4051John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 23 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you just after I arrived here, and gave you a short sketch of my Journey from Amsterdam to this Place, and promised you in my next a description of this city, but I dont find any thing more than what Voltaire says of it in his history of Russia nor even quite so much, for according to his description, the city is situated upon the Gulf of Cronstadt in the midst of nine branches of...
4052To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last letter to you was dated the 27 th. of August, since which I have recieved yours of Sep. 11 th. — The letter to m r. Lamb therein inclosed I immediately signed & forwarded. In mine wherein I had the honor of proposing to you the mission of m r. Barclay to Algiers, I mentioned that my expectations from it were of a subordinate nature only. I very readily therefore recede from it in...
4053To John Adams from Uzal Ogden, 26 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I send you by this day’s post, a Pamphlet published yesterday, entitled “a Letter to Major General Alexander Hamilton” &c.; signed, “a Citizen.” I hope the Publication will be honored with your approbation, and be of public utility. It was certainly written with the best Views, tho’ in great haste , in less than thirty years. I wish it could Speedily be reprinted, and circulated through these...
4054From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 5 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress The Chevalier de La Luzerne sat out Yesterday for L’Orient, and will be with you perhaps before this comes to hand. You will find him a very agreable sensible Man, and a hearty Friend to the Cause of America. As you may land in Boston and are not certain of going directly to Philada: I have put under his Care my Dispatches for...
4055To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit, in a packet accompanying this letter, fifty Mediterranean passports, for your signature, and to be, / With perfect respect, / Your most obed. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
4056To John Adams from William Macpherson, 18 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Attached to the Government of the United States, from a conviction of the blessings which we derive from the just administration of wise and equal laws; and anxious to vindicate the character of our country from the aspersions of foreign insolence; we, citizens of Philadelphia, associated as soldiers under the denomination of MacPherson’s Blues, beg leave to offer our services, through you, to...
4057To John Adams from William Cranch, 28 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Colo. Charles Semmes, of Alexandria. This gentleman I have never seen, to my knowledge. General report speaks of him as a man of talents in his profession, of a good moral Character, and friendly to the government. His practice is very extensive. Thomas Swann Esquire.—of Alexandria. I have seen this Gentleman. He appears to be about 36 years old—is very much esteem’d as a lawyer, and a man. He...
4058To John Adams from the Comte de Sarsfield, 5 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
M de Sarsfield a lhonneur de faire bien des complimens a Monsieur Adams et de luy envoyer la lettre qu’il lui a demandée pour du vin. Elle explique tout ce que Monsieur Adams a besoin de Savoir. Il voudra bien Ecrire a M De Piffon Martoret pour lui indiquer Son Correspondant a Bordeaux et prendre tous les autres arrangemens qu’il Jugera apropos. tous ces vins ne Sont dans leur perfection qu’au...
4059To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I this moment received the inclosed official letter , an answer to the one from me, of which I inclose a copy, and do myself the honour to forward it sir to you under a hope that it may meet you at Braintree before the copy of it reach the Secretary of State. I inclose in another letter a copy of it to him— as this is a duplicate by the same post through another hand. I had sent duplicates to...
4060To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 17 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
A few days since I did myself the honour of enclosing a few of the Nouvelles Politiques—& now have the pleasure of sending a few more. The papers afford a prospect of politics, of party & of events that gives me little to add. From all I can collect from private sources I certainly expect very soon a great explosion at Paris. The Directory have appealed in a degree to the Armies, & the armies...
4061To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 9 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
You will not be surprized, if your Young, neglectful, but it is hoped, remembered friend, Should think proper to Solicit, from his only, and early Patron, a continuance of favor—years it is true, of reproachful Silence, on My part, have been Suffered to pass, but no portion of them, as respects Yourself, has elapsed, without the exercise of the ardent, and affectionate duty, I have...
4062VII. Proposed Amendment to Article 9: A Translation, 29 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Article 9, in order to remove all difficulty, should be changed in the following manner. It is further agreed and concluded that it shall be wholly free for all merchants, commanders of ships, and other subjects and inhabitants of the contracting parties in every place, subjected to the jurisdiction of the two powers respectively, to manage themselves, their own business. And moreover, as to...
4063To John Adams from Samuel Allyne Otis, 8 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
With my hopes that you & your good Lady enjoy a good degree of health & spirits, & my best wishes for their continuance, I enclose a letter for Mrs Adams. I presume you have the papers regularly and of course all the news. We are frequently alarmed with earthquakes, and they have been preceeded & accompanied by numerous events out of the ordinary course of things You probably remember Col....
4064Richard Cranch to John Adams, 3 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
By Capt. Haydon who arrived here the day before yesterday I received a Pacquet of News-Papers and Pamphlets from you, also I received two other Pacquets by Capt. Brown a few Days ago, for which I thank you. I had however the mortification of not finding a Line in either of them from you or Mr. Thaxter. I have wrote you often but have not had the Happiness of receiving a Letter from you since...
4065To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 29 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I shall with pleasure obey the command contained in your letter of the 17th instant and shall accordingly inform the Governor that I am ready to proceed in the execution of the measure. With perfect respect and esteem / I have the honor to be / Sir / Yr Obed Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
4066From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 30 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 11th. instant I had the honour of inclosing you copies of letters relative to the Barbary affairs. Others came to hand three days ago, of some of which I now send you copies, and of the others the originals. By these you will perceive that Mr. Randall and Mr. Lamb were at Madrid, that the latter means to return to Alicant and send on a courier to us. Mr. Randall does not...
4067To John Adams from A. & J.W. Picket, 30 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
Considering you a patron of literature & science, & a well wisher to the general interest of education, the editors of the Academician, by this day’s mail, forward you the 1, 2 & 3 Nos. for perusal. Should you approve of the work, your signature as a subscriber & influence to make the work known would aid us very much in effecting the Object we have in view. With the greatest respect, / We...
4068To John Adams from Jacob Rahm, 3 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a large and general meeting of the Inhabitants of this Village and its Vicinity at Mr. Patrick Cochran’s Tavern on the 28th of April. Ulto. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted, as expressive of the Sentiments of each individual. Resolved, That such is the situation of the United States with respect to her foriegn relations – such has been the rectitude and wisdom of the...
4069To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your direction the papers which were laid before you respecting John Marsden Pintard Esqr. Consul of the United States for the Island of Madeira, including his own communications to you, have been committed to the Heads of Departments and Attorney General for their examination and consideration: and their opinions thereon I presume will be submitted to you immediately: by own I...
4070To John Adams from David Perry, 19 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Tho’ members of an infant Institution, and of little comparative weight in the political scale of the union, we feel for the interest of our country. It becomes every youth in whose breast there dwells the least principle of honor, to come forward calmly and boldly to defend his country. When we behold France, a great and powerful nation, exerting all their energy to undermine the vast fabrics...
4071Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
The weather is so extreemly cold that my Ink almost freezes whilst I write, yet I would not let a week pass without writing to you tho I have few occurrences to entertain you with; I received last saturday your two Letters one of the 12 and one of the 13th december; I have not yet had a Philadelphia paper. when the pamphlets are out containing the correspondence between the ministers I hope...
4072To John Adams from John Sinclair, 9 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
You will herewith receive the Diploma, to which you are entitled, as an honorary Member of the British Board of Agriculture, and which I am persuaded will be doubly valuable to you, as it will be delivered by the hands of the gallant Kasecusko, who has stopped in this Country for a few days in his way to America. It would be presumption in me to take the liberty of recommending him to your...
4073To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 17 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
None of yoúr Excellency’s favours to answer Since our Last of 2 Jann y . whereby we acquainted yoúr Excellency the Compleating of the £[₶]400/M Desired by M r: Grand at Paris. the drafts we paid of B o ƒ2200.— accepted by yoúr Excellency. and the distribútion of Obligations during the month of December. amounting to a Sum of ƒ24000.—. Having Since wrote to his Excellency Robert Morris Esq r....
4074To John Adams from Jonathan Dayton, 16 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have the honor to address you on the subject of the appointment to an office, created by an Act lately passed for the establishment of a general Stamp-office, & to recommend Mr. James Greenleaf for the same. As an accurate Accountant, no one can be better qualified to discharge the duties of this office, and as a man of probity, we have good reason to believe, & indeed have seen very...
4075To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 20 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am just arrivd here from London, and instead of personally waiting upon You I make so free as to send a messenger with this and its inclosure together with a few late News Papers. I have a matter of publick moment to mention to You; As well as to speak to a private affair of consequence to myself which will I think lead me in a very few days to Dr. F at Paris. My present purpose is to beg...
4076To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 12 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to you for yours of the 31st. which I received by Capt. Landais. You will have perceived by my last, that what you write relative to an application to Mr. Grand was what struck me upon reflection. Far from wishing to involve you with such People, I am clearly of opinion that it never will be for your honor or interest, or those of the public, to have any connection with them. The...
4077To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning been honored with your letter of the 13th. and will introduce in the 10th article the idea you have been pleased to suggest, in the instructions to Mr. King, to negociate a commercial treaty with Prussia. A copy of these instructions shall be transmitted to Mr. Adams at Berlin, with the fresh instructions you direct. Yesterday I received from our Consul at Gibraltar the...
4078Abigail Adams to John Adams, 19 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday yours of th 14 & 17 I am happy to learn that you are well, and hope the Senate will not be obliged to sit longer than tomorrow. I saw mr Jay last Evening. by the manner of his Speaking I thought he did not expect they would get up so soon. the Antis know not how to contain themselves, at the Secrecy of the Senate. they wish to be clamouring the whole time, and stand with...
4079To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed recd. Augt. 10. 1798. and forwarded by the President’s most obt. servant MHi : Adams Papers.
4080To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of July 16. and 18. came to hand the same day on which I had received Baron Thulemeier’s inclosing the ultimate draught for the treaty. as this draught, which was in French, was to be copied into the two instruments which Doct r. Franklin had signed, it is finished this day only. mr̃ Short sets out immediately. I have put into his hands a letter of instructions how to conduct...
4081To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 April 1807 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you the letter I mentioned in my last, from the person whom I supposed to be your son in law. The letter from his son has been mislaid. I have neither friend, nor Correspondent in new york of the name of Wm Smith except your son in law, and having never before seen his hand writing, and supposing he had dropt Ste his middle name of Stephens, I had no doubt of the letter coming from...
4082To John Adams from Jacob Wagner, 16 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letters, containing the applications of Messrs. Archibald Campbell and William Wilson for the office of Marshal for Maryland, I received since the last northern mail was closed. I have the honor to submit them to your consideration, and to be, / With the most perfect respect, / sir, / your most Obed. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
4083To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
At my last interview I mentioned to your Excellency my apprehensions that there were some influential characters in the United States, who, if a change of the constitution could not be effected in the first instance would endeavour to destroy the influence of the new government and make it subservient to the views of the different States I see no reason since to change my opinion but am rather...
4084To John Adams from John Bondfield, 20 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed we take the liberty to lay before you a letter we lately wrote to Doc. Franklin requesting his interest to obtain us leave from the Ministry to load our Vessels with the produce of this Kingdom to the French Islands on the same terms as Nationals for certain reasons we leave to your judgement to suppose we thought it prudent to write direct to the ministry thro the Channel of the Navy...
4085Elijah Adams to John Adams, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I embrace this opportunity to send, by Miss Hannah Adams, a copy of the genealogy of the family of Adamss according to your request. It is some years since I was requested by a number of respectable relations to prevent the genealogy from being lost; Accordingly I have been, for several years, collecting information from every source to make out the genealogy which I here exhibit to you. I...
4086To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Capt Little, covering Warrants for Saml Bullen Saml. G. Jerald } to be Midshipmen Jno G Norwood Edward Durant —Gunner James Potts —Boatswain James Howe —Carpenter These Gentlemen are recommended in a Letter just received from the Committee at Boston, & are intended for that Frigate, which I hope is on the eve of Sailing—Their Warrants, if you think...
4087Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
By Mr. Guile who is bound to Amsterdam and from thence to France, I embrace this opportunity of writing to you; and inquiring after your welfare. Mr. Guile was the Bearer from Mrs. Dana who received them, of the first Letters I received from you. I wish he may be the safe conveyer of mine to you. I have written to you various times since your absence, but have never had one direct conveyance...
4088To John Adams from William Cunningham, 6 May 1809 (Adams Papers)
I was duly favoured with yours of the 24th. ult. The species of sensibility excited by your Letters in March, are defined by the interest I take in whatever affects your repose, your happiness, and your just claims on the affection, confidence and gratitude of a Country reared under your paternal care. If it can be necessary to be more particular—they were the various and refined emotions...
4089From Stephen Hall to John Adams, 2 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
Permit me once more to ask your friendship on so probable a prospect of success, as I think I now have.— Gen l. Dearborn is chosen a Representative to Congress from the District of Maine. The Office of Marshal of consequence becomes vacant. I should like to fill the Office; and I think the President would willingly nominate me, if he should think of me. Your friendship therefore in the case...
4090To John Adams from Jean de Neufville, 2 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
This will reach yoúr Excellency at his levee, I make no apologie for not forwarding it sooner while by the time I left her, and being after supper reading for dissepation I received an Account of a tiding from Rússia, by which the Emperess offerd her mediation; if this should appear (in consequence of what yoúr Excellency was pleased to enforce upon my mind) countrary to the intrest of...
4091To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 4 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have no objection to your knowing that by the “great hammer of the earth” I meant Napoleon. George the 3rd: I believe to be the great hammer of the ocean. I consider them both as the scourges of the human race, and in the language of the souls under the altar, I feel disposed to cry day and night,—“how long—how long” O! Lord wilt thou suffer them to trample upon the rights of individuals and...
4092Abigail Adams to John Adams, 29 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
I received your two kind favours of 7 th & 12 of this Month. I have written to you regularly every week since you left me. we have not had any deep snow since the first in which you was caught upon the road. the greater part of that soon left us, & has been succeeded by two slight snows of a few inches depth. the weather has however been steadily cold & generally with a clear Sun shine. I find...
4093To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 19 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury most respectfully reports to the President of the United States That the facts stated in the Report of the Secretary of State dated Decb. 19th. 1799. in relation to the official conduct of John M. Pintard appear to be proved, and are in the opinion of the undersigned, of such a nature and tendency as render his removal from Office necessary. All which is...
4094To John Adams from John Rhea, 15 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Please to accept the inclosed Copy of a Circular letter, you will by it perceive that I am not with willing to have the Commerce of the united States subverted—. I am with great respect Your obt Sert MHi : Adams Papers.
4095To John Adams from Samuel Adams Wells, 10 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I intended, before this, to have done myself the honor of visiting you, personally to make my acknowledgments for the letter which you were so obliging as to furnish me to the President of the United States: but having been so much occupied since I received it, that I have not been able to do myself that pleasure. Permit me now, dear Sir, to return you my most grateful thanks for the kind and...
4096To John Adams from Anonymous, 15 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
We are a private Committe held at the Natchez on the 13th of June 1797 and beg leave to report as follows. !st That no Attention is or hath been paid by the Spaniards to the Treaty subsisting between America and Spain as they refuse to Evacuate any of the posts included in the Treaty, but contrariwise are repairing Rebuilding and fortifying such Posts. 2d The People of the Natchez do solicit...
4097To John Adams from John Lathrop, 30 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
As I have heretofore had the honour to request your acceptance of such Discourses as my people requested me to make publick, you will permit me to request your acceptance of the One delivered on the last Thanksgiving. I hope there is nothing in it that can give disquietude to a mind purely American ; and if it shall Serve in any measure to turn the thoughts of such as may read it from party...
4098From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Our instructions relative to the Barbary states having required us to proceed by way of negotiation to obtain their peace, it became our duty to do this to the best of our power. Whatever might be our private opinions, they were to be suppressed, and the line marked out to us, was to be followed. It has been so honestly, and zealously. It was therefore never material for us to consult together...
4099To John Adams from Vine Utley, 5 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of Sept. last came duly to hand; but I have neglected to answer it till this late period, being loath to put you to the trouble—of writing, me again, in your feeble and advanced period of life. However, as you have given me a partial history of your Physical habits, I take the liberty to request of you a little further, account, if you feel able for I consider such habits as yours,...
4100Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I was fearfull before I left Home of Such a Seige as has taken place. whatever else may be objected to the Treaty, that of a hasty decision cannot and ought not to be of the Number— as people are all alive upon the Subject, there are no doubt many Speaches put into the mouths of particular senators according to their former sentiments & opinions— one day we here of very warm Debates. an other,...