390126 Monday. (Adams Papers)
A sharp piercing Air. Sat out for Uxbridge, arrived 2’o clock.
3902From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is to be honoured by the Reverend Samuel Cooper Thatcher, the Son of The Reverend Dr Peter Thatcher of Brattle Street and the Grandson of Oxenbridge Thatcher Esqr Barister at Law One of the most intimate confidential and beloved Friends I ever had one of the four first rate Lawyers, Gridley, Pratt, Otis and Thatcher who recommended me to the Court in Boston in 1758 when I was Sworn...
3903From John Adams to John M. Gill, 12 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Address to the President Senate and House of Representatives has been presented to me Foreign Governments will always have grounds to believe, that there are divisions Diversities of Opinion, if not divisions into Parties in every Republican Government. Those whose Knowledge of free Governments, is Superficial, and whose Experience is young, will be very apt to Mistake these Diversities...
3904From John Adams to Theophilus Parsons, 16 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the eigth of this month, and am much obliged to you for the frank and manly representation it contains, I wish however you had written the same things to the President. I doubt whether the President has prescribed to himself any rule so rigid as that you have heard of to appoint all men who are in possession, against whom there is no complaint of Superior merit...
3905From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 1, 14 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
On the twenty seventh of July. I set out from Paris on a Journey to Amsterdam. I left Mr. Dana and Mr. Thaxter at Paris, who will regularly transmit to Congress whatever shall occur of Importance to the United States to know—they will also inclose all the English, French and Dutch Gazettes. They are exerting themselves in this Republick, to mann their Ships of War, in which they have great...
3906From John Adams to John Lathrop, 12 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter and thank you for your friendly Congratulations I begged a Copy of the inclosed Volume of my Friend Judge Peters for our Accademy: but as he sent me one in boards I will get that bound for myself that I may Send His the Sooner. to our Accademy I ask your Pardon for sending you Such a Scrawl, being in great haste, your humble sert MBAt : American Academy of Arts...
3907[May 19. Tuesday. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
May 19. Tuesday. 1778. We dined with Mr. De Challut, one of the Farmers General.... We were introduced into the most superb Gallery I had yet seen. The Paintings, Statues, and Curiosities, were as rich and costly as they were innumerable. The Old Marshall Richelieu, and a vast number of other great Company dined with Us. After dinner Mr. De Challut invited Dr. Franklin and me to go to the...
3908From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 2 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Favour by the Marquis, I have received, and it touched a thousand tender Springs, in my heart. You suppose I am informed of every Thing that passes at Philadelphia, but I am not: I never was and never shall be informed of any Thing that passes there but the Results in the Journals &c. I am very happy to learn that you are acquainted with my good Friend Mr De L’Etombe, who is a very...
39093 Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Gardiners. This morn the Weather clear’d away. As warm and brilliant as May. Kept School all Day.
3910[February 1779] (Adams Papers)
Last Tuesday, I dined in Company with the Abbe Raynal, and Mr. Gebelin, and asked them to dine with me, on the then next Sunday. Accordingly the day before Yesterday, they both came. M. Raynal is the most eloquent Man, I ever heard speak in French. His Voice is sharp and clear but pleasant. He talks a great deal, and is very entertaining. M. Gebelin is much less addicted to talking. He is...
3911[Fryday August 16. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday August 16. 1776. Resolved that a Member be added to the Committee to whom were referred the Letters and Papers respecting the murder of Mr. Parsons. The Member chosen Mr. J. Adams. Resolved that the Letters received Yesterday from General Washington, General Schuyler and General Gates be referred to the Board of War. Congress resumed the consideration of the Instructions given to...
3912From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I feel Some Compunction, when I recollect the long time that has passed Since I wrote you a Line. Indeed I Could take no pleasure in Writing, nor you in reading continual Narrations of Wounds Bruises, Sicknesses Amputations and Deaths, among those you Love, as I did with the most ardent and well merited Affection. I could only recommend Epictetus’ Antoninus, and St Paul, all of whom you know...
3913[August 1761] (Adams Papers)
I am creating Enemies in every Quarter of the Town. The Clarks hate. Mother Hubbard, Thayer, Lamb, Tirrell, J. Brackett. This is multiplying and propagating Enemies, too fast. I shall have the Ill-Will of the whole Town. Daniel White, Moses Adams.—This will not do. Daniel Prat vs. Thos. Colson.—This Action was brot by Plaintiff vs. Colson as Administrator, on the Estate of Mr. Bolter, for...
3914From John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 24 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
This Evening I had the Honour of your Letter by Mr. Bradford. When that young Gentleman shall arrive, he shall be treated with all the Civility in my Power, and the best Advice that I am able to give him, shall be at his service. I fancy, sir, they exaggerate the Number of Troops both at N.Y. and R.I. I am persuaded there are not four Thousand Men at either. We have just received News from the...
3915John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I send you every News Paper, that comes out, and I send you now and then a few sheets of Paper but this Article is as scarce here, as with you. I would send a Quire, if I could get a Conveyance. I write you, now and then a Line, as often as I can, but I can tell you no News, but what I send in the public Papers. We are Waiting it is said for Commissioners, a Messiah that will never come.—This...
3916Proposed Portuguese-American Treaty of Commerce, 25 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
There were three attempts in the mid-1780s to negotiate a Portuguese-American commercial treaty; all failed, and only the third resulted in a final treaty ready for signature. The first was undertaken by Benjamin Franklin in 1783, and although he submitted a draft treaty to Congress after negotiations with Vicente, Conde de Sousa Coutinho, the Portuguese ambassador to France, the effort came...
3917[August 1770] (Adams Papers)
I received from Mr. Gill an Intimation, that a Letter from me would not be disagreable to you, and have been emboldened, by that Means, to run the Venture of giving you this Trouble. I have read with much Admiration, Mrs. Maccaulays History of England &c. It is formed upon the Plan, which I have ever wished to see adopted by Historians. It is calculated to strip off the Gilding and false...
3918From John Adams to James McHenry, 7 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you Col. Hawkins of 23 of May inclosed in yours of 29. July and am happy to find that all accounts agree in holding out expectations of a continuance of Peace with the Indians. Inclosed is a letter to me from Gen. S. Smith of Baltimore, dated 24 July with an address to the Citizens of Baltimore from the Marine Committee, in a slip of a Newspaper. I wish that Justice may be done to...
3919To John Jay from John Adams, 22 September 1787 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday, I was honoured with yours of the thirty first of July, and the Instructions of Congress and other Papers enumerated in it. This Packet comes at a very fortunate Moment: and altho there is no Act of the great States of Virginia and South Carolina in consequence of the circular Letter of Congress of the thirteenth of April, there are Proceedings of so many others as to furnish...
3920From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 12 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, June 26, 1781—wrote to congress: “The Rubicon is passed! A step has been at last taken by the regency of Amsterdam, which must decide the fate of the Republic. The city of Amsterdam finding that their proposition of the 18th of last month was not sufficient to change the conduct of Administration, have ventured on another manœuvre. On the 8th of this month, as soon as the states of...
3921Wednesday. March 19th. 1766. (Adams Papers)
At Home.
3922From John Adams to George Churchman, 24 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 17 of the 1. Mo. and thank you for communicating the Letter to me, of our friend Warner Mifflin. I have read both with pleasure, because I believe they proceeded from a Sense of Duty and a principle of Benevolence. Although I have never Sought popularity by any animated Speeches or inflammatory publications against the Slavery of the Blacks, my opinion...
3923From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 10 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I see little in this Play but the Manners of the Atheanians and The Naivete et Nettite du Style. The Miseries of Domestick Life; when all Confidence is wanting: between Parents and Children Masters and Servants, Friends and Neighbours, Husbands and Wives, Lovers and Mistresses; are held Up to View in a Mirror. Such Morals are surely no better than those of London or Boston, Paris or New York....
3924To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 29 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Samuel Andrews, formely of Boston lately of Demarara, is going to Paris upon Business, respecting a Vessell taken by the French and carried into Martinico. He will lay before you his Papers, and hopes for your Countenance, in the Prosecution of his Appeal, altho he claims as a Dutchman. I have the Honour to recommend him to your Excellencys Notice. I...
3925[February 18. Wednesday.] (Adams Papers)
February 18. Wednesday. We had a fine Wind for twenty four hours; but the constant rolling and rocking of the Ship, made Us all Sick. Half the Sailors were so. My young Gentlemen Jesse and John were taken about twelve O Clock the last night and had been very Sick all day. I was seized with it in the afternoon. My Servant Joseph Stevens and the Captain’s Will, were both very bad.
39261773. April 7th: Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
At Charlestown. What shall I write?—say?—do? Sterility, Vacuity, Barrenness of Thought, and Reflection. What News shall we hear?
3927From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 25 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
If I could be considered as a Friend to the Family I should Advise the Grand Children of Dr Franklin to divide the Real Estate among them in their several proportions rather than to sell it in order to divide the Money. Not a Liver or a Stiver was ever committed to Dr Franklin or any other Minister of The United States in Europe, “to be employed, in Secret Services to his Country.” The Million...
3928To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 3 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Adams has the Honour to inform Dr Franklin that the American Ministers for the Peace, are desired by the British Minister to meet him at the Hotel du Parc Royal, Wednesday, at Eleven, for a Conference concerning the Definitive Treaty. Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis...
3929John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1774 (Adams Papers)
I am extreamly afflicted with the Relation your Father gave me, of the Return of your Disorder. I fear you have taken some Cold; We have had a most pernicious Air, a great Part of this Spring. I am sure I have Reason to remember it—my Cold is the most obstinate and threatning one, I ever had in my Life: However, I am unwearied in my Endeavours to subdue it, and have the Pleasure to think I...
3930From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 2 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letters of Septr 14. 15. and 19th. The Letters inclosed in them, from Govr. Sinclair, Judge Patterson and Dr. James Sykes, I return to you inclosed with this, that you may be able to preserve together all the Papers, relative to the successor to Dr. Way in the Treasury of the Mint. Tomorrow I shall sett out on my Journey to the Southward, and shall Stop at East Chester...
3931From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 19 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
The History of Queen Ann’s reign and of the Treaty of Utrecht is So instructive, that it is worth while to look into the Life of Mesnager, and into that of the Abby Gautria. Mesnager was a Merchant of Rouen; in great Commerce but preferring Politicks of to trade Louis 14th. informed of his Talents, Sent him twice into Spain, to regulate the commerce of the Indias; and after wards into Holland...
3932From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
As I consider y’r ladyship as always imprison’d during a session of Congress I congratulate you upon y’r jail delivery by their rise they have not been very angry during this session consequently not very entertaining—our two sons arrived here in good health & spirits at the proper season and a furious snow wh’ blocked up all the roads detain’d them here for three or four days and enliven’d my...
3933From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favor of the 22d. and rejoice to find you have received dispatches from Stevens and Maitland. If the British merchant vessels are to enter the ports of Cape Francoise & Port au Prince under a flagg of truce, and ours are not & if an agent from the British government is not admitted, while one from the United States is, this will render it more necessary for us to be...
3934Sunday April 27th. 1766. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Smith. In the Evening, I had a great deal of Conversation with Ezekiel Price, Yesterday about Politicks, &c. I provoked him to speak freely by calling him an Hutchinsonian.—I swear says he I think the Lieutenant Governor an honest Man, and I think he has been most damnably abused and slandered and bely’d, &c. I know all his violent Opposers—I know them and what they are after, and...
3935From John Adams to David Hosack, 23 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honour to write me on the 17th: of this month. I am glad to see that your memoirs of Dr. Williamson are to be published in the transactions of your Historical Society. New York is exhibiting splended specimens of improvement in many things; in Literature & Science in general; in Agriculture, Manufactures, the fine Arts as well as the Mechanic Arts....
3936John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received to day, your Favour of 11. You may purchase L’Art Dramatique, alone if you please. But I know nothing of the Dramatick Character of Mercier. He is not very famous, as I remember, and therefore, I think it is Scarcely worth while to go to the Expence of all his Works. I shall make you a present of Some Volumes of Pope soon.—I have seen a Terence, in three Volumes, with the Latin on...
3937From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 27 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
By the new Arrangement, which was brought by the Marquis de la Fayette I find myself restored to the Character of a private Citizen. The Appointment of a single Minister, at the Court of Versailles was not unexpected to me, because I had not been two Months in Europe, before I was convinced of the Policy, and indeed of the Necessity of such a Measure. But I ever entertained hopes that when the...
3938From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 4 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your pathetic Letter of the 2d. has filled my heart with Sympathy and Grief. Your Son, by all that I know, or have heard of him, would have been an ornament to Society. Your Sorrow at his loss must be exquisite. I can give you no better Advice for your Consolation, than to read your favourite Dr Barrow. It is the Lot of humanity! You are not alone! If I look back for Sixty years, what a long...
3939John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is now determined what the President has to depend on after the 4 th March. The Committee determined against raising the Salary of P. or V. P. The House which the P. had for 500 £ cannot again be had under 1000 £ — Horses are from 3 times to five times as high as they were Seven Years ago, Carriages three times as high—Provisions &c In Short all Levees and Drawing Rooms and Dinners must be...
This Sodality has given rise to the following Speculation of my own, which I commit to writing, as Hints for future Enquiries rather than as a satisfactory Theory. The Desire of Power Power Dominion, that encroaching, grasping, restless, and ungovernable Principle in human Nature, that Principle which has made so much Havock and Desolation, among the Works of God, in all the Variety of...
3941John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your agreable Letter of the Twenty fourth of March. I rejoice with you that our Friends are once more in Possession of the Town of Boston, and am glad to hear that so little damage is done to our House. I hope you and your Sister and Brothers will take proper Notice of these great Events, and remember under whose wise and kind Providence they are all conducted. Not a Sparrow...
3942From John Adams to United States Congress, 12 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Law, I now present to both Houses of Congress, my annual account of Expenditures from the Contingent Fund during the year 1797. by which it appears, that on the first of January last there remained in the Treasury a Balance of Fifteen thousand, four hundred, and ninety four dollars and twenty four Cents, Subject to future dispositions of Government. DNA : RG 46—Records of...
3943John Adams to Richard Cranch, 24 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
In yours of the 10th. of Novr. you desire me to give you the Connection between the Premises and conclusion, when I said that the Navigation act would compell all the other states to imitate it. If they do not the Massachusetts will soon get so much of their carrying Trade as will richly compensate her for any present Inconvenience. I take it for granted that the United States will make peace...
3944From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 30 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Another Passage, which Mr Otis read from Ashley gave Occasion, as I suppose, to another memorable and very curious Event, which your esteemed Pupil and my beloved Friend Judge Minot has recorded. The Passage is in the 42 page. “In fine, I would humbly propose that the duties, on foreign Sugar and Rum imposed by the before mentioned Act, of the 6th of King George the Second, remain as they are,...
3945John Adams to Charles Adams, 12 October 1792 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you on your Admission to the Bar and your taking Possession of an Office in So good a Part of the Town, and I would not advise you to exhange it for any other, without an absolute necessity. There is a great Advantage to a Lawyer in being always to be found in the Same place. I wish you as much Success as you can desire and all the Pleasure and Profit from your Practice in a...
3946From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, Jr., 29 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States refers the inclosed law of Tennessee, and letter from the Govenor, laid before him, by the Senators and Representatives of that state this day, to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, & requests their examination into the subject & a report of their opinion, what is in the power of the President to do for the accommodation of the people of...
3947From John Adams to Aaron Hobart, 25 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am under great obligation to you for the Presidents message, & for the Documents of the War Office, & Navy Office, and I am proud to see how abley and faithfully the Government is conducted, & these communications are the more acceptable, as comeing from a Grand Son of my beloved Brother I wish you a pleasant and satisfactory session, / and am your obliged / Uncle MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
3948[February 21. Saturday. 22. Sunday, and 23. Monday] (Adams Papers)
February 21. Saturday. 22. Sunday, and 23. Monday Monday exhibited such Scaenes as were new to me, except in the Histories of Voyages, and the descriptions of the Poets. We lost sight of our Ennemy it is true, but We found Ourselves in the Gulph Stream, in one of the most furious Storms, that ever Ship survived, the Wind North East, then North and then North West. It would be fruitless to...
3949John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your favour of Nov. 23.— M r Cooper The Friend of our Diplomatic at the Hague, I hear was very active in the Election of M r Ames.— I wish that both Parties and all Parties may be convinced that Some Qualification of Voters is necessary; but if Negroes & Sailors and Tapsters all unqualified by Law as Oliver Cromwell used to call them are to vote for one why not for another.? You...
3950From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have Sent to The Post Office this Morning, your Diploma, as Member of our Accademy. How many years ago ought you to have had it? I hope you will now communicate your Speculations to that Body through Mr Quincy their corresponding Secretary. I should advise Mr George Marsden to petition Congress for Relief, Setting forth his Service Commissions and present Circumstances. of Meteroric Stones I...