31To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 6 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Our long conflict having terminated in Independence Peace, and Glory, I have returned to resume my Citizenship in Boston. Having expended my interest in the public Cause, and it being impossible to receive payment, I was led to contemplate the means of doing business without a capital in money, and have adopted a plan which I beg leave to enclose. Your high and important Station, and the vast...
32Abigail Adams to John Adams, 11 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Col. Trumble has been so kind as to visit me, and request a Letter from me to you; I have promised him one. You direct me to write by every opportunity, I very seldom let one slip unimproved, but I find many more conveyances by way of England than any other. I have written twice to you since the recept of your last favour, which was dated july 17th. I wish you to write by way of England but to...
33To John Adams from John Singleton Copley, 11 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Copley presents his compliments to M r: Adams, has seen Lord Mansfield and been informed that it is necessary to be early at the House, M r Copley will go with M r Adams and his friends at 12 o’Clock precisely, and shall be glad to know where they are to meet and thinks there will be no dificulty in gaining Admittance RC ( PHi :Dreer Coll.); addressed: “John Adams Esquire”; endorsed: “M r...
34To John Adams from Charles Chauncy, 12 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I heartily congratulate you upon the peace , and your instrumentality in order to its being so advantagious an one to these states. I trust, they will not be forgetful to honor and reward you for your eminent services, which have gained you the highest reputation both here and abroad. The more special occasion of my now writing to you is, to bespeak your endeavours, so far as you may think...
35To John Adams from Samuel Mather, 13 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
As, from Your Discretion, Firmness of Mind and inviolable Integrity, I have expected great and good Things to be effected; You will allow me now to tell You, that my Expectation has not been disappointed. I heartily bless the most wise and wonderful Counsellour , that you have been so happily directed and succeeded in your Foreign Embassy to the Credit, Emolument and Comfort of your own...
36To John Adams from James Warren, 15 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Since my last which went in a French Brig t: by way of Nantes, Copy of which you have above, Nothing Material has taken place, except a Resolution of Congress to erect Buildings & to reside alternately on the Delaware & Potowmack, & in the mean Time they have adjourn’d to Annapolis on the 12 th Instant,— this is consider’d by the Patriots as a Triumph. Our Friend Gerry thinks the Measure will...
37To John Adams from John Dudley, 19 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have taken frequent Liberties in troubleing you with Letters stating my Distressed Situation and Soliciting your Intrest in my behalf—am Exceeding sorry to think from your not taking any notice of my necessity—and from some small Hints given me—there is a Susspition arose—that I was not in the Service of the united States or if that I was—Since which, I might have been in the British...
38To John Adams from Isaac Smith Jr., 19 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
The papers having announced y r. public appearance in this kingdom, I take the liberty of Congratulating you on y r. arrival in England, & on the success of y r. negociations in behalf of the United states of America. After much anxiety & toil, to see y r. wishes realized, to find the uncertainties of war ended, & the great object of it fully established & secured, must give you an high degree...
39Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your favour dated at Amsterdam in july was last evening handed to me; and this evening your Letter of the 10th of Sepbr. by Col. Ogden reached me. I had for some time supposed that the delay of publick buisness would retard your return; hearing that the definitive treaty was not compleated untill september, and knowing that the commercial Treaty was still to form; I had little reason to expect...
40To John Adams from Richard Cranch, 21 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Having this moment been informed that our Hon d: Friend M r: Temple is about to sail for England this Day, I gladly embrace the Opportunity of writing a few Lines to you by him. He informs me that he shall use his Influence with those in Power, to promote the forming the Treaty of Commerce on the largest and most liberal Principles, if that Business is not already finished. His great Knowledge...
41To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 23 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r Thaxter arrived here last Evening, by the Way of New York, with the definative Treaty, having narrowly escaped a severe storm by reaching that Port on Wednesday Evening— your Favours by him I have received with great Pleasure, as I was in Want of the Information they contain, as well as of your Sentiments on several important Subjects— Governor Reed will probably deliver You this, & my...
42To John Adams from Thomas Cushing, 26 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have not had the Honor of any of your Favors for some time past. althô I have been frequently favoured with Letters, from divers commercial Houses in France and Holland, upon the Subject of Bussiness, owing to your kind mention of my Name to those Houses, for which I am oblidged to you— I heartily congratulate you and my Country, that You, togather with the other Commissioners, have been...
43To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 28 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Il y a longtemps que je me serois fait un devoir de vous écrire, si j’avois eu votre adresse, qu’on vient de m’apprendre de la part de Mr. Ridley. Je ne puis cependant entrer dans les mêmes détails, ni parler aussi clair, que lorsque vous êtes à Paris. Car si nous som̃es présentement bien avec la Tamise, ceux d’ici ne le sont pas encore tout-à-fait; & ils trouveroient mauvais, avec raison, que...
44To John Adams from Thomas Pownall, 30 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I feel so uneasy about the manner in which you went from hence to London without your Servants—& with a Man not used to drive— that I cannot satisfye myself without sending a Servant to know how you gott to town I hope without any accident—& that You & Your son are well. RC ( NjMoHP ); internal address: “Gov r Pownall P:H:C to the Hon le M r Adams”; addressed: “The Hon ble Mr Adams / &c &c /...
45To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 2 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
The relation, in which we have the honour to Stand with your Excellency concerning the American Loan, makes it our Duty to inform your Excellency with the following circumstances We received Some time hence a letter from M r. Morris dated 5 th August, by which he advised us that he had determined to value upon us by his drafts till the amount of half a million Florins. We calculated at that...
46To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 5 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
By two Gentlemen who went in Ships bound for London, and of whose arrival in that City accounts are received, I had the pleasure of writing your good Self under the 16 th July—& 8 th August 83, both which Letters I hope reached you safe, and found you in health— As far as time or observation permitted, I gave a sketch of the politics in this Government—and wish the present day afforded a...
47To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 5 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
J’ai le plaisir de remarquer, par l’honorée vôtre du 28 e. Nov., que nous avons pensé & écrit l’un a l’autre le même jour. Nous sentons & partageons sincerement la joie que vous aurez d’embrasser bien-tôt Mad e. Adams & vos chers Enfans, que nous supposons venir aussi. Mon Epouse, ainsi que ma fille, languit de lui rendre leurs devoirs; & la premiere s’empressera de lui remettre tous les...
48To John Adams from Jean George Holtzhey, 5 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
About three month ago I receved a fine silver medal out of Your name from a gentleman Who came from Paris, on the independency of your Illustrious Republiq, at same time was informed that your Hon. was soon Expected here which was true, but i disovered it too late i there fore take this opportunity to return you may hearthy thanks for satisfaction you have done me, is also for the attention...
49To John Adams from George Wythe, 5 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Often had I almost resolved to write to you, to supply, in some measure, by an epistolary correspondence, the want of that conversation, which I had no other cause to regret than the interruption of it by the distance between us; and had more reasons than I can enumerate to covet. But uncertainty of communication, and a doubt whether the merit of any thing I could say would be an apology for...
50Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Will you honour a Bill of mine, drawn in favour of Uncle Smith for 60 pounds, to pay for 9 acres of wood land which I have purchased of William Adams being part of the estate of Benjamin Ruggles, which fell to Mr. Adams in right of his wife. You will think I have given a large price for it, but it is not so much as your Brother has given him for a 6 acre Lot adjoining to his. The Lot I have...
51To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, 7 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
I should have done myself the Pleasure of writing to you before this Time; But since Joining Congress, we have been in an unsettled Posture.— little other Business has been done than that of determining a Place, or Places, for the future Residence of Congress.— The Discussion of these Questions bro’t into view many others, of great Importance.— The Decissions of Congress, you are undoubtedly...
52To John Adams from John Jay, 9 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last night I rec d. your obliging Favor of the 7 Inst. & the Letters mentioned to be enclosed with it— The one for M r Laurens was immediately sent to his Lodgings. The Circumstances you mention are interesting, and will afford matter for Deliberation & Comments when we meet. My Return to London will depend on one of two Things Viz t. on being satisfied that I am to expect little or no Benefit...
53From John Jay to John Adams, 9 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
Last night I rec d . your obliging Favor of the 7 Inst. & the Letters mentioned to be enclosed with it— The one for M r Laurens was immediately sent to his Lodgings. The Circumstances you mention are interesting, and will afford matter for Deliberation & Comments when we meet. My Return to London will depend on one of two things viz t . on being satisfied that I am to expect little or no...
54To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 10 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 5 th. Instant by Comm o. Jones, with the Dispatches he brought. The Packet directed to me alone, contain’d only a Letter to the Magistrates of Hambourg, and a Diploma of Doctor of Divinity from the College at Princetown for the Reverend M r Wren: No Commission, nor any Mention of it; so that it seems to have been forgotten or...
55From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 10 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 5th. Instant by Commo. Jones, with the Dispatches he brought. The Packet directed to me alone, contain’d only a Letter to the Magistrates of Hambourg, and a Diploma of Doctor of Divinity from the College at Princetown for the Reverend Mr Wren: No Commission, nor any Mention of it; so that it...
56To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je satisferai de mon mieux à votre desir dans l’honorée votre du 4 e. cour t. , concernant ce qui se passe sur les frontieres. Vous vous rappellerez d’abord, que l’Empereur avoit révoqué le Traité de Barriere. Selon ce Traité, qui n’a jamais été observé dans tous ses points ni d’un côté ni de l’autre, certains petits Territoires étoient cedés à la rep. près de ses Forts en Flandres en 1715 &...
57To John Adams from William Vaughan, 12 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
On my return into the City after doing myself the pleasure of paying you my respects, I found some engagements on my hands in the line of business which will oblige me to make our excursion on Thursday or Friday instead of Wednesday. which I had mentioned to your son this Morning: If convenient & I do not hear further from you I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing you & your Son to...
58Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
I returned last Evening from Boston, where I went at the kind invitation of my uncle and Aunt, to celebrate our Anual festival. Doctor Cooper being dangerously Sick, I went to hear Mr. Clark; who is Setled with Dr. Chauncey; this Gentleman gave us an animated elegant and sensible discourse, from Isaah 55 chapter and 12th verse—“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with Peace; the...
59To John Adams from James Sullivan, 21 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
To trouble you with a Letter merely by way of compliment, or to have it known that I assume the freedom of writing to you is quite out of the way of my practice. nor can I say any thing respecting our Confederation, or constitution, but what you are perfectly acquainted with— but as M r Cranch tells me that you complain of the remisness of your friends on this side the water for not giving you...
60To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 23 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
We do ourselves the honour in answer to your Excellency’s esteemed favour of 14 dec̃:, to hand you inclosed Copy of the Letters both of Doctor Franklin Esq r and m r. Grand, by wh ch. you’ll be pleased to observe that the Contents are by no means favourable to our purpose. By the Washington Packet, we have again been favoured with His Excellency’s M r. Robt. Morris Eq r. ’s letters, with...
61To John Adams from Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 26 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
At the beginning of this Week having many Letters to dispatch relating to the Business of the United States, we agreed together upon their Contents, and every one of us charged himself with part of the Work. M r. Willink promised to write a Letter to your Excellency, and a short Time before the departure of the Mail, he Sent it to the other Houses for Signing. We observed he had not been very...
62Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive your Letter of August the 14th. untill this very Evening; I was much gratified to find I had done what you directed, before your Letter reach’d me. That is, that I had bought a wood Lot. Concerning this purchase I have already written to you; but least that letter should not arrive, I will repeat, that the Lot I have purchased is a part of 27 acres which belonged to Samuel...
63To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 27 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
I was honored with your two esteem’d Favors of the 18 t. & 21 st. Ult o. — I should have been a better Correspondent to you since your departure had I not been & still continue to be, under the greatest distress of a kind for M rs Ridley’s health. I fear she will not recover. I am happy to hear that you have profited so well by your Journey— May you continue to reap every advantage from it,...
64To John Adams from John Dudley, 30 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed I send you the two certificates you advised me to right for as vouchers to the Truth of what I represented relative to my being a prisnor of war— Likewise I have taken great pains to find out Capt. James Commins Commander of the Confederate which Ship I was Illegally Sent from my native Country in— I have had the good fortune to find he is now at home reseding at grenwich— the Cruel...
65Abigail Adams to John Adams, 3 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have already written you 3 Letters, which have been waiting a long time for a passage; they will now all go in one ship, provided I can get this to Town to morrow; tho She was ordered for sailing to day, yet I trust to the delay which vessels usually have. Last evening I received a packet of Letters from Nabby who has been in Town a month; inclosing Your Letters by Mr. Robbins, who arrived...
66To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 3 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me by Capt. Jones, and immediately answer’d it, acquainting you that my Packets contain’d no Commission, nor any Mention of one. I have just receiv’d another Letter from you, dated the 14th past, with a Number of Dispatches, but they are Duplicates only and as old as July; they contain nothing of the Commission neither, except the Vote...
67From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 3 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me by Capt. Jones, and immediately answer’d it, acquainting you that my Packets contain’d no Commission, nor any Mention of one. I have just receiv’d another Letter from you, dated the 14th past, with a Number of Dispatches, but they are Duplicates only and as old as July; they contain nothing of...
68To John Adams from William Gordon, 7 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
You have very fairly & fully discharged your epistolary account of the preceeding year; which is an encouragement for me to begin anew. There is both pleasure & profit in corresponding with You; & notwithstanding some desponding expressions, I trust your strength & spirits will not be exhausted, till the business is completed. Finesse & subtilty are ministerial qualifications; & the only...
69Royall Tyler to John Adams, 13 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
When a man’s views are direct and his Intentions consistant with Honour and Virtue he seldom affects Concealment. I will not presume therefore that my Attentions to your Daughter are Unknown to you. If you demand why an affair of so much importance to your Domestick Concerns was not communicated by me sooner, I hope that my Youth, the early progress of my professional career, and the continued...
70To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 14 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
The definitive Treaty is this Day ratified by Congress, & I have but a few Moments, by Colonel Hermer, who is charged with the Delivery thereof, to inform You that M r Dana is arrived & requested to attend Congress. I have suggested to some of my Friends the good policy of appointing him to a Seat in Congress, & to him the Advantages to be at this Time expected from the Measure; & I flatter...
71To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 14 January [1784] (Adams Papers)
The Ratification having this day, the first on which nine States were represented, been unanimously passed; a special Messenger will be immediately dispatchd with it which gives me an opportunity of writing a few words to you which may arrive speedily & safely. The department of foreing Affairs being not yet filld, the business is of course in disorder & neglected. The arrangement of that...
72To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, [14 January 1784] (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of seeing M r. Thaxter your late Private Secretary at Philadelphia.— Congress were then on their Way to this Place— He being anxious to return to Mass tts. it was not tho’t expedient for him to come on here, as he delivered his Dispatches to the President of Congress in Philadel a. & as it did not seem probable that Congress would be soon assembled at this Place.— This is...
73Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I write you again by this vessel altho it seem’s as if there was a Spell to detain her; she has letters of various dates from me as you will find, some of which I hoped had reachd you, but the vessels by which they were sent, met with bad weather and were dismasted obliged to return into port. This letter will not be able to boast of any other merit than that of being last dated, for I can...
74To John Adams from William Carmichael, 15 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
M r Barry delivered me some days ago your Excellencys favor of the 20 th Nov r. at the Same time he put into my hands M r Ficths Note which I own surprized me greatly— The Warmth of M r Barrys heart led him to exagerate the civilities I showed him which proceeded in the first instance from the manner in which your Exc y recommended him to me— These are Duties which admit of no recompense, or...
75To John Adams from Nicolaas van Staphorst, 16 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty in consequence of our conversation of yesterday evening with two Gentlement of the Council, commissaries in the Business of our claim to the Regency, to request your Excellency that you’ll be so kind to come at my house this morning at eleven o Clock, where you’ll also find M r. Willink, and when we’ll communicate to your Excellency the proposals of said two members of the...
76To John Adams from John Cranch, 17 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have never found so much difficulty in prevailing upon myself to do any indifferent action, as in this of convincing myself that it is not too great a presumption to address a few lines to you, with the little present of game which will wait your acceptance about the same instant: In truth I could willingly have sent the gift, without at all disclosing the giver, could I, at the same time,...
77To John Adams from Herman Heyman, 17 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I had the satisfaction to lay before Your Exellency by the Letter, I took the Liberty to address your Exellency the 31 July last, a Plan of a Glass Manufactory which I intended to Establish in one of the United Provinces of Nord America for your Consideration and beg’d most Humbly from Your Exellency the favor to grant me your Skilful Advise on that head, but am hetherto deprived of the honour...
78To John Adams from John Thaxter, 19 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
’Tis two Months this day since I arrived at New York— I delivered the Treaty & Dispatches on the 22 d. Nov r. to General Mifflin, the President of Congress, then at Philadelphia— One delay & another prevented my reaching home ’till the middle of December— I am ashamed that I have omitted writing so long—but Visits & Sickness have prevented.— M r. Gerry wrote you so largely upon the general...
79Richard Cranch to John Adams, 20 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your esteemed Favour of the 10th. of Sepr. 1783, and am sorry to find that the Happiness we flatter’d our selves with soon enjoying on your Return, is postponed to a more distant Period. But the Consideration of the very important Services for your Country that you are still engaged in, makes it our Duty to sacrifice our private Enjoyments to the greater Good of the Public. The...
80To John Adams from John Stockdale, 20 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
(domestic News) I have received by the packet some Medals inclosed in a Letter directed for You for which I paid 16/8 & shall not open it til I receive Your instructions I this day received a Basket sealed up & directed for You, as I suspected it was some sort of Game I resolved in the presence of D r. John Jebb to commit an act of felony & break the Seals, with an intent for D r. Jebb to seal...