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,...
3651Charles Adams to John Adams, 28 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your very kind letter of the 13 instant was very grateful to me. We have indeed suffered a double anxiety both for ourselves and our friends it is so natural for the latter absent from the City to be more apprehensive than we have been that I have been very much pained at their remonstrances against remaining in town Nor should I have remained had I not conceived it an indispensible duty. I...
3652Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 28 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
My concern for you, Messrs. Dana and Thaxter, and your dear children leads me to have the pleasure and honor of inquiring after your health, which much concerns me, and to give you news of my own, since you were kind enough to ask. I have been feeling quite well since our departure from Brest on the 13th of this month. After eight days of smooth sailing we arrived by some miracle at Ferrol,...
3653To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 15 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I call’d this morning upon The Treasurer of the Commonwealth—and rec’d of him Eight Dollars— to your pay as Elector—your pay as delegate he said required your order—Which I enclose for your signature & to be returnd to me, wch. I will immediately apply for payment, wch. is 70 Dollars—added to the Eight Dollars already rec’d I will pay to Mr Foster or send to you by post if he is not able to...
3654To John Adams from William Vaughan, 17 August 1807 (Adams Papers)
I feel a pleasure in forwarding to you the second part of the Transactions of the Philosophical Society for 1806 and the first part for 1807, which that Society have been pleased to transmit to you through me which I hope you will receive safe by Captain LeBosquet of the Morneo . In the same Packet, I have sent duplicates for Bowdoin College may I beg the favor of you to cause the same to be...
3655To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have complied with your direction by sending under cover to the Post Master of Philadelphia an anonimous Note with Five hundred Dollars in a Letter to Mr. Allen President of the Health Committee—This generous donation will relieve many a distressed person. The Warrant stands charged to the Presidents account in the Treays as recd. by me in the character of Agent to the President . I have the...
3656To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 19 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
On the 6 th. of this Month was held our General Election for Officers for the Ensuing Year; they are nearly the same as the last, saving a few more Federal Charecters in the Lower-house. Their was Instructions from the Towns of Newport & Providence to their Deputies to use their Influence for a State Convention the Business was taken up, but we soon found Their was no probability of succeding,...
3657To John Adams from James Warren, 11 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
My last Letters went by my Son Winslow who left this place about three weeks ago for Amsterdam and I hope will soon be Able to deliver them to you at Paris. At that Time I flattered myself that we should be Able to hold Charlestown, but you will find before this reaches you that the Enemy have got it, with the four Continental Ships that were ordered there last Novemr. This is a great...
3658To John Adams from Benjamin Hichborn, 25 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
From my last, you may form some judgment of the disagreeable state of mind I have suffered from the Commencement of my late misfortunes. Anticipating your approbation, I have so far overcome the restraint I have long labour’d under, as to attempt again to write you. My first interview with Ayscough, after his discovery of the Letters, I think worth relating—(if I had been subject to fits, I am...
3659To John Adams from John Morgan, 19 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
On my Arrival at Cambridge Mr. Craigie waited on me and sollicited my appointing of him Apothecary to the General Hospital. He represented that he had been in that Station, from the beginning of the War, and had continued so ever since. He was informd the Appointment rested in me, and begged my continuing him in that Station. At the time, I had overlooked that part of the Copy of the...
3660To John Adams from William Cranch, 23 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you on the news of Peace; and thank God that you and my most excellent Aunt have lived to see this happy day. Although we have suffer’d much we have gain’d wisdom; and, I hope, honour. Our Country has learnt the value of a navy, and the imbecility of commercial restrictions as a measure of coercion. The embarrassments of the Administration have taught them the inexpediency of...
3661To John Adams from Daniel Webster, 26 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
Genl. Iredell, of North Carolina, son of the late Judge Iredell, & Mr. Hitchcock, son of the late Judge Hitchcock of Vermont, & now Attorney Genl. of Alibama, are desirous of calling to pay you their respects. They are Gentlemen of much respectability; & I regret that I am not able to have the pleasure of attending them to Quincy. I pray you to allow me to add an expression of the great...
3662To John Adams from James Brackett, 2 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 29 ulto I duly received, And in answer to Mr Farmer’s enquirey Honour’d through your medium. I beg leave to observe,—As to any account of the family of Tompson’s I can say no more than—they were once respectable in the town of Braintree but for many years they have disappear’d. And as respect’s the family of Brackett’s in this place, by the best information I can obtain,...
3663To John Adams from Stephen Sayre, 15 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
As my information is only from the public papers, I am left in uncertainty whether I am writing to Mr. John, or Mr. Samuel Adams. Some Letters have pass’d between the latter Gentleman and myself, on the subject of American Controversy. As I ask only for a short reply, on a matter of simple justice; I trust I shall not be disappointed, tho I am ignorant as to which of those great Characters I...
3664From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 3 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Tomorrow is the great National anniversary and at the same the anniversary of your birth which event was to me as joyful as the other to the nation; and I always hail its return with pleasure and gratitude, Oh may this sentiment exist as long as you I have life, and may no unpropitious event cast a cloud over the brightness of this day which hitherto has been a day of joy. accept my...
3665To John Adams from William Cunningham, 10 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
I have ascertained that Mr. Adams’s Sermon at the Dudleian Lecture was not published; a copy was deposited in the archives of the University agreeably to the wish of Judge Dudley. I am informed, in a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Cushing of Ashburnham, that it was a laboured Discourse on the Validity of Presbyterian Ordination, and for which the Author was much complimented. I have, for sometime,...
3666To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 13 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
This will be delivered you by young mr̃ Rutledge. your knowledge of his father will introduce him to your notice. he merits it moreover on his own account. I am now to acknolege your favors of Oct. 8. & 26. that of August 25. was duly received, nor can I recollect by what accident I was prevented from acknoleging it in mine of Sep. 28. it has been the source of my subsistance hitherto, & must...
3667Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Smith appeard so anxious and unhappy tho She Said nothing, that seeing it, I advised her to follow you, & sent Michial to Town hoping she would overtake you tomorrow. she appeard so rejoiced at the proposal, that in half an hour, she was gone. I hope She will overtake you by tomorrow night. I slept well last night & tho I feel very low spirited, I shall strive to be [co]ntent. I will...
3668To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 18 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Marquis de la Fayette is so obliging as to take the Care of this Letter, which, for the Sake of him, the Count de Noailles and others our french Friends, who take Passage with him in the Alliance, I hope will arrive safely. In the same Conveyance, there is a Packett intended for you from Congress, by which you will doubtless be informd of what has been doing there. It is six Months since I...
3669To John Adams from Samuel Swift, 13 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have Read a specimen of Nov Anglus as of this day and am not a little in Raptures with it, should have Rejoyced if Edes & Gill had began and finished this days paper with his masterly performance, which I hope in God may be continued for the Edification of the Good people for whose Good it was designed and as this is Something of a leasure time may we go on. God will prosper his endeavours....
3670To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 27 August 1807 (Adams Papers)
At a time of life when retirement is sought for, and the release from all political attentions desired, ten long letters of accusation and reproach, of interrogation and retrospection, within the term of a few weeks, may be designed, not only to distress, but to create passions in my bosom which were never felt nor indulged. When I finished mine of August 15th, I thought I might calculate on a...
3671To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 1 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The papers, some of which I have received as late as 8. May & one of 26. May, have after so long a pause of uncertainty thrown me into a tumult of feelings almost to tears. I see with a pride sustained by active domestic sources of greatness, the rising energies of America spreading over that surface of the public mind which reflection had matured into a mass of stability, fit to support all...
3672To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 24 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your remarks upon the Conduct of the tories, and the “young fry” who are now crouding into the Councils of our Country, perfectly accord with my own Observations. The present convention & assembly of Pennsylvania, and the present Corporation of Philad a: are all filled chiefly with men who were either unknown in 1776, or known only for timidity or disaffection. Your old friends have mingled...
3673To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
The reduction—I will not say loss of Charlestown has produced a new Era in the politicks of America—Such as you and I saw—and felt—and admired in the years 1775 and 76. Our republic cannot exist long in prosperity. We require adversity, and appear to possess most of the republican Spirit when most depressed. The papers will inform you of the exploits of our governments—of our citizens—of our...
3674To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 2 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Please permit me the honour of presenting you with my most sincere and warm congratulation on an event which not only Contributes highly to the happiness of your numerous friends, but also may reasonably be concluded well to the whole of a Nation who has wisely honoured you withe the dignified station of their President. Accept of my best wishes for your health your success in Office which may...
3675To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you a Letter received by yesterday’s Post from England— M Jay has already advised you of the arrival of M Laurens here. He returns tomorrow by the way of Havre— I do learn that anything is new is stirring— He thinks there will be a change in Ministry— If there is I imagine it will only be a change to strengthen the King’s Party.— They say little or nothing about the...
3676To John Adams from Richard Rush, 5 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to copy for your eye the enclosed lines, written by St George Tucker of Virginia, on being asked why he had ceased to court the inspirations of the muse. They struck me as very touching and beautiful both as to sentiment and manner. If you have not seen them before, perhaps they may afford you a few minutes pleasure; and the hope that they may do so has induced me to...
3677To John Adams from Alvarez & Havart, 19 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
The known Caracter of Your Excellency dispenses us with making any apology for the liberty we take to Address your Excellency with the present, but the happy turn circumstances have lately taken in this Republicq must naturally make to great an impression upon every free born Man, especially upon such a one, who from the beginning of the American troubles with England has consider’d their...
3678To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 4 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 28th ult. and in consequence of your intimation that a successor to Mr. Daniel Hawley might properly be sought for, I inclose the testimonies of many respectable merchants of Philadelphia and New-York, & from Brigr. General Hughes of the latter city, recommending Mr. John Morton of New-York to be the Consul of the United States in some port in...
3679To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 19 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Under the 25th May last I did myself the honor of addressing you in behalfe of a Capt William Armstrong, late Comander of a vessel belonging to me—who, by the then last accounts, was suffering a severe confinement on board a Ship at Portsmo. I felt much on this account, both as he was a worthy young fellow—and as it appeared to me an insult upon a subject of these States—therefore on a public...
3680From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 19 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I received with much pleasure you new year’s Letter, with the copy of the Lamp–lighter’s address, and the hint from the fount of the Centinal about a Present; which your uncle Thomas will tell you I have not forgotten. Your Parents were very highly gratified with what Mr Gould gave you leave to write to me concerning your promotion to the second Class, in which you will no doubt take care to...