2531From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 25 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, Sept. 6, 1782—Wrote to Mr. Secretary Livingston, “In your letter of the 5th of March, you ask, whether this power has entered into any treaty with France since the war, and whether any such thing is in contemplation? They have made no treaty, but a convention concerning recaptures, which you must have seen in the papers. The East India Company have concerted operations with France...
2532From John Adams to James Breckenridge, 17 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
A Copy of your unanimous Resolution of the 31. of May, together with an Address signed by your Chairman by your Order has been presented to me, by your Representative in Congress Mr Evans. The Confidence of the People of Virginia or any such respectable portion of them, is peculiarly agreable to me: and the more So because, I am conscious that more than twenty Years ago, in Circumstances, very...
2533[July 7. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
July 7. 1778. Dined at St. Lu, with the Farmer General De Chaillut. The aged Marshall Duke Richelieu, and many others Marquisses, Counts and Abbys were there.
2534From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Letters from Colo. Rice, Lt. Soper, and from General Knox and Mr. HG Otis—which I pray you to file with all other applications of Similar natures. Mr. Henry Sargent appears a very respectable Man— MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2535[1765–1767] (Adams Papers)
On the 14 day of July of this Year 1765, Mrs. Adams presented me with a Daughter and in her confinement in her Chamber, I was much alone in the Parlour below my Office of Evenings and Mornings. The Uneasy State of the public Mind, and my own gloomy Apprehensions, turned my Thoughts to writing. Without any particular Subject to write on, my Mind turned I know not how into a Speculation or...
2536From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter which I beg you to return to me, as Soon as you think fit. It is an Answer to one in which I requested him J. Q. to Send me a Manilius if he could find one to be Sold in St. Petersburg. Is not the Ratio of Manilius the Same with the Logos of Plato? and the Progress of the human Mind in Condorcet? Pray have you read Condorcets “Outlines of an historical View of the Progress...
25371778. 14. Feb. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
A very fine Morning, the Wind at Northwest. At Daybreak orders were given for the Ship to unmoor. My Lodging was a Cott, with a double Mattress, a good Bolster, my own Sheets, and Blanketts enough. My little Son, with me—We lay very comfortably, and slept well. A violent Gale of Wind in the Night.
2538John Adams to [Franklin and Arthur Lee], 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr. Adams has recd. from the Count De Vergennes a Letter containing Information that his Majesty will see Mr. A. on Fryday, and an Invitation from the Count to Messrs. Franklin Lee and Adams to dine with him on that Day. The Letter is addressed to Messrs Franklin Lee and Adams. Notation: 5 May 78 Elicited by Vergennes’ note to the commissioners the day before....
2539Adams’ Notes of Authorities: Special Court of Admiralty, Boston, July 1773 (Adams Papers)
Woods. Inst. 675, middle. “The Confession of the Defendant to private Persons, or to a Magistrate, out of Court, is allowed to be given in Evidence against the Party confessing; but this Confession cannot be made use of against any other. But where a Man’s Confession is made use of against him, it ought to be taken alltogether, and with that part which makes for him as well as with that which...
2540From John Adams to Thomas Barr, 3 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received “the Constitution of the Kentucky Society for promoting Agriculture” with your certificate of my Election as an honorary member.—As I have never heard of any measure for the promotion of that great object in this, or in any other country without pleasure; this Institution is so delicious a climate, & in a soil so exuberantly fertile, could not fail to be a peculiar...
2541John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Your two last Letters had very different Effects. The long one gave me vast Satisfaction. It was full of usefull Information, and of excellent Sentiments. The other relating to the ill Usage you have received from Hayden gave me great Pain and the utmost Indignation. Your generous Solicitude for our unfortunate Friends from Boston, is very amiable and commendable, and you may depend upon my...
2542From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 11 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged by your favour of the 9th. just received. Though I called the Subject of my former letter, a Bagatelle, it is perhaps of Some Importance; for as a Navy is now an Object, I think a circumstantial History of Naval Operations in this Country ought to be written, even as far back as the Province Ship under Capt. Hollowell &c and perhaps earlier Still. Looking into the Journal of...
2543From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a Letter from Jesser Lewis which I recommend to your Consideration. General Marshall can probably give you more Information than the Letter contains or is known to your affectionate sert DNA : RG 45--Naval Records Collection.
2544From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 15 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am afraid you will be offended at my freedom; but you are, in your hand writing, at Such an immense distance behind your two Brothers that I cannot abstain from urging you to force your Attention to that elegant usefull and indispensible Accomplishment. In order to diminish that ardor and abate that hurry which will inevitably force you into a Slovenly habit; accustom yourself to a critical...
2545From John Adams to United States Senate, 11 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Obadiah Trimmier of South Carolina to be a Commissioner of Valuations in the third Division of that state in the place of Robert Anderson resigned. Julius Nicholls Junior of South Carolina to be Inspector of survey Number three in that state, in the place of Eugene Brenen, whose Commission will expire at the End of the present session of the Senate DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S....
2546From John Adams to United States Senate, 20 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the following List of Officers in the Army Cavalry. Lieutenant James V. Ball Captain—vice Van Rensselaer.. appointed Major First Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers Major.. Henry Burbeck,,, Lieut. Col. Commdt. vice Rochefontaine dismissed 7. May 1798 Captain Mahton Ford Major vice Burbeck promoted... 7. Ma..1798 Lieutenant Piercy S. Pope Captain vice McRee resigned... 24 April..—...
2547John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment rec d your favour of 25. April.— If you want more Money before June borrow it of the General whom I will repay when I return. The freight of the furniture was in Mass. L. M.— The Farm goes on admirably well— I am well Satisfied with all you do. The Weather is terribly hot and dry for the season. Yet the Country looks charmingly. I hope to be at home by the first of June....
2548From John Adams to William Macpherson, 18 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
This Dedication of yourselves, in the Presence of God and the World, to defend, against the Attacks of Arrogance, Injustice and lawless ambition, that happy System of Government which you have inherited from your Fathers cemented by the best blood of America and sanctioned by your own approbation, is very Solemn and affecting. It has, I presume been well weighted deliberately considered and...
2549John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 14 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter of the tenth of this month. Mr. G. may well be shocked at the Message. It is a thunderbolt. I cannot but feel something like an apology for him, as he was led into some of his enterprises by the imprudence of our fellow-citizens. The extravagant court paid to him by a party, was enough to turn a weak head. The enthusiasm and delirium of that party has involved...
2550From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 2 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of 17 June is now before me. It contains an elegant and masterly Narration of the late Expedition against the British Men of War, in Nantaskett Road, and its happy and glorious Event. I am a little mortified however that my good Friends and Neighbours the Militia of Braintree, Weymouth and Hingham, did not execute their Part with So much Activity, as they ought. But the...
2551From John Adams to United States Senate, 10 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Joseph Beale of Massachusetts to be a Lieutenant in the Navy George Washington Few of Rhode Island to be a Lieutenant in the Navy. Charles Webb of Virginia to be a Surgeon’s mate in the navy. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
2552From John Adams to Henry Grand, 16 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of March 11th, which I recieved last night, is totally incomprehensible to me. My Account was to be made up for two Years Salary ending the 13th. day of last November, amounting to five thousand pounds sterling. Every farthing of Money I have recieved, including my last Receipt for 400 £ amounts to but about that Sum. I transmitted You the account between Us stated with all...
2553From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 39, 8 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 8 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 433–435). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:602. In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams provided a list of forty-six British naval vessels lost for a variety of reasons...
2554From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 10th: Mr Liston’s note of the 8th was not inclosed as you intended. Mr. Barclay I know & his Exequator will be ready. Mr. Moodie I know not, nor do I know or suspect any objection to him. I thank you for the account of the tryal of Fries, which if it was attended to by as numerous a concourse of people in Philadelphia, as it would have been in some other...
2555John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am desirous of conveying to you, in a manner that will not probably fail of success, and therefore have written the same Thing by many Vessells. I have ordered some Things to be shipped to you by two Opportunities. But least these should not arrive, or whether they do or not, I beg of you to draw upon me, for one hundred Pounds sterling which shall be paid at sight. Any Person who has...
2556John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
The Senate are now in Possession of the Budget.— It is a Bone to gnaw for The Aristocrats as well as the Democrats: And while I am employed in attending the Digestion of it, I send you enclosed an Amusement which resembles it only in name. I can form no Judgment when the Proscess will be over. We must wait with Patience. I dined yesterday in the Family Way with The President— He told me that...
2557From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 2 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
You make me very happy when you Say, that you agree with me upon the Subject of the Perfectibility of Man. Let every Man endeavor to amend and improve one and We Shall find ourselves in the right Road to all the Perfection We are capable of: but this rule Should by no means exclude our utmost exertions to amend and improve others, and in every Way and by all means in our Power to ameliorate...
2558From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 11 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Dr Morse having undertaken to continue Trumbul’s History: wrote urgently to me to assist him. I wrote him a few Anecdotes in a few Letters which he regularly acknowledged but my Facts were so new to him and so ill calculated to promote the Sale of his projected Book, that he soon neglected to answer me. There our Correspondence ended. You attempted to “bring the Old Gentleman out.” You have...
2559From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 2 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the favor of your letter of 24 June, & the copies inclosed of dispatches from Stevens & Maitland, which I suppose it is unnecessary for me to return. The necessary alterations in the proclamation will of course be made by you, with the advice of the heads of department. Harmony with the English in all this business of St. Domingo, is the thing I have most at heart. The result...
2560John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, giving an Account of your Studies for a day. You should have dated your Letter. Making Latin, construing Cicero, Erasmus, the Appendix de Diis et Heroibus ethnicis, and Phaedrus, are all Exercises proper for the Acquisition of the Latin Tongue; you are constantly employed in learning the Meaning of Latin Words, and the Grammar, the Rhetorick and Criticism of the...
2561From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
It is very true that “the denunciations of the Priesthood are fulminated against every Advocate for a compleat Freedom of Religion. Comminations, I believe, would be plenteously pronounced by even the most liberal of them, against Atheism, Deism.” against every Man who disbelieved or doubted the Resurrection of Jesus or the Miracles of the New Testament. Priestley himself would denounce the...
2562August 26. 1796. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Cloudy. Wind. N.E. but not rainy. The shower last night has refreshed Us. The Corn, the Gardens, the Pastures, The After feed, the Fruit trees all feel it. Sullivan gone for a Load of Seaweed. The other Men upon the Wall. In digging a Trench for the Wall We find Stones enough, in Addition to the old Wall to compleat the New one. Four hands with a Yoke of Oxen have done Six Rods in four days...
2563From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is devoted to one Subject. Since the Death of Judge Cushing there has been frequently expressed in Conversation, much regret at your Absence, among People of all Parties. Presuming that Absence to be an insuperable Bar to any Nomination as a Judge, I have taken very little Notice of such Insinuations of Regret and imputed some of them to one Motive and Some to another. I need not...
2564From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 5th. and 9th are received. My Eyes and my hands forbid every unnecessary Word. I have read Lardner and Jones; the latter 50 Years ago, and twice Sinse; the last time within a year. They both give Us their opinion but not proofs. They take for granted the Authenticity of Gospels Acts Epistles and Apocalypse, and then produce them as Witnesses. Sillimans Stones are not So...
2565From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 May 1810 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bristed, in his Hints, p. 389 to 413, has published some account of an affair which he says John Adams quashed. Whether this is a reproach or an honor, the public will judge from the Documents. On the 25th of August, 1798, I received at Quincy, the following Letter from the Secretary of State. (No. I.) Trenton, August 21, 1798. Sir—I enclose a letter which I received last evening, under...
2566London July 20. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
“Every Act of Authority, of one Man over another for which there is not an absolute Necessity, is tyrannical.” “Le Pene che oltre passano la necessita di conservare il deposito della Salute pubblica, sono ingiuste di lor natura.” Beccaria. The Sovereign Power is constituted, to defend Individuals against the Tyranny of others. Crimes are acts of Tyranny of one or more on another or more. A...
2567From John Adams to John Graham, 28 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d and heard y’r favor of Feb 23d and the pamphlet enclosed, it is a free manly & independent argument at the bar—it is quite orthodox in liberty, humanity, & in law—at least I think so as far as the judges express’d their sentiments—“The court agrees with Dr Graham, in most of the points wh’ he has taken on the subject of examinations & confessions taken in the police office;.” A...
2568Monday. December 18th. 1758 (Adams Papers)
I this Evening delivered to Mr. Field, a Declaration in Trespass for a Rescue. I was obliged to finish it, without sufficient examination. If it should escape an Abatement, it is quite indigested, and unclerk-like. I am ashamed of it, and concerned for it. If my first Writt should be abated, if I should throw a large Bill of Costs on my first Client, my Character and Business will suffer...
2569From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 40, 10 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Duplicate The Memoire of the Prince Gallitzin, Envoy Extraordinary of all the Russias to the States General, presented the third of this Month, is of too much Importance to the United States of America, and their Allies, to be omitted to be sent to Congress. It is of the following Tenor. High and Mighty Lords., “The Undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary of her Majesty the Empress of all the...
2570To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 11 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your enquiry in your letter of the 4th. inst. I can only say that I knew Mr. Matzei at Paris and that he made long journeys. But in what stile he lived and at what expence he travelled I know not. He always made a genteel appearance without any unnecessary show, and kept good Company wherever he went. I observed this in Paris and heard of it in Holland. In Italy it could not be...
2571From John Adams to P. S. Townsend, 3 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
Be pleased to accept my best thanks for your Anniversary discourse before the Lyceum of natural History of New York, the 28th. of Febuary 1820—which I have read with much interest and pleasure— While America possesses such Literary defenders as Verplanck—Walsh—Townsend, she need not dread the malevolence of British Reviewers Journalists or travellers for the more they abuse us, the more...
2572October 21. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Amiens, and put up, at night, at Abbeville. The Roads are the best I have ever seen in France. They are not paved, or if they are, the Pavement is covered, with Flynt Stones. They Pick up in the neighbouring Fields, a Species of small Flynt Stones, which they lay along in heaps on the Side of the Road, and with these they mend the high Ways from time to time. The Wheels of the...
2573John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I have written but once to you since I left you. This is to be imputed to a Variety of Causes, which I cannot explain for Want of Time. It would fill Volumes to give you an exact Idea of the whole Tour. My Time is to totally filled from the Moment I get out of Bed, untill I return to it. Visits, Ceremonies, Company, Business, News Papers, Pamphlets &c. &c. &c. The Congress will, to all present...
2574From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 23 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour, written after your Return from Spa and am very glad you had so pleasant a Tour and found So agreable a Reception. I find that my Friend in Philadelphia, reprinted the Letters on the Spirit and Resources of Great Britain: after which they were again printed in Boston, and much admired. A Gentleman from Boston, tells me, he heard there, that they were written by one...
2575From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 86, 17 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Writer on the Consequences of American Independence, Subjoins a Comparison between the United States, and the West Indies. He says the Exports from England was in 1771 £ s d To North America 4,586,882: 15: 5 £ To Dominica 170,623: 19: 3 To St Vincents 36,839: 10: 7 To Grenada 123,919:
2576From John Adams to Thomas Dawes, 28 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I am informed by your Brother G, that you wish to know from me some Account of my Education! The first part of it was under Mr Joseph Cleverly in the public latin School in Braintree, the last part under Mr Joseph Marsh who kept a private Accademy the next door but one to my fathers house. From him I was Sent to Colledge in 1751. Had my first degree of course in 1755. kept th: Latin School in...
2577From John Adams to James Warren, 26 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I can never Sufficiently regret, that this Congress have acted So much out of Character, as to leave the Appointment of the Quarter Master General, Commissary of Musters and Commissary of Artillery to the General; As these officers, are Checks upon the General, and he a Check upon them: there ought not to be too much Connection between them. They ought not to be under any dependance upon him,...
2578From John Adams to William Tudor, 15 February 1791 (Adams Papers)
My good Genius this morning has thrown in my Way, by perfect Accident, your oration of the 4. July last, and although I read it with much pleasure, in its Season it now appeared to me, new and beautiful as ever. I am afraid I never thanked you for the handsome Compliment paid to me in a Note. Indeed I now and then get a Compliment, and do not always give thanks for it. I am informed, within a...
2579From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 26 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you Mr. Reads letter & the note inclosed in your favor of the 19th From a long intimacy with Mr. Izard, and a knowledge of his worth & from some accquaintance with his son, I assure you that nothing of the kind could give me more pleasure, than the appointment of Ralph Izard, the son of Ralph Izard of S. Carolina to be a midshipman in the Navy. I wish it had been my fortune to have a...
25801778 Octr. 22. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
William Whitmarsh Jur., born in Braintree, maried and living in Marblehead, was taken Prisoner on board the Yankee Privateer, Captain Johnson. After having taken two Ships, the Prisonors rose upon them, and carried them to England. Carried to Chatham and put on board the Ardent 64 Gun Ship, Captn. Middleton. Next put on board the Mars 74, from thence on board the Vultur sloop for Spithead. At...