2701Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, with Adams’ Letter of Transmittal, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had wrote you several posts before my hearing you was returned. I should be very glad if you and Mrs. Adams could take a turn this way before you return to Philadelphia again. I had lately a schooner arrived, with some powder, at Barnstable, rather better than three hundred pounds, which was disposed of there, as the people wanted it much. I understand that any person importing powder shall...
2702To John Adams from Henry Guest, 20 January 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have not had the pleasure to receive a Line from you in Some time—Did you know what pleasure your letter gave me and how they Chiered my Old heart in these Drary times of Our Country your humanity and friendly disposition Would Often raise My Druping Spirits—for lete Me assure you Sir, they have been Sadly Depressed Since your Son gave up his year in the Senate. Especially this Season when...
2703To John Adams from Elias Boudinot, 28 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mr George Washington Reed the youngest son of the late Governor Reed, who graduated in the college of New Jersey in September last, has discovered a great inclination to devote himself to a seafaring life in the service of his country—His friends have united in this determination, and have requested me to recommend him to the Executive of the United States, for the birth of a Midshipman in the...
2704To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 25 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
I ought sooner to have thank’d you for your last biographical Notices, but you had before left me to take my own time for scribling, & must not complain for my Abuse of the License. The anecdotes you have given of the Destruction of the private Papers of Mr. Otis & Mr. S. Adams has rescued two important facts from being totally lost to Posterity. They confessedly were two very extraordinary...
2705M. Addenet to John Adams: A Translation, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
A few months ago, one of our ambassadors asked me if I had seen a document that he knew only by title and that he wanted to read. It was the one containing Pensées sur la révolution de l’Amérique-Unie . Without telling him from whom I obtained it, I lent it to him, and in doing him this favor, I believe I did as you would have wished. He left without returning it to me. I would have liked to...
2706To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 18 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
This will be handed to you by M r: Randell, a merchant formerly of New-York; he is recommended to me by His Excellency the present President of Congress as a friend to his Country: As such permit me to introduce him to your acquaintance, which he has warmly sollicited. I have little news to communicate, and the sudden departure of the Bearer prevents your knowing what there is from me, but I...
2707To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
The bearer Major Wolcott Huntington, is a very estimable young Gentleman, Son of General Ebenezer Huntington of this State, who served in the American Army from the year 1775 till the close of the revolutionary War. In common with the patriotic young men of the present age, he is desirous of personally manifesting the admiration and gratitude with which all men are animated, towards the Eldest...
2708To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 26 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I am lately favored with a Letter from thy Son, one of our Ministers at Ghent, acknowledging the receipt of two copies of my Gazetteer, which thou wast good enough to forward for me. That Gentleman, in my estimation, stands on very high ground, & I am gratified to thee for having, so far, procured me his favorable notice. While lately at Washington, I learnt, both from the President & Col....
2709To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 28 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
Act 1. Scene 2nd. Mr Adams alone in his Study. Enter B Rush. A: Aye Rush is that you? What is that paper you hold in your hand? R A Summary view of the physical, moral and immoral effects of certain hymns upon the body & mind of man & upon his Condition in Society. Permit me Sir to request your Acceptance of it. A What must I do with it? R: Send it to the parson of your parish, but if he “too...
2710To John Adams from Francis Dana, 9 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court in obedience to the order of the Senate of the 14th. of Feb: last, beg leave to submit the following opinions in answer to their Questions. First “Whether a Bill or Resolve having passed both Branches of the Legislature, and being laid before the Governor for his approbation, less than Five days before the Recess of the General Court next preceeding...
2711To John Adams from William Cocke, 14 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
To inform you that a large number of respectable citizens of the State of Tennessee are found to be within the limits of the Indian Claims. Justice requires that I should speak to you in plain and decided language. When I last had the honour to converse with you and Secretary of War on the subject, I felt myself highly pleased at the assurance you then gave me that you would take the matter...
2712To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 30 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
The subject of this letter, is the celebration of the 4th of July at Lexington; a fete which I hope will be honored by your company. The crisis appears to require every measure for animating the friends of our Independence. In this quarter they are sensible of it, & are making every exertion for honoring the day. Your ideas on this subject, as communicated by accident, always struck my mind...
2713To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 16 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Aiant appris que le Congress vous a muni des memes pouvoirs qu’Il avoit confié au Collonel Laurens, dont la facheuse catastrophe me desole, et qu’entre autres votre mission a pour but une negociation pour L’Amerique Unie, je prens la liberté de Vous prier de m’en envoier le plustot possible les Conditions; un Parent m’aiant temoigné de l’inclination d’y placer 20,000 florins de Hollande. Si...
2714Abigail Adams to John Adams, 4 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
This is the first fair morning we have had since you left me. you must have had an unpleasent journey Sunday the afternoon was pleasent, but Monday & twesday very rainy. I was anxious to learn how the Election went in Boston and sent to inquire last Evening of mr Black if he had heard from Town, and to my great Satisfaction learnt that mr Ames was chosen there; by what majority I did not hear....
2715To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 19 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
In complying with the directions of the American Academy & transmitting the inclosed vote I cannot refrain from expressing my individual pain and regret at the dissolution of a tie which to me has been, always as pleasant as honourable. Be assured, Sir, that I cannot cease to feel or to express the sentiments of esteem and respect with which / I am your hl St At a meeting of the American...
2716To John Adams from Henry Remsen Jr., 14 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r. Jay having been, and still continuing too much indisposed to attend to Business, has directed me to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters of 10 th. 22 d. & 23 d. September last, together with the Papers mentioned in them; which I have now the Honor of doing; and of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, the printed Journals of Congress from 26 th. September to 30 th. Oct r. 1787, and a...
2717Du Cange to John Adams: A Translation, 23 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Allow me to thank you for receiving me this morning even though I was a stranger to you. As a writer for a public journal, it is very important for my career to gain the esteem of prominent people, and your excellency’s esteem is something that I would like to have. How many times, sir, has your estimable friend Mr. Jenings praised you with the honesty that is characteristic of your nation! I...
2718To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Understanding that in Case of Mr. Laurens’s Absence, you are charged with the Affair of procuring a Loan in Holland, I think it Right to acquaint you, that by a Letter from Mr. Jay of the 12th. Instant, from Madrid, we are informed that the King of Spain has been so good as to offer his Guarrantee for the Payment of the Interest and Principal of a Loan of Money for the Use of the United...
2719To John Adams from Jonathan James Maund, 10 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday receiv’d the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 13th. of March: My residence is almost equidistant from Fredericksburgh and Richmond your Letter bears the Post Mark of Richmond the 22d. of March and as I receiv’d it from Tappahannock by a private Hand this & the disagreement of the Post Master in that Place with his Deputies depriv’d me the pleasure of sooner acknowledging...
2720To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Messrs. Fizeaux and Grand have lately sent me two Accounts of which they desire my Approbation. As they relate to Payments made by those Gentlemen of your acceptances of Bills of Exchange, your approbation must be of more Importance than mine, you having more certain Knowledge of the affair. I therefore send them enclos’d to you, and request you would be pleas’d to compare them with your List...
2721From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters are always welcome, the last more than all others, it’s subject being one of the dearest to my heart. to my granddaughter your commendations cannot fail to be an object of high ambition, as a certain passport to the good opinion of the world. if she does not cultivate them with assiduity and affection she will illy fulfill my parting injunctions. I trust she will merit a...
2722To John Adams from Alexander Coffin, Jr., 4 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
Be pleas’d to accept the inclosed little Poem, presented by the Author, as a small testimonial, of the respect He has for you, and to whom he has taken the liberty to make the dedication;—The Poem you will perceive attempt to celibrate an important & glorious event of the Revolution. In fact it my Justly be call’d the opening scene of the Drama. I will now Sir, make a Poets apology for the...
2723To John Adams from Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, 18 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Il y a quelque tems que J’ai eu l’Honneur de Correspondre avec Votre Excelle. Depuis Cette Epoque Rien d’Interessant Sest Presentee pour que J’ai pu avoir eu Celuy de vous Ecrire, et quoi que Je Compte que Votre Excellence Sera deja Instruit de l’Intention tant des Commercants des Villes d’amsterdam, Rotterdam et autres, Je Crois Etre Utille de vous Envoyer Copie de la Requete que Les...
2724To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 12 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that I cannot procure a copy of The Life of Jackson, of wh this Edition is sold out. I send by this mail a copy of the Olive Branch, of which I request your acceptance. The very brief vindication of the work on the American Constitutions, is contained in page 39. I regret that it is so concise. If you have duplicate copies of any of Your recent newspaper or other...
2725John Paul Jones: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [3 July 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library <[July 3, 1778: ] I came to Paris when I learned on good authority that the minister wanted to speak with me on a matter of great utility to the United States. Permission to sell the prizes, or an exchange of prisoners, was not in immediate prospect; and something had to be done to assuage the Ranger’s crew. The minister pledged me to reveal his plan to no one,...
2726From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 12 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the month of July I received from Fiseaux & co. of Amsterdam a letter notifying me that the principal of their loan to the United states would become due the first day of January. I answered them that I had neither powers nor information on the subject, but would transmit their letter to the Board of treasury. I did so by the packet which sailed from Havre Aug. 10. The earliest answer...
2727Abigail Adams to John Adams, 29 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind favour of the 17. It was a Cordial to my dejected Heart to see and hear of your safe arrival in good Health and Spirits. Many are the Mercies of Heaven towards me. Tho I feel myself severely chastned yet I would not be unmindful either of the favours or frowns of him who hath said that he doth not afflict willingly.—Tis allotted me to go from the sick and allmost dyeing...
2728To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 21 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of 13th. May, on the subject of Dr. Franklin’s conduct on the 12th. of last January, for which I thank you. I should have been glad if you had gone more fully into it; perhaps however it is unnecessary, as the principal fact is established. I can have no objection to your communicating our correspondence on this subject to Dr. Franklin; but you will be good enough...
2729William Jackson to John Adams, 30 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
The last post brought me your Excellency’s letter of the 14. I hope Doctor Franklin will be fully in sentiment with you respecting the disposition of the Continental property, and I am happy in anticipating the pleasing close, which may still attend this hitherto unfortunate business. Previous to the receipt of your last letter I had drawn upon Messrs. de Neufville & Son for a sum of money to...
2730To John Adams from Pa., Young Men of Philadelphia, 7 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a period so interesting to the United States permit us to believe that an address from the Young men of Philadelphia, anxious to preserve the honor & independence of their Country will not be unwelcome to their Chief Magistrate Actuated by the principles on which our forefathers atchieved their Independence, the recent attempts of a foreign power to derogate from the dignity and rights of...