5651John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
Since, I wrote you this morning, at the request of M r Randolph a thousand things occur to me to say to you, but as I have not time at present I shall write you from day to day. You will have a Collection to make of the Journals of Congress and the Laws of the Union; and all the Reports of our Ministers of State to take with you. You must remember all the Relations of the U. S. with all...
5652From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you and myself on your recovery from the three Illnesses that have distressed you, the means that have been used to preserve you may, and I hope will have laid a foundation for good Health, and many more years of an already long Life. My Health is astonishing to myself, I can say, like Deborah Queen Ann Dutchess of Marlbourgh—who in one of her letters, after innumerating a...
5653From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 9 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I Sent you a Copy of my Second Volume by Mr Barthelemy the French Chargé here now Minister, with a Letter about Money matters. in your favour of Sept. 28. you dont mention the receipt of them.— I have indeed long thought with Anxiety of our Money in the hands of our Friends, whom you mention, and have taken the best Precaution in my Power, against Accidents.— I do not consider the Game as up.—...
5654From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 46, 17 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Late Letters from Dantzick, imply that Commerce was become very languishing there, for Some time, excepting for Ships timber, which bore a very good Price there, on Account of the English, which they carried away, as well in their own Vessells as those of Dantzick. The new face, which the Affairs of Europe, are about to take, from the Alliance formed between the Powers of the North, for the...
5655From John Adams to David Sewall, 4 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
your friendly letter of 31st October, has given me great pleasure. But if Envy were lawful I should envy the neatness, and firmness of your hand. Neither my eyes, nor my quivering fingers will allow me the power to write as you do. The vicissitudes of the last year have been like the Hurricane of the last Equinox, unexampled in the memory of Man. What other changes are to follow? I fear the...
5656Feby. 10th. 1763. (Adams Papers)
Belcher v. Hunt. This is an Action of Trover, for converting shingles to Hunts Use. The shingles were cutt upon Land which Jonathan White claims and has possessed for 20 Years. There is a Question to be determined by the Court previously to the Tryal of his Action, vizt. whether a Title to Land can be given in Evidence, in the Tryal of these Actions of Trover. Multa conceduntur per Obliquum...
5657From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 2 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Our ancient and venerable Friend Clinton is gone before us. It had long been my intention to write to him: but while I was busied about many things perhaps of less importance, he has Slipped out of my reach. I am determined no longer to neglect a moment to write to you lest I Should glide away where there is no pen and ink. Nearly thirty eight years ago our friendship commenced. It has never...
5658From John Adams to Increase Sumner, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honor to Send my Secretary Mr Shaw to present to your Excellency the Secretary of States Letter on the subject of the Castle, and Another Letter as an Apology for the Delay. With great Respect I have / the Honor to be, Your Excellencys / most obedient and most humble / Servant MHi : David S. Greenough Papers.
5659From John Adams to William Tudor, 3 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your fav r. of 22 Ult. is rec d. — I was well aware that many of my Friends and the Well Wishers to good Gov t , would be prevented from making their Compliments to me, on my Departure, by their alienation from the House from which I Set off: but perhaps their delicacy, upon that occasion, was too great. The Duty of 6 Cents on Mollasses, appears to me to be generally reprobated at present as...
5660From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 14 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
The Metaphysical, Theological, Ecclesiasticcal and political Pendulums, which all go to gether, like clockwork, have swung to the Utmost extremity, one way: and are now, taking a Contrary direction, and there is reason to fear, will produce as many Calamaties to mankind as the former Vibration.—Our dear Country my dear Tudor, has an important Part to act in the drama before us.—How humble...
5661The Hague June 22. 1784. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Last night at Court one of the Ladies of Honour, told me, that the Supper was given, in a great Measure, for Mrs. Bingham. Cette Super a été donne, en grande Partie, pour elle. There was great Enquiry after her, and much Admiration expressed by all who had seen her, of her Beauty. As the Princess of Orange was enquiring of me concerning her, and her Journey to Spa, Paris, Italy, the Spanish...
5662From John Adams to Antoine Marie Cerisier, 18 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved the letter which You were so good as to write me on the 15th. of this Month. The Translation of the Narrative of Genl. Howe cannot fail to have a good Effect at this critical Moment. The final Independence of America is as certain, as a decree of the Destinies. The only Question is, how much Blood shall be shed and how long Mankind shall be unnecessarily embroiled in the...
5663From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 15 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , Misc. Papers, Reel No. 1, f. 225–227. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:233. In this letter, read in Congress on 19 Nov., John Adams provided a much condensed translation, probably from a French text such...
56641760. Oct. 9th. (Adams Papers)
In Support of Complaint in Case Neal’s Action is not entered. I do not know, nor is it possible for your Honours to determine, what Reason induced the Plantiff to renounce this suit. Whether it was, because the Estate is insolvent, or because he had no Cause of Action, or because his Action was mislayed, or because his Writ was bad, which by the Way is very probable, considering who drew it,...
5665From John Adams to Joseph Wheaton, 7 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have not Sooner answered your Letter of the 11th of July because I really knew not what to say to it.— You and I have grievances: but I have no better Advice to give you or myself, than my Friend Otis gave to Molineux, “to put the List in our Pocketts, least the World should laugh at us”— The History of Your Life written by yourself would be as curious and for what I know, as instructive as...
5666From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 10 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of a very agreable private Letter from you, while in Paris, which I answerd, having executed your Orders, as soon as received. Whether you received my Answer I dont know. I have had a Stormy Voyage, but not more so than the Scaene you have been in, at Land. I wish I may have escaped with as much Hon our, as you have done: but have little Reason to believe it, for I can...
56671779 March 3. (Adams Papers)
Went to Versailles, in order to take Leave of the Ministry. Had a long Conversation, with the Comte De Vergennes, in french, which I found I could talk as fast as I pleased. I asked him what Effect the Peace of Germany would have upon our War. He said he believed none, because neither the Emperor nor King of Prussia were maritime Powers. I asked him, whether he thought that England would be...
5668John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favours by M r Reed and by Coll Herman, and am much obliged to you for your friendly Sentiments and instructive Communications. Your Plan of a Commission to treat with the maritime Powers, has not it Seems been adopted, and the departure of M r Jay for New York, has now rendered it, impracticable. Congress We are told is adjourned. M r Jay, and Mr Laurens as well as M r Dana...
5669[October 1782] (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Boreel a Deputy to the States General from the Province of Holland, with Lt. General Van derdussen, Mr. De Llano, Mr. Thulemeyer, Mr. Renovallis, Mr. Visher, Mr. of the Council of State for the City of Amsterdam, Mr. a Gentleman of the Court &c. The Dinner was elegant and a splendid Shew of Plate, as We see at the Tables of the rich Dutch Families. A little Pleasantry with Mr....
5670John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Senate advised the Appointment of M r short to Madrid, but there has as yet been no nomination to the Vacancy at the Hague. The Person however is determined on, and the Nomination will probably be made as soon as I am gone homewards— I have but one night and an half more to stay here. This Nomination, which is the Result of the Presidents own Observations and Reflections, is as...
5671From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 19 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Thank Mr De Wint for his Box of New york Cider Grove champaigne—Accept my thanks for the two Newspapers—my Introduction or rather presentations to the King and Queen of England have been heretofore published in broken scraps, mutilated and misrepresented. They have never before appeared with Official Authenticity Who has now brought them to light I cannot conceive. I cannot Suspect Mr Jay—for...
5672John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your two Letters concerning Mr. T yler are never out of my Mind. He is of a very numerous Family and Connection in Boston who have long had great Influence in that Town and therefore if his Education has been regular to the Bar, as it must have been if he followed his Studies regularly, under two Such Masters as Mr. Dana and Mr. Angier, if he has been admitted and Sworn with the Consent and...
5673From John Adams to John Jay, 25 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you Yesterday, in your Ministerial Capacity as well as mine, my ulltimate Determination to revisit my Country, this time twelve months.— I now write you this private Letter to intreat you as a Friend, to promote in every Way in your Power, an Arrangement as early as possible, by which I may be permitted to return, with Decorum.— It is not from a desire to stimulate any Body to vote for...
56741775 Septr. 26. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Wrote to Mrs. A. and Mr. and Mrs. W. The letter to AA is in the Adams Papers and is unpublished; those to James and Mercy Warren are in MHi and are printed in Warren-Adams Letters Warren-Adams Letters: Being Chiefly a Correspondence among John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Warren (Massachusetts Historical Society, Collections, vols. 72–73), Boston, 1917–1925; 2 vols. , 1:115–118.
5675John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
I think I have sometimes observed to you in Conversation, that upon examining the Biography of illustrious Men, you will generally find some Female about them in the Relation of Mother or Wife or Sister, to whose Instigation, a great Part of their Merit is to be ascribed. You will find a curious Example of this, in the Case of Aspasia, the Wife of Pericles. She was a Woman of the greatest...
5676To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been deeply afflicted with the account of your accident—At first your leg was broke—I shuddered, I feared that I should have no more letters from Monticello—Next came the account that it was only a small bone in the Arm. My hopes revived the difference between the leg and the Arm was immense. To illustrate this difference, and for your consolation and amusement; I will give you an...
5677From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 19 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have been informed, that the State of Maryland, have named Mr. Charmichael, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Williams, Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Jennings, as proper Persons, out of whom they have desired, your Excellency to choose one, in order to draw out of the English Funds a Sum of Money, they have there, for which the Agent is to have two and an half per Cent. Mr. Charmichael, is otherwise employed, Mr....
5678John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
We are lodged in our old Chamber at Amsterdam, and Sleep as soundly as if there were not a dozen houses plundered every night. The two nights before the last were very Seditious. last night was quiet, and the Precautions which Secured the Peace then, will be continued, so t[hat] all will be still.— dont be anxious for Us, nor believe half the Reports that will be circulated. Such Events are...
5679From John Adams to Wilson Miles Cary, 28 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for this Address, presented to me by Your Representative in Congress Mr Evans. With you I believe the Prosperity of America to be consistent with the Good of all. But there are some, who will have Us as Tributaries and Dependents or Ennemies. They have it in their Power to make Us Ennemies. But they cannot make Us dependent. I thank you for your Applause to my Predecessor and to...
5680From John Adams to William Tudor, 9 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Thank you for your favour of 28. Ult.— There is an entire harmony, between the two Persons you Speak of, and there is no probability of its interruption. The first is modest and the Second at least Shall be unassuming. The Constitution has furnished him with a justification of a cautious conduct, and imposed it on him as a duty. Cæsar would never have been displeased, at a Compliment on his...
5681From John Adams to Commissioners of Washington City, 17 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured by your Letter of the eleventh. Sensible of the difficulty of obtaining Loans of Money in Europe at this time, and equally with my Predecessor aware of the evil of Stopping the public Buildings, I shall have no hesitation to approve of your Plan of employing Agents to Sell Lotts, for the best Prices they can obtain, provided they be not lower, than the Standard that you Shall...
5682Harvard Colledge June 8th. 1753. (Adams Papers)
At Colledge. A Clowdy, Dull morning, and so continued till about 5 a Clock, when it began to rain m o derately But continued not long, But remained Clowdy all night in which night I watched with Powers. The first day of the first quarter of the 1753–1754 academic year ( MH-Ar : Steward’s Records, Quarterbill Books, 1720–1756). For a discussion of the impulses and influences leading JA to start...
5683From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 15 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Copies of Papers, which have passed between M r. Hartley and the American Ministers. We have not thought it prudent to enter into any written Controversy with him, upon any of these Papers. We have recieved whatever he has offered us.— But he has offered nothing in the Name of his Court, has signed nothing, and upon Enquiry of him, we have found that he has never had Authority to...
5684From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 14 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 5th has distressed me; because it has made me apprehend that I expressed myself in mine to you of the 29th Ult. with too little caution. But be assured that I never had a suspicion that you were actuated by any mean, mercenary, or even mercantile motive in this business. You have not sent me one copy too many; You have deserved well of your Country, and will merit the thanks...
5685From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon, 10 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment recd. the letter which You did me the honor to write me yesterday, with a letter inclosed from Mr. Franklin. The Approbation of Monsieur Le Comte de Vergennes is a great satisfaction to me, and I shall be very happy to learn from You, Sir, at Amsterdam the details You allude to. I have a Letter from Diggs at London 2d. April, informing me that he had communicated what had...
5686To James Madison from John Adams, 11 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Francis C. Gray a Son of our late Lt. Governor, after an Education at Colledge, two years travels in Europe under the Protection of your Minister in Russia and three years Study of the Law has been called to the Barr, and now has the laudable curiosity and noble Ambition of Seeing his native Country. And who should he naturally wish to see in it so much as its first Magistrate. I hope he will...
5687[Wednesday March 13. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday March 13. 1776. Although the System had been so long pursued to postpone all the great Political Questions, and take up any other Business of however trifling Consequence; Yet We were daily urging on the order of the day: and on this day We succeeded. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into Consideration the Memorial of the Merchants &c. of Philadelphia...
5688From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Mr Pope, the Collector of New Bedford requesting to be appointed to Superintend the Building a Light House on Gayhead, to which I request your attention. I am, Sir with great regard / Your Most Obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
568916. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning the Governor of the Province of Gallice, and the Governor of the Town of Corunna came to my Lodgings at the Hotel du grand Amiral, to return the Visit I made them last Evening. His Excellency invited me to dine with him tomorrow with all my family. He insisted upon seeing my Sons. Said I run a great Risque in taking with me, my Children. Said he had passed not far from my Country,...
5690[Notes of Debates, Continued] Oct. 12. (Adams Papers)
Report, on Trade, considered in a Committee of the whole. Lee. It has been moved to bring the debate to one Point, by putting the Q. whether the Custom houses shall be shut up, and the officers discharged from their several Functions. This would put N. York, N.C., lower Counties and Georgia upon the same Footing with the other Colonies. I therefore move you, that the C ustom Houses be shut,...
5691From John Adams to Joseph Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 9 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of your Billet of this Days Date: and will do myself the Honour, to wait on his Excellency the Comte de Vergennes, at his office, on Wednesday next at Nine of the Clock in the Morning, according to his Desire. I have the Honour to be with much Esteem sir Your humble and obedient servant RC ( Arch. Aff. Etr., Paris, Corr. Pol. , E.-U., vol. 17:312); endorsed: “ na...
5692From John Adams to United States Senate, 23 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Thomas Baker of Pennsylvania to be first Lieutenant— Thomas Wilkey of Pennsylvania to be second Lieutenant James McKnight of Pennsylvania to be Lieutenant of Marines, for the ship of War the Delaware. Andrew Sterret of Maryland to be third Lieutenant of the Frigate Constellation; Simon Gross, having resigned DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
5693Donation for the Boston Poor from Chesterfield County, Virginia, 17 December 1774 (Adams Papers)
Virginia, Chesterfield County, 17 December 1774. LbC ( MHi :Donations to Sufferers by the Boston Port Bill, p. 97–98); addressed: “To the Honble Thomas Cushing, Esq., Jno. Adams, Esqr. Mr. Sam Adams and Robt Treat Pain, Esqr. Boston”; signed: “Archibald Cary Benja. Watkins.” Virginia Chesterfield County. This letter notes that “Subscriptions have been made for the unhappy Inhabitants of...
5694From John Adams to New Hampshire Legislature, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
My most respectful and affectionate Thanks are due to your two Honorable Houses, for an Address, transmitted by your excellent Governor, and presented to me by your Representatives in Congress. The American Nation appears to me, as it does to you, on the point of being drawn into the Vortex of European War— Your entire satisfaction, in the administration of the federal Government, and in the...
5695From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 13, 5 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 5 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 281–282). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:82. In this letter, received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, John Adams indicated that he had no news regarding his commission to negotiate a Dutch...
56961783. Paris January 1. (Adams Papers)
Went to Versailles, made my Visit and Compliments of the Season to M. Le C. de Vergennes and delivered him a Copy of our Treaty and Convention with the States General. He received me with Politeness, made me the Compliments of the Season, tres sincerement, and was sensibly obliged to me for the Copies and invited me to dine. I went to see the Ceremony of the Knights of the St. Esprit, in the...
5697From John Adams to James Warren, 12 February 1777; 15 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Certificates and Cheque Books for the Loan Office, I hope and presume, are arrived in Boston, before this Time, and notwithstanding the discouraging Accounts, which were given me, when I was there, I still hope that a considerable sum of Money, will be obtained by their Means. It is my private opinion, however, that the Interest of four per Cent, is not an equitable Allowance. I mean, that...
5698From John Adams to Johann Ulrich Pauli, 11 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 5th. instant, and thank You for your polite Invitation to Hambourg, a Journey which it would give me pleasure to make, but which various Occupations will oblige me at least to postpone for sometime. In Answer to your Inquiries, Sir, I have only to say that at present I have no Powers from the United States of America to treat with the Hanseatic Cities: but...
5699From John Adams to James McHenry, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday your favor of the 13th have read the papers inclosed voluminous as they are & return the commission for Col. Butler & the talk to the Indians signed. The Indians have been taught to misunderstand The advice against selling their lands to individuals, for advice against selling to the United States. I am Sir / your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
57001779 Decr. 20. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Audiencia, where We saw the four Judges setting in their Robes, the Advocates in theirs a little below and the Attorneys lower down still. We heard a Cause argued. The Advocates argued sitting, used a great deal of Action with their Hands and Arms, and spoke with Eagerness. But the Tone of oratory seemed to be wanting.