4401From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 8 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your Number 2. June 30th. Number 3 and your June 8th. without number. I am Sorry you did not number this. See with what punctuality your Father numbers all his Letters, and consider the great Advantage of this practice, both to yourself and your Correspondent. Your June 8th is the production of an attentive mind, awake to the novel Sceens and great Objects around you. The Monument...
44021775 Septr. 18. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning John McPherson Esq. came to my Lodging, and requested to speak with me in Private. He is the Owner of a very handsome Country Seat, about five Miles out of this City: is the Father of Mr. McPherson, an Aid de Camp to General Schuyler. He has been a Captain of a Privateer, and made a Fortune in that Way the last War. Is reputed to be well skilled in naval Affairs.—He proposes great...
4403John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to find by your late Letter what indeed I expected to hear, that my Farm wants manure. I fear by your Expressions that your Crop of Hay falls short. But, there has been an Error in our Husbandry in which We have been very inconsiderate and extravagant, that is in pasturing the Mowing Ground. This will ruin any Farm. The true Maxim of profitable Husbandry is to contrive every Means...
4404From John Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 26 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
As the best speech in favor of a naval Arm of defence, next to that of Mr Loyd, that was ever made in Congress, at least the best that I have ever read was made by yourself I beg leave to present to you, a first essay towards an history of the rise and progress of an American maritime military power. As I consider a naval power essential, to the preservation of our liberties and independence...
4405From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 1 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
having understood with much anxiety and Concern the unfortunate and critical situation of Public affairs in your Republick and particularly in Amsterdam, and considering the Accidents that may Happen, it has appeared to me most safe and Prudent both for the Public and for you as well as myself that the Money you have on Hand or may receive Should be lodged in the Bank of Amsterdam at least...
4406To John Jay from John Adams, 28 November 1781 (Jay Papers)
I had the Honour to write you, on the 26 instant by the Post a Conveyance which I am determined to try, untill I am certainly informed of its Infidelity, in which Case, I will ask the favour of the French or Spanish Ambassador, to inclose my dispatches. I received by the last Post, a Duplicate of Dispatches from Congress the originals of which I received some time ago. I presume you have rec d...
4407From John Adams to Martha Laurens, 1 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I was last Evening, favoured with your Letter from Vigan of the fourteenth of November, and am very much obliged to you, for writing to me, upon this occasion, a Letter, which notwithstanding your modest and amiable Apologies does the highest Honour, to the Taste and mental Accomplishments of the Writer, and to the Virtues of a Daughter worthy of my excellent friend President Laurens. Believe...
4408From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 21 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have been as Civil to Mr Lane who brought me your letter of 26. As I could. He dined with me and I was much pleased with him— I am sincerely grieved at your long continued indisposition, What can I do to restore your health—If you come to the Convention, as I hope you will; That I think will Cure you—For wrangling and Contention exhilarates the Spirits and Animates the Body—You will have...
4409From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 11, 28 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 28 Sept. 1780. Dupl ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 273–276). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:72. Received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, this letter contained the statements exchanged by Baron Willem van Wassenaer-Starrenburg and Catherine II, when...
4410From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 6 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 27th of March for which I thank you. The strain of Joy at a late event, and of Panegyrick on the subject of it, serve, among some other Instances to Convince me, that old friendships, when they are well preserved become very strong. The friends of my youth are generally gone The friends of my early political life are chiefly departed—Of the few that...
4411From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 10 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
In the present violent heat of the Weather, and feverish state of my own health, I cannot pretend to sit long at my Pen, and must pray you to accept of a few short hints only. To talk, in a general stile, of Confidence in the French Court & ca. is to use a general language, which may mean almost any thing, or almost nothing.— To a certain degree, and as far as the Treaties and Engagements...
44121772 Decr. 29 [i.e. 28?]. (Adams Papers)
Spent the last Sunday Evening with Dr. Cooper at his House with Justice Quincy and Mr. Wm. Cooper. We were very social and we chatted at large upon Caesar, Cromwell &c. Yesterday Parson Howard and his Lady, lately Mrs. Mayhew, drank Tea with Mrs. Adams. Heard many Anecdotes from a young Gentleman in my Office of Admirall Montagu’s Manners. A Coachman, a Jack Tar before the Mast, would be...
4413[Tuesday Feb. 27. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
On Tuesday Feb. 27. 1776. The order of the day was renewed, but nothing done.
4414From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 17 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclos’d is an answer to the address from the Inhabitants of Hamilton County, which you will forward if you please.— I am Sir— / Your obt. huml. Servt MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
4415From John Adams to Joseph Willard, 1 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from Mr Taylor one of the Senators from Virginia, as it contains Information which may become useful to the Agriculture of the Northern Parts of America I request the favour of you to communicate it to the American Accademy of Arts and Sciences. I am Sir with great / and Sincere Esteem, your most / obedient Servant MBAt : American Academy of Arts and Letters Collection.
4416From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., September 1818 (Adams Papers)
The Charters were quoted or alluded to by Mr Otis frequently in the whole course of his Argument: but he made them, also a more distinct and more Solemn head of his discourse. And here, these Charters ought to be copied verbatim. But an immense Verbiage renders it impossible. Bishop Butler, some where complains of this enormous abuse of Words in publick Transactions and John Reed and...
4417From John Adams to Matthew Ridley, 25 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I rec d , last Week, at Amsterdam, your Favour of Dec r. 27. and Sympathize, most Sincerely with you, in your Affliction but I Still hope, M rs Ridley will recover. As an Article in our Confederation, Stipulates, that “no State Shall confer any Title of Nobility” and as the Genius of our Governments is averse to all Such Distinctions, I am no Friend to the Errand of Major L’Enfant. I wonder,...
4418John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
My Letters to you are an odd Mixture. They would appear to a Stranger, like the Dish which is sometimes called Omnium Gatherum. This is the first Time, I believe that these two Words were ever put together in Writing. The litteral Interpretation of them, I take to be “A Collection of all Things.” But as I said before, the Words having never before been written, it is not possible to be very...
4419To John Jay from John Adams, 16 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
Last night I was honored with your letter of April 7 th . and am happy to find that Twelve States, have granted to Congress the Impost. New York I am persuaded will not long withhold her Assent, because, that in addition to all the other Arguments in favour of the measure, she will now have to consider that all the Blame of Consequences must now rest upon her, and she would find this alone, a...
4420Avril Vingt Neuf. Mercredi. (Adams Papers)
J’ai bien dormi, le derniere Soir. J’avois diné chez Le Marrechal De Maillebois avec Baucoup du Monde. Apres diner, went to the Accademy of Sciences and heard Mr. D’Alembert pronounce Eulogies upon divers Members deceased. On this occasion occurred the famous encounter—and embrace—between Voltaire and Franklin, described more fully in JA ’s Autobiography under this date . Voltaire, who was 84,...
4421March 18 [i.e. 19?]. Monday (Adams Papers)
This whole Day is dedicated to walking, riding, talk, &c. No Reading to day. Twas Avarice, not Compassion that induced to pass the last Court. He was afraid that Pen would be provoked to appeal both to the Superior Court if he put both in suit, and so keep him out of his Money for 6 or 8 months. 6 months without Interest. Tis fear of loosing the Interest upon Interest that induces him to pass...
4422From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I continue to live over again. De Grimm. Tome 3d Derncire Parte, page 304, has entertained me with the following Anecdote, “Mr Beaumarchais, has obtained finally, a reparation for his little retreat to Saint Lazere. In the first place, more than a Million has been paid to him, on his Accounts with the Government. In the Second he has received from Monsieur De Callone a Letter, infinitely...
44231775. Fryday. Septr. 22. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Gordon spent the Evening here.
4424From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Were I to follow, the feelings of my heart I Should write you every day. But you remember Dr Winships “too serious an Affair.” I cannot write a line, without fear of hurting you, or your Occupations: for every Letter is opened. I have resigned the Chair of the A. of A: & Sciences, and that of Agricultural Society and am consequently an entire Freman. From the latter I have recd a civil Letter:...
4425From John Adams to James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a recommendation from Gen. Thayer one of our Massachusetts Senators of Mr. Augustus Hunt, to be an officer. By his personal appearance he will make a very handsome & a well made stout lieutenant, you may put him on the list accordingly, if you please. &c I am &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
4426From John Adams to George Poindexter, 27 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
An Address has been transmitted to me from the youth of Richmond, Subscribed by J. H. Fouchee as Chairman and Geo Poindexter as Secretary. There is very visible in it, the gallant Spirit of youth, unenervated by Effeminacy, and worthy as far as Ennergy and decision will go, worthy of the best of Causes. If there are Indications of Prejudices and Misinformation, they are the more to be...
4427From John Adams to Henry Marchant, 3 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read with much pleasure your kind letter of the 20th: Ult; Your sympathy with me under the Case effusions of mallice and falshood ought to be converted into shame for your Country, which wanted virtue, sense and spirit to discountenance what will remain a lasting disgrace to America to the Press and to letters. A Brown, a Markoe, & a Finley, suffered to insult for a whole...
44281778 May 20. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
The french Opera is an Entertainment, which is very pleasing, for a few Times. There is every Thing, which can please the Eye, or the Ear. But the Words are unintelligible, and if they were not, they are said to be very insignificant. I always wish, in such an Amusement to learn Something. The Imagination, the Passions and the Understanding, have too little Employment, in the opera. Dined at...
4429From John Adams to Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, 7 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your favor of yesterday inclosing a Gazette with a new Petition or Address to the Magistrates of the City of Rotterdam. While the People entertain such sentiments and hold such a language their Liberties and Prosperity can never be essentially in danger. I should be very happy to see You at any time while I stay in Amsterdam, or after my Removal to the Hague. If I should come to...
4430From John Adams to James McHenry, 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since I have been here, his Excellency the Governor of this State has enquired of me with some Anxiety to know whether the Cession of Castle Island is accepted. I referred that Act of the Legislature of this State to you or the Secretary of State to prepare an Answer of Acceptance. Will you be so good as to attend to this subject as soon as possible and forward the Acceptance to me for my...
4431From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 24 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of yours of 18. I am perfectly of your Opinion that We have yet a hard Battle to fight. The Struggle will yet be long, and painfull, and the Difficulty of it will arise from nothing more than the weak Disposition both in our Country men, as well as our Allies to think it will be short. Long before, this War began I expected, a severe Tryal: but I never foresaw so...
44328 Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Got into Ferrol, where We found the french Ships of the Line, went on Board the General Sade, went ashore, visited the Spanish General Don Joseph St. Vincent, took a Walk about Town, saw a great No. of Spanish and french Officers. Returned on Board the Frigate. See entry of 13 Dec. , below. JQA ’s Diary provides a great deal more detail on the entrance to the harbor and the events of this day...
4433From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 15 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
You have forgotten, Old Dr Shippen, Dr Franklin, and many others. I have known many Instances. Not to mention General Oglethorpe or a Mrs Cope, or many others. I knew a Miss Sarah Mills married first to Mr Neal and afterwards to Mr Thayer. She pretended to have been one of my Fathers boyish Flames, and upon the strength of this great merit she made me a Visit once a Year, riding down Six or...
4434From John Adams to John Cranch, 31 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the Seventeenth of this Month, was delivered to me, last night.— I left London on the third of this Month So that your kind Present of Game, afforded a Regall, to M r Stockdale in Piccadilly, but I am not less obliged to you for it, than if I had been so fortunate as to receive it myself.— I beg you sir to accept my Sincere Thanks for it. As the Nephew of my most valuable...
4435From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from Will Channing or Will Chowning I cannot determine which by the hand writing, is most proper to be referred to your consideration. He is or has been deputy collector of at Tappahannock. With sincere regard & MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
4436Monday. June 17th. 1771. (Adams Papers)
Sat out upon the Eastern Circuit. Stopped at Boston, at my Office, and no where else. Came over Charlestown Ferry and Penny Ferry, and dined at Kettles in Maiden, by the Meeting House. Kettle is a D eputy Sherriff. The Meeting House is Mr. Thatchers. I mounted my Horse and rode to Boston in a Cloth Coat and Waiscoat, but was much pinched with a cold, raw, harsh, N.E. Wind. At Boston I put on a...
4437From John Adams to Elias Boudinot, 20 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received the favour of your kind Letter of the 17th but Yesterday: and having an opportunity by my Grand Son William Steuben Smith to answer it this morning sooner than I could by Post, I embrace with Pleasure the Conveyance by him, that I may give him the Priviledge of paying his Respects to Mr Bowdinot and Mrs Bradford Mr And Mrs Adams will be very happy if Mr Bowdinot and Mrs Bradford...
4438From John Adams to Jean de Neufville & Fils, 21 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 19th. and will direct Mr. Thaxter to number your Bonds again in figures under your written Numbers and Sign them, and to make the other alterations, according to your Proposal. Alass poor Statia! But as Providence orders Us unpleasant Potions of Medicine to cure our distempers, So I hope this apparent Misfortune will open the Eyes of the blind; will convince...
4439From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Talbots arrival at Hampton road on the 15 & his determination to sail for Cayenne in two or three days give me great pleasure.—As I see neither wisdom nor duty nor courage in exposeing yourself family and clerks to unnecessary danger, I am very well satisfyed with your removal to Trenton.—Inclosed is a letter from McNeil of the 1st with a copy of his letter to the Govenor of 28 July. T. T....
4440From John Adams to William Plumer, 10 November 1810 (Adams Papers)
For your kind Congratulations and benevolent Wishes Accept my best Thanks. My health is much better and more constant than could be reasonably expected by a Man, who, after a Life of care Toil and Storms has entered his Sixteenth Lustre. The American Minister in Russia, in the Extremity of the cold about the middle of last Winter, was Slightly indisposed So as to keep House for a few days, but...
4441From John Adams to John Marshall, 19 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter to me from the Vice President of the U.S. with a resolution of the Senate, dated the 18 of this month & a certificate of the Vice President of the election of Aaron Burr to be the future Vice President of the United States. I request you to select a proper person, according to the usage in such cases, to proceed to N York and convey this certificate to Mr Burr With great...
4442From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 29 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 25 of October never reached me till to day, but it has given me great Pleasure as your Letters always do.— I was disappointed however in finding no Line from M r Warren except the Superscription of yours. I assure you, Madam, what I Said about certain Annals was no Sarcasm. I have the Utmost Veneration for them, although I never was honoured with a Sight of any of them. Let...
4443From John Adams to D.C. Ballard, 25 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your quotation from “An Irish publication” in your Saturday’s Paper, under your head of “free Trade” is ingenious and amusing. The Allegory of the Law Suit, is pretty and Supported, through out. But the good humoured Witt was mistaken in a Fact. He characterises Samuel Adams as a “School Master.” This is an Error. Samuel Adams never was a Schoolmaster. He was a Merchant. He was the Son of...
4444From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 17 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment your Letter of the 10th. That Man must have more Skill in Intrigue than any that I have been acquainted with who can Sap the foundation of the Confidence I have in Mr Gerry....No Such Attempt has been made. All have confessed to me your honour and Integrity—Some have expressed doubts of your orthodoxy in the Science of Government—others have expressed fears, of an...
4445From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 11 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the Eighth I can only say that Societies Since as I have never been of any Use to any of our learned Societies Since their Institution, except perhaps in a present of Books to one of them. I should be extremely unhappy to have reason to suspect that I had done them any harm. My Course of Life and perpetual Avocations have been such that I never could turn my...
4446Sunday 24. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Home.
44471771. [ca. 20] July. (Adams Papers)
Tuesday went to Boston with my Wife, and the next day to Commencement at Cambridge, was only at 3 Chambers—Palmers, Frenches and Rogers’s. Approximately dated from the reference to commencement at Harvard, which took place this year on Wednesday, 17 July.
4448From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 29 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your Favour of the 23 d. of May.— I regret extreamly that I must loose the opportunity of the Company of M r Vanberckel to America: but there is no appearance, that the definitive Treaty will be Signed in Time to allow me that Satisfaction and Advantage. The Treaty with Sweeden is now printing with a Collection of the Constitutions and Treaties, which is making under the...
4449From John Adams to James Calhoun, 16 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I receive with Pleasure this Testimony of Respect from the Mayor and City Council of the great flourishing opulent, and populous City of Baltimore. Our Country I trust will always abound, as it ever has abounded with Characters in whom she may safely confide the management of her affairs and who will be able so to conduct them as to avoid all the Calamities which can be avoided by good plain...
4450From John Adams to Robert Treat Paine, 8 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have now been Eight Months in Europe, and have received very few Letters from America, and I fear my friends have received very few from me, both I suppose, not owing to a failure in Writing but to Miscarriages in the Conveyance. Nothing is of more importance than to be informed of the Designs of the Ennemy. By all that I can learn from every Quarter they are as hostile as possible. Yet...