3001From John Adams to Wiley & Halstead, 30 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved a letter under this signature dated 22 July 1821 but it must surely be a supposition for the genuine master of the trident which is the sceptre of the ocean never indulged himself in so much flattery nevertheless the institution he recommends has my most cordial approbation. Every institution calculated to alleviate the sufferings & promote the comforts of that brave, generous...
3002From John Adams to William Bentley, 30 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Well knowing your love of your Country, and your judicious discrimination in the choice of measures to promote its interest; I presume you will not be displeased, with the enclosed volume. Be so good as to accept it as a very small expression of gratitude for the many civilities I have received from you. At the same time your situation may afford, opportunities of improving the work and...
3003John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 21 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I believe I have not acknowledged your favour of the 20th January, which I received in its season. I hope your apprehensions that “the party who have embarrassed the President, and exerted themselves to divide the election, will endeavour to render my situation as uncomfortable as possible,” will be found to be without sufficient foundation; I have seen, on the contrary, a disposition to...
3004John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 5 th. — If you think it best, leave Thomas at Colledge: but I pray you to come on with Charles, as soon as possible.— as to the Place let my Brother plough and plant if he will, as much as he will. He may Send me, my half of the Butter Cheese &c here.— As to Money to bear your Expences you must if you can borrow of some Friend enough to bring you here. if you cannot...
3005From John Adams to James Warren, 27 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have this Day, made an establishment of an Hospital and appointed Dr. Church Director and surgeon and have done themselves the Honour of unanimously appointing the Honourable James Warren Esqr of Plymouth in the Massachusetts Bay, Paymaster General of the Army. The salary of this officer is one hundred Dollars Per Month. It is an office of high Honour and great Trust. There is...
3006From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Nature did not make me of a jealous disposition; but a dismal experience has made me Suspicious of myself, not less than of others. I often Suspect myself, and that my Imagination deceives me; that I mistake posibilities for probabilities and Non Entities for probabilities; that I See “ Au dessous des cartes ” many things which in reality may not be there. Masons and Austins are Old South...
3007From John Adams to Alexander Hill Everett, 14 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
If I did not feel “the faintness of declining days” if my eyes could see and my hands be steady; I would write you a long letter on the subject of your Remarks on the Governors speech and the preface to them. But I can now only thank you for the pamphlet and express my approbation of it. If you should live to be an octogenarian as I hope you will, you will know by experience, the delight that...
3008John Adams to Charles Spener, 24 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Almanack you were pleased to Send me, and I beg of you to accept of my Thanks for it. I beg your Acceptance also of a Couple of Medals, which the Baron de Thulemeier has been So good as to convey for me to you. These Medals were not Struck by any publick Authority. They are the Invention and Execution of the Medalist Holtzhey of Amsterdam Solely. Another has been Struck by...
3009July 29 [i.e. 28.] 1786. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Returned to Grosvenor Square to Dinner. The Adams party’s return to London on Friday, 28 July, is verified by a passage in AA2 ’s letter to JQA , 27 July-22 Aug. ( Adams Papers ). Here ensues a gap in JA ’s Diary of a full year, his next (and last European) entries being the fragmentary notes of his tour with AA and AA2 to the west of England in July-Aug. 1787 . American relations with Great...
3010From John Adams to Thomas Wren, 21 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of Yesterday 2 °Clock by express was delivered to me this morning— I waited on the secretary of State, at eleven & communicated the Papers to M r. Fraser—Lord Carmarthen not being there— M r. Fraser was desirous of doing whatever could be legally done, to detect & punish such infamous Practices, M r. Mowbray’s Letter & his whole conduct on this occasion does him honor— They shew...
3011John Adams to Charles Adams, 25 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 22 d , alledging Business as an Apology for not writing gave me more Pleasure than a long Letter would have done. Business is always an Apology, for declining Pleasure or Amusement of any kind. I Sent you, by a late Post other Tryals, Geralds, Muirs and Margarots. Geralds is worth all the rest. M r Laing, the Council for Gerald is I Suppose the Same with Malcolm Laing Esq r...
3012From John Adams to Abiel Holmes, 1 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of the 29th. April with much pleasure—When I received the favour of your two Volum’s of American Annals—I read them with greatful sentiments for the rich present.—and with great satisfaction in the enjoyment—and pleasure, and instruction they afforded me Though the British reviewers say we have no literature— yet I say that this work is of more importance to...
30131783. October 27. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Went to see Mr. Jay who is lodged with Mr. Bingham, in Harley Street, Cavendish Square, No. 30. And in the Afternoon went to see Mr. Johnson, Great Tower Hill, who informed me that a Vessell with 1000 Hogsheads of Tobacco is passed by, in the Channel, from Congress to Messrs. Willinks. I gave Mr. Johnson his Letter, as I had left Mr. Hartleys for him at his House, who is gone into the Country,...
3014From John Adams to Thomas Brand-Hollis, 5 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
If ever there was any philosophic solitude, your two friends have found it in this place, where we have been wind bound, a whole week, without a creature to speak to. Our whole business, pleasure and amusement has been reading Necker’s Religious opinions, Hayley’s Old Maids, and Cumberland’s fourth Observer. Our whole stock is now exhausted, and if the ship should not arrive with a fresh...
3015From John Adams to James Rush, 21 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I now Send you a Copy of the Law of Massachusetts in 13 Nov. 1775, taken from Edis’s Boston Gazette printed at Watertown, the 13th of November 1775. In the sixteenth year of the Reign of George the Third, King &c. An Act for encouraging the fixing out of armed Vessels to defend the Sea Coast of America, and for erecting a Court to try and condemn all Vessels that Shall be found infesting the...
3016From John Adams to Joseph E. Sprague, 4 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
I owe you many thanks for the present of an ingenious, entertaining and valuable oration, pronounced by you on the 4th of July, before the Salem Charitable Mechanic Association. I have read it with great pleasure, as 1 have all the orations which have been sent me this year. I have been much affected with the remarkable uniformity of principles and sentiments, and coincidence of topics, which...
3017John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
inclosed is a Letter from Capt n. Brown who commands the best Packet between Providence and this Place.— He called very politely and respectfully to offer his service in bringing you to New York.— if you can let him know the time when you can come, he will be ready. I have taken an House: but have nothing to put in it, [no]r to live on.— nothing is yet determined, I never felt so [ir]resolute...
3018[Fryday August 2. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday August 2. 1776. The Board of War brought in a report, which was accepted as in the Journal. The Marine Committee brought in a report, on the Conduct of Commodore Hopkins. Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair. JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:627–628....
3019From John Adams to Johann Friedrich Daniel Lobstein, 29 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write on the 21st. of October, for which I pray you to accept my thanks. The work which you propose to publish will be very pleasing I doubt not to this Country, and to none of its Citizens more than to me. Britain has made too very formidable attempts to Conquer America in Arms; but instead of acquiring glory she has come off with disgrace...
3020From John Adams to Tench Coxe, 8 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
By the last post from Boston I recd your Letter of Nov. 18th.—I have before recd one at Quincy and another at Boston. I thank you sir for these friendly Communications, although I have not had oppertunity to answer them particularly. I was very Sensible of the importance of Congress Sitting in Philadelphia if it could be done with Safety and accordingl,y as soon as I was convinced of this...
3021To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 3 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the Honour to inform you, that having shewn my Commission to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen, and left an authenticated Copy together with a Copy of my Letter of Credence to the King according to the usage, I had the Honour on the first of this Month to be introduced by his Lordship to his Majesty, in his Closet with all the Ceremonies and Formalities, practised on...
3022John Adams to Daniel Crommelin & Sons, 26 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have receiv’d the Letter you did me, the Honour to write me, on the twenty fourth of this month, and upon looking into the Treaty, I suspect you have not a right Copy. It is the 27 th: Article, which relates to the subject of shipping sailors, and not the 28 th as you suppose. And upon reading over attentively the 27 th: Article, I am afraid of doing mischief if I were, to intermeddle, or...
3023From John Adams to the President of the Congress, No. 2, 16 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
La Coruña, Spain, 16 December 1779. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, I, f. 231.; docketed: “No. 2 Letter from J. Adams Corunna Decr. 16. 1779 Read March 27. 1780.” LbC Adams Papers . LbC in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in Congress Oct. 15. Triplicate.”; by Thaxter: “No. 2.” and “NB. Nos. 1 & 2 were sent by Captain Trask bound to Newbury Port from Corunna.” For a...
302418 Sunday. (Adams Papers)
A fair morning. Heard Mr. Maccarty. Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty (1721–1784) , who at the preceding Harvard commencement had singled out JA to serve as schoolmaster in Worcester.
3025John Adams to John Thaxter, 8 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Favour of March 22. reached me Yesterday. I am much obliged to you for your Account of the Proceedings of the Superiour Court, and wish you to continue to give me a regular Account of their Progress. The Order, and Happiness of the State and even its Safety, depend much upon that Court, and I long to learn that they are fully employed in the Distribution of Justice, both in the civil...
3026From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
It would be ridiculous in me to write you, upon public Affairs. If We have Judges as at the first; We certainly have not Counsellors or Warriors as at the beginning, except by Water. On the Ocean and on the Lakes We have no reason to blush. You have Sent a Pamphlet upon the Analogy between Russian Words and Sanscret Words. Our University and our Accademy See no importance in this Pamphlet. I...
3027From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 12 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of three excellent Letters—one of the first, the other of the fifth and the third of the eighth of March. Thank You for the Copy of your Letter to the Pensioner and for your dialogue between York and Chatham. It is undoubtedly the Duty of every Commercial Nation, to make their Flag to be respected in all the Seas and by all the Nations, not by insulting and...
3028[April 1778] (Adams Papers)
This Morning Mr. J. C. Champagne, negociant and Courtier de Marine, at Blaye, came on board, to make a Visit and pay his Compliments. He says, that of the first Grouths of Wine, in the Province of Guienne, there are four Sorts, Chateau Margeaux, Hautbrion, La Fitte, and Latour. This Morning I took Leave of the Ship, and went up to Town with my Son, and servant, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Jesse, and Dr....
3029John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 4 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
We are going on, with as much dispatch as the Nature of our Business will admit of, and We proceed with wonderful Harmony, good Humour and Unanimity. The D r , is confined to his House and Garden by the Stone as he thinks. He has not been farther from Home, than my House at Auteuil which is within a mile of his, for these twelve months. He cannot ride in a Carriage, because the motion of that...
3030John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your fav r of 24 th marked by the Post office 22 d of Dec r. I rec d. Yesterday. M r Osgoods sermon was plenty here— I rec d one from Boston before.— The Clergy I think ought to pray for the national Government.— If our Dissenting Ministers will not at Quincy I will go to Church, where a form is prescribed by Authority which even M r Cleverly complies with. Within a Day or two after your last...
3031John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Favours of June 26 and July 5 and for your obliging Congratulations, on the Peace. The Articles respecting Refugees had better have been omitted , but we could not have Peace without them and the Peace as it is, is better than none. The se Articles must be explained by a Consideration of the words of them and the whole Treaty, and I do not consider myself at Liberty to Say...
3032From John Adams to Stephen Higginson, 14 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the 4 th of this month, but not till the impost bill was enacted and published. In the progress of that law, through the several branches of the legislature, the arguments in favor of a drawback on rum were insisted on by several members of each house. But I think it was not shewn with sufficient evidence, nor explained with so much precision as I expected, how it...
3033From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 17 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Genl. Con way in his Speech in the House of Commons, on the 6th. of May, affirms that the Alliance between France and the United States is not natural. Whether it is or not, is no doubt a great question. In order to determine, whether it is or no, one should consider, what is meant by a natural Alliance. And I know of no better general Rule than this, when two Nations, have the same Interests...
3034From John Adams to Albert Gallatin, 24 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose a few Letters from my Family here to that part of Us who are at St. Petersburg; and ask the favour of Your Care of them. It will be great Joy to your Colleague in that City to receive the Society of Gentlemen he has So long known, and whose great Experience in public Affairs will furnish him with every necessary Information. I can do no more than pray for your...
3035From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am well pleased with your No’s: 31. 32 & hope you will continue the subject. I see nothing on the quarterly review but the Johnsonian antipathy to Scotland. That Mr. Locke has had greater influence on the intellectual moral & political world than any man of the last century I believe; but to deny that Reid & Stuart have made no improvements a upon Locke appears to me an iniquitous partiality...
3036[May 11. Monday.] (Adams Papers)
May 11. Monday. Dined at Mr. Sorins, at Passi. Here, if I mistake not I dined with a Bishop, and another Gentleman and Lady. The Lady was known by the Husband to be the Mistress of the Bishop, and it was no Secret to any body. The Bishop was reported to have made some compensation to the Husband, by procuring him some little Employment and by contributing some what largely to the Expences of...
3037From John Adams to James Lovell, 25 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to congress of the 16 of May, inclosing my Memorial, I observed, that the Bravery of our Countrymen in Carolina, De la motte piquets Captures, and the Spanish opperations of Gibraltar, had contributed to raise the Spirits of this nation from that gloom, in which the Capture of Statia Essequebo and Demerara had plunged them. I did not then conceive it possible that I should be...
3038From John Adams to Christopher Raymond Perry, 8 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Greenman has come all the Way to this Place to solicit the discharge of her son William Greenman. She is, as I understand a Friend, and against War upon Principle, and says her son has a Rupture that disqualifies him for any severe service. Her Case is so hard, that if you can discharge him, I pray you to do it. I have not that I know of, any legal Authority to interfere. But the Woman is...
3039From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday was one of the most uniformly happy days of my whole long life. The Morning brought Us a Letter from our Friend Crafts of your Arrival; in a few hours our Neighbour Beal brought Us a Newspaper confirming it, and the Evening presented Us your Letter to your Mother of the 6th. that you were Landed “All well”. A thousand Circumstances exalted the delight or as West used to Say upon all...
3040From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 28 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received upon my Arrival here your favour of the 25th with the Commissions, all of which I have signed and My son will transmit them to you. The Weather was yesterday so hot, that I came very nigh destroying my Horses, and is not moderated this morning. I am, Sir your most obedient / and humble servant ICU : Miscellaneous Papers.
3041Wednesday. Jany. 15th. 1766. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Isaac Smiths. No Company, no Conversation. Spent the Evening with the Sons of Liberty, at their own Apartment in Hanover Square, near the Tree of Liberty. It is a Compting Room in Chase & Speakmans Distillery. A very small Room it is. John Avery Distiller or Merchant, of a liberal Education, John Smith the Brazier, Thomas Crafts the Painter, Edes the Printer, Stephen Cleverly the...
3042To James Madison from John Adams, 23 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed Letter Supposes more importance in my Judgment than it deserves. Whatever it is worth, however, it is all in favour of the request in it. Waterhouse is another Rush: and for no other Reason that I can conjecture than his respect and able Services to the national Government for the last fourteen Years, has been cruelly treated by the worst Faction against it. I Submit the Subject...
3043From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 23, 25 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Prince was ill advised, when he undertook, what he was not obliged to do, in producing Mr. Laurens’s Papers, which he did too in a manner justly offensive to the United States. It was the part of Sir Joseph Yorke, to have produced them, not to the Prince, but to their High Mightinesses. His Serene Highness, therefore, in this Work of Supererogation, gave himself the Air of an Instrument of...
3044From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 2 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 28 Ultimo is before me. It is certain that Religion and Morality, have no less obligation upon Armies, than upon Cities and contribute no less to the Happiness of Soldiers than of Citizens. There is one Principle of Religion, which has contributed vastly to the Excellence of Armies, who had very little else of Religion or Morality, the Principle I mean is the Sacred obligation of...
3045From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
yours of the 26th. January is received. I pray you to attend as much as possible, to every Court, and every scene in which law questions are discussed or mooted. Observe patiently and critically the conduct of Judges Counsellors, Jurors parties, Witnesses and spectators. And by no means fail to provide yourself with an ample apparatus for writing, a pocket ink horn, plenty of ink, good pens...
30461773. March 22d. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This Afternoon received a Collection of Seventeen Letters, written from this Prov ince , Rhode Island, Connecticutt and N. York, by Hut chinson , Oli ver , Moff at , Paxt on , and Rome, in the Years 1767, 8, 9. They came from England under such Injunctions of Secrecy, as to the Person to whom they were written, by whom and to whom they are sent here, and as to the Contents of them, no Copies...
3047[Wednesday August 7th. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday August 7th. 1776. A Letter from George Measam referred to the Board of War. A Report from the Board of War, as in the Journal. A Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair. JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:636. This ordered payment for the board and...
3048From John Adams to John Steele, 4 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of Aug 29th inclosing the resolutions & addresses of Bladen county in N Carolina. A more excellent address has not appeared. A few words in answer I return to you with the address, that you may publish them in the papers if you please. The election of Mr. Henderson is very honorable to him and his constituents. If the inveterate phalanx should be broken our country...
3049From John Adams, 30 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
This Book, of more value than a gold Watch Sett with diamonds is presented to John Adams by his Grandfather MQA .
3050From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 19 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of yours of August 19, by the last Post, and thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Return. You judge right, when you Suppose, that I cannot be idle, but my Industry will probably be directed, in a different manner, in future. My Principles are not in Fashion. I may be more usefull here, as you observe, than in the Cabinet of Louis the 16. But let me tell you, that...