Otis . 15. C. 2, c7, §. 8. In JA ’s hand. Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 185. 15 Car. 2, c. 7, §8 (1663). The pertinent portion of the section provides: “(2) and no ship or vessel coming to any such land, island, plantation, colony, territory or place [i.e. royal colonies in Asia, Africa, or America, except Tangier. 15 Car. 2, c. 7, §6], shall lade or unlade any goods or commodities...
7552From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 18 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, November 17, 1780—wrote to Congress: “From the time of the arrival of my commission, I have been constantly employed in forming acquaintances, making enquiries, and asking advice; but am sorry to be obliged to say, that hitherto I see no certain prospect of borrowing any money at all. For some years past, all the information I could obtain from this country, led me to think that...
7553From John Adams to James Madison, 25 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to present you, what I think a Curiosity. Dr Mayhews Thirtieth of January Sermon, preached and printed almost Seventy Years ago. It made a great Sensation in New England: and not a little Noise in old England where Several Editions of it were reprinted and one especially which was inserted in a Collection of Tracts in four Volumes under the Title of “The Pillars of Priestcraft and...
7554From John Adams to John Taylor, 23 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
You “are unable to discover in our form of Government any resemblance of Aristocracy.” As every branch of Executive Authority committed or entrusted, exclusively to One, resembles and is properly called a Monarchical Power; & Government in proportion as its Powers legislative or Executive are lodged in One, resembles Monarchy: So whatever Authority or Power of making or executing Laws is...
7555From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 3 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Moments we live in, are critical and may be improved, perhaps to advantage, for which purpose I beg Leave to propose to your Consideration, whether it is not proper for Us to write to M r Dana at Petersbourg, acquaint him with the Signature of the Preliminaries, inclose to him an authentic Copy of them and advise him to communicate it to the Ministers of the Empress, and to all the...
7556From John Adams to William Heath, 15 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Altho I never had the Pleasure and the Honour of so intimate an Acquaintance with you as I wished yet I have a long Time, been sufficiently acquainted with your Character, to have the Utmost Confidence in your Patriotism and your Judgment of the true Interest of our Country. The critical State of the Colonies, at this Time, is the Cause of my writing you, because Providence has now placed you...
7557From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
With real pleasure I received your kind letter of July 28th. though I received it but a few days ago. I thank you for introduceing to me Major Wolcott Huntington —whose appearance and manners do honor to both his names— I rejoice to hear that you enjoy so good health and I wish, that your Life may be prolonged for the Government of Connecticut as long as mine has been; which has been extended...
7558From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Chief justice Dana. I pray you to send him for his son a commission or warrant as a midshipman by the name of Edmund Trowbridge Dana, & to assure him that he shall be put under Capt. Sever on board his frigate. I am &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
7559Adams’ Minutes of the Argument and Decision: Suffolk Superior Court, Boston, August 1766 (Adams Papers)
Fitch. 1st Question whether Appeal will lie? Page 33 of tem porary Acts. Art —. Otis . Case of Barnstable vs. Bodfish. June 1747, in Sessions. Superior Court, Barnstable July 1747. Prov. Law 21. Relations. Lynde. Bastardy, Highways—Ministers and Paupers, no Appeal has been allowed. Gridley. This not taking up the Law upon the sense of it: but is taking up one Part of the Law to make it...
7560John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Pamphlet inclosed may be called “The most astonishing Concentration of Jacobitical Malevolence that ever Scottish Spite exhibited.” I have read it however with Interest and Avidity. It is not badly written— It has, no doubt, too much foundation in Truth. It has little of the Wit and none of the humour of Tom Pain, but has more than his Malice & Revenge. It is sometimes amusing to...
7561From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
If I am neither deceived by the little Information I have, or by my Wishes for its truth, I Should Say that France is the most Protestant country of Europe at this time, though I cannot think it the most reformed . In consequence of these Reveries I have imagined that Camus and the Institute, meant, by the revival and continuance of the Acta Sanctorum, to destroy the Pope and the Catholic...
756223 Monday. (Adams Papers)
Came to Mr. Putnams and began Law. And studied not very closely this Week.
7563From John Adams to Caleb Strong, 19 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
Commodore Truxtun has requested me, to forward to your Excellency his Vindication and circular Letter. I acquit myself with pleasure of his Commission, as it gives me an opportunity of anticipating the Compliments of the approaching Season, and renewing to your Excellency assurances of the Sincere Esteem and affection of your Friend and Servant IGK .
7564From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 20 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of 28th. July and 8. August are before me. I have a Favour to ask of you, that is to Send me, an exact Account of the Number of Continental Cruizers fitted out, in the Massachusetts, the Tonnage of the Vessells the Number of Guns belonging to each, the Weight of Metal, the Number of Men, the Names of the Vessells and the Names of all the Officers, that is to say, the Captains and...
7565John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter, Eliphalet Fitch Esqr., a Gentleman of large Fortune and high in office in Jamaica, is a Grandson of Dr. Boylston and consequently your Relation. You will wait upon him and his Lady, and do yourself the honor to shew them all the Attention and Respect in your Power, while they stay at the Hague. LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ). Eliphalet Fitch was receiver...
7566From John Adams to United States Senate, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the honorable John Marshall Esqr. of Virginia to be Secretary of State in the place of the Honorable Timothy Pickering Esqr. removed. The Honorable Samuel Dexter Esqr. of Massachusetts to be Secretary of the department of War, in the place of the Honorable John Marshall nominated for promotion to the office of State. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
7567John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday was as fine for Travell as ever occurred at this season of the Year.—I reached Ipswich, and lodged, at the House where I used to put up, old Mrs. Treadwells. This Morning I satt off, in a horrid cold Rain, and after getting wett through all my Coverings, I putt up at our Friend Mr. Tufts’s, having no Courage to proceed farther. Tomorrow Morning, I must proceed. Coll. Doane who was in...
7568From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 21 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inclose to your Lordship a Resolution of Congress of the fifth day of October last, by which I am permitted to return to America, at anytime after the Twenty fourth Day of February 1788. As it is my Intention to embark on board the Ship Lucretia John Calahan Commander, I must request of your Lordship to obtain the neccessary orders that the Same Priviledges be granted...
7569From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
Livy in his 42. Book and chapters 29 and thirty, as an introduction of his History of the War between the Romans and Perseus King of Macedonia, says that all the Kings and States of Europe and Asia had their Attention fixed upon those two powerfull Nations upon the Point of engaging in War. He first explains the Views of the Kings Eumenes, Prusias, Ariarathes, Antiochus, Ptolomy, Massinissa,...
7570August 3d. 1760. (Adams Papers)
Hollis has appealed. If he prosecutes his Appeal, he shall be paid. I believe there never was an Action in this Court where more Instances of Ignorance, Negligence and Inattention appeared on one side, and of Artifice, Secresy and Guile I must say Guile on the other, since it was erected. Let me draw a Picture of the Defendants stupidity, and of Plaintiffs Knavery. Neglect to acknowledge the...
7571From John Adams to Francis Dana, 25 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
In Some of the latest Letters from England, We are told, that they grow more and more out of humour with the Americans every day, and that it is the Fashion now of the Minority, as well as the Friends of Administration to abuse them, both in and out of Parliament. In a Particular Mr. Powis Mr. Fox &c. express their Abhorrence of Congress—call them the worst of Tyrants and Say they deserve to...
7572From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 20 June 1808 (Adams Papers)
I give you this Title for the present only. I Shall Scarcely allow you to be a political, moral, or Christian Philosopher, till you retract Some of the Complaints Lamentations, Regrets and Penitences in your Letter of the 13th.—But more of this presently. Mr John Reed, the first Lawyer who left a great Reputation in our State, in the Administration of Governor Shirley was a Councillor, or in...
7573From John Adams to Tench Coxe, 19 June 1791 (Adams Papers)
I am under obligations to you, for two kind Letters, in one of which was inclosed Observations on Lord Sheffield, made with So much Candour, Politeness, and Force as must command the attention and Esteem of all Men. The Trouble you have taken to inform me of the two hundred Dollars paid to my Steward has my best Thanks. Unfortunately I am obliged to give you a little more trouble. The Bill for...
7574From John Adams to United States Senate, 26 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I lay before you, for your consideration and advice, a treaty of perpetual peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and subjects of Tripoli, of Barbary, concluded at Tripoli on the 4th day of November, 1796. Printed Source--A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897. 10 vols. (Washington, 1896-1899)..
75753. M[onday]. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Astorga. We passed through the Town and Country of the Marragattoes. The Town is small—stands on a Brook in a great Plain. We met Coaches, and genteel People as We went into Astorga.
7576From John Adams to Miss Lomax, 14 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
My antient Friend, Mr Jefferson has presented me in your name, with a compliment more grateful to my heart, than the most costly monument of Art and Adulation could be. It is admired by all the ladies of my Family old and young, as the most exquisite production of the kind they have ever seen. It will be preserved with care by my Grand daughters and I hope, very soon by my great grand...
7577From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 25 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
1780, Nov. 30th—wrote to Congress: “The state of parties in this republic is still critical. Many anonymous pamphlets appear, on both sides. Those which proceed from the English party, are virulent against Mr. Van Berckel. The republic itself wavers, according to events and causes, which are impenetrable. A few days ago, the plan appeared to be to accede to the armed neutrality, in order to...
7578From John Adams to Pa., Militia of Lancaster, 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I receive with pleasure the offer of your services & have directed the Secy. at War to send commissions to your officers MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
75791779. June 30. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Marbois, this Morning, upon my Enquiry, told me, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne is the Grandson of the famous Chancelier de la Moignon by his Mothers Side. That the Marchall Broglie is a Cousin to the Chevalier. He also told me, that he himself, Mr. Marbois, was born in Metz, where the Comte de Broglie is Commandant. That going lately to Metz to be admitted a Counsellor in Parliament, he...
7580From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favr. of the 12th has revived or awakened my Pen which had fainted or Slept for many Weeks Preparations for Festivals have taken no time, nor many thoughts. One Sunday Evening, which our Parson, Said was the most pleasant and profitable, he had ever Spent, was all. Mr De Wint and Caroline have as little disposition to Pomp as her Grandfather. If you can give me any information concerning...