4261To 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...
4262To 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...
4263To 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...
4264To 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...
4265To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 15 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Sans vouloir rien opposer aux bonnes raisons que vous donnez dans votre faveur du 12e. pour la prompte publication de la Résolution du Congrès, j’aurois voulu au moins avoir pu pourtant la différer d’un ordinaire, pour les raisons que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous dire: et la Copie imprimée que vous avez, eût été un garant suffisant pour la démarche que j’aurois faite, pour vous faire entrer dès à...
4266To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
When a young man I read Sidney upon government. In one of his Chapters, he agitates the following question—“Whether A civil War, or slavery be the greatest evil” and decides in favor of the Latter. In ing and revolving that Subject in my mind, I have been led to suppose there are evils more afflicting and injurious to a Country than a foreign War. The principal evil of War is death. Now Vice I...
4267Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I could not omit so favourable an opportunity as the present of writing you a line by Mr. Warren who is upon his travells, and tis not unlikely may take France in his way. I know the welfare of your family so essential to your happiness, that I would improve every means of assureing you of it, and of communicating to you the pleasure I have had in receiving every Letter you have written since...
4268To John Adams from Balthasar Elias Abbema, 11 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Je Serois bien flatté, Si j’etois le premier a Vous informer, que les Etats de la Prove. d’Utrecht ont pris hier unanimement la Resolution de concourir avec les Autres Provinces à Votre admission, comme Ministre Plenipot. du Congres des Prov. Unies de l’Amer ique; Je viens d’en recevoir la nouvelle de Mon frere, Membre du Tiers Etat de la dite Province: Je profite toujours de cette occasion...
4269To John Adams from Joseph Gales, Jr., 26 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
Hereto adjoined is a copy of a Circular, which we have addressed to each Member of both Houses of Congress. The work therein suggested, we consider important to the public; and further, feel little anxiety for the result.—We deem it respectful to trouble you with our views on the subject, as if the work be undertaken, we shall ask with confidence your advice and direction as to the authorities...
4270To John Adams from Pseudonym: "An Unfortunate Misled Man", 18 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
There is very generally, so little attention paid to anonymous letters, that I have little to hope; but the present occasion to is so unprecedented, that I cannot avoid giving way to the impulse of the moment, and have therefore acted accordingly. Conscious of the rectitude of my intentions, and convinced that I am barely doing my duty, I feel little repugnance at betraying the horrid designs...
4271To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 14 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Ce matin le Concert avec la France, et la Mediation ont été résolus aux Etats d’Hollde en même temps. C’est une Singuliere Cuisine qui peut assaisonner, et un singulier Estomac qui peut avaler et digérer des choses si peu compâtibles. La Médiation est acceptée saufs les droits de la rep. à la neutralité armée; selon la resolution, on doit aussi donner connoissance de la Négociation pour la...
4272To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 7 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
In your favor of 26th November last, you say “that you venture to say that about a third of the people of the Colonies were against the Revolution.” It required much reflection before I could fix my opinion on this subject; but, on mature deliberation, I conclude you are right, and that more than a third of influential characters were against it. The opposition consisted chiefly of the...
4273From Timothy Dwight to John Adams, 24 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have been some time employed in writing a poem, entitled Greenfield Hill ; of a rural character; in a degree descriptive; but principally didactic. In it, beside several other subjects, are treated the subjects of slavery, war, the state of society public & private, in New England, the education of children, religion, economy of private life, & the policy of this country. It is written, in...
4274To John Adams from Daniel Morgan, 23 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
This will be handed to you by Robert Page esquire who succeeds me in Congress for the District composed of Frederick & Berkeley Counties; who I beg leave to introduce to you as a gentleman. He is a man of real information and a great supporter of the happy Government we live under, and I dare say you will find Mr. Page on further acquaintance worthy of your confidence. I hope you continue...
4275To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 21 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it not displease yoúr Excellency that by this present we tútch upon the unhappy afair of St. Eústacia, we do realy pity them who will be loosers thereby, as it will be a terrible stroke and rúin many people, thank heaven oúr own loss and that of oúr frinds can not be by farr so great in this moment then it could have been; and we would willingly have sacrificd a múch larger Súmm in Case we...
4276To John Adams from David Sewall, 27 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
It is some time since, I Wrote you, and I some times think I am culpable in not doing it more frequently, But my Apology to my self is, that it operates as a Tax upon your politeness, for a reply,—Be this as it may, you may be assured that seldom a Day passes, but I think of you, and it will afford me real pleasure to hear from you.—This World is yet in a troubled State—and in much confusion...
4277To John Adams from George Washington, 1 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed from Mr Joel Barlow (though of old date) came to my hands only yesterday.— I have conceived it to be my duty to transmit it to you without delay;—and without a comment;—except that it must have been written with a very good, or a very bad design:—which of the two, you can judge better than I.—For, from the known abilities of that Gentleman, such a letter could not...
4278From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 6 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners of the treasury have given notice to Willincks and Van Staphorsts that they shall not be able to remit them one shilling till the new government gets into action; and that therefore the sole resource for the paiment of the Dutch interest till that period is in the progress of the last loan. Willincks & V.S. reply that there is not the least probability of raising as much on...
4279To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 30 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
We congratulate Your Excellency on the happÿ conclusion of Peace wishing all possible advantage to America wh ch. can proceed of so fortunate an event. in the beginning of this month we had the honour to hand to your Excellencÿ the abstract of His acc t. Curr t. the ballance of wh ch. in our favour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ƒ 4787:11:8. we transferred in new acc...
4280To John Adams from Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, 15 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Jacta est Alea. We are passing the Rubicon and our Delegates in Congress on the first of July will vote plump. The Bearer is a staunch Whigg and will answer any Questions You may need to ask. Have been very busy here and have stole a Minute from Business to write this. In haste Yours, RC ( Adams Papers ); docketed: “J.D. Sergeant. June 15. 1776.” The die is cast. On 22 June the Third...
4281To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I yesterday received Dispatches from Congress, refusing for the present, the Dismission I had requested, and ordering me upon an Additional Service, that of being join’d with yourself and Messrs. Jay, H. Lawrence and T. Jefferson, in Negociations for Peace. I would send you a Copy of the Commission, and of another which authorizes us to accept...
4282To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your’s of the 10 th. inst. and am happy to hear of the success of your journey to Amsterdam. there can be no doubt of it’s ratification by Congress. would to heaven they would authorize you to take measures for transferring the debt of this country to Holland before you leave Europe. most especially is it necessary to get rid of the debt to the officers. their...
4283To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Mr Sewell—and my answer, to be forwarded, if it meets with your approbation. I have consulted the heads of Departments on this subject, but the opinions are so various, that I could only write give my own to Mr Sewell. Coll. Pickering thinks the convoy ought to be granted.—But there is scarcely a considerable port in Europe, to which...
4284C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 28 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to answer briefly in poor English, your favour of the 11 th. inst. An Ideot, no.—à Lunatick, may be for what I know.— With me, and other plain people, the character is that of a bad man, near to become a Madman by disappointment. I am not misinformed, concerning the pretended principle and motive of a certain metaphysical Distinction. The nonsense I told you has been really alledged...
4285To John Adams from William Vernon Sr., 22 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The above of the 2nd. Oct. via Portsmouth by the Dutchess of Grammount Capt. Poidras. This is only to inclose a Letter for my Son, which I beg the delivery of, and to inform you of the Arrival of the Ships, Providence, Boston and Ranger at Portsmouth the 17th. Instant. The dispatches for Congress &c. are all forwarded as directed. Those Ships have Captured only Three small Prizes since they...
4286To John Adams from Daniel Eldridge Updike, 1 August 1806 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Schooner Ocean Capt: Richard Barney Arrived at this Port from Barbadoes via Turks Island, in which Vessel came passenger Doctr. John Kean of Philadelphia, late Surgeon of the Ship Leander, formerly commanded by Capt. Lewis of New York, Doctor Kean informs me that on the 20th of last June he left the Son of Collo. Smith of New York on board the Leander with General Miranda at...
4287John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 20 March 1804 (Adams Papers)
A letter is now reading from Captain Bainbridge, with an account of the loss of the frigate Philadelphia, wreck’d on rocks on the coast of Tripoli—the last week in October— They were in pursuit of a Tripolitan Cruizer, and struck on rocks, not laid down in any Chart they had on board — Captain Bainbridge and 307 men, are prisoners in Tripoli.— I have already seen an account of this misfortune...
4288To John Adams from Campbell Smith, 17 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
My particular Situation will I trust plead my apology for this indirect channel of approach—Will you oblige me by directing the Secretary of War to suspend any operation upon my Letter of Resignation, addressed to Major General Pinckney, untill the arrival of Brigadier General Wilkinson, who is, I am informed, shortly expected in this quarter, or untill the state of my case shall have been...
4289To John Adams from John Brown, 24 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
The Federalest of this State are very much Alarmed that the Tunnage Act should be as is generly Supposed to be put in force Immediately on all Vessells of this State, tho the produce of the State may go Free of Impost, the Federalests are allso further Agreaved by a Law of this State which makes them First pay a Contenentell Impost hear in Spetia, which will not Exempt them from the payment,...
4290To John Adams from James Lovell, 7 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your many Letters to Congress up to June 2d. have been read with Pleasure and I have received two from you—March 16. 29 received July 20th. Mr. Lee is not yet in Philada. perhaps he may have another for me. You will not learn any agreable Things respecting your native Country. However, the defeat of Genl. Gates on the 16. of Augst. was not so bad as we at first had reason to think. Perhaps...