3401To 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...
3402To 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...
3403To 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...
3404To 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...
3405To 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...
3406To 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...
3407The 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...
3408To 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...
3409To 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....
3410To 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...
3411To 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...
3412To 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...
3413To 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...
3414To 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.
3415To 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...
3416To 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...
3417To 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...
3418To John Adams from Richard Sullivan, 6 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
Under an apprehension that sickness may still prevail in your family the Gentlemen, Trustees of the Agricultural Society, desirous of meeting your convenience, have directed me to propose that their next meeting should be held at the house of some other Gentleman of the Board. They have also expressed a hope that, as there has been no established order of succession as to the place of meeting,...
3419Oration on JA’s Birthday, 19 October 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your neighbours and friends assembled to celebrate the anniversary of your natal day, beg leave to approach you with sincere congratulations upon the pleasing occasion. Be assured Sir, that no lapse of time can abate our respect and gratitude for your long, laborious and faithful public services, or diminish our affectionate attachment to your person and character. An attachment founded in the...
3420To John Adams from Benjamin Mends, 27 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Doubt not but the tender-feelings of humanity your Excellency possesses will render an apology needless for addressing you on a subject wch so nearly concerns all who are friends to the poor American Prisoners. I have fail’d not to visit them as often as their hard hearted Jaylor wd permit, and have done all in my power to alleviate their miseries. The money your Excellency was so kind as to...
3421To John Adams from James McHenry, 9 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Since closing my letter of this date, Col. Ogden has handed me the inclosed recommendation of persons to fill up the vacancies in the Regiment which he commands. The inclosed list founded thereon is respectfully submitted. I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, / your most ob St MHi : Adams Papers.
3422To John Adams from Robert Goodloe Harper, 29 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed address, Sir, was transmitted to me by the meeting which agreed to it, with a request that I would present it to the President of the United States. Being prevented from discharging in person this agreeable duty, I take the liberty of transmitting the address by Post, and / Have the Honour to be, with / Sentiments of the Highest respect / sir / Your Most obedt. Very Hble. Sevt....
3423To John Adams from William Whitmarsh Jr., 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being a Townsman of yours and having suffered in the Grand Cause I have Made my Aplication To Mr. Coffyn in Behalf of the United States of Amirica for a Small Sum of Money sufficent to Bear my Exepences while in France which will be no Longer then I Can Geet a Vessell Bound To America which By the Assistance of Mr. Coffyn I hope will not be Long. Sir My affairs Stands thus — I was Taken a...
3424Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 December 1773 (Adams Papers)
Alass! How many snow banks devide thee and me and my warmest wishes to see thee will not melt one of them. I have not heard one Word from thee, or our Little ones since I left home. I did not take any cold comeing down, and find my self in better Health than I was. I wish to hear the same account from you. The Time I proposed to tarry has Elapsed. I shall soon be home sick. The Roads at...
3425To John Adams from Joseph Bemis, 11 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Gentlemen of the town of Canton conven’d last evening in order to make an arrangement for the selection of Gentlemen to join the County convention propos’d to be holden at Dedham, the 17th. inst. 9 OClock AM and at Marshe’s Tavern—Having made the aforesd. selection, it was then suggested after honourable mention of your name and appeared to be the unanimous wish of the assemblage that you be...
3426To John Adams from John Sullivan, 8 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
You cant oblidge me more than by giving me a Line to Inform whether you are, or are not alive ; I begin to grow Suspicions and am therefore uneasy. I Should be Exceeding unhappy if you were to Steal a march upon me During the present Contest. I am Determined to See it out. I wrote a Line beging your opinion upon Some Points but (Like Saul in Distress) I can get no answer. I fear Therefore...
3427Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening General Lincoln call’d here introducing to me a Gentleman by the Name of Col. Laurence the Son as I suppose, of your much esteemed Friend, the late president of congress who informed me that he expected to sail for France in a few days, and would take dispatches from me. Altho I closed Letters to you by way of Holland a few days ago, I would not omit so good an opportunity as the...
3428To John Adams from Isabella McIntire, September 1798 (Adams Papers)
No circumstance is more shocking than that of being obliged to a stranger for relief; and however conscious I may be of my own innocence and well meaning, the presumption of addressing your Excellence in this manner may be a sufficient reason to prevent my receiving such a share of credit, as were I known to you, I might with justice pretend to. I have had the misfortune to receive an...
3429To John Adams from James McHenry, 4 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your dispatches of the 15, 20. 21 & 23d of Augt. ultimo, with their respective inclosures. The 28th of Augt. ulto. I transmitted by Mr. Hall, to Geo. Walton Esqr. & Lt. Col. Ths. Butler additional instructions, of which the inclosed is a copy, with a commission to the latter gentleman, and on the 30th a duplicate of the instructions by post. No. 1 is a letter from...
3430To John Adams from Ferdinand Grand, 17 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Grand has the honour of paying his respects to the Honorable Mr. Adams and begs leave to observe to him that the général Account he requires Since his arrival untill Mr. Franklin’s new Commission would not agree with all those he has furnishd in that Interval and which being a Series of Accounts united together would be in Contradiction with that required. It is not possible to dissect in...
3431To John Adams from Hezekiah Niles, 19 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
I gratefully return to you the little pamphlet, & send with it a copy of the Register in which I have published it. I used the license you gave me, as to your letter in full, as well for an introduction to the sketch itself, as because I thought it might be of advantage to me. Many have been much gratified in reading that sketch—& I, indeed, rejoice at having had the pleasure to disseminate...
3432To John Adams from Jean Payen de Boisneuf, 6 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
Les maux qu’ont éprouvés les habitants des Colonies françoises, les Ministres des Autels, les cy-devant Nobles & autres, ont été si grands quils pourroient se persuader que la Justice N’habite plus sur la terre, si Dieu lui même N’avoit dit Cherchez et vous trouverez. C’est dans le Cœur de Celui qui par le Choix d’une Nation entierre a été Jugé digne d’occuper la premiere place que je dois la...
3433To John Adams from Isaac Stephens, 15 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
Sir. I take the Liberty to enclose a line to you as we receivd one from you, by the hand of M r. Lambe which came here to make peace for America & to redeam the Americans in slavery But not power to do either as the price was so high as six thousand Dollars for a Master and four ditto for a mate and fifteen hundred for sailors the King will not bate one six pence and will not have any thing to...
3434From James Mease to John Adams, 20 August 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty of presenting you with a copy of my inaugural dissertation which I published and defended on taking my Doctors degree in our University last May.— It appears in very nearly the original dress which it wore, on being presented in manuscript for approbation or rejection to the professors; having had but little time to pay any attention in correcting it. Considerable...
3435To John Adams from Eliphalet Fitch, 10 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have been favored with your kind Letter of the 2d. March, which was sometime detained at Newyork, for want of a good Conveyance.—Your Time is too much engaged at present in public Business to admit of much private Correspondence: I will therefore write you more fully at some future day.—The Purport of this Letter is to mention to you my Friend William Savage Esqre., a Son of the late Samuel...
3436To John Adams from Stephen Paddock, 26 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a meeting of the citizens of Hudson and its vicinity in the County of Columbia in the State of New York pursuant to public notice assembled at the City Hall in the City of Hudson on the 26th of May 1798. Stephen Paddock Esquire Chairman William W. Van Ness Esqr. Secretary We the citizens aforesaid considering the present state and aspect of public affairs, and feeling in common with our...
3437Charles Adams to John Adams, 20 August 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have this day opened an office in Hanover square. The situation is as eligible as any in the City. There is but one objection, which is the high rents which are demanded for rooms in so public a situation. I have however been advised to take it, rather than go into a more retired seat. I wrote a few days since to my Mama, I then mentioned that forty pounds was the rent required for a small...
3438To John Adams from Lucius Horatio Stockton, 20 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have been informed that You have conferred upon me the very unexpected, and unsolicited honour of nominating me as Secretary at war of the United States. I beg Your Excellency to be assured that I am deeply affected with this very flattering mark of confidence. The afflicting necessity by which I am obliged to pay the last sad offices of duty to an honoured and only Surviving parent...
3439To John Adams from Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, 11 – 12 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your late worthy Governor Hutchinson used to mark some of his Letters confidential . You will give me Leave to use this Hint and at the same Time to take the Liberty of adding that, I believe, You know pretty well whom I can confide in, among our Acquaintances in Congress. The Jersey-Delegates (will You believe it) are not in the sweetest Disposition with one another. Mr. D’ Hart has gone home...
3440To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 31 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have perused with the greatest satisfaction your most sensible and eloquent memorial to the Dutch united States, especially as it contains many things, which I much wanted to have published to the World in an occasion likely to obtain the general observation. I wish that your sound reasoning may awake the Dutch from their ignominious Lethargy, and that I may be mistaken in the opinion I...
3441To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
My Son in Law Doctr. Thomas Ewell & my Daughter are making a Visit to Boston, and I have charged them not to leave that Neighbourhood without paying their respects to you & Mrs. Adams— I rejoice to hear as I have lately done, that you continue to enjoy health & I hope happiness—and am with the / most perfect respect & esteem / Dr sir Yr Obed Servt. MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
3442To John Adams from William Paca, 29 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
We take the Liberty to solicit every possible Assistance you can give on the Subject of the enclosed Copy of a Letter which Samuel Chase Esquire Agent for this State while in England addressed to the Minister M r Pitt. the Bills in Chancery are still depending and We have instructed M r. Chase to make the Attorney General a Party if the Crown will not disclaim it’s supposed Interest. The State...
3443To John Adams from William Tudor, 18 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
It was with no small Degree of Pleasure, on my Return here, I observed the Cheerfulness which brightened the Countenance of every Soldier I met. The whole Army are in most excellent Spirits and shew an Impatience for Action. And the Spade and Pick Ax have been so well employ’d, that there is scarce a Spot upon the whole Island, where a Redoubt or Breast Work could be of service, but what has...
3444To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 15th. instant. The enclosed papers relative to the Collectorship of Norfolk confirm the Presidents preference of Otway Byrd. I shall therefore consider the appointment as settled in his favour. Doct. Rushs pretensions founded on public services & celebrity of character are certainly superiour to any of the Candidates who have been named. I do not...
3445To John Adams from James Warren, 4 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
When I used to be in Company with the Prophets, & the Dreamers of Dreams, I could hardly realize, that I should ever have the Honour, & Pleasure of corresponding with an Ambassador at the Courts of Versailles, or London, & yet this Event among many other strange Ones, has taken Place.— I receiv’d a few Days ago by the Hand of your Amiable Son, Yours dated Auteuil April 26 th: & know no Reason,...
3446To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 30 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your finale on Mr. Hutchinson’s Character was duly received. If I rightly remember, the Governor soon after dissolving the Provincial Assembly, retired or rather fled to England to shelter himself from the approaching Storm, & secure his hard earned Reward. The few Years of the revolutionary War which he lived must have embittered his declining Days marked by Neglect, & Disappointment....
3447To John Adams from Ignatius Thomson, 22 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
Most respectable Patriot I take the liberty at sending to you by the mail an oration which I delivered on the fourth of July; a liberty which I presumed wants not be received a miss if well intended. Vanity in the author with respect to the merits of the work is not my object, but real information. When I penned the oration it was from the best information I then could obtain. A summary view...
3448To John Adams from John Thaxter, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honor of your’s of the 4th. instant. I acquainted Mr. Luzac immediately with your Request respecting the Crisis, who informed me that it should be translated as soon as possible into the Language You have chosen. I am exceedingly sorry to learn that the Complaint in your Eyes has returned, and that your Health suffers. I should have been very happy to have taken off your...
3449From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 28 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The Bearer Mr. Measam was a Merchant of good Reputation at Montreal; but having engag’d warmly in the American Cause, has been oblig’d to abandon that Country, to the great Detriment of his Affairs. He was appointed by Gen. Wooster a Commissary of Stores there; and apprehending such an Officer to be at this time necessary in our Northern Army, he has apply’d to Congress...
3450To John Adams from Lucius Horatio Stockton, 25 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to Your acquaintance Samuel Southard Esqr a young man who for his extraordinary personal and literary merit was advanced to the Bench of the Supreme Court of our State at the early age of 28 years. He is son of Henry Southard Esqr one of our present members of Congress. He desires the honour of calling on you and I have but a few minutes notice of his intended...