7401To John Adams from the Comte de Sarsfield, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je vous ai, Monsieur, une obligation infinie de m’avoir procuré la connoissance de Monsieur Searle. Je n’en ai encore gueres profité. Je n’ay eu Lhonneur De le voir qu’une fois; mais J’espere que mercredi nous boirons ensemble a votre Santé. Il m’a appris que vous restiez en Hollande dont Je ne vous cacherai pas que J’ay eté faché, apres quoy, par reflexion, J’ay pensé qu’il falloit Etre bien...
7402To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 4 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favor of 23d. ult. is just recieved; it was truly welcome as it gave me the first information of your safe arrival, & as the manner of it proved that you were in good health & spirits. Pardon me for differing from you in opinion when you say that you have exchanged honor & virtues for manure. I take the last article to be accumulative;—tho’ they aggregate may be formed of as form...
7403De Kemtenstrauss to John Adams: A Translation, 9 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
A society of well-to-do men has formed a plan to establish a colony in the United States of North America, an offer which cannot fail to provide this powerful republic with a number of loyal, useful, and virtuous subjects. Prompted by the desire to accomplish such a wise and advantageous project, and encouraged by the soundness of the present effort, the members of this society dare to address...
7404Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter dated the 9 th the blundering Post carried with him to Barnestable, so that I did not get it till the next week. Yours of the 13 th came duly to Hand. the extracts with which You have favourd me, are curious, and prove a Weak Head. of the Heart, I shall say nothing. it does not appear that Fauchett, as has been reported went to Randolph to complain of British influence, but...
7405Abigail Smith to John Adams, 30 April 1764 (Adams Papers)
Your Friendly Epistle reach’d me a fryday morning, it came like an Infernal Mesenger, thro fire and Brimstone, Yet it brought me tidings of great joy. With gratitude may this month be ever rememberd by Diana. You have been peculiarly favourd, and may be numberd with those who have had the distemper lightest. What would I give that I was as well thro it. I thank you for your offerd Service, but...
7406To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The pressing solicitations of Major Tousard oblige me to represent to you, that the Season is now arrived for prosecuting with activity the Defences contemplated at Rhode Island, and other places to the Eastward. That without the funds he expects to derive from a settlement of his accounts for former extra Services as an Engineer—it will be impracticable for him to meet the expences,...
7407Abigail Adams to John Adams, 14 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
My habitation, how disconsolate it looks! My table I set down to it but cannot swallow my food. O Why was I born with so much Sensibility and why possessing it have I so often been call’d to struggle with it? I wish to see you again, was I sure you would not be gone, I could not withstand the temptation of comeing to town, tho my Heart would suffer over again the cruel torture of Seperation....
7408To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I was quite rejoiced, dear Sir, to see that you had health & spirits enough to take part in the late convention of your state for revising it’s constitution, and to bear your share in it’s debates and labors. the amendments of which we have as yet heard prove the advance of liberalism in the intervening period; and encourage a hope that the human mind will some day get back to the freedom it...
7409To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recd. only on Saturday evening, the letter from Capt Nicholson, of which the enclosed is a copy. It is I think, highly probable, that the Ship brought into Hampton by Nicholson, belongs to, or has been hired by, that unfortunate class of Frenchmen, who call themselves Loyalists, & who adhering to the British ‘till a place of Refuge is denied them in the West Indies, come to America as the...
7410To John Adams from Charles Cushing, 10 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
To my very great surprise and mortification, I saw in the daily Advertizer a week or ten days since, letters written by you in early life to my Father, and how they ever got abroad or published is wholly a mystery to me, and to our Family; I recollect to have seen them some twelve or fifteen years since, & then they were in a trunk of my father’s, with other private papers, that trunk was in...
7411To John Adams from William Cunningham, 21 December 1808 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 13th. inst. and give you my thanks for the offer of the 2d. & 3d. volumes of the Defence. If you would be at the trouble of putting them under a blank cover, superscribed with my address and cause them to be left at Wheelock’s, at the sign of the Indian Queen in Marlborough-Street, they will be brought to me by the driver of the Leominster stage— I shall be...
7412From John Jay to John Adams, 10 January 1792 (Adams Papers)
I cannot easily tell you how much I am pleased & obliged by your friendly Letter of the 4 th. Inst:— were I to pursue my Inclinations, I should without Hesitation accept your kind Invitation—but our Inclinations even in things innocent must not always be gratified. my Visits to Philadelphia have ceased to be occasional, or I should certainly avail myself of those opportunities which your...
7413To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 1 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have been duly favored with thy kind Letter of the 16th ultimo, & avail myself of a privilege to convey through thy hands to thy Son, for the Emperor of Russia, a copy of my Gazetteer of the State of New-York. All conveyances are uncertain;—this must take its chance. Should it nark thy Son, I pray thou let him know the high sentiments of esteem which I entertain, & the obligations he would...
7414To John Adams from William Gordon, 7 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I heard that a vessel was arrived from Amsterdam. Was up early and went to Boston in the morning after letters, could meet with none, and returned home to dinner. Between four and five Deacon Mason called and brought me one from . My good old Friend, who I began to fear from his long silence, had nearly forgotten me, through the multitude of more capital European figures...
7415To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 14 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
We hoped to have the pleasure of seeing you again in Camp before you set out for Philadelphia, but as you don’t like a “sleepy Camp” I can easily account for your preferring the Senate. The time perhaps is not far distant when the Camp will be wakeful and active—and to leave us without excuse, I wish we may have a sufficient quantity of the Needful . The Regiments of Militia which were ordered...
7416From John Jay to John Adams, 21 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
From the Day of my appointment to this mission, my Attention has been much withdrawn from my friends, and confined to the Business which brought me here; & which has at last been terminated by a Treaty. In future I shall have more Leisure to attend to my friends, and to my own affairs— Both your Sons arrived here in good Health— I wrote to my friend John lately, but as yet have not had a...
7417To John Adams from James McHenry, 1799 (Adams Papers)
Answer to Questions proposed by the President of the U States— To the first. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. It is for the most part a relative question—relative to the comparative strength of the parties—the motives for peace or war—the antecedent relations—the...
7418To John Adams from William Gordon, 8 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I hope this will find you at Westminster. I congratulate You upon your late appointment; it was what I wished for, as what I thought would be agreeable to you, & for the good of our country. The treaty of commerce may be too far settled to admit of alteration: but if your correspondents have not urged you in the most pressing manner, to exert every nerve to obtain an importation of our whale...
7419To John Adams from Philippe Jean Joseph Lagau, 3 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
C’est avec le plus sensible plaisir que j’ai l’honneur de vous annoncer que Monsieur Votre fils s’est embarqué à Copenhague pour Kiel d’ou Il se rendra à hambourg ou nous L’attendons incessament. Monsieur le Chevalier de Viviers Ministre du Roy en cette ville se fait un plaisir de faire sa Connoissance et je ne manquerai pas de lui temoigner tout mon empressement à lui être util, pour...
7420To John Adams from Theophilus Lindsey, 30 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r Lindsey presents his most respectful comp ts to M r Adams, with many thanks for his acceptable present. M r L. hopes that America is now reaping some of the fruits of his labours in its new and wise constitution lately published to the world and will profit by them for ages of ages. M r L. has been prevented from paying his acknowlegements sooner by having been hitherto almost altogether...
7421To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have receivd your Excellencys Letter of the 19th Instant, inclosing the Copy of Another of the 15th Addressed to his Excellency Mr. Franklin. I feel in the most Sensible Manner, the Marks you give me of your Benevolence and Trust. Nothing can be more flattering, and more Animating to me to persist in these Sentiments and that Conduct, which have fortunately drawn your Notice on me. I entreat...
7422Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 27 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you soon after my arrival here that I expected to take passage with Captain Jenkins of the Ship America, bound to Newburypor[t.] I had in fact engaged to go with him, but as he said much to me of the uncomfortableness of his vessel and refused any compensation for taking me as a passenger, I thought best to look out for another opportunity, and upon the recommendation of Capt n:...
7423To John Adams from Bidé de Chavagnes, 28 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Occupé de vous, de mrs. Dena, taxter, de vos chers enfants et de tout cequi vous interesse par continuation, je suis bien aise D’avoir lhonneur de vous demander des nouvelles de vos santés qui m’interessent bien fort, et de vous donner des miennes auxquelles vous avez la bonté de vous interesser. Je me suis toujours assez bien porté depuis notre depart de brest du 13 de ce mois. Après une...
7424To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 15 August 1807 (Adams Papers)
You begin your Letter, Sir, of August 8th. with complaints of “new demonstrations of Mrs. Warren’s friendship.” Indeed, I cannot see the smallest foundation of complaint from page 229, Vol. 3d. of the Revolutionary History, to signing the Treaty with Great Britain page 232, that could give cause for the smallest umbrage, except the inadvertency of placing the names of Benjamin Franklin and...
7425From George Washington to John Adams, 22 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
As the Transmission of the inclosed paper through the usual Channel of the Department of foreign Affairs would, on the present Occasion, probably be attended with great Delay—and recent Intelligence of Military Transactions must be important to our Ministers in Europe at the present period of Affairs—I have thought it would be agreeable both to Congress & your Excellency, that the Matter...
7426To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 6 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
It is not without great diffidence, that I take the liberty of addressing a few words to you—I am fully aware, that almost any intrusion must be irksome to one, who, having spent a long & honorable life devoted to the good of his country & mankind, has retired from the active scenees of the world; to a dignified and placid seclusion—Yet I am embolden, by the thought that while you will be...
7427To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 9 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
At the Request of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery, I have the Honour of presenting to your Excellency the enclosed Petition, which I beg leave to recommend to your favourable Notice. Some further Particulars respecting it, requested by the Society, will appear in their Letter to me, of which I enclose a Copy, and have the Honor to be, / Sir, / Your Excellency’s / most...
7428To John Adams from William Tudor, 18 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your very obliging & confidential Letters of the 3 d. and 9 th. of May I received on the 15. I mention their coming to my Hands together only to mark the Difference between the Dispatch of the Post & the Punctuality of Individuals. I am rejoiced to find You, Sir, pronouncing the upper House of Congress a wise, mild and noble Body of Men. From such a Body we must find dignified, firm & national...
7429To John Adams from William Churchill Houston, 11 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
The principal military Event which has taken Place for some considerable Time past, is the Fall of Charlestown, the Capital of South Carolina. No very material Circumstances can, as yet, be added to those officially published, and which the several American Prints have given you, and the British still earlier. The Intelligence from the Southward being overland is very tedious in it’s Passage;...
7430To John Adams from Henry Colman, 14 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I regret very much that the enclosed is not more worthy of your acceptance by being more worthy of its lamented Subject. I hope you will not be displeased with it; but accept it as a small expression of my sincere veneration for the departed and my unfeigned Sympathy in your deep afflictions— I am, my Dear Sir, / with the highest respect / yr obliged & obed sert P.S. It appeared here with some...
7431To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 25 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I did Myself the Pleasure to write to You from Baltimore Town, relative to two Vessells, which could be procured there, and that I was informed and beleived the Brigg was reasonable. The Owner is waiting your Answer, I therefore beg You to send the Determination of the Committee to Mr. Robert Alexander of that Town. I this Evening learn the Capture of Quebec. Montreal would gloriously close...
7432Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last Night till my Eyes were almost out by the post, but Mr. Eliot has taken pains to send me word that he would carry a Letter for me, and I cannot omit writing a few lines tho tis only to say that I am well, and to inquire how you do? I have a thousand fears for your Health. How is poor Mr. Barrel, is he gone, or does he yet live? This Month twelve month was attended with so many...
7433Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter your Excell y. did me the Honour of writing to me the 29th past. The Annunciation directed by the Instruction you mention has not yet been made; some Circumstances and Considerations, not necessary to particularize at present, occasioned the Delay here; but it may now be done immediately by your Excellency, if you think proper, to the Imperial Minister at the Hague;...
7434To John Adams from William Cunningham, 2 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your esteemed favor of the 28 ult. More valuably as I know your time is employed, yet I cannot restrain the wish that you would have "Patience and leisure to make the friendly remarks" which arose on the perusal of my performance. I am sufficiently sensible of inaccuracies to be admonished, for the future, against too much confidence in my own information—a friendly eye to...
7435To John Adams from William Lee, 25 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the intelligence contain’d in your favor of the 13th. and when there are any other arrivals from America you will greatly oblige me by communicating any intelligence they may bring. I confess I am uneasy to hear from Chas. Town, for there is no doubt of Clinton having design’d his principle Force against that Town; as I cannot give any credit to the surmises of some people,...
7436From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 18th. inclosing your compliments on your presentation. The sentiments you therein expressed were such as were entertained in America till the Commercial proclamation, and such as would again return were a rational conduct to be adopted by Gr. Britain. I think therefore you by no means compromitted yourself or our country, nor expressed more than it would be...
7437To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much indisposed it has been almost impossible for me to keep my journal and my family has been too large to admit of sufficient quiet to do any thing but partake of the amusements of the place which however have been but few comparatively speaking. It has been remarked frequently that there has never been so gloomy a session as the present and I doubt if there ever was one which...
7438Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I submitted to Comte de Vergennes an excerpt from General Heath’s letter which I have the honor to return enclosed. You will have seen that I have mentioned it in No. 46 of Affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amerique . The publication of No. 47 is but waiting for the first news which you will receive and wish to communicate to me as usual through the mail . This periodical pertains entirely to...
7439To John Adams from Joseph Chaplain, June 1798 (Adams Papers)
We feel happy in congratulating our fellow citizens of the United States, upon the unanimity of Spirit, which, in Such firm Language, & on so trying an Occasion, bespeaks their resolution to preserve inviolate, that independence, which they have so bravely fought for, and So gloriously obtained— We desire to offer to you, our unbounded applause, for the Wisdom and Spirited decision, which,...
7440To John Adams from Charles Storer, 23 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
From the friendship you have always expressed for me I am led to acquaint you with some circumstances in which I am interested & to request your advice & assistance— Pardon me this liberty, which I should not have taken, had not my situation required it, & but from a reliance on the same good nature to which I am already so much indebted.— The speculation I am upon here does answer my...
7441To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
To the Questions proposed by the President of the United States, on the 14th of the last month, the Secretary of State respectfully returns the following answers. 1. Question. Whether the refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney, and the rude orders to quit Paris & the Territory of the Republic, with such circumstances of indignity, insult & hostility, as we have been informed of, are bars to all...
7442To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 20 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Nothing but the want of Sight has delay’d the acknowledgement of your most kind Letter of the 24th Ultimo—it reminded me of an Inscription Cut out of the frontace piece of a Church, I went to see at Millnor viz Full, & Intire Indulgences, Granted for all Sins, Past, Present, & to come—what can I say in return—only that it is impossible I thus can say or willingly do any thing Not for a moment,...
7443To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
If it meets with your approbation, I will send as soon as possible, two Vessels at least, to cruise about Surinam & Cayenne—one or two to cruise about Curicoa and the Spanish main—three or four will be necessary to be kept in the neighbourhood of the Havanna, and a greater number must be kept about Guadaloupe; and altho’ I beleive there is have no necessity for it, yet to quiet the...
7444To John Adams from Thomas Barclay, 18 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had a letter some days ago from Doctor Franklin desiring me not to draw on him for any more money, to which yesterday I wrote a reply, a Copy of which I send inclosed to your Excellency. If you shou’d ask why I trouble you with it, my answer is, that it is for the reason I have given Doctor Franklin for writing so long a letter to him, “because I wish you to know minutely my situation.” I...
7445To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a patriotic address from the Brigadier general, and field officers of the third Brigade of Maryland Militia with a letter which accompanied the same from Brigadier General J. Swann, to the Secretary of War. The characters of most of the Gentlemen who have signed this address are known to me to be valuable and influential. I am, Sir, with the / Sincerest attachment...
7446To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 23 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Under the 18 th of last October I did myself the honor and pleasure of addressing you, com̃itting the Letter to the Care of Doctor Gordon, who since tells me that He put the same into a safe Channel of Conveyance— I hope you received it in due time—as I therein acknowledged the Satisfaction given to me and my family, by your good & worthy Son, who had passed a day with us—and was the bearer of...
7447To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 24 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry this Town has fewer Charms for you than a Ship of War,— You surely will have enough of the Sea on your Passage and methinks the Shore, now Nature is putting on her most agreeable Dress, is capable of giving you more pleasure. If you think the Situation of my House pleasant enough, you may be as compleatly Commander of it as you can be of any Frigate in the Service. You may remember...
7448Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have neither Seen or heard of any unpleasent remarks or strictures upon your late addresses. what may be reserved for hereafter I know not. the Chronical has been quite favourable, drawing however wrong inferences that your administration would be very different from your predecessors. the impression made upon the minds of the publick as far as I can learn them, have been highly favourable,...
7449Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I this day Received by the Hands of our Worthy Friend a large packet, which has refreshed and comforted me. Your own sensations have ever been similar to mine. I need not then tell you how gratified I am at the frequent tokens of remembrance with which you favour me, nor how they rouse every tender sensation of my Soul, which sometimes find vent at my Eyes nor dare I discribe how earnestly I...
7450To John Adams from Daniel Roberdeau, 21 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
I acknowledge your favors of the 19th. and 24th. Ultimo, and with great pleasure find you obey the call of your Country. May it prove her advantage and your honor, of which I have not the least doubt, notwithstanding the deficiency you mention. I shall highly esteem a constant correspondence with you, which I shall endeavour to encourage and improve a friendship I so greatly value. A lex...