3041To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 31 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
The disorders of our Army do not proceed from any natural faults in our men. On the contrary I believe the people of America (especially the Natives) are the most tractable Creatures in the world. I Can say with great certainty that I have never yet been disobeyed in a single instance by a Virginian or a New England man in any connection with them in the hospital. I speak therefore from...
3042From John Jay to John Adams, 4 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with your Letters of the 10 th . 19. & 30 April and 1 st . May last. Since the sitting of the Convention a sufficient number of States for the Dispatch of Business have not been represented in Congress, so that it has neither been in my Power officially to communicate your Letters to them, nor to write on several Subjects on which it is proper that Congress should make...
3043Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 18 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I lately enclosed you a prospectus of the Rev d Doctor Smith’s works accompanied by a print of the Author, which I sent rather as a specimen of good American Engraving, than on any other account; although as a subscriber to the work, which will ere long be published, you might wish to posses so striking a likeness of the Author. I sent the print and prospectus without any knowledge of M r:...
3044To John Adams from John Myer, 9 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to Notification by Advertisement to the Freemen of the Town of Hamburg and its Vicinity Composing the Third Regiment of Berks County Militia in the State of Pennsylvania a Meeting of the Same Assembled at the House of Jesse Evans on Saturday June the 9th: AD 1798 And Appointed John Myer Esqr Chairman Joseph Old Secretary The Chairman having taken his Seat & the Meeting being Opened...
3045To John Adams from Francis Dana, 26 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
When you was last at Cambridge at my house, in consideration of the weight of the business of my present office, and of the feeble state of my health, I was induced to suggest to you, that if any office under the United States, which your partiality for me might lead you to think me capable of filling, and the duties of which wou’d be less burthensome than those of my present one, shou’d be...
3046To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 14th Instant: in Answer to which, I can only return your Excellency my most humble Thanks and assure you that the Confidence, with which I am honored, shall not be Abusd by me, and Care shall be taken, that it shall not be so by any One Else. I will Keep together what I receive from Your Excellency, to be returnd to You or your...
3047To John Adams from Joseph Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 20 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur Adams feroit trés-grand plaisir à M. de Rayneval de lui mander s’il connoit une anglais nommée qui se nomme Montagu Fox, et qui il est: M. de Rayneval sera infiniment obligé à Monsieur Adams.
3048To John Adams from James McHenry, 27 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to submit to the Senate reports on the petitions of Mary Hibborn and Michael Van Hleeck. With the greatest Respect I have the honor to be / Sir / Your most obedt servant DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
3049To John Adams from John Winthrop, 1 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last week acknowledging the receit of your favor of May 6. Since that, have had the pleasure of another, of May 12, by my Son—am greatly obliged to you for the favorable opinion you are pleased to express of him. I cannot but regret, however, that so large a proportion of the paper was left blank. I have often wondered, that so much difficulty should be raised about declaring...
3050To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 30 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter from Patrick Henry Esqr. declining the appointment of an envoy to France. I now inclose a letter from Judge Ellsworth, which I have reserved for this expected event: and am, with great respect, / Sir, your most obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
3051To John Adams from Ephraim Hunt, 18 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
seeing by the resolves of Congress that thier is to be an army raised for the defence of our country as an old american officer I Offer myself if it (should it meet your approbation for the Service. I served last war as a Lieut. in Colo. Henry Jackson Regiment from Boston. any recommendation you may think necessary I can procure.) I served also in the commandier in Chiefs gards for some time...
3052To John Adams from James Warren, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I keep no Copies of the Letters I write to you, and have been so Careless as to keep no Memorandum of them I cant recollect either the Number or Contents. But this I am certain of, that they are both Numerous and Lengthy, and that I have not received a Single Line from you. This is equally a subject of Complaint among all your Friends, and I am to be satisfied while I dont find myself...
3053Abigail 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...
3054To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have received a Letter from a very respectable Person in America, containing the following Words, Viz “It is confidently reported, propagated, and believed by some among us, that the Court of France was at bottom against our Obtaining the Fishery and Territory in that great Extent in which both are secured to us by the Treaty; that our Minister at that Court favoured, or did not oppose this...
3055To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully takes the Liberty to transmit to the President of the United States, a statement of his recollection of the substance and incidents of the Conversation which passed between them the evening preceding the Resignation of his office, committed to Writing immediately afterwards. He also transmits Copies of sundry papers having reference to certain parts of that...
3056To John Adams from Henry Knox, 10 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to you for your two favors, one of the 25 Ultimo and the other of the 6 instant both of which I have received. I know not in what condition the Furnace at Salisbury is, but, from the reports which I have had of the Ore, I should suppose they must be bungling workmen indeed if they do not succeed. Shall I enquire into the management of it, and, if practicable, endeavor to get some...
3057To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 January 1823 to 20 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
1st January. If the weather to day is ominous of the storms of the ensuing year we must not expect much quiet—Let it come—I will not flinch be the end what it may—We went to the Presidents where we found a much larger party assembled than would have been expected considering the difficulties attendant on a sortie in such an inclement day—The Corps diplomatique paid their usual compliment and...
3058To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the remarks, which I proposed to make, when I had the honor of paying my last respects to you. The delay has been owing, in a great measure, to sickness in my family, but it cannot be attended with any ill consequences. I shall wait on you soon, with the information for explaining such parts of the curious Journal of General Martial, relating to myself, as you was pleased to...
3059To John Adams from Stephen Moore, 1 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a time when the unjust & rapacious depredations of the French Republic, are continued to be practiced upon us, in violation of solemn Treaty, and the Law of Nations; and when the Rights & Honour of the American United States have been contemptuously insulted, through our Messengers of Peace, We should fail in the duty we owe to ourselves & our Country, and do violence to our feelings as...
3060To John Adams from Richard Price, 22 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
D r Price presents his respectful complim ts: to M r Adams, and conveys to him the inclosed policy— Should M r Houdon happen not to have had the Small-pox, the policy will not be vacated unless he Should die of the Small-pox. The congregation at Hackney are making alterations by which they will enlarge Several Pews, and gain one pew w ch: they intend to reserve for the accommodation of M r...
3061To John Adams from Thomas Barclay, 27 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here the 10 th. and expect to be able to proceed to Cadiz in a few days, the Copys of three short Letters which I wrote to M r. Jefferson, will place before you our Progress untill this day, when I had the pleasure of receiving through the hands of M r. Carmichael The Kings Letter to the Emperor; informing him that it would be better the Peace should be made in Morocco than in Spain,...
3062To John Adams from John Trumbull, 4 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have been absent on a Journey to Newhaven, or I should sooner have acknowleged the receipt of your letter of the 12th: Ult. As I never doubted that the reports concerning the conversation in question, originated chiefly from that Spirit mentioned in your Postscript, I was gratified by the account you gave me, principally as it enabled me positively to contradict many unfounded assertions...
3063To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Paleski, formerly Prussian Consul in the U States, has sent me a certified copy of a commission from the King of Prussia to Johann Ernst Christian Schultze, appointing him his Consul at Baltimore, where Mr. Schultze resides. Mr. Paleski called this morning, and expresses no doubt of the authenticity of the appointment, and prays that the exequatur may issue. The original probably may...
3064To John Adams from Sebastián Francisco de Miranda, 24 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
C’est au-nom des Colonies Hispano-Americaines, que J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer à Votre Excellence les Propositions ci-jointes.—Elles ont êtè presentèes egalement aux ministres de Sa Majestè Britannique, qui les ont reçü tres favorablement: en temoignant beaucoup de satisfaction d’avoir à agir dans un cas pareil avec les Etats-Unis de l’Amerique.—Et il me semble que le delai que J’eprouve...
3065Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 28 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your affectionate & confidential favors of the 17 th: & 23 d: inst ts: and have conferred with M r: Ingersoll on the subject of their contents, so far as they concerned himself. He observed, that his communication with me, on the subject of his resignation of the office he now holds under government, was intended merely to afford an opportunity for filling the vacancy, which...
3066John Thaxter to John Adams, 20 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to congratulate You on the final Resolution of the Generality, the News of which I received last Evening. This Step makes an agreable Impression here, and they pride themselves in the Unanimity and Rapidity , and I may add Velocity with which it has been carried thro’. It will indeed make a memorable Epocha in the Annals of this Country, and stand as an eternal Monument that...
3067From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, [2 April 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
⟨The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to⟩ the Vice-President—sends him a memoir which is the work of a Mr. La Rocque a French Gentleman who is said to be charged with exploring the ground for extensive speculations in our vacant lands &c and which the Author is desirous of having placed under the eye of the Senate. How this can be done the Vice President can best judge or...
3068To John Adams from Jonathan Webb, 8 December 1809 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to your request I have considered the Substance of Mr. Dearborns letter— And hereby inform you what little I know respecting the several enquires therein mention’d. This Town abounds mostly of boot & shoemakers there appears to be about 20 shops employing from 80 to 100 hands, can be carried on with a small capital— It is not so good as it has been, no doubt the interuption of our...
3069To John Adams from John Jay, 2 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 19th. ult: informing me that I had been nominated to fill the office of Chief Justice of the united States; and Yesterday I recd. the Commission—this nomination so strongly manifests your Esteem, that it affords me particular Satisfaction— Such was the Temper of the Times, that the Act to establish the judicial courts of the U.S., was in some...
3070To John Adams from Eliphalet Fitch, 12 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
It is seldom that I have an agreable Opportunity to write you, but my particular Friend Mr Farmer, intending to visit the United States of America, affords me a favorable Conveyance.—I have requested him to deliver you my Letter; and as He is a Gentleman, for whom I have the greatest Regard, permit me to request you will shew him a kind Attention.—His good Sense and great Abilities in his...
3071To John Adams from Elias Boudinot, 13 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
A convenient opportunity offering by your Son, permit me to ask your acceptance of a small tract, I have lately been prevailed on to suffer to be published, in answer to Paine’s Age of Reason. I am not so vain, as to suppose it can add any thing to your stock of knowledge: it is merely an attempt to throw together the substance of various proofs of our holy religion, that lay scattered in a...
3072From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 25 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 16th. instt. and have given deliberate attention to its contents—I listen with pleasure to all the circumstances that you allege in indication of yourself; and shall doubly rejoice to learn at midsummer, that your expectations are confirmed, by the standing which you will then have attained—If you should not be lower than 12. it will be apparent that my...
3073To John Adams from Charles Lee, 2 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received letters from Virginia which contain very pleasing information concerning the elections in Virginia. that state Gen. Marshall Gen Lee Col Powell, Mr. Robert Page, Mr. Parker are certainly elected into Congress. Of Mr. Evans, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Goode no doubt is entertained, but complete accounts of the votes had not been received—These gentlemen are all...
3074To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 26 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to send you a copy of the Addresses of the Philadelphia Society for the protection of National Industry, of which I request Your acceptance, & am, / respectfully, / Your obt. hble Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
3075To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
You Shall indulge me—having been engaged So long in various lucubrations—that I take Some repose, and write a few lines to the man, whom duty and inclination compel me to revere. I do So rather as—how triffling a Letter may be, you are So indulgent as to favour it with a kind reception—and to tell you the truth—I have been a while impatiently desiring to hear Something of your health and that...
3076To John Adams from Richard Rush, 18 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
I beg you will do me the honor to accept a Copy of a discourse I delivered on the 4th of July at this place. The present crisis of our country, sir, is most momentous; but it seems greatly to be feared that the powerful and intelligent state of Massachusetts will not yield her zealous cooperation to the nation in its present struggle. With constant wishes for your health and happiness allow...
3077To John Adams from Nathan Rice, 2 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
Many and numerous applications I apprehend are made to your Excellency in consequence of the dislanding the twelve additional Regiments:—I exceedingly regret that any circumstances should impell me to encroach on your Time, or again solicit your attention.— The Government stands fully acquited from every charge of breach of faith or promise, to the army—Yet from the generally received idea...
3078Benjamin Waterhouse to John Adams, 26 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was glad to find by your letter of the 23d. inst. that what we have hitherto done meets with your approbation, and it is with no small satisfaction that I see all three of my countrymen pleased and contented with their situation. In regard to Mr Charles’s attending the lectures there is no rule or custom that forbids him. As there are none so young who attend the public-lectures, we only...
3079To John Adams from John Faucheraud Grimké, 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is with very sincere pleasure that we forward the presentments made by the Grand Jury of this City and district, at the late Court of Oyer and Jerminer; &c, which commenced its session on the 19th. Instant; and the more especially, as the Grand Inquest have in our opinion, spoken the language of the Citizens of this country, in favor of the late judicious and dicisive measures of the...
3080To John Adams from William Crawford, 4 July 1763 (Adams Papers)
I hope you enjoy mens sana in Corpore Sano: My Body for more than six months past has been in some degree more than common tending to dissolution. I seem to have gain’d some better Health since the warm weather. I hear that you are like to make yourself happy, by a conjunction with one of the fairest parts of the fair part of the Creation. I picture in my Imagination how you sooth and soften...
3081To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Ce n’est pas proprement le Courier attendu, mais une Lettre des Plénipotentiaires de Petersbourg qui est arrivée, datée du 19 Dec. O.S. dernier, annonçant que l’Impératrice étoit contente de tout, quelle avoit vu les 2 derniers Memes. Britanniques présentés par S. J. Y. à L. h. P., et qu’elle en avoit été plus indignée qu’étonnée: que la Signature devoit se faire le 23e. O.S. c’est-à-dire, 4...
3082To John Adams from James Warren, 11 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
Since my last I have not A Scrip from you. Whether you Intend by withholding the Encouragement you used to give to get rid of the Trouble of my many long and Tedious Letters I don’t know. However I am determined to write this once more at least not out of Spite, and malice, but to rectify some Errors I find I Committed in my last and to remove any Impressions of despondency the Temper I wrote...
3083To John Adams from Andrew Dunlap, 9 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
Mr Matthew Carey of Philadelphia has written me, that he has forwarded to you, part of the Sig na tures of the Second Edition of the “Olive Branch” for perusal, after which, to be handed to me, for the purpose of Striking of an Edition of 1250 Copies in Boston. I am very desirous to Commence the publication of this Valuable work, with the least possible delay. I therefore take the liberty to...
3084Jean Luzac to John Adams: A Translation, 19 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Upon returning home, I found the letter that you honored me with of last Monday. Please accept my apologies for thus far being unable to speed up the publication of the pamphlet. Unexpected family matters, particularly the death of a relative, have caused me to make frequent trips out of town and have deprived me of the leisure necessary to address myself to the task as promptly as I had...
3085Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 1 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am fav d. with your letter of the 19 th. of last Month, and am Extremely glad to find your things have at length reach’d you— The few Articles that still remain shall Continue here untill you Come, as I do not think it will be right to put you to the Expence of Carriage— Doctor Bancroft arrived from Philadelphia a few days ago. M r. Jefferson is Certainly Joined in a Commission with you and...
3086To John Adams from Esther Barrette Adams, 30 June 1804 (Adams Papers)
I hope you’ll be so good as to excuse the liberty of my troubling you with a Letter on a Subject which concerns me in the most Particular manner. I was Married in the Year 1780 to a Mr: Summer Adams, a Native of America (Who’s Father was a Merchant in Boston Named Jno. Adams) by whom I had three Sons who are all liveing the Eldest is in Labrador. My Husband was taken about Eleven Years Since...
3087To John Adams from Pierre Penet, 17 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
J’ai la satisfaction d’annoncer à Votre Excellence, qu’ayant été informé le 11 du courant de l’arrivée de Monsieur Adams votre fils, en cette Ville de Hambourg, venant de Copenhaguen, je me suis présenté aussitôt en son Hôtel pour avoir l’honneur de le saluer, lui offrir mes services & l’engager de faire une visite au Ministre de France. Le même jour je l’ai présenté au Premier Bourguemaître &...
3088To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Before this reaches you, you will have heard of the Arrival of near an hundred more of the Enemies ships. There are too many Soldiers now in Philadelphia waiting for Arms. Is it not of the utmost Importance that they should march even without Arms, especially as they may be furnished with the Arms of those who are sick at N York. Would it not be doing great Service to the Cause at this time if...
3089Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
You have directed me to draw Bills upon you for what Money I want, and add, that if my Bills are scrupled, to get them indorsed. I thank you sir, but I have no occasion for an indorser. My credit will last here; till it fails upon the other side of the water, I should find no difficulty in selling many more Bills than you would chuse to pay. I have had various applications to me for Bills, but...
3090The Duc de La Vauguyon to John Adams: A Translation, 17 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter, sir, informing me that the Congress of the United States of North America has bestowed upon you the character of minister plenipotentiary to the States General of the United Provinces. I do not know if you propose to present your credentials to their High Mightinesses at this moment, but if it is your intention to do so, I would like to speak with you about it and tell...