6251From John Adams to Winthrop Sargent, 4 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th of Jany. inclosing an address from the inhabitants of the Mississippi territory, which is very acceptable and pleasing to me. For the polite manner in which you communicated this kind attention of your fellow citizens to me, I pray you to accept my thanks. The situation, in which your country has placed you, is at present of great importance to its...
6252John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 3 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have accepted two Bills drawn by my Wife to be paid at the House of Mess rs Willinks and Shall accept two more to be paid by Mess rs Fullers in London. Please to charge these and all the Monies I Shall draw in London at the Same House to the United States as part of my Salary Tomorrow I go to London, and thence directly to Paris with my Family, to meet M r Jefferson who is joined with M r...
6253From John Adams to James Warren, 26 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I See by the publick Papers that M r Hancock has resigned, and I Suppose you have just passed through the Bustle of a new Election. it is a question here among Us Americans Who? General Warren M r Bowdoin M r Cushing and General Lincoln are in nomination. But We cannot elect you know and therefore nobody Says who he would vote for. We all agree that there is danger of less Unanimity than in...
6254Saturday [14 June]. (Adams Papers)
This Week has been spent in Business, i.e. filling Writts, and Journeys to Boston, Scadding, Weighmouth, Abington. The other Night Cranch explained, to Zab and me, the Fire Engine, with which they throw up Water from the Bottoms of their Tin Mines in Cornwall, and Coal Mines in New: Castle. They have a large Cauldron of Plated Iron, filled with Water, and closely covered, and placed over a...
6255From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 August 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 5th of July with your Letter to Chanceller Livingston on Some Points of the natural History of Buffon and Jefferson, and your other Letter to Gerrit Boon. Col. Lincklain by whom you Sent them has not favoured me with a Visit—if he Should I Shall Shew him all the Civility in my Power. I have read the Letters with great pleasure. There are too many Subjects of...
6256From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 19 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your’s of the 11 th. You will please to accept of my thanks for the kind Care you have taken of my Son, who is I hope before this with you, and to repeat my humble thanks to the Duke for his goodness upon this Occasion. My Younker ought to think himself highly honoured; by the Notice that has been taken of him by so many respectable Personages. M r. D’Asps Letter I will send...
6257From John Adams to United States Senate, 9 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I Nominate Mattathias Rice, of Western, Massachusetts To be a Surgeon’s Mate in the Navy. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
6258From John Adams to John Jay, 31 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Marquis of Carmarthen told me a Story of an Italian Ambassador who resided at this Court some Years ago, which was very humerous. It was his Excellencys Practice to take all the Newspapers, every Morning, and make up his Dispatches by transcribing Paragraphs from them. He began very gravely “Ho penetrato,” and went on from those Words to translate whatever he found which could amuse or...
6259From John Adams to John Jay, 30 April 1821 (Adams Papers)
I must beg your pardon for delaying so long the acknowledgement of your kind favour—you have done all that is necessary to be done with Mr Duane—The sume of the matter is I suppose is—he has ploughed the Son of the Heifer in the Secretary of States Office—and procured copies of some of your communications to Congress—My letter to Jonathan Jackson, which was unfortunately and absurdly laid...
6260From John Adams to James McHenry, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the Commissions for the three Generals Signed and all dated on the Same Day. I am sir / your most obedient &c DLC : James McHenry Papers.
626128 Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Read about 40 lines in Virgil, and wrote a little at noon. Nothing more.
6262From John Adams to William Vaughan, 5 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
A Reminiscence, as the French phrase it, of Civilities received from you and your Brothers, whenever I have met them in France England or America, emboldens, me to introduce to you a Gentleman of Virtuous Character and Worthy Connections. Mr Theodore Lyman Junr of Boston. He is modest, Studious and inquisitive.— I have had this Winter the pleasure of a Visit from your Brother and his Lady, and...
6263From John Adams to William Vans Murray, 3 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have now before me your several favours of 18th July, 4, 11 & 17th of August, and 31st October.—I am very much obliged by your kind attention to me, in all these instances, and for the News papers you have Sent me from time to time— I have attended with some care and with great pleasure to your correspondense with the Secretary of State, which will do you much honor—I wish it could be more...
62641766. Novr. 9. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Fine Weather Yet. Heard Mr. Penniman all Day. Spent Evening with Dr. Savil.
6265From John Adams to Elihu Phinney, 7 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your favour of July 24th inclosing a of the Otsego Herald and several other printed papers in Prose and verse. I thank you Sir for the amusement you have given me in these Compositions. There is a good deal of Wit and diverting humour in those in Verse. A great mathematical Controversy that once in a Century invariably puzzles Mankind like a Riddle is completely decided...
6266From John Adams to James Searle, 4 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of yours of 24 Jan. only yesterday. F. Silas Deane is indeed arrived here, but I cannot learn that R.R. Edward Bancroft is. I have not been honoured with a Visit, as yet, nor have I seen him. There is a Courier arrived from Petersbourg, who carried the News of Sir Yorkes leaving the Hague. Alls well in the north. The Spirit here waxes warmer. A new Play is brought upon the...
6267From John Adams to William Taylor Barry, 21 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
I know not that I ever received a letter with more pleasure than yours of the 30 June last except the circular from your committee which I received some days before. The wisdom & liberality generosity of your Legislature in making a liberal appropriation of money for the benefit of schools Academies colleges & the university is an equal honor to them & their constituents—a proof of their...
6268Tuesday. July 1st. 1760. (Adams Papers)
Went to Town. Mr. Thatcher . You have read a great deal, Mr. Adams, in the Roman History, concerning the Modesty of Youth, and their Veneration of the Elders. Now I think these young Gentlemen had very little of that Modesty and Veneration, when they went in the face of Law and against the Remonstrances of all the Elders to act their Plays. Mr. Otis says there is no Limitation of Attachments....
6269From John Adams to Joseph Palmer, 2 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
This will go by my worthy Brother Dana who, is returned, as he went a very good Whigg and much more abundantly. I hope he will be appointed a Judge or Attorney General immediately, as he is extreamly well qualified for Either. Since my return to this Place, I have lived in tolerable good Humour with our old Friend, notwithstanding the rash Anger he expressed in certain Letters. I have had two...
6270From John Adams to Fizeaux, Grand & Co., 26 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of your Letter of the 17th. instant, inclosing the 66 Bills of Exchange accepted by me, amounting to Bf. 109780, which you have paid, and for which you, have debited the Account of the United States of America. I Yesterday received your other Favour of the 25th. instant, inclosing 17 Bills of Exchange, Accepted by me amounting to Bf. 16,220 which you have paid, for the United...
6271From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
With much pleasure I have heard read the sure words of prophecy in your letter of Sep— 4th. It is melancholy to contemplate the cruel wars, dessolations of Countries, and ocians of blood which must occure, before rational principles, and rational systems of Government can prevail and be established—but as these are inevitable we must content ourselves with the consolations which you from sound...
6272From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 31 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
Long before the death of Mr Tudor I had a design to address to you a few Letters upon Subjects which I knew he could not keep from the knowledge of the numerous inquistive People who Surrounded him.— You, I know can keep Papers to yourself, Whatever I may write to you, I pray may not be published in my Life-time; After my death, I leave them to your discretion.— I neither expect or desire any...
6273John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 18 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
After a journey without any accident, I arrived here, in good health, the Friday night after I left you, and went into lodgings, which I did not find convenient, and the next morning removed to Francis’s hotel, where I have good accommodations, with company enough. I forgot to thank you for your kind present of patriotic manufacture; but I own I am not, at my age, so great an enthusiast, as to...
6274From John Adams to William Gordon, 27 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am like other Debtors, afraid to look into my Affairs lest I should find the balance against me. it is so with you, I very much Suspect. You may not be sorry to be uninterrupted, for I suppose you are busy in writing your History. I should be glad to see it, because it is time there should be some sketch or full Draught in which there may be some Resemblance, when there are so many abroad...
6275From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 9 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 3d I duely received and am very much obliged to you for the Trouble you have taken in Writing to my dear Mrs. Adams, and in sending her a few Merchandises to the amount of 229 Livres: 6 s: 9 d which Sum I will immediately pay to Mr. W. T. Franklin as you desire, and I should have been very glad to have paid an additional sum for your Commissions. We are in the Midst of an...
6276From John Adams to Thomas Perkins, 14 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
I am quite ashamed to have neglected to this time any acknowledgement of the various civilities I have received from your friendly hand. I very heartily thank you for the fromage de Rocford, which was a high regale to me and Some of my friends, who had learned in france to estimate the value of it. The Segars are excellent, as well as those heretofore received. I Shall never be able to make...
6277From John Adams to Thomas Mifflin, 15 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 5th. instant by Tuesdays Post, and laid it before the Board of War, who recommended Monsr. Weibert to Congress for the Rank and pay of a Lieutenant Coll., and the Office of an assistant Engineer, to which he was appointed, without opposition and the President I suppose will transmit his Commission by the first opportunity. I am happy to learn that his Conduct, Skill,...
6278John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am glad to learn, by your Favour of the 12th, that you have begun to translate Suetonius. This is a very proper book to teach you to love your Country and her Laws. Do you translate it into French or English? You Should always have a Book of Amusement, to read, along with your Severe Studies and laborious Exercises. I should not advise you to take these Books always from the shelf of Plays...
6279From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
Every one of your letters has given me great pleasure, and none more than No. 6. Aug. 15 just received. I am much pleased with the progress of your studies especially in the language of the Muses. When you are Master of the Greek all other Tongues Arts and Sciences you may want, will be easily in your power. You ought also to bestow Some of your attention upon Numbers and Figures as well as...
6280From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, 3 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter—And will proceed with my abrupt narrative— The practice of the British Government—by their instrument the Governor, and his friends and subordinate Agents in this little Parish of Quincy—was as Arbitrary and disgusting as their professed Religions, and Political principles and Theory.—You know the general History of Governor Shirley but perhaps you may not...
6281From John Adams to William Wenman Seward, 2 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to Write me yesterday, and observe with pleasure your Friendly Sentiments towards my Country. America is growing more & more interesting every day to mankind, and your Countrymen have greater cause to expect a cordial welcome in it than any other. I doubt not you may lay out your money there to advantage, but some Skill and discretion will be...
6282From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 18, 27 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
It seems to be now certain, that Some of Mr. Laurens Papers were taken with him. There have been Sent to his most Serene Highness the Prince of orange, Copies of Letters from Mr. De Neufville, Mr. Gillon, Mr. Stockton and Col. Derrick, and a Copy of the Plan of a Treaty projected between the City of Amsterdam and Mr. W. Lee. The Prince was much affected, at the Sight of those Papers, and laid...
6283V. “Letters from a Distinguished American,” No. 6, 2 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
IF “we receive from the West India Islands certain commodities necessary to manufactures,” as the cool reasoner on the consequences of American Independence pretends, “which we can procure from no other country;” is not this a motive for France to continue the war, as forcible as for us? The rivalry, and the enmity, between England and France, is so ancient, and so deeply rooted in the hearts...
6284From John Adams to United States Congress, 19 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Joshua Sands of New york to be collector of the District of New york, vice John Lamb dismissed DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
6285From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 1 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Permit one to enclose to you a Packet from my old Friend Governor M Kean: and a dialogue of the dead. The latter was the effusion of a musing moment of an evening at Richmond Hill when Congress sat at N York in 1789 immediately after the arrival of the news of Dr Franklins death. Searching last Sunday among a heap of forgotten rubbish for another paper, It struck my eye. After you shall have...
6286From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 10 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
24th October, 1780—wrote to my correspondent in London: “Give me leave to trouble you to send me two newspapers, the General Advertiser and the Morning Post. Let them be sent constantly by the post. I have an opportunity already of seeing some other papers. Let me beg the favor of your sending me, also, General Burgoyne’s and General Howe’s narratives. When your funds are near exhausted, let...
6287From John Adams to Engelbert François van Berckel, 10 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have this day received the Letter which you, did me the honour to write me, on the 8. and am much obliged to you for your candid kind Communications, which will be of much Use to me, as I hope in bringing the Treaty to a just Conclusion. I rejoice that the City of Amsterdam has decided upon the matter so amically and candidly, and whenever any Propositions or Remarks shall be made to me My...
6288[November? 1791.] (Adams Papers)
Williamson. Great Numbers emigrate to the back parts of North and S.C. and G. for the Sake of living without Trouble. The Woods, such is the mildness of the Climate, produce grass to support horses and Cattle, and Chesnuts, Acorns and other Things for the food of hogs. So that they have only a little corn to raise which is done without much Labour. They call this kind of Life following the...
628919. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
The two Privateers, which were in Sight Yesterday, are so still with two others. Our Captain at length laid too, hoisted his Colours and fired a Gun as a Challenge. One of them hoisted English Colours and fired a Gun, which I suppose was accepting the Challenge. Our Captain gave her two Broad Sides, for the Sake of exercising his Men, and some of his Balls went beyond her, some before and some...
6290From John Adams to John Taylor, 29 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
“Whether the terms ‘Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy,’ or the one, the few, and the many, are only numerical; or characteristic, like the Calyx petal and Stamina of plants; or complicated with the Idea of a ballance; they have never yet, Singly or collectively been used to describe a Government, deduced from good Moral Principles. ” Linnæus is upon my Shelf, very near me; but I will not...
6291John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 13 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter with the Copy inclosed, which has affected me too tenderly, to write any other Answer at present than this, that I have ever vindicated your Character as far as lay in my Power, from the Suspicion of having written that anonimous Libel the only case that I have ever heard of, in which it was endangered: and that I Shall ever continue to vindicate it, because I...
6292From John Adams to John Binns, 8 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging letter of September 2d. but have not received the Declaration of Independence. it has been lost, or at least retarded in the Post Office—whenever it arrives I will indeavour to send you such remarks as may occour to me.— I have no pretensions to any Critical taste, in any such elaborate and elegant Efforts of the fine Arts.— I am Sir, with much Respect for your...
6293From John Adams to John Holmes, 10 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am deeply indebted to you for your kind letter of the 7th of this month, & the Oration enclosed in it. Old age lies under the scandalous imputation of querulousness, & the ridiculous charge of gerrulity. Though I reject the imputation, I cannot consistently deny the charge. Your request of criticisms from me brought to my recollection an Anecdote. Voltaire has published criticisms of great...
6294John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
It gives me great Pleasure to find, that your Situation is agreable to you. An abler Instructor than Mr. Dumas is not to be found. Is not an 100 Verses at a Time too long a Lesson? Are you familiar enough with the Latin to comprehend So many Verses at once? You have Ainsworths Dictionary I presume. Let no Word escape you, without being understood. Drydens is a good translation, but it is not...
6295From John Adams to James McHenry, 18 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have ruminated so long, upon the case of Andrew Anderson, that I am under some apprehensions that my feelings have grown too strong, & produced a result, that will not appear to you perfectly right. I consider Cox & his associates, as very artful men & being probably considered as men of great consequence in that country, they had the influence to seduce a poor soldier to a crime, for which...
62961766 Decr. 8th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Dr. Tufts’s. Drank Tea at Dr. Halls Pembroke. Lodged at Captn. Littles Kingston.—I find a general Opposition in the County of Plymouth, to Compensation. Jacobs tells me, that Scituate voted vs. it with great Warmth. Judge Cushing Moderator did not think fit to say a Word, nor was there a Word said or an Hand up in favour of the Bill, tho they had voted for it in October. Keen of...
62971772. Octr. 27. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
At the Printing Office this Morning. Mr. Otis came in, with his Eyes, fishy and fiery, looking and acting as wildly as ever he did.—“You Mr. Edes, You John Gill and you Paul Revere, can you stand there Three Minutes.”—Yes.—“Well do. Brother Adams go along with me.”— Up Chamber we went. He locks the Door and takes out the Kee. Sit down Tete a Tete.—“You are going to Cambridge to day”—Yes.—“So...
6298To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Coll. Franks arrived Yesterday afternoon, with your Favour of Septr. 24.—I have signed all the Papers as you sent them, not perceiving any Alteration necessary. I am afraid, that our Agent to Algiers going without any military Power will not succeed; as the Danger of having their Town bombarded, or their Vessells taken, is the Principal Argument which the Dey has to use with the People, to...
6299From John Adams to Mr. Thomas, 5 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for a valuable present of the transactions and Collections of the American Antiquarian Society, it is a work no less valuable than curious— Posterity as well as present Age will be under no less great obligations to your society—for their labours and researches—I have always regreted my inability to become a Member of it—but a great variety of reasons too many to be enumerated had...
6300From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 February 1808 (Adams Papers)
Since you will not allow me the whole of Parson Nelsons Epithets for his Son I will insist upon retaining the better half of them. Nothing was farther from my intention than to underrate the Character of Admiral Nelson. I can Subscribe to all that you Say in his praise: yet I would not exchange Sons with the Parson, though the Admiral were still living with all his Wealth, Virtues, Titles and...