3601To John Adams from Citizens of Stockbridge, 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a time when our Country is convulsed by different and opposite political opinions and views, when national Councils are divided and embarrassed, the efforts of patriotism retarded, and measures necessary for self-defence, and the protection of its property and independent rights fail of that promptitude which alone can insure, or promise, the best effects, it may justly be considered both...
3602Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
If I was certain I should welcome you to your native Land in the course of the summer, I should not regret Mr. Smiths going abroad without me. Should it be otherways, should you still be detained abroad—I must submit, satisfied that you judge best, and that you would not subject me to so heavy a dissapointment, or yourself to so severe a mortification as I flatter myself it would be, but for...
3603To John Adams from John Sinclair, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
You will herewith recieve, the History of the Statistical Account of Scotland, in the appendix to which, I have taken the liberty of inserting the extract of a letter I had the pleasure of recieving from you, urging me to persevere in an Undertaking, which I have at last happily accomplished. I wish much to hear, that similar enquiries took place with you, and that a Board of Agriculture was...
3604To John Adams from John Bondfield, 27 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
With the Compliments of the Season permit me to add the justly acquired Congratulations on the conducting executing and concluding the Great Buissness of your Special Commission the greatest that was ever invested with Powers of equal Consiquence we may emediately expect to learn the progress of M r Dana’s Mission which the acknowledgement of Great Britain will greatly accelerate— pray give a...
3605To John Adams from J. Rocqùette, Th. A. Elsevier, & P. Th. Rocqùette, 3 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the conversation, which the writer of this had the honour to have with your Exellencey, Last Saturday, We now make free to entretain you aboutt the American Certificates of which we have a good number. Part of them are already due Since the beginning of this year, the others will become due in February, March and April of next year, we are at a Loss how to gett payment of...
3606To John Adams from George Hebb, 27 May 1824 (Adams Papers)
You may have observed by the Boston Patriot of the 18th: Inst: that Henry V. Somerville Esqr. had been selected, as an Elector as President & Vice-President, friendly to the Election of John Q. Adams Esq, for the District composed of Baltimore County—He called upon me some Days since and requested that I would furnish him with a List of the Most prominent Appointments and Acts of John Quincy...
3607From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 11 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your Letter and was very much concerned to observe the depression of spirits under which you laboured, but the rapid approach of Spring will I hope restore you to all those blithsome feelings which are so charming and so natural to your nature character and disposition—. It is too true alas that in the attainment of the knowledge of human nature we are obliged to wade...
3608To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
I beg your Excellency would Accept my Thanks for the publications, which I have lately had the Honor of receiving from you; and for your Letter to the Abbé Raynal, who receivd me in Consequence thereof with the utmost Politeness and Attention. He spoke of your Excellency with the Greatest Cordiallity and respect, and seemed concerned, that you was not quite satisfied with the facts, as laid...
3609To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had not time yesterday, without losing the benefit of the mail, which you know closes at 12 o’clock A.M, to say any thing on the subject of Major Jacksons letter. I now take the liberty to observe, that the appointment of Mr. Pearson to be a Cadet by Capn. Gates, was altogether improper, and the attempt to draw pay for him, after my letter to Majr Jackson of the 27th Ulto. at least equally...
3610To John Adams from George Washington, 13 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour on the evening of the 11th. instant to receive from the hands of the Secretary of War, your favour of the 7th. announcing, that you had with the advice and consent of the Senate appointed me “Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the Armies raised, or to be raised, for the Service of the U.S” I cannot express how greatly affected I am at this New proof of public...
3611To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I very much approve your Plan with regard to our future Accounts—and wish it to be followed. The Accounts that have been shown you, are only those of the Person we had entrusted with the receiving and paying our Money; and intended merely to show how he was discharged of it. We are to separate from that Account the Articles for which Congress should be charged, and those for which we should...
3612Abigail Smith to John Adams, 19 April 1764 (Adams Papers)
Why my good Man, thou hast the curiosity of a Girl. Who could have believed that only a slight hint would have set thy imagination a gig in such a manner. And a fine encouragement I have to unravel the Mistery as thou callest it. Nothing less truly than to be told Something to my disadvantage. What an excellent reward that will be? In what Court of justice did’st thou learn that equity? I...
3613To John Adams from David Brown, 7 September 1802 (Adams Papers)
From the encouragement which literature has received from you, I am encouraged to solicit the honor of your name to the inclosed Proposals... not doubting, if obtained, but what a people, daily increasing in learning, will follow the example,—as being made by the late Guardian of their country. I have the honor to be, / Sir, / your Excellency’s most obdient, / And most humble servant, MHi :...
3614To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 26 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
After so long a Silence please permit me to address Your Excell y: with my sincere And Most Harty Congratulations on the success of Your Principal Negociations in Europe, Which has brought us to that Degree of Liberty and will I trust to that of Prosperity So Much Desired by Every Good American The War With all its Horrors and Confusion being Now At An End, You will no Doubt turn Your Views...
3615To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received your note yesterday afternoon, inclosing a letter to you, from Wm. S Smith Lt. Colonel of the 12th Regiment of Infantry dated the 21st instant. You request my candid opinion upon the project contained in the letter inclosed. Whether his (Col. Smiths) request can be granted in whole or in part, consistent with military and political justice and propriety, without favour or affection....
3616From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 26 November 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much engaged the last week at races parties and Ball it has been impossible for me to answer your last Letter or to write to Charles Eclipse as you have heard ran down poor Sir Charles who was totally unfitted by his lameness to oppose the pride of the North and I confess the race as it appears to me was altogether so unequal I cannot see any thing to boast of on the winning...
3617Rector Verheyk to John Adams, 10 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
La Desobeissance et L’impertinence de Monsieur votre Fils ainé, qui fait de son mieux pour corrompre son aimable Frere, n’etant plus a soufrir, puis qu’il cherche lui même par sa brutalité, a s’attirer le chatiment qu’il merite, dans l’Esperance de quitter les Ecoles, sous ce pretexte. Je vous prie donc Monsieur d’avoir la bonté de le retirer d’ici, plutot que de voir la Discipline publique...
3618To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, with an Appended Memorandum, 22 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Franklin presents Compliments to Mr. Adams, and requests that all the Public Papers may be sent him by the Bearer. Dr. Franklin will undertake to keep them in order; and will at any time chearfully look for and furnish Mr. Adams with any Paper he may have occasion for. Mr. Adams on receit of this put all the Public Papers, then in his Possession, into the hands of W T Franklin. Dft ( PPAmP...
3619Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Captain Beal who is always attentive to the post office for me in your absence, brought Me on the Evening of the Seventh your Letter written at Stratford Nov br 27 th , which is the only line which has yet reachd me; I fear you sufferd from the cold on the journey, for it has been unusually so, for the Season. the continuence of it, has frozen the Ground very deep. I fear we shall not be able...
3620To John Adams from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 15 December 1808 (Adams Papers)
Having seen a Letter over your Signature, Addressed to Mr. Green, I feel myself constrain’d to return You my most Grateful Acknowledgement, for the high & Respectful Compliment, which you have been pleased to pay, bestow, on our Reply to the Resolutions of the Resolutions of the Massachusetts Legislature. We conceived it a duty, we Owed to Ourselves, to Our Constituents, and to Our Country, to...
3621To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secy of the Treasy respectfully submits to the Prest. of the US. the following Report. On the 19th of August 1796 information was recd. by the Secretary, by a Letter dated July 26th 1796, from James Read Collector for the District of Wilmington in North Carolina that a French Privateer had arrived at Wilmington on the 14th. of July with two British Prizes with valuable Cargoes, consisting...
3622To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
According to the reservation between us, of taking up one of the subjects of our correspondence at a time, I turn to your letters of Aug. 16. & Sep. 2. The passage you quote from Theognis, I think has an Ethical, rather than a political object. the whole piece is a moral exhortation , παραινεςις , and this passage particularly seems to be a reproof to man, who, while with his domestic animals...
3623To John Adams from John Marshall, 24 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have been requested to make to you the application of Mr. DAmbrugeac to provide for him a passage to France. He says that he has not been furnishd with money by Genl. Toussaint for that object. I set out to wait on you but have been stopt til it is too late. As he wishes to set out tomorrow I communicate his request in writing. I do not pretend to express any opinion on the subject but think...
3624From John Trumbull to John Adams, 20 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Result of M r Jay’s Negotiation goes with this letter:— A Treaty which was sign’d yesterday, and which, being founded on the mutual desire first to do Justice, and then to grant accommodations, will I trust meet with the approbation of the Honest and well disposed Men of all Nations; & prove the Basis of future good understanding & good Offices between the two Countries who are Parties to...
3625To John Adams from Samuel Denny, Jr., 27 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
As the object of that Society over which you have the honor of presiding is for the promotion of the Agricultural interest in this Commonwealth, I am much gratified in seeing useful knowledge diffused, and shall esteem the privilege of contributing, throu’ your assistance, an honor and happiness, of which I am anxious to partake. If a proposal should be made, apparently extravagant, the...
3626To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 20 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honour to lay before the President the petition of Robert Fisher of Harford County, Maryland, committed to gaol in Baltimore for theft committed in the Island of Cuba , praying a Nolle prosequi may be entered. Governor Howard has just been here with the father of the young man who anxiously waits your decision. On the enquiries of the Secretary, two letters were...
3627The Comte de Sarsfield to John Adams: A Translation, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have an infinite obligation to you, sir, for providing my introduction to Mr. Searle. I have hardly been able to profit from it since I have only had the honor of seeing him once. But I hope that we can share a drink together on Wednesday and toast to your health. He told me that you have been staying in Holland, a fact, which I will tell you openly, made me angry. But after some reflection...
3628From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 28 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
It has given me great satisfaction to learn that a part has be assigned to you to perform at the exhibition, fixed for the 30th. of April—and should be well pleased if it if it were in my power to be present at the performance—But as that will not be practicable, I wish you to let me know what dialogue it is that you are to speak—I feel also some anxiety for your performance, and quite...
3629From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned about three weeks ago from a very useless voiage. Useless, I mean, as to the object which first suggested it, that of trying the effect of the mineral waters of Aix en Provence on my hand. I tried these because recommended among six or eight others as equally beneficial, and because they would place me at the beginning of a tour to the seaports of Marseilles, Bourdeaux, Nantes and...
3630To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Nov. 23. the banks, bankrupt law, manufactures, Spanish Treaty are nothing. these are occurrences which like waves in a storm will pass under the ship. but the Missouri question is a breaker on which we lose the Missouri country by revolt, & what more, God only knows. from the battle of Bunker’s hill to the treaty of Paris we never had so...
3631To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 27 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Dont complain of my Wife. You have not a better friend, nor a great Admirer in the United States. She devours your letters. The reflection you have noticed, was aimed, not at the Subjects, but at the frequency of our letters. It was uttered with an Air of pleasantry, such as you have Often advised in your excellent Mr. Adams. The Anecdote I Alluded to respecting the fast day is as follows....
3632To John Adams from John Steele, 24 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the honor to call at your house this morning to request leave of absence from the seat of Government to enable me to accompany my family on a visit to their Friends in Carolina after the Offices are removed from Philadelphia. The journey will be near six hundred miles out, and about Four hundred returning, which I cannot perform with satisfaction before the 10th. or middle of...
3633To John Adams from Denny McCobb, 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a moment So eventful & alarming as the present, when a great & imperious Nation whose aim is universal domination, is endeavouring to Sap the foundation of our political existence, it is the duty of every man to step forth & avow his Sentiments on Concerns so interesting to humanity—Replete with this Idea, We the field Officers & Commanders of the Companies of the 1st. Regiment 1st. Brigade...
3634To John Adams from Christian Lotter, 4 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Seeing that the whole of mine endeavours either by Your Excel y: or by those Gentlemen of Amsterdam, to Stay in the hotel, only for the time proper for removing, are of non effects; on the contrary Still more hurried and pushed on to depart as Speedy as hardly possible.— With the greatest regreat I have read a paragraph in a favour from Mess rs: van Staphorst of the 1 th: of this month; which...
3635Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been prevented writing you for more than a Week past by a Whitlow upon the fore finger of my right Hand. Tis now so tender that I can manage a pen but poorly. I hope you have received several Letters from me in this fortnight past. I wrote by Mr. Linch Lynch , and by Dr. Frankling the latter of whom I had the pleasure of dining with, and of admiring him whose character from my Infancy I...
3636To John Adams from John Marshall, 27 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I transmit you some dispatches lately receivd from the Judge of the Kentucky district. I hope the resistance he mentions to the execution of the judgements of the court of the United States exists no longer. I inclose you also two letters from Mr. Yznardi & a copy of one to him from Don Urquijo. I can scarcely believe that our envoys have embarkd for the Hague. Mountflorence I shoud think must...
3637Abigail Adams to John Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tis ten days I believe since I wrote you a Line, yet not ten minuts passes without thinking of you. Tis four Months wanting 3 days since we parted, every day of the time I have mournd the absence of my Friend, and felt a vacancy in my Heart which nothing, nothing can supply. In vain the Spring Blooms or the Birds sing, their Musick has not its formour melody, nor the Spring its usual...
3638From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I formerly had the honour of mentioning to you the measures I had taken to have our commerce with this country put on a better footing; and you know the circumstances which had occasioned the articles of whale oil and tobacco to be first brought forward. Latterly we got the committee, which had been established for this purpose, to take up the other articles, and on their report the King and...
3639To John Adams from James Vincent Ball, 10 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to address you on a subject which I hope will be viewed by you as of sufficient importance to authorize it—As rank is an object with every military character, we come into the army with the prospect of promotion in view, and thereby are prompted to acquire an ample Knowledge of the several duty’s annexed to the different grades—When once this prospect is distroyed, and the precedent...
3640To John Adams from Hezekiah Niles, 6 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure to publish your letters to Mr. Tudor, presenting subjects for national paintings—much to my own satisfaction & to the gratification of the American people. I respectfully acknowledge the reception of your very interesting letters to Mr. Wirt—they shall have a conspicuous insertion in my next Register. Grateful for the honor conferred by those communications, / I am, sir,...
3641To John Adams from Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 7 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty to inform your Excellency that about a Month ago, when Mr. Ridly, agent of the State of Maryland was here, we agreed with Said Gentleman, in virtue of his Powers and Commissions, which were certified by your Excellency, to open a Loan of Six hundred thousand Guilders, in behalf of the Said State for ten Years and at 5 pco. Interest, which shall be paid out of the Amount of...
3642From Edmund Randolph to John Adams, 21 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am extremely unwilling, that the department of state should become the vehicle of letters to congress, the contents of which may be improper, and the authors of which perhaps ought to have addressed themselves to the executive, rather than the legislature. Inclosed are two sealed letters, which have been forwarded to the President. He cannot open them, because they are addressed to the...
3643To John Adams from Jane Tunis, 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Petition of sundry female inhabitants of Philadelphia most respectfully shews, That it is with peculiar delicacy your petitioners have entered on the business hereafter detailed; that they know from its nature it is appropriated to men, and an interference of the other sex is usually esteemed an usurpation. But they have felt, and they hope without error, that the present is a case in...
3644To John Adams from Nathaniel F. Williams, 21 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
Altho’ I have not the honor of Knowing you personally, but as one of the few illustrious Patriots of the revolution Still living,—and one for whom I feel a great Veneration & attachment for great & distinguished Services rendered to our Common Country in her Utmost Need,—I take the liberty to ask you to furnish me with a Copy of a letter from the late General Washington to yourself,—giving his...
3645To John Adams from James Madison, 17 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 28th. Ult: was duly received, tho’ with more delay, than usually attends the Mail. I return the interesting letter from your son, with my thanks for the opportunity of perusing it. I have caused the archives of the Dept of State to be searched with an eye to what passed during the negociations for peace on the subject of the fisheries. The search has not furnished a precise...
3646John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 27 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
I expected to have been on my way to Boston before this; but M r: Hamilton is gone into the Country, and I cannot be supplied with my instructions untill he returns. He has been expected every hour these four days, and it is very possible that four days hence he may still be hourly expected. In the mean while I am here lolling away my time, and sweating away my person, with nothing to do, and...
3647To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 September 1803 (Adams Papers)
How Shall it be in my power, to paÿ you mÿ Sincere thanks for the favours with which you continue to honour me—even above mÿ warmest expectation. I was not vain enough to attend at So much condescendence from your part, to offer mÿ Inset —with your own hand—to your illustrious Academÿ—by which I received the most unequivocal pledge of your high approbation—a more than equivalent reward for my...
3648To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 3 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty to apply to your Excellency as we are informed that it is practised by our neighbours to Let their Ships sail under American Colours and Papers, as we have just now bought a vessel of a 150 Tuns, we’d wish to Let it Sail to America, with American papers & colours we request your Excellency’s advice how this is best Practicable, with granting the necessary papers to us, for...
3649Enclosure: John Hancock to John Adams, 16 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
On a Visit to Mrs. Yard this Evening I was inform’d by her that your Lady and Children propos’d to go into Boston, with an intention of Taking the Small Pox by Inoculation, and as the Season is warm, and the present process of Treating that Disorder, requires all the Air that can possibly be had, and as my Scituation in Boston is as much Bless’d with a free Air as most others, I make a Tender...
3650To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 2 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
Malades mon Epouse & moi, je ne puis qu’en peu de Lignes accuser à V. Excellence la réception, & remercier de la Lettre dont Elle m’a honoré en date du 25 du passé, dont le contenu aussi sage qu’obligeant, avec des ordres que j’observerai, me laisse l’espoir, que ceux dont mon sort & honneur dépend, auront soin de l’un & l’autre sans se mêler d’affaires nationales qui ne les regardent pas,...