6501To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
accept my thanks for your Letter mentioning the Marriage of your Daughter, and my cordial Congratulations on that pleasing Event.— they who best know the Col l: speake of him as brave and honorable; and Strangers to the Lady draw the most favorable Inferences from her Parentage, and from the attention and Example of a Mother whose charater is very estimable. I sincerely wish my dear Friend...
6502To John Adams from Count Semon Romanovich Vorontsov, 5 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
Le C te de Woronzow à I’honneur de remercier Monsieur Adams pour deux exemplaires d’un poeme sur l’Amerique qu’il a eu la bonté de lui envoyer, il le prie de vouloir bien se charger de transmettre ses remercimens à l’Auteur. Il aura soin de faire parvenir à Sa Majesté l’exemplaire que Mons r. Barlow lui a destiné; quoique Sa Majesté s’occupe peu de poesie et ne lise pas l’anglois, Il est...
6503To John Adams from Thomas Walker, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to enclose you a Letter, that you may see the use that is made of the Indulgence, shewn to your prisoners. Another written by Major Dunbar, has been stopped by this Committee, and is upon their file; giving an Account of the great Confusion in our Provinces and the Attack that is expected to be made by the King’s forces. The enclosed Letter is addressed to the Church of...
6504To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 7 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
My boasted convales’cense, did not continue but a few hours after Dr. Warren & Dr Gorham left me. To the care of the former I committed the last letter I have been able to pen, from the severity of my relapse wch. has reduced me to an extreme degree of Weakness, & for 11 Nights out of 13 I was unable to lie down & caught what repose the Intervals wou’d allow me to take, bolster’d up in a...
6505To John Adams from Isaiah Thomas, 25 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose you a few numbers of our weekly Spy, being from March 4, which is the commencement of the Volume.—Should they afford you any amusement, I shall be happy to continue sending them to you, and shall be amply rewarded in so doing.—With Sentiments of Esteem, I subscribe myself, your most obedient & / very huml Servt— MHi : Adams Papers.
6506To John Adams from James Leander Cathcart, 25 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Having had the honour of being in company with Mr. Jefferson some days past I was advised by him to lay the Journals & papers accompanying this letter before your Excellency in order to give you what information lays in my power relative to our negotiation with the Regency of Algiers & likewise as the first Magistrate of a Free & Independent people to claim from your Excellency a redress of...
6507To John Adams from Samuel Andrews, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to write your Excellencey fully respecting my situation in this City on the 12th: Instant Last. Hope you may have received the same and the great hurry of business has prevented your Excellencys honouring me with an answer. Hope when convenient will grant my request. In addition to my former letter and request I must pray your Excellencey if acquanted with, His Excellency the...
6508To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I was unfortunate in not having the honour of paying my respects to you, on my return from Connecticut—I arrived at New York by water, the day after you left the City—Mrs. Wolcott has gained strength, but as she is not free from dubious symptoms, I feel extreme concern respecting her situation. Since my return I have been engaged in a scene of various and pressing business— that part which...
6509To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 19 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I came to this place; all things remain much as they were; a few Companies have come in from Connecticut, and many more on their march, ’tis said that two thousand are on their march from that State, and many from Massachussetts. The constant complaint here is, that there are but few troops and the reinforcements come in extremely slow,—which is too true . On my way to this place I...
6510To John Adams from James Sullivan, 21 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
To trouble you with a Letter merely by way of compliment, or to have it known that I assume the freedom of writing to you is quite out of the way of my practice. nor can I say any thing respecting our Confederation, or constitution, but what you are perfectly acquainted with— but as M r Cranch tells me that you complain of the remisness of your friends on this side the water for not giving you...
6511To John Adams from Robert Worrall, 3 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I hope your Goodness will not think me Troublesom in giving you this line, and Informing you of my being in the Building Branch of Buseness, and having nearly devoted all my Time, Since the begining of August last, with the Commissioner of Revenew, on the Light, and Beacon, House, Business, and makeing the best Plans, with Honest Estimates, delivered and fulley Approved of, with Bonds Men...
6512To John Adams from James Warren, 13 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Providence Frigate, and a Packet have been long held in readiness to proceed to France. The first is now ordered to Another Service and we have yet no Orders for the last. This is to go by A small private Vessel Accidentally met with. I dare say you Experience in Common with us the Inconveniencies of the little Intercourse between Europe and America, and wish with the same Anxiety to hear...
6513Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by the post, but as Capt. Cuznow Cazneau goes to morrow perhaps this may reach you first. As to myself I am comfortable. Johnny is cleverly. Nabby I hope has gone thro the distemper, the Eruption was so trifling that to be certain I have had innoculation repeated. Charles and Tommy have neither had Symptoms, nor Eruption. Charles was innoculated last Sabbeth evening a second time,...
6514To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed are two letters marked A,B, & four documents numbered from 1 to 4 inclusively, which Capt Selman agreably to my request, on the subject of our first naval enterprizes, has transmitted to me for your perusal. They are intended as records for your files of application. I have also received & included in this packet, a letter from B Austin Esq in regard to the same subject. I shall be...
6515To John Adams from William Cranch, 15 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
Upon the representations of Mr. Quincy, I made, through him, to Mr. Elwyn, the agent of Lewis Brotherson Verchild, an offer of 2000 Dollars for the title of the Verchilds to that part of the estate which was holden by my father. He has declined accepting it, and I am not sorry, because I am satisfied, that the claim of the Verchilds is good for nothing. I understand that Lewis B. Verchild...
6516To John Adams from Daniel Putnam, 21 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
However untimely or improper may the thought an address of this kind, from an obscure, individual to the President of the U. States, I cannot repress the impulse which urges me to trespass on the high duties of your exalted station, and to solicit your condescention to a short vindication of my Fathers memory from the foul aspersions cast on it by a man who has held stations of high...
6517To John Adams from Thomas Gaskins, 14 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants of Northumberland county, at the Courthouse of the said county, on Monday the fourteenth day of May, 1798, being the day appointed by law for holding the court of quarter-session for the said county, to take into consideration the measures necessary to be adopted, at this most important national crisis—Col: Thomas Gaskins in the Chair—The following...
6518Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
About an Hour ago I received a Letter from my Friend dated June 21: begining in this manner “my dearest Friend.” It gave me a most agreable Sensation, it was a cordial to my Heart. That one single expression dwelt upon my mind and playd about my Heart, and was more valuable to me than any part of the Letter, except the close of it. It was because my Heart was softned and my mind enervated by...
6519To John Adams from William Tudor, 21 August 1774 (Adams Papers)
The great Obligations your Friendship has laid me under would render me inexcusable to neglect any Occasion of paying You my Acknowlegements; it is with real Pleasure, therefore, I find so early an Opportunity presenting to fulfill my Promise of writing You: Which should it contribute in the least to your Gratification will convince me the Time was not unusefully spent. The late Manoeuvres of...
6520To John Adams from Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, 11 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Glowing with gratitude for your last condescending favour, it is beyond my ability to preserve that respectful silence, which would, perhaps, best become me. Accept, Sire, such thanks as are proper for me to give, and for you to receive: and may that august Executive, who hath delegated to you a portion of his authority, long preserve you, in your illustrious career, and continue you a rich,...
6521Richard Cranch to John Adams, 3 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines by your most amiable Partner who sailed in a Ship commanded by Capt. Byfield Lyde, from Boston, the 20th. Ulto. I hope that before you receive this you will have had the inexpressible Happiness of meeting her and your dear Daughter in Europe. Our worthy Friend the Honble. Cotton Tufts Esqr. wrote you this Morning, since which the Secretary has deliver’d me the inclosed...
6522To John Adams from William R. Williamson, 23 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Feeling the keenest sensibility on account of the many and deep wounds which have been inflicted on our Country by the Republic of France—Seeing that Republic deaf to the voice of reason, justice and truth and instead of reparations avowing the continuation of her system of hostility and plunder, and adding insults of the grossest nature to injuries already received; and observing Sir, that in...
6523To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 27 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
A social friend, but not one whose politicks have been much in unison with mine, has suggested to me the policy of your sending Mr Jefferson, at the present crisis, as a minister to France. at first blush, the measure struck me forcibly: Mr Jefferson being much in the confidence of France, & of her officers & adherents in the United States; the antipode of her enemies amongst us; possessed of...
6524To John Adams from John Howard, 26 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
The subject upon which I am about to address your excellency is so nearly connected with the interest of that country which gave us birth, and which your excellency has the honor to represent, I hope I may not be accused of having acted an unwarrantable part, even if my request should be rejected, on account of some reasons unknown to me— During my few weeks residence in London, I have found a...
6525To John Adams from the Comte de Vergennes, 18 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçû, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 13. de ce mois. C’est par une Suite de la confiance que je mêts dans vos lumières et dans votre Zèle pour votre Patrie, que je vous ai confié les propositions des deux Cours Impériales, et que je vous ai prié d’y faire les observations dont vous les jugeriez susceptibles. Les choses ne sont pas encore assez avancées...
6526To John Adams from Charles Newbold, 29 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
With due respect permit me to communicate a scetch of some ideas, which have occurred to my mind, upon the subject I mentioned, when you requested a statement in writing, which I should have done long since, but could not make up my mind, upon the best manner of conducting the buiseness, concieveing it to be of great importance and if well managed, great benefit would result to the nation not...
6527To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I don’t wish to Complain when the Public Service will not be injurd by Silence: two Things must be attended to in the new raising Army or in my Opinion the Men will not engage in the Service; the One is that Ample Provision be made for the Sick, who the last Campaign have been Scandalously and inhumanly neglected, and made a Sacrifice to Points of Honor between Phi sicians of different...
6528To John Adams from Joseph Delafield, 11 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
As doubts have been expressed by the Agent of His Britannic Majesty under the 6th and 7th articles of the Treaty of Ghent as to the position of the Long Lake mentioned in the Treaty of 1783, I have the honor to solicit any information you can give to identify that Lake, and would beg leave to submit the following questions: Upon what map did the Commissioners trace the Boundary Line described...
6529To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Congratulate your Excellency on the Confusion in England. A Letter from thence received this day says, that the King sent on Saturday night (ie, Saturday sennight), for the Chanceller conversed with Him, and deffered—so parted, and about 4 o Clock on Sunday Morning sent again for Him to come immediately; the Chancellor sent him Word, that He was too ill, but would come as soon as He arose,...
6530To John Adams from James McHenry, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter dated the 18th inst. and have in conformity with your desire transmitted commissions to the several gentlemen therein named: vz. To Ths. Denny A Captains, to Nathan Felton a first Lieutenants and to Enoch Flagg a second Lieutenants. With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be, Sir, / your most obt. St. MHi : Adams Papers.
6531To John Adams from John Lathrop, 14 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Several members of the Academy were so pleased with the oration upon citizen Socrates, delivered by Professor Luzac, that they wished to see it translated, & printed in our own Country.—The Revd Mr Bentley of Salem was requested to make a translation; but after it was done, some members of the Academy expressed doubts with respect to printing, and nothing farther has been done. Mr Bentley now...
6532To John Adams from James Bowdoin, 10 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your removal from the Hague to London, in the character of Plenipotentiary, gives a general & great pleasure. The abilities so successfully exerted in the Treaty of Peace, will, if any thing can, procure a happy issue to the negociations for settling a commercial Treaty with Great Britain.— M r Higginson by this opportunity sends you a well written letter on the state & circumstances of our...
6533To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 28 July 1807 (Adams Papers)
Before I had an opportunity to forward my reply to yours of July 11th: I received another letter under date July 20th containing twenty pages, in which so many demands are made and so many threats denounced, that a total silence might be construed dismay. My thread of existence in this evanescent state is too far spent for me again to enter on political discussion; yet, I think it my duty to...
6534To John Adams from Rufus King, 10 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r. Hancock has accepted as President of Congress and will be here in a few days; Seven States have been represented for a few days only since November commenced— Six states only are now represented, I inclose a list of the Names of the Delegates— A Bill passed the house of representatives of massachusetts during their autumn Session, repealing all the Laws preventing the Return or Residence...
6535To John Adams from William Hindman, 28 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
If timely enough in my Application, I shall esteem it a particular Favor, if You would be kind enough to confer on Mr: Archibald Campbell of Baltimore the Marshall’s Office of Maryland, vacant by the Death of Mr: Greybell—Mr: Campbell is fully qualified to discharge the Duties of the Office.— I am / with the highest Respect / Yr: very hble Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
6536To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 6 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Dalton desirous to pay the Compliments of the Season to her much respected Friend Mrs. Adams, I take the Liberty of putting under Cover, with this, a Letter to that Purpose—adding Mrs. D’s request that you will be so good as to pardon the Freedom. It affords me an Apology for troubling yourself with my best Wishes, on the same Occasion—I should have highly enjoyed the Opportunity of...
6537Enclosure: List of Superior Court Justices, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Honble. John Adams Esqr. William Cushing Esqr. William Read Esqr. Honble. Rob. Treat Paine Esqr. Nathl. P. Sargent Esqr. RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “To The Honble. John Adams Esq at Philadelphia”; docketed: “Dpty Secys. Letter. Octr. 28. 1775.” For Paine’s placement in the ranking and its consequences, see James Warren to JA , 20 Oct. and notes (above).
6538To John Adams from Samuel Perley, 12 June 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of April, 18th. 1809, came safe to my Hand. It was soon read by our Lawyer in Gray. He was so Pleased with it, that he quickly publised it, in the Portland Gazette. I have seen your Letter and mine, Published in the Boston Patriot. Both are published (as I Understand) in Amherst Paper in the State of New-Hampshire. No writings, that appear in our public Papers, are in General read,...
6539To John Adams from J. Lewis, 6 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honor of a conferance with you the Other day, relative to a Negociation with the french Colonies East of the Cape of Good Hope, I understood it wou’d be proper for me to address you in writing, & thus to Communicate my sentiments & opinion, respecting the subject in question—In consequence of the suggestion, I have now to make the propos’d communication, in which I hope I may be...
6540From Joseph Priestley to John Adams, 20 August 1793 (Adams Papers)
This will be delivered to you by my eldest son, who, together with my youngest, is following their brother from France. They are to look out for a settlement for themselves; and when that is effected, I propose to join them, and end my days with you. You are mistaken if you imagine that I expect anything more than security from open violence, and persecution in other forms, which all who...
6541From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 9 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received a letter from Mr. Short which I wish to submit, in order to certain measures being taken upon it, to yourself and the heads of the executive departments, in pursuance of the President’s letter of the 4th. instant, which I take it for granted has been communicated to you by the Secretary of State. I request therefore that you will please to name a time and place for the...
6542To John Adams from Richard Bland Lee, 14 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
When I left Virginia a vacancy in the Collectorship of Alexandria seemed to be expected. Should that event happen I requested some of my friends to nominate me to you as a candidate to supply it. It was also expected that a government for the territory of Columbia would be adopted, which would include in its organization a judiciary System, consisting of one Judge & two associates—I took the...
6543To John Adams from Charles Lee, 14 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed from my friend Marshall on Wednesday last was received by me, and it is with no small pleasure I find his opinion correspondent with my own respecting the Appointment of Murray. You will perceive from the date that the subsequent modification of the embassy was not known to him when he wrote. His letter being entirely of a private nature I should not have sent to you, but that I...
6544C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 13 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is with great satisfaction that I have learned from Mr. Thaxter of your recovery. I hope you have regained all of your strength and that there is no trace left of your violent fever. To maintain good health in this country, one must not lead a sedentary life, but rather should keep moving and take in fresh air. I would have already had the honor to pay you a visit, but the absence of my...
6545From Samuel Allyne Otis to John Adams, 6 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to promise I do myself the honor to inform you that the Senate have elected M r Livermore Pres pro tem. 13 out of 19— In regard to accommodating you the next winter I have not yet made my own arrangements. I have some expectation of removing from the house I now possess; Yet I know not to what house I shall remove. Add to this the difficulty of engaging & retaining good servants,...
6546To John Adams from J. H. Tiffany, 23 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
By this mail I return the 1st. vol of the “Defence” which I have read twice, with as much attention as I have been enabled to bestow. The distribution & balance of powers which it contends for, & the proofs, inferences & reasonings displayed, must have had great influence in the formation of the federal constitution, which immediately followed the publication of this volume. And would not a...
6547To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I think your Excellency will not be Surprized to find that I am stil at Amsterdam. Mr. Dana is so well Accompanied on his Route, that it was quite Unnecessary any one Else should attend him; and the Difficulties daily arising in the Dispatch of the South Carolina take from me any certainty of leaving this Place yet awhile. Tis true we are told that she will go on such a day and such a day. But...
6548To John Adams from Richard Rush, 11 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed papers have just been sent on to R. Rush by this days southern mail, and he loses not a moment in forwarding them to Mr Adams, with renewed apologies, with renewed thanks, with cordial respects and compliments, with a hope that they will find him in his usual health. His mother also, under whose roof he now has the happiness to be a guest for a few days, desires that he will make...
6549To John Adams from James McHenry, 1 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
An Act of Congress, passed the 4th of May, 1798, entituled “An Act to enable the President of the United States to procure Cannon, Arms & Ammunition, and for other purposes,” provides—Section 1. “That a Sum not exceeding Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars shall be, and hereby is appropriated, and shall and may be paid out of any Monies not before appropriated, under the direction of the President...
6550To John Adams from Henry Clay, 27 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Rabello being about to visit Boston and your residence, and being very desirous of the honor of your acquaintance, I take particular satisfaction in introducing him to you as the Chargé des Affaires of the Emperor of Brazil and as a gentleman whose official and private intercourse with me has inspired me with high respect for him. I have the honor to be / with great respect / Your obedient...