7811To John Adams from Stephen Peabody, 7 August 1802 (Adams Papers)
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That We Stephen Peabody of Atkinson in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshre, Clerk and Elizabeth his wife in Consideration of two thousand two hundred and fifty one dollars paid by John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and...
7812From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 22 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society Messrs. Fizeaux and Grand have lately sent me two Accounts of which they desire my Approbation. As they relate to Payments made by those Gentlemen of your acceptances of Bills of Exchange, your Approbation must be of more Importance than mine, you having more certain Knowledge of the affair. I therefore send them enclos’d to you, and request you would be...
7813To John Adams from William Tudor, 26 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
You will doubtless before the Receipt of this have heard of the bloody Engagement at Charlestown. For a particular Account of it I must refer You to a Letter I last Week wrote our Friend Collins. The ministerial Troops gain’d the Hill but were victorious Losers. A few more such Victories and they are undone. I cannot think our Retreat an unfortunate one. Such is the Situation of that Hill that...
7814From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 18 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
I am so much pleased with your last Letter of 7th. instant that I sieze the earliest of opportunity of expressing my satisfaction at the rapid progress which you have already made in you style of writing and the hand writing does you much credit and Charles’s was likewise very good His turn of thought is evidently french and he requires great care and attention to correct him from the habit of...
7815To John Adams from Anonymous, 1 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Having got a few seeds from Europe that appear deserving attention, and as some of ‘em may be adapted to a more northern climate than this, I have taken the liberty of sending some of them to Your care—if attending to them will not be convenient for yourself I have no doubt you will put them into the hands of some friend who takes an interest in improving the productions of the country— It is...
7816To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 2 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
The relation, in which we have the honour to Stand with your Excellency concerning the American Loan, makes it our Duty to inform your Excellency with the following circumstances We received Some time hence a letter from M r. Morris dated 5 th August, by which he advised us that he had determined to value upon us by his drafts till the amount of half a million Florins. We calculated at that...
7817To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 6 May 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment the honor of your letter of the 25th. Ultimo the Subject of which shall be treated as you direct . It is however very satisfactory to me to know your sentiments. My Judgment is that we may honorably avoid the evil of engaging. My hopes are that we shall. Yet I am not without fears of the reverse, from feelings, accident & ingenuity all of which offord chances against us—No...
7818From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 15 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters my Dear John gave us great uneasiness on account of your Grandfathers health and for your own situation which is painful to an extreme—But it is vain to repine at that which cannot be changed or to suffer evil to absorb all our attention—The only remedy that is now to be offered is an unwearied application to acquire reputation and renown in your profession and by this means wash...
7819To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received your letter of the 10th. and have handed to the Secretary of War the letter of lieut. Colo. Perkins, to be minuted & filed as you directed. Governor Sumner’s letter & inclosures of July 2d. I remembered to have packed up with other papers when the office was removing from Philadelphia; but I did not recollect where. This forenoon found them; and now have the honor...
7820To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 30 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
My Nephew Tho s. Lee Shippen wishes to be recommended to your patronage; & I am satisfyd he cannot be under better protection. I therefore entreat you to let him find favor in your sight, & that you will have the goodness to assist him with your advice, in the conduct of his legal Studies which he purposes to finish at the Temple. Our finances are unhappily at as low an ebb, as they who think...
7821To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I cannot help troubling you with a second Answer to your letters on purpose to congratulate you upon the Success of your Schemes for prosecuting the war in the Southern states. Count D’Estang has done wonders. He will be acknowledged by posterity as one of the deliverers of our country. We have just heard that he is safely arrived with all the trophies of his American conquests off the Capes...
7822John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 3 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I write to Congratulate you upon your arrival in baltimore and hope you will not omit writing to me. I have been very earnest to write to you for some time but could not find a subject we have no news here unless telling you that we have had several severe snow storms since you went away and yesterday we had one that banked over the tops of the fences we have not had so much snow before for...
7823To John Adams from Samuel Meredith, 27 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
My Treasury Account for the quarter ending the 30th: of September last having passed the Offices, permit me, through you, to lay it before the Honorable the Senate.— My Account of Expenditures in the War Department for the quarter ending the 31st: of December last is now at the Treasury for Settlement; when it is completed, I shall take the earliest Opportunity of Submitting it to your...
7824To John Adams from Robert Wharton, 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a moment, when dangers threaten the peace and prosperity of the United States, when foreign insolence and rapine, have deeply wounded our national honor, and injured our lawful commerce, it is presumed the Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of the City of Philadelphia will not be unwelcome, when they come forward to assure you of their perfect approbation of your administration & their entire...
7825John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 24 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
I receiv’d some days agone two setts of the 3d. and 4th. volumes of the Politique Hollandais, from Mr. Cerisier. I suppose your intention is to have them bound in the same manner as the 2. first, and shall therefore have it done. I have been obliged to borrow a Suetonius. Please to let me know if you chuse I should Purchase one. There is an edition with the Commentaries of Ernesti which I...
7826To John Adams from James Lloyd, August 1818 (Adams Papers)
The Humble Daniel Corry, Judge Bridge, Ruel Williams Esqr, and Colonel Corry of Augusta, in the District of Maine, have recently sent me two barrels of flour, made from wheat grown on the borders of the Kennebeck, and there manufactured, believing as they state, that I should be gratified with the accounts of the abundant wheat crops which that District will produce, and on which its...
7827To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Charitable belief, as expressed in your late Answer to the Providence Address,—that Many of your Countrymen had adhered to the French from a blind Infatuation; So exactly Meets My Case, that & is so liberal, & Conciliating that I feel it a duty incumbent on Me Instead of Mingling with the Mass in Signing an address to you (however laudable the Measure) to hazard the Liberty of a More...
7828To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately, in placing us in point of opposition to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves personally. In the retired canton where I am, I learn little of what is passing: pamphlets I see never: papers but a few; and the fewer the happier. Our latest intelligence from Philadelphia at present is of the...
7829To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 27 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ai que quelques minutes pour vous accuser l’honorée votre du 19 e. reçue il y a deux heures seulement. Je n’ai fait usage de la confidence qu’avec les amis, qui m’ont promis le secret. Je verrai ce soir Mr. D’Asp. Ces Messieurs avec mes femelles vous prient d’agréer leurs respects. They will neither go too far nor stop for peace & all that. La semaine prochaine je vous marquerai,...
7830To John Adams from George Meade, 18 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Congregation of St. Marys Chappel, West side of fourth street, between Walnut and Spruce streets, wish to be honord with the Company of the President of the United States, Mrs. Adams, and Family, a quarter before 10 OClock on Saturday next, when an Oration will be delivered, by the Revd. Mr. Carr in Commemoration of the Death of our late worthy and ever to be lamented President of the...
7831To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 23 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I was honoured with your letter of the 13th. General Maitland’s departure this morning for St. Domingo, left me no opportunity of conversing with him on the interesting questions you suggest. However, his & Mr. Liston’s powers respect St. Domingo alone. We did not until last Saturday (the 20th) finish our discussions on the arrangements to be adopted respecting St. Domingo: the...
7832To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 14 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
If an Embargo is laid here it is contrary to the wishes of 110. 382. 1260. I have had an interview this moment, and received 472. 1591. 921. 672. 948. 418. 1508. 464. 1218. one was laid it 1480. 463. 351. 1546. 1398. 1261. 432. 227. 1586. 464. 1308. 1326. 1546. 799. 1245. 1589. 536. 142. 227. To you Sir I hope and believe that I shall not apply in vain that measures of vigour may not be...
7833To John Adams from William Vernon Jr., 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I was this morning honoured by the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant. The embarrassment which your kind proposal has afforded me is inexpressible. Being left to judge for myself at a very inexperienc’d time of life, at a distance from every friend, whom, the necessity of an immediate answer renders it impossible for me to consult. From you, Sir, who I trust art my Father’s friend, and...
7834Charles Adams to John Adams, 26 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 13 th and 24 th I have received the latter containing the Post note for Dol s 100 and I return you my thanks for it. The Vindication of M r Randolph’s Resignation is read with the greatest avidity. I think there are many things contained in it quite foreign to the subject and which it was unnecessary to disclose. That good will come of it I do not doubt, not to him but to...
7835To John Adams from C. P. Wayne, 17 September 1802 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed you will receive Proposals for publishing by Subscription, a History of the late General George Washington; your presenting it to any of your friends, will greatly oblige me, and should you think proper to sanction it with your own name, it will be duly appreciated / By Sir, / Your most obedient Servant, MHi : Adams Papers.
7836Abigail Adams to John Adams, 29 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening yours of the 25—with a Heart filled with gratitude, for the many Blessings I have enjoyed through the 35 years of our union; I would not look upon a single shade in the picture; for if according to Rousseaus Philosophy, abstinence from what we delight in, is the Epicurism of Reason; I have had my full proportion of enjoyment; This day is very fine. I almost regreet to...
7837To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 9 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the intimation you were so kind as to make I now suggest that it would be gratifying to the claimants of Georgia land that you should say by letter as much as you think proper on the following points. 1st. That it is your opinion & that of the best informed men here that there title is good & valid. 2d. That they have also a strong equity, on these grounds, that the purchasers...
7838To John Adams from William Cunningham, 17 December 1808 (Adams Papers)
Since I enjoyed the pleasure of addressing you on the 10th. inst. I have seen two numbers of the Palladium and found them both silent respecting Mr. J. Q. A. Doubtful whether the Editors would publish my encomium on him I retained a copy, which is subjoined, and which shall release your patience from any farther tax on that subject. “The causes of the Embargo originating unperceived, and...
7839Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 23 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Not knowing but this may reach you as soon or sooner than a conveyance from Newbury (a ship of the Tracy’s Capt. Brown) by whom Mrs. Adams has wrote you—As such I take upon me to trouble you with a few lines, to let you know Mrs. Adams and family were well Yesterday. We have a ship from Port Loreon Lorient last week in 27 days, but as to News we have nothing Material, was in hopes the Dutch...
7840To John Adams from William Bentley, 1 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of Oct. 26, & am happy, if, in any degree, I have satisfied the curiosity, I excited. It would have been a great pleasure, to have been introduced to Mr Adams at Quincy, but I received every attention due to a Stranger in his absence. I took the earliest notice of your Letter, & offered such evidence of the fact; as I immediately recollected; & to which I could instantly...
7841To John Adams from John Jay, 3 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I this morning laid before the Legislature of this State, your answer to their address: for the kind and honorable mention made of me in it, be pleased to accept my warmest acknowledgments. To be thus laudato Homine laudari , and to recieve such spontaneous and decided manifestations of sincere and cordial Esteem and Friendship, are Events too interesting & pleasing not to excite correspondent...
7842To John Adams from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 6 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
The perusal of your letter to Judge Tudor, published in a late number, of that valuable work, Nile’s Register, has given me great pleasure & satisfaction. You have done justice to departed worth, by rescuing form oblivion, the conduct & character of one of the earliest & ablest defenders of American rights & liberties. The memory of the illustrious James Otis, too long neglected, will be thus...
7843To John Adams from Rufus King, 6 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Fate of Switzerland is an instructive lesson to america; the newspaper Reports of the ruin of that brave and innocent People are so detached & imperfect, that I have thought it would be useful to obtain a connected & plain account of this afflicting Event.—I explained my wishes to Sir Francis D’Ivernois, who immediately prepared the Letter, a translation of which I have the honor to send...
7844To John Adams from Richard Lee, 18 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed you have a printed Resolve which passed our Convention to the infinite joy of our people. The Resolve for Independency has not that peremtory and decided Air I could wish. Perhaps the proviso which reserves to this Colony the power of forming its own Government may be questionable as to its fitness. Would not a Uniform plan of Government prepared for America by the Congress and...
7845To John Adams from William Cooper, 21 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
The information that you Requested me to Furnish you with, relative to the best road from this to Albany, I with Pleasure State to you as follows. dine the first day at the Crooked billet , Lodge that night at the delleware—next day at Colonel Drakes Suckesunny Planes—the next day to goshen —the next day to Kingston or Esopus, the next day to Cattskill to the house of Samuel Vanve e ten . The...
7846To John Adams from United States House of Representatives, 3 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
The House of Representatives agree to the amendments of the Senate on the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled “An act supplementary to the act making provision for the reduction of the public debt;” They agree to some, and disagree to other, amendments of the Senate on the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled “An act...
7847To John Adams from Littleton Dennis Teackle, 12 June 1824 (Adams Papers)
You will probably have seen in the publick prints, that an Association has been formed, to conduct a periodical work on Political Œconomy, with intent to discover the Causes that have operated to retard the progress of our prosperity, and to endeavour to illustrate the proper Measures of Amelioration—The assistance of many scientifick Gentlemen has been freely offered, & the Society will...
7848To John Adams from Jeremiah Allen, 3 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have bought a Bill Drawn by the Hon ble M r Dana, on your Excellency for Three Hundred fifty seven pounds sixteen shillings & Nine pence Ster g which no doubt will be duly Honord, I have endorsed & enclosed it, to my friends Mess rs Cazalet & sons of London, presuming from information you must be in London, to which Court, I understand you are appointed, also that you and His Excellency M r...
7849Abigail Smith to John Adams, 4 May 1764 (Adams Papers)
Your desire that I would write every Opportunity is punctually observed by me, And I comply with your request, altho I have nothing more to say than How do ye? and when will you return? These questions perhaps may appear trifling to others, yet to me they are matters of the highest importance. The Doctor just now sent me your Epistle, and word, that tho he had smoked it, yet he had not read a...
7850To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 27 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Vous faisant des remercîmens très-sincères des la communication, que vous avez eu la bonté de nous faire successivement de plusieurs Papiers intéressans, j’ai l’honneur de vous en renvoyer ici une partie, vous priant de permettre que je garde le reste encore quelques jours, parce que le tems ne m’a pas permis de les copier toutes à la fois, et que je me propose de les employer à mesure que la...
7851To John Adams from Yusuf Karamanli, 25 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
After having cultivated the branches of our good will, and paved the way for a good understanding and perfect friendship which we wish may continue forever, we make known that the object and contents of this, our present letter, is, that whereas your consul, who resides at our court in your service, has communicated to us, in your name, that you have written to him, informing him that you...
7852To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
Decbr. 3 A Snow Storm—No visitors—In the evening a small party in consequence of the extreme severity of the weather—It was however tolerably pleasant—Dr. & Mrs. Thornton Mrs Key Mr & Miss Tayloe, Mr Mrs. & Miss Pleasanton, Major and Miss Selden, Dr Wrightman, Miss Hanson, Miss Aldrich Miss Forrest, Judge McLean, Mr Cook of Illinois Mr. Rhea, Mr Lear Mr. Coxe Mr. Elgar and Dr. Huntt with the...
7853To John Adams from George Alexander Otis, 29 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I acknowledge as a benefit of the last importance, and of durable effect, the high approbation you have deigned to bestow on my Translation of Botta’s History. The generosity with which you have so largely bestowed it, is the more entitled to all my gratitude, as the Author, from defect of materials, has not done full justice to yourself. In a letter that I have but now had the honor to...
7854Cotton Tufts to John Adams, with a Copy of a Letter from Daniel Little, 27 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to You last March also in June, the former by Capt. McNeil who had the Misfortune to be taken, the Latter by the Ship Mars Capt. Sampson bound to France, which must have reached You before this Time if no Misfortune has befallen the Ship. By Capt. Sampson I sent You Allens Narrative, a Journal of the Weather from November last with a general Account of Vegetation also a particular...
7855To John Adams from Theodore Sedgwick, 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
By the death of Judge Willson there is a vacancy on the bench of the supreme court. Whether I may be deemed competent to supply that vacancy, or whether it may be thought proper to appoint another Judge, from this state, I am ignorant.—Pardon, Sir, my thus suggesting a wish—I should not have done it, but from a fear, that my friends, will compel me, again, to serve in the house of...
7856To John Adams from Amos J. Cook, 23 December 1808 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging letter of November 30. 1807. I had the pleasure of receiving, soon after its date, containing a copy of Latin Verses &c. in your own hand writing. Such a compliance with my wishes fills my heart with grateful emotions. It adds a stimulous to my exertions to be useful. You will please to accept my thankful acknowledgements. At your request, I present you a translation of the...
7857To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of transmitting for your consideration, two Letters from James Simons Collector of Charleston of the 28th. of May & 14th. instant, recommending Edward Pennington to be first Mate, Dennard Rimbley to be second Mate and Richard Hrabowski to be third Mate of the Revenue Cutter on the South Carolina Station. It is my opinion, that it will be advisable to grant Commissions to the...
7858To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 21 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of Sepr. 20 from Amsterdam came safe to hand. The contents of it were of so important a nature that I took the liberty of publishing them in our newspapers. They were known from the republican and liberal Spirit of the sentiments, to be yours, and were well received by the public. I am happy in finding that your once unpopular name, now gives weight to opinions and measures not only...
7859Enclosure: List of American Losses at Danbury, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
1700 Barrells Pork 50 Do: Beef 700 Basketts Wheat 7 Hhds. Rum 6 Do: Bread 11 Tierces Claret 3 Quarter Cask Wine 12 or 1700 Wheat—Rye & Corn 12 Coile Rope 10 Waggons 1600 Tents mostly old The above is a true State of our Loss, in the affair at Danbury. 20 Men killed. 5 Missing. 17 Houses burnt. A Party that went out to bury the Dead have returned, and Report, that they have buried 62 Regulars....
7860To John Adams from Richard Rush, 8 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
According to the intimation contained in one of the letters I have had the pleasure to write to you, I took the liberty of enclosing to Mr St George Tucker, though entirely unknown to him; not the copy, but the original, of your favor to me of the 13th of August. It was the one in which you acknowledged the receipt of his beautiful little poem, and I was sure the original, in your own hand...