4751To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 11th. has given me great satisfaction for altho’ I could not doubt but that the hand of age was pressing heavily on you, as on myself, yet we like to know the particulars and the degree of that pressure. much reflection too has been produced by your suggestion of lending my letter of the 1st. to a printer. I have generally great aversion to the insertion of my letters...
4752To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
yes, I am thankful—I am Sensible of my high obligations towards you—how few can follow your example! to remember a friend—in the days of prosperity deserves praise, but to do So in the hour of Sorrow—to Set this a Side to Sooth his anguish is not common—I knew—you did So, and if it was possible, that I could doubt it, the few affectionate lines from your own hand would have dispelled it—She is...
4753To John Adams from James Swan, 4 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
By a resolve of Congress the 18th of Oct. last, I perceive the Sufferers by fire and Seizures, occasion’d by the Enemy, are invited to lay their loss before them. For that reason I now trouble you, as one of the Committee. You are doubtless acquainted with the General damage from the fire, which happen’d last May, in the Town dock of Boston, caused by Genl. Gage’s 47s. or Tarring and...
4754To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 14 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
The 2 instant at night we began a cannonade and bombardment upon the Enemy, and continued it three nights successively; on the 4th at night we threw up works upon the heights on Dorchester Point. The next morning the Pirates in Boston and in the Harbour appeared to be in great agitation, and every day and night since have been preparing (according to our observations, and the information from...
4755To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the United States a statement of the claims of American Citizens adjusted by the board of Commissioners under the 21st. article of our treaty with Spain; and a letter from Matthew Clarkson Esquire, the commissioner on the part of the United States, dated the 2d. instant, informing that the commission terminated on the 31st. of...
4756To John Adams from DeWitt Clinton, 6 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you a Discourse pronounced before a Literary Society in this State. My object in delivering it was to evince my zeal for Science and my motive in sending it to you is to indicate my respect for a distinguished Statesmen of the Revolution. I have the honor to be / with the most perfect consideration / Your most Obedt. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
4757To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 16 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
The flames of War, which are again spreading universally over Europe, have at length caught across the Atlantic, and involved our Country in the Conflagration—Numerous as the obstacles to a safe and speedy Communication of Correspondence between us and our friends in the United States have heretofore been they are now greatly aggravated and multiplied—We received on the 5th: of this Month, the...
4758Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
At length an opportunity offers after a space of near five Months, of again writing to You. Not a vessel from any port in this state has sailed since Jan’ry, by which I could directly convey you a line. I have written twice by way of Virgina,1 but fear they will never reach you: from you I have lately received several Letters containing the most pleasing intelligence. “Peace o’er the world her...
4759To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 24 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
In your last letter from Quincy of April 4th. you wished I would furnish you with a Copy of Hamiltons Letter to Miranda and asked in what Journal, Magazine, Review or Newspaper it s deposited—At the time, I could only furnish Mirandas Letter to Hamilton, since my return home I have found among my books a Vol entitled South American emancipation a London edition By J.M. Antipara, a Native of...
4760Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
you have been so good writing at every stage where you put up for the night, that I have been able to follow you with pretty exact calculation. I thought however that mrs smith would overtake you at Newhaven I received yesterday mor’ g your Letter from Lovejoys and was rejoiced to find that mrs smith had come up with you, more So, as the unpleasent weather must have retarded you on your...
4761Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
How lonely are my days? How solitary are my Nights? Secluded from all Society but my two Little Boys, and my domesticks, by the Mountains of snow which surround me I could almost fancy myself in Greenland. We have had four of the coldest Days I ever knew, and they were followed by the severest snow storm I ever remember, the wind blowing like a Hurricane for 15 or 20 hours renderd it imposible...
4762To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 10 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
By your indulgence in permitting me to ask you any questions, I am emboldened to send you one of my circular letters; by which you may see that I intend to leave no practicable source of information unexplored. If it should be in your power to suggest any thing relative to either of the topics mentioned, I should be happy in receiving the communication. There is another point about which I...
4763To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 19 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I shall make no apology for troubling you, Sir, as you have been so Kind as to grant me that liberty. I hope you received by Mr. Celesia my preceeding letter of 19th. August, inclosed in which there was one for the Govr. of Virginia numbered 21. You will find here the following, numbered 22, which I beg you to peruse, and forward to its destination. You will see by it that after Mr. Celesia...
4764To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 7 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
The last Letter that I had the pleasure of writing to you, was dated 8. May, at Reval—since which this day completes two Months. During the interval, if the idea in your favour of 28 November, that a wandering life is not compatible with human Nature, be correct, (I ought to ask your indulgence for questioning the correctness of any opinion that you express) I have been most unnaturally...
4765To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 30 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I should not have thought of troubling you with the inclosed sermon, if it had not been suggested to me by a friend who heard it that it seemed to be formed on the principles which were advanced in your defence of the American Constitutions & to recommend such Checks and Balances in Ecclesiastical as you had thought necessary in civil Government. If in this view of it, or any other it may be...
4766To John Adams from James Montgomery, 6 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of a Letter from Secretary Wollcott in which he informs me by your determination my Commission as Captain of the Revenue Cutter is annulled and that the Public Interest requires it should be done I beg leave to request an explanation of those Words as it imply’s a degree of Crimination of my Conduct that as a Man of Honour and a Citizen I am entitled to an explanation of I...
4767To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 5 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai écrit amplement au Bourguemaitre Hooft touchant la Situation des affaires dans cette Province, avec priere de Vous en donner Communication. Les Villes ont pris de bonnes Resolutions. Mais je Suis encore incertain au Sujet des Nobles. Mecredi, a eu juger par les apparences et quelques informations, ils etoient peu disposés a reconnoitre L’independance. Mais il ÿ eu qui croient quils ont...
4768Abigail Adams to John Adams, 3 November 1789 (Adams Papers)
I did not write to you by the last post. I was in hopes to have received a Letter from your and to have known from under your own Hand how your Health was. Tommy wrote me by your direction; and I heard by other Hands of your safe arrival and the News papers inform us that by desire of his Honour the Leiu t Govenour you was in the procession to accompany the President to his Residence. there is...
4769To John Adams from Thomas Barclay, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I most heartily and sincerely Congratulate your Excellency on the Events of Friday and saturday last, and I rejoice the more because you are destined to reap the fruits of what you have sown with so much industry and attention. I am persuaded you are now rewarded for the Exercise of patience which you have Exhibited on this occasion, and I hope an agreeable prospect is now opened for the...
4770To John Adams from James Sullivan, 24 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Numerous friends will undoubtedly give you by this Conveyance all the news we have in this part of the world, but that you may not think me wanting in that respect which we all owe to your public Character, and that Esteem I ever had for you in private life, I intrude this letter upon you: I have not however the ambition to wish you would acknowledge the receipt of it, because I am...
4771To John Adams from Francis Dana, 24 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to you, on the request of the Grand Jury attending the Supr: Judl: Court, now sitting in this place, their address to you, signed by all the Members of it, one only excepted. It is wished that your answer & the Address might be sent under cover to me thrõ the Post-Office, if a private conveyance shou’d not offer, and that I shou’d to take care to procure...
4772To John Adams from John Jay, 2 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I lately wrote you a few hasty Lines just as the vessel which carried them was departing; and enclosed a Pamphlet containing my Correspondence with a M r Littlepage, who was formerly in my Family. The attack which produced that Pamphlet, was not only countenanced but stimulated by some of the Subjects of our good allies here. It is no Secret either to You or me that I am no favorite with them:...
4773To John Adams from James Bing, 18 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Having been appointed by mr James Simpson (our old Consul in Morocco) his agent to settle his accounts (which have been standing since the year 1795) with our Government, and to Petition Congress in his behalf for arrearages of pay to which he has always considered himself, Justly entitled—or for such other relief as Congress shall see fit to afford him, in his present embarrassed...
4774To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 13 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Packett to the Honle. Doctor Franklin, contains Papers relating to the Loss of the Brigantine Fair Play, which Vessel was sunk, last Januy., by a Battery, on the Island of Gaudaloupe. The Particulars of this unhappy Misfortune, whereby Eighteen Men perished, together with the Steps taken in Consequence, You’ll find in these Papers, which I beg the Favor of your perusing—afterward...
4775To John Adams from James Lovell, 8 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yours of Janry. 9th is before me. Deane had inclosed to Congress a long minute corresponding history of what you sent me. He doubted whether Mr. R M had communicated to us what had been sent of the kind formerly therefore he wrote to him lately with flying seals under cover to the President. Mr. R M had been indiscreet in remarking to T.M. upon the Conduct of the Commissioners as not acting...
4776To John Adams from Seth Hunt, 20 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
It is very important to shew the Death of Peter Harrison, the Brother of Joseph Harrison who was Collecter of the Customs at Boston previous to the American Revolution—The said Peter is supposed to have been killed in one of those dreadful Scenes that preceded the Revolution. From your high standing at Boston & your intimate acquaintance with the principal Inhabitants of the Town & with the...
4777To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 30 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the Honour of your Letters of the 14. & 19. I hope no Reply that can give Consequence to the Author of the Book written by the Enemy, will be made. Your present Sovereign Station will most probably be holden. And whilst it continues, Acts of Infidelity & Treachery, ought not to make too deep Impressions. You are the Supreme Head of a Nation, in which Suspicion and Aspersion...
4778Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Mr. Johonet waited upon me with your favour of Febry 4th. I am sorry you have sufferd so much anxiety with regard to a domestick occurrence, it has been wholy oweing to want of conveyance that you have not much sooner been informd that what you wish, has taken place, that is that it is done with—and that this determination took place soon after my last Letter to you which was in...
4779To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
A surgeon being wanted for the Ship Herald, I have taken the Liberty to forward a Commission for Doctr. Amos Windship, agreably to your Letter of 16th ultimo. I have the honor to be with the / greatest respect & esteem, sir, / your most obed servant MHi : Adams Papers.
4780To John Adams from Edward Everett, 7 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have just received Your favor of the 2d instant, inclosing the letter from Mr. Jefferson. I hasten to present You my grateful acknowledgements, for Your kindness in Communicating this interesting letter, & for the flattering expressions, with which You do me the honor to accompany it. As soon as I am able to give Mr. Jefferson’s letter a perusal as careful as becomes the respect due to its...
4781B. de Cabarrus Jeune to John Adams: A Translation, 8 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter that your Excellency did me the honor to write of 2 April. I am very grateful for the compliments you were kind enough to bestow on me and the regard that you have for my opinions. I will always be very happy to find occasion to be useful to you. Your Excellency requested an account of the different qualities of wine in this province. We have numerous varieties,...
4782From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 11 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
The last Letter that I wrote to you, was dated the 31st: of August 1813. Almost a year ago—and as I know not whether you have received it, I enclose with this one a Copy of it—I have explained to your brother George in a Letter to him the causes which have prevented me from writing to either of you for so long a time—He will shew you his Letter, where you will find them—I now send addressed to...
4783To John Adams from Robert Liston, 18 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this Letter, Mr. Athill, Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Island of Antigua, is desirous of paying his respects to the President of the United States, and still more anxious to have the honour of becoming acquainted with Mr. Adams; and as I cannot have an opportunity of presenting him to your Excellency in person, I have taken the liberty of furnishing him with an...
4784To John Adams from Gustavus Scott, 11 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
We received by yesterdays Post a Letter from your Secretary enclosing sundry papers which had been transmitted to you by a Mr: Collin Williamson.— Sensible of the pressure of business which you are obliged to sustain it is with reluctance that we trouble you with the affairs of the City however important, and we are really sorry that this business should have been intruded upon you Agreeably...
4785To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your two letters of yesterday & to day have made me serious. They discover a profound knowledge of times past, present & to come. I have directed one of my daughters to copy two sentences from your letter of this day to be sent to my son Richard at Washington who, poor fellow! is swamped in a beleif of the infallibility and perpetuity of the “powers that are”. I know he reveres your judgment....
4786To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 8 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing You from Boston, the 16 th Ult o , and endeavor’d to give a general State of our public Affairs. Having retired to my Country Estate since the Adjournment of the General Court, which was a little before the date of my last, I have not had opportunity to acquaint myself of the present Sentiments of the people at large on the several Matters that had agitated...
4787To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Although indisposition and absence may have frustrated our wishes of being first in paying Your Excellency an homage in which our Country partakes so much of, by the success of your negotiations we trust to your Excellencys indulgence for being Satisfied with this apology, and tho’ late, that you will accept of this tribute which yeilds to none in sincerity. Our wishes are in nothing more...
4788To John Adams from George Reid, 24 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to forward you the unanimous Address of the Society of the Cincinnati of this State as passed at an extra Meeting expressly called for that purpose on the 22d: Instant— By order of the President When the misguided Policy of the Country whence we derive our Origin, had compelled America to make an awful appeal to Arms, the individuals who now composed the Society of the...
4789To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of your direction founded on the Resolve of Congress passed the second of March 1797 I wrote to the Governors of the. . . . . states of Conversation in New-Jersey Pennsylvania Maryland, Virginia, Kentuckey Tennessee & South-Carolina. requesting to be informed whether those states respectively had “ratified the amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution concerning the...
4790To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 6 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your letters of the 11th of February has given me great pleasure. I regretted exceedingly that the incidents of the day, at our last interview, deprived me of the pleasure you then proposed, of conversing fully & freely on the subject of the Navy. I have this day written to Captain Selman (Commodore Broughton being no more) & have requested of him every information, & a copy of every document...
4791To John Adams from James Lovell, 10 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
The week after Mr. C—— was appointed secretary, I saw the P.S. of a letter to Mr. S.A. in which he is said to be a very unworthy person, but he has so good a Character in the estimation of Congress and from Maryland Gentlemen, that I did not think proper to move for a power of Suspension to be given to the Commissioners, as I find it is the opinion of some here that the secretary should be...
4792To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 29 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai trouvé si important pour le bien commun des deux nations le Sentiment où vous vous êtes montré devant moi chez M. Izard, tou chant le Secours qu’il conviendroit d’envoyer actuellement à M. le Cte. d’Estaing que j’ai cru ne pouvoir me dispenser d’en hazarder l’insinuation à nos Ministres. Pour ne point vous compromettre a cause de votre caractere de Député du Congrez, et n’en ayant point...
4793To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received this morning the inclosed letter from Major General Hamilton dated the 17th July Inst. recommending Ths. y. How of Trenton, in N. Jersey, to the Office of 2d. Lieutenant in the 11th United States Regiment of Infantry. Knowing the inadequacy of the salaries allowed to officers in subordinate stations, and how difficult it is to secure the services of persons properly qualified to...
4794To John Adams from Benjamin Adams, 30 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
With Humble Permission I Approach to Address your Great Personage In your Great and Exalted Station where in you are raised by the free Choise and Suffrages of a Free and Independant People: where in I rejoice and Congratulate you: I would Use the words of King Solomon and Say that It is my Hearts Desire and Prayers to Almighty God for You that you may have an understanding Heart to Judg thy...
4795John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 18 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
I enclose herewith the second number of my Gazette, which completes the Journal for the month of March. By the last post I sent to Hamburg a letter for my mother with the information, that on the 12 th: inst r: my wife was delivered of a son. But she was then extremely ill, & I wrote under the impression of great alarm on her account. She has since very much recovered, & as I am assured quite...
4796To John Adams from Pieter van Bleiswyck, 30 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
C’est avec baucoup de Satisfaction que J’ai L’honneur de m’acquitter de la Commission dont Les Etats d’Hollande et de West Frise viennent de me chargee en vous faisant parvenir, Monsieur, une Copie de La resolution que Leurs Nobles et Grandes Puissances ont prises avanthier au sujet de vottre Admission comme Envoyé des Etats Unis de L’Amerique.
4797Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of August 17th is just put into my hands with word that Capt. Grinnel is to sail tomorrow, all of a sudden without having been to see me, or warning me of his going. I made a little excursion to Haverhill with our daughter and son Charles which prevented my getting my Letters ready. However I am determined not to close my eyes to Night untill I have written to you, and will send...
4798To John Adams from J. A. Sullivan, 4 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Agent for the United States has the honor to propose, that the Honorable Board will, in such manner as to the Commissioners shall appear proper and suitable, receive from John Adams, the President of the United States of America, his knowledge as to certain facts which are within his recollection, and which took place in the forming of the Treaty of Peace in 1782, and the truth of which...
4799To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
Autant nous avons été en peine de Vous savoir avec Madame en mer par la tempête qu’il faisoit, autant nous a réjoui la nouvelle de votre arrivée à Londres, laquelle écrite ici par Mr. De Lynde, me fut com̃uniquée en son temps par Mr. Fagel, avec qui j’eus occasion de m’entretenir de V. E. à l’hôtel de France, & qui m’a chargé de vous faire parvenir ses complimens. Mr. Jrujo, mon très cher ami,...
4800William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 23 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write under date of the 16 th. ins t. —and am content that the communication I thought it my duty to make, has been received—and am also satisfied that it is not new to The President— The report that on my visit to Detroit, I gave out, that I was sent by The President, for ends of Government of some sort or other— is utterly and totally false...