4701To John Adams from John Jay, 31 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 4 th. Instant I have been honored with yours of the 8 th. 14 th. & 23 d. of May last, which have been communicated to Congress.— I have now the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed certified Copies of sundry Acts of Congress, Viz t. of the 21 st. March and 13 th. April last relative to our Treaty with Britain; also an Act of the 20 th. July Instant...
4702Abigail Adams to John Adams, 18 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
At length my anxiety is relieved and the happy happy tidings of your arrival and safety in France has reachd my Ears and blessd my Eyes. By an English paper taken in a prize and carried into Salem, under the Paris News there is mention made of my Dearest Friends arrival at the abode of the venerable Dr. Frankling.—What have I not suffered for this month past? The Fear of your being finally...
4703To John Adams from Thomas Herttell, 25 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I am conscious that I ought before now to have apologized to you for permitting your letter to me of the 18th: of November last to be published without first asking and obtaining your assent—My almost constant attention to public business, has more than any other cause occasioned this involuntary omission—I entertain a confidence that your liberality will not only induce you to accept my...
4704From George Washington to John Adams, 14 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States and Mrs Washington request the pleasure of the Vice-Presidents and Mrs Adams’s company to dinner on Thursday next at four o’clock, an answer is desired. L , MHi : Adams Family Papers. No reply to this invitation has been found, nor is there a record of the dinner in GW’s diary, since he did not resume making entries until 24 June. Social relations between the...
4705To John Adams from Fleury, 16 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je suis trop reconnoissant des bontés dont vous mavés honnoré pour ne pas vous exprimer a cet egard tous les sentiments que je vous dois. Receves done monsieur l’homage dun pere sensible que vous venes de tranquiliser, et qui se glorifie davoir un fils au service dune nation dont vous donnés la plus haute idee. Je ne metonne point monsieur quil cherche a si distinguer, si touts ceux qui...
4706John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 25 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I met Mr. Bridgen at the Coffee House; he told me he had a book for you, and this morning he sent it to my lodgings; Mr. Watson who leaves this place to morrow, has been so kind as to offer to take charge of any thing I wish to send, and will deliver you the volume, with this. The Parliament have done nothing as yet, as all the time has been taken up, in swearing in the Members,...
4707To John Adams from William Maclay, 1 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
M r Maclay’s Compliments wait on the Vice President of the united States, begs leave to inform him, That he is in so ill a State of Health, That he cannot have the honor of dining, with him on Friday next— RC ( MHi :Adams-Hull Coll.); addressed: “Honble Vice President of the / United States—”; docketed by JA : “Card / 1789.” Suffering from ill health, William Maclay of Pennsylvania requested a...
4708To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 10 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have but one moment to tell you, that I left Mrs. Adams your Children, General and Mrs. Warren in good health four days ago. I shall soon set out for Philadelphia. Hancock is chosen Governor, owing cheifly to your absence. I paid a visit to Mrs. Dana at Cambrige, who with her Children are well. Please to remember me to her Husband. Mr. S. A. is at Congress, which is very thin. They have...
4709To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 22 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have been highly gratified in recieving your kind Letter of the 10th. instant.—I hope you will not attribute the infrequency of my Letters to you, to any other than its true cause. The Revd. Mr. Little will deliver you this Letter. He is the Pastor of a small flock of Unitarian Christians, who are gathering in this City, and who need some assistance to enable them to erect a place of Worship...
4710To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 18 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 2d. instant contains so many weighty and important questions relative to the jaring points of negotiation in the interior of Europe, that I cannot see how they are to be adjusted and settled You take a wider range and a more expanded view of the immense questions, then I conjecture, has crossed the minds of our political seavans , for myself, from the pictures you hold up, I...
4711To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 5 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have had the pleasure of seeing several of your Letters in which you Complain that your friends are Rather remiss With Regard to writing you which I think inexcusable at a time when the Liberties of all America and the fate of the British Empire Depend, in a Great Measure on the Result of your Deliberating for if that Respectable Body of which you are a Member, fails, (Either from want of...
4712C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 6 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Today I am sending His Excellency Mr. Franklin the third and final issue of the Gazette de Leyde , in which I had Clinton’s letter inserted according to your and his wishes. I also have sent it to other newspapers, both in and out of the country, notably to Hamburg and a friend in Amsterdam who has promised to send a copy to London. I still think that this letter, as it appears in the American...
4713To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 26 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had a sight of yours of the 15th, 17, and 18th Instant and am thankful for their inclosures. Whenever any publications worth notice, come to Your hands, send them in like manner and they will find immediate insertion here. The Courant being now the most generally read paper for early American intelligence, I constantly give the American papers to the publisher of that paper, and at any...
4714To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 5 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
J’ai le plaisir de remarquer, par l’honorée vôtre du 28 e. Nov., que nous avons pensé & écrit l’un a l’autre le même jour. Nous sentons & partageons sincerement la joie que vous aurez d’embrasser bien-tôt Mad e. Adams & vos chers Enfans, que nous supposons venir aussi. Mon Epouse, ainsi que ma fille, languit de lui rendre leurs devoirs; & la premiere s’empressera de lui remettre tous les...
4715To John Adams from John Sullivan, 28 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Far from addressing you in The Language of friendship and Desiring your assistance as a Friend I call upon you as a friend to Justice and mankind begging you to Acquaint yourself and make Congress acquainted with the Evidence I have Inclosed The President Relative to my Conduct. They ought to take time to view Examine and Consider it. They have Censured and Condemned me without Evidence will...
4716From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 29 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two Letters; and have since then also received a Letter from President Kirkland, containing a Statement of the reasons of your dismission from the University—I have delayed answering your Letters, in the hope, that you might obtain permission to return after the vacation, and receive your degree, without degradation—I have written to President Kirkland, and hope to hear...
4717Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive your Letter of dec br 15 till I had closed mine of the 30th two of later date came first to Hand. the reason as I suppose that Bringhurst did not send in his account before I left Philadelphia, was that he never used to make out his account but once a year. I had pay’d him up to Jan’ry 92; Robert by his drunken frolicks exposed us to double a necessary expence and the Chariot...
4718XII. Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 30 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved some time ago your favor of July 29. and was happy to find that you saw in it’s true point of view the way in which I had been drawn into the scene which must have been so disagreeable to you. The importance which you still seem to allow to my note, and the effect you suppose it to have had tho unintentional in me, induce me to shew you that it really had no effect. Paine’s...
4719To John Adams from William Judd, 24 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Debtors Confined in this Goal have Prepared a Petition to the Honourable Continental Congress, praying that they woud devise or Recommend some Measure to prevent Mens persons from being Arrested or Confined in Goal for debt, during the present unhappy Conflict—which by the desire of the Petitioners I have inclosed to the President desireing him to present the same to that Venerable Body,...
4720To John Adams from Stephen Peabody, 9 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
With a trembling hand, I inform you of the removal of my dear Companion and best friend, by the stroke of death, this morning, between three & 4 OClock. She was seiz’d with a lung-complaint, was yesterday unwell but not confind; went to bed comfortable, and slept till after midnight, waked in distress, and soon was call’d without any peculiar struggle, in the full exercise of reason, I trust...
4721Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 3 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since I came to this Country, two of your kind letters have reached me; one dated in June & the other in July; the latter came by Gen l: Marshall, but by some accident was not forwarded at the same time with your letter to my brother of the same date. It has only this day come to hand. Contrary to your expectation, as well as my own, your letters find me still in Europe, and about to embark in...
4722C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 16 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Rien de nouveau ici depuis ma derniere. On attend la réponse de Vienne à celle de L. H. P. En attendant les antirépublicains ici, & les pusillanimes & indolens, font des Com̃entaires sur le dernier Mem e. de Mr. De B— r . Selon eux c’est une défaite de la part de la f ce. , pour ne pas dire tout cru. “Nous ne nous soucions pas de nous mêler de vos affaires; démêlez votre fusée com̃e vous...
4723To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
When I did myself the honor to suggest for your consideration, the employment of the Frigate United States, to carry the Ministers to France, it was under an Idea, that the Vessel would just land the ministers & return; at least that she would not be detained more than a fortnight or three Weeks, to bring back an account of their reception at Paris, & any communications they might be able to...
4724To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 26 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday our City was enlivened suddenly by the report of the ratification of the Spanish Treaty and every thing looked gay excepting my husband who gave no credit to the news when yesterday morning a cloud in the form of Capt Reid of the Hornet dispersed our sunshine and confirmed Mr. As doubts and destroying all the fond hopes of the too credulous citizens—Congress will of...
4725C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 25 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
In a letter of this same day, which I have already mailed, I forgot to include some essential news. President van den Santheuvel’s report made to the high mightinesses of your last requisition, was taken ad referendum on the last day of the Dutch assembly, by all cities of this province. We will see what will come of it. The states will reconvene a week from tomorrow. RC ( Adams Papers ). This...
4726To John Adams from Eliphalet Pearson, 15 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
President Willard having resigned the office of corresponding secretary to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, your goodness will pardon his successor, in diverting your attention, for a moment, from more important objects, while I request a favor, with which the honor of the society may be connected. At our last meeting, & upon the recommendation of M r. Gardoqui, through General Knox,...
4727To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 14 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of October 23 and it is by several weeks the latest Letter that I have from America.—It tells me that the Elections were going on with as little bitterness as could be expected, and this in the present circumstances is grateful intelligence. But all my American correspondents public and private as they appear to care nothing about the affairs of Europe, seem...
4728To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 30 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
By yesterday morning’s mail I received two letters, superscribed by you, one addressed to the Revd. Stephen Peabody, at Atkinson, N. Hampshire, which is inclosed; the other to your son Charles, which I now send to him. According to your directions, I am preparing the papers and business which I imagine you may think proper to lay before Congress. I have the honor to be / with great respect, /...
4729To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
By the last post I received a letter from Joseph Allen Esquire by which I am informed that he declines the appointment of Commissioner for the seventh division of Massachusetts. To prevent delay, I shall write by this mail to Dwight Foster Esquire of Brookfield requesting him to recommend to the President some able, and fit character, who will accept the Office. I enclose a blank Commission to...
4730To John Adams from John Sinclair, 15 June 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure of sending you by Dr Adair, (whom I beg to recommend to your attention & civilities) the printed plan of the Board of Agriculture about to be established here.—I shall have the honour of sending you the regulations we adopt, as soon as they are drawn up, & we shall have much pleasure in corresponding with all similar institutions in America.—I shall write more fully in...
4731To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 9 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
As you have had the history of the late action from the General, I shall not trouble you with many particulars which happened on that memorable day. The attack was formed with the true spirit of enterprize, and executed, by the Troops that were principally engaged, with heroic valour. With victory in their hands and laurels on their brows (hear me patiently, for I am determined to give Merit...
4732To John Adams from Richard Cranch, 10 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Letter to the Honble: Mr. Brown a Senator from Kentucky, I would ask the favr. of you to deliver to him: It is about the late Mr. Thos. Perkins’s affairs, who died at Kentucky. I have desired Mr Brown to inform me (when he has Leisure for it) what is become of the Lands that were located to Mr Perkins, and whether or not there is any Estate of his remaining for his Heirs. I am in...
4733To John Adams from Winthrop Sargent, 8 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
At the special Desire of the Inhabitants of this Territory I have the honour to transmit unto you their enclosed Address. Though deprecating, with them, in great measure a war for the United States I feel nevertheless all the Impatience of a Soldier at public Wrongs—and so far as I may confide in my Zeal, Attachment and Intentions for the honour and Independence of our Country. I take Leave to...
4734To John Adams from George G. Barrell, 16 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
The liberty I now possess of addressing you, without going thro’ the medium of a second person, originates in a great degree from the noble, bold and enlightened stand you took in the defence of our common country forty three years since; and if, in offering to one of the most exalted characters mine or any other country has ever produced, the tribute of my respect in soliciting your...
4735To John Adams from Charles Francis Adams, 23 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter dated May 15th. 1816 which I was very much interested with, and pleased me very much. As to your question of what country man I am, I think you ought to know that I never would desert my own country not for any thing Where I was born I do not remember nor I think never knew till you told me, that was in your last letter and so I take the liberty to fill my letter up...
4736To John Adams from Samuel Phillips, 7 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Legislature of Massachusetts, ever anxious, and long habituated, to take an early and decided part, in whatever relates to the safety and welfare of their country, beg leave to join the united voice of your fellow citizens, in offering you a testimony of their respect & confidence. As a native citizen of this Commonwealth, and as the supreme Executive of the government of our deliberate...
4737To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 17 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of the 12th. We have no arrivals from Ama., or any thing new but what will be mentiond below. I am anxious to know if my letter to you of the 8th or 7th of last month got to your hands. The Behaviour of the Bearer of it to Ostend, who has been some days idling about London gives me strong suspicion that He did not do with the letter what He promisd me. I am uneasy about Him...
4738To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit you herewith, a list of Invalid Pension-Applicants, who have been re-examined by Physicians, agreably to a Resolve of Congress of the 18th day of April 1796. I am with great respect / Sir / your obedient servant DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
4739To John Adams from Benjamin Hichborn, 20 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have felt a degree of Criminality in my long Silence, which has given me many uneasy Reflections; and yet I should have suffered more from writing. I don’t know whether my Conduct will admit of an apology; and if it should not, I should even in that Case be less unhappy than I must have been if had given no occasion to make one. Believe me Sir, it is not from a want of Friendship, affection...
4740To John Adams from Ebenezer Clough, 30 June 1824 (Adams Papers)
It would give the Committee of Arrangement for the Approaching National Anniversary Unspeakable pleasure if your health will admite you to honour them with your presence at Faneuil Hall, the Hall of Liberty on Monday next, and join in the Celebration of the day. From Sir yours very Respectfully. MHi : Adams Papers.
4741From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 25 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
I will not apologize for not writing as I hate excuses none especially when they are bad or indifferent I hope your character is not changed for the worse and that whatever change may have taken place in you that your principles are still sound and fixed not withstanding I am aware that the theological controversies that are so fashionable in your part of the world are more calculated to...
4742To John Adams from John Steele, 16 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the directions of the President of Saturday last, I abstracted from the lists of recommendations, and have the honor herewith to transmit the names of such persons as appear upon the information possessed at the Treasury to be best qualified to perform the duties of Commissioners under an Act of Congress passed in the present session to provide for the valuation of lands and...
4743To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 25 November 1791 (Adams Papers)
In further obedience to the order of the Senate, I have the honor to transmit a return of the Tonnage of all the vessels employed in the import, coasting, and fishing trades of the United States, for one year, ending on the 30th September, 1790. This document will be found to exhibit the degree in which American and foreign vessels participate in every branch of the commerce of the United...
4744Abigail Smith to John Adams, 4 October 1764 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the care you have taken about help. I am very willing to submit to some inconveniences in order to lessen your expences, which I am sensible have run very high for these 12 months past and tho you know I have no particuliar fancy for Judah yet considering all things, and that your Mamma and you seem to think it would be best to take her, I shall not at present look...
4745To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 11 November 1802 to 28 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
Mÿ occupations in gathering seeds—and preparing my fields and garden for ensuing spring have thus far prevented my answering the favour, with which I was honored bÿ you last month—Tho’ mÿ hope of receiving, before this time, a decision about the Achaic Republick, had influenced this delaÿ. I sent it to Philadelphia, where my correspondent J. Mifflin will charge himself with super intending the...
4746To John Adams from James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Since my last on the subject of the appointment of Lt. Col. Smith to the command of the 2nd. Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, I have had the honour to receive a communication from you authorizing me to send a Commission for your signature, if I approve, of the measure, to promote Major Tousard to be a Lieutenant Colonel, and another to appoint him Inspector. I have respectfully to...
4747To John Adams from Henry Knox, 3 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of a Line from you. I was in hopes to have seen you when I went to Boston but you had previously set out for Congress and I miss’d you on the road. Since my return from thence the duties of my department have taken up the whole of my time, which together with the fear of trespassing on your more important engagements has prevented my writing to...
4748To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
& Miss Mason Capt & Mrs. Crane Mr. Kerby with several others Members of Congress—Mr. Petry came in the Eveng. and talked freely of the Bonaparté family He told me that while he was in Poland Napoleon was very much attached to a beautiful Polish Lady and that he (N.) rode fifteen miles every night during a fortnight at the risk of his life through the enemies Country to visit her—He likewise...
4749To John Adams from John Davis, 20 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of yesterday, with the papers referred to therein. I shall without delay make the enquiry, which you direct, and make report to you of the facts, that may be ascertained, pursuant to your instructions. I have the honor / to be with great respect / Sir / Your obedt Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
4750To John Adams from the Baron von Thulemeier, 11 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Le Roi m’ayant fait adresser la Ratification du Traité de Commerce & d’Amitié que j’ai eu l’avantage de négocier avec Vous, Monsieur, & Messieurs Vos Collégues, je m’empresse à Vous en donner connoissance. Dès que celle des Etats-Unis d’Amérique Vous sera parvenue, j’adopterai les mesures que Vous jugerez les plus convenables pour procéder à l’échange usité dans les affaires de ce genre....