14341Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
Following the favorable reception of his 1787–1788 work, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America , Vice President John Adams ventured deeper into the lessons of Europe’s republican past. Encouraged by Thomas Jefferson and others to pursue the subject of hereditary aristocracy as “a proper sequel,” Adams mulled the skills needed for such a task, namely,...
14342John Adams’ Discourses on Davila, No. 33, [ca. 16 March 1791] (Adams Papers)
Discourses on Davila. N. 33. It seems by the Discourse of Boetius, that there was a strong Inclination, in some to destroy Monarchy and Aristocracy in France, as long ago as the rign of Charles the ninth and some of his Predecessors. had this been done, they must either have had no Government at all , would probably have adopted, a Government in one Center like the present national Assembly....
14343To John Adams from Amicus, 29 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have ever considered the Assumption of the State Debts by Congress, as a measure necessarily flowing from the Adoption of the Constitution of the United States: That on it, the Stability, the Respect, if not the Existence of the Government, would essentially depend.— Little did I suppose, that the Gentlemen composing the house of Representatives of Congress, would determine this Subject,...
14344To John Adams from Eliphalet Fitch, 10 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
Since writing you, on the 7 h. Instant, by this Conveyance I have delivered to Capt n. Peters, of the Marianne, a Barrell of Sugar and a Barrell containing One dozen of old Rum and Two dozen of old Madeira Wine.— The Sugar and Rum were made on my Estate and the Wine is from my Cellar— Let me therefore present them to you.— I have requested my Mother to Send you a Packet with Some Papers...
14345To John Adams from Joseph Hague, 13 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will pardon me for my presunption to you, but the Subject being so Interesting to the Public, I take the liberty to Write you. I had the Honour to dine with you in Grosvenors square about Four Years ago, and then some conversation passed about the Manufactorys of America. I acquainted you that I imported some Machiens for Carding and Spinning of Wool and Cotton, and had left them in...
14346To John Adams from Thomas Crafts, Jr., 17 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I recieved yours of april 4 th and should have wrote sooner but thought it best to wait sometime that I might answer your Queries with more certainty. I thank you for Your Polite & unremitted attention to my Application in favour of M r Martin B Sohier, Have waited with some degree of impatiance for the result of the Secretary of War’s determination on that subject, Cannot doubt from what you...
14347From John Adams to Oliver Whipple, 18 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
With much pleasure I received your favour of the 26. of April: it brought fresh to my Memory the many hours We Spent together, in the Chamber where I first saw the Light of the sun. I believe there are few Persons, who run through a public Career, especially one that interests the Passions of the People; without finding Persons to recollect Prophecies that great Things would one day be his...
14348From John Adams to William Ellery, 19 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 13 th , as I did that of march in due season— One wishes to be informed of all facts in which the public is interested: but the detail of Rhode Island manœuvres is distressing. The Senate yesterday passed a bill, which cutts off all communication with Rhode Island, if she chooses such a solitary selfish and unsocial system. The bill passed by a great majority,...
14349From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received but not duly answered your favor of April 3 d . It is a misfortune that a man can never be spoken to by a projectors without being misunderstood or misrepresented I told M r. Forbisher that if he expected any thing from the general government, he must apply to it by petition. But I never told him, that I had the least suspicion that the general government would ever do...
14350From John Adams to William Smith, 20 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable favour of the 24 th of April, was brought to me in season and I thank you for it; though my thanks are not in good season.—Your sentiments concerning the assumption of the State debts, the encouragement of American navigation and the establishment of a national bank, are conformable to those of about one half The Continent and contrary to those of the other half. How shall we...