51From John Adams to John Jay, 14 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday received M r Remsens Letter of the 14. of December, with the Journals and Gazettes inclosed. At the last Conferences at Whitehall which were last Thursday, Lord Carmarthen thought proper to express a Wish that this Country had Some Sort of Treaty of Commerce with the United States of America, that it might be no longer necessary to take new Measures from time to time, which looked...
52To John Jay from John Adams, 8 May 1787 (Jay Papers)
I am honoured with your Letter of April 2 d , and am happy to receive the Resolutions of Congress, inclosed in it, especially those of the twenty first of March 1787. The Convention at Phyladelphia, is to consist of Members, of Such Ability, Weight, and Experience, that their Result must be beneficial to the United States. The Settlement of So many great Controversies Such as those between the...
53From John Adams to John Jay, 24 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Letter you did me the honour to write me on the 11 th. of February last, containing the Ratification of my last Loan, of two million Guilders, having been properly addressed to me as Minister at the Hague, by a mistake in the Post Office at Paris was Sent to Holland, from whence it returned to me last night. This Loan is long Since full, as my first Loan of Five million Guilders is nearly...
54From John Adams to John Jay, 28 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inclose to Congress the Statute of 25. G. 3. c. 81. for the better securing the Duties payable on Tobacco. and another Statute of the 25. G. 3. c. 67. to prohibit the Exportation to foreign Parts, of Tools and Utensils made Use of in the Iron and Steel Manufactures of this Kingdom: and to prevent the Seducing of Artificers or Workmen, employed in those Manufactures,...
55From John Adams to John Jay, 18 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your Letter of the 4. of July and thank you for your friendly Congratulations on my Arrival. The Decision of the Convention at Poughkeepsie, is of very great Importance to this Nation, perhaps to Some others.— I am extreamly anxious, that, as the new Constitution has already proceeded to far, it Should be adopted kindly and cordially, by all the three that remain. a little...
56From John Adams to John Jay, 16 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
There is no Maxim more clearly Settled in all Courts, and in all Negotiations between Nations, than that Sovereign Should always Speak to Sovereign and Minister to Minister. I am not at all Surprised therefore, although I am much mortified at having my Memorials to their High Mightinesses and to His most Serene Highness returned to me, with the Letter inclosed from M r Fagel. I Should have had...
57John Adams to John Jay, 9 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to congratulate the United States, upon the Acquisition of a Minister of foreign Affairs, whose long Services have So justly acquired their Confidence and whose Experience as well as his Talents, so fully qualify him for this important Trust. The joint Dispatches of their Ministers here will inform Congress of the Slow Progress of the Negotiations entrusted to their Care. These...
58From John Adams to John Jay, 21 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
A difference of opinion having arisen among those of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund, who are now in this City, respecting the construction of their authority under the Act making provision for the Reduction of the Public Debt, by which they are equally divided, your presence here towards settling the principle which is in question, in order to the future conduct of the business, has become...
59From John Adams to John Jay, 4 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have only time to acquaint you, that since my last there have been some Appearances of an Intention in Ministry to take up American Affairs Lord Carmarthen and M r Pitt have certainly had Conferences with Committees of Merchants who have represented to them the Necessity of arrangements with the United states, upon Terms which will give Satisfaction. Nevertheless I have no Confidence in this...
60To John Jay from John Adams, 11 May 1784 (Jay Papers)
Your favour of the 27. April is, before me.— I wish very Sincerely that my family had made a Visit to me, or I to them on the Conclusion of the Peace. The two Ladies will be affectionate Friends, I dare answer for it, if they should ever meet. There are Things constantly to be done here, but if there were not, it would be impossible for me, to come to Paris at present, without arranging...
61From John Adams to John Jay, 28 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I wrote You, that I am almost ashamed to recollect. I have been in the most curious Country, among the most incomprehensible People and under the most singular Constitution of Government in the World. I have not been able to write You, what could or would be done here, because I was not able to discover, nor did I ever yet find one Man in the Country, who would pretend to...
62To John Jay from John Adams, 28 March 1781 (Jay Papers)
It is so long since I wrote You, that I am almost ashamed to recollect. I have been in the most curious Country, among the most incomprehensible People and under the most singular Constitution of Government in the World. I have not been able to write You, what could or would be done here, because I was not able to discover, nor did I ever yet find one Man in the Country, who would pretend to...
63From John Adams to John Jay, 21 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had my Audience of Leave of His Majesty. I Shall not trouble you with any Particulars, of the previous steps to obtain this Audience (which you know are always troublesome enough); nor with any detail of the Conversation, farther than the Publick is immediately interested in it. The substance of my Address to His Majesty was no more than, a Renewal of assurances in Behalf of the...
64From John Adams to John Jay, 30 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The more I consider what I See and hear every day the more I am inclined to think We Shall be obliged to imitate the Utopians who as Sir Thomas More informs “As to their Exportation, thought it better to manage that themselves, than to let Foreigners come and deal in it; for, by this means, as they understand the State of the Neighbouring Countries better, So they keep up the Art of...
65John Adams to John Jay, 11 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 27. April is, before me.— I wish very Sincerely that my family had made a Visit to me, or I to them on the Conclusion of the Peace. But The two Ladies will be affectionate Friends, I dare answer for it, if they should ever meet. There are Things constantly to be done here, but if there were not, it would be impossible for me, to come to Paris at present, without arranging...
66From John Adams to John Jay, 31 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
Dr D’Ivernois continues to send Us his Speculations, which I value the more for giving me an opportunity to congratulate you, on the Durability and impenetrability of the Anvil, while so many hammers are wearing themselves out by their strokes upon it. The Treaty is not arrived and Congress will do nothing with spirit till they have vented themselves upon that. But all their Hammers will be as...
67To John Jay from John Adams, 14 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Letter, inclosing two Pamphlets one of which I have sent to M r Jefferson, by Coll Humphreys who setts out for Paris this morning. These Letters will be sufficient to shew any Man of common Decency, the Characters of the Writers. On one side there is the Condescension of a provident but indulgent Father: on the other the Impertinence and Ingratitude of a Prodigal Son, not...
68From John Adams to John Jay, 6 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I find the Spirit of the Times very different from that which you and I Saw, when We were here together, in the months of November and december 1783. Then, the Commerce of the United States had not fully returned to these Kingdoms: Then, the Nation had not digested, its System, nor determined to adhere So closely to its navigation Acts, relatively to the United States: Then, it was common in...
69From John Adams to John Jay, 23 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Copies of two Protests of Bills of Exchange, received from the Board of Treasury. They are Duplicates. another Sett of Copies I have before transmitted to that Board, to whom these Duplicates will no doubt be referred. Inclosed also are Copies of Letters from the Commissioners of Loans at Amsterdam, which render it neccessary for me, to go to Amsterdam. I Shall Sett off, on Fryday...
70From John Adams to John Jay, 13 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
We meet as you know very well, so often with foreign Ministers, at Court and at other Places and have So many transient Conversations upon Subjects in which America is more or less concerned, that I Scarcely know when it is worth while to transmit them to you and when it is not. there is danger on one hand of degenerating into minuteness, and on the other of omitting Something which may be of...
71To John Jay from John Adams, 30 August 1798 (Jay Papers)
I had last night the pleasure to receive the letter your Excellency did me the honor to write me on the 21 st of this month inclosing the resolutions of the Senate & Assembly of New-York, & their unanimous address. I can scarcely imagine any event that could do me more honor or give me greater satisfaction. The unanimity of New York, of vast importance in the union, is a happy omen of success...
72From John Adams to John Jay, 25 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you Yesterday, in your Ministerial Capacity as well as mine, my ulltimate Determination to revisit my Country, this time twelve months.— I now write you this private Letter to intreat you as a Friend, to promote in every Way in your Power, an Arrangement as early as possible, by which I may be permitted to return, with Decorum.— It is not from a desire to stimulate any Body to vote for...
73From John Adams to John Jay, 31 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Paul Randall Esq r , who has been with M r Lamb to Algiers will have the Honour to deliver this Letter. in order to lay before Congress the earliest Information of all that has come to his Knowledge, in the Course of his Journeys and Voyages he proposes to return, without loss of Time to New-York. He has conducted, as far as I can judge, with Prudence and Fidelity, and has merited a...
74From John Adams to John Jay, 24 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I was Yesterday honoured, with your Letter of the 14 th. of October, accompanied with the Gazettes and the Act of Congress of the 27. Sept r. You will learn from M r Dumas Letter, as well as by the public Papers, that the Treaty of defensive Alliance, between France and Holland was Signed at Paris on the tenth of this month. The vain Exertions of the Cabinet of St. James’s, to prevent it, are...
75To John Jay from John Adams, 8 July 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Duke de la Vauguion has this Moment, kindly given me Notice, that he is to Send off a Courier this Evening at Eleven, and that the Dutch Fleet has Sailed from the Texel this Morning. I shall take Advantage of the Courier Simply to congratulate you on your Arrival at Paris, and to wish you and M rs Jay, much Pleasure, in your Residence there.— Health, the Blessing which is Sought in vain,...
76From John Adams to John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
When the Ratification of Congress, of their Treaty with the King of Prussia, arrived here, the Term limited for the Exchange of it was near expiring. as a few Members of the States general, had discovered Uneasiness at my coming to London without going to the Hague to take Leave, it Seemed a convenient Opportunity to go over and Shew them as much of the Respect they required as remained in my...
77From John Adams to John Jay, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Expences of Insurance on American Vessells; the Obstructions of their Commerce with Spain Portugal and Italy: and Compassion for our Fellow Citizens in Captivity: all occasioned by Apprehensions of the Barbary Corsairs, must excite Solicitude in every Man capable of thinking or Feeling. it is nevertheless certain that too great an Alarm has been Spread, Since no more than two Vessells have...
78From John Adams to John Jay, 3 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
There is a Gentleman at Lisbon, who went and established himself there, as I believe partly with a View to the Consulate. He is of a very respectable Family and Connection, who have indeed Sacrificed themselves in the Cause of their Country. He is a Nephew of the famous Otis and a Son of Major General Warren. The Gentleman himself whose name is Winslow Warren, is ingenious and active, and I...
79John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 20 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received the Letter which D r Franklin did me the Honour to write me on the 16 th. with the Copy of the Treaty with Sweeden. I have before inclosed the King of Prussias Project of a Treaty, prepared as I am assured by his Minister with his own Hand in his private Cabinet. I believe it has been reserved to the present Age when the subtilties of Aristotle and the schools are...
80From John Adams to John Jay, 8 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Duke de la Vauguion has this Moment, kindly given me Notice, that he is to Send off a Courier this Evening at Eleven, and that the Dutch Fleet has Sailed from the Texel this Morning. I shall take Advantage of the Courier Simply to congratulate you, on your Arrival at Paris, and to wish you and Mrs Jay, much Pleasure, in your Residence there. Health, the Blessing which is Sought in vain,...
81To John Jay from John Adams, 5 November 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Chevalier De Pinto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, from Portugal, after a long Absence by Leave of his Court, is lately arrived here from Lisbon. Upon Several Occasions, when I met him, at court and upon Visits, he told me, that he had orders from his Court to confer with me, upon the Project of a Treaty between the United States and Portugal, but he never descended to...
82From John Adams to John Jay, 31 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Marquis of Carmarthen told me a Story of an Italian Ambassador who resided at this Court some Years ago, which was very humerous. It was his Excellencys Practice to take all the Newspapers, every Morning, and make up his Dispatches by transcribing Paragraphs from them. He began very gravely “Ho penetrato,” and went on from those Words to translate whatever he found which could amuse or...
83From John Adams to John Jay, 30 April 1821 (Adams Papers)
I must beg your pardon for delaying so long the acknowledgement of your kind favour—you have done all that is necessary to be done with Mr Duane—The sume of the matter is I suppose is—he has ploughed the Son of the Heifer in the Secretary of States Office—and procured copies of some of your communications to Congress—My letter to Jonathan Jackson, which was unfortunately and absurdly laid...
84From John Adams to John Jay, 6 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
If the Facts, which I have had the Honour to state to you in my preceeding Letters, are credited, I think it will appear, that the Connections of these Kingdoms with foreign Powers, every Idea of the Ballance of Europe; the Dominions of Great Britain in Asia And America, and all the Interests Considerations of Posterity, are Sacrificed, to a momentary Tranquility and Credit. From which...
85To John Jay from John Adams, 26 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have only Time to introduce to you and M rs Jay, my Daughter Smith and to recommend her to your Patronage and M rs Jays Friendship. I Shall embark in Six or Eight days. I am just returned from a cold Journey to the Hague and Amsterdam, where I met M r Jefferson very unexpectedly. He has persuaded me, to open another Loan, which he will transmit to Congress. I am very anxious least it Should...
86From John Adams to John Jay, 4 January 1792 (Adams Papers)
As the Week is approaching when you are to be expected at Philadelphia, I take this opportunity to present to you and your Lady the Compliments of the Season, and request the honour and pleasure of your Company at our House during your Visit to this City. We live in Arch Street at the Corner of fourth Street where your old bed is ready for you in as good a Chamber and much more conveniently...
87John Adams to John Jay, 20 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am extreamly Sorry, to read in your Letter of the 8 th. that you think of embarking for America. Let me beg of you to reconsider that Project. if you persist in it, I shall repent of having written for my Family and wish I had it in my Power to go there too. The Committee to whom, the Dispatches by Thaxter were referred have reported that a Commission be sent to the 3 named in the Resolution...
88To John Jay from John Adams, 31 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 20 th your letter to M r Duane comprehends every thing necessary to be said upon this occasion, and I presume will remove all difficulties— I congratulate you on the firmness of your nerves fully demonstrated by your hand writing, the beauty and firmness of which is equal to the best of your former days Mine are so debilitated that I can neither write— or...
89From John Adams to John Jay, 19 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to propose for your consideration, and to request you to submit to the decision of Congress whether it would not be proper that some measures should be taken to furnish your Ministers abroad with the Laws of the several States, and more especially with such Laws as may have a relation to External Commerce, or any other foreign Affair— Information of this kind will be wanted at...
90From John Adams to John Jay, 27 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Chevalier De Pinto, the Envoy of Portugal, informed me, this Day that he had received Instructions from his Court, to inform me, “that the Queen his Mistress has Sent a Squadron to cruise in the Mouth of the Streights with Orders to protect all Vessells belonging to the United States of America equally with those of her own Subjects and that She would continue those orders as long as they...
91To John Jay from John Adams, 20 December 1790 (Jay Papers)
Permit me in this Severe Season, to Salute your fireside, and congratulate you on your return from the Northern Circuit. As the time approaches when We are to expect the Pleasure of Seeing you at the Supream Court in Philadelphia, you will give me leave to Solicit the Honour and the Pleasure of your Company and that of M rs . Jay, and whoever else of the Family who may accompany you, at Bush...
92From John Adams to John Jay, 13 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I received, last night your kind favour of the 7th. Your design of writing to Mr Duane for Copies of our “very Short journals” as he calls them, is judicious, and all that is necessary. I am under no concern about Mr Duane’s Extracts or Copies, because Congress has ordered our Journals to be printed and they are in a course of publication. Although I am ashamed of mine, yet I know that Shame...
93From John Adams to John Jay, 22 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
On Monday Evening another Conference was held with the Tripolitan Ambassador, attended with his Interpreter Benamor, who is a decent Man, and very ready in the English as well as Arabick and Italian. The Foreign Ministers here Say it is the Custom of all the Ambassadors from Barbary to be much connected with Jews to whom they are commonly recommended. It may be Supposed the Jews have...
94To John Jay from John Adams, 26 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Envoy from Portugal, has received, from his Court an Answer to his Dispatches relative to the Treaty with the United States, and the enclosed Extract from it, which has been delayed some time by the Sickness of the Chevalier de Freire, the Portuguese Secretary of Legation, th at is Minister did me the Honour to deliver to me two days ago, with his request that it might be transmitted to...
95From John Adams to John Jay, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the last Post, I recieved from L’Orient a sett of fresh Instructions from Congress, dated the 16th. of August, and with the more enjoined to open a Correspondence with your Excellency, upon the subject of them. I presume You have Copy by the same Vessel; but as it is possible it may have been omitted, I shall venture to inclose a Copy, and hope it may pass unopened. I have communicated it...
96John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 10 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Inclosed is Copy of a Letter from the Baron de Thulemeier and Copy of a Project of a Treaty transmitted to me by order of the King of Prussia: I should be glad if your Excellencies would examine it, and write me your objections, and proposals of alterations, which I shall immediately communicate to his Majesty through his Minister. I presume too...
97From John Adams to John Jay, 17 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
At three O Clock according to Appointment, I went to the Secretary of States Office, in Cleavland Row St. James’s, and was immediately received by the Marquis of Carmarthen. His Lordship began the Conversation, by Saying that he could answer for himself and he believed for the rest of the Kings Servants, that they were Sincerely desirous of cultivating the most cordial Friendship with America,...
98To John Jay from John Adams, 31 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
D’Ivernois continues to send Us his Speculations, which I value the more for giving me an Opportunity to congratulate you, upon the Durability and impenetrability of the Anvil, while so many hammers are wearing themselves out by their Strokes upon it. The Treaty is not arrived and Congress will do nothing with spirit till they have vented themselves upon that. But all their Hammers will be as...
99From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 1 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter to Congress, was on the Twenty seventh of last Month Since which an Account of the new Loan is received from London, and as this may perhaps afford to Congress the clearest Proof, of the Weakness of their Ennemies, it is of importance that it should be transmitted to them. Some Accounts Say the Loan is to be seven Millions, others Eight. The Conditions of the Loan are in...
100John Adams to John Jay, 13 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d a Letter from M r Gerry, at Phil a. 23 Nov. Thaxter arrived there the night before. I presume he has written by M r Reed, and that his Letter is gone to You, as he probably addressed his Letter to Us all. M r Morris has drawn afresh by this Vessell. Let me beg of you and the D r , to advise him to Stop his Hand. If I can possibly, save those already drawn, which however I still...