10201To John Adams from William Gordon, 1 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
It is almost too late to congratulate you upon our regaining Boston; but I may give you joy of our not having as yet relost it. We ought by this time to have had the harbour fortified so strongly, that a fleet could not have ventured in to have insulted the town, without paying dear for it: but there has been strange not-doings. You will ask me, who is to blame? Should I answer without...
10202To John Adams from William D. Hills, 9 April 1824 (Adams Papers)
permit me, though a Stranger, to address, the honored, Servant, of the Lord, and the Rever’d, of a gratefull people, who, at this day, are in some measure sensible, of the appreciation, due to those, who offered up their lives, on the altar, of Liberty, and Independance. As the only Surviving Son, of an excellent Parent, Viz. Captain, Stephen Hills, of Revolutionary date, who, I am told, you...
10203To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 11 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency will see by the within the Situation I am in, and will thence judge how far it may be proper for you to accept farther Drafts on Mr Laurens, with any Expectation of my enabling you to pay them, when I have not only no Promise of more Money, but an absolute Promise that I shall have no more. I shall use my Endeavours however, but am not sure of Succeeding, as we seem to have...
10204To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
With my letter concerning Mr. Jones, the candidate for the Consulate of New-Orleans, I intended to transmit a Commission, that if it seemed to you expedient to appoint him, his commission might be signed and returned, seeing he will very soon depart for that country. I have now the honor to inclose it. I inclose also a copy of a note received this day from Mr. Liston, announcing that the loan...
10205C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received and have seen with much satisfaction Congress’ great and good resolution of 5 October. Unfortunately it was published precipitously in the Gazette d’Amsterdam . Otherwise, I would have advised you to postpone its publication so that I could have written a more graceful démarche that you could have sent at once to an important liaison. I must now prepare a less graceful démarche...
10206To John Adams from Eleazer Russell, 9 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
In several of the late Boston Centinels, the collector of the Port of Portsmouth Newhampshire, has been cruelly and wantonly abused—A report is also attempted to be spread here, that application has been, or will be soon made to the Executive to remove him from Office Impelled by an Idea of duty to the Government of the United—To you Sir, and in Justice to Mr Whipple; I am led to address you...
10207To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 22 d from Montreuil sur mer is put into my hands this moment, and having received information of your son and two American gentlemen being to set out for London tomorrow morning I seize a moment to inform you that he had arrived well at l’Orient & was well on the 20 th. when the packet was still detained by contrary winds. mr̃ Barclay, who is arrived, had also seen him. be...
10208To John Adams from Lewis R. Morris, 18 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor to present you a state of your account with the United States from the first day of January 1782. to the thirty first day of March following—that is fifteen Months—From the first day of January 1782. to the thirty first day of December following, it will appear by the enclosed Account, that Eleven thousand, one hundred and eleven dollars and 10/90 of a Dollar were...
10209To John Adams from Aaron Putnam, 20 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
immediately after I had the honor of an interview on Tuesday about noon 29th April I enter’d the stage, and by riding all night arrived at New York at 8.OC. the next morng, from whence I took the liberty to write you, which I hope you receiv’d in due course—on my arrival here I found my suggistions in that communication fully verified with respect to the anxious solicitude of my Constituents,...
10210To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Althoug I am not So happÿ to be the first in making mÿ Compliments to your Excellencÿ; I am however persuaded that not one of mÿ countrÿmen is more addicted to the cause of America and more attached to your Excellencÿ than I am. I congratulate mÿself with the favour of your Excellency’s acquaintance—with a part of the friendship of your Excellencÿ, and I flatter mÿself, that the aknowledgment...
10211To John Adams from Francis Bowens, 12 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am honourd with your allways respectable Letter of the 5 Instant. The little Box you mention and markd ’A’ wich Mr. Digges of London has send me, was handed in good Condition a few Days ago, and as pampletts, Books and all such goods are admitted in french without any Difficulty. I have forward sayd Box the Day by a Carriage for Lille and have recommand to my Correspondant of the sayd Town...
10212To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Isaac Parker Esquire Marshal of the District of Maine, recommending Josiah Reed, to be surveyor & Inspector of the Port of Thomaston in the District of Caldobourogh. After due enquiry I take the liberty to recommend Silas Foster to be Commander of the Revenue Cutter General Greene which place is vacant by the resignation of Captain George Price, who...
10213To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 19 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
{Lambe} is {arrived. he brings new full powers} to {us} from {Congress} to {appoint persons} to {negotiate with} the {Barbary states,} but {we} are to {sign} the {treaties. Lambe has} not {even} a {recommendation} from {them} to {us.} but it seems clear that {he would} be {approved} by {them. I told him} of {mr̃ Barclay’s appointment} to {Marocco} & {proposed Algiers} to {him. he agrees.} a...
10214To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 21 October 1808 (Adams Papers)
The election in Pennsylvania has issued in a manner totally unexpected by the federalists, and beyond the expectations of the Democrats. I was deceived in the Opinion I gave you in my last letter by some of my federal friends who pretended to know the dispositions of the interior And frontier Counties Stse of the State. Mr: Langdon will be returned governor by a majority of nearly 30,000...
10215To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 9 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l honneur de vous envoyer ci joint un Lond. Ev. post du 6. que je vous prie de me renvoyer sur le champ. Je vous comuniquerai un London Courant où il y a un long détail de la reception qui vous a été faite en Espagne. J’apprens par les gazettes que mr. le Cap. Paul Jones loge avec vous. Vous nous ferés grand plaisir de nous l’amener dimanche. Ce sera un jour très heureux pour moi et nous...
10216Code Used in Correspondence between John Adams, Francis Dana, and James Searle, 14 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
AZ. Congress Francisco—Deane Macedon—Alexander RR—Bancroft X—Williams D.D—Franklin D.D.J—Franklin Junr. SS—Foulke Missa—Jay Merry—Carmichael Snapo—Chamont Adventure—Beaumarchis Renardo—Gerard Angelica—Vergenes De Novo—De Castres Grex—States General Grego—Stadholder Steady—Mr. Adams Funn—J. Searle Dortje—Regency of Ams.
10217To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a copy of Mr Pickerings letter to me of the 20th of June No 1, of an account of Stores said to have been purchased for the Sophia No 2, & of his statement of my account No 3; the latter of which, as I conceive, is unjust in several particulars. 1st Mr Pickering has considered my salary as terminating the 12th of may; stating, that it was “the day on which I received...
10218To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am very grateful for thy obliging favor of the 7th ult., & must begin this with an apology for so soon troubling thee again. I wish to send a copy of the Gazetteer of New York, to the Emperor of Russia, & write to solicit the favor of thy aid in forwarding it, through thine & the Kindness of thy Son, our Minister in Russia. Will it be practicable,? & if so, wilt thou have the goodness to...
10219To John Adams from William Bentley, 10 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I received with great pleasure your request for an explanation of a note left at Quincy. Having been in the habit for many years of receiving from Mr Endicott a portion of the Endicot Pears, & being desirous to honour the man, who above all others, deserved the name of the Father of New England, I concluded, in passing, I should be accepted, if, in the reverence of my heart, I...
10220To John Adams from James Searle, 22 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Having recieved so many proofs of your Friendship and Civility to me personally, and being fully convinced as I am of your Ardent desire to be usefull to your Country and to render every Service in your power to each individual State, I beg leave as Agent for the State of Pennsylvania for the purpose of procuring a Loan of money in Holland for the use of that State to ask in this manner your...
10221To John Adams from John Sullivan, 4 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your agreeable favour of the 15th ultimo. I Delayed answering it till I could give you information how matters were Like to go in this City. Soon after I received your Letter I Sent for Colo. Sears Mr. John Smith and Some others (which I knew to be Staunch) to Spend An Evening with me that I might Converse with them upon the Subject. I was Some what at a Loss to...
10222To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
Musing on Molière, the last precious gift of de Gyzelaer, which I received this summer, I was as usual diverted from him to you, recollecting your kindness. My own health is improved, my old enemy raps only now and then a lady’s knock at the door; though I am not always permitted to say not at home, our pour parler does not last long. I shall go to-night to make a party of Quadrille with my...
10223Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 14 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
I owe you a volume, & the certainty that I have not time to compile it at present is more terrifying to me than the weight of the debt. Your two kind letters of June 29 & August 25. though some time since received have never before been acknowledged; but my gratitude for these precious testimonials of Parental affection has not I trust diminished in force by having remained thus long in...
10224To John Adams from Tadeusz Andrzej Bonawentura Kosciuszko, 24 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
A Packet given to me by Sir John St Claire for your Excellency is deliverd to Colo: Pickering. I beg at the same time, that I may have the Honor to pay my Respectfull Homage to you as to the first Magistrate of a Great Brave Free and happy Nation Your Excellency most / Humble and most Obedient servant MHi : Adams Papers.
10225To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 4 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
In Spite of a Speech made by my wife a few days Ago, “that you and I corresponded like two young girls about their sweethearts,” I will not be outdone by you in the number and promptness of my letters. The General assembly of the Presbyterian Church have just finished a long and interesting Session. Among Other things done by them, they have addressed a petition to Congress praying that the...
10226To John Adams from Joseph Gardoqui & Sons, 13 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Last night arriv’d safe the Packett Active Capt. Corbin Barnes belonging to the Navy Board Eastern Department from Boston and New London, by whom have received the enclos’d letters for your good self and the rest of the Gentlemen to whom pray our complements. Capt. C. Barnes putt into Coruna about 10. days ago, and we hear he putt some letters in that post office, but as he is not come ashore...
10227To John Adams from J. Loring Child, 18 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
In this town on the 1st of October 1819 an “Athenaeum” was established with a view to extend the means of useful knowledge in this section of our Country. It being the first of the kind in the new state, a laudable zeal has been manifested on the part of its friends and patrons, which encourages the belief that ere long it will hold a respectable rank with other similar institutions. The...
10228To John Adams from James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 13th instant, for which I sincerely thank you. It has not only relieved me from some painful impressions, but afforded me ground to expect, I shall be able, when I have the pleasure of again seeing you, to satisfy you more fully that I exceeded, in no particular whatever, the line pointed out to me by your Instructions. Having acted, both...
10229To John Adams from William Cunningham, 16 November 1808 (Adams Papers)
The person who carried to the office my the letter which I had the pleasure to write to you the 12th. inst. brought me yours of the 9th. You may depend, most assuredly, that your disclosures concerning the ci devant Secretary, shall not be divulged while you live, and may the day be distant which shall discharge me to my discretion in the use of the important matter you have deposited in my...
10230To John Adams from Hendrick W. Gordon, 12 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Encouraged by your friendly disposition towards me, I now take the liberty to ask of you, in the most respectfull manner, a letter of recommendation to Richard Rush Esquire Comptroller of the Treasury, wherein you will be pleased to say whatever you can of me, in regard to my integrity and ability, & my fitness for the office of Collector of Direct Taxes for the County of Middlesex in this...
10231William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 5 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
I should have long before this answered your affectionate Letter of Congratulation on my return to my family and friends but since my arrival, I have really been so perfectly and fully engaged, that I could scarcly call an hour my own— I had hurried myself for this week past in expectation of attending M rs: Smith to Braintree, but the situation of my public and private business tho’ agreable...
10232From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 10 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your dear Mother has this day received your Letter of the 3d: instant, which gave us both much pleasure; for various reasons—First because it gave us the gratifying intelligence of what you call Charles’s promotion—Secondly because it is a proof of your brotherly kindness to him, that you take the opportunity of writing to let us know of his success, which you know we have as well as your own...
10233To John Adams from William Moubray, 24 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Should my Application not interfere with that of a Gentleman of much Superior merit, I would beg Leave, with the greatest deference and Respect, to offer my Services as Collector of the Customs for the Port of Savannah I have the honor to be, with the highest Respect, / Sir, / Your Excellency’s / most Obedient Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
10234To John Adams from John Laurens, 28 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency copies of a representation made to me by Commodore Gillon on the subject of the frigate South Carolina—and a memorandum of articles settled and agreed upon between us. My motives for engaging in this business are That the excellence of the conveyance enables me to transmit immediately a part of the Specie destined for the United States, which...
10235To John Adams from William White, 3 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I rcd yours of Octr 29, by Mr Everit: a young Gentleman with whose Talents I had been previously made acquainted, by a Perusal of his Answer to Mr English. It is certainly an able Performance, & shews an Extent of Reading very disproportionate to his Years. A personal Intercourse with him has raised him in my Estimation. Mr Colman has also been recently in this City: But I saw little of him,...
10236James Warren to John Adams, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
M rs. Adams. & Miss Nabby left us last Sunday was a week ago. with a very fine Wind. which has Continued here ever since & promises her a fine passage. if good Wishes in great Abundance Contribute any thing to the shortness or pleasure of the Voyage. it must be propitious. M r. Jeffeson will I hope hand you this. & be as agreable a Colleague as his Predecessor. you will from him & M rs. Adams...
10237From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 23 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 16 was received yesterday & I hasten to answer it that you may not have reason to complain of my silence—I mark all you say and sincerely pray that no circumstance may ever occur in your course through life which may lead to habits which will either cause misery to yourself or disgrace to your parents and friends—There all persons in the world who are weak enough to imagine...
10238To John Adams from Rufus King, 22 June 1803 (Adams Papers)
On the 16th of last month the King of Great Britain sent a message to Parliament announcing the termination of the discussions with France, and calling on them to support him in his determination to employ the power & resources of the nation in opposing the spirit of ambition and encroachments of the Government of France. Letters of marque had been issued against France, and I conjecture that...
10239From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 1 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
I was much pleased to receive your Letter of july 26th and to mark your improvement in your hand writing & in the regularity of your lines; Your Visit to Clapham must have been very delightfull to you: It is a pleasant village. I used to go often there when I resided in London, to visit an American family by the name of Vassel. I should like to know if any Branch of it, are yet living? There...
10240To John Adams from Clarkson Crolius, 29 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
By the direct1on of the Society of Tammany, or Columbian order, I do myself the honor of transmitting to you, by this days mail, the address of that society, on the Subjects of national economy and domestic Manufactury. The society as well as myself, feel highly gratified, should the sentiments it contains coincide with your own. I have the honor to be, with / the highest consideration of...
10241To John Adams from John Jay, 16 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 3 d. Instant I have not been favored with any Letters from you. I have at length the Pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress complying with your Request to return, and expressing their Sentiments of, and their Thanks for the important Services you have rendered your Country. They have not yet come to any Decision respecting a Minister...
10242Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
On Thursday evening, the Deventer magistrates passed the resolution necessary for your Excellency’s recognition as minister plenipotentiary of the thirteen United States of America. The citizens of this city presented their petition Friday morning and the magistrates responded that they had already passed the resolution. Kampen, I was informed, was very well disposed. It was linking its...
10243C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 18 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
Depuis quelques jours mon Epouse, un peu mieux, me laisseroit sans peine pour elle, si l’extrême foiblesse qui lui reste, ne m’inquiettoit encore. Les projets sur la Baviere dérangés, paroissent avoir fait prendre le parti de vouloir s’en dédom̃ager aux dépens de la Rep., qui ne peut se rèsoudre à souscrire aux nouvelles propositions qu’on lui fait; & par conséquent je crains que nous n’ayions...
10244From 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...
10245From 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...
10246To 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...
10247To 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...
10248To 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...
10249To 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...
10250Bartholomé 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