5331[March 1776] (Adams Papers)
How is the Interest of France and Spain affected, by the dispute between B. and the C olonies ? Is it the Interest of France to stand neuter, to join with B. or to join with the C. Is it not her Interest, to dismember the B. Empire? Will her Dominions be safe, if B. and A merica remain connected? Can she preserve her Possessions in the W.I. She has in the W.I. Martinico, Guadaloupe, and one...
5332To Alexander Hamilton from John Adams, 22 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of a Letter, recd this morning from Col. Smith. I am at present at a loss to judge of it. Will you be so kind without favour or affection to give me your candid opinion of it. Whether his request can be granted in the whole or in part without injustice to other officers. And whether it is consistent with the military Ideas. I pray your Answer as soon as possible. I am, Sir...
5333From John Adams to James McHenry, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your letter of the 10th and return you the Letters from General Wilkinson and the Qr. Mr. General. Inclosed is a Letter from John Hampdon Palmer of Vermont to Judge Cranch, requesting his Aid in procuring a Pair of Colours. This young Gentleman is a Grandson of old General Palmer my Neighbour, who was active and usefull in the early Part of the late Revolution, and indeed I believe...
5334From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 January 1805 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the fourteenth, with its ample Enclosures of Documents, has arrived in good order....I deliver all the Journals of Senate and House, all the printed Bills and other printed Papers you send me, to your Brother, who I presume preserves them all in order for your Use and his own. The Season here has been unexampled. We have had an Abundance of Snow but it has been melted almost as...
5335To John Jay from John Adams, 28 March 1781 (Jay Papers)
It is so long since I wrote You, that I am almost ashamed to recollect. I have been in the most curious Country, among the most incomprehensible People and under the most singular Constitution of Government in the World. I have not been able to write You, what could or would be done here, because I was not able to discover, nor did I ever yet find one Man in the Country, who would pretend to...
5336December 8. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
At home all Day. Mr. Jennings, Mr. Grand Pere et Fils, Mr. Mason and Mr. Hoops called upon me.
5337August 16. (Adams Papers)
Went to Church, to the Chappell of the Duch Embassador in Paris, where We had Prayer Books, Psalme Books in french and a Sermon. The Preacher spoke good French, I being judge, and with much grace. I shall go again.
5338From John Adams to Elihu Marshall, 7 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the honour you have done me, by your letter of the 16th. of last Month—and for the valuable present of the American Tutors Assistant—which I believe to be a valuable Book—At the moment I received these favours; I was deeply engaged in reading Cato Major—and I could scarce help thinking, that I was reading Tillotson Sherlocke, Buttler, or our Buckminster, or Everett—for there...
5339From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 26 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
As I stand in great need of a Casuist in Phylosophy, Morality and Christianity; to whom Should I apply, but to you, whom I consider as the best qualified of all my Friends? The Stoicks, the Christians, the Mahometans and our North American Indians, all agree, that Complaint is unmanly, unlawful and impious. To bear Torment without a murmur, a Sigh, a Groan, or a distortion of Face or Feature...
5340September 3. 1796. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Pursuing the Wall. Tirrell is here and We expect French with his Team. Some soft warm Showers in the night and this morning. French came not, because it rained. Anniversary of Peace, which has lasted 13 Years.
53411782 Nov. 27. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Benjamin Vaughan came in, returned from London where he had seen Lord Shelburne. He says he finds the Ministry much embarrassed with the Tories, and exceedingly desirous of saving their Honour and Reputation in this Point. That it is Reputation more than Money &c. Dined with Mr. Jay and spent some time before Dinner with him and Dr. Franklin, and all the Afternoon and Evening with them and...
5342From John Adams to Thomas Mussey, 12 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have received from my merutorious firend and Nephew Mr Shaw, your polite letter of the ninth of this month; together with an ingenious and valuable implement in domestic economy. This invention appears to me an improvement in our culinary œconomy which perhaps wants reformation and amelioration as much in proportion as any other interest. I thank you, sir, both for your letter and /...
5343May [16], 1767. Saturday Night. (Adams Papers)
At Howlands in Plymouth. Returned this day from Barnstable. The Case of Cotton and Nye at Sandwich is remarkable. Cotton has been driving his Interest. This driving of an Interest, seldom succeeds. Jones of Weston, by driving his, drove it all away.—Where two Persons in a Town get into such a Quarrell, both must be very unhappy—Reproaching each other to their faces, relating facts concerning...
5344John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have been so diligent on the Road and so much interrupted by Company at the Taverns that this is the first time I have been able to get an opportunity to write to you. We arrived at this house last night (Saturday) Shall rest here to day and go into N. York tomorrow.— at Hartford, the Manufacturers presented me with a Piece of Broadcloth, for a Suit of Cloaths. at N. Haven the Corporation...
5345John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
There is a sett of Scotch Writers that I think deserve your Attention in a very high Degree. There are Speculations in Morals Politicks and Law that are more luminous, than any other I have read. The Elements of Criticism and other of Lord Kaims’s Writings—Historical Law Tracts—sir James Steuart—Adam Smith &c both his Theory of Moral Sentiments and his Wealth of Nations— There are several...
5346Contract for a Loan with Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 11 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Translation from the Dutch minuted on a Seal of 48 Stivers. (Signed.) Van Hole Notarÿ . On the Eleventh daÿ of June in the ÿear one thousand Seven hundred and eightÿ two appeared before me Pieter Galenus van Hole Notarÿ of Amsterdam admitted bÿ the honble. court of Holland. The Honble. John Adams Esqr. Minister plenipotentiarÿ on the part of the united States of America bÿ their high...
5347From John Adams to James Warren, 11 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure of inclosing you, a Declaration. Some call it a Manifesto. And We might easily have occasioned a Debate of half a Day, whether, it Should be called a Declaration or a Manifesto. Our Address to the People of Great Britain, will find many Admirers among the Ladies, and fine Gentlemen: but it is not to my Taste. Prettynesses Juvenilities, much less Puerilities, become not a...
5348From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 34, 30 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Province of Zealand having been opposed to the other Provinces in so many Instances and having lately protested against the Resolutions of the States General, which begin to be thought spirited, it may be useful to explain to Congress the Causes which influence that Province to a Conduct, which is generally thought to be opposite to the true Interest of the Republic in general. In the...
53491774. Fryday. Octr. 28. (Adams Papers)
Took our Departure in a very great Rain, from the happy, the peacefull, the elegant, the hospitable, and polite City of Phyladelphia.—It is not very likely that I shall ever see this Part of the World again, but I shall ever retain a most greatefull, pleasing Sense, of the many Civilities I have received, in it. And shall think myself happy to have an opportunity of returning them.—Dined at...
5350[Wednesday June 12. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday June 12. 1776. Resolved that the Committee to prepare and digest the form of a confederation, to be entered into between these Colonies, consist of a Member from each Colony. The Members appointed Mr. Bartlet, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Sherman, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Dickenson, Mr. McKean, Mr. Stone, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Hewes, Mr. E. Rutledge and Mr. Gwinnet. Resolved that the...
5351From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
A Battery of Great Guns, has been erected in Philadelphia in the Beginning of this Year, under the Command of a young Engineer Mr Walsh of Baltimore. As Sylla Said that in young Cæsar were many Mariuses, perhaps it may be found that in this young gentleman are many Hamiltons The Title of his work is The American Review of History and Politicks, and general Repositary of Litterature and State...
5352From John Adams to Francis Dana, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Favour of Sept. 5/16. if my Son can find a good oppertunity to come, I should be glad to see him. But should not be willing to trust him with every Companion. He is too young for such a Journey, unless in Company with a prudent Man. Mr John Adams has a Letter from Mr John Jay of 28. Ult. informing him, that Yesterday, Mr Oswald recd a Commission to treat of Peace with the...
5353From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 12 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
As I am not able to be punctual as Smith , in the payment of my debts; I fear I owe you a Letter, of so long Standing that it ought to be paid with Interest.— I want Information concerning the Fisheries in New York, New Jersey, Connecticutt, Rhode Island. I have heard that in your City of Hudson and from your City of New York, Fisheries to the Banks of Newfoundland to the Gulph of St. Laurence...
535427 [i.e. 28] Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
A cool but pleasant morning. Dined at Mr. Paines. Drank Tea at Mr. Putnams. Walked with him to his Farm. Talked about all Nature.
5355From John Adams to James Lovell, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours of Octr. 14, and 19, are received. The Exposé des Motifs, is indeed news to me. I dislike, the Experiment, as much as you, and am equally happy, the offer did not suc was rejected. Mr. Jay, will find no Embarrassment, I presume, for Spain has all along furnished Mr. Lee with Money, in very considerable sums, and will continue it, I doubt not to the Minister. But I shall have precarious...
5356From John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 3 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved in due time with great Pleasure all your Letters & Dispatches: But the Reason why I have not answ’ d. them regularly, was the uncertainty where you was to be found indeed I have been buisy in other things, & nothing from you seemed to require any other answers, than acceptance & payment of your Draughts, which has been punctually done, Give me leave my dear sir to congratulate...
5357From John Adams to François Barbé-Marbois, 1 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
You advised me to take my Son with me, to Europe, and I followed your Advice, and went further and brought his Brother to bear him Company, and went further still and brought a Grandson of our Friend Dr. Cooper. I thought the more of our Youth I brought here for an Education, the more the Acquaintance between the Countries would be extended, and the Connections strengthened. They are all...
535812. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Met at Mr. Laurens’s, and signed the Letter, I had drawn up to Mr. Dana, which I sent off inclosed with a Copy of the Preliminaries — and consulted about Articles to be inserted in the definitive Treaty. Agreed that Mr. Jay and I should prepare a joint Letter to Congress. At 7.1 met Mr. Jay at his House and We drew a Letter. Signed by the four American Commissioners and dated this day, this...
5359From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 23 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
As I take a great interest in your pleasures, and your troubles, your last Journal has given me a large share of both—the social scenes are delightful and the prospect of trouble is afflicting—I am interested too in the Journey of our Collegians who came here on Thursday—sett all the Tailors with their Needles in Motion—and on Saturday went to Boston with their Uncle who fitted them off with...
5360From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 19 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your Single Principle, in your Letter of the 15 th must fail you.— You say “that Republican Systems have never had a fair Tryal.”— What do you mean by a fair Tryal? and what by Republican systems.— Every Government that has more than one Man in its soverignty is a republican system. Tryals innumerable have been made. as many as there have existed Nations. There is not and never was, I believe,...
5361From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 18 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the Court Gazette with Clintons Proclamations. I would give any Thing I had time to write you, a whole sheet about Carolina. The Party of Horse, that galloped out—what did they meet with? By the Return of killed, and Prisoners, it must have been the most obstinate and desperate defence that ever was made, or a barbarous and diabolical Massacre—take which you will, and what...
5362From John Adams to John Jay, 21 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had my Audience of Leave of His Majesty. I Shall not trouble you with any Particulars, of the previous steps to obtain this Audience (which you know are always troublesome enough); nor with any detail of the Conversation, farther than the Publick is immediately interested in it. The substance of my Address to His Majesty was no more than, a Renewal of assurances in Behalf of the...
5363[April 22. Wednesday 1778] (Adams Papers)
April 22. Wednesday 1778 Dined at home and spent the day on Business with Mr. Lee.
5364From John Adams to Thomas Crafts, Jr., 25 [May] 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have received with a mixture of pleasure and gloomy melancholy your favour of the 17 th. What motives the eastern members can have to support the silly petition of Franklin and his Quakers, I never could conceive: but it was not that conduct which sowered the minds of the Southern members against an assumption of the State debts. The seat of government is more likely to have had such an...
5365Adams’ Abstract of Title: Middlesex Superior Court, Cambridge, October 1772 (Adams Papers)
1756. Novr. Deed from Jonas Prescott to Jonas Jnr. of Gift. ¼th. 1749. Aug. 17th. from Jonas to Ebenr. ½ of all my Homestead. Free Liberty to pass and repass by Gates and Barns. 1719. Octr. 8th. from Jonas to Jonas Jnr. All my Right in an old Dwelling House, &c. excepting 1727, 8 Jany. 28. Jonas to Jonas. ½. David Goodhue . Jonas Esq. in Possession of Part, and Prescott that is dead of another...
5366I. Draft Proposed Prussian-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, with a Contemporary Translation, 9 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
[ 9 April 1784 ] [ 9 April 1784 ] Traité D’Amitie et de Commerce, conclu entre Sa Majeste le Roi de Prusse et les Etats Unis de L’Amerique Septentrionale. Treaty of Amity & commerce concluded between His Majesty the King of Prussia & the U d States of North America. Le Roi de Prusse et les treize Etats Unis de L’Amerique Septentrionale, desirant d’etablir d’une maniere Stable et permanente les...
5367From John Adams to Thomas Truxtun, 30 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have many apologies to make for omitting so long to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favour of the 10 of July— The copy you have done me the honor to present to me, of the medal voted by Congress, and executed according to my directions, to the Secretary of the Navy, I accept with great pleasure, not only from a personal regard to the giver, but because I esteem every laurel bestowed...
536817 [i.e. 18] Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
17 i.e. 18 Tuesday.
5369From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
It has ever been my intention to come in Person to the Hague, and take Leave of their High Mightinesses, with all the Respect in my Power, before my departure for America. it is still my design. If it is the usage of their High Mightinesses, as you Say it is, to make a Present of a Chain upon the occasion, it will be very agreable to me to accept it, and in the Language of my Countrymen I hope...
53701781. Monday. Jan. 15. (Adams Papers)
Visited old Mr. Crommelin and Mr. De Neufville. There is a wonderful Consternation among the Merchants. Many Houses have great difficulty to support their Credit.
5371From John Adams to James Warren, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
About Ten Days ago, I had the Boldness to make a Motion that a Navy Board Should be established at Boston —certain Gentlemen looked, Struck and Surprized—however it passed. I have moved, I believe fifteen Times, that a Nomination should take Place. Certain Gentlemen looked cold. Two or three Days ago, the Nomination came on. Langdon, Vernon, Deshon, Dalton, Orne, Henley, Smith, Cushing, and...
5372From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
yours of the 9th. is received, you do not give me any account of your Studies as formerly—Mr. Smith and your Aunt have been very fortunate in escaping the Plague at Pensacola, please to give my love to them. I hope the Mexican Ambassador and his eight Gentlemen companions have brought with them plenty of Milled dollars, and Mexican Bullion, and after teaching our Merchants and Manufacturers...
5373From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
In your letter of the 13th. you hint that attempts are makeing to draw into question the solidity of the public credit but you have not explained the particulars and I am at a loss to conjecture the facts which you may allude to. Public credit can never be steady and really solid without a fixed medium of commerce. That we have not such a medium you know has been my opinion for several years....
5374[July [4]. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
July 4 . 1776. Resolved that Dr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Jefferson be a Committee to prepare a device for a Seal for the United States of America. This paragraph is interlined in the MS and mistakenly placed between the last two paragraphs of the entry dated 1 July. The editors have placed it where JA no doubt intended to put it. This committee reported on 20 Aug., but its report was...
5375From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 13 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r Adams presents his Compliments to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen and acquaints his Lordship that M r Jefferson, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles is now here and as they have something to communicate to his Lordship relative to the Affairs of the United States, they request a Time when they may have the Honour to pay their Respects to...
5376[1780 January 20th Thursday.] (Adams Papers)
1780 January 20th Thursday. Although We endeavoured in Bil bao to take as much Exercise as possible and to amuse ourselves as well as We could, and although the Attention and Hospitality of the House of Gardoqui had done every Thing in their Power to oblige Us, Our Residence in this place was nevertheless very far from being comfortable. We were all sick with violent Colds and Coughs, some of...
5377John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 20 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received yours of Ap. 18. Via Leverpool. Money may be sent to the East, to purchase Tea and other Commodities for which We now send it to London, and pay double Price. Besides Tobacco Peltries and Ginzeng, may be procured. Our Oil might easily find a Market in almost any great Town in Europe. Nothing is wanting but to make known the superiour Qualities of our Sperma Caeti Oil, by...
5378From John Adams to Mr. & Mrs. Baily, 1 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, & Mrs Adams requests the Pleasure of Mr & Mrs. Baily’s Company to Dine, on thursday next, at 4 o’Clock. An answer is requested. MHi .
5379From John Adams to North Carolina Legislature, 11 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received, in a polite and friendly Letter from His Excellency Governor Davie, your very honourable Address Subscribed by Mr Mathers Speaker of the House of Commons and by Mr Smith the speaker of the senate on the 24 of last month. A Confirmation of the American System, from the Commencement and during the Progress of the War in Europe, so full and explicit as this from the Legislature...
538014 Monday. (Adams Papers)
Drank Tea at Mr. Putnams. Spent the Evening at the Majors, with Esqrs. Chandler of Woodstock and Brewer of Worcester.—He is not a wise man and is unfit to fill any important Station in Society, that has left one Passion in his Soul unsubdued. The Love of Glory will make a General sacrifice the Interest of his Nation, to his own Fame. Avarice exposes some to Corruption and all to a Thousand...