2811Oct. 13. (Adams Papers)
Sent 3 Copies of the Treaty of Commerce and as many of the Convention concerning Recaptures, by Mr. Storer to Amsterdam to go by three different Vessells. Finished packing my Papers for my Journey to Paris. Mr. Storer is to prepare every Thing for Us to set off, from the Arms of Amsterdam, on Fryday Morning. Mr. Thaxter and I are to be there on Thursday night. Walked the Tour of the Wood...
2812From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 27 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 25: is just come to hand. The Letters inclosed shall be sent, with mine. As to publishing the Letters in a Pamphlet, I have no Objection provided no Name is mentioned. But there is one Alteration necessary which runs throughout. They are now printed as if written by and Englishman. So that, England, Englishmen Britain Britons &c ought to be substituted instead of “We,” “Us,” &c. As...
2813[Thursday September 19. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday September 19. 1776. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration, and five Resolutions adopted from it, which see in the Journal. The last of these, is in these Words. That the Commander in Chief of the forces of these States in the several departments, be directed to give possitive orders, to the Brigadier Generals and Colonels, and all other Officers in...
2814From John Adams to Seth Harding, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the 11th of this month I received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the fourth with a large number of certificates from gentlemen of great respectability. I am very sorry, Sir, that you have had the trouble of procuring these testimonials; but I am very happy to assure you, that they are entirely satisfactory to me, & have removed every unfavorable impression from my mind,...
2815From John Adams to Dummer Sewall, 12 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have your favour of the 3d of May your Name has been familiar to me for fifty or Sixty years, the Names of Dumor and Sewal are amongst the most respectable in the Lexicography of New England—whether you are an Elder Brother or a Cousin of my friend David of York, I know not— Main has cost me two many anxious nights and laborious days to save it from the all grasping gripe of Great Britain—to...
2816To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 5 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Chevalier de Pinto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, from Portugal, after a long absence by leave of his Court is lately arrived here from Lisbon. Upon several occasions, when I met him at Court and upon visits, he told me that he had orders from his Court to confer with me upon the Project of a Treaty between the United States and Portugal, but he [nev]er descended to...
28171774 Monday Septr. 19. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Dr. Rush in Company with Dr. Shippen, and many others. Folsom and Sullivan from N. Hampshire. Mr. Blair &c. &c.
2818John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have an Army in the Jersies, so respectable that We seem to be under no Apprehensions at present, of an Invasion of Philadelphia—at least untill a powerfull Reinforcement shall arrive from Europe. When that will be and how powerfull, it is impossible to say: But I think, it will not be very soon, nor very strong. Perhaps, the Troops from Canada may come round by Water. If they do, the whole...
28191761. Feb. 9th. (Adams Papers)
His Majesty has declared him self, by his Speech to his Parliament to be a Man of Piety, and Candor in Religion, a friend of Liberty, and Property in Government, and a Patron of Merit. “The Blessing of Heaven, I devoutly emplore”—“as the surest Foundation of the whole, (i.e. the Loyalty and affection of his People, his Resolution to strengthen the Constitution, the civil &c. Rights of his...
2820From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you this Morning before I received your delightful letter of the 7th. which has opened a New world to me I rejoice with all my heart in your prosperity and comfortable pleasing prospects—I rejoice that the Governour and the Legislature and the People of the State of New-york—have the Wisdom to appreciate your labours at their just value—which I esteem an important service rendered not...
2821[May 1756] (Adams Papers)
A rainy Day. If we consider a little of this our Globe we find an endless Variety of Substances, mutually connected with and dependent on Each other. In the Wilderness we see an amazing profusion of vegetables, which afford Sustenance and covering to the wild Beasts. The cultivated Planes and Meadows produce grass for Cattle, and Herbs for the service of man. The milk and the Flesh of other...
282218 Thurdsday. (Adams Papers)
A cloudy morning. Spent the afternoon at my Uncles, and part of the Evening at the Doctor’s. Ebenezer Adams (1704–1769?) , youngest brother of Deacon John Adams; his wife was Ann, sister of Susanna Boylston, JA ’s mother; their daughter Ann was Mrs. Elisha Savil, mentioned in the preceding note ( Braintree Town Records Samuel A. Bates, ed., Records of the Town of Braintree, 1640 to 1793,...
2823From John Adams to William Lee, 2 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you, for your care of my Packet which I recieved with your favour of 27 of August, containing the News of the Confirmation of it, So far as an Extract from two London Gazettes could confirm it, but it is Still with much difficulty credited here. There is no Letter nor Newspaper in this City from London, Since the 18 of August, which is to me inexplicable. I should have...
2824[March 1766] (Adams Papers)
Spent a Part of last Evening with Mr. Jo. Cleverly. He is a Tiptoe for Town Meeting. He has many Schemes and Improvements in his Head—vizt. for seperating the offices of Constable and Collector.—Collecting Taxes has laid the Foundation for the Ruin of many Families—John Vesey, Ben. Owen, Jed. Bass. He is for 5 select Men and will vote for the old ones Mr. Quincy, and Major Miller. He hears...
2825November 1. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Passy with Mr. F.
2826From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 4 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I know not what to say to your Letter of 23rd. There are Men whom disaster haunts through life. Sinclair was one & Wilkinson is another. With apparent capacities and without any manifest guilt, nothing ever succeeds in their hands. To cover the blunders of the war, recourse must be had to the blunders and intrigues and corruptions in politics, from the commencement of the Revolution and long...
2827From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
At the request of our worthy friend and excellent Neighbour Dr Amos Holbrook; I transmit you the inclosed papers, praying you to convey them to the Superintendent of the Patent Office, If I knew Dr Thornton was there I would have transmitted them to him. But I think I have heard some other Gentleman was there, and that he was in some other station—My Compliments to him, if you please— It is...
2828John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 11 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
Our anxiety for you, in your present circumstances and situation among strangers, (though we doubt not you have many friends,) has prevailed upon me to make a great sacrifice, in consenting to your mother’s journey to Long Island. * * * * * * * I am kindly obliged to Col. Smith and to you, for your many invitations, and I have a great desire to see you, your friends, and even your situation....
2829From John Adams to James Warren, 20 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will go by the sage, brave, and amiable General Washington, to whom I have taken the Liberty of mentioning your Name. The Congress has at last voted near twenty thousand Men in Massachusetts and New York, and an Emission of a Continental Currency to maintain them. You will have Lee, as third in Command, Ward being the second, Schuyler of New York the fourth, and Putnam the fifth....
2830From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 27, 18 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
War is to a Dutchman the greatest of Evils. Sir Joseph Yorke is so sensible of this, that he keeps alive a continual Fear of it by Memorials after Memorials, each more affronting to any Sovereignty of delicate Notions of Dignity, than the former. By this means he keeps up the Panick and while this Panick continues, I shall certainly have no Success at all. No Man dares engage for me—very few...
28311774. Sunday [9 October]. (Adams Papers)
Went to hear Dr. Allison, an Aged Gentleman. It was Sacrament Day and he gave us a sacramental Discourse. This Dr. Allison is a Man of Abilities and Worth, but I hear no Preachers here like ours in Boston, excepting Mr. Duchè. Coombs indeed is a good Speaker, but not an original, but a Copy of Duchè. The Multiplicity of Business and Ceremonies, and Company that we are perpetually engaged in,...
2832[Tuesday May 14. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday May 14. 1776. A Letter of the 11th. from General Washington inclosing sundry Papers; a Letter of the 3d from General Schuyler; and a Letter of the 9th. from Daniel Robertson were laid before Congress and read. Resolved that they be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Jefferson and Mr. John Adams. William Ellery Esqr. appeared a Delegate from...
2833John Adams to John Jay, 14 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening, after mine to you of Yesterdays date, was gone to the Post office, yours of the Sixth, was sent me from thence. If I were to pray to Neptune, for Liberty of passing thro his Realm, again I should be tempted to Use the Form of a new converted American Indian, at Cape Cod, who went off in a fishing Vessell further to sea than he had ever been before, & was over taken by a storm. He...
2834From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 1 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform Congress, of my Safe Arrival in this City in the Frigate Boston after a most dangerous, and distressing Voyage of Six Weeks and four Days. The Situation of Things in Europe is so critical, at this Moment that, notwithstanding I am exhausted with the Fatigues of the Voyage, I am determined to proceed, the Day after Tomorrow, on my Journey to Paris. By all that I...
2835From John Adams to Francis Dana, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of 26th. Augst: OS. with Duplicates and Triplicates of a former letter and one original. These shall be sent by different vessells, as you desire. I agree to your Condition to make a minute of the postage, but you may inclose your letters to any one of the six following Gentlemen at Amsterdam and direct them to charge the postage to the U. S. viz Wilhem or Jan...
2836From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 8 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Friend insists upon my Writing to you, and altho I am conscious it is my Duty, being deeply in Debt for a number of very agreable Favours in the Epistolary Way, yet I doubt whether a sense of this Duty would have overcome, my Inclination to Indolence and Relaxation, with which my own Fire Side always inspires me, if it had not been Stimulated and quickened by her. I was charmed with three...
2837Septr. 15. 1777. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Fryday the 12, I removed from Captn. Duncans in Walnutt Street to the Revd. Mr. Sprouts in Third Street, a few doors from his Meeting House. Mr. Merchant from Rhode Island boards here, with me. Mr. Sprout is sick of a Fever. Mrs. Sprout, and the four young Ladies her Daughters, are in great Distress on Account of his Sickness, and the Approach of Mr. Howes Army. But they bear their Affliction...
28388 Thurdsday. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Maccarty preach the Lecture, drank Tea with him, and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams.
2839From John Adams to John Jay, 25 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have not presented a formal Memorial in the Name of our Sovereign concerning the Negroes carried off contrary to the Treaty, although it has been frequently and constantly, insisted upon with the British Ministry, for Several Reasons, one was a desire to confine the first Memorial to one point, the frontier Posts that the real Motives and Intensions of the Cabinet might be the more...
2840From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 17 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am infinitely obliged to you for your Favour of 29 of september and for the Journals. These are so much wanted in Europe, that if I should go there, there is nothing of so small Expence that I so much wish as 20 or 30 setts of them. They are an handsome Present. Cant Congress or some Committee order them to me. The Appointment of Mr. Dana is as unexpected as my own. No Man could be found...
2841April 8th. 1754. (Adams Papers)
The Theory of simple machines and in particular of the inclined plane, of the wedge and screw, and other machines compounded of these simple ones, finish’d.
2842From John Adams to James Madison, 23 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so good as to read the inclosed Letter from Dr. Belknap and tell me, from your Recollection of what passed in Congress in 1779 1780 & 1781, whether there is any Colour for the Imputation cast on our Country by Dr Kippis. I cannot say as Dr Belknap has been informed that Dr Kippis is my Correspondent. I never wrote a Letter to him or received a Letter from him that I recollect.—I...
2843John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 27 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favour of the Second of June by M r Tracy. as I Stopped in London only a few Hours, I had not an Oppertunity to see him: but I flatter myself with the Hope of Seeing him and M r Jackson here, where at length I am happily established with my Family. M r Jefferson and M r Humphreys are arrived, and Shall Soon begin our Work. I am So near D r Franklin, that it is but a pleasant...
2844From John Adams to Richard Peters, 5 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 28 th. of May. M r Beals Intention was not to Stay in Philadelphia more than two or three days, and his absence from this Place was accordingly very short. I thank you, for your obliging Enquiries after him, and for your kind offers of Civility to others of my Friends. I hope e’re long to be in a Condition to receive any Friend of...
2845John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
When Harris was returned a Member of Parliament a Friend introduced him to Chesterfield whom he had never seen—So Mr Harris said his Lordship you are a Member of the House of Commons — you have written upon Universal and scientifick Grammer! you have written upon Art, upon Musick, Painting and Poetry! and what has the House of Commons to do with Art, or Musick, or Painting, or Poetry, or...
2846June 27. Wednesday Morn. (Adams Papers)
Very fine—likely to be hot—at my Office early. The only Way to compose myself and collect my Thoughts is to set down at my Table, place my Diary before me, and take my Pen into my Hand. This Apparatus takes off my Attention from other Objects. Pen, Ink and Paper and a sitting Posture, are great Helps to Attention and thinking. Took an Airing in the Chaise with my Brother Sam. Adams, who...
284722 Monday. (Adams Papers)
A fair but cool morn. Mounted for Boston, arrived about 11 o’clock, went to friend Wm. Belchers, drank a bowl of punch, dined at my Uncle Sympsons, rode to Cambridge, drank Tea with Tom Went-worth. Spent the Evening partly at Hills Chamber, partly at Slewmans Sluman’s , and partly at Trumbles Trumbull’s and partly at Harry Hills. Lodged with John Hill. Nathan Simpson , a blacksmith of Boston,...
2848[April 3. Fryday. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
April 3. Fryday. 1778. We Visited the Intendant, dined at Mr. Bondfields and supped at Mr. Le Texiers, a Duch Merchant from Amsterdam, long settled in Trade at Bourdeaux. He was an inquisitive sensible Man with some considerable Information. He professed a regard for America, but seemed to be perplexed with many doubts and difficulties. He could not see how it was possible We could contend...
2849II. Draft of An Examination of the Claim of New Hampshire, March – May 1774 (Adams Papers)
The Council of Plymouth, on the 19 day of March 1621, granted to John Mason, their Secretary, a Tract of Land from Neumkeag Naumkeag to Merrimack River. In the Year 1629, the y granted him a Tract of Land between Merrimack and Piscataqua River Sixty Miles up each River, to be bounded on the West by a Line across from River to River. Both these Grants were united, and confirmed to Mr. Mason, by...
2850From John Adams to Volunteer Troop of Light Dragoons, 12 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The earnest desire you profess, to serve your Country deserves its approbation and my Applause. I accept your Offer of service as a volunteer Troop of Light Dragoons, and will give Directions that Commissions to be presented to your Officers MiU-C : Cass Papers.
2851From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 28 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 24, is just come to Hand. Your Congratulations on the publick acknowledgment of the United States do me great Honour. I received in its Time, your favour of 18. The Compliments you make me upon this occasion, are greater than I deserve, though they are not greater than were made me last Week, by one of the most respectable foreign Ministers at the Hague. “Vous avez, frappé,...
2852[Tuesday May 21. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday May 21. 1776. Three Letters from General Washington, inclosing Letters and Papers of Intelligence from England, and a Copy of the Treaties made by his Britannic Majesty with the Duke of Brunswick for 4084 of his Troops; and with the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel for 12,000 of his Troops; and with the Count of Hanau for 668 of his Troops. A Letter from William Palfrey with a Copy of his...
2853From John Adams to George Washington, 24 April 1793 (Adams Papers)
Captain John of Harvard in the Massachusetts, has been recommended to me, by so many respectable characters, and in such handsome terms, that I cannot refuse his request of a Line to the President of the United States in his favour. He has the merit of long and early Services, though he is said to have been lately unfortunate. As his application is entirely out of my Department, and to a Judge...
2854From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you Mr. Kings letters of July 28th. August 1 & 5 inclosed in yours of Oct 3d. received yesterday: These letters are very important & some of them should be made publick. With great esteem &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
285512 Monday. (Adams Papers)
Signs of Rain. Cleard off about 10. A most beautiful Day. Drank Tea with Coll. Chandler, and spent the Evening, at Major Gardiners, with the Coll., Messrs. Maccarty, Paine, Putnam, Green.
2856From John Adams to John Sevier, 6 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, you did me the honour to write me, on the 6th of February last. It is very certain, I have never given any orders, that will warrant or justify any proceedure, despotic or inimical to the Liberties of our Citizens but on the Contrary was entirely uninformed, untill I received your Letter, that any transaction of the kind you describe, had been practised or...
2857John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
This Morning I received yours of the 26th. Ult. It is the first I have received from you, and except one from Gen. Palmer of the 28th. it is the first I have received from our State. Yours made me very happy. Dont be uneasy about my Waiter. He behaves very well to me, and he has not the least Appearance of a Spy or a Deserter. He has not Curiosity, nor Activity nor sense enough for such a...
2858[1779 December 28. Tuesday.] (Adams Papers)
1779 December 28. Tuesday. We went from Castilliana to Baamonde, and found the first part of the Road very bad, but the latter part tolerable. The whole Country We had passed hitherto had been very mountainous and rocky. There was here and there a Valley, and now and then a farm that appeared handsomely cultivated. But in general the Mountains were covered with Furze, and not much cultivated....
2859From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 15 October 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have received, and read with—Sensations of grief and joy and Reflections of, (what shall I say approbation and disapprobation or of pride and humiliation? ) the Letter you wrote me on the 5th with all its enclosed papers. There seems to be, an irreversable decree against me, and every Being who has a drop of my blood in his or her Veins. There is a tide in the Affairs of Men Which taken at...
2860From John Adams to United States Senate, 31 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the following Persons, for Officers to the Regiments directed to be raised, by a Law passed the Sixteenth day of July last. Cavalry Lieutenant Colonel John Watts................................. Virginia Majors. Solomon Van Rensselaer........New York John Tayloe................................ Virginia Captains. Richard Willing................. Pennsylvania Benjamin...