4911From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 5 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 24th past. You have had a terrible Passage indeed, taking it all together from London to Amsterdam. The Season has been, and continues, uncommonly severe, and you must have suffered much. It is a Pity that the good Purpose of your Voyage, to save if possible the Credit of Mr Morris’s Bills...
4912To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been favoured with so manÿ proofs of your kindness I should have hesitated to undertake the task in writing this letter; more so, as I flatter’d meself, that it should have been in mÿ friend’s power, to satisfy in this article the utmost of your wishes. But here I fear I shall be disappointed, as this is the time of the ÿear of making up his annual accounts, which require all his...
4913To John Adams from Edward Dilly, 3 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have only One Moments opportunity of acknowledging your favor of the 30th of Decr and of informing you that the Packet inclosed was sent agreeable to direction. Every friend of Liberty and the English Constitution rejoice to hear of the Firmness and unanimity of our Brethren in America. By your own Virtue, Valor and Perseverance you are to expect a deliverance from the Yoke. Every attempt...
4914Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
You left directions that Mr Pratt was to cut the Trees upon the plane for Timber to build a Barn this he has Done and our Teams have Drawn it, but upon inquiry I found that there would not be half enough for the Building. I inquired of Dr Tufts what conversation You had with him upon the subject, and of Pratt what You had Said to him. the Dr recollected that You talkd of building an addition...
4915To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, 23 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
Such is the situation of this country, that I fear I shall be too troublesome in recommending to your notice dissenters that are disposed to emigrate and settle on your continent. This letter will be delivered to you by two young men of good character, and fine spirit, the sons of Mr. G. Humphreys, a fellow sufferer with me in the Riot in Birmingham. Many men will also find it necessary to...
4916From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter and the pleasing information it contains has greatly delighted your father and I think you will now be rewarded by his full approbation of the exertions which you have made and which at last have proved successful—We shall certainly visit Boston as I wrote you and George has engaged to study with Mr Webster who is now here—Miss Hopkinson is at Alexandria to which place I took her...
4917To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The southern mail has just brought me a letter from Governor Davie, in answer to mine inclosing his commission as one of the Envoys to the French Republic. He desires me “to assure you, that whenever you shall deem it proper that the Envoys should proceed on the business of their appointment, his acceptance of the commission may be expected.” He also desires me “to present to you his thanks...
4918To John Adams from Paul R. Randall, 4 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I should have addressed your Excellency long e’er this, since my Arrival from Algiers —but being in Expectation of bringing on M r: Lamb’s Letters—was entirely without Suspicion of the many Impediments which retarded my Progress thus far. M r Lamb must undoubtedly have given your Excellencies the Reasons of sending me from thence—and however repugnant to my Inclinations, I must be necessitated...
4919To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 29 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
It is with the greatest pleasure, that I inform You of the late Arrangement of our foreign affairs, in which You are appointed to negotiate the Treaties with G Britain and our Friend Mr. Dana to be your Secretary. Mr. Jay is to negotiate with Spain, Mr. Carmichael to be his Secretary, and Colo. John Laurens, Son of the late president Laurens, to be Secretary to Doctor Franklin. I shall not be...
4920To John Adams from Winthrop Sargent, 30 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
In the Belief that it may afford to you some Pleasure, I do myself the honour to enclose to you a Drawing of sundry Matters collected from an old Grave in this Country—addressed as you will observe to my Friend Mr Beekman of Boston—The Skull of the Body interred with them memebred away upon being exposed to the Air, and a Part of the Thigh Bone Seems to me as antique as many which I have...
4921From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 4 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
As I know how much your time must be engrossed by your studies my Dear John altho’ the temporary loss of your correspondence will grieve me I will submit to it most patiently on account of the motive which does you so much honour—I observe that you appear to be a little mortified in your last Letter at what I remarked in one of my former ones which you somewhat misunderstood—The observation I...
4922To John Adams from John Roberts, 29 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a Meeting of the Justices, the grand and petit Jurors, and the Officers of Talbot County Court, and of a numerous and respectable Body of the people of the County, assembled at Easton, on the twenty ninth day of May in the year seventeen hundred and ninety eight, in pursuance of previous Notice, for the purpose of considering the Situation of their public Affairs, and of expressing their...
4923To John Adams from Charles Francis Adams, 29 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter the whole family have been suffering from violent colds. I did not escape lightly, on the contrary, I was two days in greater trouble than was ever occasioned me by any cold before. My father has also been attacked and indeed every member of our family in regular order. To make the assertion more general, I might say that the whole City had been under the influence of this...
4924To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Some time since General Dickinson introduced to me Mr. Evan Jones, brother to the late Dr. Jones of the city of Philadelphia, who had then recently come from Louisiana, where he has dwelt more than twenty years. Mr. Jones is now about to return to New-Orleans, to attend to some commercial objects, and wishes the appointment of Consul from the UStates. His letter to his brother Edward, which I...
4925From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, [4 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to enclose to the Vice President of the United States the letter of the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, with that of Captain Lyde. These papers were duly transmitted to the President of the United States, but could not be attended with any favorable consequences to Captain Lyde, as a commander for the Cutter on the Massachusetts Station had...
4926To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 3 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
L’incluse vous apprendra tout ce qu’il y a de nouveau ici. Nos amis ne sont guere contents du Mémoire Russe. Pour moi, je ne trouve pas que la Russie Soit blamable de ne pas se presser de secourir la Rep., jusqu’à-ce qu’elle voie que celle-ci arme tout de bon: autrement on pourroit bien ici lui laisser tout le fardeau de la guerre maritime, en ne se tenant que sur la défensive. Tout ceci...
4927To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 11 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have received Letters from your Excellency of the 24 th & 28 th Ult. what accompanied the last will be published with other Matters of a like Nature & altogether will make an handsome & interesting Collection. The mischiefs, that might have ensued from the intended American Trade Bill are at length guessed at by many, and the Difficulty of drawing it up, to the Content of Selfishness, (which...
4928From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 24 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving, an hour since, your letter of the 22d instant, with the copy of one to you from Colonel Smith. I am happy to think that the question presented is on mere military principles a very simple one. The rule of promotion, by succession, does not in any service, as far as my knowlege goes, apply to a new corps, in its first organisation. Officers for such a corps, it is...
4929To John Adams from Alexander Townsend, 13 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have it in contemplation to devote a portion of my leisure to Recollections of the Life of Samuel Dexter . Any facts, public anecdotes, or pertinent data you may be good enough to supply, wd. be a tribute of respect to his memory, I am well aware, your heart and hand are both open to pay. I add only as apology for a stranger’s application, that obligation indeed wd. thus be conferred on,...
4930To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Since I had the honor to transmit to you Doctor Stevens’ dispatches, relative to the affairs of St. Domingo, they have much engaged the attention of myself and colleagues. We are all of opinion, that the arret of Roume, the particular agent of the Directory, of the 25th of April, cannot be considered as commensurate with those conditions which in the original instructions to Doctor Stevens...
4931To John Adams from Henry Knox, 27 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
The Secy for the Dept of War, to whom was referred the resolution of the legislature of Massachusetts, on the Petition of Chas Knowles & others, late regimental pay masters & agents of the State’s quota of the Continental army Respectfully Reports, That the report hereunto annexed, was made the 25 day of May 1790, upon the application of some of the petitioners. But it now appears that it is...
4932To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 14 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 3d. & 6h. Inst.—I have in consequence of the first, written to Capt Morris, & to Mr Duer, and have no doubt, the business respecting Mr Duer will be so managed as to admit of this Young Gentlemans release without injury to the Discipline of the Navy. Lt. Elison, who has been most offended by Mr Duer—and who caused him to be arrested, will I expect, on...
4933Senés to John Adams: A Translation, 10 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I possess certain secret remedies that I consider as specific because they very rapidly cure collapses, old as well as new, even in subjects considered incurable, and for which I have 26 certificates of cure. Thanks to my secrets one could avoid sending officers and soldiers wounded in time of war to the waters and have them leave the hospitals, thus...
4934Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I this day Received yours of the 20 of April accompanied with a Letter upon Goverment. Upon reading it I some how or other felt an uncommon affection for it; I could not help thinking it was a near relation of a very intimate Friend of mine. If I am mistaken in its descent, I know it has a near affinity to the Sentiments of that person, and tho I cannot pretend to be an adept in the art of...
4935To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of an Act of Congress, passed on the third of March 1797, entitled “An Act authorizing an expenditure, and making an appropriation for the prosecution of the claims of certain citizens of the United States, for property captured by the belligerent powers,” I have the honor to lay before you an account of the expenditures in that service in London , and of the reimbursements...
4936To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I Should not have importuned your Excell—this year with another Letter did I not believe it dutiful to acquaint you with everÿ material change in mÿ circumstances—not that I Consider them impertant enough to merit much your Excell. attention, but that it Seems to bestow some impertance on me, in persuding me Self that you believe me not unworthy of communicating them with you. the Council of...
4937To John Adams from B. H. Rand, 2 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have lately published an elegent Edition of the Farewell Address of the late Gen: Washington. Permit me to present you with a copy of it as a testimony of my respect for your Publick and private worth, and as a specimen of the the Fine Arts in our country. Your Obedient Servant P.S. The work will be handed to you by Mr J. W. Goodrich Bookseller Boston. MHi : Adams Papers.
4938To John Adams from James Breckenridge, 31 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a meeting of a Committee appointed composed of a deputation from each Militia Company of the 48th. Regiment in the County of Botetourt & state of Virginia, in the 31st. day of May 1798, the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to. James Breckinridge in the Chair John Miller Sety. Resolved as the Opinion of this meeting that the President of the United States not only possesses but...
4939To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 23 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellent Letter of the 23d: of March, and one by Mr. Dana, are now before me. How any Mortal can entertain an Idea that Liberty, and Safety, can be secured without Independency, I have no Conception; this half Faced policy, may amuse Timid Statesmen, Treacherous Whiggs, and the Tools of Designing Scotchmen; but not one Honest, Sensible, determin’d American can be deceived by it; go on to...
4940To John Adams from Charles Lee, January 1800 (Adams Papers)
As the enclosed letter, purporting to be from a member of your house, and received by me on the 11th instant, relates to the Privileges of the House, which cannot, in my opinion, be enquired into, except by the House itself, I have thought proper to submit it to your Consideration But in as much as any no gross impropriety of Conduct on the part of persons holding commissions in the army or...
4941To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 13 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that Colonel Fitzgerald, Collector at Alexandria, Virginia, has mentioned his intention to resign that Office, this Spring— Among the names of the Candidates, who may offer to fill this Vacancy, whenever it may happen, You will, probably, see that of Thomas Porter, whose recommendations will bring him into View— He is a Native of Danvers in Massachusetts—has resided more than...
4942To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 5 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you my Copy of Capt. Jones’s Instructions. My opinion is that in quitting his Ship without our leave or orders was a breach of his duty—that his continuing here after receiving his orders is a still more flagrant breach of his duty—that we shall be justly blamd, if we do not give him immediate and peremptory orders to proceed to his duty and compel obedience to them. You will see by...
4943To John Adams from Thomas Cushing, 9 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Agents appointed by the Gen l. Assembly of this State to conduct & prosecute their Claims to certain Lands lying to the Westward, controverted & disputed by the State of New York, have represented to me that in order to support this Claim they should wish to be furnished with an Authenticated Copy of the Patent of King James 1 st. to the Council of Plimouth given in 1620 & the original...
4944To John Adams from Daniel McNeill, 10 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
There is wanted to compleat the warrants of the Ship Portsmouth’s Officers, vizt: for Charles Hall as Sailing master, John Skriggins Carpenter, Thomas King Boatswaine, Robert Dickey Sail maker, Mr. Edmund Andrews, John Prentiss and David McGregore Midshipmen. Mr. Edmund Andrews requests permission of leave of absence to go to Europe to settle his Business for which favour he will be greatly...
4945To John Adams from Gabriel Duvall, 17 September 1808 (Adams Papers)
The House of Representatives of the United States having passed a resolution directing the Secretary of the Treasury to lay before them at their next Session a list of all balances due to the United States on account of monies advanced, it is desirable to Settle as many accounts as it Shall be found practicable to examine before the first day of October next, and particularly in cases where it...
4946C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 27 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since your departure from here, nothing has happened except that yesterday the province of Holland made a resolution to the Russian court refusing the peace proposal from London. The resolution was communicated to the states general yesterday, after which the states of Holland adjourned until next Wednesday. Here are several letters that were brought to me from the inn. I offered to pay the...
4947To John Adams from Thomas Crafts, Jr., 17 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I recieved yours of april 4 th and should have wrote sooner but thought it best to wait sometime that I might answer your Queries with more certainty. I thank you for Your Polite & unremitted attention to my Application in favour of M r Martin B Sohier, Have waited with some degree of impatiance for the result of the Secretary of War’s determination on that subject, Cannot doubt from what you...
4948To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 9 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
London 9 January 1781. RC Adams Papers . printed : Digges, Letters Letters of Thomas Attwood Digges , ed. Robert H. Elias and Eugene D. Finch, Columbia, S.C., 1982. , p. 348–349. This letter, written “Tuesday night late,” quoted verbatim an account of the French attack of 6 Jan. on the Island of Jersey that appeared in the London Gazette Extraordinary of Tuesday, 9 Jan., but see also a report...
4949From John Jay to John Adams, 3 January 1799 (Jay Papers)
I this morning laid before the Legislature of this State, your answer to their address: for the kind and honorable mention made of me in it, be pleased to accept my warmest acknowledgments. To be thus laudato Homine laudari, and to recieve such spontaneous and decided manifestations of sincere and cordial Esteem and Friendship, are Events too interesting & pleasing not to excite correspondent...
4950To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 3 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Finding neither you nor Mr. Shaw, I take the liberty of enclosing for your consideration a letter from Gen. Wilkinson & another from the united brethren. Perhaps the legislature ought to originate the business referred to by the General; I mean it would be better policy perhaps, tho’ existing laws are I think already sufficient. I see no objection to the charitable views of the united...
4951To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 4 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
Herewith th r ough the politeness of Mr Quincy you will receive the Coins for your son. I regret that some of them are not recently coined. None such have been issued lately from the mint. Your Son Thomas’s friend Mr Erving has paid me for them. Permit me to Congratulate you upon your Son John’s honourable Appointment to a Seat upon the bench of the United States. It gives great Satisfaction...
4952Abigail Smith to John Adams, 12 September 1763 (Adams Papers)
You was pleas’d to say that the receipt of a letter from your Diana always gave you pleasure. Whether this was designed for a complement, (a commodity I acknowledg that you very seldom deal in) or as a real truth, you best know. Yet if I was to judge of a certain persons Heart, by what upon the like occasion passess through a cabinet of my own, I should be apt to suspect it as a truth. And why...
4953From John Jay to John Adams, 1 February 1783 (Jay Papers)
M r . Fitzherbert has just been with me— He will give passports for american merchantmen, on our doing the like for british ones. He informed me that Doct r . Franklin is preparing a number of these Passports, in his own name. As this Business appears to both ^ of ^ us to appertain rather to the american Commissioners for peace, than to the residentiary Minister at this or any other Court;...
4954Elbridge Gerry to John Adams, 5 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
Since my last, informing You of the Circumstances of your Appointment to the Court of London, Congress have elected Col o Smith of this State, Secretary to the Legation. several Candidates were presented to Congress, & my Friend & Collegue, M r King of Newbury port (whom I shall hereafter speak of, & whom I wish to introduce to your Confidence & Friendship) was of Opinion with myself, that it...
4955To John Adams from William Lee, 10 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 29th. Ultimo, since which the Enemy have furnish’d us with such intelligence relative to affairs at Chas. Town and New York as they choose to publish, but I understand in General, that they are very greatly alarm’d for the very defenceless State in which N. York has been left and the extreme doubtfulness of Clintons success in his attempt...
4956To John Adams from Samuel Sewall, 30 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
About a month ago I had the honour of a line from you, requesting transcripts of all such paragraphs in the Journal of the “ most antient Cheif Justice Sewall”, as related to “any persons or events in the antient Town of Braintree”. Since the receipt of that letter I have been examining, as I had opportunity, that Journal, with a view to making such transcripts. The result you have below. It...
4957To John Adams from David Bradford, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
David Bradford an unfortunate man; who fell into the errors of that part of the community where he resided, having severely felt and suffered on account of those errors, with the deepest sensibility and contrition, adventures to address your Excellency in the sincerest language of submission, humiliation & petition. Far from beleiving that he can justify his conduct, your Petitioner will not...
4958To John Adams from John Trumbull, 28 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 1st. of this Month was received by me here on the 6th. I will not attempt to express to you the feelings which were excited in my mind by its kind & approving Language—to have the approbation of the first benefactor & most eminent patriot of my Country gratifies my proudest ambition. You also will be gratified to learn that in this instance Our Country has departed from...
4959To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 14 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 28th ultimo and 7th Instant came both to hand since mine of the 10th and I began from yesterday to forward the two news papers as directed. You need not apologise for any trouble given me of this sort, for I shall be always glad to serve You. The Books you request in both these last letters will be forwarded by a Ship to Amsterdam to sail in a few days; there are other...
4960To John Adams from Hendrik Brouwer Chs. zoon, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Vergeeft Bid ik Uw dat ik vry genoeg ben U deese myne missieve te adresseeren, de Liefde voor myn Vaaderland, t’herdenken wat onse voor Ouders hebben gedaen, Sig Een vry Volk te maaken heeft in my en veele weldenkende Hollanders bevestigt dat t’Volk van America onse naeste Broederen in Deugd waaren, dus wierd het onse verschuldigde Pligt hun in hunnen Onderdrukkinge te helpen Onderschraagen,...