1From John Adams to Francis Dana, 3 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, for with all my heart for your Christmas Oration, which I have read with and reread with increased pleasure loving the philanthropic heart which dictated it not less than admiring the ingenious head which composed it. With any man who denies the Legitimacy of our Revolutionary War, or my Quasi War with France or Mr. Madison’s War with England, I will not dispute because there can...
2From John Adams to Francis Dana, 3 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the address and my answer. I did receive an address from the sixth regiment in Gen Hulls division, which I sent on to Mr McHenry to answer according to law and usage. I will enquire what he has done. I return your hearty congratulations on the magnificent victory of Nelson. I believe it is without a precedent or parallel I am Sir with great regard MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
3From John Adams to Francis Dana, 7 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received the honor of your letter of the 3d. yesterday. Inclosed is a short answer to the grand jury. I know the hand writing of the address very well. I went to E. Boston on Saturday to dine with you after spending two or three hours with Mr Gerry with whom I wished to converse a little more particularly concerning some things; but I was detained in Boston upon an indispensible piece of...
4From John Jay to Francis Dana, 16 February 1793 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . the Letter which you did me the Honor to write on the 19th. Dec r . last , and on the first Day of the present Term communicated it to the other Judges. Such marks of Delicacy and Respect cannot fail of making correspondent Impressions; and it gives me pleasure to assure You that nothing on our parts shall be wanting to cultivate on all occasions that Harmony & mutual Confidence...
5From John Adams to Francis Dana, [10 July 1789] (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write on the 26 th of last month and am much obliged to you for it. The Judicial bill is still under consideration of the senate, and altho’ it has undergone many alterations and amendments it is imposible to say what farther changes may be made in the house of representatives. The district Judges may be annihilated altogether, and the number...
6John Adams to Francis Dana, 8 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favour of 12 Dec r , Some days ago, and rejoice to hear of your returning Health and increasing Family. I wish the Young Lady whom I love the better for the much respected Name you have given her as good an Husband as the World Shall afford, whether Charles Shall be fidele to his Engagements or not.— I thank you, Sir for your kind attention to my Sons, the eldest of whom I hope...
7John Adams to Francis Dana, 4 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I presume this will meet you in Congress where No Doubt it is less irksome to Serve than heretofore, but not yet So agreable as it ought to be, and must be made.— The States will find themselves obliged to make their Delegates more comfortable & more honourable, if they do not See a Necessity of giving more Power to that assembly.— Many Gentlemen in Europe think the Powers in the Confederation...
8Motion of Instruction to Francis Dana, [22 May] 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, II, 121). That Mr. Dana be informed that the Treaties lately entered into for restoring peace, have caused such an alteration in the affairs of these States, as to have removed the primary object of his mission to the Court of Russia, the acquisition of new supports to their Independence That he be instructed, in case he shall have made no propositions to the Court of...
9From John Adams to Francis Dana, 1 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favour of the 16 of March, and in answer to it, I do assure you that I do not intend to decline taking a Seat in Congress, if any State in the Confederation shall think it worth while to offer me one. I am grown very ambitious of being a Limb of that Sovereign. I had rather be Master than Servant, upon the Same Principle that Men Swear at High Gate never to kiss the Maid,...
10From John Adams to Francis Dana, 18 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Favour of March 12. O.S.— It has for Sometime been my Intention to embark for the Blue Hills as soon as the definitive Treaty should be Signed, or even Sooner if the Acceptance of my Resignation, which I transmitted on the 8 th day of last December, Should arrive before that Event. M r Vanberckel will Sail from the Texel in June, and it would be agreable to me to go...