2861John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
My old Acquaintance M r Walton, who Served in Congress, with me in 1776 and 1777 is returned a Senator from Georgia in the room of General Jackson who has resigned. He is or has lately been Chief Justice. As old Acquaintances are easily Sociable We soon fell into Conversation about Affairs old and new. I asked him whether The Negative of M r Rutledge would have any ill Effects at the...
2862John Adams to Abigail Smith, 17 April 1764 (Adams Papers)
Yours of April 15th. this moment received. I thank You for it—and for your offer of Milk, but We have Milk in vast Abundance, and every Thing else that we want except Company. You cant imagine how finely my Brother and I live. We have, as much Bread and as much new pure Milk, as much Pudding, and Rice, and indeed as much of every Thing of the farinaceous Kind as We please—and the Medicine We...
2863From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 4 September 1805 (Adams Papers)
De la Marre, tells us, that in the North of Holland they make use of Fucus to support their Dikes. In other places, they employ these plants to fertilize their lands. on Several of the french Coasts of the ocean, they call "Cluys" those of these plants which the Sea casts upon the Shore; and Vraicq, those which they go and pull off from the rocks, in the months of January and February, an...
2864May. 1756. 1 [i.e. 2] Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Last night we had rain all night accompanied with a very high Wind, and the storm continues. Heard Mr. Camel Campbell of Oxford. About noon cleard away. I think it necessary to call my self to a strict account, how I spend my Time, once a week at least. Since the 14th of April I have been studying the 1st Part of Butlers Analogy. Spent the Evening at home with Mes srs . Camel, Green. Copious...
2865From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 3 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
The third of September, will be more remarkable for the Signature of the definitive Treaties than for the Battle of Naseby or Worcester or the Death of Oliver Cromwell.— We could obtain no Alteration from the Provisional Articles. We could Obtain no explanation of the Articles respecting the Tories nor any Limitation respecting Interest or Execution for Debts. I am however less anxious about...
2866From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 November 1822 (Adams Papers)
I received the letter you did me the honor to write me, on the 7th. of this month. Inclosing a copy of an additional return of the Census of Alabama in virtue of an act of Congress of the 7. of March 1822 / and salute you with the respect and affection / of your obid: & very humble Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2867From John Adams to Jean Luzac, 30 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I ought to make an apology, for delaying So long to answer your Favour of the Sixteenth accompanied with Some printed Copies, of the Address of Thanks from the Body of Merchants and Manufacturers of the City of Leyden, to the great Council. The great Qualities, which this Nation has always displayed upon occasions proper to call them Forth, appear with too much Splendour upon this occasion to...
2868From John Adams to Bidé de Chavagnes, 16 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have two agreable friendly Letters from you, unanswered. The last is dated the 4th. I am much obliged, by your kind Remembrance of me. I hope to have the Pleasure to see you Some day or other at Paris, and to introduce you, to the Gentleman you mention. As to making Peace, the Time is not yet come. We must wait, untill you have well beaten the English, and it would not be well to deprive you...
2869John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of 24 th and thank you for your relation of our little domestic affairs at Quincy. Brisler did not arrive last night as you callculated. His Children may detain him longer than you expected.— some of the public Offices are about removing to Phyladelphia this Week. I can Send James with my Horses and Charriot to meet you at Hoebucken Ferry or Elizabeth Town or any other Place...
2870John Adams to the Rector and Preceptor of the Latin School at Amsterdam, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams presents his Compliments to the Rector and the Preceptor, and acquaints them that his eldest Son is thirteen Years of Age: that he has made considerable progress already in Greek and Latin: that he has been long in Virgil and Cicero, and that he has read a great deal for his Age, both in French and English; and therefore Mr. Adams thinks it would discourage him to be placed and kept...
2871From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return to you my answer to the volunteer corps of the Infantry at Lancaster. I pray you to communicate this to Mr. McHenry that he may send the commissions. I am &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2872Notice to Foreign Ministers on Mourning, 30 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
To Acquaint the Foreign Ministers of the Courts going into Mourning on Sunday next the 2 d: of Oct r. for His late Royal Highness The Infant Don Lewis Brother to His Catholic Majesty Viz t The Ladies to wear black Silk or Velvet, Coloured Ribbons Fans and Tippets, or plain white or white and Gold or white and Silver Stuffs with black Ribbons. The Men to wear black Coats, and black or plain...
2873John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Letter of the cold Sunday on which I wrote you one from Stratford. In N. York Charles gave me the original Letter, the Duplicate of which you transmitted me. I communicated it to the P. with five preceeding Numbers. After reading them The P. was pleased to say that “M r Adams’s Intelligence was very good, and his Penetration and foresight very great. At least Things appeared...
28741776 Jany. 3d. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This heading without text is the last entry in D/JA/24. After a week in Braintree JA resumed his seat, 28 Dec., in the Massachusetts Council, which was sitting in Watertown. A payroll record in the Council Papers ( M-Ar : vol. 164) indicates that he attended sixteen days between then and 24 Jan., the day before he set out once more for Congress, and was paid £5 10s. 10d. for travel and...
2875From John Adams to Arnold Henri Dohrman, 18 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour, to transmit you, a Letter from the Honourable the Committee of Congress for foreign Affairs, with a Resolution of Congress of the 21. of June last, appointing you Agent for the United States of America, in the Kingdom of Portugal, for the Transaction of Such Affairs of the Said States as may be committed to your Direction. As I am, by the Misfortune of Mr. Laurens, at...
2876From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 21 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I find with some Surprise, in looking over unanswered Letters, One from yourself of 26 August. We gave Letters to Mr Wiger; but I must own I was not much fel fascinated with his conversation; and if his principles of honour and integrity are pure, I have since heard so little in favour of his discretion, that I think Govt ought to be cautious of the Trusts they commit to him. The sympathy of...
2877From John Adams to United States Senate, 23 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate John Ellis and Adam Bingaman of Adams county—Alexander Montgomery & John Stampley of Pickering county & Flood McGrew of Washington County to be members of the legislative council in the Missisippi territory. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
2878From John Adams to Robert Morris, 7 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday M r Le Couteulx, called upon me in order to communicate to me, the Contents of his Letters from you, concerning the Remittance of the Money from Holland. I told him he must write to Mess rs Willinks &c the Directors of the Loan upon the Subject, and that the whole matter being under your Direction; you and the Bankers must negotiate it. He Said your Desires could easily be complied...
2879From John Adams to Thomas Welsh, 19 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Letter. The Elections in Massachusetts have done honour to the Principles and Dispositions of the People. The Error of my old Friend is no surprize to me, for although I know his the abhorence of Jarvis in his heart, I have lately seen his Versatility in so many Instances, that his Character, always Subtle fine and Slippery, is now become lubricated to a degree...
2880From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon, 1 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the Tenth Article of the Treaty of Alliance between France and America, the most Christian King and the United States agree, to invite or admit, other Powers, who may receive Injuries from England, to make common Cause with them, and to acceed to that Alliance, under Such Conditions, as shall be freely agreed to and Settled between all the Parties. It will be readily acknowledged that this...
288122. To Hendrik Calkoen, 27 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Questions 22. and 23. General Monk repaired the Kings Government in England. Might not one American General or another, be able, by discontent or Corruption, to do the Same? Would the Army follow his orders on Such an Occasion? Could one or more Politicians, thro Intrigues undertake the Same, with any hopes of Success, Should even the Army assist him in Such a Case? I have before observed that...
2882From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 11 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I wish to recommend to your Benediction, the Gentleman who will have the honour to present to you, this Letter. Mr Francis C. Gray, a Son of our late Lt. Governor, who after an Education at our University, two Years travels in Europe and three Years Studies at the Bar, has Wisdom enough to wish to See more of his native Country. And Who, or what can he more rationally wish to See, than the...
2883Aug. 13. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
At Mr. Quincys. Here is Solitude and Retirement. Still, calm, and serene, cool, tranquil, and peaceful. The Cell of the Hermit. Out at one Window, you see Mount Wollaston, the first Seat of our Ancestors, and beyond that Stony field Hill, covered over with Corn and fruits. At the other Window, an Orchard and beyond that the large Marsh called the broad Meadows. From the East Window of the...
2884From John Adams to Clarkson Crolius, 9 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received the favour of your an obliging letter which you did me the honor to write me on the 29th. November—be pleased to present my thanks to the Society of Tammany or Columbian Order for this honorable mark of their Attention I admire the frankness and fortitude with which they have censure’d a Multitude of errours and abuses in the Policy Morals and Manners of this Nation no Satire...
2885From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 26 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 20th revives me. A Brother Octogenarian who can write with Such vigour of hand and mind, excites a kind of Emulation even in these old Veins. A History of the first War of The United States, is a very different thing from an History of The American Revolution. I have Seen in France a military History of France during the Reign of Louis the 14th. by the Marquis of Quincy....
2886John Adams to Abigail Smith, 26 April 1764 (Adams Papers)
Many have been the particular Reasons against my Writing for several days past, but one general Reason has prevailed with me more than any other Thing, and that was, an Absolute Fear to send a Paper from this House, so much infected as it is, to any Person lyable to take the Distemper but especially to you. I am infected myself, and every Room in the House, has infected People in it, so that...
2887From John Adams to John Adams Harper, 22 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 14th of June inclosing that of the 30th of March. As you have voluntarily assumed my name, if I have not a right to call you my Son. I have at least a right to give you my blessing: which I do most Sincerely wishing and praying that you may enjoy every comfort and prosperity in your private Life and public career. it has been...
2888Monday July 28th. 1766. (Adams Papers)
At Boston. A Meeting of the Bar at the Coffee House, for the Admission of Three young Gentlemen, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Quincy and Mr. Blowers, and another Meeting appointed next Fryday sennight, to consider of some Measures for Limitation, making a Pause, &c. They swarm and multiply. Sed, The Country grows amazingly, and the Time will not be long e’re, many who are now upon the Stage will be in...
2889John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have just sent Mr. Thaxter, Johnny and Stephens with the Things on Board. I shall go with Charles at four O Clock. It is now three. Have seen the Captain, and the Navy Board &c. It is proposed to sail tomorrow. Perhaps however, it may not be till next day. Mr. Dana will come on board at Nine tomorrow. Mr. Hancock has sent me a Card, to invite me to go on board with him in the Castle...
2890John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
In your Letter to D r Priestley of March 21. 1801 , you ask “What an Effort, of Bigotry in politics and religion have We gone through! The barbarians really flattered themselves, they should be able to bring back the times of Vandalism, when ignorance put every thing into the hands of power and priestcraft. All Advances in Science were proscribed as innovations; they pretended to praise and...