1From George Washington to James Lovell, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have taken in forwarding the intelligence which was enclosed in your Letter of the 11th of March—It is by comparing a variety of information, we are frequently enable to investigate facts, which were so intricate or hidden, that no single clue could have led to the knowledge of them in this point of view, intelligence becomes interesting, which from but its...
2From George Washington to James Lovell, 4 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours inclosing a packet for the Honble Mr Morris, which I shall forward by the first safe conveyance. I have the honor to be Sir yr most obt Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
3George Washington to James Lovell, 4 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 4, 1777. Discusses the qualifications of Lutterloh. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lovell was a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress. Major Henry Emanuel Lutterloh who was employed in the quartermaster’s department.
4From George Washington to James Lovell, 6 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by the Comunication you have been pleased to make me in your Favr of 21st ulto. My Secretary has taken a Copy of the Cyphers—& by help of one of the Alphabets has been able to decipher one paragraph of a Letter lately intercepted going from Ld Cornwallis to sir Hry Clinton. Your letter in Genl Greene will be forwarded by a good Opportunity by which I expect to write tomorrow....
5From George Washington to James Lovell, 16 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely obliged by the information contained in yours of the 10th —I immediately forwarded your letters and the papers to Mr Morris by Express. I am convinced we have nothing to expect from Great Britain but what her necessities shall oblige her to give up—She is somewhat like a person in desperate circumstances—She can scarcely be in a worse condition and by persevering, something...
6From George Washington to James Lovell, 12 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I h ave received your Favor of the 28th ulto Its Inclosures for Major Genl Greene, shall be forwarded to him, by the first good Conveyance. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
7From George Washington to James Lovell, 4 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 23d of last month, and feel myself much indebted to you for the information it contains. Be assured Sir I am fully persuaded that no intelligence on your part will be withheld, that may be considered as essential or assisting in the discharge of the duties of my station. I am happy to learn, that the supplies for the army from France are to be relied...
8From John Adams to James Lovell, 6 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 12 Oct. We have received, by which We learn that foreign affairs were under Consideration. Mr. D. had wrote on 14 Sept. that they were then under Consideration. From the Time taken We have reason to Expect they will be well digested. There are great Expectations here among the interested. Mr. D and others have written in a manner which makes it expected that one will be left alone...
9Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 18 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
In a Letter from my Dear absent Friend the day before he saild dated on Board the Frigate he informd me that the Evening before he received a Letter from his much Esteemed Friend Mr. L ovel l in which he complained that “Portia did not write to him.” Could Portia have given a greater proof of the high value she placed upon his Friendship and correspondence she would not have withheld her hand....
10From George Washington to James Lovell, 29 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 24th and 26th instants. The latter by Mr de Francy, who delivered me the several things mentioned in Mr Penets letter. You have my thanks for you care in forwarding them. Several accounts corroborate the probability of the evacuation of Rhode Island, and a number of Men are embarked at New York. I have not the least doubt but they are meant to reinforce Genl...
11From John Adams to James Lovell, 29 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
The States of the Province of Friesland, have come to a Resolution, that it was certain that Byland was not the Aggressor, but that Fielding, had not hesitated, to make Use of Force to visit the dutch Ships under Convoy, to stop those that were found loaded with Hemp, and to insult the Flagg of the Republic. That this Proceeding shows, that the Complaisance hitherto employed towards England,...
12From John Adams to James Lovell, 6 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, this Morning, by several Hands and at other Times during the last Week, Several of your Favours. I will endeavour to acknowledge each if I can but if I should mistake in my Hurry and omit, one or two I hope you will excuse it. One of Jany 1. one of Jany. 17. one of Jany 21. one of Jany. 20. with their Enclosures. I will, do all I can to ensure a Passage for the Resolution of...
13Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 15 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Do you know a Man by the Name of More What is his character? I have never replied to your favour of october 9th. I felt a reluctance at writing. Yet I love your Letters when they are not too sausy, or do not border upon what I never will pardon or forgive. I cannot withdraw my esteem from the writter, yet if his Friends do not tell him how much his character suffers, they do not act the part...
14From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 13 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress Immediately on the Receipt of your respected Letter of May 9. I wrote to a Friend in London, to supply Messrs. Curson & Gouverneur with what Money they might have occasion for: and he writes to me that he has accordingly made them the Offer. Their Liberty is not at present obtainable. I should be very glad if I had it in my Power to...
15Abigail Adams to James Lovell?, 10 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have not had the pleasure of a line from you since your arrival in Philadelphia, but I have had the satisfaction of hearing from abroad and finding that the situation of my Friend was not so dissagreable as I feard. You have had publick dispatches and probable private Letters. Have you not some intelligence which you may communicate? There is not a prospect of peace I think. Thus my Friend...
16Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 17 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your very polite favour was handed me this Evening. I esteem myself much obliged for the enclosed plan, but I cannot describe to you the distress and agitation which the reception of your Letter threw me into. It was some time before I could get resolution to open it, and when I had opend it I dared not read it. Ten thousand horrid Ideas rushd upon my Soul. I thought it would announce to me...
17From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 2 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: National Archives, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I duly received your several Favours of Augt 15 & Sept. 7. with the Resolves of Congress for drawing on me Bills extraordinary to the Amount of near 300 thousand Dollars. To keep up the Credit of Congress, I had already engag’d for those drawn on Mr Lawrens. You cannot conceive how much these...
18From George Washington to James Lovell, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 30th May inclosing [a] List of the French Officers who came over in the Amphitrite, with the Ranks which they are to bear. I have stated to Congress some difficulties that will arise upon granting them Rank from the Dates of their french Commissions. They will by these means supersede all our own Officers of equal Rank whose Commissions, upon the new establishmt of the...
19Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 30 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I have so often troubled you with my fears tis a debt I owe your patience to communicate to you my happiness. To a Heart so susceptible as the person I address I need not discribe the joy I experienced this day in receiving Letters from my dear absent Friend informing me of his Safety and Health. He arrived at Beaudeaux the begining of April and reachd Paris the 8th, but I know not what...
20From John Adams to James Lovell, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours of Octr. 14, and 19, are received. The Exposé des Motifs, is indeed news to me. I dislike, the Experiment, as much as you, and am equally happy, the offer did not suc was rejected. Mr. Jay, will find no Embarrassment, I presume, for Spain has all along furnished Mr. Lee with Money, in very considerable sums, and will continue it, I doubt not to the Minister. But I shall have precarious...
21From John Adams to James Lovell, 24 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
I cannot omit this opportunity of acknowledging the Receipt of your kind Favours of 27 or 28 Novr. I Say one or the other of those days, because although the Letter has no date yet it Says it was written on the Day when a certain Commission was voted me, and both the Commissions are dated the 27, altho the Copy of the Resolution of Congress by which I was appointed is dated the 28. I should...
22From John Adams to James Lovell, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 9 July 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:148–149 . Adams announced the arrival of dispatches from the congress, including the ratified Franco-American treaties and letters from Lovell. He commented on the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and France and the relative...
23From John Adams to James Lovell, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 10 July is before me. Mr. Searle and every other Gentleman that you recommend to me, shall be treated with all the respect possible. I hope to see him but fear it will not be soon. I hope you will send Mr. Laurens here Minister Plenipotentiary. We have not shewn so much Attention and Respect to this Republick as it deserves, or as their Interest and ours requires. A Minister here,...
24From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; copy: Yale University Library I see in a Vote of Congress shown me by Capt. Franval, that Mr. Deane is disown’d in some of his Agreements with Officers. I, who am upon the Spot, and know the infinite Difficulty of resisting the powerful Solicitations here of Great Men, who if disobliged might have it in their Power to...
25Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 13 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by the last post with a freedom which perhaps you may think I had no right to make use of. I was stimulated to it by many severe speaches that I had heard, and from not knowing myself what to say in paliation of my Friend. All former excuses were worn out by time and tho I do not believe the hard things I have heard, I think he ought to suffer any temporary inconvenience which a...
26From George Washington to James Lovell, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Letter of the 31. of last month, I dispatched a Gentleman well acquainted with the ground and Inhabitants in the vicinity where the Journals of Congress were said to be deposited, in order to make inquiry concerning them—he found them, without difficulty—and they will be sent forward to York under the Escort of Colonel Hartleys Regiment—The Search for the Types was not...
27Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 19 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
This Moment your favour of August the 6 is come to hand. My Heart reproaches me that I have not before this time told you that according to the Scotch Song “I had banishd all my Grief for I was sure the News was true and I was sure he’s well.”—Indeed Sir I have been so much absorbed in my own happiness and so selfish that I have scarcly thought of communicating it. But a debt of gratitude is...
28From John Adams to James Lovell, 29 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I cannot let the Marquis go off, without a Line to you. He took leave of the King a few days ago, in the Uniform of an American Major General, and attracted the Eyes of the whole Court more than ever. He had on no doubt his American Sword which is indeed a Beauty, and which he shews with great Pleasure, upon proper Occasions. The workmanship is exquisite, and there are Emblems on it,...
29From John Adams to James Lovell, 13 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
Since I have had Opportunity to converse, a little in this Country, and to read a few Gazettes, I find that Questions have been agitated here in the Newspapers, and in private Circles, as well as in Congress, concerning his Excellency the Comte De Vergennes and Mr. A. Lee which seem to make it necessary, that I should Send the inclosed Copies. You can judge better than I, whether it will be of...
30From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 5 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Upon the Receipt of yours, relating to Messrs Gouvernier & Curson, & Dr. Witherspoon, I wrote to a Correspondent in London to furnish them with what Money they might have Occasion for. The two former did not want any Assistance, the latter took 20 Guineas, which enabled him to come hither where he found a farther Credit from his Father. I shall always...
31Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 12 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Will you forgive my so often troubling you with my fears and anxieties; Groundless as some of them have been they were real to me for a time, and had all the force of truth upon me. I most sincerely wish my present uneasiness may arise from as fi c ticious a cause as the former proved to be but from many circumstances I fear it will not. Tis near four months since the Boston saild, in all...
32From John Adams to James Lovell, 24 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 4 May is received—it is the first from Philadelphia. Mr. Mease and your Friend shall have all the attention and assistance I can give them. I thank you for sending the Journals by the Way of Braintree: but hope you will continue to send them from Phila. also. Your Plan of a Cypher I cannot comprehend—nor can Dr. F. his. You have made me very happy, by acquainting me with Proceedings...
33From George Washington to James Lovell, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 9th instant solliciting my favor for acertain Mr George Joy with the Enemy. Should I be so happy as to enter N. York, so early as you mention is the Expectation of the people of Boston—which Event, to me, I must Confess does, not appear so promising as they seem to imagine—It will not be for me to determine upon the Merits or Demerits of Individuals, who may...
34From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 30 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have within these few Days received a Number of Dispatches from you which have arrived by the Mercury and other Vessels. Hearing but this Instant of an Opportunity from Bordeaux, and that the Courier Sets out from Versailles at 5 this Evening, I embrace it just to let you know that I have...
35From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I receiv’d your Favour (without Date) communicating a Method of Secret Writing, for which I am oblig’d to you. I have since receiv’d yours of July 4. I was very sensible before I left America, of the Inconveniencies attending the Employment of Foreign Officers, and therefore immediately on my Arrival here I gave all the Discouragement in my Power to their...
36Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 1 March 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am greatly allarmed and distressd at the intelligence from Bordeaux, with regard to Dr. Franklin, which if true must be attended with very serious consequences. I had just acquired fortitude sufficent to withstand the dangers of the Sea and open and avowed Enemies, but was not prepaird for the assassinateing knife of a Ravellick. —Is there no method that congress can take to chain these...
37From John Adams to James Lovell, 7 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am this Moment finishing the Year, Since my last Arrival in Europe. And the dullest Year, it has been, that I ever Saw. I hope I shall never see Such another. The last Year has compleatly finished our Credit in Europe, Unless France and Spain should lend Us Money there is none to be had. As to the Olive Branch the Seed is not yet Sown which is to produce the Tree which will bear it. I have...
38From John Adams to James Lovell, 4 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have heard much of your Deliberations concerning a Peace—and you drop Hints to me, of Apprehensions of Negotiations in Europe. I hate these Innuendoes—pray Speak out, and tell me what you mean. Do you verily expect Peace? Do you seriously expect Negotiations for Peace? What is at stake for Britania? What will be the Consequence to her of American Independence? Is not the Empire of the Sea at...
39From John Adams to James Lovell, 4 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
This will be deliverd you by Mr. Izard, who I Suppose, will lay open to you many Things relative to the State of our Affairs here. I Suppose, by what he has said, in plain English, that he will make a direct Complaint against Dr. F. I dont know this, but only by the Inferences that I draw. I Suppose Dr. F. and all his Friends here will expect this, from what has passed between them. My...
40Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 15 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to Mr. S A—— the same day I received your Letter, but not a syllable of information have I yet collected from him. No Alliance yet arrived—it will afford me some releif to be scribling to somebody who will hear me, who will attend to me and answer my Queries, and tho Mr. L ovel l has heretofore wrote rather problematically with regard to the situation of my absent Friend I beg of him...
41Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 3 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of december 19 was deliverd me this day. I would not omit by this post to thank you for it, and for your confidential communications. I cannot however comprehend your Letter to my best Friend for want of the promised key. I am more reconciled to ambiguity and ciphers, than formerly, and not a little thankfull, that the Robberies have been committed now rather than twelve Months...
42Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 10 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Upon opening your favour of April 17 my Heart Beat a double stroke when I found that the Letter which I supposed had reachd you was the one captured in the room of that you received which was what I had supposed lost, but I should have been secure from the knowledge of the writer if Mr. Cranchs Letter and one I wrote at the same time had not accompanied it. The Letter which I would not have...
43Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 8 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yes I have been Sick confined to my chamber with a slow fever. I have been unhappy through anxiety for my dear Boy, and still am apprehensive of our terrible coast should he come upon it, besides the tormenting cruizers infest our Bay with impuinity and take every thing. You have heard I suppose that the passengers all left the Ship and went to Bilboa upon Gillions abusive treatment of them....
44Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
At length the mistery is unravelld, and by a mere accident I have come to the knowledge of what you have more than once hinted at. A Letter of Mrs. Shippen addressed to Mrs. A. but without any christian Name or place of abode, was put into my Hands Supposed for me, I opened and read it half through before I discoverd the mistake. Ought Eve to have laid it by then when so honestly come at? But...
45From John Adams to James Lovell, 19 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
You have been so good, in sending me the Journals and above all in sending me very particular Intelligence of what has passed upon several occasions that I depend much upon the Continuance of your Favours. An early receipt of the Journals will be a great Advantage to me, and I shall not fail to make a good Use of them. Since I have been here, I have seen Mr. I. and mentioned to him, his famous...
46Enclosure: Joseph Gridley to James Lovell, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you an English paper of May 15th whereby you will see the Temper of the English Councils & the Failure of the prince Nassau’s Expedition to Jersey & Guernsey. however, as the Troops that were designed for America, under Convoy of Admiral Arbuthnot (being 4000) went to Guernsey, it is probable they will be detained some time & possibly it will prevent their going out at all, as it is...
47From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 16 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, our firm & constant Friend, returning to America, I have written a long Letter by him to the President, of which a Copy goes by this Ship.— M. Gerard is since arrived, and I have received the Dispatches you mentioned to me but no Letter in answer to mine, a very long one, by the Chevr de...
48From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 10 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received on the 12th of June 1780 Copies of your several Favours of April 29. 1779. June 13. 1779. July 9th. & 16th. Augt 6. & Sept. 16th. 1779.— You will see by this what Delays our Correspondence sometimes meets with. I have lately receiv’d two of fresher Date, viz. Feb. 24. & May 4. I thank you much for the...
49From John Adams to James Lovell, 25 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to congress of the 16 of May, inclosing my Memorial, I observed, that the Bravery of our Countrymen in Carolina, De la motte piquets Captures, and the Spanish opperations of Gibraltar, had contributed to raise the Spirits of this nation from that gloom, in which the Capture of Statia Essequebo and Demerara had plunged them. I did not then conceive it possible that I should be...
50Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 15 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters arrived in the absence of Mr. Adams who is gone as far as Portsmouth, little thinking of your plot against him. O Sir you who are possessd of Sensibility, and a tender Heart, how could you contrive to rob me of all my happiness? I can forgive Mr. Geary because he is a Stranger to domestick felicity and knows no tenderer attachment than that which he feel s for his Country, tho I...