13561From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 12, but Yesterday, and wish it were in my Power to order the Interest due to the French Officers to be paid: but it is not.— They must remain unpaid, be the Consequence what it may untill Congress or the Board of Treasury order it. indeed, I dont know how your Subsistence & mine is to be paid after next month.— M r Grand will be likely to advance yours, but from...
13562To John Adams from Nathaniel Barrett, 29 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have delayed for some Time writing to your Excellency, being desirous of compleating some g. of Importance.— I have now the pleasure of informing you, that I have contracted in my own Name, & in behalf of others in America, for Oil to the Am t of 400,000 Livres per annum, for 6 years, at a price which I think will answer, I have the Guarrantee of Mess Le Couteulx, for accepting 1/3 bills on...
13563From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 31 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I send you by M r. Joy, all the writings which have fallen in my way, against the slave trade— I mentioned your Desire to read, whatever you could find upon that subject to M r. Granville sharp who requests your acceptance of what he has written upon that subject— you may not Know the Character of this Gentleman, He is the Grand son of the famous Archbishop sharp, very amiable & benevolent in...
13564To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 31 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu la Lettre Ministerielle de N. York que V. E. a eu la bonté de m’acheminer. Je suis sensible com̃e je le dois à la part tout-à-fait obligeante que Vous daignez y prendre; & j’ai l’honneur de vous en transmettre ci-joint copie du contenu, ainsi que ma reponse à la dite Lettre, qu’après avoir lue V. E. voudra bien avoir la bonté de fermer & faire acheminer. V. E. verra le recours que je...
13565To John Adams from Rufus King, 1 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Seven States only have been represented in congress since October, of consequence very few questions of national importance have been under the examination of this Assembly— The meetings of the Legislatures have probably detained many of the Delegates, but it is expected, that Ten States will, within a short period, be represented—There is some ground to expect that several of the Southern...
13566To John Adams from Charles Storer, 1 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Enthusiasm is as necessary to the science of Politics as of Religion: without zeal in the Cause there can be no success— Such zeal was once conspicuous, and this enthusiasm has borne us hitherto through a difficult & dangerous war. But that it should now leave us, all at once, is disagreable—not more so, however, than apparently true— What can have become of this said public spirit I cannot...
13567To John Adams from John Jay, 2 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I lately wrote you a few hasty Lines just as the vessel which carried them was departing; and enclosed a Pamphlet containing my Correspondence with a M r Littlepage, who was formerly in my Family. The attack which produced that Pamphlet, was not only countenanced but stimulated by some of the Subjects of our good allies here. It is no Secret either to You or me that I am no favorite with them:...
13568From John Adams to the Comte de Sarsfield, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
In your kind Letter of the 26. of Jan y. You ask an explanation of that expression of the Massachusetts, “a Ridder of hobby horses”— in the original of the Word Hobby horse it signified a little horse, the same with Poney in English—or Bidet in french,— The English then transferred it to Irish and Scottish horses— Cheval de Irlande au D Ecosse from this sense it was transferred to those little...
13569From John Adams to John Woddrop, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honor to write to me on the 27 th. of January—and several others before that some of which contained Letters for America, which I sent with my first dispatches. I have not answered any of those Letters because they related to a subject with which I have nothing to do. I am not come to this Country Sir—to solicit emigrations to the United states of...
13570To John Adams from John Jay, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to You was written the 2 d. Ult:— It acknowledged the Receipt of your Letters of 15. 17. 21. 25 & 27 th: October last—no others have since arrived. All those as well the Letters which accompanied your Draft of a Treaty with Britain, together with my Reports in favor of them and of that Draft are … under the Consideration of Congress, and as yet have produced no Instructions to you on...
13571William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
On the 4 th of December last M r Lamb delivered me the Letter which your Excellencies did me the honor to address me dated from London the 1 st. & from Paris the 11 th of October. At the Same time that Gentleman communicated to me his Instructions & I all the Intelligence I had been able to procure relative to the negociation between this Country & the Regency of Algiers. The C t. D Expilly...
13572From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 6 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of transmitting to your Lordship a Copy of a Letter of the twenty first of December last, from His Majestys Consul General in the United States to their Secretary of State for the Department of foreign Affairs, which has been laid before Congress, who have been pleased to direct me to communicate it, to his Majesty, with this Information, that the Complaint Stated in it,...
13573To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with yours of Jan. 19. mine of Jan. 12. had not I suppose at that time got to your hands as the receipt of it is unacknoleged. I shall be anxious till I receive your answer to it. I was perfectly satisfied, before I received your letter, that your opinion had been misunderstood or misrepresented in the case of the Chevalier de Mezieres. your letter however will enable me to say so...
13574To John Adams from Isaac Stephens, [7 February] 1786 (Adams Papers)
Supposing Som one gentleman to be charged with the affairs of the united States of america in London I take the Liberty to write The Bearrer of this Letter Doctor warner his Brittanick Majestys Doctor in algirs and a gentleman that is able To give you any intelligence That you may want as To the affairs in algirs and allso as to our mortifying State of Slavery and has bin the means of Saveing...
13575From John Adams to David Humphreys, 8 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I received with Pleasure, your kind Letter of Yesterday, and although I cannot absolutely disapprove of your proposed Return to America in the Spring for the Reasons you Suggested in Conversation, yet I feel a sensible Reluctance at the Thought of loosing your Assistance, and Still wish you may find it convenient to Stay at least till the Expiration of your Commission. I believe, and I hope,...
13576To John Adams from François Soulés, 8 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I may now give your Excellency a description of this place before I give you the two next volumes of my history of America. I confess that tho’ accustomed to misfortunes, tho’ possessed of a fortitude which never forsook me in the most trying occasions, yet the Sight of Newgate struck me with horror. figure to yourself, Sir, about 145 wretches dressed in the most ragged habits with emaciated...
13577From John Adams to David Ramsay, 9 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me, the honor to write me, on the 23 d. of Dec r. and am much obliged to you, for the present of the history of the late revolution in south, Carolina, I have not yet received it: calling on M r. Dilly, on the receipt of your Letter I was informed that the Books consigned to him were still on board the ship, and would not be landed under 10 or 12 day’s— I...
13578From John Adams to John Jay, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, inclosing two Pamphlets one of which I have Sent to M r Jefferson, by Coll Humphreys who Setts out for Paris this morning. These Letters will be Sufficient to Shew any Man of common Decency, the Characters of the Writers. on one Side there is the Condescension of a provident but indulgent Father: on the other the Impertinence and Ingratitude of a Prodigal son, not...
13579From John Adams to Rufus King, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have inclosed to M r Ramsay an Address to the landed trading and funded Interests of England, which contains Some good Sense, intermixed here and there with a little Folly. M r. Ramsay will be so good as to let you read it and in return you may let him read the inclosed Principle of the Commutation Act. As the Commerce of the United States begins to run to the East Indies, every Thing which...
13580To John Adams from Jonathan Jackson, 15 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I had your very agreeable Letter of the 1 st. Octob r in course after it’s date, which I have not before acknowledged nor the very obliging Note from Miss Adams accompanying it— you will please for me & M r Tracy to thank that Lady for her kind Enquiries & good Wishes espressed for us & our families & to return their & our affectionate Compliments to M rs. & Miss Adams— I hope that the Ladies...
13581From John Adams to John Jay, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Expences of Insurance on American Vessells; the Obstructions of their Commerce with Spain Portugal and Italy: and Compassion for our Fellow Citizens in Captivity: all occasioned by Apprehensions of the Barbary Corsairs, must excite Solicitude in every Man capable of thinking or Feeling. it is nevertheless certain that too great an Alarm has been Spread, Since no more than two Vessells have...
13582From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I was Sometime in doubt, whether any Notice Should be taken of the Tripoline Ambassador, but receiving Information that he made Enquiries about me, and expressed a Surprize that when the other foreign Ministers had visited him, the American had not; and finding that He was a universal and perpetual Ambassador, it was thought best to call upon him. last Evening, in making a Tour of other...
13583To John Adams from Paul R. Randall, 17 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I should have paid the highest Respect to your Excellency’s Injunction of writing by every safe Opportunity—but that I conceived such Information, as I could have communicated hitherto, would have been only a Reiteration of M r Carmichaels Letters.— At present,—as M r. Lamb does not write,—nor has directed me thereto,—I think it my Duty to manifest an early Disposition of complying in every...
13584From John Adams to Stephen Higginson, 18 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your valuable Letter of Dec r. 30. is received, and has much obliged me. The Conduct of this Country both in a political & Commercial Point of View appears to me in the same point of Light as it does to you The remittances from the United States, which have been made since the peace, thro’ Holland, France Spain & Portugal, as well as those made directly in Cash & Produce, notwithstanding the...
13585To John Adams from Patience Lovell Wright, [ante 25 February 1786] (Adams Papers)
Lady Countes Dowege Tankerfield Desires Mrs Wright to Wait on J no. Adams Esqr and Enquire of him if the Actt of the American Congress is Repeeld which was made in the time of the War against Sqir Bennetts Estate and Lands up Rapananat Jems Rever and other Parts in Verginia and Ld fari-fax County Note Mr Loyd is a Relation &c if mr Adams has Seen the News paper wherin the American Shippin is...
13586From John Adams to John Jay, 20 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Tripolitan Ambassador Sent a Message by a Doctor Benamor, an English Jew most probably, who has formerly resided in Barbary, and Speaks the Arabic Language as well as the Italian and Lingua Franca, to inform me, that he wished to return his Visit, in the Same friendly and respectfull manner, and that as he had much at heart a Treaty between the Barbary and American States, he...
13587From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have desired Colonel Smith to go Express to Paris, to intreat you to come here without loss of Time. The Portuguese Minister has received his Instructions from his Court, and We may here together conduct and finish the Negotiation with him, I suppose in three Weeks. But there is another Motive more Important. There is here a Tripolitan Ambassador with whom I have had three Conferences. the...
13588From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 21 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
My Friend D r Price has kindly permitted me to read his Letter and to inclose mine with it— before the Commencement of Hostilities in America a Pamphlet was presented to me at Boston in your Name, which I read with more pleasure than I ever received from any other. it was intituled Considerations on the Measures Carrying on &c— it has been a Constant sceurce of Astonishment to me that a Nation...
13589From John Adams to John Jay, 22 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
On Monday Evening another Conference was held with the Tripolitan Ambassador, attended with his Interpreter Benamor, who is a decent Man, and very ready in the English as well as Arabick and Italian. The Foreign Ministers here Say it is the Custom of all the Ambassadors from Barbary to be much connected with Jews to whom they are commonly recommended. It may be Supposed the Jews have...
13590To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 22 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I Have Been Honoured with Your favour By Mr̃ Joy to Whom I Will Readily Render Every Service in My power, and am also to thank You for the Valuable Books You took the trouble to Collect for me—in the Cause of My Black Brethren I feel Myself Warmly interested, and Most decidedly Side, so far as Respects them, Against the White part of Mankind— Whatever Be the Complexion of the Enslaved, it does...
13591To John Adams from Paul R. Randall, 25 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The last Letter I had the Honor to address to your Excellency was of the 17 th: instant—conveyed by M r Harrison, who has resided in Cadiz, I believe in Quality of Consul—in which I suggested some small Difficulties embarrassing M r Lamb’s Embarkation—but as I had not received Intelligence of their Removal until M r Harrison was on the Point setting out—he will supply to your Excellency, that...
13592From John Adams to John Jay, 26 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Envoy from Portugal, has received from his Court an Answer to his Dispatches relative to the Treaty with the United States, and the enclosed Extract from it, which has been delayed sometime by the Sickness of the Chevalier de Freire, the Portuguese Secretary of Legation, this Minister did me the Honour to deliver to me two days ago, with his request that it might be transmitted to...
13593From John Adams to John Jay, 27 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
At the last Conferences, as they call here what is understood in Paris by Ambassadors Days the Marquis of Carmarthen was pleased to make an Apology for not having yet answered the Memorial requiring the Evacuation of the Posts. “It would Sound oddly to Say that he had delayed his Answer, to prevent Delays, but it was true. He had drawn up his answer, but as he was obliged to Say Something,...
13594To John Adams from Matthew Robinson-Morris, 27 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I sincerely want words to express my sense of the honor done me by your letter; which I shall preserve as a valuable remembrance in my favor: I esteem no qualities or circumstances of any private person equally with understanding and integrity nor respect any public character more than the Representative of thirteen free Governments or perhaps so much. I recollect on reading the favor of yours...
13595From John Adams to William White, 28 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 26 of Nov. by M r Peters, I had not the Honour to receive, till a few days ago. I am much obliged to you, for this Mark of your Confidence, and for the Pamphlets and Papers inclosed, which I had Yesterday an Opportunity of communicating to the Archbishop of Canterbury, when his Grace did me the Honour of a Visit to deliver me the inclosed Letter, with the Desire of the...
13596To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 28 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to the Memorial You did me the Honour to deliver to me on the 8 th. Dec r: , I have to observe to You, Sir, that it is His Majesty’s fixed Determination, upon the present, as well as on every other Occasion, to act in perfect Conformity to the strictest Principles of Justice and good Faith. The Seventh Article both of the Provisional and of the Definitive Treaties between His Majesty...
13597From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 2 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
you have obliged me very much by your kind Letter of the Feb 27 th. The Americans are indeed Englishmen, and will continue such in Language & sentiments and manners whether they are allowed to be friends or Compelled to be Ennemies of those other Englishmen who inhabit these Islands Great Britain and Ireland. the priviledges of purchasing inheriting exercising Trades, voting for or being...
13598To John Adams from Richard Price, 2 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have been wishing to call upon you all this week, but the weather has been so discouraging as not to Suffer me to go much from home. I have communicated your request to the Gentlemen who manage the affairs of the meeting at Hackney. They agree with me in thinking the Society much honoured by your attendance; and they have directed me to inform you that, as the pew lately made is a permanent...
13599From John Adams to Matthew Robinson-Morris, 4 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Among all the Pamphlets which have been written Since the Peace—I cannot recollect One, before the Address to the Landed Interest &c—which did not appear to me to be written with an express Intention to deceive the Nation by concealing Some real danger or holding out Some false hope, in order to recommend One Candidate for the Ministry, or Surpress another. You will not be Surprized at the...
13600To John Adams from David Humphreys, 5 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Colonel Smith has been so good as to take charge of a printed copy of M r Dwight’s Poem and a letter from that gentleman to your Excellency, which I found at my return from London had been forwarded under cover to me. He is also the bearer of a manuscript copy of M r Barlow’s Vision of Columbus together with letters from the Author and our friend M r Trumbull on the subject of its publication....
13601To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 5 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I return you my sincere thanks, Sir, for the petition from the City of Bristol in 1775, which I have found here on my return from Holland in the letter you did me the honor to write me the 29 th. of December. It will be of great service to prove, that the conduct of our Countrimen has been & is continually misrepresented. The petition, memorial, or address to the King, or some body else from...
13602To John Adams from the Comte de Sarsfield, 6 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Si Javois Seu le voyage de M r Jefferson, Je lui aurois remis quelques memoires curieux pour Vous. vous Savez que Je pense que vous autres Gens de l’autre monde ne Sauriez trop etudier le notre afin de Connoitre nos maux Et vous en preserver Sans quoy Vous ne Vaudrez pas mieux que nous dans quelque tems. Ily a un memoire de M r du Paty qui vaut dans Son Genre les lettres de M Stuart au L d...
13603To John Adams from the Board of Treasury, 7 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
We do ourselves the Honor of transmitting to you the Resolves of Congress of the 15 th. day of February last from which you will observe the Embarrassments under which the United States labor to Comply with their Foreign Engagements through the want of Exertions in the several States to pay in their Quotas of the Annual Requisitions.— The present State of the Treasury is in Consequence so...
13604From John Adams to Granville Sharp, 8 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I took the first opportunity to send your Present of Books to my friend the Marquis de la Fayette and have this Morning received the inclosed Letter for you from that Nobleman. Let me avail myself of this opportunity of presenting my thanks, for your obliging present of Books to me. you have merited the respect and Esteem of all Men amongst whom Liberty and Humanity are not disregarded by your...
13605From John Adams to Benjamin Goodhue, 10 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of 20 Dec r. has much obliged me. The accurate States of the Mackarel, Cod and Whale Fisheries are very valuable Pieces of Information, and as long as I shall Stay in Europe I shall be happy to learn from you, from time to time the Progress of these valuable Branches of Commerce, and of all others in which our Country is interested. We have Such Advantages over France &...
13606From John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 12 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Terror in the Minds of our Sailors, of the Barbary Rovers, is an immense Loss to our Country, in Insurance, and in Trade with Italy, Spain, Portugal France England Holland: indeed with all Parts of the World. The Question is whether it is better Policy to fight them or treat with them. To fight, with a possibility of any effectual Success will cost us a Million sterling a Year. To treat...
13607From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 13 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r Adams presents his Compliments to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen and acquaints his Lordship that M r Jefferson, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles is now here and as they have something to communicate to his Lordship relative to the Affairs of the United States, they request a Time when they may have the Honour to pay their Respects to...
13608To John Adams from Matthew Robinson-Morris, 18 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am much honor’d with your letter of 2 d March and have read with great pleasure the favorable circumstances contain’d in it respecting the English. Nothing but a fatal infatuation some where can in all appearance prevent the reception of the plan mention’d by you for a mutual commerce between England and America. It seems a likely means to delay and defer a little longer our evil day. I am...
13609From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Before the Arrival of your kind Letter by Wingrove I had heard, from various quarters, of your Marriage and had received the most agreable Accounts of the Character of the Lady. give me leave to congratulate you, on this happy Event. Nothing can be more pleasing than the Transition from the Turbulence of War and Politicks to the Tranquility of domestick Life, in the Arms of a Lady of so much...
13610To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, William Stephens Smith, and Richard Peters (Adams Papers)
MS not found. Printed from facsimile in WSS ’s hand in Magazine of American History, with Notes and Queries , [1879], 3:44–45; addressed: “His Excellency John Adams, &c., &c., &c., corner Brooks Street, Grosvenor Square.” The signatures were written in a circle and attached on a separate foldout page. The address was provided only in the Magazine article’s text. Published as “A Diplomatic...