4231Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
The young Gentleman who is the Bearer of this has acted for about 7 months in the capacity of preceptor to our children; I have mentiond him to you in former Letters, he is the son of the Revd Mr. Robbins of Plimouth, a Modest worthy Youth; under whose care our children improved greatly, which makes us very loth to part with him; but an opportunity presenting greatly to his advantage we could...
4232To John Adams from James Potter, 18 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
The undersigned having been appointed by the Subscribers to the inclosed Address to transmit it to your Excellency, perform that Task with peculiar Pleasure. At the same Time they conceive it to be proper to inform you, that as the Signers were collected from the different Parts of the County to attend the Court now sitting at this Place, & that as the Address received their hearty & unanimous...
4233To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 5 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I Expected to write to You By c ll franks, But as His departure Has Been daily differed, I will not delay Any longer My Hearty Wishes of an Happy New year to You, mr̃s Adams, mr̃s Smith, Your Sons, the Adoptive one I will write to By in Bye— May this New Year Afford You, and Your Worthy family and friends Every kind of Public and Personal Satisfaction! Had I Been less Acquainted With the forms...
4234[Jacob Beninghove’s Bill for Tobacco.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Adams To Jacob Beninghove s d To 1 Carrot pigtail Tobacco 2 6 To 6 lb. Cutt Do. @ 12d per lb. 6 0 To Earthen pott 0 4 8 10 M-Ar : vol. 210; accompanied by a duplicate; neither is receipted.
4235Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 28 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Not haveing anything worth troubling you with for sometime have been silent. The late Affair of Ticonderogia, makes us all sick. I have been of Opinion for sometime itt would have been best iff itt had been evacuated last spring and come down lower by which means the laboring Oar would have fell more on the Enemy, but to give itt up with such immence stores and charge we have been att, is...
4236To John Adams from George Washington, 23 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for giving me the perusal of the enclosed.—The details are interesting.—The Picture is well drawn;—and it is to be feared, too well founded in facts.—With very sincere esteem and regard / I am Your Obedt & / Affecte. NjP : DeCoppet Collection.
4237To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 6 October 1825 (Adams Papers)
You cannot Immagine the comfort your Letter of 22d Ultimo gave me I fear’d Indisposition had so far disabled you to dictate a Letter, as to leave me expossed to the contradictory accounts I now, & then had by transient visitors, who had heard from others something concerning your health; young Mr Quincy exceptd who gave me a more direct account of you, and since then thro’ Mr T P Davis who...
4238To John Adams from Benjamin Kent, 23 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
Our enemies, for their own further security, as well as to bring the town into the most complete dependence on the army and navy, spare no labor or pains; they suffer no owner of powder to take a single grain out of the town’s magazine, and there is none to be bought in the town. Two or three days ago, after the men of war had spiked up our cannon at the battery, they robbed us of six good...
4239To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 8 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
Shortly after we had the pleasure of paying you our respects under date of the 30 April, we were honor’d with your Letter of 2 Decem r: A.P.; for it’s contents we pray you to be assured of our Sincere thanks, & to do us the Justice to believe that we shall with pleasure embrace every opportunity that may present for cultivating our private Correspondence, that you express such a desire of...
4240To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 27 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just this Moment receivd your Excellencys Letter of the 23d. Instant, it Honors and flatters me much and is a fresh Proof of your Excellencys Partiallity for me. Your Wishes that I was better known to my Countrymen proceeds from your Goodness to me—I well Know that you have taken every pains in your Power, that I should be so, but whether they are acquainted with me or not I shall serve...
4241To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 5 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
In doing myself the honor to submit to your consideration the ideas contained in the inclosed paper, I feel myself obliged to assure you beg you to believe, that an anxiety for the public peace is my only motive. You will perceive, that if they are reasonable and just, they are of a nature, if true, too arouse afford to partizans both foreign and domestic, with the appearance of observation...
4242To John Adams from John Trumbull, 21 November 1776 (Adams Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing You last, I have conversed with my Father on the plan you proposed to me of going into the Service; and tho’ we were both very sensible of the kindness of your Offer, and should have preferred the Office You engaged to procure me to any other Post, I could have expected to obtain, yet he seemed averse to my joining the Army on any Conditions at present. He...
4243Michel Lagoanere to John Adams: A Translation, 26 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
I thought that I should postpone answering the letter of 18 December, which Your Excellency did me the honor to send, until I could give you an account of the success of my efforts in the execution of your orders. I neglected nothing, but am mortified to find that all my pains have been insufficient and it has been impossible to prepare things as promptly as Your Excellency wished for his...
4244To John Adams from James McHenry, 27 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
In a letter which I had the honour to write you dated the 22d inst. I submitted the names of Messrs. Tracy and Badger for Lieutenancies in the Regiment commanded by Lt. Colonel Taylor. I received this morning the inclosed letter from the honourable Mr. Tracy, by which it would appear, that one of these gentlemen may answer better for the Provisional army, and that it is doubtful whether the...
4245To John Adams from John Williams, 20 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
When the dispute between America & the English ministry, first commenced; I summon’d a meeting of Americans and planters, in order to frame a petition against the measures, then agitated; it was sign’d by us and presented to each branch of the Legislature— after the war broke out, I wrote to the People of England under the signature of the Man of Ross, & inforced the doctrine of peace, and...
4246To John Adams from Rev. Horace Holly, 30 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 28th was handed to me yesterday. That, which you did me the honor to write to me at Lexington, went thither in the mail and returned before I received it. I should have answered it immediately, had I not intended every day to get an early opportunity to make you a visit at Quincy. My wishes on this subject have been controled by the series of preparations which I have been...
4247To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 10 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I Hope this will meet you in good Health at Nantes and that you will find every thing there Agreable to your Wishes. By the Mail from England we learn Lord Norths Plan for raising the Money already voted. 1stly. a Surcharge of 5 per Cent on the Amount of all the Articles of the Duties of Excise and Customs, except, Beer, Soap, Candles and Hides *2dly. 9d. per Stage for last Horse in Post...
4248To John Adams from John Stockdale, 20 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
(domestic News) I have received by the packet some Medals inclosed in a Letter directed for You for which I paid 16/8 & shall not open it til I receive Your instructions I this day received a Basket sealed up & directed for You, as I suspected it was some sort of Game I resolved in the presence of D r. John Jebb to commit an act of felony & break the Seals, with an intent for D r. Jebb to seal...
4249To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the President’s Letter of July 22d:—The Commission for Colo. Smith as Surveyor of the Port of New York was received and directed by me to be transmitted soon after my arrival at this place—His acknowledgment of the Commission was received about ten days since.— Presuming that it was the President’s intention that the usual commission of Inspector of the Revenue...
4250To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose, a submission to the Heads of Departments, in conformity with your letter of the 19th of June Ulto, and the answers thereto dated the 3d. 6th and 9th of July inst. I shall only observe, that it appears from the files of the proceedings of courts martial—during our revolutionary war, that the practice was not uniform, to mention on the face of the proceedings, the...
4251To John Adams from Thomas Brand Hollis, 26 August 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am desired by Mr J Cartwright, whom I beleive you know by his writings, a firm honest & inflexible man in the cause of Freedom & a sincere friend to the true interests of America, by him I am requested to introduce two young men to some persons in America it occurred to me that your disposition & situation in life might be of service to them, Mark & Robert Denison. Their Father “Mr Denison...
4252To John Adams from Stephen Temple, 19 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Impressed with the importance of union in sentiment and action at the present momentous crises of Public Affairs, We the second Battalion of the Militia of Prince George think it our duty to come forward with assurances of our cordial approbation of every measure you have adopted to preserve peace and restore a good understanding with the French Republic— Warmly attached to the cause of...
4253To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 4 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit herewith a Letter from the Comptroller of the Treasury dated the Second instant, with the Abstract required by the fourth section of the Act entitled “An Act relative to the Compensations of certain Officers employed in the Collection of the duties of Import and Tonnage” passed February 14th. 1795.— I have the honour to be / With perfect respect / Sir, / Your...
4254To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 8 October 1810 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a small publication which contains an account of a new auxillary or palliative remedy for madness. It will serve perhaps be acceptable to some of your medical friends. You will I have no doubt amuse yourself and your fire side by wishing that it could be applied for the relief of napoleon,—George the third, and all the mad federalists & democrats in our country.— From Dear Sir /...
4255To John Adams from Archibald Henderson, 18 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
We beg leave to recommend William Lee Alexander Esquire of North Carolina as a person highly qualified to fill the office of Circuit Judge and to express a wish that this Appointment May be conferred upon him We have the honor to be / with great respect / your Mo Obedt / humble Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
4256Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 17 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
It is with the greatest pleasure that I will forward your correspondence, and that I accept the offers you so kindly extend to me and which perfectly match our Minister’s views. I can assure you of his pleasure in giving his approval to publish in the Mercure everything that shall come from such a good pen. And you must rest assured that your name will be kept a secret from all except the...
4257To John Adams from Thomas Mifflin, 5 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur Weibert who was orderd by Congress to this Post has requested me to apply in his Behalf to you for Rank and pay in our Army; and has desird me to give you my Opinion of his Conduct and Services. Monsieur Weibert is in my Opinion a Gentleman of much Knowledge in his profession. He has been very, attentive to the perfecting this post and has never absented himself One Hour from his Duty...
4258To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, 1 January 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 30 Nov came to hand last Evening for which I most sincerely thank you. I wrote to you the 15: Nov. which I hope you have received. Your Observations of the Necessity of establishing a respectable Army are in my Judgment Very Proper. Congress have impowered Genl. Washington to raise 16 Battalions in Addition to those Already granted and 3,000 Cavalry. Also have given the...
4259To John Adams from Anthony Mylius, 6 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Whereas the happy Moment is arrived that the united States of America are or in Short shall be acknowledged as Free and Independent by the States of these United Provinces, and that in Consequence thereof a Treaty of Commerce, Trade and Navigation is to be made between the aforesaid States, by which the Commerce, Trade and Navigation shall increase and florish more and more, And as different...
4260To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the enclosed letter and address. General Badgley of Hampton, lives near Baltimore, is one of the wealthiest men in the state of Maryland, and at the same time, influential and respectable. With the sincerest attachment / and respect, I am Sir / your faithful & / obt. st. Perhaps you may remember my putting an address into your hands the day before you left Philada to which...
4261Charles Adams to John Adams, 4 June 1796 (Adams Papers)
The canvass of the votes for Senators for this district and for Members of Assembly to Represent the City of New York was finished yesterday by the Statement I send you herewith you will perceive that the politics of this State have begun to run in a vigorous stream in the proper channel. M r Burr is by this time pretty well convinced that his popularity is much less than he had fondly...
4262To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed copy of a letter to the Accountant for the department of War, dated the 11th: instant, with his answer of the same date, is respectfully submitted for your consideration. I have been induced to make this representation from the Accountant’s having refused to countersign a Warrant drawn by me agreeably, as I conceived, to my powers, and the practice of the Office; of the general...
4263To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
If Capt. Talbott persists in declining the Command of the Constitution—I presume Capt. Sever will be quite equal to that service. For my own part, I have thought very highly of him, from his correspondence, and Capt. Murray informs me, that there was hardly a Vessel in our service, where better discipline was kept up than in the Herald, which he attributed in a great degree, to the good...
4264To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that there has lately been published in the Boston Gazettes, a letter signed “Timothy Pickering”, addressed “to P Johnston Esqr of Prince Edward County, (Virginia,) dated the 29th of September last; wherein Mr Pickering, speaking of the dispatches of the Envoys, says, “that Mr. Tallyrand affects an utter ignorance of the person, designated in the dispatches, by...
4265To John Adams from Elias Boudinot, 17 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
Mrs: Bradford & myself arrived here on friday Evening last—among the principal Objects we had in View in this long Journey, the honor of waiting on Mrs. Adams & your self was one. As the distance is so considerable, and the disappointment would be great, should you be from home, will you be so kind as to drop one a line by the Post, to let us know if you will be at home, the begining of the...
4266To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 12 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your letter which you were so good as to write to me, yesterday—& beg leave to assure you that I feel in the approbation which you have been pleased to bestow upon my letters a great reward, Sir, at least, most anxious moments, & zealous endeavours in the service of my country—The times in my view of things, have been, & still continue tremendous—They will Sir be...
4267To John Adams from James Bowdoin, 11 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
In addition to the papers I sometime ago sent you, relative to the encroachments made upon our Eastern boundary by our Neighbours of New Brunswick, I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency copies of other Letters & papers upon the same subject— By Mess rs. Smith & Bowles’s Deposition it appears, that the Province of New Brunswick is by its Charter bounded on the Western shore of...
4268To John Adams from Samuel Codman, 15 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr S. Codmans Respects to the President of the United States, and takes the liberty to inclose two Letters to the Secretary of State on the Subject of the Capture of his & mr Head’s property by the Spaniards , & French, when Mr Codman had the honour to see the President at quincey he mentioned there circumstances & the President was so good as to say if mr. C. would leave the Letters with him...
4269To John Adams from Nathaniel Whitaker, 18 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
a destrest person takes this opportunity to write to You, pleading an excuse, for so doing. I have serv’d the United State to the best of my abilityes in procureing the Condemnation of the Ship Niac which has ben imploy’d in the Slave traid & by which a considerable sum accrues to the United States and not being intitled by existing Laws to any compensation for my exurtions I have by advice of...
4270To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 19 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May we thank Yoúr Excellency for the Obligations she was so kind as to retúrn ús by Mr. Thaxter. The best way we foúnd to remedy the doúble númbers we have send to yoúr ExcellencŸ, would be that Mr. Thaxter númberd oúrs again conformably in Cifer under oúr written númbers, and signd them. We had the honoúr to forward yoúr Excellency; No. 21 to 30, those may easily be Alterd in the Cifers we...
4271Charles Adams to John Adams, 29 May 1793 (Adams Papers)
It is with great pleasure I hear that my brother is appointed to speak the town Oration, on the fourth of July next. It would give me infinite satisfaction to hear him, but as I cannot, I request a few copies if they can be procured, as soon as they appear in print. Confined as he must be, by the shackles which are, I think erroniously, imposed upon those who have this duty to perform; I have...
4272To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 28 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
Vous aurez reçu aujourd’hui, par un Courier de Mr. l’Amb. de f ce. parti Samedi 24 e après dîner ma Lettre du 24 e. , qui est de la derniere importance pour ceux de la part de qui je l’ai écrite, & sur laquelle ils languissent de recevoir votre réponse, parce que l’effet qu’ils s’en promettent est seul capable, à leurs yeux, de réparer l’énorme & impardonnable faute (c’est l’expression adoucie...
4273To John Adams from Pelatiah Webster, 13 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I Take this opportunity Just to advise You that if Your Congress will Appoint Capt. Job Prince (the Father) to the Command of one of the Continental frigates, he will Accept. His Great Abilities as A Seaman and Long Experience both in Mercantile and War Vessels Make no sort of Recomendation Necessary to You Who have Long known him as a foremost Man in the Character of an Able Seaman &c. His...
4274To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
I delay’d to write you a few lines—to congratulate you cordially on the happy arrival of the 30th of Oct—and join your Relatives and frends in celebrating the anniversary of your 89 Birthday fostering the hope, that before this time I might have Seen a happy desired conclusion in our Legislature—with regard to the Presidential election—But the caucus-cabal thus far disappointed me in my ardent...
4275To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 14 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am honored by your letters of the 7th and 8th instant. The satisfaction which you are pleased to express at my acceptance of the mission, is the most flattering circumstance of my political concerns. I have taken passage in the ship Union for Rotterdam, & expect to sail in ten days; having notified Mr Pinckney by two vessels which are to sail this day & tomorrow, of this circumstance, & of...
4276To John Adams from John Thaxter, 28 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
At the last Term of the Supreme Judicial Court held at Ipswich came upon Trial the Celebrated Cause of John Murray vs the Inhabitants of Gloucester— (This Murray is known by the Name of Salvation Murray, to contradistinguish him from another of the same Name, who preaches a very opposite Doctrine, and is known by the Name of Damnation Murray.) M r. Murray about a twelvemonth agone brought an...
4277To John Adams from Samuel Allyne Otis, 5 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
I am hurt by your unexpected & I think unmerited resentment this morning, for I had not the most distant intention to give offence So many reflections have passed on the expenses of my office, I have redoubled my exertions to keep them as moderate as the nature of business will permit. I did accordingly at the close of the last Session agree with Mr. Heysham to bring up the business of the...
4278To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 July 1806 (Adams Papers)
At lenght I take again mÿ pen, to assure you of the high respect, with which I am So fortunate to feel mÿ bosom glow for the un-appreciated blessings, which you have bestowed on a dear an ungrateful Countrÿ, for the kindness, which with you continue to honour your old frend—and what less can I return to the man, of whom a Washington declared, that none could more cordially than himself approve...
4279To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 27 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of Writing your Exc y: under the 26 ult o. Giving a Short Explaination of the Commerce of this place and its connections with the Northeren States. I also took the Liberty of Requesting a few lines of Introduction to Some of the Merchants your friends in Boston Marble Head Salem, &c, by which Means we May facillitate and Augment Very Much The fish Tread in that Quarter Being...
4280To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 28 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
My Commission of Governor of the Territory of the united States north west of the Ohio will expire on the 9th. day of next month. A considerable time ago, I informed the late President that it was my intention to decline being appointed again, which he may probably have communicated to You. Various causes (but particularly a broken Constitution and a broken Fortune, both of them expended in...