4451To John Adams from Philippe André Joseph de Létombe, 1 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je profite, avec bien de l’Empressement, de l’occasion d’écrire à votre Excellence et de me rappeller à Son Souvenir. Mon attachement pour Vous, Monsieur, n’est pas diminué Le moins du monde par l’Eloignement et par l’absence: il ne L’est pas même par votre Silence. J’ai l’honneur de faire quelque fois ma Cour à Madame adam’s à Braintrée et à Boston. Notre Refrein chéri est toujours de parler...
4452From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 10 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
M r: Hall arrived a few days ago, and delivered to me your favours of Nov r: 17. and Dec r: 12. The first acknowledges the receipt of my N. 11. July 27. But I feel somewhat concerned lest my next number to that, written very soon after it may have miscarried, as it should regularly have reached you before the date of your last. M r: Randolph’s pamphlet had arrived before M r: Hall, but I had...
4453To John Adams from William MacCreery, 7 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am not skill’d in writing introductory Letters—I must however write one to make you acquainted with a Gentleman whose conversation you will find, at least, very agreeable. In these intrigueing times, when Politicians are obliged to Speak with caution in all companies, look at all Men with a suspicious Eye, and speak to them with reserve, an introduction becomes very Necessary, as it is apt...
4454Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
M r Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to M r Adams, and enclosos a Paper left with him by the Secretary of the Portuguese Ambassador last Night, being an Extract of a Letter from the First Minister of that Court. No Notice is taken in it of the preceding Plan of a Treaty, and M r. F. mentions for Consideration, whether it would not be right to send a Copy of the new Plan immediately...
4455Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
yours of 25 December reachd me with the Book for Louissa. through the Month of December the weather was uncommonly fine, but the New Year is very inclement. we have had a fair day or two only since it commenced, very little Snow & what Snow we had, is all leaving us to day, by a plentifull Southerly rain our people have been engaged where the weather Would allow this week in the woods. I have...
4456To John Adams from John Trumbull, 19 October 1805 (Adams Papers)
‘Till I received your last of the 4th: instant I had no idea that you doubted the truth of Washington’s letter relative to the capture of Cornwallis and supposed you only questioned the propriety of his allowing a letter to be published, in which he appears to boast of his success in stratagems. You express a wish that "the veracity of the letter might be established beyond all cavil." I can...
4457To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I indulge once more in the gratification—of Sending you a few lines, in the hope, that you enjoy So much health as generally has fallen to my Share—if I except, my weakened Sight, which renders—reading at night nearly impracticable, while it requires my utmost exertions by day light to decypher the Records—and a nearly three weeks confinement, in consequence of a Severe contusion of my right...
4458To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 2 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
Permit an old friend to congratulate you upon your safe arrival in your native country. I rejoiced in reading, of the respectful manner in which you were received by your fellow Citizens. you serve a grateful & enlightned people. may you long continue to enjoy their Confidence, & may they long—very long continue to enjoy the benefits of your patriotism & knowledge.— I have to thank you for...
4459C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 24 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
The States of Holland will not be able to form a resolution for another fifteen days or three weeks. This is because the next assembly finally demanded a translation of the proposal. Meantime this proposal has made a great impression and has caused the Anglomanes a lot of pain. I hope, sir, that you will be able to acquiesce to yesterday’s proposal, and by doing so you will alleviate the pain...
4460From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I am honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th. past, acquainting me with your Appointment as Minister Plenipotentiary to the States General, on which please to accept my Compliments and best Wishes for Success in your Negociations. We have just received Advice here, that M. la Motte Piquet, met with the English Convoy...
4461To John Adams from Richard Varick, 21 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
The Corporation of this City have applied to the President of the United States to permit Col o. John Trumbull take his Portrait to be placed in the City Hall, to which the President has consented & M r. Trumbull has suggested to me that as the Portrait will be large the Room in the Hall in which those of the King and Queen of France are placed will be most eligible to perform the Painting in...
4462To John Adams from William Tudor, August 1775 (Adams Papers)
You was inquiring the other Day into the Office of Judge Advocate. I will now acquaint you with some Particulars in that Department which will give you an Idea of that Officer’s Duty in the Continental Army. As Judge Advocate, I have his Excellency’s (the Commander in chief) Orders, in writing, “to attend every General Court Martial, not only those of the Line but of each Brigade throughout...
4463To John Adams from S. Smith, 19 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
My Brother Robert Smith has requested me to mention him as desirous of filling the Post made Vacant by the Death of Judge Paca. If I did not believe him every way Competent to fill that Place with Utility to his Country & Honor to himself I would Certainly not solicit your Interest & Aid in his favor—His Character & Merit as a Lawyer & a Man you may be well Informed of by Major Stoddart—His...
4464Edmund Jenings to John Adams, 6 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have done myself the Honor of Answering your Excellencys Letter of the 10 th of Febry by two different Posts, as far as was then in my Power. I have now to give your Excellency Information of the only Metter which remained Unanswered. I am told an Express is Arrived from Congress brought by a M r or Major Franks announcing the ratification of the Treaty on the 14 of Febry,— The Major is...
4465To John Adams from Thomas Brand Hollis, 15 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
It has been long matter of Surprise to me that the States of America when investigating the various forms of republicks should never have thought of the mode of government practised in the city of London. it is an Epitome of the constitution of England, that constitution which is so beautifull in theory & of which you are so fond tho the balance no longer exists, and perhaps in some respects...
4466Charles Storer to John Adams, 22 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of forwarding your Excellency a letter, received from M r: Dumas, by the Post before last.— It came to hand a day or two before; but, not being able to find a private hand so soon as I imagined, from M r: Dumas’ letter to me, that it was necessary you should have it, I concluded it best & therefore forwarded it by the Post under cover to your Son— M r: Dumas writes me that,...
4467Enclosure: James McHenry to John Adams, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of war respectfully takes the liberty to transmit to the President of the U. States, a statement of his recollection of the substance and incidents of the conversation which passed between them the evening preceding the resignation of his office, committed to writing immediately afterwards. He also transmits copies of sundry papers having reference to certain parts of that...
4468To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to address you not long since (via Hamburg) acquainting you that, notwithstanding the best exertions of our Minister at London (agreably to the instructions of the Secy of State by your order) no chance whatever remains to me for the recovery of a large property which was condemned by the Admiralty Court of England about eighteen months past—on the principle & for reason that I...
4469From Charles Francis Adams to John Adams, 16 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I wrote a letter to Brother George, and so I thought that I ought to write you one too; for I love both my Brothers equally well, and I hope it will not be much longer before we shall all meet together again. I want to go home, to see my Grandpapa and Grandmama, who have always been so kind to you and Brother George, and to live where it is not so cold as in this Country; for here,...
4470To John Adams from Jonathan James Maund, 13 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I beg your Acceptance of a Barrel of Seed Oats of a Superior Quality which I shall send to Boston by a Captn. Allen now in this River he sails the beginning of next Month and I hope the Oats will arrive in Time for seeding You will do me Honor by presenting my most respectful Compliments to Mrs. Adams and by your remembrance of me in your Letter to my Friend Mr. Thomas Adams when you write him...
4471From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10th. came safely to hand and I delivered the one therein inclosed to Mr. Grand. It was a duplicate of one he had before received. You will have heard of the safe arrival of Doctr. Franklin in America. Strange we do not hear of that of Otto and Doradour. If you know of the safe arrival of the packet in which they went, pray communicate it to me, as Madame de Doradour, who is...
4472To John Adams from James Madison, 5 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor on the subject of Docr. Waterhouse, inclosing a letter from him which is now returned. Previous to this communication, the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Excellent friend, & the friend of mankind, had been filled by the appointment of his son Dr. James Rush. Besides the numerous & respectable interpositions in favor of it, I felt a pleasure, in putting this...
4473From Johnson Hellen to John Adams, June 1822 (Adams Papers)
which was evinced at is not at ated reacted and identified rtant question, or resul interest which we ally take in these say, but certain it time of the fight be ake and tha so intense an the Union. Your g enerally well. Your h as been complaining part of a bad head ds many of his evenings other—goes and always
4474To John Adams from Francis Dana, 4 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of your favour of the 5th. inst: that is to say of Feby, on the 17/28th of the same month. You have, in my opinion, pointed out the only certain way to solid glory; but some folks look for it to the direct opposite point of the Compass, by which means they will miss of it, and the promotion of their best Interests, till they face to the right about. When our inclinations...
4475To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Mr. Liston’s note of the 8th. requesting the usual Exequatur for Thomas Barclay Esqr. and Benjamin Moodie Esqr. whom his Britannic Majesty has appointed—The former Consul General for the Eastern States, and the latter Consul for North & South Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Barclay is the gentleman who was the British Commissioner for settling the question of the St....
4476To John Adams from John Gardner, 31 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
By so good an opportunity as the present, which offers by Mr. Welsh, I cannot omit repeating to you the assurances of my esteem, which I hope you have never doubted. It is some time since I have written you, and longer, much longer, since I have had the honor, and consolation of a line from you. I must presume that some of your letters have been lost on the way. The complection of our...
4477Invoice from Joseph Gardoqui & Sons, 21 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
JA Invoice of One Barrell of Merchandize shippt per the Success Capt. Philip Trash for Newburyport to address of Nathaniel Tracy Esqr. and for Acco. and Risk of Honble. John Adams Esqr. No. 1. 1 Barrell with 1 piece with 25/5 vars Linens at 11rs. per vare 277. 6 6 Do 147 Do Do at 8 Do 1,176. 12 Dozn. Common black Silk Hands. at 100rs. per dozn. 1,200. 6 Do. Do. Collours Do. at 100...
4478To John Adams from Robert Morris, 23 October 1783 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose the Copy of a Letter which I have just written to Mess rs. Wilhelm and Jan Willink, Nicolaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, De la Lande and Finje. This Letter will fully explain to your Excellency the Means I have adopted to bring our Funds into the most speedy Operation. Should the Plan meet your Approbation (which I hope may be the Case) I shall then rely on the...
4479To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 20 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Enemy retreated back to Brunswick; they were followed and fired on by a small party that happened to be near them. Since they came from Brunswick, the fourteenth Instant we have killed about twenty and taken three Officers, three Light Horse, and three or four privates. All is quiet at present. Our Army is reinforced fast, by the New England Troops from Peekskill; and by the...
4480To John Adams from William Alexander Humphrey Graham, 28 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have before Intimated to you that spent my Time since the first of August last in the state of Vermont & in that Western & Northern Country & have exerted the best of my Abilities to Auxillerate & Confirm your Modes & disappline of Government, & have Intimated that I had Propperty in Scotland & wished to go thither under direction more than three years since which you are sensible of If my...
4481From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 17 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
You tell me that the highest prize in the Lottery is only 5000 dollars therefore you have not purchased my Ticket as I wished to make an experiment of your luck I suppose you think 5000 dollars a paltry prize however I should like you to purchase me a ticket in any of the Lotteries in which you can procure one for $4 and 50 Cents, or 5 which I see advertised in all the Boston papers and beg it...
4482To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose you a copy of a letter, and table therein referred to addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury and dated the 3rd instant. The object of this communication is, to apprise him of the sums of money which will be wanted in this department for the execution of the Laws; and, of the periods at which, in my opinion, they ought to be furnished. I shall make you...
4483To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 13 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
The extract contained in one of your last Winter’s letters to me from the Astronomics of Manilius, excited my attention to that writer, of whom I had previously known nothing more than the name—I have not been able to purchase it here, but General Pardo da Figueroa the Spanish Minister at this Court, one of the most learned classical scholars in Europe has had the goodness to lend me this...
4484To John Adams from Thomas Boylston, 9 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
This address you from Paris. on my arrival my first care was, without loss of time to deliever your several favors— I then went immediately on business, and soon found I was engaged in a much more arduous and difficult undertaking, than I had conceived; instead of being received with open Arms, which I thought the business I had Come to promote would have entitled me too, the contrary was the...
4485To John Adams from James Warren, 30 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I was a few days ago honoured with your favour of the 12 th: of Dec r. I am much Obliged to you for your Attention to my Son & your favourable, if not partial opinion of the Merits of his Family. Winslow left Lisbon, & returned Home last fall: after a disagreable residence there for more than Twelve months, at a great Expence, fully convinced of the futility of Court promises, which his former...
4486To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with my engagements, I have now the honour to inform the President that the following persons have become Candidates for the Office of Collector of the Customs for the district of Norfolk in Virginia, vacant by the decease of Colo. Otway Byrd, viz. William Davies, at present Collector of the Customs for the District of Richmond. James Gibbons, at present Surveyor of the Customs...
4487From John Jay to John Adams (private), 10 November 1800 (Jay Papers)
Still pressed by public Business occasioned by the late Session, I take up my pen to write you a few Lines before the Mail closes. It very unexpectedly happened that the Antifœderal party succeeded at the last Election in the City of New York, and acquired a decided majority in the assembly. Well knowing their Views & Temper it was not adviseable that the Speech should contain any Matter...
4488To John Adams from John Whitney, 3 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
With the profoundest reverence of respect, it has again fallen to my happy lot, in behalf of the Committee of arrangements, for the approaching celebration of our National Independence, on the fourth of July next, to solicit the pleasure of your Company to dine with the Citizens of Quincy at the Town-Hall on that day; that your health and strength may be such that you will be enabled to comply...
4489From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and incomplete copy: Library of Congress I am honour’d with yours of the 19th. Inst. I received a Letter from Capt. Jackson dated at Bilbao the 12th. in which he mentions nothing of his departing thence for America, so that I should have continued to expect him here, if he had not written positively to you of that Intention. Mr: Barclay, the...
4490To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 10 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed papers numbered 1. and 2. are copies 1 Of a Letter from Mr Bassett, Chairman of a Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States to me. 2 Of a Letter from Mr G. W. P. Custis to him, enclosed by him in his own Letter to me, and referred to in it. I am to request you to have the goodness to state, whether your recollection coincides with that of Mr Custis, with...
4491To John Adams from Kilborn Whitman, 2 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
Understanding from good authority, that you have been pleased to interest yourself in my favour, respecting the appointments about to be made by the Executive of this Commonwealth, my feelings of gratitude for your friendship, with the late expressions of it, at a time of all others the most desireable, compel this acknowledgment, the expression of which you will please to accept, as coming...
4492To John Adams from Latour Longnevoué, Marquise de Fleury, 1801 (Adams Papers)
Le Colonel fleury mon mari que vous avés honoré de votre estime & de Votre bienveillance a cessé de Vivre. le Délabrement de Sa Santé, la mélancolie, & les souffrances qui étoient la Suite de Son état lui rendoient depuis quelque tems la vie insupportable; & le même Courage qui lui fit si Souvent braver la mort dans les Combats l’a malheureusement porté a abréger ses jours. il me laisse dans...
4493From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 10 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since mine of Jan. 14. yours of Jan. 2. and Mar. 1. have been handed to me; the former by Mr. Jones, whom I am glad to know on your recommendation and to make him the channel of evidencing to you how much I esteem whatever comes from you.—The internal agitations of this country and the inactivity to which England is reduced by the state of imbecillity in which the madness of the king has...
4494To John Adams from Francois de Navoni, 31 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Le soussigné Consul Garant des Nations qu’ils n’ont point de Consul fixe dans tout ce Royaume de Sardaigne, par la presente tréz respectueuse se fait un vray devoir de s’addresser a la tréz Puissante Souveraineté, et protection de V.E. pour luy faire present, comme dans les dites Nations Etrangeres qu’ils me sont appuyées de ce Gouvernement pour les aider, proteger, et favoriser, y est compris...
4495To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 6 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I arrived home on Saturday evening with my family;—I did not arrive at New York so soon as was expected by one day, this rendered it impossible for me to pay my respects to the President without being detained on the Road till this week, which would have been very inconvenient, I am desired by Genl. McPherson to inform the President that the Troops of the City & vicinity are desirous of...
4496To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 21 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of August 1st is still unanswered. It is full of truth, and useful information and reflections. I regret that my son did not state the impressment of seamen being in 1807 an Act of the British Government. It would have obviated One of the Objections to the War by the Minority in Congress. Our Country is divided into two great parties called Fedarists and Democrats. The former are...
4497To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 28 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wish it was in my power to give you a satisfactory and particular state of facts relative to the late movements in the military way, but all the facts I cannot learn, and if I could they might not perhaps be satisfactory in every sense of the word. The 22 Instant the Enemy retreated from Brunswick to Amboy, a party, of several hundreds, under the command of Col Morgan attacked their rear, in...
4498To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed plan, for connecting the different parts of our military system, in whatever regards the providing and issuing supplies for the army, has been reported to me by Major General Hamilton, and refered to the Secretary of the treasury who has verbally approved thereof. The plan appears to me a good one. It comprises such of the regulations as were found useful and necessary during the...
4499To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr G. W. Campbell is going out as Envoy Extraordinary, and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the Court of Russia. He is to embark at Boston in the frigate Guerriére, and I hope will find an opportunity to go out and see you, with Mrs Campbell, and their family at Quincy—You and my dear Mother will I am well assured take the more satisfaction in seeing them with the...
4500To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Since the 7th of Febr—I did not receive a line from my frend—but having been honoured with two Letters of your Ladÿ, without a hint, that your health was not So good, and having read in the N. papers—that you were present at a festival at Boston, I presume, that other more Serious occupations kept you employ’d—or that Letter writing became rather to you a penible task, whenever you could not...