6501To John Adams from James Lenox, 24 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
I can but confess my neglect in not letting you Know that I received your Verry polite answer of the 12th. Sept: 1805. on the 16th. of the Same Month, to mine of the 6th. of the Same you must Know, Sir, that one of the greatest satisfactions to me is the Keeping up a correspondence with some of the old Sages of our Revolution, and I hope it will not be considered as flattery in me if I place...
6502To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
From the influence as president of the senate, and a Citizen of massachussets, that you will have in the Councils of our Nation, and more especially upon the Votes of the eastern delegates in both houses I have taken the liberty of addressing a few thoughts to you upon the Subject of the residence of the Congress of the United States.— 1 The active and useful part which the Eastern states have...
6503To John Adams from Pierre Landais, 14 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I think it my duty to inform you that I have wrote several Letters to his Excellency Dr. Franklin desiring to know by what authority I was Kept from my Ship, I inclosed him an order from the Secretary of the Honble. Navy board Philadelphia the purport of which was, to take in a few goods for his use As the Ship was Ordred home by Congress, My Officers and Crew Inform me that they have also...
6504To John Adams from Thomas Dawes, 5 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I hope and trust that I shall not offend you by any thing in this communication. What is every body’s business is nobody’s: and therefore I meddle with a subject above my talents, lest it should be touched by hands inferior to my own. Notwithstanding the disparity of years between you and me, it is very probable that you may survive me, as your constitution is better than mine: yet, according...
6505Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind favours of the 19 & 22 of April. the printers were very obliging in taking particular care to supply me daily with the paper’s by which I learnt the arrival and Reception of the Pressident, & vice Pressident. if I thought I could compliment in so courtly and masterly a stile, I would say that the address to the Senate was exactly what it ought to be, neither giving too...
6506To John Adams from James Warren, 20 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday returned from Plymouth where I had opportunity of spending only three or four days in such a hurry of private Business as would scarcely admit of a single Meditation in the Calm retirements of the Fields. I Breakfasted in the Morning with your Sensible and Amiable Lady. She showed me a Letter from you. I read it with pleasure. I arrived here about 12 O Clock. You will say a late...
6507To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 12 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
The sudden death of a very amiable Grand–Son, has involved myself and family in such deep affliction, as prevents me from replying, as I intended this day, to the last mark, of your kind attention, dated the Second Instt.—I thought it my duty to return Governor Mc.Kean’s letter immediately, as requested.—By your permission I took the liberty to have it copied, and may observe upon it, when I...
6508Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 9 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
Agreable to your esteemed favour we have the honour to inclose your acc t Amounting to ƒ1528:17:8 and charge Said Sum to the United States, having no Doubt, but your Excellency’s will find all right, M r. Meyers tells us you’ll Send the papers to us, we Shall be glad the Same come in time to be Send to Congress by the Ships first sailing wh ch. may be in two or three days. The Loan goes...
6509To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 14 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your most esteemed favoúr of 12 Curr. we shall have tomorrow morning a conversation with M. Charles Storer to be ac quainted with the articles, he chuses to fill up the trunck which we have received bÿ your Excellency’s order, and we shall take the utmost Care to procure the best goods at the lowest rate and sent it, if possible by Cap: Coffin to the Address of Isaac Smith Esqr....
6510To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai fait ce matin les démarches dont j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler. L’effet en question sera mis demain 19e. en vente publique, pour savoir qui en offrira le plus. Nous laisserons offrir, sans nous en mêler. J’ai envoyé un Expert, dont le rapport est satisfaisant quant à l’essentiel: C’est-à-dire que l’Effet est bon et sain; qu’il a seulement été négligé, et que les réparations comme...
6511To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 9 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I Have long wished for a private opportunity to write to you, And while Expecting it, Have deprived myself of the pleasure to tell you my Opinion of Your Admirable Book— I Cannot Express, my dear Sir, the Satisfaction I felt in Reading of it—let those who study Constitutions in their Closet Say what they please—to Any one who Has Experience, Yours must Ever be the true principles— there is in...
6512To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 18 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
All my family rejoice with yours in the happy issue of the operation performed upon Mrs Smiths breast. The enclosed letter is intended as an answer to her’s to me, and to serve the further purpose of exciting in her a belief that her Cure will be radical & durable. I consider her as rescued from a premature grave. Since my last letter to you it has pleased God to make all my family very happy...
6513To John Adams from William Willis, 27 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
On my arrival at this place I address’d to you a letter And am now very concious that I made in it a very improper request which was a letter of introduction to Judge Marshall and am the more fully Confirm’d in this, by not receiving it One of my objects by the present letter is to bring to your view the cruel causes of my present unfortunate State, with respect to property; and shall make my...
6514From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 7 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with yours of Jan. 19. Mine of Jan. 12. had not I suppose at that time got to your hands as the receipt of it is unacknoleged. I shall be anxious till I receive your answer to it. I was perfectly satisfied, before I received your letter, that your opinion had been misunderstood or misrepresented in the case of the Chevalier de Mezieres. Your letter however will enable me to say so...
6515To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 2 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
I received this day a letter from mr̃s Adams of the 26 th. ult. informing me you would set out on the 29 th. for the Hague. our affairs at Amsterdam press on my mind like a mountain. I have no information to go on but that of the Willincks & VanStaphorsts, & according to that something seems necessary to be done. I am so anxious to confer with you on this, & to see you & them together, & get...
6516To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Servant of the De Neufvilles going to Amsterdam early in the morning gives me an opportunity of sending a letter to you for Mr. Ridley in Maryland which I beg you to give to the first safe hand bound to America. We are still without any authentic accounts from N. York or the quarters of the British Army tho the general Town report is that Ministry have been some days in possession of bad...
6517To John Adams from Henry Ware, 18 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Mr Ware is induced by the request of Dr Waterhouse, to take the liberty of offering to the Honorable Mr Adams the enclosed historical pamphlet; and would avail himself of the opportunity of expressing the sentiments of high respect with which he views his life & character. MHi : Adams Papers.
6518From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The wishes expressed, in your last favor, that I may continue in life and health until I become a Calvinist, at least in his exclamation of ‘ mon Dieu ! jusque à quand’! would make me immortal. I can never join Calvin in addressing his god . he was indeed an Atheist, which I can never be; or rather his religion was Dæmonism. if ever man worshipped a false god, he did. the being described in...
6519Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Mr Dawes sent me word that he was going to Newyork this week. I would not omit any opportunity of writing to you, tho I know I must sometimes perplex you with domestick matters I would not do it, but that I wish your advise and direction. I wrote you in my last that the wall was compleated between mr Bass & you, and Barley has been sown. the Hill before the window, your Brother has had cleard...
6520To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 24 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am this far arrived on my way Home. Give Me Leave to introduce to your Notice Mr. George Lux a Son of a Gentleman who is my particular Friend, a Man of the most worthy and amiable Character, he is bound for our Camp and would be glad to carry your Commands to any of your Friends. Mr. Cary, Mr. Hopkins and Smith, young Gentlemen of Balt. Town, are also for our Camp and worthy of Attention. I...
6521To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have to answer two Letters from you—one of 28 October, and the other of 13. November—Tant va la Cruche à l’eau qu’à la fin elle se casse, was an old french proverb, long before Washington’s Mother was born. Tant va la Cruche a l’eau qu’à la fin elle s’emplit is the variation of Beaumarchais’s Basila in the Marriage of Figaro—But whether the pitcher is filled or whether it is broken it was...
6522To John Adams from Samuel Tucker, 11 February 1791 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday receivd Your very Polite Letter by which I think myself highly Honour’d on this reception, from so great a Character, and shall strictly attend to the Purport thereof. as it is Probable their will be more Cutters than one stationd on our Coast the sea part being so Extensive, I should be glad of such a command should this not be, Please to offer me a Candidate, to the President, to...
6523To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
The subject of the proposed mission to France is so important, that whether it proceed or be suspended, your decision will certainly be the result of your mature consideration. But as the idea has occurred to you of coming to Trenton, and you have intimated that you would do it, if judged best; I have consulted my colleagues; and they concur with me in opinion that it will be an eligible step....
6524To John Adams from C. D. P. Olympe, 4 November 1793 (Adams Papers)
je vous prie mon cher adams, de me retirer Expedition en regle pour Pays etrangers, de mon acte de naturalisation et de me L’envoyer par Le Porteur; vous obligerés Votre affectionné serviteur MHi : Adams Papers.
6525To John Adams from James Lovell, 18 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
It appears by Returns this day received from Genl. Gates that Burgoine must have destroyed his Standards and almost every other military Trophy during the Capitulation. Not one Musket fit for use was delivered, not one Scabbard to a Bayonett or Cutlass. We are told that instead of piling the Arms the Enemy chose to ground them, that the Waggons might more certainly crush them. Gates does not...
6526Baron von Thulemeier to John Adams, 14 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
Lê Roi desirant donner au Traité de Commerce a conclure entre S. M. et les Etats Unis de l’Amérique toute la consistance possible, adopte bien volontiers, Monsieur, Vôtre idée, de prendre pour modèle celui qui a été negocié avec la Suède, et d’introduire ensuite les changemens, qu’une différence de circonstances, et de position pourroient rendre necessaires. Une Copie mème du Traité m’a été...
6527Abigail Adams to John Adams, 24 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
We have had four days and Nights of Rain an old fashiond rain. if there had been upon the Ground a Body of snow, the flood of Rain, would have carried away all our Mills and Bridges it has laid our fenses in the meddow below the House flat the water is a foot above the bridge at mr Blacks, and over the Top of his wall which he built last Summer. till this Rain we have not had water to Grind...
6528To John Adams from Francis Dana, 18 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your Letters of the 17th. and 29th. of Septr: and after assuring you that they have given me much pleasure because they acquaint me your health and spirits are in a tolerable good state. I shall endeavour to make the best returns for them I am able to do, in my feeble state. My heart is obliged to ask leave of my head whenever it wishes to pay a proper attention to...
6529To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received your Letter of the 10th. instant, and take great consolation in learning from yourself, as I had already, and have since again heard from others, that your characteristic fortitude has firmly stood the test of that greatest of bereavements, with which it has pleased heaven that you should now be afflicted Mr Colman of Hingham was here a few days, and upon my shewing him...
6530Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I sit down to write tho I feel very Languid; the approach of Spring unstrings my nerves, and the South winds have the same Effect upon me which Brydon says the Siroce winds have upon the inhabitants of Sicily. It gives the vapours, blows away all their gaiety and spirits and gives a degree of Lassitude both to the Body and mind, which renders them absolutely incapable of performing their usual...
6531To John Adams from Patrick Miller, 14 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to present Your Excellency with the Account of an Invention for the Improvement of Naval Architecture, which is intended for the general Good of Mankind. As I trust it will be followed with happy effects to the Nations who shall adopt it, and that I believe it will prove particularly useful to the different States of North America, from the Nature of their Coasts, and Inland...
6532To John Adams from Jeremy Belknap, 20 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
By reason of your unexpected return you have missed receiving, a Letter which I wrote to you when I supposed you to have been at Phila; In it I told you that I was waiting for Mr Chas Thomson’s answer to your Inquiry & as soon as I should receive it, would draw up something & submit it to your Inspection. Will you be so good as to tell me whether you have recd any answer from him, or whether...
6533John van Heukelom & Zoon to John Adams, 27 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty to inclose a letter for M r. Cranch: Which we beg Your Excellencÿ maÿ read and then forward to him the Sooner the better; We are afraid that oúr Connexion with this Gentleman or with M r. Aústin, will be of no Consequence & that it will come to Nothing in â Short time; the reason is that we verÿ seldom receive á letter from them & nó information whether it be time or not to...
6534Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 20 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
The rumor’s of peace have almost totally subsided; those still in circulation deserve as little credit, as they generally receive. The hope is still cherished, and even encouraged by the Government here, merely to silence the importunate demands of many of its adherents. In a former letter I mentioned the report then current, that a cessation of hostilities had been agreed to, by the armies in...
6535To John Adams from James McIlroy, 10 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Subscribers, Natives of Great Britain and Ireland, and Inhabitants of the City of Albany and its Suburbs beg leave to assure you, at this political Crisis, That they are Impressed with a Strong Sense of the duties of Obedience and Support to that Government, which so benignly protects them; And that they repose a full confidence on the Integrity; firmness; and abilities that have so...
6536To John Adams from James Sullivan, 2 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honor of addressing a Letter to your Excellency, upon a subject of allowed importance to the united States, I did not indulge a hope, that you would step aside from the important concerns in which you are engaged, to acknowledge the receipt of it. nor was I vain enough to imagine, that I was able to Suggest one thought, which was not fully possessed by the Learned body of...
6537To John Adams from William Vernon Sr., 22 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiveing yours of the 16th. March last forwarded from Rhd. Isd. by the Counte de Noailles, who arrived there fourteen days past, in the Squadron, under the command, of the Chevalier de Ternay; every ship of that divison are in Port, and the Troops in tolerable health. Hope they will soon join and co-operate with Genl. Washington, in reduceing, our common Enemy...
6538To John Adams from David Hartley, 19 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I take the opportunity by means of Mr Laurens junr of addressing a few lines to you for the purpose of expressing my entire concurrence with your benevolent Sentiments concerning peace and the blessed peace makers . I agree with you that peace must come in company with faith and honour and when these meet, I join with you in saying, Let friendship join the amiable and venerable choir . It is...
6539To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
My visit is delayed In consequence of the celebration of the 4th July a day of double interest to me, as the anniversary of our Independence, and of the birth of our dear John—You will have seen by the papers that your Son is to perform a conspicuous part on this occasion, for which he is all ready and thoroughly prepared—The President is here and has been invited to dine with the company, but...
6540To John Adams from Thaddeus Burr, 20 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the request of several Gentlemen of Newfield, I address you in behalf of Samuel and Aaron Hawley Junr, for an appointment as Officers in the Navy & Artillery—Samel Hawley has been breed to the Seas from his Youth, he is about thirty four years of age, has for several years commanded a Ship, is an active, smart resolute Man, and from information and what I know of him myself, I think he is...
6541C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 1 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The carrier of this letter, Mr. Rosenblad, is the Swedish gentleman of whom I had the honor to speak to you here, and for whom you promised to give consideration in procuring a free passage to America on one of the ships departing for the continent. The indisputable testimonies that I have received about him, which he himself is in the process of obtaining, his character which I have come to...
6542To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 19 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have lately had convincing proof of what I have long expected, that is, men employed as Contractors being allowed two or three percent for all they purchase, will give any price in order to increase their own profits. It has been suspected that these States have been cheated by some Officers in the Army by false abstracts and payrolls, (no doubt with too much reason) but I apprehend the...
6543To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Sloop of War, building at Newbury port, will soon be in want of Officers—Timothy Newman of that place, Nephew to, or Cousin of Col Pickering, has been very well recommended to be Master & Commandant of that Vessel. He has long been an applicant, & in the Winter I enquired particularly of Mr Goodhue, his Character—and his account of him, was very favorable. If he meets with your...
6544To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 18 November 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to assure you of my perfect health after eight days residence in Philada. The Town has filled much since my last. Messrs. Willing, Bingham, Shippen, Burd, Dallas, Delany, Macpherson, Butler, Tilghman, and very many others whom I do not remember, have returned to Town. I expect my family every Moment—I have not heard of any person, even the cleaners of houses, who have been...
6545To John Adams from Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, 29 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your attachment to your Country is not, in the calculations of reason, considered as problematical; and this attachment, giving you a paternal interest in all those individuals that constitute the Community; may possibly , induce you in some moment of leisure to take a cursory view of the pages of the Gleaner. In this hope they are now presented, and while I have need of the shield of...
6546To John Adams from Dr. Thomas Sewall, 21 November 1825 (Adams Papers)
Believing that you Still continue to feel a deep interest in the promotion of Science through the country, & that you will take a particular pleasure in the establishment & prosperity of Scientific institutions at the Seat of the National Government I take the liberty to forward to you a copy of the circular of our Medical insti School, with a copy of the Introductory lecture delivered at its...
6547To John Adams from James Otis, Jr., 4 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
A conviction of your goodness, induces me to address you on a subject that nearly interests me.—You have done me the honor, to listen to my unfortunate tale, when I was last in Philadelphia, and may possibly recollect that the only property I was able to save from the wreck of my affairs, was an acknowledgment from the Government of Hispaniola that they owed me 55 or 60,000 livres Currency,...
6548To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Whether My Letters to America, or the Answers from My friends Have Miscarried I am Not Able to determine—Certain it is that the Correspondance, Either Official or private to Which duty and Affection Equally prompted me Has Been very Unfortunate—it were Superfluous, Not Being Guilty, to seek an Explanation as I Had Rather Accuse the piracies of European Vessels, than Any Neglect from My old...
6549To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 3 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The newspaper, which you did me the honor to inclose, containing Mr Pickering’s letter to Mr Pinkney on the subject of Mr Adets letter to the former, I have carefully perused; but, a further examination of it, with the documents & Mr Adet’s letter, is necessary to obtain a clear idea of the subject. That part of it which discusses the claim of gratitude made by France, I consider in a certain...
6550To John Adams from John Trumbull, 20 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have just been reading the Philippic of Edmund Burke against the Revolution Society in London, & the National Assembly in France. It has started a crowd of ideas in my mind, of whose propriety no one can so well judge as yourself. This work presents itself in two points of view—as the declamation of the first of English Orators, & as the result of the collected wisdom of an old & experienced...