7021From John Adams to Richard Rush, 17 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Sight of a well known hand, made my heart leap, before I opened your Letter of the 6th. the Contents compleated my delight. May your health be as permanent as I believe your understanding to be Sound and your heart pure. The Pamphlet inclosed to me, ought to be Sent to every foreign Minister and Consul, tho’ it Should be under the Restrictions you prescribe to me I inclose to you Papers...
7022John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 25 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Within a few days I have rec d your Favour of the 16 of August, with the Resolve of the General Court of the 6 and 7 of July. The Line between Massachusetts and Nova Scotia gave me much Uneasiness at the Time of the Negotiation of the Provisional Articles, and Still continues to distress me. I knew that the French in former Times, had a Practice of erecting an holy Cross of Wood upon every...
7023Adams’ Minutes of the Trial: Suffolk Superior Court, Boston, March 1769 (Adams Papers)
News Paper. Jacobite Party. Kent . Odd that Edes and Gill should desire him to be of no Party. Pitt is a fallen Angell, and given up by his Partizans, since he dwindled into a Lord. Lost. Lucre of Gain. Gain of Gain. Did not come from Salem. Mem. no Witchcraft in it. Jacobite Party, ungenerous base Insinuations. Kick upon the A—se. B. Edes . No Conversation past between Us, about agreeing not...
7024From John Adams to Muscoe Livingston, 10 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of the 28 March, some days ago, and thank you for your kind Congratulations on my safe arrival. Your letter to Governor Livingston I sent along to him, with other Letters I carried to America. I had not the Pleasure of seeing him, as I had not an opportunity to travel that Way. I am glad to hear that you have recovered your Health, and if you go to America, wish you an...
7025From John Adams to William MacCreery, 19 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 8th. I believe my Letters to you, were carried faithfully enough. The secret is that I write my Letters, at the time they are dated, but they are frequently not copied and sent untill several days after. This arises from a Multiplicity of Business and of Pleasure, as it is called. It is unavoidable in our situation, but it is to me the most irksome Part of...
70261783. October 20. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Set out with my Son and one Servant, Leveque, on a Journey to London. We went from Auteuil, thro the Bois de Boulogne, and went out at the Port de Maillot to St. Dennis, where We took Post Horses. We dined at Chantilly, and lodged at Night at St. Just.
7027John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 10 th and a Cordial it was, for I began to be fearful for your health. Louisa is a good Girl for writing Such comfortable Accounts from home— I believe the Farm looks well.— I am grieved for my Dear Johnny. He must go home with Us for northern Air. My Love to all. When I shall get away from this City is uncertain: but I have no hopes of being excused before the End of...
7028Memorial to William V, Prince of Orange, 7 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
The Subscriber, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, has the Honour to communicate to your Most Serene Highness, a Resolution of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, the Original of which he has already had the Honour of laying before their High Mightinesses the States General by which he is recalled from his Mission to this Republick, and permitted to...
7029From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
The Old Folk, returning last Evening from an Airing which has become daily necessary for both, to keep Soul and body together a little longer, We found your very acceptable Letter of the 7th. at the Post Office. The Cold, the Frost and the Drouth have been as Severe with Us, as with you. Such a Spring and Such a Summer was never known. I have given you no Epithets which I did not believe and...
7030From John Adams to Jan and Dirk van Vollenhoven, 22 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Stranger, having particular Occasion to Speak with the Broker, who, Some time Since, negotiated in this City, a Loan of Money, for the City of Dantzick, begs the Favour of Mr. Van Vollenhoven to communicate his Name and Place of Abode, in a written Billet Sealed, by the Bearer in Writing to the Bearer. Dft ( Adams Papers ). This is the first extant document in JA ’s effort to raise a loan in...
7031To George Washington from John Adams, 10 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letters No. 6. 7 8 and 9, especially the last, contain Information of so much Importance that, although they are written in great confidential Freedom from a Son to a Father, I think it my Duty to transmit them to you. I beg the favour of having them returned to me at your Leisure by the Post. The unnatural Effervescence against the Treaty which broke out in Boston has made little...
7032From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 85, 17 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Refugees in England are so great an obstacle to Peace, that it seems not improper for me to take Notice of them to Congress. Governor Hutchinson is dead. Whether the late popular Insurrections, or whether the Resolutions of Congress of the eighteenth of March respecting their Finances, by suddenly extinguishing the last Rays of his hopes, put a sudden End to his life, or whether it was...
7033John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot in my last to remark, a very trifling Inaccuracy in yours of June 27 th . The Letter intercepted in Hichbournes Trunk which was reported to glance at M r Dickenson , was not in 1776. It was in the month of June 1775. Had it been June 1776, the English would not have printed it. The Nation had then too maturely reflected, on the necessity of Independence, and was too ripe and too hot...
7034From John Adams to Caleb Cushing, 26 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Although unfortunately my eyes have been so ill that I could not read, yet I have had the pleasure of hearing read, your Oration on the fourth of July; and never have read or heard a better. To point at its merits would be to copy the book. When Voltaire was asked why he had not written criticisms upon Racine as well as upon Corneille, he answered, “because there is no criticism to be made.” I...
7035From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 29 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have this day received from the Post Office, three copies of the sketches which with twelve received before amount to fifteen copies. I did not intend to exceed twenty copies, and when you arrive at that number I pray you to stop, I expected but one by a mail but you have sent two and oftener three. I have transmitted through my son Thomas Boylston Adams to his Friend Jonathan Jones Esqr a...
7036From John Adams to James Warren, 17 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Broken to Pieces and worn out, with the Diseases engendered by the tainted Atmosphere of Amsterdam operating upon the Effects of fatiguing Journeys dangerous Voyages, a Variety of Climates and eternal Anxiety of Mind, I have not been able to write you so often as I wished: But now I hope the fine Season and the pure Air of the Hague, will restore me. Perhaps You will say that the Air of a...
7037From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 14 February 1791 (Adams Papers)
By the last post I received your letter of January 17 th , and was as much surprised at the information that my last letter to you arrived unsealed, as you could be at the receipt of it. It was most certainly no intention of mine that it should have gone unsealed; nor can I account for the fact. My conjecture is that the person, one of my sons who copied into my letterbook, either...
7038From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 26 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of this morning; and in Answer inform you that I have not recd an Answer to my Letter to Mr Pickering. The Engagement of his office, besides the confusion of a removal have been extreamly pressing.—I Shall See him Soon and Something will be determined. I Shall not have the Pleasure of Seeing you again probably till next Summer, Imperious Necessity or absolute Duty...
7039Monday. Oct. 12. (Adams Papers)
Samuel Harding of Welfleet Cape Cod says that Mr. Robert Bartholomew or Bartlemé, and Incleby of London, are largely concerned in the Whale Fishery. Richard Coffyn and Shubael Gardiner of Nantuckett are concerned with them. Dennis Debert carries on the Business for Mr. Bartholomew. Mr. Nath. Wheatly of Boston is in Partnership with Mr. Bartholomew.—One Ship of forty Guns, or 20 Guns, would...
7040Plan for the Negotiation of a Dutch Loan, 24 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Plan of a Negotiation to the Amoúnt of One Million Gilders. at the Charge of the United States of North America. His Excellency John Adams Esqr. Minister Plenipotentiary of the Said States of North America, &ca. &ca. &ca. Specially aúthorized to make this Loan, shall distribúe One Thoúsand obligations, each of Thoúsand Gilders, at the intrest of five per Cent per Annúm, to be paid on Coupons...
7041John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have just now rec d your favour of the 12 th. The Mail from the Eastward has been unusually delayed by bad Roads I suppose, or Obstructions to the Passage of the Rivers. Your Letter is a feast to me—am happy to learn you have so good a Neighbour. It is not worth while for Barneveld to continue long to altercate with Such a loose head as Americanus. Your simelitude of the Eagle and snake is...
7042John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 4 th. arrived by Yesterdays post. The Votes on the important day you mention, are now known to have been unanimous as far as Cheasapeak Bay, excepting one in Pensilvania and all in New York. The whole Flock in Virginia as well as in N.Y. run for M r Clinton. They tell me it is a compleat Tryumph of Fœderalism over Antifœderalism: but I own I can See no Tryumph in obtaining...
7043The Moroccan-American Treaty of Peace and Friendship, [28 June 1786] (Adams Papers)
This is a Treaty of Peace & Friendship, established between Us and the United States of America, which is confirmed & which we have ordered to be written in this Book & sealed with our Royal Seal at our Court of Morocco, on the twenty fifth day of the blessed Month of Shaban in the Year one thousand two Hundred, trusting in God it will remain Permanent. We declare that both Parties have agreed...
7044From John Adams to Peter Stephen Duponceau, 5 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 28th. June has given me more pleasure than you can imagin; I am delighted to find a Gentleman in America who ever knew Court my friend Court, he was introduced to me in 1778 and I continued to enjoy his friendship till his death, he has mentioned me more than once in his Works, he was a kind of Walking Alexandrian Library And as modest amiable and unassuming as he was learned—if...
7045From John Adams to Rufus King, 19 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r. Francis Upton, a Gentleman recommended to me by M r: Hartley, will have the Honour to deliver you this Letter, He goes to NewYork, about an Estate Claimed by him, his Brother & Sister I beg Leave to introduce him to you— This Country affords nothing new—an obstinate continuation of the same Ministry, the same Principles Spirit, Passions, Prejudices, and in one word system is no News,— I...
7046To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 15 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long entertained scruples about writing this letter, upon a subject of some delicacy. But old age has over come at last. You remember the four Ships, ordered by Congress to be built, and the four Captains appointed by Washington—Talbot & Truxton & Barry & ca to carry an Ambassador to Algiers and protect our Commerce in the Mediterranean. I have always imputed this measure to you: for...
7047From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 14, 8 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I went to Court in Company with the American Minister Plenipotentiary, and had the Honor to be presented to the King, by the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs: after which, I had the Honor to go round with all the foreign Ambassadors, and make a Visit to the Queen, the King’s Brothers, Sister, Aunts, and Daughter, which are all the Branches of the Royal Family, and to be...
7048Decr. 25. Wednesday. Christmas. (Adams Papers)
Margaret (Smyth) Bingham , wife of an Irish peer, the first Baron Lucan, was better known for her paintings than for her verse ( DNB Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee, eds., The Dictionary of National Biography, New York and London, 1885–1900; 63 vols. plus supplements. ).
7049V. To the Abbé de Mably, 17 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
In the letter which I did myself the honor to write you, on the 15 th. I did not think proper to mention myself, or any writings of mine, while I was enumerating those original Documents for history, which are already in print. But as I have been constantly an Actor, in the American Controversy & Revolution, in some Capacity or other, fm. the year 1761. and, altho’ constantly much oppressed...
7050From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 25 January 1825 (Adams Papers)
your letter of the 6th. of January gave me much pleasure, to which was added was that of your Brothers for the lone of which I thank you and here-with return it— he writes in fine spirits, and I hope will be able to accomplish his designs, but what his views are unless he has been fortunate enough to find the affections of some fine English Lady of Moderate fortune, who is adventurous enough...
7051From John Adams to Harriet Welsh, 23 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Bill—you will please to purchase me Dugal’s Philosophy of the Human Mind—By what I know of Mr L Shaw and have heard of him, I should not wonder, if he were the Author of the Review of Judge Story’s Charge & Mr King’s Speeches—The American, I hear is coming out in the Richmond Enquirer like a valiant Hero in open justification of Negrow Slavery— if all the States Southward of...
7052John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 26 February 1803 (Adams Papers)
I duely rec d yours of the 16 th with the Paper enclosed. I had given no Attention to the Attack upon you in Cheethams Paper, because I know that no Integrity of heart, no Purity of Conduct, or Innocence of Life can protect any Man from the Shafts of Calumny, in these times of party rage and under an elective Government, which breeds Passions and prejudices as fast as ever the sun upon the...
7053From John Adams to George Mason Jr., 4 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
With great pleasure, I received your kind letter of the twenty fifth of last month, give me leave to congratulate you on your marriage, the increase of your family, and your happy settlement on your plantation. I have known by repeated experience enough of the pleasure of returning from the life of a traveller in Europe, to the pleasures of domestic life, in a calm retreat in the country, to...
7054From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
A very fortunate day to write to you, My dear Sir, and especialy on a Subject, without which my Letters of 1775 would have been no Blessing. In my last Letter I intimated a design of looking into other American Historians, after that of Mrs Warren, on the Subject of a Navy. C.J. Marshal, in the 2nd. Vol. of his Life of Washington p 255 in the month of October September, Says “The importance of...
7055[May 3. 1778] (Adams Papers)
This day May 3. 1778 We had Company to dine with Us, Mr. Izzard and his Lady, Mr. Lloyd and his Lady, Dr. Bancroft, and many others. Dr. Franklin and Mr. Izzard were upon such terms that the former would not invite the latter. I was determined that I would not enter into their Resentments, and therefore said to the Dr. that I would invite Mr. Izzard and his Family, which I did accordingly and...
7056Thurdsday Jany. 9th. 1765 [i.e. 1766]. (Adams Papers)
At Home. Must such a Number of new Crimes be committed, to decide which of these two, Caesar or Pompey, shall be master in Rome? One would hardly purchase at that Price, the good Fortune of having Neither of them for Master. Grotius De Jure Belli et Pacis B. 2 C. 16. §. 22. N. 1. The Interpretation that restrains the Import of Words is taken either from an original Defect in the Will of the...
7057[Tuesday July 30. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday July 30. 1776. Two reports from the Board of War, with Resolutions in consequence of them as in the Journal. Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair. JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:620–621. These concerned fees to officers for obtaining recruits, Gen....
7058From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 3 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from a Mr William England, with a commission to him from the Grand master of Malta. If you think it worth while & there is no competitor, whose merits are superior, you may send him a commission as consul, or wait till he can be nominated to the Senate, as you judge best. Inclosed also is a letter from Mr. Malcom, & another from Mr. Peter Kemble, recommending his brother...
7059From John Adams to United States Congress, 3 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with the request of the House of Representatives, expressed in their resolution of the second of this Month, I transmit to both Houses, those instructions to and dispatches from, the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to the French Republic which were mentioned in my message of the nineteenth of March last, omitting only some names, and a few expressions descriptive of the...
7060From John Adams to the President of the Congress, No. 1, 11 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
El Ferrol, Spain, 11 December 1779. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, 1, f. 227; docketed: “No. 1 J Adams Esqr original by Capt. Trask from Corunna to Newbury Port, Mass. Bay. Duplicate of Decemb 11th 1779 Original receivd. Recd. May 15. 1780 orig read March 27.” The “original” has not been found. LbC Adams Papers . LbC in JA ’s and in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in...
706115. (Adams Papers)
A fair morning and pretty warm. Kept school. Drank Tea at Mr. Swan’s, with Mr. Thayer.
7062From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to have neglected so long to write you an account of the delightful visit I received from Mr. and Mrs. Cooledge, Mrs. C—— deserves all the high praises I have constantly heard concerning her, She entertained me with accounts of your sentiments of human life, which accorded so perfectly with mine that it gave me great delight—In one point however I could not agree—She said, she had...
7063To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 22 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Last Evening, was brought to me, the Proposals of the owners of the Ships, in the following Words. “To take from the owners of the Vessells the Liberty and the Aurora, at the Rate they shall be found to amount, not only of purchase Money, but also of all other Expences made thereon till the day of taking over the Said Vessells. Further to pay the...
7064[November 1760] (Adams Papers)
Dana says the Administrator ought not to regard the Disgrace or Trouble or Expence of a Commission of Insolvency, but if it is in the least degree suspicious, that the Estate will not prove sufficient, he must represent it so, at his first Appointment i.e. every Day, that he takes to enquire into the Value of the Estate, and the Number of Debts, is at the Risque of the Creditors, and if any...
7065John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
This Morning for the first Time, was delivered me the Resolution of Congress of the first of May, that a Commission and Instructions Should be made Out, to Me, Dr. Franklin and Mr. Jay to make a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. If this Intelligence had been Sent Us by Barney, who Sailed from Philadelphia a Month after, the 1st of May, and has now been Sailed from hence on his return home...
7066From John Adams to Beriah Phipps, 11 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, for this well written and excellent Address. The Number of Addresses, which I daily receive from my fellow Citizens in greater Numbers than I can possibly answer is the Cause of the long delay of this. Your Indignation and Alarm are well founded. If there are Citizens capable of being made the disgraceful Instrument of counteracting the Measures of their own free Government, and...
7067[November 1769] (Adams Papers)
Saturday after attending Court in the Morning, I dined by particular Invitation at Mr. Winthrops the Clerk of the Superior Court with all the Bar, Messrs. Dana, Kent, Otis, Fitch, Reed, S. Quincy, B. Gridley, Cazneau, Blowers. Otis, B. Gridley, Kent, and S. Quincy, were the principal Talkers. Otis talked the most, B. Gridley next, Kent the next and S. Quincy, next. The rest of the Company said...
7068From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
With more joy than I can express I have recd your kind Letter of the 18th. of August. Your Mother has been Seized with a pulmonary Fever attended with very threatening Symptoms and a violent Cough which has confined her for some Weaks: but We have now the consolation of confident Assurences from Dr Holbrook that she is so much better as to be past all danger I can easily conceive of your...
7069To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 24 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Desirous of doing all in my Power, to Save Mr Morriss Bills, I determined to go to Amsterdam, and accordingly, Sett off, the Beginning of this Month from London, in a Season too rigorous for Pleasure.— At Harwich we were obliged to wait Several Days for fair Weather, whcih when it arrived brought Us little Comfort as it was very cold And the Wind...
7070From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 30 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
Some of Jobs afflictions & some of Jobs comforters have prevented my answering your letters as far as No 30. I hope you will persevere in studying Barbaracque. I hope you will critically study his notes & his quotations in latin & Greek from the Ancients. Endeavour to pick & search out their meaning. Mr Russells letter & your fathers remarks are arrived and running the round of conversation &...