2951From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 30 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been the more particular in my letters to you, concerning that extensive Manufacture and Commerce of refined Sugars, in this Country because the Proximity of all the Sugar Colonies to us, renders a share in it naturally usefull and convenient both to us and them. Fifty Thousand Hogsheads of raw Sugars are annually wrought in this Republick and exported at a great Profit to Germany,...
29521778. Feb. 16. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Another Storm for our Mortification—the Wind at N.E. and the Snow so thick that the Captain thinks he cannot go to Sea. Our Excursion to this Place, was unfortunate, because it is almost impossible, to keep the Men on Board. Mothers, Wives, Sisters come on bord, and beg for Leave for their Sons, Husbands, and Brothers to go on Shore for one Hour &c. so that it is hard for the Commander to...
2953Adams’ Notes for His Argument: Special Court of Admiralty, Boston, 4–5 August 1773 (Adams Papers)
Information. By what Rule is Prisoner to be tryed? Answer by the civil Law. Statute 28. H. 8, c. 15. 11. & 12. W. 3, c. 7. 4. G, c. 11, §. 7. then Foster 288. Barrington 54, bottom Note—notwithstanding St. Tr. V. 8, page 213. It has been customary to look into both Laws, here, as it seems they do in London, at the Admiralty sessions. But the Principal Rule of Law upon which our defence is...
2954From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of 24th. of Decr. with the Pamphlet. I am Sorry to see in our American Reviewes an affectation of imitating European Reviewers. They generally discover an unnatural Appetite for Sour Plums: more Sagacity in discovering little faults than great Merits. I will now for a Moment undertake the Office of a Critic, not for publication: but between you and me. In my Opinion you...
2955From John Adams to John Jay, 26 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you John Anstey Esq Barrister at Law and a Member of Parliament, who goes out by Authority to verify the Claims of the Loyalists, as they call themselves.— I believe it to be the Design of M r Pitt to pay their Demands which shall be found to be Supported, and withdraw their Pensions and then leave them to Seek their Fortunes. in Such a Case if our States repeal...
2956John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 23 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
It is with Shame, and Confusion of Face, that I acknowledge that your agreable Favour of April the twenty sixth, came duely to my Hand and has laid by me unanswered to this Time. There has been as much Folly and Inattention to my own Pleasure, and Interest, in this Negligence as there is of Ingratitude to you, for in the sincerity of my Heart I declare, that none of the Letters of my numerous...
2957From John Adams to Rev. Manasseh Cutler, 11 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from Mr. Taylor, contains an Answer to the Letter you did me the honour to write me on the 5. of February last, which I pray You to communicate to the American Accademy of Arts and sciences at their next Meeting. With much respect and Sincere / Esteem I am, sir your most / obedient servant MBAt : American Academy of Arts and Letters Collection.
2958From John Adams to John Adams, 18 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your account of the first part of your journey, is quite as entertaining and instructive as is that of the latter part, recorded in your former letter. The seventy persons on board the steam boat who were obliged to sleep in mats covered with a blanket, reminded me of my excellent friend and physician, Dr Holbrook’s account of the treatment of the small pox in Canada when our Revolutionary...
2959From John Adams to James McHenry, 20 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 13th and am perfectly satisfied with the disposition you have made of Ensign David Fero & hope we shall have no father trouble about him. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2960John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 18 th. I thank you for your account of the proceedings of the Supreme court.— I really believe you are right & that I was erroneous, in what we have said about the influence of politicks at the bar in Pensylvania. Indeed any where affected politicks do a man no good. I did not mean to prejudice you against your Quakers friends, who I doubt not are...
2961John Adams to William Jackson, 20 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter, Sir, of the 26 Ult. I received last night, and should have been astonished at its date and Contents if I had not seen yours to Mr. De Neufville, of the same date, which he received three days before. I had ever taken Mr. Gillon, for a Man of Honour, drawn insensibly into difficulties by a Train of Disappointments: but I cannot reconcile his Conduct upon this occasion.—But it is to...
2962From John Adams to Samuel B. Malcom, 28 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 19th. With much pleasure I learn that you were admitted to the bar on the 18th.—A man of integrity & humanity, master of the profession of the law may be & almost always is as independant useful & respectable a character as any in society. I wish you all the pleasure, all the profit and all the honor in the career before you, which you can reasonably...
2963From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
I Sincerely condole with you in the loss of your Friends Walker Wislar and Bray. I Sincerely Congratulate you on the Acquisition of an honourable Usefull and profitable Employment and Amusement for Life. And more cordially as it is a providential Rescue from your metaphysical and delirious Project of Writing Cosmogonies and Metempsichosies of Worlds. A Week before I recd. Your Letter, I...
2964From John Adams to United States Congress, 22 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
Immediately after the adjournment of Congress, at their last session in Philadelphia, I gave directions, in compliance with the laws for the removal of the public offices, records and property. These directions have been executed and the public officers have since resided and conducted the ordinary business of the government in this place. I congratulate the people of the United States on the...
2965From John Adams to United States Senate, 13 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
In conformity with your recommendation, expressed in your resolution of March, 6th 1798 I have entered into a friendly negotiation with the Bey and government of Tunis on the subject of the 14th article of the treaty of peace and friendship between the U.S. and that power The result of that negotiation I now lay before the Senate for their consideration Signed DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S....
2966From John Adams to United States Congress, 18 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I, now transmit to Congress the dispatch number, 8. from our Envoys Extraordinary, to the French Republic, which was received at the Secretary of State’s office on thursday, the fourteenth day of this month DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
2967John Adams to Charles Adams, 16 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
The Revolution in France is commonly Said to be without Example in the History of Mankind: But although there may be circumstances attending it, peculiar to itself, I cannot think it altogether unlike any Thing that has happened. The Revolution in England in the time of Charles the first has so many features in common with it, that I think the History of England from the Year 1625 to the Year...
2968From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 14 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r Storer, whom you know, will deliver you this, but whether he will find you at Brussells or else where, I knew not. I begin to grow impatient to See, the definitive Treaty Signed that I may take myself away, from this dull Place. I am just returned from Dinner, with the Sweedish Ambassador, who invited Us all, upon occasion of the Signature of the Treaty, between his Master and Congress,...
2969From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 16 June, and that of the 20th. of the Same Month, are before me. I congratulate you on those happy Events which are the Subjects of them. It is very true that We have disagreable Accounts from Canada. Our Army has retreated from that Country. Where they will make a Stand I know not. Weakened and dispirited as they are, both with the Small Pox, and with several Defeats, I fear they...
2970From John Adams to Joshua Sands, 18 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have received with peculiar sensibility your friendly letter, of 11th. instant—because I knew it proceeded from a Gentleman of great respectability in society a Gentleman of great honor, integrity and worth, I wish you and yours every prosperity I long to write to our friend Jay but I am too faint and short-breath’d to dictate a few lines I am Sir your obliged friend / and humble Servant MHi...
2971[July 25. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
July 25. 1778. I was much amused, among some People here who understand a little English, to hear them puzzling each other with Samples of English Sentences, very difficult to be pronounced by a Frenchman. Among many others I remarked the following and very curious indeed were the Attempts to pronounce them. “What think the chosen Judges?” “I thrust this Thistle through this Thumb.” “With an...
2972From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the two Commission, inclosed in yours of the 11th. signed. The contracted Law of N. Carolina, if followed by all the states, would make short Work with the Fæderal Government. What will be the Result of these Things? Such a Law is enough to dissaffect an whole state and excite a Rebellion against the U.S. I am sir your most humble &c CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
2973John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
If I could take a Walk or a Ride to N. Y. in the Evening and come here again in the Morning how clever it would be!— I am Somewhat disappointed in not having rec d a Line from you Since I left you—You are not sick I hope— M r Jay Spent last Evening with me and let me into the History of the Treaty and Negotiation, explaining his Views of its intent and operation— I can Say nothing upon it at...
2974From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I received from the Post Office, under an envellope inscribed with your hand, but without any letter, a very learned and ingenious Pamphlet, prepared by you for the Use of your Counsel, in the case of Edward Livingston against you: Mr Ingersol of Philadelphia, two or three Years ago Sent me two large Pamphlets upon the same Subject. Neddy is a naughty lad as well as a saucy one. I...
2975From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have a Letter from the Baron D e Thulemeier of the 19 th. and a Copy of his Letter to you of the same date. I hope now in a few Day’s to take M r. Short by the hand in Grosvenor Square, and to put my hand to the [Tr]eaty. I think no time should be lost. We will join M r. Dumas with M r. Short in the Exchange if you please. I applyed as you desired, and obtained the interposition of the Lords...
2976From John Adams to Abel Sawyer, 8 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Samuel Adams was called a Maltster because he kept a Malt-house; but he was a Gentleman of liberal Education; a Legislator and a Magistrate. He was the father of the late Governor Adams and the Son of John Adams, a Merchant in Boston, who was brother of my Grandfather. Mrs: Elizabeth Adams, Widow of the late Governor Adams still lives in Boston. The Governor left but one child, a daughter,...
2977From John Adams to Henry Colman, 13 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
What Temples Statues, Mausoloumes, pray, have you seen, that you cannot could pretend to entertain a Man who has read Clark, Porter, Chateaubriand, Eustace, and, Dupuis.? Yet I should read your Journal with more cordial Satisfaction than all of them.— If any of my Letters have given you an agreable hour the information of it has given me more than one. Though the Barriers of Party in our...
2978John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the first of this month acknowledging the receipt of your “Proceedings” &c and now repeat my thanks for it. It is as masterly a pamplet pamphlet as ever I have read; and every way worthy of the Mind that composed and the pen which commited it to writing. There is witt and fancy and delicate touches of Satyr enough in it to make it entertaining while the profusion of learning the...
2979To John Jay from John Adams, December 1785 (Jay Papers)
I am anxious to convey to you, if I can, in as Strong a light as that in which I see myself, the Impossibility of our doing any thing satisfactory with this Nation, especially under this Ministry, that the States may neither neglect nor delay any Measure, which they would judge necessary or expedient, upon the certainty that England will not alter her Conduct. In order to do this, I must be...
2980From John Adams to William Cunningham, 24 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of March 31 in due time: But I am become all at once and very unexpectedly a man of business and of so much importance in the world that I have not found time to acknowledge it till now. You say your sensibilities were exquisately touched by my last letter to you and my Letter to Wright and Lyman which you received at the same time. The word Sensibilities has a very...
2981From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 29 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of Oct 18 & pray you when you see Gen. Pinckney to congratulate him for me on his arrival; but I would not wish him to think of a journey here to see me. I shall see him I hope e’er long at Trenton or Philadelphia. The two letters returned in yours are important. The first has made a great impression on me. Inclosed is another letter which I pray you to decypher &...
2982[January 1771] (Adams Papers)
Dined at the Honble. John Ervings, with Gray, Pitts, Hancock, Adams, Townsend, J. Erving Jur., G. Erving, Boardman. We had over the Nominations of Nat. Hatch to be Judge of the common Pleas, and Ed. Quincy to be a Justice of the Quorum, and H. Grays Story of a Letter from a repentant Whigg to him. H. Gray. “The general Court is a good School for such Conversation as this”—i.e. double Entendre,...
2983August 28. 1796. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Hot. Went not out. Mr. Strong preached. Reading Bryants Analysis of ancient Mythology.
2984From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, February 1814 to 3 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I was nibbling my pen and brushing my Faculties, to write a polite Letter of Thanks to Mr Counsellor Barton for his valuable Memoirs of Dr Rittenhouse though I could not account for his Sending it to me; when I received your favour of Jan. 24th. I now most cordially indorse my Thanks over to you. The Book is in the modern American Style an able imitation of Marshalls Washington, though far...
2985July 24. 1786. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Went with Mr. Bridgen, Col. Smith, Mrs. Smith, to The Hide in Essex, the Country Seat of Brand Hollis Esqr. We breakfasted at Rumford, and turned out of the Way to see the Seat of Lord Petre at Thorndon. Mr. Hollis prefers the Architecture of this House to that at Stow, because it is more conformable to Paladio, his Bible for this kind of Knowledge. There are in the back Front six noble...
2986From John Adams to Sigourney, Ingraham, & Bromfield, 11 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with your’s of the 10th. and thank You for the readiness with which You have undertaken to get me House as soon as may be. I will add to the former Trouble if You please, that of procuring me a good Cook, male or female, I care not which, and two Men Servants: one that is capable of managing the Affairs of an House, and one for a Valet de Chambre and Footman: and also...
2987From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
In your last Letter you requested copies of my Letters to Dr. Price. They are inclosed— These letters and many others, and other writings and conversations to the same affect destroyed my popularity with mankind.—The Turgotests, the Condorcetians, the Rochefaucaultians the Brissotians the Jacobins and the Sans Cullotts—France took offence and pronounced me an aristocrat Rochefoucauldians; and...
2988Thurdsday [21 December]. (Adams Papers)
Yesterday and to day I have read loud, Tullius 4 Orations against Cataline. The Sweetness and Grandeur of his sounds, and the Harmony of his Numbers give Pleasure enough to reward the Reading if one understood none of his meaning. Besides I find it, a noble Exercise. It exercises my Lungs, raises my Spirits, opens my Porr s , quickens the Circulations, and so contributes much to Health.
2989John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
This Morning I returned M r Genets’ Visit. The Conversation was confined to Some Inquiries I made concerning his Mother, and Sisters with whom I was acquainted at Versailles in 1778. 1779. and 1780, and some little discussion about the form of the new Constitution: but not one Word or hint or Allusion concerning himself his Conduct, or the Conduct of our Government or People towards him. I...
2990From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 2 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
Be pleased to accept my cordial congratulations on the felicity of your Family in the arrival of your Son and Daughter from Europe. The Doctor will be the Staff of your Age and you will be the Guide of his youth. The Daughter and her Infants will be the delights of her Mother as well as her Father. For myself, clothed as I am in the Sable, I may without repining, acknowledge the Seventy Sixth...
2991From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
The events of this month, have been to me almost overwhelming. They have excited my sensibility too much for a man almost ninety years to bear. The multitude of letters of congratulations which I have received I can never pretend to answer, for it fatigues me to dictate even a few lines—but none of these letters have been more cordially welcomed than that of my friend Van der Kemp. I...
2992From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 42, 10 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 10 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 443–446). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:604– 606. Received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, this letter included a series of newspaper accounts of events at Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris, Malta,...
2993From John Adams to Isaac Gomez, 10 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
your selection of a father for the use of his Children, are worthy to be presented by every father, to every Child—and deserve a place in every family, there is not an impure or mean thought in the whole Book—there is science Literature and taste in it enough to form the best Characters of Men and Women— It is a Collection of the Wisdom of Ages, and, of Nations—But I regret that you have...
2994Oct. 23. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Went on board the Packet at Nine, put off from the wharf at Ten, but had such contrary Winds and Calms, that We did not arrive at Dover untill 3 O’Clock next Morning. I was 18 hours on the Passage. The Packet was 17. She could not come in to the Harbour, made Signals for a Boat, which carried Us ashore for five shillings a head. I was never before so Sea sick, nor was my Son. My Servant was...
2995From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen with a Draft Declaration on the Cessation of Anglo-American Hostilities, 27 … (Adams Papers)
Since the Letter which I did myself the honour to write to your Lordship, relative to the Construction of the Armistice, I have received further information from America, which I beg leave to Communicate to your Lordship. The first Judgement rendered on a mistaken Interpretation of the Armistice, appears to have been at New York where all American Vessells, taken within the second Month were...
2996From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 8 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging Favour of the 27 of October, and am very much obliged to you for the Trouble you have taken, in sending me the Rum. I have not yet received it, but as soon as it comes, I will send a Dozen to Dr. Bancroft and a Dozen to Mr. Alexander as you desire: But I must decline accepting the Remainder as a Present, for obvious Reasons, one among others is that there is no...
2997From John Adams to Richard Rush, 22 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
The Copy inclosed in your Letter has tenderly affected the little Sensibility that remains in me. As a Memorial of the Friendship of Dr Rush I esteem it prescious. Mark my Words; it is Party Faction and Fashion that give Characters; Truth and Justice, are Studiously omitted neglected and forgotten. Jefferson is no more my Friend Who dares to Independence to pretend Which I was born to...
2998John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I received your very agreable Letter, by Mr. Marston, and have received two others, which gave me much Pleasure. I have wrote several Letters, but whether they have reached you I know not. There is so much Rascallity in the Management of Letters, now come in Fashion, that I am determined to write nothing of Consequence, not even to the Friend of my Bosom, but by Conveyances which I can be sure...
2999From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 20 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I last night received a Letter from a Member of Congress, which informs me, that Congress have resolved to redeem their Loan Office Certificates, according to the Value of Money at the Time of their being respectively issued. This compleats their Plan of the 18 of March, and makes the whole just as well as wise and politick. I Send you, the Report of the Committee as amended and adopted by the...
3000John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
This goes by Colonel Fleury, whom you know, who desires to carry a Letter to you. My three Boys dined with me Yesterday, being a Playday for them, in fine Health and Spirits. I long to hear, whether Captain Trash arrived from Corunna, who had Letters from me to you, or Captain Babson who had Letters and more. I dont know whether you have yet heard of our Arrival. There are a great Number of...