1To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 22 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
A considerable time has elapsed since I had the honour of conversing with you on the subject of the Proclamation, and Manifesto of 3d. Octr. issued by the British Commissioners in America. Every attempt should be made to prevent their carrying their bloody purposes into execution. The more I think on the subject, the more I am convinced that it would be proper for the Representatives of our...
2To John Adams from Leray de Chaumont, 25 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
D’après Le desir que vous avez temoigné hier devant moy de Retourner a L’amerique et Les inconvenients d’estre pris en Chemin et Conduit Chez vos ennemis J’ay Jugé que Le Sejour de Passi ne vous plairoit peutestre pas, et si vous aimiez mieux habiter unne franche Campagne. J’ay dans le Blesois unne terre meublée que Je n’habite pas, Je vous offre avec plaisir de vous en Laisser le Maistre tant...
3To John Adams from Leray de Chaumont, 18 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ay receu La lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire Le 16 de ce mois, pour Scavoir quel est le pris du Loyer de ma maison que vous habitez pour le passé et pour L’avenir. Quand Je Consacray, Monsieur, ma maison a M. Franklin et a Ses Confreres qui voudroient vivre avec luy, Je me Suis Expliqué que je n’en voulois aucune retribution; parceque Je Sentois que vous aviez Besoin de tous...
4Jacques Le Maire to John Adams: A Translation, 10 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
My departure being fixed at the end of this month by the contract made by Mr. Lee with Mr. Bonnefil to transport the goods here belonging to Virginia, I dare, sir, to solicit a letter of recommendation from you in my favor for the Governor of Virginia. Also be so kind as to send me the reply to the letter I delivered to you from him. I apply to you all the more eagerly knowing that your...
5To John Adams from M. Quillau, 29 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je viens de voir Monsieur Dubourg à qui je dois l’honneur et l’avantage d’être Connu de vous, qui m’a dit que vous m’avies écrit au sujet de Livres que vous voulies vous procurer. Il faut que la personne que vous aves chargée de votre lettre, ne se soit point acquittée de sa Commission, Car je n’ai reçu aucune lettre de votre part. Si elle me fut parvenue, vous deves etre persuadé que j’aurois...
6To John Adams from William Whitmarsh Jr., 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being a Townsman of yours and having suffered in the Grand Cause I have Made my Aplication To Mr. Coffyn in Behalf of the United States of Amirica for a Small Sum of Money sufficent to Bear my Exepences while in France which will be no Longer then I Can Geet a Vessell Bound To America which By the Assistance of Mr. Coffyn I hope will not be Long. Sir My affairs Stands thus — I was Taken a...
7To John Adams from Ferdinand Grand, 17 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Grand has the honour of paying his respects to the Honorable Mr. Adams and begs leave to observe to him that the général Account he requires Since his arrival untill Mr. Franklin’s new Commission would not agree with all those he has furnishd in that Interval and which being a Series of Accounts united together would be in Contradiction with that required. It is not possible to dissect in...
8To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I very much approve your Plan with regard to our future Accounts—and wish it to be followed. The Accounts that have been shown you, are only those of the Person we had entrusted with the receiving and paying our Money; and intended merely to show how he was discharged of it. We are to separate from that Account the Articles for which Congress should be charged, and those for which we should...
Dr. Franklin presents Compliments to Mr. Adams, and requests that all the Public Papers may be sent him by the Bearer. Dr. Franklin will undertake to keep them in order; and will at any time chearfully look for and furnish Mr. Adams with any Paper he may have occasion for. Mr. Adams on receit of this put all the Public Papers, then in his Possession, into the hands of W T Franklin. Dft ( PPAmP...
10To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 15 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
A long abscence from your Native shore would insure a Welcome to a line from me had I no other Claim to your Attention. But when I Can Recur to former Instances of friendship And indulgence, and in addition to that assure you I take up my pen in Compliance with the Repeated request of your Good Lady, I Can suppose it possible that Even the most important Negotiations may for a Moment be...
11To John Adams from William MacCreery, 12 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I Received the Letter which you did me the Honor to write me under the 7th. Instant, by todays Post and observe with concern, that your many efforts to effect an exchange of Prisoners, hath heretofore proved ineffectual. It gives me much concern to find that my suspiscions of our Public finances being low in this country, were so well founded. It must render the situation of yourself and...
12To John Adams from Thomas Cushing, 21 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I embrace this Oppertunity by the Brigantine Saturn Rene Maillett Master (which I have dispatched for Nantes) to Acquaint you that your Family are well. I have lately, in Company with Mrs. Adams and a few Other Freinds, been to Visit Count D Estaing and his Fleet at Nantaskett, where we were Agreably and politely entertained. The Count has met with a series of Disappointments since his...
13To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 28 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with your Letter of 25th., and agree with you in opinion that there is no necessity of discussing the question respecting the Commissioners, now; inconveniencies might arise from it, and no valuable purpose could be answered that I know of. I agree with you likewise that if the Fishery of New England has proved injurious, by introducing Luxury, and Vanity, it must be the fault of...
14To John Adams from William Vernon Sr., 22 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The above of the 2nd. Oct. via Portsmouth by the Dutchess of Grammount Capt. Poidras. This is only to inclose a Letter for my Son, which I beg the delivery of, and to inform you of the Arrival of the Ships, Providence, Boston and Ranger at Portsmouth the 17th. Instant. The dispatches for Congress &c. are all forwarded as directed. Those Ships have Captured only Three small Prizes since they...
15To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last informed you of my Intention to send you by the Messagerie a Case of old W. India Spirit, and at the same time I requested you to send a dozen to Mr. Alexander and a dozen to Dr. Bancroft. I have now to inform you that it left Nantes last Saturday accompanied with an acquit a Caution which I request you to return to me properly indorsed at the Bureau at Paris. I must beg your...
16To John Adams from James Lovell, 24 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I was not a little surprized Yesterday at seing a Letter from you to Mr. S. Adams by Mr. Archer, in which you make no sort of Acknowledgement of any of my numerous Scrawls; 14 or 15 have at least gone on the Way to you. I have felt myself lately under the Necessity of letting you go by guess as to what we are doing here. Congress have the Papers of the Committee for foreign Affairs on their...
17To John Adams from William Vernon Sr., 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The preceeding is copy of my last, of the 26th. May, being without any of your favors, which I promised my self the happiness of receiving before this date, and of the pleasure of hearing that my Son, was Placed with some Gentleman of business, where he might acquire a competent knowledge of business and such other accomplishments, as wou’d make him a useful member of society. I shall not take...
18To John Adams from John Boylston, 6 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Least it might possibly have escap’d the joynt notice of you and your Most worthy Colleague Doctr. Fr——k——d I tho’t it most needful to inform you that from publick reports as also private opinions the Friends of A——m——a have but too much reason to fear that you have about you insidious and dangerous Parricides in the Persons of Freres Lee Men who readily adopt any Measures which may promote...
19Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I read to Count Vergennes that which concerns the Count d’Estaing in the note with which you honored me. He recommended that I mention it in my journal. But it will have to appear in the number after that which will appear tomorrow. I have also included an English piece—signed Fire and Sword, which should amuse you. I am, with respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant, I am...
20To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 29 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai trouvé si important pour le bien commun des deux nations le Sentiment où vous vous êtes montré devant moi chez M. Izard, tou chant le Secours qu’il conviendroit d’envoyer actuellement à M. le Cte. d’Estaing que j’ai cru ne pouvoir me dispenser d’en hazarder l’insinuation à nos Ministres. Pour ne point vous compromettre a cause de votre caractere de Député du Congrez, et n’en ayant point...
I have received, sir, the letter that you did me the honor to write me the 16th of this month. Although in the future you will be without of ficial status in France, rest assured that the esteem and consideration you justly earned has not in any way diminished, and I flatter myself, sir, that you will not deprive me of the pleasure of communicating this to you in person and being, at the same...
22To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 25 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Favor of the 24th of May did not reach my hand till yesterday. The Gentleman who brought it, Mr. Archer, tells me he had a Passage of Eleven Weeks. I will show him the Respect due to the Character you give him, and properly regard such future Recommendations as may come from you. I suppose you have been fully and officially informd of the State of our military Affairs since the Enemy...
23To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter written a few days before your embarkation from for France, lays me under an Obligation to renew my correspondence with you. You are pleased to say my letters give you pleasure. This is eno’ for me. Happy shall I esteem myself if thro’ your eminent and useful Station I can convey a single idea that will add a mite to the happiness of our beloved country. Many new events have...
24To John Adams from John Boylston, 5 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
When I wrote you Per G. Tailer requesting the favour of your Advice and Assistance in procuring him a speedy return to America I did not thereby mean your assistance in any pecuniary Advance but only your recommendation to him of the first good oppertunity for his return to his Native home, as I suspect many Such Juvenile, Volatile, and capricious Subjects, have been and may be to you and your...
25To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 6 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
You have often complaind that taking care of the public Papers, and having the business of the Commission done in your rooms; was an unequal share of the public burthen apportiond to you. Whatever may be my sentiments on that point, yet to remove, as far as I can with propriety, all cause of discontent; I am willing to appropriate a room in my House for the meeting and deliberations of the...
26To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 17 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
By the Tenor of your Favour of the 8th Instant I apprehend I have committed an Indiscretion. The Satisfaction I feel in contributing to your Pleasure was my only motive and I beg that may be considered as my excuse. The Rum cost me nothing, I cannot therefore fix a price, but Billy Franklin is my Banker in small affairs and you may settle it with him as you think proper. I am with great...
27To John Adams from William Vernon Sr., 17 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
The foregoing of the 22nd. of Octr. is copy of my last. Being yet without any of your favors, since you left N. England gives me Pain, for many Reasons, that are too delicate to touch upon; I hope my Son, has not forfeited your friendship, by ill conduct and mis-behaviour. Since my last, we have lost the Brigantine Resistance that was given to Capt. Burke. She was sent out as far as Cape Cod,...
J’ai L’honneur de Vous adresser Le 1er. Volume de mon ouvrage. Vous verrés Dans mon Discours préliminaire que je me propose De faire L’histoire Des tribunaux de toutes Les nations, de parler De leurs principales Loix, Et De Rendre compte des fonctions de Leurs magistrats. Les Etats unis ont Leurs tribunaux, Leurs Loix Et Leurs magistrats; J’ose vous prier, Monsieur, de Vouloir Bien me procurer...
29To John Adams from James Warren, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I keep no Copies of the Letters I write to you, and have been so Careless as to keep no Memorandum of them I cant recollect either the Number or Contents. But this I am certain of, that they are both Numerous and Lengthy, and that I have not received a Single Line from you. This is equally a subject of Complaint among all your Friends, and I am to be satisfied while I dont find myself...
30To John Adams from Louis François Rolandeau, 2 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les Bontés avec laquelle vous avez d’aignez prendre part a mon sort Est un acte si precieux pour moy que J’En Conserverai Eternellement la memoire. Ma situation Etoit devenu si accablante que Je me desesperai dy pouvoir surmonter sil ne vous Eut plut d’Eclatter vos bontés En me disant de vous faire passer un Etat de mes pertes dont je prend la liberte de vous mettre cy Joint vous priant dy...
31From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 31 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 29 is now before me. It would ill become me born and educated in the Wilderness , ignorant of the Commerce, Finances, Views and in one Word the Policy of France, to presume to advise, the Direction of her Armies. The accidental Conversation you mention was among Friends and with that Frankness which is tolerated in all Men in such kind of Companies. One Question you...
32To John Adams from Pahin Champlain de La Blancherie, with a Contemporary Translation, 18 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ay l’honneur de vous envoyer les details relatifs a l’Etablissement de la correspondance generale sur les sciences et les arts que j’ay preparé depuis quatre ans, et dirigé particulierement depuis le comencement de l’année derniere; la consistence qu’il a acquise d’abort par la recomandation de l’academie des sciences, et ensuite par des temoignages recues de la protection de Leurs Majestés,...
I have received the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 11th. instant and agreable to your desire I have not submitted its contents to the inspection of a Translator. I am no less hurt than yourself Sir at the Appeal which Mr. Silas Deane has made to the people of America. It does not belong to me to qualify this step. Your re spective sovereigns must judge of the measure...
34To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 24 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I must apologize for not having given you an immediate answer to your Letter of 20th. instant, which would have been the case if I had not been much employed in writing, on account of the sudden departure of Mr. Blake for Nantes. It has been my constant wish that as soon as Great Britain shall be compelled, by the virtuous exertions of our Countrymen, to abandon her plans of conquest, we may...
35To John Adams from Thomas Cushing, 14 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to Introduce to your Acquaintance Mr. Samuel Bradford son of Capt. John Bradford a young Gentleman bound to France upon Bussiness. I recommed him to your Freindly Notice, any Advice you may give him and any civilities you may shew him shall be gratefully Acknowledged. The British Troops have not as yet left New York or Rhode Island and whether they design to Evacuate there Places...
36From John Adams to Ralph Izard, 25 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received with much Pleasure, your Favour of Yesterdays Date. No Appology was necessary, for the delay of So few days, to an swer a Letter the Contents of which did not, from any public Consideration, require haste. My most fervent Wishes, mingle themselves with yours, that the happy Time may soon arrive, when We may enjoy the Blessings of Peace uninterrupted by disputes, with any Power...
37To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have hoped for Leisure to answer your favor as fully as, in my own Vindication, it demands. There are matters touched in it, which imply a Censure upon me, which a recapitulation of facts, I am satisfied, would convince you is unjust. But as I dispair of sufficient Leisure for some time, I must content myself with replying to what is immediately necessary. A desire to remove as much as I...
38Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 24 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have translated for his Lordship, Comte de Vergennes, the sundry articles from the New York gazette which you will find in the enclosed fragment from an English gazette of 17 October. No doubt the next Courier de l’Europe will have a translation of these various documents. As a result, France will see only one side of the question, that which the British Commissioners choose to present,...
39To John Adams from Jacques Le Maire, 10 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le Traité que M. Lee a fait avec M. Bonnefil pour faire passer tous les effets qui sont ici pour le gouvernement de Virginie, fixant mon depart à la fin du present mois, j’ose, Monsieur, Solliciter une lettre de recommandation de votre part en ma faveur auprès de Mr. le gouverneur de la Virginie; veuillez également m’envoyer la reponse de la lettre que je vous ai aportée emanée de lui. Je vous...
In regard to your desire, expressed to me yesterday, of returning to America and the dangers of being captured and made prisoner by your enemies, I have been thinking that your continuance at Passy might not suit you, and that you might prefer to live inexpensively in the country. I have in the Blesois a property that I do not occupy and I offer, with pleasure, to leave you the master of it as...
I have received the letter that you did me the honor to write on 16 September, asking me the rental price of my house in which you have been and will continue to reside in the future. When, sir, I lent my house to Mr. Franklin and his colleagues who wished to live with him, I explained that I did not want compensation because I felt that you needed all your resources to send aid to your...
42To John Adams from Jonathan Williams III, 16 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I arrived at Brest last Wednesday, in twenty five days Passage from Boston, and had the Pleasure of spending a day with Mrs. Adams the week before, at Braintree; She was then well and wrote the inclosed for my Care. Mrs. Adams had occasion for some solid Coin to answer some particular Purposes and I had it in my Power to afford her ten Guineas, for which She gave me the inclosed Bill; I know...
43Quillau to John Adams: A Translation, 29 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have just seen Mr. Dubourg, to whom I owe the honor and pleasure of being known to you. He told me that you had written me concerning some books you would like to procure. The person to whom you gave the letter must not have carried out his commission, for I never received any letter from you. If it had reached me, you can be assured that I would, with the utmost diligence, have undertaken...
44To John Adams from John Bondfield, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
By last post I receivd your favor of the 15th. Instant. I have forwarded your Letter to Mr. William Vernon at Montaban and have wrote him to set of f with all diligence for Paris. I hope the short time he has been up the Country will have contributed to render his services to you more useful. I have remitted him fifty Pounds to defray his Expences. He has receivd a Letter from Mr Hayley of...
45To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 6 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
From the Many favours and Civilitys I Received whilst I had the Honour of Paying you My Respects at Passy I am Bound in duty and Gratitude to Make you a Tender of My best Acknowledgements, which Please Accept. Since My Return to My House here about ten days Agoe I find no other Novelty than An Order from Court to the Governours of All the Sea-ports of Spain that they Shall Permit all Cruising...
46To John Adams from William Vernon Jr., 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I was this morning honoured by the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant. The embarrassment which your kind proposal has afforded me is inexpressible. Being left to judge for myself at a very inexperienc’d time of life, at a distance from every friend, whom, the necessity of an immediate answer renders it impossible for me to consult. From you, Sir, who I trust art my Father’s friend, and...
47To John Adams from James Warren, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I keep no Copies of Letters and therefore am Unable to refer to the dates or the Contents. I know I have wrote you many and some of them very Lengthy. The Contents may be of no great Consequence whether they are lost or received. How many you have wrote me, you can best tell, only one has yett reached me. I have been now ten days from the Capital, and therefore Unable to give you such...
48To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai lu à M. le Comte de Vergennes ce qui concerne M. le Comte d’Estaing, dans le billet dont vous m’avés honoré. Il m’a recommandé d’en faire mention dans mon Journal. Mais ce sera pour le numéro d’après celui qui paroitra demain. J’y ai mis une piece anglois—Signée Fire and Sword qui vous amusera. Je suis avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur, Je veillerai sur...
49To John Adams from the Comte de Vergennes, 21 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçû, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 16. de ce mois. Quoique vous Soïez désormais Sans caractère public en France, Soïez persuadé que l’estime et la considération que vous vous êtes acquises à juste titre n’ont aucunement diminüé, et je me flatte, Monsieur, que vous ne me priverez point du plaisir de vous en assûrer de bouche, et d’être en même tems...
50From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 24 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last night I was favoured with yours of the 24 th , and nothing wou ld give me greater Pleasure, than to be able to furnish you with any Observations or Intelligence, which might be to your Purpose. With Regard to the Cartouch Boxes and other Arms of G. Burgoines Army, I can add nothing to what the Congress have said in their Resolutions upon the Report of their Committee on the 8 of Jany....