4351To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 14 December 1808 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 25th: found me, in the midst of parliamentary contest, which occupied me too intensely to admit of that early acknowledgment, which a deep sense of the honour, you have conferred on me, dictated. The battle has raged, with some warmth; and it has been my fate, to be in the hottest of it. Whether my exertions were as wise, as, I am sure, they were, well intended, I confess, I...
4352John Thaxter to John Adams, 19 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here last Evening at six oClock. This Morning We have a Sky and Air truly in the American Style. We have been to a Lecture, where many curious Experiments were made by the Professor of Medicine Mr. Horne. At four Clock We go to a Law Lecture. I have engaged two Rooms at fifteen Guilders per Month, in the same Lodgings with Mr. Waterhouse, whom I find very polite and attentive. On...
4353To John Adams from Hezekiah Niles, 26 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I am, indeed, gratified by the receipt of your letter of the 27th ulto. The approbation of those we ourselves reverence for their virtues, is, perhaps, the sweetest reward for our efforts to be useful. Only eleven volumes of the Weekly Register are yet finished. These may be forwarded, if you please, immediately to Boston, & can be easily sent to you, through Mr. Dawes, or by my agent there,...
4354To John Adams from William Cunningham, 11 January 1809 (Adams Papers)
The last letter, which I had the honour to receive from you, dated January 3d, I have before acknowledged. Permit me to remind you, that I have in expectation something farther from you, concerning the misnamed Aristides. I am perfectly ashamed to speak to you again of my Chathams, but it is unavoidable. The three concluding numbers, the printers refuse to publish. In two of them I had...
4355To John Adams from Rev. James Wilson, 12 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The only apology I can offer for troubling you is, that, I know, your highest gratification is to promote the welfare of the United States, over which you preside with so much wisdom and dignity. The annexed piece was written out for publication; but, as I am of opinion every good citizen ought to beware of unnecessarily agitating the public mind in such a government as ours, I anxiously...
4356From Henry Marchant to John Adams, 20 February 1792 (Adams Papers)
It is a long Time to me since I did myself the Honor and Pleasure of writing You. So unproductive a Correspondant as I had been, I was fearful would be thought to have taken up more than his Proportion of your important Moments. As some Excuse however I felt, I was confident, a Glow of sincere Friendship towards You, equal to any of the more agreable or beneficial.— I have been touched, and...
4357To John Adams from Arnauld de Laporte, with a Contemporary Translation, 4 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur Le Cte. D’orvilliers m’a renvoyé la lettre que vous lui avez ecrite au Sujet des Matelots Américains qui peuvent Se trouver à bord du Vaisseau le fier Rodrigue. Empressé d’aller au devant de tout cequi peut concerner le Service des Etats unis de L’Amérique, et particulierement de cequi peut être agréable à Votre Excellence, j’ai Sur le champ marqué au Capitaine du Vaisseau Le fier...
4358To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to your command, I have endeavoured to give to the important question you were pleased to suggest—Whether it would be proper for the President to recommend, in his speech to Congress, a declaration of War against France, all the consideration permitted by the shortness of time, & my own scanty means,—the result, I will now do myself the honor to lay before you. Knowing that this...
4359To John Adams from George Brinley, 20 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the honor to address a note to you under date of the 16th. Inst requesting permission to use part of your Letter to Col. Putnam—Since which I have recd. a Letter from Col. Putnam covering one to you which I forward; saying he had “presumed to make use of part of your Letter without your permission” As Col. Putnam has made use of it—(which I most sincerely hope will meet your...
4360To John Adams from Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 12 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
We duly received your most esteem’d favour of the 10th. of this month to us in particular, and to our Society with Messrs. Willinks and de La Lande & fynje. About the latter we’ll have a conversation this evening, and give your Exce. a proper answer probably to morrow. In the mean time we most humbly thank your Excellency in our particular for the kind assurances, which you are pleased to give...
4361To John Adams from Elisha Boudinot, 2 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I must beg the Liberty of introducing to your acquaintance, Capt. Harry G. Livingston of New York. He is a young Gentleman who has not been sparing of his Time nor fortune in the publick Service. He is recommended by the provincial Congress of New York as a Lieut. Colonel. There are few young Gentlemen better qualified than he is, as he has been indefatigable in acquiring the military Art...
4362From Winthrop Sargent to John Adams, 30 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
In the Belief that it may afford to you some Pleasure, I do myself the honour to enclose to you a Drawing of sundry matters collected from an old Grave in this Country—addressed as you will observe to my Friend M r Belknab of Boston— The Skull of the Body interred with them mouldered away upon being exposed to the Air, and a Part of the Thigh Bone Seems to me as antique as many which I have...
4363To John Adams from John George Jackson, 12 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter to Genl. La Fayette, has been occasioned by the recurrence of our national anniversary, & contains a printed copy of the Address I delivered on that day. If there be nothing improper in the request, and I assure you, that I cannot perceive its impropriety; I pray you to favor me with the facilities at your disposal, to ensure its safe conveyance to him. I send you a copy...
4364To John Adams from John M. Carter, 24 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I send you with this letter a copy of the 2d. edition of Arator, neatly bound, together with a Bill for the two other books I sent you & this; and as I shall not have an opportunity very speedily shortly to receive payment thro’ any agent in Boston, you will be pleased to avail your own convenience to make payment—either through any representative in Congress from your State, or otherwise.— I...
4365Baron Franz von Reischach to John Adams, 6 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Empressé à vous faire plaisir en toutes occasions, je n’ai point tardé a faire envers le Gouvernement General des Pais Bas de la domination de S. M té l’Empereur Roi, les demarches requises pour que non Seulement l’expres chargé de vos effets detenus à Bruxelles Soit imediatement remis en pleine liberté, mais aussi à ce que avantageat vos effets autant que faire se pouvoit quant aux droits de...
4366To John Adams from Charles Storer, 13 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
While I was at S t: Quentin the last Winter, I was admitted to see a very large manufactory of Looking-Glass— ’Twas a particular priviledge, and allowed to but very few—yet the Gentleman to whom it belonged allowed me to ask any question—reserving to himself, however, the right of not answering those which should be improper— There were several hundred men at work, and all being in their...
4367To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 17 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I take great pleasure in introducing to your acquaintance, Mr. David Hoffman, a distinguished Member of the Bar at Baltimore, who makes with his Lady a Summer excursion to our Section of the Union and will deliver you this Letter. I am dear Sir ever faithfully your Son MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
4368To John Adams from Anne-Louis de Tousard, 6 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Before I enter on the subject for which I have the honor of calling the attention of Your Excellency, I must apologize and ask your indulgence for intruding upon your far more important occupations. I trust, if any thing is amiss in this step, you will, by no means, attribute it to a want of respect; but rather excuse the Feelings of an Officer who, since the year 1765, has been brought up to...
4369To John Adams from Joseph Barrell, 24 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
I request the Liberty (in behalf of those who are engaged in the enterprize) to present to your Excellency a Medal which was struck to be distributed amongst the Natives on the North West Coast of America, and to commemorate the first American Adventure to the Pacific Ocean We have been carefull to Equip these Vessells in the very best manner, and that every Person on board Forty in number,...
4370C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 1 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Although I have had the honor to write to you since the favor of your letter of the 4th, I now realize that I did not adequately answer it. I have been unable to procure a copy of the dispatch from St. Petersburg because the plenipotentiaries insisted that it not be distributed. But, in substance, it contains 1. A convention proposed by the Empress of Russia whereby, with the five known...
4371To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 November 1807 (Adams Papers)
Much time has elapsed indeed, Since you have favoured me with your last Letters—and more, Since I dropt to you my last line—I do not plead another excuse than my particular Situation—Tho at times I was not in want of leisure, to acquit meself of an incumbent duty, but then mÿ mind was not often enough composed, and a numerous correspondence within and without this continent imposed imperiously...
4372Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 26 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
Yours of Sept. 5. I received the 13th. Instant and rejoice to hear that You are in the Enjoyment of that Family Felicity, which your Scituation heretofore necessarily prevented. The Powers which You have given and the Trust which You have committed to me are great. How well I shall execute them Time must determine. New Care and new Trusts have for some Years past been encreasing upon me , they...
4373To John Adams from Edward Cruft, 19 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Cruft and Myself have been very much gratifyed by your present of two Silver cans. & for which you will please accept our united thanks. and be assured Sir, this Valuable token will be held by us in lasting Remembrance of the donor.—We felt ourselves much honord & gratifyed by your Visit, and it will give us pleasure at all times if we can contribute to your happiness by making our house...
4374To John Adams from Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 17 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have found a little Inconvenience in having nobody here on the Spot, that I could call my Guardian. I spoke to Doctor Franklin of it who directed me to write to you and to inform you that if you would agree to it he would take me under his Care. I receiv’d the other Day a Letter from my Grandpappa in which he told me that my Father had sent you a large Remittance which if you receive and...
4375Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 October 1789 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your kind favour dated at Fairfield and am happy to find that you had advanced thus far with no greater inconvenience than Rocky Roads & a Blundering Servant I will take better care of his Horses than he appears to have done of his master, for the old Proverb was never more verified, what is every bodys buisness, is nobodys buisness, than in Roberts going of without your...
4376To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 22 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
We have received here with uncommon Pleasure the Accounts of the Success of your important Negotiations in Holland notwithstanding the Opposition and Traversings of a pow’rful British Party in that Country. By the last Vessel from France, which left Nants the Beginning of June, we are told, that the Independence of these States has been acknowledged by all the States of Holland, and your...
4377Encosure: Van Zeebergh’s Notes on the Dutch-American Treaty, 25 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Consideratien op Art. 22. & 23. van het project Tractaat tusschen Haar Hoog Mog. en de Vereenigde Staaten van America. Wanneer men den generaalen inhoud van die twee Artt. admitteerde, en dús van wegens Hún Hoog Mog. toegaf, dat dit geheele Tractaat in alle zyne Clausulen en Artt. nú en voor ’t vervolg verstaan zal moeten worden niet te contrarieren aan de Stipúlatien, voorkomende in de twee...
4378To John Adams from Richard Rush, 4 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Out of the circle of your own family, there are none who can feel more sorrow at the heavy affliction that has fallen upon you than we do here. We heard the melancholy news two days ago. “What exalted and long-tried excellence, exclaimed my wife, has gone to the tomb.” “As soon as my confinement was over,” she continued, “I had intended that my first letter, after one to my own mother, should...
4379To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 4 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favour of the 5th of Novr and the Enquiries relative to Vessels suitable to be armed, Commanders and Seamen to man the same, secure places for building new Vessels of Force &c. are important in their Nature, and to have the same effectually answered I propose to submit them as soon as may be to the Court that a Committee may be raised for obtaining the Facts from the Maritime...
4380To John Adams from the Comte de Vergennes, 30 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 21 de ce mois. Je me rappelle très bien de vous avoir dit que votre présentation seroit insérée dans la gazette de France; Mais d’après les informations que j’ai prises, je me suis convaincu que jamais les présentations, soit des ambassadeurs, soit des Ministres Plénipotentiaires, n’ont été annoncées dans notre...