7021From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 12 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
You were here the last year when the interest due to the French officers was paid to them, and were sensible of the good effect it had on the credit and honor of the U.S. A second year’s interest is become due. They have presented their demands. There is not money here to pay them, the pittance remaining in Mr. Grand’s hands being only sufficient to pay current expences three months longer....
7022To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I will not delaÿ to answer your favour of the 10th, with which I was again gratified—I was apprehensive that all was not well in your honoured family—and feared that the disagreable weather of cold and rainÿ days had Some influence on your health—happily it giveth only colds—of these we had a full Share—and—I—as it ought to be, as the chief of the family, the largest—but—if we minded long Such...
7023Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I Received yours of the 16th on wedensday, and participated in the Joy and pleasure you must have experienced in meeting a dear and amiable son after a four years Seperation. how happy should I have been to have folded him at the same time to my Bosom, and felt a pleasure which the Childless, can never experience. I have already written both [. . .] you, and to him, respecting his comeing to...
7024From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 13 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed came to hand this morning. Mr. Carmichael you observe, and Mr. Barclay suppose something may yet be done at Algiers. It remains for us to consider whether the conduct of the Dey of that country leaves any room to hope that any negotiator can succeed without a great addition to the price to which we are confined? And should we think in the negative, yet whether the expences of Mr....
7025To John Adams from Richard Ward, 15 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
If it is not too great an intrusion upon your retirement I wish to enquire of you as to the character standing & services of my Grandfather Samuel Ward one of the Members of Congress for Rh. Island from the first organization of that body till his death on the 26th March 1776. From the Journals of Congress and casual reports I am inclined to believe that my Ancestor was a firm man a sound...
7026To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose two letters from Mr. Adams, one dated “Berlin June 18th. 1798;” the other on the 25th of the same month; the latter covering three papers of extracts from French news-papers with Mr. Adams’s remarks. In his letter of June 18th he refers to the propositions made by the Swedish minister, Baron d’Engerstrom, (now at Berlin) when he was minister in England in 1793, to...
7027To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 5 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have the satisfaction to inform you that John Quincy Adams Esq. was this morning nominated Secretary of State, and forthwith agreed to, in Senate, with only one dissenting vote—Mr Crawford continues in the Treasury and Gov Shelby is appointed Secy of War;—Mrs: Otis unites with me in respects to Mrs. Adams and yourself, and hope you have experienced no material inconvenience from the rigour...
7028To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 18 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 3d. Instant, it was full, Satisfactory and very Comfortable. I have had since the pleasure of seeing Colonel Searle, who I find is inspired with the same Sense of things, and has the same feelings for the Happiness of our Country, as your Excellency. He was therefore most Acceptable to me, and by Consequence I shewed Him every...
7029To John Adams from W.H. Sumner, 28 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
The Military Company of Massachusetts which was instituted in 1638, as a School of Officers, and which is now called the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company, will celebrate their anniversary on the first Monday of June next by a Military Parade on the Common, attending Public Worship at the Meeting House in Chauncey Place, at 12, and by a dinner at Faneuil Hall at 2 OClock. The history of...
7030To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
When Mr. Shaw was the other day at my office he mentioned to Mr. Weld my assistant that he had been informed that my drafts had been refused at every bank in this town. I have not, nor have I had a right to draw, nor have I drawn, on any bank but that of the branch where as Collecter I lodge the public monies and draw them as the public service and my duty requires.— My having, with General...
7031To John Adams from William P. Gardner, 4 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter which you did me the honor to write to me under Date the 29 ult. I am happy to find that Mr. Delaplaine has succeeded in obtaining a good Likeness of you for his national work the Heads and Lives of illustrious Persons of America.—I hope he will meet with that encouragement which the magnitude and usefulness of the work so justly merit.—I shou’d be glad to see the...
7032From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 2 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Since mine of May 8th I have not had any thing material to communicate to your Excellency. Mr Grenville indeed arriv’d just after I had dispatch’d that Letter, and I introduc’d him to M. De Vergennes; but as his Mission seem’d only a Repetition of that by Mr...
7033To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 16 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am well assured that a Supply of Powder is arrived at Statia, so writes Captain Waters on 10th. October. A Dutch Vessell bound to Surrinam has contracted with a Captain of this place for twenty five Tons, if he comes for it by Xmas. I have seen several of the principal Gentlemen here. They are wishing for the Destruction of Lord Dunmore and his fleet. Inclosed You receive the Terms on which...
7034C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 16 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Here is a small packet of letters for you that was given to me by the duc de la Vauguyon. I received your honored letter of the 14th and will make good use of it, first with our friends, then with the others. As for the conciliatory plan, I can assure you that the convalescent is not at the Bottom of it. Those who conceived and modified it always regarded it as their last resort, in the event...
7035From Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 20 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
We rec’d with pleasure your respected favor of 12 Sep r: by your Son John Quincy Adams Esq r: & heartily congratulate your Excell y. on his nomination, We shall always esteem ourselves happy to manifest the Regard we entertain for you, & endeavour to concile ourselves y r: Sons friendship, & to conserve yours to which we Recommend ourselves.— We have exchanged your 20 Obt: and conform your...
7036Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Last monday I left the Town of Boston, underwent the operation of a smoaking at the lines and arrived at my Brother Cranchs where we go for purification; there I tarried till wedensday, and then came Home, which seem’d greatly endeard to me by my long absence. I think I never felt greater pleasure at comeing Home after an absence in my Life. Yet I felt a vacuum in my Breast and sent a Sigh to...
7037From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Aug. 15. was recieved in due time, and with the welcome of every thing which comes from you. with it’s opinions on the difficulties of revolutions, from despotism to freedom, I very much concur. the generation which commences a revolution rarely compleats it. habituated from their infancy to passive submission of body and mind to their kings and priests, they are not qualified,...
7038Hendrik Fagel to John Adams, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Je crois, qu’il ÿ a ún droit, qu’on paÿe a l’entree des livres, qúi viennent des païs etrangers, mais les Ministres públics en Sont exempts. Si Voús aviés presenté ún Memoire, poúr avoir un passeport, poúr les Caisses qúe voús attendés de l’Angleterre, il n’ÿ aúroit eú aúcúne difficulté; Aú defaút de ce Passeport, je suppose, qúe les Commis de la Douane ont exigé le payement des droits. Poúr y...
7039John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 18 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
Since my arrival here, I have employed all the Time, that I have been able to spare, from the more important business of visits and dinners, in the Office of the Secretary of State, and have gone through six large folio volumes containing your dispatches to Congress while you were in Europe. They can have but little relation to the business upon which I am about to proceed; but they have...
7040To John Adams from James Ash, 25 August 1803 (Adams Papers)
Suffer me to inclose you, short proposals, for some matter, collected with both toil and perseverence. It is now ready for publication; and whatever encouragement you are disposed to give, to enable the printer to execute it, you will be pleased to transmit with Convenient expedition. There are a number of characters, with whom you have been connected in political life, who have been vilified...
7041To John Adams from Philippe Jean Joseph Lagau, 28 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
En reponse à la lettre dont Votre Excellence a bien voulû m’honorer le 13 de ce mois je vois que le Sieur Harras a Surpris ma bonne foy, cependant je ne Scaurois me persuadé que cetoient les intentions de ce jeune homme qui independament des temoignages qu’il avoit, paroissoit un garçon bien elevé, d’une bonne conduite, et plein de zêle à se rendre util à Sa patrie. j’espére en attendant que...
7042John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 12 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I suppose you have receiv’d before now my letter from Copenhagen dated Feby. 20th. in which I wrote you that I expected to come from thence to Kiel by water; and that I only waited for a wind: but I have been obliged after all to come by Land, for, after waiting better than a fort night expecting every day to sail, the harbour of Copenhagen froze up, (a thing which happens but very seldom) and...
7043To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 9 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of 27. 28 and 30 August were all received together—They, as well as your preceding Letters express so much uneasiness for me and on my account, that I wish it were in my power to tranquilize your feelings—Aware as I am of the heavy responsibility of my present situation, and diffident as I ought to be of my own fitness for it, I have certainly seen times, and gone through...
7044To John Adams from William E. Richmond, 10 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your own patriotism, tried through a long, and eminently useful publick life, will excuse the intrusion of a stranger, when his wish is for instruction from one whom the experience of more than half a century spent in the most elevated situations, has so well qualified to afford it. The wish of rendering a partial service to a community, whose industry and enterprize are paralyzed by immense...
7045John Jay to John Adams, 31 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a certified Copy of an Act of Congress of the 21 st. Instant, instructing you to communicate to M r. S t. Saphorin, the high Sense, the United States in Congress assembled, entertain of the liberal Decision made by his Danish Majesty, on the Question proposed to his Minister by You, respecting the Ordination of american Candidates for...
7046To John Adams from M. Addenet, 13 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
La premiere feuille de ma traduction est bien avancée, et dès que j’aurai La Suite je ne vous ferai pas attendre. Mais je souhaiterois avoir votre extrait Complet. Il seroit essentiel que je L’eusse, afin de mettre de La Liaison et de La Concordance: autrement Le style en souffriroit. Si votre Copie est achevée, je vous prie de vouloir bien me La faire passer. Je Suis avec un profond respect,...
7047From Christopher van de Venter to John Adams, 24 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your letter of to day covering the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 23d Inst. Truly yours MHi : Adams Papers.
7048John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 30 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am at length released from the multiplicity of business which has employ’d so much of my time, for the last eighteen months: during that period I had scarcely a leisure moment, and was forced to a degree of application, which has been injurious to my health. but as I am left at present free from every employment, I shall have time to recruit; and I shall also be able to give more frequent...
7049To John Adams from Charles Dilly, 3 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
I sh d. not have troubled you with a Letter—but upon the peculiar instance of having received a Letter from Mess rs; Wilhem of Amsterdam, a few Months ago; in which he states in consequence of the receipt of a Letter from you—he has made Enquiry about your Volumes of the Defence of the American states &c—but cannot find any of the Second Volume— I immediatly returned for answer—Fifty Copies of...
7050To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 10 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of the 6th there has been no material incident relative to Mr. H. L——s Commitment; nor is the rigour of his confinement abated. No person whatever can speak to Him but in hearing and sight of the two attending Messengers. It is said the Secy. of States order will produce admittance to his room, but nothing else. Some of his torey relations, and a Mr. Manning a Merchant of the...
7051To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 9 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving yesterday Your Excellency Letters of the 4th and 5th of this Month, and to day Another of the 6th. I think myself particularly honored, that your Excellency shoud Advert to me at the close of the Day of the great Anniversary of public Liberty—I shoud have been happy at being present at the Commemoration of that Important Event, however I must content myself with...
7052To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the copy of a letter sent this morning to the District Attorney of Georgia, & the draughts of letters to the British & Spanish ministers—left open for additions, if any should be thought necessary. Nothing is promised or intimated in either of the letters to the Ministers of the Use of military force to make our...
7053To John Adams from John Fothergill Waterhouse, 22 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Knowing the friendship which existed between you & our Late Illustrious Prof. Rush & the exalted opinion which you mutually entertained of each other’s worth, social political & professional, I take the liberty of presenting you this tribute of respect our respect, as Students & Graduate of Med. to your excellent departed friend. I am sensible of the lively interest you take in his Memory,...
7054From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 22 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft), copy, and press copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 15th Instant, respecting Bills presented to you for Acceptance, drawn by Congress in favour of N. Tracey for 10,000 £ Sterling, payable at 90 Days sight; and desiring to know if I can furnish Funds for the Payment. I have...
7055From James Madison to John Adams, 17 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 28th. Ult: was duly received, tho’ with more delay, than usually attends the Mail. I return the interesting letter from your son, with my thanks for the opportunity of perusing it. I have caused the archives of the Dept of State to be searched with an eye to what passed during the negociations for peace on the subject of the fisheries. The search has not furnished a precise...
7056Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
Tis a long a very long time since I had an opportunity of conveying a single line to you. I have upon many accounts been impatient to do it. I now most sincerely rejoice in the great and important event which sheaths the Hostile Sword and, gives a pleasing presage that our spears may become prunning hooks; that the Lust of Man is restrained, or the powers and revenues of kingdoms become...
7057To John Adams from Francis Dana, 17 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have been long waiting with great impatience to hear directly from you, my disappointment has been owing in part without doubt, to your late illness, from which I hope you have entirely recovered. This climate agrees very ill with my health; for more than a month past, I have been almost constantly visited with a very severe headach, perhaps it is to be attributed in some measure to the...
7058From John Jay to John Adams, 7 May 1821 (Jay Papers)
By the mail, next to the one which brought me a Letter from M r . Duane, I transmitted a copy of it to you in a short Letter dated the 27 th . of march. I had then no Time to be more particular, having recieved Letters which required answers without Delay— I afterwards, viz t . on the 7 th . of April, recieved your Letter of the 31 st . of March, and should have answered it immediately, but...
7059To John Adams from Phillips Payson, 30 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I sincerely beg your Excellency’s condesention, to a humble request for a favor, which I am, sure no man in this World can be more thankful for than your devoted applicant— The death of Nathaniel Appleton Esquire of Boston, has opened the way for an appointment, I take the liberty to ask for my oldest son Phillips Payson Esqr. of Charlestown. For his personal qualifications and character beg...
7060To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 15 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
I doubt not but You have been inform’d that our Gen l Assembly have order’d a Convention to be called to meet a South-Kingston the first Monday of March. the Delegates were Chosen the 8 th. of this Month and from the Returns we Count Thirty Two Federals and Thirty Eight Antis—so that the Battle will go hard against us if some methods cannot be hit upon to affoard us some help. as I hinted in a...
7061To John Adams from James Gunn, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The day previous to my leaving Philadelphia I did my self the honor to enclose you a letter from Governor Lee recommending Col. Armstrong for the Appointment of Inspector and Surveyor for the Port of Savannah—On my Arrival in this State I am informed that Col. Armstrong drinks to an Extreem, Which Circumstance I had no knowledge of at the Time I Joined in recommending him; I therefore feel it...
7062To John Adams from John Thaxter, 27 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r. Storer and myself arrived here this morning, after a very fatiguing Journey; tho’ I am apprehensive much less so than your’s, considering the extreme heats— Normandy is, I believe unequalled in the Riches of its Soil— Grains of all kinds in vast abundance cover an extensive Country— We saw also charming fields of Clover and Honey Suckle, such as would have delighted your Eyes— But...
7063To John Adams from John Avery, 7 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of the 10th. Feby. Ultimo have received and agreeable to your Request have communicated the Resignation of your Office as Judge of the superiour Court; but whether the Hon’ble Board will accept of it ’till they shall have the Pleasure of seeing you, is to me very uncertain; Tho its my Opinion that it will take some Time to fill up the Vacancy with a Gentleman of your Merrit and...
7064To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 18 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 3d Instant at Paris, where I had gone in Company with Mr De Neufville. I paid my respects to his Excellency at Passy, and was invited to dine with Him on Sunday last, after He Was informed that I proposed quitting Paris on that Day. I have long paid a particular Attention to your Excellencys Movements in Holland, and it is with the...
7065To John Adams from Henry Knox, 2 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I flatter myself with the hope that, the subject of this letter it will not be considered by you as unreasonable importunity—My son my only son has been a mids Midshipman th in the navy for upwards of a year. Before that period he was a year as he performed along voyage to india. The His expenence he has , and his know skill as a navigator, to add to his experience
7066To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 14 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured by the Receipt of your Excellencys Letters of the 5th and 9th Instant. The Letter to Mr Boylston is sent. Your Excellencys Enquiry of me of the news about Peace, under a Presumption, that I Know the whole History and that you Know nothing of it, makes me smile, and at the same Time gives me Concerns; Surely you ought to be acquainted with every thing, and I cannot have any...
7067Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of July 7 for which I heartily thank you, it was the longest and best Letter I have had, the most Leasurely and therefore the most Sentimental. Previous to your last I had wrote you and made some complaints of you, but I will take them all back again—only continue your obliging favours whenever your time will allow you to devote one moment to your absent Portia. This is the 25...
7068To John Adams from Granville Sharp, 21 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Books which I had the honour to request your Excellency’s acceptance of, (viz t. My—Grandfathers Works) are but this moment returned from my Bookbinder, or I should have fulfilled my promise sooner. I had an opportunity of making some Enquiries concerning the Reports which I mentioned to your Excellency about the supposed backwardness of Government to permit the Bishops to consecrate...
7069To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 24 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am informed by a Letter from Nantes that the Alliance arrived there the 18th, and that she had 250 Men on board; she will therefore probably sail soon. My first Letter to you after your departure from hence desired that you would put the Letters addressed to the Committee, and to the Delegates from the State of South Carolina on board of some vessel that would sail before the Alliance. Your...
7070Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received by this Days post your Letters of the 9 th 11 th and 13 th , that of the 13 th I hoped would have containd a post Note that my word which I had given for the payment of Haydens Note, and to the collecters of Taxes might not be forfeited. yesterday the collector calld upon me for the 2 d Time. I told him I could not pay him, but that I would in the course of the Month, relying upon...