2881From 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...
2882From 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...
2883From 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.
2884From 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...
2885From 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...
288622. 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...
2887From 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...
2888Aug. 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...
2889From 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...
2890From 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....
2891John 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...
2892From 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...
2893Monday 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...
2894John 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...
2895John 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...
2896From John Adams to George A. Otis, 16 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your letters, and for the second–Volume of Botta—And now I have read both Volumes—I should have finished this reading much sooner, had I not been interrupted by business, and by indisposition—I unite with many other Gentlemen in opinion, that the translation has great merit—has raised a monument to your Name, and performed a valuable service to your Country—If the Work should...
2897John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have yours of 26 by Brisler and that of the 28 th. this Morning. Thomas is in Phyladelphia and Brisler with his Family are going off this morning in the Stage. He will write me this Evening or tomorrow.— I expect to hear from you when and where you intend to Set out, and where you intend to be.— The offices of Treasury & State are gone to Phyladelphia. War, Navy & Law remain here, for...
2898From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 8 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
“Vanity of Vanities, all is Vanity!” The French have a distinction, between Eulogy and Apology. I know not under which of these heads to class, the following anecdote. Governor Hutchinson, in the plenitude of his Vanity and self sufficiency, thought he could convince all America and all Europe, that the Parliament of Great Britain had an authority supreme, sovereign, absolute and...
2899John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
There is, in the human Breast, a social Affection, which extends to our whole Species. Faintly indeed; but in some degree. The Nation, Kingdom, or Community to which We belong is embraced by it more vigorously. It is stronger still towards the Province to which we belong, and in which We had our Birth. It is stronger and stronger, as We descend to the County, Town, Parish, Neighbourhood, and...
2900From John Adams to William White, 1 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
Almost at the moment, when I entered my 79th year I recd. your kind letter, and a valuable present of your lectures on the Catechism and your Sermon on the Epiphany. The Sermon has been read to me in my family and I have made some progress in the Lectures. The candour and moderation which I have known in the Author for 35 years appears in these compositions; for which I pray you to accept my...
2901To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of 30. May with its Inclosures. You have Since that day no doubt received my answer to yours of the 11th., in which I agreed perfectly with you in the Propriety of Sending Mr. Lamb to Congress without Loss of time. I am content to send Mr. Randal with him but had rather he Should come to you first and then to me, and embark in London after we shall have had...
2902From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The News that M r. Brantzen wrote to our Friends before I left the Hague was true The King of Great Britain under the Great Seal of his Kingdom has by Patent constituted Richard Oswal Esq r. his Minister Plenipo y. to treat with the Ministers of the United States of America. Who would have thought that G. B. would be the 3 d. Power in Europe to acknowledge the Independence of America— You may...
2903From John Adams to James Warren, 14 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I Shall inclose to a Lady of my Acquaintance all the News Papers which have been printed in this City, Since my arrival, by which you will See, to what Point the Tide of Political Sentiment, Setts. Scarcely a Paper comes out, without a Speculation or two in open Vindication of opinions, which Five Months ago were Said to be unpopular. A vast Majority of the People, indeed, I very well know...
2904From John Adams to the President of Congress, 7 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
On the fourth of May I did myself the Honour to wait on Peter Van Bleiswick Esqr., Grand Pensionary of Holland, and presented him a Letter containing a Copy of my Memorial to the States General &c. His Excellency said that it was necessary for me to go to the President and Secretary of their High Mightinesses, and that it was not customary for foreign Ministers to communicate any thing to the...
2905From John Adams to Harrison Gray Otis, 9 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
The amount of my former letters to you is this that all the sovereignty there existing in the nation was in the hands of Alexander Hamilton & that his conduct of it was delirious or in the strong language of my last letter stark mad I am now to justify these conclusions. The manner in which this oligarchical triumvirate was introduced into power is to be explained hereafter; but in the manner...
2906From John Adams to John Taylor, 14 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams’s System is that of Pope, in his Essay on Criticism; “First follow Nature and your Judgment frame By her just Standard, which is still the Same.” This Rule, Surely cannot “arrest our efforts” or “appal our hopes. ” Study Government, as you build Ships or construct Steam Engines. The Steam Frigate will not defend New York, if Nature has not been studied and her Principles regarded. And...
2907From John Adams to Richard Price, 8 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I received sometime ago from D r Franklin a Copy of the first Edition of your Observations, on the Importance of the American Revolution, and a few days Since, a Copy of the Second. I am very much obliged to you, Sir, for your kind Attention to me, and for these valuable Presents I think it may be said in general, in Praise of the Citizens of the United States, that they are Sincere Enquirers...
2908From John Adams to Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway, 22 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have your letter of the 9th. is received—your packet from the Meditaranean is safe and shall remain so till your Orders—Mr Clarkes letters and your letters—which your Grand Mother left in a bundle together—are my property and shall remain so for the present—nobody has seen them, and shall see them for the present, but my self—I should not be very willing to transmit them to you by the...
2909From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
A Gentleman, whose Name is Reynolds a Native of Boston, a Graduate at Cambridge, a Pupil in Medicine and Surgery of the late Dr Warren, a Son of a respectable Merchant, a good Scholar and an amiable Character, requests as all other young Travellers do, Letters to You. He goes, I Suppose to See the Hospitals in England Scotland France &c. I have nothing in particular to Say, but that Yesterday...
2910From John Adams to Samuel L. Mitchell, 13 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
I rely upon former acquaintance between us—Alass much too slender for me as an apology for the Liberty I take of introducing to you the Reverend Mr Andrew Norton, a Professor of Biblical Critisim in our University Men of letters and science, ought to be known to each-other in Person, as well as by fame whenever a fair opportunity presents—I flatter myself you will find him every way worthy of...