10051From John Adams to John Adams, 11 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Letter—and your Father still more for his permission in permiting you to send me a Copy of his Message, which if it had not been delay’d in Boston, would have reached me before any body else— It is every thing I could wish, or desire it to be, it cannot fail to give general, or, if not, universal satisfaction to the nation, and to all Nations—It proves so particular...
10052From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 14 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
How grieved I am my dear John at the news we have just received you may concieve who knew what an effect the same circumstance produced on me on a former occasion—Your father and I are in a state of great anxiety for the consequences of your fault and impatiently wait for the result which must fix your future destiny—Write me immediately and let me know how the Government feel towards you so...
10053To John Adams from George Alexander Otis, 4 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
In the letter which I had the honour to address to you with the 2nd Volume of my translation of Botta, I omitted to observe that I had intimated to Mr. Jefferson your objection to the liberty taken by that Historian of composing speeches for Richard Henry Lee, and John Dickinson, at the same time informing him that you were a promoter and generous patron of my enterprise. He has had the...
10054To John Adams from Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 17 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
your Excellency will be pleased to observe that the provision that had been made By the City for to defray the Expenditure of the building did not comprehended any thing Beyond such movables as were of most immediate necessity for to Furnish & decorate the tow Grand Room’s ([viz] that of the Senat & that of the house of Representatives) and that it had been understood that any articles as...
10055To John Adams from James Searle, 11 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I persuade myself that even surrounded as you are with the Plaudits of a gratefull & Sensible Country, you will not be displeased to receive the heartfelt expressions of respect and esteem of an old friend, of one who has never ceased to love and admire you from the time he first saw you in Europe in the Service of his Country. I am my dear Sir now happily settled in business in this City in...
10056To John Adams from Alexander Hill Everett, 15 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to express to you my ackowledgments for the politeness, with which you were pleased to speak of my Address in your letter of the 4th. I hope you received it as a mark of respect: in any other point of view it was not worth offering. I beg you, Sir, to accept my grateful thanks for the Naval History with which you did me the honor to accompany the letter. I have read it with great...
10057Bartholomé Wild to John Adams: A Translation, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your friend, Mr. Ceresier, asked me to send you some political pamphlets on current affairs, and here they are: 3 Destin de l’Amerique 8° à 16 Stvrs: F 2. 8 1 Tableau historique des Provinces Unies 12°. 6 vol. 9. 16 1 Advocaat pour et Contre 8° . 11 1 Lettres Hollandoise 4 T et T 5 No. 1 à 9. 24. 6 1 observation et Suitte 2 parties 8° 1. 5 1 Reponce aux memoires de York . 4
10058To John Adams from William John Coffee, 16 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
The Subject of which I write I believ you are Acquainted with by the Honorabl Thos Jefferson & lines he wrote to me relates to my being Employed—to take a Small Bust of you Head—I have being Employed by Mr J. Madison & his Excellence Mr Munro & many others of celebrity—in June last at Monticelo Mr Jefferson Inform’d me he had wrote to you on the Subject and of you willingness to admit me to...
10059To John Adams from Joseph Hawley, with Notation by John Adams, 14 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
En passant. As Church said in his letter to the Regulars, Remember I Never deceived you. If your Congress don’t give better encouragement to the Privates, than at present is held forth to them, You will have No Winter Army. There must be some small bounty given them on the inlistment. A Strange Mistaken Opinion Obtains among the Gentlemen of the Army from the Southward and if I mistake Not in...
10060Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
You know not How dissapointed I was to Night when the Post came in and I received no Letter from You. Tis the first Saturdays post which has come in since I have been in Town without a Letter from you. It has given me more pain to Night than it would any other time, because of some Falce and foolish reports I hope. I will not, more than I can help, give way to rumours which I have no reason to...
10061From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 10 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours of the 29th past from Nantes. I hope you are before this time safely arrived at L’Orient. M. De la Luzerne is making diligent Preparation for his Departure, and you will soon see him. He and the Secretary of the Embassy are both very agreable and sensible Men, in whose Conversation you will have a...
10062John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 20 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here about a week agone, and expected to leave this place in a vessel for Kiel, (which I found here,) two days afterwards, but I have been waiting for a wind here ever since. I rather preferred going from hence to Hamborough by water; than thro’ Holstein because the roads are extremely bad and it would be a Journey of at least eight or ten days; whereas, with a good wind we can run...
10063To John Adams from John Bondfield, 22 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
This day arrived from Baltimore a small Schooner which port she left the 15 March. General Clinton with the remainder of the transports saved from the general despersion, arrived at Savannah to the Number of 44 or 45 Ships. General Gates was sent to Command at Charles Town. No movements had been made since the Arrival of the Troops In Georgia, all the Enemys Horse were thrown overboard. The...
10064To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 18 June 1807 (Adams Papers)
The Fire and Marine Insurance Office are now repaying the third part of their capital, to which they were authorized by an Act of the Legislature; and issuing new Certificates to the Stockholders—The old Certificates must therefore be returned into the Office—I will thank you to send me, by the earliest opportunity, your Certificate for the forty shares, which stand in my name, but of which...
10065Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 13 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to M rs. Adams P r. Cap t. Scott, I mentioned to her, That M r. S. Q. was negociating for Borlands Place— it was then my Opinion that He would purchase it— Yesterday M r. Cranch informed me that he had learnt from M r. Borland that M r. S. Q. had given up the Matter—and that M r. B. is determined to make Sale of it as soon as he has settled with M r. T——r. I conclude therefore...
10066To John Adams from William Henry Harrison, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
That those, to whom the management of public affairs is confided, should be called from their deliberation, to listen to the opinions of popular meetings, will seldom, we think, be found warranted by discretion or compatible with the good order of society—But at a period like this, when our enemies boast of finding among ourselves the support of their purposes, we presume, that sincere...
10067To John Adams from William Cranch, 24 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you some time ago, & desired Mr Lovell, who told me he should see Mr Ames before he left Dedham, to forward it by him. Your Son Tom writes me that you have not recieved it. I shall enquire of Lovell what he did with it. It contained several letters, one to Mrs Smith, one for Louisa, one or more for my Aunt, one for Tom & one for Charles. Our Legislature is now sitting. A question has...
10068To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 6 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am thankful for your late favor and shall send you the Books desird by first opportunity. Mr. Henr. Laurens was brought to Town last night, rather in better health. He was lodgd that night in the Messengers House in Scotland Yard, and denyd all sort of communication with his friends—or those who wishd to speak to Him. He was Examined at noon at Lord G. Germains and committed by a Warrant of...
10069To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the command of the President of the United States, respectfully reports his opinion on the following questions. 1st. Whether the refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney, and the rude orders to quit Paris and the Territory of the Republic with such circumstances of indignity, insult & hostility as we have been informed of, are bars to all further measures...
10070Louis François Rolandeau to John Adams: A Translation, 2 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your kindness in deigning to take notice of my condition is so precious to me that I shall cherish it always. My situation had become so overwhelming that I despaired of ever surmounting it until you generously asked me to send you a statement of my losses, which I take the liberty of enclosing, and pray that you will consider my urgent need to return from Nantes to the United States. I...
10071To John Adams from John Bondfield, 13 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
We have advices from Edenton in North Carolina so late as the 14th March brought by a vessel arrived at this port the 9th Instant one of my Letters contains “It is reported an attack against Charles Town is preparing by General green 2000 Militia of this State is orderd emidiately to join him and all the Troops from Virginia have marchd some time past.” By the Captain I learn a Number of...
10072C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 22 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
From all appearances we will, with Ovid, be able to utter Dicite Io Pæan next Tuesday or Wednesday, that is to say, that our sister Holland, along with our already established sister Friesland, will soon complete the fraternity with the others. Yesterday, the matter of your confirmation was discussed with no debate. Nine cities, Dordrecht, Haarlem, Delft, Leyden, Amsterdam, Gouda, Schoonhoven,...
10073To John Adams from Jonathan Jackson, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received by last post from the Secretary of the Treasury letters addressed to the nine Commissioners who were appointed to execute within this State the “Act to provide for the valuation of lands dwelling houses &c”— The Secretary desiring me “to take effectual measures for having the letters safely delivered”—I waited upon Colo. Dawes, to deliver him his, who informed me that he had sent in...
10074To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 November 1818 to 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
If my delaying to answer ÿour favour of the 2 of oct was a just measure of my valuing your condescending kindnesses then—no doubt—I ought to be deemed not to deserve your So distinguished attention—but I am happy indeed, that you cannot foster Such an idea—and I Should rather be prompted to make an apologÿ for an insignificant Letter, was I not fully persuaded—that—imperfect as it may be, it...
10075To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 7 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 30th: ult: enclosing the Warrant for the Execution of Samuel Ewing signed. Lieut. Col. Hamtramck writes to me under date of the 16th ulto.— “The Crime of Samuel Ewing is no doubt of the most heinous nature, but the extraordinary conduct of the Prisoner, having deserted on one day returning on the next, and declaring War against a whole Garrison, appears to...
10076To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I now do myself the honor to enclose letters from Capt Tingey—who appears to be a Judicious, attentive, active officer. I wish his commission was of older date. The Merrimack, Capt Brown, must have joined him very soon after the date of his last letter—she might have joined him before.—The Pickering sailed from New York, to join him, the 27. June—and the Delaware is now proceeding down the...
10077To John Adams from Stephen Higginson, July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Letter of 18 Feb y. I duly received. to me it is extraordinary, that having a common Interest in a commercial View, and a Rival in France equally dangerous to both, no Arrangements can be made between us and the British for our mutual safety and advantage. it is not uncommon for Individuals to sacrifice their Interest to gratify their resentment; but it does not often happen that...
10078To John Adams from Henry Dearborn, 10 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
Having been informed that Mr. Isaac Parker, Marshall of the District of Maine, has lately been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of this State, I take the liberty of soliciting the appointment of Marshal on Mr. Parkers accepting his appointment as Judge;—if Sir you should have no objection on the score of my capacity or integrity, I should hope that my pretentions otherways will be...
10079To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 27 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice to hear you are in better health than when I left you on Sunday Evg and earnestly hope that your approaching birth day will give a promise of greater improvement—I count with impatience the pleasure we have promised ourselves of finding our hopes confirmd— Yesterday my Nephew my Sisters only Son arrived from England by the way of Canada—with your leave, we shall bring him to pay his...
10080To John Adams from James McHenry, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you a letter from Major General Pinckney dated the 12 of Augt. ulto containing a request, that Mr. Pierre Gaillard, may be appointed the eighth first Lieutenant in the room of Mr. Charles Boyle who has refused to accept. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be, Sir, / Your most obt / & most hble st. MHi : Adams Papers.
10081To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 10 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for you son’s pamphlet. Much as I loath political discussions of all kinds, I was induced by your request, and my great respect for the genius of its author, to read it. with I thank you for the pleasure I derived from it. It is a masterly performance overflowing with argument & eloquence. He places Mr Ames where he ought to have been placed stood in the meredian of his political...
10082To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 21 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the memorable afair which took place at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts on the 19th: of April 1775, the news of it reached the Town of Machias, then most eastern port in the province of Maine, and early in the month of May came to that place two coasting Sloops owned by a Mr. Ichobad Jones, and convoyed by the armed Schooner called the Margarite a British tender, commanded by...
10083To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 14 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your Excellency’s Favour of the 1st. and 6th Instant. I wrote to you by Mr Barclay, who went from hence some Days since, and I hope is with you by this time, and that he will with your Assistance be able to settle every thing relating to the Goods. I have receiv’d a long Letter from Messrs. Neufville, the Purport of which is, that they are willing for their Parts to deliver the...
10084From John Jay to John Adams, 27 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
In my Letter to you of the 20 th . Inst: I inserted a Copy of the one which on the 13 th . Inst: I had written to M r . William Duane; and promised on recieving his answer, to transmit a Copy of it to You. The last mail brought me his answer, in the words following— Your Letter of the 13 th . Inst, which you did me the honor to address to me, concerning some notes in the fifth volume of the...
10085To John Adams from John Holmes, 7 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
You may perhaps deem it evidence of my vanity, that I have ventured to submit the enclosed to your inspection—But I commit it to your liberality & candour, with views, I confess somewhat selfish—It is my hope that should you think it worth the perusal, you will generously point out to me its imperfections & erroneous sentiments—We, who have some trouble in resisting the opposition to repu...
10086To John Adams from Enos Hitchcock, 4 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Citizens of the Town of Providence voluntarily assembled to tender their respects to the first Magistrate of the Union on his arrival in this Town beg leave to approach you by their Committee with sentiments of Joy on the present occasion, and with assurances of the sensible pleasure they feel in common with their Fellow Citizens that the suffrages of this great community have met in a...
10087To John Adams from William Carmichael, 22 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days ago the Letter which you did me the honor to write me the 18 th Ult o. by Mr Barry— It will be a pleasure for me to show my respect for your Excellencys recommendation, by rendering every personal civility & service to that Gentleman, which the nature of my situation in this Country will permit— When the Ct. de Rechteren—Minister from Holland at this Court left Spain, I...
10088To John Adams from James McHenry, 1 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose the proceedings of a General Court Martial, held at the Natches July the 21st. and by adjournments to the 29th, 1798, by order of Captain Isaac Guion commanding, for the trial of Ensign Daniel Fero, and others. The Sentence of this Court, upon Ensign Fero being a commissioned officer, extends to his dismission from the service, and therefore requires your directions, whether the...
10089To John Adams from Cresswell and Addams, 24 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 16th. Instant wherein You inform us that you have received Authority from the Secretary of State of the United States to adjust and settle our Accounts for Services authorized by the late Genl. Lyman on the public Account of the United States. We beg to make our best acknowledgments for the Trouble and Interest your Excellency has taken in...
10090To John Adams from Edward Church, 14 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Notwithstanding the deep wound which one branch of our fishery had rec’d by an act of the british parliament, We were not without hope, while we had a free and an uninterrupted Commerce with the Mediterranean, and it’s neighbouring ports, that we might still be able not only to employ, but increase the number of our fishermen, and from our local advantages, it is not an extravagant Idea to...
10091To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 18 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with your Letter of 12th, and am sorry to find that you have had so much trouble about the Frigate. The accounts which we had of the small number of hands she had, made it probable that she would not sail soon. Perhaps this detention may prove to be “all for the best.” Some wise people are of opinion that this is always the case; and though the maxim has undergone the criticism...
10092Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 17 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favors of October 28. & November 11. of the past year, have been some weeks in my possession. I am not, nor can I conveniently be, so good a correspondent as my brother, whose frequent and copious communications exhaust most of the subjects upon which I should feel disposed to write you myself, I think it is my duty nevertheless not to suffer any considerable period to pass, without...
10093To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The unfortunate mistake referred to in Mr. Liston’s letter of the 13th to Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, has induced me to reprint your proclamation for opening the trade with St. Domingo, and to subjoin an extract of Mr. Liston’s letter, to put into the hands of as many of the Collectors as are within reach, prior to the first of August.—General Maitland’s letter to me of the 23d of May and the 5th...
10094To John Adams from Henry R. Schoolcraft, 5 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
Henry R. Schoolcraft has the honor, with this note, to present to John Adams Esqr., the inclosed geological memoir, which he begs may accepted with the respectful compliments of the author. MHi : Adams Papers.
10095To John Adams from the Comte de Vergennes, 15 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 15 February 1780. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:245 Vergennes stated that he thought it best to await the arrival of Conrad Alexandre Gérard, who presumably would bring a copy of Adams’ instructions and additional information on the nature and scope of his mission, before...
10096Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 22 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 8 th. I received the 17 th. Ins t. and broke the Affair to M r. Cranch, who has it under Consideration and expect he will give me an Answer this Week— A Day or two previous to the Receipt of yours, Solomon Thayer of Braintree came to my House and offered me a piece of Pasture Land adjoyning to a detached Piece of the Farm which You bought of Elkanah Thayer, the same Piece he had...
10097To John Adams from Charles Lee, 12 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
In deferring my answer to the letter which I had the honor to receive relative to your speech to Congress I was induced from the expectation of authentic information relative to the most recent state of the negotiations between this country and the great nations of England & France. These are topicks which every one expects to find embraced in the speech. Though the newspapers last from...
10098To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 31 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous renvoyer ci-joint les Papiers, que vous aviez eu la bonté de nous communiquer; et vous verrez par l’Exemplaire ci-joint de notre Gazette de Mardi dernier l’usage que j’en ai fait. Je vous suis infiniment obligé de l’attention, que vous nous avez témoignée à cet égard; et vous me trouverez toujours prêt à vous prouver tout le cas que je fais des Pièces, que vous nous...
10099From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 2 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
[. . . .] the Vice President—sends him a memoir which is the work of a M r. La Rocque a French Gentleman who is said to be charged with exploring the ground for extensive speculations in our vacant lands &c and which the Author is desirous of having placed under the eye of the Senate— How this can be done the Vice President can best judge or whether at all. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 46,...
10100To John Adams from James McHenry, 13 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit a letter proposed to be sent to Lt Col. Gartlen by to-morrows post, with the letter mentioned therein from Governor Jackson of Georgia and that from Lt. McCall to the said Governor—It is desirable to have the letters returned to-day if approved of. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir / your most obt. & hbe st MHi : Adams Papers.