3431Oration 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...
3432To 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...
3433To 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.
3434To 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....
3435To 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...
3436Abigail 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...
3437To 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...
3438To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 5 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of the first part of the order of the Senate of the 23d of January past, I have the honor to send herewith Sundry Statements marked A, AB, B, a, D, E, F, and I beg the permission of the Senate to add the Copy of a letter dated yesterday; which served to transmit duplicates of the same documents of the House of Representatives; and which contains some explanation of them; a...
3439To 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...
3440Abigail 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...
3441To 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...
3442To 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...
3443To 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...
3444To 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...
3445To 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...
3446To 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...
3447To 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...
3448To 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...
3449Charles 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...
3450To 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...
3451To 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...
3452To 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...
3453To 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.
3454To 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...
3455To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 4 May 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor avail myself of the opportunity preceeded by the honorable R. Morris Esquire of transmitting you a Draught at Sight on the collector of Boston for 500 Drs agreably to the your instructions. I had to you.— The remainder will be paid , as you will pleased to direct, on applications of your Steward. No occurrence worthy of being communicated to you has taken place since you left...
3456To 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...
3457To 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...
3458To 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,...
3459To 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....
3460To 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...
3461To 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...
3462From 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...
3463To 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...
3464To John Adams from Richard Rush, 5 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
The last kind favor that I had from you, mentioned your indisposition, and as it is a great while since, I am not without my apprehensions that you may be still unwell. Out of your own immediate family there is no one, sir, in America, or the world, who feels a livelier interest in your health and happiness than I do. I know how old you are in service, in honors, and in years. But years of...
3465To John Adams from Benjamin Guild, 3 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of writing your Excellency a few days past, via France. Nothing important has taken place since. The French troops are embarking on board the fleet in this port, but I apprehend they will not sail before next month. It is said Gen l Rochambeau is gone to Philadelphia to embark from thence for Europe: and that the fleet now here consisting of 12 ships of the line & 3 frigates...
3466To John Adams from Joseph Anderson, 28 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have reciev’d from the Governor of Tennessee—an Act of the Legislature of that State—which we are requested to lay before the President of the United States—We will therefore thank you Sir, to appoint a time, when we may do ourselves the Honor of presenting it— We are Sir, with sentiments of / very great respect / your most Obedt Servts.— MHi : Adams Papers.
3467To John Adams from James Warren, 4 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is some Time since I wrote to you, and much longer since I have been honoured with a Line from you. I have but Just got to Town. Mr. George Storer who goes by the way of Denmark is on the point of sailing and I can only Inclose two papers received from Mr. Lovel, and the Boston Papers of the day. I shall write you soon and if you have not forgot that there is such a Man in the world perhaps...
3468To John Adams from Edmund Rogers, 20 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Knowing the interest you take in every improvement of a national character however humble the subject may be, deeming nothing beneath your notice which may tend to promote economy, encourage industry, or add to the independence of our Country—I have presumed to ask your acceptance of the Box herewith, containing a small sample of my domestic Coffee. The dearness of the foreign Coffee, has...
3469To John Adams from James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter dated the 29th of March ulto. which was received on the 6th inst. It brought me Majr. Genl. Pinckney’s letter of the 10th of February, his list for appointments for North Carolina, and two letters of the 25th & 28th of March, addressed to you by Benjn. Beale junr. soliciting an appointment in the army. The list and these letters were all the papers...
3470To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 1 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
After various Reports of the Capture of the Boston by a British Cruizer, and of her being struck with Lightning at Sea, it was with peculiar Pleasure I lately receiv’d an Assurance Of your Safe Arrival in France. Not long after you sail’d, Mrs. Adams wrote me a Letter upon a Report of Dr. Franklin’s having been assassinated, full of the tenderest Anxiety, and the most amiable Sentiments,...
3471Joseph Cranch to John Adams, 27 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I will not add to my offence by troubling you with a long apology for this intrusion on your Valuable time— Suffice it to Say,—that encoraged by the Condesending manner in which you listen’d to my small affairs (interesting however to me in the extreem) I am embolden’d to beg your interest with the General in my behalf, so far as you can do it consistant with your princeples of Propriety — a...
3472From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 13th. and 20th. were put into my hands today. This will be delivered you by Mr. Dalrymple, secretary to the legation of Mr. Craufurd. I do not know whether you were acquainted with him here. He is a young man of learning and candor, and exhibits a phaenomenon I never before met with, that is, a republican born on the North side of the Tweed . You have been consulted in the...
3473To John Adams from William Smith, 2 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you about 3 Weeks since by Col. Norton & inclos’d you some of our last papers. since which a Meeting of the Merchants & Traders of this Town has been held to consider what measures were necessary to be taken, to place the trade of the Continent, on a respectable footing. they have drawn up a petition to Congress, recommending a general system of Commerce thro’ the United-States, &...
3474Notice of Honorary Degree from Harvard College, 1 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
At a meeting of the President & Fellows of Harvard College April 1, 1783. Voted, that the Diploma for a Doctorate of Laws, conferred on his Excellency John Adams Esq r , some time since, be immediately engrossed, and the Seal enclosed in a Silver Box. Copy/Attest: RC ( Adams Papers ). For the history of JA ’s honorary doctorate, which had been voted in July 1781 and announced on 19 Dec. 1781,...
3475To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you some letters of recommendation in favour of Robins Chamberlain, two of which have just been received. I beg leave to mention that the applicant has this morning mentioned his wish to be appointed in the Artillery I have the honor to be / with the greatest respect / Your obedient Servant DLC : James McHenry Papers.
3476To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 4 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter for you came to hand this morning, without any letter from Mr. Adams to me. And the pamphlet accompanying this arrived yesterday, with letters from Mr. King, of which the duplicates have been before recd. and forwarded to you. A letter from Mr. Murray dated March 10th. is also inclosed. I have the honor to be / with great respect / sir your obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
3477To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 5 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
The much esteemed favour you did me the honor to write me the 23 d. ult o. , by M r. Smith, was delivered to me by our noble friend M r. Jefferson. You need not ask me, Sir, what I think of the Massachussets’s Act of navigation; you Know my way of thinking well enough, I hope, & of consequence you can easily conceive how my heart rejoiced in reading it. As you do me the honor to ask my...
3478To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 1 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to congratulate your Excellency on the Commencement of the New Year and to assure your Excellency of my sincere Wishes, that it may be productive of all Happiness and the most perfect Liberty to You and Yours and our Country in General. I think your Excellencys Mind must be much occupied at present. The late desperate Step, which England has taken has I believe astonished Most....
3479To John Adams from James Otis Sr., 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I Recived your favor of the first Current and Note the Contents and in answer say that I am Obliged for this first favor of the Kind Since you have Been In Congress. The Gentlemen of your Comitee have had Every Demonstration of Respect shewn them by the Councell and house of Representatives of this Province and I hope it Was agreeable to them : We have had an agreeable interview and our...
3480To John Adams from Benjamin Guild, 4 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
The peculiar appropriatness of the enclosed letter, and the wish, often expressed by my mother, that you Could see it, induced Mrs Guild to Copy it, and is my apology for the liberty I take in sending it. The hope which, brightened the affection, and chastened the affliction, of Mr Jones, is also your hope. Such testimonies of the upholding power of the Almighty, to those who put their trust...