3101John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
I, Yesterday rec d your favour of June 27. N o. 10. It is in common with all the Numbers which preceded it, full of accurate Information, profound Sagacity and nice discernment. I sent four of your preceeding Numbers to the President, who wrote me on the 20 th of August that “they contain a great deal of Interesting matter and N o. 9 discloses much important Information and political...
310229 Sunday. (Adams Papers)
29 Sunday.
3103From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 31 January 1805 (Adams Papers)
I have, after so long a time, been favored with a loan of four Volumes of Captain Joseph Ingraham’s Journals of his voyage to the North West Coast of America, round Cape Horn, in the Brigantine Hope of Seventy Tons burthen. He sailed from Boston on the 16th. of September 1790. In these he often Speaks of a voyage he made the year or two before, in the Columbia, and refers to his Journal of it....
3104From John Adams to Jonathan Mason Jr., 21 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had by Yesterdays Post, the Pleasure of your Letter of the 12. instant. The Account you give me of the Books you have read and Studied is very agreable to me. Let me request you, to pursue my Lord Coke. The first Institute You Say you have diligently Studied. Let me Advise you to study the second, third and fourth Institutes with equal Diligence. My Lord Coke is justly Styled the oracle of...
3105From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 22 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, you did the honor to write me, on the 8th. of Jan: ins t. tho’ dated 8. February, by mistake— I have since received another Letter from M r. Jefferson, informing me that the Creditors in Holland insist on immediate payment of the principal sum of 51.000 Guilders &c Colonel Smith has by last post transmitted you a sealed Packett from the board of Treasury which may...
3106From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 27 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
When the enterprise against Cape-breton was planed and adopted by the Legislature of Masschusetts I was ten years old—My Father took the Newspapers and gave them to me to read—so that I became some what attentive to publick affairs—But my attention was more forcibly attracted by the din of Arms The Militia where frequently called to-gether, And the Ensigns with their Colours—and the Sergeants...
31071760. Aug. 9th. (Adams Papers)
Drank Tea at Coll. Quincys, with Coll. Gooch and Dr. Gardiner. I see Gooch’s fiery Spirit, his unguarded Temper. He Swears freely, boldly. He is a Widower, and delights to dwell, in his Conversation, upon Courtship and Marriage. Has a violent aversion to long Courtship. He’s a fool, that spends more than a Week, &c. A malignant Witt. A fiery, fierce outragious Enemy. He quarrells with all Men....
3108From John Adams to Henry Guest, 26 June 1808 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the fifteenth of this Month and read it with pleasure; and my Son, who happened to be with me, on a visit, from Boston where he resides read the part of it addressed to him, with apparent Satisfaction. on his return from Washington he presented me, in your name with that fine American Staff which I call “My Guest,” for which I give you a thousand Thanks. It not...
3109From John Adams to John Marshall, 12 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I return inclosed the duplicate answers to the letter of the prince regent of Portugal signed. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3110From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 18 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of April 13, soars above the visible diurnal Sphære.— I own to you that avarice Ambition the Love of Fame &c are all mysterious Passions. They are the greatest Absurdities, Delusions and Follies that can be imagined, if in this Life only We had hope. In the Boat on our Return from Point no Point, the principal Topick of Conversation was Independence. — an intercepted Letter early...
3111From John Adams to Henry Grand, 3 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your favor of Octr. 13th and thank You for your Care in sending the Letters. The News Papers may come by any Opportunity. I should be obliged to You to send the News Papers regularly to Congress. The Journal des Scavans and that of Mr. Linguet, You may keep or send along to me, as You please: but I shall not renew the Subscription for these. I thank You for paying the twenty...
3112From John Adams to Henry Knox, 19 June 1791 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Pleasure of receiving your kind Letter of the 10 th of this month, and am happy to find that you are pleased with your Situation at Bush Hill. I hope soon to hear of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars, and that M rs Knox is as well and in as good Spirits as you appear to be. The Paragraphs in the New York Pape[rs] I know nothing of: The Lyes in the New Haven one I never...
3113Questions to be Proposed Concerning Negotiators to be Sent to France, 27 May 1797 to 28 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Questions to be proposed. 1. Shall Pinckney be appointed Sole Envoy Extra.? Ans. No 2. Shall one Person be united with him only? 3. Shall two Persons be united with him? Yes 4. Who Shall those Persons be? Dana and Marshall James Maddison, John Marshall, Ludlow Ludwell Lee Thomas Lee Bushrod Washington, William Vans Murray. MHi : Adams Papers.
31144. T[uesday]. (Adams Papers)
Found clean Beds and no fleas for the first Time in Spain. Walked twice, round the Walls of the City, which are very ancient. Saw the Road to Leon and Bayonne, and the Road to Madrid. There is a pleasant Prospect of the Country, from the Walls. Saw the Market of Vegetables, onions and Turnips the largest I ever saw, Cabbages, Carrots &c. Saw the Market of Fuel—Wood, Coal, Turf and brush. Saw...
3115From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
My last Sheet, would not admit an Observation that was material to my design. Dr Price was “inclined to think” that infinite Wisdom and Goodness, could not permit infinite Power, to be inactive, from Eternity: but that, an infinite and eternal Universe, must have necessarily flowed from these Attributes. Plato’s System was “ Αγαθος ” was eternal, Self existent &c. His Ideas, his Word, his...
3116From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 29 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
1780, December 9th—wrote to general James Warren, (among many other things, some too trifling, others mere repetitions of what has been said in other letters, and some perhaps, too severe to be worth transcribing:) “I am of your mind concerning flags to England, and importations from thence. There has been too much weak communication, which must be cut off.—The design of the Dutch is to keep...
3117[A List of Pleadings, October–December 1758.] (Adams Papers)
Bond to give Deed. † Trespass on the Case vs. Sherriff for the Default of his Deputy. † Case by Baron and feme vs. Executor, on a Promise made to the feme while sole later . † Ind ebitatus Ass umpsit for service done at a customary Price. Plea, in abatement, that the service was insufficient. Ind. Ass. for keeping a Horse to Hay. 3. Sci re fa cias vs. Bail. 4. If it was a Writ, I’d lay a Quant
3118From John Adams to Herman van Bracht, 15 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday recd. the polite Letter You did me the honor to write me on the 12th. of this Month, together with a very acceptable Present from Mr. Wanner of the second Volume of the Translations of the American Constitutions into the Dutch Language. The Dedication does me great honor in many Respects, but in none more than in placing me in Company with those illustrious Assertors of the Rights...
3119I. Adams’ Original Draft, 24 September 1765 (Adams Papers)
In all the Calamities, which have ever befallen this our dear native Country, since our the first settlement within the Memory of the oldest of Us all, We have never felt So great and sincere a Grief, and Concern or So many Allarming Fears and Apprehensions, as at the present Time. We have many of Us lived to see, both Pestilence and Scarcity, and the Encroachments And Depredations,...
3120From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
My perplexities are increased every day, as I fear yours have been and are still. Mine, at present are altogether on your Account. The Princes Speech, paragraphs in London and Liverpool Papers scraps of Letters from both; all convince me that you have had Severe Tryals of your Intelligence and Integrity. It is universally believed here, that a Treaty of Commerce has been Signed, but there is a...
3121John Adams’ First Reply to the Dutch Remarks on and Suggested Changes to His Draft Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 21 May … (Adams Papers)
1. is a just Amendment. and it is readily agreed to Substitute the Words “dervereenigde Nederlanden” in the Place of the Words “Van de zeven vereenigde Nederlandsche Provincien.” And in English “of the United Netherlands” instead of “of the Seven United Provinces of the Low Countries.” 2. The only legal Style and Title is “The United States of America.” As appears by the Declaration of...
3122From John Adams to the Chevalier de Pinto, 10 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, which you did me the honour to write me, on the 7 th. of this month, and have observed with great satisfaction; the assurances of her most faithfull Majesty’s desire, to conclude with the united states of america, a treaty of Commerce upon convenient Conditions. I am very well convinced sir, of the utility and Convenience, which would be found in the nomination of...
3123From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 11 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
For some time past I have been unable to read write or See.—So that it has been impossible for me to answer your Expectations as I wished. And now it costs me more pain and time to write a time than it did but seven years ago to write a page.— you will find me but a miserable resource for information or advice in your great Undertaking. I can give you nothing but broken hints. At present I...
3124From John Adams to Nathaniel Bowditch, 4 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging favour of October 30th.—And thank you for the very Curious, Ingenious and Valuable Mathematical papers inclosed with it— My Election to a Seat in the Convention as it was the Spontaneous effect of the good Will of my Neighbours in my Native Town, has given me much pleasure, and as I have not perceived that it has been disapproved by the Community at large—It...
3125From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 27 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received your luminous letter of 15th Feby. for which I thank you: but cannot enlarge upon it at present.— I write this to introduce to you Mr Theodore Lyman Junr. a Gentleman whose Talents Virtues and Connections deserve your Respect.—I know you can be of little Service to him, but you may be of Some—I wish you to be acquainted with him, and him with you—He is a Nephew of Mr Williams.—...
3126[Account with Joseph Bass.] (Adams Papers)
£ s d May 31. 1775 pd. Jos. Bass a Dollar 0: 6: 0 pd. him before 2 Dollars 0: 12: 0 pd. him before at Braintree a Guinea 1: 8: 0 Aug. 14. 1775. To ballance of your Acct. left at Philadelphia, as you recollect it if wrong to be rectified 2: 8:
3127Dialogues of the Dead, [ca. 22 April 1790] (Adams Papers)
Dialogues of the dead. Charlemain Frederick, Rousseau Otis. Rousseau. have you Seen Franklin, Since he passed the River? or has the Boat been too full of Passengers to bring him over? Otis. I know not.— I have very little Curiosity to know.— I care nothing have no solicitude for Steel Rods nor Iron Points— I am very glad his Points were not over my head: They might have detained me in the...
3128From John Adams to Daniël Jan Bouwens, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I waited on Mr. Blomberg yesterday, but found him to ill to speak upon Business: I must therefore request You to recommend to me another Broker for the present, one who speaks French or English if possible. I dont mean to quit Mr. Blomberg, whom I esteem very much, but I suppose it will not be amiss to have two. Messrs. Mortier and Merckemaer have been mentioned to me. Mean time I will venture...
3129From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, with a Letterbook Memorandum, 7 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inform, you, that, upon an Intimation, from your Excellency, Signified to me by Mr. Berenger, and afterwards, by the Duke de la Vauguion, that the Interests of the United States required me here, I arrived last night in Paris, and am come to day to Versailles, to pay my Respects to your Excellency, and receive your farther Communications. As your Excellency, was in...
3130From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 3 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your appeal to common sense & common honesty which I really think is a valuabl and important service to the nation. You have marshaled stubborn facts against plausible theories with triumphant success. It is however no easy task to reconcile a vigorous commerce with profitable manufacturers. This can be done only by a tariff which can be formed only by a minute knowledge of the...
3131To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 11 May 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 25th. of last month, came to my hands Yesterday and I am glad to find you so well pleased with your Retirement. I felt the Same delightful Satisfaction after my Return from Europe, and I feel Still every Summer upon my little farm all the Ardour, and more than all the Ardor of youth: to such a Degree that I cannot bear the thought of writing or reading, unless it be some...
3132From John Adams to Unknown, 27 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I think it is Montesqueiu, who, Somewhere observes, that the English of Charles’s days were perpetually bewildered in their Pursuit of a Republic, for being themselves extreamly corrupt, they Sought, in vain for that pure and disinterested Principle upon which, alone, a Commonwealth can Stand. The Principle of Republican Government, is as little understood in America, as its Spirit is felt....
3133From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose, for the information of Congress a Copy of Mr: Fitzherbert’s Commission. Georgius Rex Georgious tertius, Dei gratiâ, magnae Britanniae, Franciae, et Hiberniae Rex, Fidei defensor, Dux Brunsvicensis et Luneburgensis, Sacri Romani Imperii Archi Thesaurarius et Princeps Elector &ca Omnibus et Singulis, ad quos praesentes hae literae, pervenerint, salutem. Cum belli...
3134John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
We go on as Usual—Congress resolving one Thing and the Democratical societies resolving the Contrary.— The President doing what is right and Clubbs and Mobs resolving it to be all wrong. We had in senate a few Days ago the greatest Curiosity of all. The Senators from Virginia moved, in Consequence of an Instruction from their Constituents, that the Execution of the 4 th. Article of the Treaty...
3135From John Adams to the President of the Congress, No. 11, 29 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, I, f. 295; docketed: “No. 11 J. Adams Esqr Feby. 29th. 1780 the Gazette mentioned, not inclosd. Read May 15th. requests the Constitutions of each State particularly Georgia & North Carolina.” LbC Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in congress Oct. 15. Triplicate.”; by Thaxter: “No. 11.” Responding to a request from Edmé Jacques Genet, John Adams asked for...
3136John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 2d. instant reached me on the 14th. The last Letters from me which you had received, were of the 2d. 4th. and 8th. June. Here were 24 days between the 8th. of June and the 2d. July the date of yours. How this could happen I know not. I have inclosed you the Newspapers and written you a Line, every Week, for several Months past. If there is one Week passes without bringing...
3137From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I cannot forget the loss I have sustained in the death of Dr Rush. Since your departure his correspondence has been a kind of substitute to your conversation. Had I your pen, your tongue or your fingers, I would have pronounced his Eulogium before the Academy, rejoice always in all events be thankful always for all things: is a hand precept for human nature: though in my philosophy and in my...
3138From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 22 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Lordship a Letter this moment received, from the Master of a Vessel belonging to the United states of america— His Name is John Douglass, commander of the ship 4 friends, american built & the property of Andrew Van Truyl Merchant of NewYork He informs me, that as 2 of his people were going on Shore for Provisions for the day, they wer seized by the...
3139John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the Copy of your Dialogue, which does you honour. I am the more pleased to learn that you are to col lect the Mathematical Theses, as the Same part fell to my Share in the Year 1755. Your Reasons for preferring Newbury Port to Boston for the Study of the Law are judicious, and discover an Attention and a Consideration, which give sure Presages of your future...
3140From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you all the papers inclosed in yours of the 13th, & I pray you to acquaint Ebenezer Skiff & Gen. Lincoln that Ebenezer Skiff is appointed Keeper of the light house at Gay head. With great regard MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3141To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am Sorry to give you the trouble of this Commission: but I fear it will not be effectually done but by you, and therefore let me beg the favour of you to send for Mr. de La Blancherie and withdraw my Subscription to the Society of whose affairs he has the direction, and put a stop to his sending me the Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres et Des Arts. He persuaded me at the Hague to...
3142From John Adams to John Jay, 28 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour to write you, on the 26 instant by the Post, a Conveyance which I am determined to try, untill I am certainly informed of its Infidelity, in which Case, I will ask the favour of the French or Spanish Ambassador, to inclose my dispatches. I received by the last Post, a Duplicate of Dispatches from Congress the originals of which I received Sometime ago. I presume you have recd...
3143To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 6 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I congratulate you, on the Return of your Health and thank you for the Extract from Dr Styles, which I have communicated to Mr Searle and Mr Dumas as you desired.— Shall be happy to See, the detail of Arnolds Conduct. As long, as Congress and Courts Martial, inflict So gentle Punishments upon flagrant Criminals, and...
3144From John Adams to Jonathan Fay, 25 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for this Address. Your Encomium of the Executive Authority of the national Government, is in a high degree flattering. As I have ever wished to avoid, as far as prudence and necessity would permit every concealment from my fellow Citizens of my real Sentiments from in matters of Importance I will venture to ask you, whether it is consistent with the Peace We have made, the...
3145Feb. 2. 1759. (Adams Papers)
At Westtown, in Dr. Webbs Chamber at Hammonds. His landlady is an odd Woman. She seems good Natured, and obliging to o , but she has so many shruggs, grimaces, affectations of Witt, Cunning, and Humour, as make her ridiculous. She is awkward, shamefaced, bashful, yet would fain seem sprightly, witty, &c. She is a Squaddy, masculine, Creature, with a swarthy pale face, a great staring, rolling...
3146From John Adams to Henry Knox, 30 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received with much pleasure your favor of the 19th. If I Should meet with any “roses” in my Path, I Shall thank you for your Congratulations, and when I set my foot on “Thorns” as I Certainly shall, I shall thank you Equally for your Condolence, But when you assure me that you “feel a Confidence in the Safety of our Political Bark” you give me much Comfort, and I pray you may not be...
3147[9th. of Feb. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On the 9th. of Feb. 1776 The day on which Mr. Gerry and I took our Seats for this Year, sundry Letters from General Washington, General Schuyler, Governor Trumbull, with Papers enclosed were read, and referred to Mr. Chase, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Penn, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Rutledge. For these letters see JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789,...
3148From John Adams to James McHenry, 15 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is an address from Virginia, The Whites & Greens of Warrenton, with my answer which I pray you to transmit, with such an answer from yourself in your official capacity, as you give to others in similar circumstances. I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3149To James Madison from John Adams, 31 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have subscribed with Mr Gray and others a recommendation of Hendrick W Gordon Esquire a copy of which is enclosed. As he requests a seperate Certificate, I enclose his letter and can sincerely say that from an acquaintance with him, of several years, I believe that what is said of him, in the Certificate, and in his letter, to be no more than he deserves; He is a civil, well bred man,...
3150II. To John Penn, 27 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
If I was possess’d of Abilities equal to the great Task you have imposed upon me, which is to sketch out the outlines of a Constitution for a Colony, I should think myself the happiest of Men in complying with your Desire: because as Politicks is the Art of Securing human Happiness, and the Prosperity of Societies depends upon the Constitution of Government, under which they live; there cannot...