3361To John Adams from John Thaxter, 23 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter has this moment been delivered by Mr. Celesia. I have thought it my duty to forward it to You. The letter, which Mr. Mazzei mentions to be inclosed in his, is to his Excellency the Governor of Virginia—am I to forward it to You, or to seal it and forward it to the Governor, first taking a Copy thereof? I wish to have your directions, Sir. Capt. Sampson has informed me, that...
3362To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 19 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving your letter of the 10 th. ins t. the last evening, and should have done myself the Honour of meeting you at New Rochelle this day were I not kept in check by Mr: Jay’s proposing that if I would wait untill the morning he would accompany me to meet you at Kings-Bridge, where we suppose you will be at 12. o Clock— The arrangements for your accomodation and that of...
3363To John Adams from William Lyman, 1 May 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour at this time to address you for the purpose of requesting your acceptance of the Report of the Examination before the House of Commons into the Conduct of the Duke of York late Commander in chief, which is herewith transmitted by the Messenger of the United States Reed, in the Pacific via New York. I trust it will not prove uninteresting, and that you will pardon the liberty...
3364To John Adams from B. Gannan & Zoon, 26 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Desirous and ambitious of rendering ourselves usefull and agreeable in any mode, tending to for cause, which our best wishes has ever acompanied; we beg leave with due submission, to inform your Excellency, that we are now fitting out here, under Imperial colours for Philadelphia, a Cutter, known for one of the fastest sailing Vessells built in England, burthen 280. tons, mounting 18. guns and...
3365To John Adams from Henry Marchant, 19 February 1791 (Adams Papers)
The Congress of the United States are once more seated at Philadelphia. I wish the People there may be more conscious of the Honor and Advantage of the Residence of that Body with them than heretofore—And that They will discover less of a mobish Disposition— I am sorry to see Petitions and Remonstrances beat up about the Streets against Acts merely in Contemplation— I wish also Virginia so...
3366Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Of the last five months I have past four at my other domicil , for such it is in a considerable degree. no letters are forwarded to me there, because the cross post to that place is circuitous and uncertain. during my absence therefore they are accumulating here, & awaiting acknolegements. this has been the fate of your favor of Nov. 13. I agree with you in all it’s eulogies on the 18 th...
3367To John Adams from Oliver Ellsworth, 26 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am this moment honored with your letter of the 22d.—and must apologize for my mistake concerning Judge Cushing.—When I wrote I had only seen here his letter to Judge Law, in which he said he was “under the Docters care & could not attend the Court at Hartford”—and from thence inferred that he would not go to Vermont. Since then his letter to me, which had get to Windsor & lain there two or...
3368To John Adams from Johann Friedrich Daniel Lobstein, 21 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
To address so distinguished a personage is in a stranger a liberty perhaps unpardonable, but it is from a conviction that any effort, however feeble, that has a tendency to remove the unfavourable and erroneous impressions Europeans have imbibed of this Country, will meet your approbation, and induce you to pardon the writer for transmitting you the contents of his contemplated work—A...
3369Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening received your kind Letters of Jan’ry 18, 21 & 22 d accompanied with the Negotiation’s I have read the two pamphlets you sent me before. if the American pamphlet is the production of the person to whom report asscribes it, I think very little honour is due to his Head, and none to his Heart. I am sorry he is calld to fill so important an office, as the one to which he is lately...
3370To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 12 June 1810 (Adams Papers)
Every moment of Amusement that I am able to afford you, is an Addition to my happiness, for which reason I send you from time to time all such numbers of Duanes papers as contain any new Speculations upon the state of our Country.—The enclosed, is I suppose of that nature, for I have read its title only. Have you seen Sillimans travels int o England, Scotland & Holland? They are gener ally...
3371To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 26 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I esteem myself greatly honor’d by the receipt of your Favor’s of the 18th August last—and much obliged by the attention paid to my request respecting Capt Armstrong who, soon after my writing, returned from a severe confinement, having made his escape—of which I immediately advised to prevent any further trouble in that affair. You express yourself at a loss, Sir, to know, to what...
3372To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 1 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I do not write to you now as a Public Minister, tho’ I have a heartfelt pleasure in your being so, and at the very court where I long wished you to reside. The office of Chief Justice of this State now engages my principal attention; having quit the Congress in 1783. The affairs of our University, Philosophical & Agriculture Societies &c. employ my vacant time; and I enjoy a good state of...
3373To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 6 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I will not delay to Send you a few lines—in answer to your favour of June 24th—with which I was gratified—at my return from a Short excursion to the Oneyda Lake—when I went to bid a last farewell to a friend, decaying in mind and body—He can not be long here, neither is it desirable either for him or his Children—It is mr J. Bernhard—who followed my Steps from Europe; and whose worthy Son...
3374From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand yesterday, and Colo. Smith and Colo. Humphries (by whom you will receive one of the 19th. from me) being to set out tomorrow, I hasten to answer it. I sincerely rejoice that Portugal is stepping forward in the business of treaty, and that there is a probability that we may at length do something under our commissions which may produce a solid benefit to our...
3375To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 8 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have done myself the Honor of sending You a Copy, of what was written into Holland and have since (the 5th Instant) taken the Liberty of giving my Idea of the Conduct of the Parties in England and Ireland, and likewise laying before you an Extrait of what I have written on the Phantastic Notion taken up of a Constitutional Impossibility of Acknowledging the Independance of America. I receivd...
3376To John Adams from Richard Rush, 27 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your very obliging and gratifying favor of the 17th of this month, with all its accompaniments, was safely received, and I have to return my particular acknowledgments for your goodness in sending them. The letter from Ghent was like all other letters from the same pen, and I have no higher commendation to bestow upon it. It would have increased, beyond measure, the value of your favor to me...
3377To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 9 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed note from Mr King, will inform you of the Event of this day, upon which I can only offer you , my congratulations, and ask your blessing and prayers. Your affectionate and dutiful Son P.S. Have the goodness to cause the Note from Mr King, to be sent back to me. MHi : Adams Papers.
3378To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
27th. Jany Remained at home all the morning in the course of which twenty cards were left—At five oclock our dinner party began to assemble—we sat down 22 under the expectation of a formal & stiff kind of meal as the company were almost almost all strangers to us—but they were very animated and cheerful and before dinner was over you would have thought we had been acquainted many years—They...
3379To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I intended at first to have answered your kind favour of July 16—last week—but I was everÿ daÿ So much fatigued in the evening—having—after my gardens were cleared thoroughly, been engaged in, Sawing and Splitting oven-wood, that I rather found it requisite—to take Some amusement, in re–perusing your letter—or taking a book, while an unexpected visit of mr Varick from utica, and mr Childs of...
3380To John Adams from Archibald Campbell, 18 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Heman Allen of Salisbury has transmitted to me the inclosed Copy of a letter from Mr. Bowdinot Commissary General of Prisoners for the American Army; wherein he is pleased to signify that he is willing to accede to my being immediately exchanged for Colol. Ethen Allen, incase the matter could be accomplished by my writing to Newyork. The experience I have already had of the inefficacy of...
3381To John Adams from Harriet Welsh, 10 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
As Louisa informs me you choose to have my request addressed directly to yourself respecting a conversation between you Mr. S. Adams and others previous to the nomination of Gen Washington by you to the command of the army, during the revolution, I shall do it very briefly, by asking to have that conversation and the debate which ensued upon the nomination took place in Congress,—recorded by...
3382To John Adams from François D’Ivernois, 18 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
Votre patience à lire le premier volume de l’histoire dont j’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer la suite m’autorisait suffisamment à cette liberte et je l’embrasse avec d’autant plus d’empressement qu’elle me procure l’o[cca]sion de me rappeler à l’un des hommes dont le souvenir m’est le plus précieux. J’y ai joint un double exemplaire complet afin que vous pussiez le remettre à quelque traducteur...
3383To John Adams from Gerbrand Ravekes & J. G. Thin van Keulen, 29 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
We have received your esteemed letter of 31th May, and accordingly your consent we have lowed the house at Mr L: de Neufville Jansz for 1200 f in the year; it was impossible to obtain any more; his rent is also in the 11/M: from 1 Juni 1782 to 30 April 1783 f 1100.— The loss thereof, that comes for you, is f 480: — added Expences made, in publication in Newspapers new bill dressing &c. &ca: “...
3384To John Adams from William Tudor, 31 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have this Minute your Favour of 23d. July. We have had, Saturday Night and last Night much skirmishing between the ministerial and continental Troops. The Regulars attempted entrenching on Charlestown Neck Saturday Night, which produc’d a Brush Sunday Morning. They were obliged to desist by the Fire of our ranging Parties. It is said they lost seven and we two Men. There has been a...
3385To John Adams from Oliver Ellsworth, 5 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
Since you passed on, I have concluded to meet Governor Davie at Trenton, which he probably will expect; and which, besides putting it in our power to pay you our joint respects, and to receive as fully any communication of your views as you may wish to make; may enable me to accompany him Eastward, should you continue inclined to such suspension of our Mission as, under present aspects,...
3386Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I was very sorry to learn by your last Letters that you had little hopes of getting home till May. there are so many new Arrangments to make upon our places that I really feel unequal to the Task, but if it must be so, I will do the best I can according to my ability, and if I fail in the execution, you must at least allow for the intention. I would wish you to think what you would have done...
3387To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 10 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
December 10 Recieved a charming visit from Mr. Bagot, who sat with me an hour and chatted very agreably. Not a word about Mrs. Hay—who is giving rise to a great deal of conversation about rank and station—She has assumed a tone with the Corps Diplomatique, which places them and herself in the most unpleasant disposition situation—I have been worried with enquiries about it, but have hitherto...
3388To John Adams from John Sevier, 5 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive yours of the 6th Ultimo, on the 28th; with the copy of a letter to Lieut. Colo. Butler which you did me the honor to inclose I am perfectly satisfied that you had not given any orders despotic or inimical to the liberties of our Citizens, and on the contrary that you was uninformed that Any transaction of the kind had taken place, until You received my letter of the...
3389To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 27 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
It is with an inexpressible delight, that I received and perused your affectionate Letter of the first of this month after a long Silence. I cannot expect, that I Should more often receive similar favours—I Shall continue thankful, if I am permitted to See these now and then. I mentioned the name of your grand Son George, the Son of the Judge, not knowing that he was already engaged in...
3390To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 30 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am much oblidged to you for the esteemed present of your Book, “in defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America.” It came to hand on the 27 th. instant, and I have read it through with great pleasure. The balance of the one, the few & the many, is not well poised in this State; the legislature is too powerful for the executive and judicial branches of...
3391To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 4 May 1795 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Wilcox has not yet been here but sent me from Hamburg your favour of February 11. which was the first letter I have been happy enough to receive from you since we left America. When he comes here, I shall be happy to shew him every civility in my power. It is extremely pleasing to hear that the elections for the ensuing completion of the Senate have been so favourable. I believe the time...
3392Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 18 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cranch last Evening informed me, That a Mr. Standfast Smith of this Town is empowered to sell Verchilds Lands. Would it not be agreable to You to purchase those belonging to His Heirs which you have improved for some Years past? Sometime past I sued Sloane and recovered judgment against Him. He has given a Release to the Lands mortgaged and I think it would be best to sell them as they...
3393To John Adams from John Trumbull, 16 September 1805 (Adams Papers)
Returning to Hartford in the course of our Circuit, I found your letter, of July 27th. & August 5th: which had lain a month in the Post Office. From some appearances, I am led to believe that a correspondence so free as ours has been, cannot with perfect safety be carried on at present—I will however answer some of your enquiries. The letter You remark on, relative to the capture of...
3394To John Adams from Abraham Hitten, 11 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Being inform’d that it has been pleased for the President of the United States together With the Senate and Congrass to raise Ten thousand men for a provisional Army and having no acquaintance Which I Could apply for a Commission I thought I would take the liberty of addressing myself to your honour on the Subject As I have Always been verry anxious to learn the Military act I would wish to...
3395To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 28 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have your letter of the 15th. inst., the aspect of public affairs become every day more gloomy The slap which I predicted before I left you has been realized, I expected it from the dividing of our force, and knowing that Govr. Provost as an officer, would try a battle of manævre, previous to our troops taking too imposing a position, he tried it and it put a period to the Campaign—The enemy...
3396To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 25 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
I Will not Enter on a detaïl of European Affairs, Still less So of our trouble in france, as M. Barret will tell You What Has Happened Since You Embarked— Governement Have Made a Great Effort— I think it will Be like Turnus’s Big Stone in the Æneïd— for the present the Parliaments are Put to the Rout, But Rallying Again under Cover of public Opinion, which you know Has a Great force in this...
3397To John Adams from United States Senate, 7 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Senate of the United States would be unjust to their own feelings, & deficient in the performance of a duty their relation to the government of their Country imposes, should they fail to express their attachment to your person, & their respect for your Character, in answer to the excellent address you presented to them, on your leaving a station which you have so long & so honorably filled...
3398To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 5 July [1790] (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform the Vice President of the United States and to request him to inform cause an intimation to be given to the Honoble The Members of the Senate that at one oClock to day, an oration will be delivered at S t Pauls Church in commemoration of the declaration of Independence by a Member of the Society of the Cincannati and that seats are provided for his and their...
3399The Duc de La Vauguyon to John Adams: A Translation, 4 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have received, sir, the letter that you did me the honor to write from Amsterdam on the 1st of this month. I am unable to answer it in the capacity of a minister of the King, not having any further instructions on the subject to which it relates, but as you have the goodness to request my private opinion, I will give it to you with the greatest sincerity. After having very seriously...
3400To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 22 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
Ma Lettre ne partira que demain, mais je l’écris ce matin pour la faire mettre à la poste, parce que je me propose, avant d’aller à Amsterdam, d’aller à Dort, entretenir notre Ami, non seulement sur la matiere de l’Emprunt, mais aussi, sur celle du Com̃erce entre les deux Rep., de la perfection duquel sur un plan en grand, j’ai obtenu depuis peu des notions importantes, que je lui...
3401To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 26 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter from John C. Jones Esquire recommending Capt. Joseph Saunders, for a Lieutenancy in the Navy—and a Letter to Capt. Saunders, enclosing his commission, which will require your signature should you think fit that the Appointment should be made—As Lieutenants will soon be wanting in that country, I should presume from Mr. Jones’ representation, that Capt....
3402To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was of the 14 th: Ult: by the Ship Betsey Cap t. Thomas Watson—since that time, I have had the Pleasure of receiving and laying before Congress your Dispatches of 6 th , 8 th , & 10 th: August last.— We concur so perfectly in Sentiment respecting public Affairs and what ought to be done, that I find no Occasion to enlarge on those Heads.— In a late Report I have called the...
3403To John Adams from James Bowdoin, 10 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you in August last relative to the conduct of Captain Stanhope; and twice since on the subject of British Encroachments upon territory of the United States, adjoining the newly established Province of New Brunswick. I hope those Letters came to your hand. New complaints from our people in those parts have been received, particularly from the Inhabitants of Moose...
3404To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 28 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’étois Sur le point de Vous écrire lorsque je me vis honoré de votre Lettre du 20 du Courant. Je Vous ai beaucoup d’obligation de la brochure Francoise, que Vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoier. Elle ne manquera pas de guerir bien de prejugés; mais aussi, a ce que j’ai deja remarqué, elle allarmera les Peuples Commerçans, qui craigneront quils ne Seront pas en etat de Soutenir la Concurrence...
3405To John Adams from Henry Whiting, 6 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
It is with great reluctance I presume to intrude upon your venerable retirement; but I am desirous, in common with some of my brother officers, of being informed of a fact, which probably can now be obtained from yourself alone.—In the Journal of the Continental Congress, under date Oct—1776, we observe that a committee, on which your name (as it does upon almost all others) appears, was...
3406To John Adams from the Comte de Vergennes, 10 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Je vous dois des remerciemens, Monsieur, pour les differentes communications que vous avez bien voulu me faire. Si les notions que renferme la lettre qui vous a êté confiée, Sont exactes, vous ne devez pas tarder à en avoir la preuve, et dans ce cas il faudra voir quelles ouvertures on jugera à propos de vous faire. Je pense que vous ne devez point refuser de les entendre.
3407To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1795 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you a letter from our friend D’Ivernois according to his request expressed in it. our geographical distance is insensible still to foreigners as they consider America of the size of a garden of which Massachusetts is one square & Virginia another. I know not what may have been your sentiments or measures respecting the transplantation of the science of Geneva to this country. if not...
3408To John Adams from Richard Thomas, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to hint to you, my Wishes in favour of a Friend & Colleague—Mr John W. Kittera of Pennsylvania after Serving in the House of Representatives Eight or Ten years—to the great Sacrifice of his Professional emoluments, has now, declin’d his Seat.—and being advanc’d to that time of Life that opposes descending into the Minutia of the business of the Law—and also of an Age that...
3409To John Adams from United States Senate, 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
on motion ordered Resolved that the Secretary of the Senate, be directed and he is hereby directed, I lay before the president of the United States a copy of the Journal of yesterday the 8. Instant relative to the opening and counting the votes for president and Vice president of the United States, and the declaration of the president of the Senate consequent thereon: and also to present to...
3410To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, with a Draft Contract for a Loan, 22 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it please Yoúr Excellency that we now lay before her the papers she hath charged us with to prepare for a Loan, we shall have the honoúr to undertake for and in behalf of the United States of North America; we have discused the Same on the Advice of Some people accústomed to regulate money matters, on which they have been corrected by a Lawÿer, we should be verry happy if yoúr Excellency...