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...