4231From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 23 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
By some means or other it would seem that one of my Letters to you have been lost—perhaps you had better enquire at the Post Office—I answered you immediately after you wrote about the desk and recommended you to take the one offered by Louisa Smith—I send you the dates of my Letters that you may ascertain whether any of them are missing 11th. 22d 29th March 18th and 23d April 24th. & 25th of...
4232From John Jay to John Adams, 16 January 1789 (Jay Papers)
You will recieve this at a Moment, when you will again find yourself surrounded by your amiable Family— it is a pleasing Circumstance, and I congratulate you on the occasion. We are much obliged to M rs . Adams for having honored us tho for a little while with her Company— it has confirmed the Esteem which her Character had inspired.— If wishes were not vain, I should wish you all well settled...
4233To John Adams from James Sullivan, 16 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have neglected writing to you perhaps more than I Should have done had I not supposed that your Numerous correspondents had become a burden to you. indeed our Country has afforded but little lately to write upon. I have been here seventeen days on a mission to settle by a way of Compromise with the State of N York a Controversy between our Commonwealth and them respecting the Western...
4234To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 7 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Three long and dangerous illnesses within the last 12. months must apologise for my long silence towards you. The paper bubble is then burst. this is what you & I, and every reasoning man, seduced by no obliquity of mind, or interest, have long foreseen. yet it’s disastrous effects are not the less for having been foreseen. we were laboring under a dropsical fulness of circulating medium....
4235To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 29 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Dans ma Lettre d’hier il y a une erreur qui doit être redressée. Ce n’est point parce qu’on attend un Courier de Petersbourg, que le Manifeste n’a pas encore été publié, mais parce que les villes d’Amsterdam et de Dort ne sont point contentes de celui qui est dressé, ne le trouvent pas assez fort, et veulent qu’on en fasse un autre. Voilà la seule raison qui a retardé celui-ci; et l’on en fera...
4236Abbé Gabriel Bonnot de Mably to John Adams, 25 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
je réponds bien tard, Monsieur, à la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 14 de ce mois; c’est que j’esperois de vous porter moi même ma réponse. je me suis flatté de cette douce esperance, mais de jour en jour la fortune à rompu nos projets. Tantot le temps a été trop détestable pour oser se mettre en route, et tantot M rs les Abbes de Chalut, arnoux et moi nous avons été...
4237To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 September 1825 (Adams Papers)
It is a very long time my dear venerated father since I have written to you; but the events of yesterday were altogether so interesting I cannot refrain from giving you an account of them— The genl in his travels through this Country has been so much the publick idol, and the devotion of the people has been continued with so much fervour until the last moment of his residence among us, he...
4238C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
You will have seen from today’s supplement to the Gazette de Leyde that I followed your instructions to the letter and had the extracts concerning Mr. Laurens inserted. Only the last two or three lines, where White-Eyes is charged with the ignominious treatment inflicted upon Mr. Laurens, have been omitted, for including them would have risked exposing ourselves. Moreover, I am very grateful,...
4239To John Adams from John Sanderson, 24 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have addressed to you, by the Post office, the first no. of the “Biography &c. ” —of which I have now hazarded the publication; & which I beg the favour of you to accept, with my grateful acknowledgements, at the same time, for your kind attention to my former letter. This vol. has been hurried into the world but “half made up”, to meet the conveniences of printers & publishers. It has been...
4240To John Adams from C.W.F. Dumas, 15 November 1789 (Adams Papers)
Après avoir présenté à Votre Excellence, dans une précédente, l’expression de mes sentimens sur son élevation au Poste éminent qu’Elle occupe, permettez, Monsieur, qu’en les confirmant j’y ajoute aujourd’hui de nouvelles félicitations sur les dignes Coopérateurs au bien public, qu’Elle vient d’acquérir par la nomination aux Postes éminents de Secretaire d’Etat, Chef de Justice, & Trésorier gen...
4241To John Adams from Alexander Gillon, 12 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Fever having confind me to my lodgings some days, debar’d me of the pleasure of waiting on your Excellency, and of making a Verbal instead of A written application to you in behalf and for the use of the State of South Carolina. Your Excellency has been partly a Witness to the unavoidable delays I have met with here, proceeding from a three months spell of Easterly winds and not sufficient...
4242To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, 20 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
I feel myself much gratified, and highly honoured, by the sympathy which you express with me on account of my sufferings in the riot at Birmingham. The same malignant spirit, fostered by our governors, is much more prevalent now than it was then, and shews itself in almost every part of the kingdom, so that I begin to fear the most serious evils from it. Nothing has yet been done towards our...
4243To John Adams from Henry Grand, 20 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour of your last Letter to which the least return was a quiker aknowledgement of thanks for its particular civil contents; and I should certainly not have been deficient in that respect had it not been for the Settlement of a part of your Madeira Wine which I let a friend have, for you may well suppose that no man in the World, lett him have been ever so sincere a Wel Wisher...
4244To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
That I may prove to you and my Dear Mrs Adams, the high estimation of the value I attach to the picture you have confided to my care—I sent immediately for a blacksmith, and had an Iron fender made to go round the lower part, as a protection from the careless brush, of the House maid, or the incautious foot of those who might otherwise wish to come too near it—The room is every day aird, and...
4245To John Adams from John Taylor, 10 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the time when the contest for the Presidency, produced a general discussion relative to the political opinions of the gentleman proposed for that office, I mentioned to Genl. Lee a conversation I had with you in the Senate chamber some years past, and he now calls upon me for a statement of what I then said. I think there would at this time be an impropriety, in giving it, except for the...
4246To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
The same Opinion of your Abilities and Zeal for our country which made me rejoice in your accepting of an embassy to France, leads me to rejoice with most of your countrymen in your Safe return to your native Shores. I am sure you cannot be idle nor unconcerned ’till the Vessel in which our All is embarked is safely moored. We stand in greater Need than ever of men of your principles. You may...
4247To John Adams from John Browne Cutting, 29 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
Doctor Edwards the bearer of this letter, is a native of Pennsylvania, late a member of the legislature—and Convention of that Commonwealth and one of the district Judges. He came to Europe with such good letters of introduction—as few of our citizens bring—: his pursuits have led him to traverse every part of this Island and to cultivate an acquaintance with the territorial Aristocracy of it:...
4248Elbridge Gerry to John Adams, 16 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Here I am after a six Months Session at Annapolis, on my Way to Massachusetts, & altho my Opposition to the same System in America, which you have opposed in Europe, has perhaps rendered me equally obnoxious here to the aristocratic Party, yet I assure You the Pleasure resulting from a Reflection on the Measures adopted by Congress, overballances every trifling Consideration of the loss of...
4249To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 7 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
your truely affectionate Letter of the 27th ultimo met me at this place by last mail, and I use the return of the same, to make my acknowledgemts of gratitude, with reciprocations of Sentim e nt for the tender and flattering Interest you express for the recovery of my health, which has been very seriously deteriorated by the last inroad made upon it— I do assure you my Dear Friend, I feel most...
4250Abigail 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...
4251To 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...
4252To 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...
4253[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.
4254Isaac 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...
4255To 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.
4256To 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...
4257To 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...
4258To 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...
4259To 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...
4260To 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...
4261To 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...
4262Michel 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...
4263To 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...
4264To 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...
4265To 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...
4266To 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...
4267To 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...
4268To 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...
4269To 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...
4270To 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...
4271To 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...
4272To 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...
4273To 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 /...
4274To 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.
4275Edmé 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...
4276To 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...
4277To 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...
4278To 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...
4279To 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...
4280Charles 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...