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...
101From John Adams to John Jay, 3 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote a few Days Since by Col Franks who embarks in the French Packet from Havre De Grace, with the Morocco Treaty. There is no further Intelligence of the Portugal Business, nor any better Prospect, or more agreable Disposition in this Country, whatever Artifices may be employed in America to keep up delusive hopes. Parliament opened with an uncommon Gloom, and has been Sitting in a...
102From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed To Congress. By what Vessell it will be proper to Send it, deserves to be considered as soon as possible,...
103From John Adams to John Jay, 19 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr Elsworth afflicted with the Gravel and the Gout in his kidneys and intending to pass the Winter in the south of France after a few Weeks in England, has resigned his office of Chief Justice, and I have nominated you to your old station. This is as independent of the Inconstancy of the People, as it is of the Will of a President. In the future Administration of our Country the firmest...
104From John Adams to John Jay, 29 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I was obliged to a Letter from the Duke of Dorsett, to the Custom House at Dover, as I Suppose for the respect with which my Baggage was allowed to pass without a Visit, and arrived in Westminster on the 25, at Evening. I wrote, late at night to the Marquis of Carmarthen, that I was arrived and desired to be informed at what hour I should call upon his Lordship. the next Morning I had an...
105To John Jay from John Adams, 13 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
I had two days ago the pleasure of yours of the 26 th . of April, and am very happy, to have at last recieved from your Hand an Account of your safe Arrival in that Capital. The C. de F. Blanca, is agreed to be a Man of Abilities, but some how or other, there is something in the European Understanding different from those We have been more used to. Men of the greatest abilities, and the most...
106To John Jay from John Adams, 19 June 1821 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your kind favour of the 11 th , which I have this moment received, and soon determined that an acknowledgement of it should not be so long delayed. You have done, with dignity and propriety all that can be done. A publication of your letters to M r Duane and his answers would place him in a ridiculous light. But Duane Cobbet and Calender are Such excentric Characters that it...
107To John Jay from John Adams, 13 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
The public Papers announce Fitzherbert’s Commission to be, to treat “With the four Powers at War with Great-Britain” But whether they mean Hyder Aly, or the Mahrattas, is uncertain. I have obtained Intelligence of a Paper addressed lately from the Court of St. James’s to the Courts of Vienna and Petersbourg, as well as that of Paris, in which are the following words, viz t . Sa Majesté...
108From John Adams to John Jay, 26 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have received several kind Letters from You, Since your Arrival in London for which I sincerely thank you as I do for your friendly Attentions to my Sons. Those young Gentlemen have had a Severe Tryal of their Prudence: but the Neutral Character of their Country, I should Suppose, would protect them from Insult as well as from Danger. The Fate of Holland, will I presume have no unfavourable...
109From John Adams to John Jay, 10 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of a Letter from the Portugese Minister, to me of the 7. of September and my Answer of this day the tenth. This is So pointed a Proposition, that Congress will undoubtedly Send an Answer either in the affirmative or Negative. The Regard of Sovereigns to one another, renders this indispensable. and I am not able to See how a Complyance with so civil a request can well be...
110From John Adams to John Jay, 27 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
At the last Conferences, as they call here what is understood in Paris by Ambassadors Days the Marquis of Carmarthen was pleased to make an Apology for not having yet answered the Memorial requiring the Evacuation of the Posts. “It would Sound oddly to Say that he had delayed his Answer, to prevent Delays, but it was true. He had drawn up his answer, but as he was obliged to Say Something,...
111From John Adams to John Jay, 30 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have redeemed a Moment, from a Multitude of Avocations, at this critical Time, to acknowledge the Receipt by Coll Smith of your Letters of 31 of March, with the Resolution of Congress inclosed of the 21. of March. As M r De St. Saphorin is many Months ago, recalled from the Hague I Shall make Enquiry after him, and if I cannot find where he is, I Shall communicate a Copy of the Resolution,...
112To John Jay from John Adams, 15 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
I shall not always stand upon Ceremonies, nor wait for Answers to Letters, because useful Hints may be given, which would be lost if one were to wait Returns of Posts. The British Channel Fleet is reckoned this year at from thirty to thirty seven Ships of the Line, but it is well known that they depend upon Seamen to be pressed from their first West India Fleet, in order to make up this...
113From John Adams to John Jay, 28 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform You, that Friesland has taken the Provincial Resolution to acknowledge the Sovereignty of the United States of America, and to admit their Minister to an Audience, and have instructed their Deputies in the Assembly of their high Mightinesses at the Hague to make the Motion in eight days from this. The States of Holland have also taken my last Requisition and...
114From John Adams to John Jay, 22 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
There was Yesterday in the River, an Impress of Seamen, and Several American Vessells had their Men taken from them. An Application was made to me this Morning by a Master of a ship from New York, and I instantly wrote the inclosed Letter to Lord Carmarthen and went in Person to White Hall to deliver it. His Lordship read the Letter, and the Representation to me from the Captain and after some...
115From John Adams to John Jay, 15 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
There are mysterious Movements, of various kinds, that ought to be observed and reflected on, although We cannot draw any certain Conclusions from them. General Faucett, is often at the Levee, not indeed, on Wednesdays, nor at the Drawing Room on Thursdays, on which occasions the Foreign Ministers attend, but on Frydays, when there are no Strangers, and when only the Ministers of State, and...
116From John Adams to John Jay, 9 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry, by William Wirt of Richmond Virginia has been Sent to me by Mr Shaw of the Atheneum. My Family are reading it to me every Evening, and though We have not finished it, We have proceeded far enough to excite an earnest desire to know your Opinion of it There is a Section fourth, page 108. a passage which no Man now living but yourself can...
117From John Adams to John Jay, 2 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
During my Interview with the Marquis of Carmarthen he told me, that it was customary, for every foreign Minister, at his first Presentation to the King, to make his Majesty Some Compliments conformable to the Spirit of his Credentials: and when Sir Clement Cottrell Dormer, the Master of the Ceremonies, came to inform me, that he Should accompany me to the Secretary of State and to Court, he...
118From John Adams to John Jay, 13 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have written, by the late Packetts, for the Orders of Congress concerning near a Million of Guilders in the Hands of Mess s. Willinks & c in Amsterdam, and requesting the Ratification of my last Loan, and other Subjects. by the February Packet, hourly expected I hope to have the Honour of Letters from you, with the Pleasure of Congress relative to those Matters. Our joint Dispatches will...
119From John Adams to John Jay, 15 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
The Attack upon Mr Dumas, is but a Part of that system of Intimidation, that the present Tryumphant Party in Holland is pursuing, and if one were to conjecture, it would be plausible to Suppose that sir James Harris, was the Instigator of it. The English Court and Nation, with all their affected Contempt, and rude Execrations of the Dutch, have at Bottom a very great opinion of the Importance...
120From John Adams to John Jay, 5 November 1785 (Adams 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...