a Letter, expressing some of the last exercises & religious concern of our late valued Friend Warner Mifflin, deceased; It was written at Philadelphia in the time of awful mortality with which that City was visited in the Year 1798; We the subscribers were in company with him at that season; He opened to us his concern on the subjects hinted in the Letter,...
1909To John Adams from John Churchman, 12 September 1792 (Adams Papers)
I was requested if possible to deliver the Letter myself, which I send herewith, but as I am about setting off for Europe, I take the Liberty of sending it thro the Channel of the Post Office, it came under cover to me from Baron Vall-Travers F.R.S. & Member of several other Scientific Societies in Europe, as his Letter enclosing the enclosed is dated 15th. Feby last, it may appear that it has...
1910To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am obligd to You for a letter the 14th Instant. My writing to You is from the motive of making You acquainted from time to time with any material movement or particular news from this quarter, which may be interesting or serving in any way the business you are engagd in; Your particular situation must put it out of your power to write when even you may wish to do so, and I by no means expect...
1911To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 23 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am without any of your favours for some time. Not a word of news to write about that concerns your country. We English yet think that the Mynheers will trukle to, and we are even so idle as to suppose Russia will be with us. Four mails are due from Holland, and we are extreemly anxious for the Answer to our memorial. If it is possible to get it before it comes out in the foreign news papers,...
1912To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 22 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am thankful for your favor and its inclosure of the 15th Instant. I hope my parcells go regularly for I never omit to put them in the common conveyance. Let me know if the present rupture will make any alteration. When you write Mr. W.S.C. you are requested not to direct but only mark the letter thus X on the seal part, and put it under a Cover directed to Mr. Stockdale Bookseller Piccadilly...
1913To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 14 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am obligd to You for the Book forwarded me by Mr. L–g–n, but unfortunately there is a sheet wanting in the most material part of it, that of the description and powers to the Senate, from Page 16 to 25 the leaves are wanting or rather page 17 to 24 inclusive. This however is of no material consequence as the book is but the report and not the Established new Constitution of the...
1914To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 26 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had a sight of yours of the 15th, 17, and 18th Instant and am thankful for their inclosures. Whenever any publications worth notice, come to Your hands, send them in like manner and they will find immediate insertion here. The Courant being now the most generally read paper for early American intelligence, I constantly give the American papers to the publisher of that paper, and at any...
1915To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 17 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of the 12th. We have no arrivals from Ama., or any thing new but what will be mentiond below. I am anxious to know if my letter to you of the 8th or 7th of last month got to your hands. The Behaviour of the Bearer of it to Ostend, who has been some days idling about London gives me strong suspicion that He did not do with the letter what He promisd me. I am uneasy about Him...
1916To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 14 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 28th ultimo and 7th Instant came both to hand since mine of the 10th and I began from yesterday to forward the two news papers as directed. You need not apologise for any trouble given me of this sort, for I shall be always glad to serve You. The Books you request in both these last letters will be forwarded by a Ship to Amsterdam to sail in a few days; there are other...
1917To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 11 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
My long silence has not been owing to any want of regard or attention to you, but has been solely occasiond by the imprudence and folly of some young men, whose conduct has produced a general hunt after Amns., the stoppage of letters, seizure of baggage &c. &c.—and it seems as if it would never have an end. The last who went from here Mr. W arren may have explaind in part what has happend. I...
1918To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 15 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
We are all so very busy in Election bustles that hardly anything political is talked of. The Ministry seem to be going on swimingly in getting in Creatures of their own so that their majority in the next will be more decided than in the last Parliament. The Poll has ended for the City and the members are Hayley, Kirkman, Bull, and Newnham. The last tho a Torey beat Sawbridge by 79 Votes....
1919To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 26 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I expected when I gave you the last West Inda. accounts the 9th. Instant that my next would be some thing about America but we have yet not a tittle from that quarter which bears the face of authenticity. The Inclosd Gazette account from Rodney is all we have new, and even Englishmen who think rightly are by no means pleasd with the account altho the writer has stiled it a defeat of the French...
1920To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 3 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to inform You that Mr. Heny. Lawrens and two other Amn. Gentlemen Prisoners in England. They were taken in a small packet on the banks of New foundland about 24 days ago and sent to St. Johns, where Admiral Edwards thought the capture so important as to immediately dispatch the Vestal Frigate Capt. Keppell with them, and the mail which was also taken, to England. Mr. Adams Laurens...
1921To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 8 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 17 with an inclosure to JT, as well as one of the 27th both got safe which was particularly satisfactory, as a friend who is now a fellow Citizen of yours and who left me about the 24th Ultimo may have before now explaind. He could explain to You every thing that I for the present wish explaind. Things are not worse, but insults and aggravation increase. Nothing can exceed the...
1922To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 25 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you the 22d (by a friend Mr. S. H——l——y) nothing material has transpird and the arrival of news by a small Vessel from Boston to Bristol has not removd in any measure the gloom on the generality of countenances here in consequence of the late disaster to the outward bound East and West India Fleet. Tho I have seen J ohn T emple we have no exact accounts by this vessel to Bristol....
1923To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 12 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
All your favours to the 27 ultimo and particularly that with a disagreeable inclosure came safe to hand, and I should be glad to know the parcells I forward get safe. I have attended regularly to your order, and they go by every post. I have no news to relate to you. Were I to attempt to describe the present dispositions and folly of us Englishmen it would fill pages. The opinion that America...
1924To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Servant of the De Neufvilles going to Amsterdam early in the morning gives me an opportunity of sending a letter to you for Mr. Ridley in Maryland which I beg you to give to the first safe hand bound to America. We are still without any authentic accounts from N. York or the quarters of the British Army tho the general Town report is that Ministry have been some days in possession of bad...
1925To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 29 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am much obligd to you for a letter and some news papers by a friend. I have not yet seen the principal person concernd in the Flag to Bristol, he not having yet got to Town but hourly expected. A Townsman of Yours also a passenger in that vessel Has been with me, and mentioning to him that I was about to write to you, and asking if he had any news or letters from your particular freinds, He...
1926To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 22 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I understood from seeing a letter lately from Paris there had appeard at a Dutch Bankers in that City sundry seconds of Bills for acceptance the first of which had been paid by regular indorsements to Vieve Babet and Co., Nantes, which seconds of Bills appeard to have been taken among Mr. L—s papers and forwarded to Paris unindorsd for acceptance. This causd some uneasiness at Paris; the Bills...
1927To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 10 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of the 6th there has been no material incident relative to Mr. H. L——s Commitment; nor is the rigour of his confinement abated. No person whatever can speak to Him but in hearing and sight of the two attending Messengers. It is said the Secy. of States order will produce admittance to his room, but nothing else. Some of his torey relations, and a Mr. Manning a Merchant of the...
1928To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 12 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I put on board a vessel which saild yesterday, the Books mentiond in the margin. I thought the Treaties might be servicable to You, and I mention the other particular pamphlets that you may prove whether all I send by that conveyance will come to hand. I have not heard from You since the letter ordering me to stop the sending the Papers via Ostend. There has been nothing material in the news...
1929To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 17 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
It was not until the 14th Instant that any person Whatever was permitted to see Mr. Laurens in the Tower. On that day after repeated applications for admission, Mr. Manning, and Mr. Laurens Jur. (a youth of 16 or 18 who has been some years at Warrington school) was permitted to see Him. An order went signd from the 3 Secretarys of State Hillsborough, Stormont, and Germain, to the Govr. of the...
1930To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The close confinement of our friend and the denyal of all visits, the use of pen, ink and Paper, as well as all newspapers, still continues with unabated rigour. No person but His Son accompanyd by Mr. Manning has yet found way to Him, and these have been peremptorily refusd a second visit. It now appears that Government find him nothing but His furnishd appartments, Mr. L ordering his own...
1931To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 29 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I hope my letter of the 26 By Mr. H——y B——m——d and a parcell of Books will get safe to your hands. Since that period, the arrival of news from N York by the Virginia Packet, which Saild the 1st Instant has depressd the spirits of the people and put them deeper into the dumps than they were ever before Elated. Every thing hare is in extreem. Nothing could exceed the folly of Exultation about...
1932To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 6 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am thankful for your late favor and shall send you the Books desird by first opportunity. Mr. Henr. Laurens was brought to Town last night, rather in better health. He was lodgd that night in the Messengers House in Scotland Yard, and denyd all sort of communication with his friends—or those who wishd to speak to Him. He was Examined at noon at Lord G. Germains and committed by a Warrant of...
1933To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 31 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
We have not the least news from the Westward more than the publick papers will announce, but in hourly expectations of some from N York. Our grand fleet passd Plymo. the 27th. and these winds have probly put them on their intendd station for Cruizing. A small fleet has saild to N York—a frigate or so with 10 or a doz store Ships and Merchantmen, but no troops or any thing like any. Four Ships...
1934From Citizens of South Carolina to John Adams, 24 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of the Subscribers Citizens of the State of South Carolina, Sheweth that your Memorialists feeling the most ardent attachment to the Constitution and laws of their Country, have at all times Chearfully & faithfully contributed their proportion to the exigencies of government as the price of the protection which they have a right to expect from a Conviction that the power of...
1935To John Adams from George Claghorn, 2 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
We the subscribers being the superintendant Constructer and Clerk of the Navy Yard, during the building of the Frigate Constitution feel ourselves Constrained by the Principles of Justice to say That Genl. Henry Jackson the Naval Agent has on all Occasions from the Commencement of building the Frigate manifested unremitting Zeal and exertion by Personal attention to obtain in the most...
1936From Richard Claiborne to John Adams, 26 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of Rd. Claiborne Respectfully sheweth That your Memorialist—conceiving that very great honour and utility will result to these States from facilitating the introduction of Machines and Manufactories from abroad—begs leave to pray of your honorable House to pass a Law authorising the Importation of Inventions—and allowing to Original Importers a certain privilege in proportion to...
1937From Richard Claiborne to John Adams, 29 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of Richard Claiborne Respectfully Sheweth That Your memorialist conceiving that very great benefit will result to the United States by encouraging the introduction of the useful arts from abroad—and perceiving, that, according to the present patent Law, inventions or discoveries, are confined to Citizens of the United States only—Your memorialist respectfully prays that Congress...
1938To John Adams from Charles Clapham, 29 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I took the Liberty (some Weeks ago) to address a Line to you, inclosing a Diagram, by which I attempted to prove, that a Circle might be found equal to a given square, and demonstrated geometrically—Upon which, I requested your Opinion—But the unhappy sickness in Your Family (which I sincerely lament) & Duties of your Office as Chief Magistrate have no doubt prevented you from complying with...
1939To John Adams from Aaron Clark, 16 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
Please permit me the honor of enclosing you my prospectus for a most useful and necessary work. I have spent too much upon it and can only hope to print it without great loss. I should be very much gratified indeed by the aid of a recommendation from you: and I should be still more so, by receiving it soon. Ever your friend / indeed & very Huml. / st. P.S. If Mr. Adams should think it...
1940To John Adams from Abraham Clark, 23 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Colo. Dayton, who with his battalion is Stationed at Fort Stanwix, informs me no Regimental Paymaster hath been appointed to his battalion, and Genl Schuyler does not conceive himself Authorized to appoint one. Jonathan Dayton, a son of the Colo, is Recommended as a proper person for that Station, his father offers to become Security for his faithful discharge of the Office. Mr. Caldwell the...