7801From John Adams to the President of Congress, 18 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Having recieved an Invitation to the Hague, in order to have some Conversation with some Gentlemen in the Government concerning the further Steps proper for me to take in the present Conjuncture, I had determined to have undertaken the Journey to day: but the Arrival in Town of the Duke de la Vauguyon, determined me to postpone it until tomorrow. At noon to day, his Excellency did me the honor...
7802From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 16, 14 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Repeated Letters from London, confirm the Account of Mr. Laurens’s being confined to the Tower, so close a Prisoner, that neither his old Correspondents, nor even his Refugee Relations, are Suffered to Speak to him. There have been So many Precedents of Exchanges, Mr. Lovell as well as the Major Generals Sullivan, Stirling, Lee and others having been exchanged, as Prisoners of War, that it is...
7803From John Adams to Robert Morris, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Upon Enquiry of those who best know, I see no probability of Success from any Application to Authority in this Country, for Reasons which I have explained to our Minister of foreign Affairs. Our only Resource is in the public Opinion, & the favor of the Nation. I know of nothing, which would operate so favorably upon the Publick, as the Arrival of a few Vessels with Cargoes of American...
7804From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 9 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had, last Evening the Pleasure of yours of March 3. by your Brother, to whom in his Business to this Place I shall give all the Assistance in my Power. In whose favour the Ballance of Letters lies, I cant Say: but if I am in debt, in Point of Numbers it must be because Some of my Remittances have miscarried. I am not yet entirely convinced, that We are playing a desperate Game, tho I must...
7805From John Adams to John Fothergill Waterhouse, 5 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for Dr Slaughtons Eulogium on Dr Rush.—It is indeed “appropriate, learned and eloquent.” But I know not what to think of Eulogiums, Pictures, Statues, or Monuments.—If they could be consecrated by Truth to Virtue or to Honour, they would be venerable. My Feelings have been more affected by the words “In memoriam ingenii, Boerhaaviani Salutifori,” which I have sSeen read on a Stone...
7806From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 19 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit, the following Resolutions of the respective Provinces, relative to my Admission in Quality of Minister Plenipotentiary, together with two Resolutions of their High Mightinesses upon the Same Subject, all in the order in which they were taken. Extract from the Register Book of the Lords the States of Friesland. “The Requisition of Mr Adams, for presenting his...
7807[April 3. 1776] (Adams Papers)
April 3. 1776 great Things were done. The Naval System made great Progress. See JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 4:251–254.
7808From John Adams to Joseph Milligan, 20 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
The repeated kindness expressed in your letter of 30th. Oct’br, and the beautiful present of your book on Gardening, demand the thanks of an entire stranger. The volume for our Agricultural Society shall be presented as you desire Agriculture and Horticulture are become fashianable in the from Nova Scotia and Canada to the Mississippi, and I am mistaken in the character of my Countrymen, if...
7809To John Jay from John Adams, 15 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
I shall not always stand upon Ceremonies, nor wait for Answers to Letters, because useful Hints may be given, which would be lost if one were to wait Returns of Posts. The British Channel Fleet is reckoned this year at from thirty to thirty seven Ships of the Line, but it is well known that they depend upon Seamen to be pressed from their first West India Fleet, in order to make up this...
7810From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 19 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from his Excellency Gov. Miflin, copy of one from Chief Justice McKean to him & two letters of Mr Liston. You will restore these letters to Mr. Liston & inform him of the circumstances. Inclosed is my answer to Gov. Miflin which I pray you to seal & to send. Since I received this letter from the Govenor I have received yours of July 12th upon the same subject. MHi : Adams...
7811From John Adams to Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway, 4 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
The practice of borrowing hands to write for me is so modern & my skill in dictating so little familliar that I forgot one half of what I intended to say. Would you believe it was possible for me to forget the Bible and the good Samaritan as I fear I did in my last letter to you. Your Bible shall be sure to you if you can find one in Georgetown or Washington to your satisfaction purchase it...
7812From John Adams to John Davis, 4 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Oration, which I have read with pleasure, there has never been any Alination of Esteem or affection between Mr Jefferson and me, we differed in opinion concerning the French Revolution, he was of opinion that it would terminate in the establishment of a free Democratical Republic in France Republican Government in France I could never be convinced of the Probability of...
7813From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Commissioners Scott & White. Whether the address in question, is one I sent you sometime ago or another, which may be comeing, I know not. In all things relative to the federal city, I rely much on your advice, aided by Messrs McHenry Stoddert & Lee. With much respect &c. Inclosed also is a letter from Mr Daniel Pettibone which ought to have been addressed to you. MHi...
7814Abigail Adams’ Diary of her Voyage from Boston to Deal, 20 June–20 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Embarked on Board the ship Active Capt. Lyde commander, with my daughter and 2 servants for London. To go back to the painfull Scenes I endured in taking leave of my Friends and Neighbours will but excite them over again. Suffice it to say that I left my own House the 18 of June. Truly a house of mourning; full of my Neighbours. Not of unmeaning complimenters, but the Honest yeomanary, their...
7815From John Adams to David Sewall, 29 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 24th, and it revived or restored many of the sensations of my youth. The last Trial before a special court of Vice-Admiralty in Boston, before the revolution, was of Ansell Nickerson for piracy and murder on the high seas. The case was very singular and unaccountable. Nickerson took a passage on board a small vessel and sailed from Boston for Cape Cod, with...
7816[July–August] 1804. (Adams Papers)
July 2d. Mowed, over vs. Yard and Garden 3 One Load, from the road to the ditch and from the cart path to the pasture Lane 1 4 Four Loads, over the Way and between the ditch and orchard 4 5 One Load from Chris Webbs House Lott 1 6 One from the 10 Acre Lot on the hill 1 7 Two in Cranchs Barn and two from the 10 Acre Lott 4 Sunday 8
7817[July 10. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
July 10. 1778. We approve of the Directions given by you to stop the Reparation of the Arms at Nantes, paying the Workmen their Wages, Gratifications and Conduct Money, according to Agreement, of which you inform Us in your Letter July 3. 1778. Mr. Williams is desired to send the Commissioners an order for the Goods remaining on hand, including the sixty three Barrells of Beef to be delivered...
7818[1770] (Adams Papers)
The Year 1770 was memorable enough, in these little Annals of my Pilgrimage. The Evening of the fifth of March, I spent at Mr. Henderson Inches’s House at the South End of Boston, in Company with a Clubb, with whom I had been associated for several Years. About nine O Clock We were allarmed with the ringing of Bells, and supposing it to be the Signal of fire, We snatched our Hats and Cloaks,...
7819From John Adams to Elizabeth Erving Bowdoin, 27 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to accept my most respectful Thanks for the present You have been So obliging as to Send me of the Testimonies of Mr Harris and Mr Buckminster to the Character and Merits of Mr Bowdoin; especialy for the elegant Copy of that very useful Work the Advice to Shepherds than which a more patritic present could Scarcely have been made to this Country. Though I was acquainted with this...
7820From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 31 July [1783] (Adams Papers)
The last Evening, at Court, in the House in the Grove, where all the foreign Ministers supped, the Comte Montagnini de Mirabel, the Minister Plenipotentiary from the King of Sardinia, took an opportunity to enter largely into Conversation with me. As he and I were at a Party of Politicks while the greatest Part of the Company were at Cards, for two or three hours, We ran over all the World,...
7821From John Adams to James Warren, 18 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had this Morning the Pleasure of your Favour of Feb. 22. by the Post. This is the first Letter from you Since I left you. You are anxious to know, what Expectations are to be entertained of foreign Aid. I wish, Sir, it was in my Power to communicate to you, the little that I know of this Matter. But I am under Such Injunctions and Engagements to communicate nothing relative to foreign...
782217. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
I set a Lesson to my Son in Chambauds French Grammar and asked the Favour of Dr. Noel to shew him the precise, critical Pronunciation of all the French Words, Syllables, and Letters, which the Dr. very politely did, and Mr. John is getting his Lessons accordingly, very much pleased. The Weather is fair, and the Wind right, and We are again weighing Anchor in order to put to Sea. Captn. Diamond...
7823From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from John Jones, Samuel Rankin, Thomas Laing & recommendations of the last which I transmit to you that they may appear on your records & files & receive your consideration. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
7824John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
M r Murray of Maryland, your old Friend, with whom you form’d your first acquaintance at the Hague is to Succeed you. That Gentleman has been So long a Member of Congress and has given Such Proofs of Talents, amiable dispositions, and patriotic Sentiments, as qualify him to do honour to the Mission, as well as to his Predecessor. It would have been enough to have Said that he is well chosen to...
7825John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have written so seldom to you, that I am really grieved at the Recollection. I wrote you, a few Lines, June 2. and a few more June 16. These are all that I have written to you, since this Month began. It has been the busyest Month, that ever I saw. I have found Time to inclose all the News papers, which I hope you will receive in due Time. Our Misfortunes in Canada, are enough to melt an...
7826From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 23 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Night before last I recieved your communication in answer to my last which was as welcome as all the others recieved from you. I must thank you for a great deal of amusement which it all afforded me; Your description of a certain society astonished me somewhat & I was glad to see that even one individual dared to raise his voice “like a pelican in the wilderness” against such a crying sin....
7827From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Spectateur du Nord with your second letter of the 13th. I wish we had at Hamburgh a consul whose correspondence was a little more copious in political & commercial information in these days of great events & important prospects. Native Americans alone have the proper feelings. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
7828From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 28 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter of Judge Iredell, by which it appears that Judge Ire Wilson died on the night of the 21st of Augt. Inclosed also is a letter from Mr Desdoity which I request you to answer according to law and usage. Another from RB Forbes which I request you to note & file for consideration in due season. I received last night from the post office in Boston a bundle of addresses like the...
7829From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 11 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Pupil Mr Minot was a young Gentleman of excellent character; pure, spotless in Morals and Manners, loving Truth above all things. Agreed. But can you accuse me of prejudice or Malignity when I perceive a Tang of the Old Cask of Toryism in his History? He Studies, he labours for impartiality; but does he always hit it? In page 142 of his Second Volume, he Says “There was a Pause in the...
7830Fryday Feby. 7 [i.e. 8?]. 1771. (Adams Papers)
Met a Committee of the House at the Representatives Room, to consider of a Plan for a society for encouraging Arts, Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce, within the Province. Such a Plan may be of greater Extent and Duration than at first We may imagine. It might be usefull at any Time. There are in this Prov ince natural Productions eno. Hemp, Silk, and many other Commodities might be...
7831From John Adams to United States Senate, 1 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the Honorable George Cabot of Massachusetts to be Secretary of the navy of the United States. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
7832From John Adams to Edward and Charles Dilly, 20 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
You may possibly remember a Correspondent of yours, who had six or seven Years ago the Pleasure of Writing to you sometimes and of receiving Letters from you. He has occasion for the Monthly and critical Reviews: the Remembrancers and annual Registers as they come out: and the Parliamentary Registers, and any other political Pamphlets of any Character that may be published in London. He...
7833From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I returned last night to Leyden, and would Set off this morning for the Hague, if particular Reasons did not oppose. Having Something, a little interesting to communicate to you, I should be very much obliged to you, if you could come here to morrow morning. I should be glad of your answer this Evening, because if any thing makes it inconvenient to you to come here, I will go to the Hague, and...
7834From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 28 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your note of Feb’y 12th. and for the communication of Judge Troups letter. I am very much obliged to him for his civility to me as well for his testimonies in honor of your meritorious exertions for the public good. Your active life has been employed as far as I have known the history of i, in the promoting useful Knowledge and useful arts: for which I hope you have received or...
7835From John Adams to United States House of Representatives, 27 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I transmit you a report of the Secretary of State, with sundry documents, relative to the subject of your resolution of the 24th instant. Printed Source--A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897. 10 vols. (Washington, 1896-1899)..
7836From John Adams to Richard Oswald, 14 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
I hope You will excuse the Liberty I take of writing You a Line by M r. Charles Storer, who has been for some time one of my Family, to enquire after your Health and Welfare, in which I interest myself very much. We have expected You here every day for a long time, and begin to be apprehensive You dont design to return, which will be a disappointment to me, because I wish to have the pleasure...
7837From John Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 19 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Among all the congratulations which I have rec’d upon this occasion more have affected me more tenderly than this from the bosom friend of my ancient & excellent friend Dr Rush. I feel a regret that yr worthy Son our Ambassador in England was not on this side the water upon the occasion. My best wishes attend you Madam & all yr children and will do so as long as I have any wishes. this cannot...
7838From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, Sir, for your favour of the 11th. which I received last night. The Termination of the Tryal of Fries is an important, an interesting and an affecting Event. I am unable to conjecture the grounds of Mr Lewis’s opinion, and wish I had a sketch of them. Is Fries a Native or a Foreigner? Is he a Man of Property and independent, or is he in Debt? What has been his previous Life,...
7839June 5th. 1762. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Bass’s to Secretary Olivers, in Company with Judge Oliver. The Judge soon opened upon Politicks. Says he, Major Stock-bridge informs me, that Coll. Ruggles makes a very good Speaker. He has behaved to universal approbation. Soon afterwards, the Judge said, I never knew so easy an Election in my Life. Some of the Bar interest themselves, very much in the Matter. One Gentleman has...
7840[Controversy with Hutchinson, 1773] (Adams Papers)
As I have written hitherto, wholly from my memory, without recurring to any Books or Papers, I am sensible I have made several Anachronisms, and particularly in some things immediately preceeding. It was I believe in 1772 that Governor Hutchinson, in an elaborate Speech to both Houses of Congress endeavoured to convince them, their Constituents and the World that Parliament was our Sovereign...
7841From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you on the first of this month acknowledging the receipt of your “Proceedings” &c and now repeat my thanks for it. It is as masterly a pamphlet as ever I have read; and every way worthy of the Mind that composed and the pen which commited it to writing. There is witt and fancy and delicate touches of Satyr enough in it to make it entertaining while the profusion of learning the close...
7842From John Adams to the Baron von Thulemeier, 24 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d , the Letter, you did me, the Honour to write me on the 19 of this month and the Copy of your Letter to my Colleague Mr Jefferson. it is with great Pleasure I learn, that the Articles of the Treaty between his Prussian Majesty and the United States, are all agreed on to mutual Satisfaction, and I hope in a very few days to have the Honour of putting my Hand to it here. M r Short,...
7843From John Adams to Thomas Foxcroft, 13 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
Benjamin Beale Esq. our representative, brought me last night from the General Court, a packet containing two books and a letter. But the letter was dated from no place, and I could not decypher the signature. He thought the name of the Member who gave it to him was Foxcroft, which suggested to me the suspicion that it was came from you. There is not in my memory the faintest trace of the old...
7844From John Adams to Richard Rush, 14 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Montezillo, in the Spanish language signifies “a little hill.” You will search for it in vain in Italy; none of the Alps, the Appenines, no, nor the Pyranees, nor Asturians, ever bore that name. the City, Village or Villa, ever arrived to that honour. Search, and research. find it if you can. Neither Montezillo, nor Monticello desire many of your thoughts; but the Italian Republicks, like the...
7845From John Adams to John Coffin Jones, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to convey the inclosed letter after you have read it & sealed it to Capt Saunders & am Sir with great esteem your most obedient. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
7846From John Adams to Benjamin Morgan, 26 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received by Mr. Malcom, your favor of that date, together with a Catalouge of the Books, belonging to the Library Company of Philadelphia, bound and lettered with uncommon beauty and Splendor— I pray you Sir to present my thanks to the Directors of that Institution, for this elegant present and especially for their obliging offer of the Use of their books, a favour, however, which...
7847From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 21 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 8th is yet unanswered.—I beg your Pardon for hinting, tho in jest at my Antinovanglian Prejudice. I do believe you as free from it as you ought to be, or as I am. Dearly as I love New England, I know it, and its faults. Your Idea of Pensilvania is perfect. In a few days you will See that I have been reviewing an old Scene. In 1775, You will See how the Committee on Trade and on a...
7848From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 25 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
A few words more on the subject of pressing. In strictness, we have nothing to do with the question, whether impressments of seamen in England are legal or illegal. Whatever iniquity or inhumanity that government may inflict on their own subjects, we have no authority to call them to an account for it. But when they extend that power to us, a foreign nation, it is natural for us, and it is our...
7849From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 29 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of Oct. 18. And pray you when you see General Pinckney to congratulate him for me on his arrival; but I would not wish him to think of a Journey here to see me. I shall see him I hope eer long at Trenton or Philadelphia. The two Letters returned in yours are important. The first has made a great Impression on me. Inclosed is another Letter which I pray you to decypher,...
7850[February 1771] (Adams Papers)
Met a Committee of the House at the Representatives Room, to consider of a Plan for a society for encouraging Arts, Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce, within the Province. Such a Plan may be of greater Extent and Duration than at first We may imagine. It might be usefull at any Time. There are in this Prov ince natural Productions eno. Hemp, Silk, and many other Commodities might be...