7861From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 4 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
Rough draft of the passport for British Ships. We, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, three of the ministers plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making peace with Great Britain, to all captains or commanders of ships of war, privateers, or armed vessels belonging to the said states or to either of them, or to any of the citizens of the same, and to all others whom...
7862From John Adams to William Griffith, 15 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter, you did me the honor to write me on the 13th of this month, & I pray you to accept my thanks for the very acceptable present of your oration, before the citizens of Burlington on the 22d of February, in commemoration of Gen Washington. I have read the oration with pleasure & the prayer with satisfaction. I rejoice that Eumenes undertook the office of orator on that...
7863From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Every line from you exhilarates my spirits and gives me a glow of pleasure—but your kind congratulations are a solid comfort to my heart. The good-natured and good-humoured acquiescence of the friends of all the candidates gives me a comfortable hope that your prediction may be fulfilled, that the ensuing administration will not be so difficult as in a former letter I had apprehended. Here we...
7864From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 43, 11 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 11 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 447–450). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:610– 611. In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, Adams listed twenty-five English counties and nine cities and towns that had, between...
7865From John Adams to Arthur St. Clair, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of April 8th, and especially for the pamphlet inclosed with it. I have read it with great pleasure, as a masterly refutation of its antagonist, in the style and manner of a gentleman, and seasoned with no more than was useful and agreeable of attic salt. Happy am I to find such just sentiments countenanced, encouraged, and prevailing in the North-western Territory....
7866John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
If I knew of any more endearing Title I should certainly give it. But this appears to me to express the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. It is at this Time a very still season for News. We are all Impatience to hear from America, having nothing certain since the 3d. July. My Son is well, and servant, and both behave well. The first is in high Reputation here.—Please to draw...
7867Oct. 24. Friday. (Adams Papers)
We are lodged at Dover, at the Royal Hotel Inn, kept by Charles Mariee. On the Backside of his house is one of the Dover Cliffs; it is an high Mountain, and at this Place is perpendicular, and there is an Appearance of Danger that the Rocks at Top, might split off by their own Weight, and dash to Pieces some of the small brick Houses at its Foot.—White Stone. I walked round with my Son to the...
7868From John Adams to Horatio Gates Spafford, 26 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
I thank thee, for thy kind congratulations on my Health. There is no Man who wishes the return of my Son So much as myself. But whenever he returns it will puzzle him, as much as it did his Father, to know what to do with himself. It may also Somewhat perplex his Country: but She will give herself very little trouble about him. The American Accademy, has done honour to thee and to itself, by...
7869John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
On Monday I rec d your favour of the 20 th Nothing will damp the Rage for Speculation but a Peace which may break a few hundreds or thousands of speculators. The Georgia Business is Impudence of uncommon hardness. The Rage of Party is there unrestrained by Policy or Delicacy. Our sons Account of shakespears Relicks Fenno has printed without Names. He must early learn to bear Mortifications. He...
7870John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
In your last you inquire tenderly after my Health, and how we found the People upon our Journey, and how We were treated. I have enjoyed as good Health as usual, and much more than I know how to account for, when I consider the extream Heat of the Weather, and the incessant Feasting I have endured ever since I left Boston. The People, in Connecticutt, New York, the Jerseys and Pensyl vania,...
7871From John Adams to James Perkins, 17 March 1807 (Adams Papers)
I received last evening your favour of the 13th of this month, enclosing a letter to me, from Mr. Thomas Theodore Cremere of Rotterdam. This gentleman is altogether a Stranger to me, but as he appears to have been a confidential friend of Mr. John Luzac of Leyden, who, in my opinion has not left his equal in Virtue and Learning united in all Europe, this circumstance alone is sufficient to...
7872From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 15 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is an essay on a naval academy, which Dr. Morse put into my hand yesterday, in a letter to him from Captain Robert Haswell. It deserves some attention. I direct it to you at Washington city, though as I have no letter from, you, since your arrival, I am not informed whether you are there or in Georgetown. Wherever you are I wish you health & happiness With great regard I am Sir yours...
7873From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 9, 24 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since the Receipt of the Dispatches, by the Honourable Mr. Searle I have been uninteruptedly employed in attempting to carry into Execution the Designs of Congress. The first Inquiry, which arose, was, whether it was prudent to make any Communication of my Business, to the States General, or to the Prince. Considering that my Errand was Simply an Affair of Credit, and that I had no political...
7874From John Adams to Pierre Landais, 20 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I came this moment from the Post office, where I have been to give a Receipt for a Letter from you of the 14, which I was advertised of, by a Billet from the office last night. I had before received a Letter from Commodore Gillon, informing me of the application of the officers and Crew of the Alliance to his Excellency Dr. Franklin, in your favour. I presume these Communications were made to...
7875John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Izard goes off, the day after tomorrow, and will carry this, and all the News there is. We have none from America, a long time. I have only yours of 10 decr. since I left you. I hope you have received Letters from me, from Corunna and Bilbao. There are gone many for you, since my Arrival here, but I suppose are still detained at the Sea Ports. They will soon sail. My 3 Boys dined with me...
7876From John Adams to James Monroe, 31 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been poisoned by the mephytic iffluvia of blossoms and roses to such a degree as to deprive me of the right of letters and the feeling of a pen: I should have long since acknowledged the honour of your obliging letter of the 13th of the month. it is perfectly satisfactory to me and it ought to be so and I presume will be so to Dr Waterhouse. I am happy to hear that your health is...
7877From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Before I proceed to the order of the day, which is the terrorism of a former day: I beg leave to correct an Idea that Some readers may infer from an expression in one of your Letters. No Sentiment or expression in any of my Answers to Addresses were obtruded or insinuated by any Person about me. Every one of them was written with my own hand. I alone am responsible for all the Mistakes and...
7878John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Presbyterian Congregation have voted me the front Pew in their Church for my Family. It is an elegant new Building and the Pew is large I have bought me a Pair of Young Horses for a Carriage and a saddle horse. The Birthday was affecting and the Night Splendid but tedious to those who were too old to dance. I have now Settled all My Accounts with the senate as you will see by the inclosed...
7879From John Adams to William Tudor, 28 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Lux, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Smith, with Mr. Cary, all from Baltimore, are bound as Voluntiers to the Camp. Beg the Favour of you, to treat them complaisantly and show them all you can consistently with the Labours of your honourable tho troublesome office. Shall endeavour to get you a Commission this day, and Such an appointment that you will not be a Looser at the Years End. I hope to get you a...
7880Contract for a Loan with Jean de Neufville & Fils, 1 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I the Subscribed John Adams, of Braintree in the County of Suf folk, in the State of Massachusetts in North America Esquire and Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of North America And According an Copy Authenticq and Translation of my original Commission or power deponed by Me under the Notary Anthony Mylius Especially Named and Authorized by the said States of North America being...
7881From John Adams to Charles Jared Ingersoll, 15 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
Philosophy and Theology being my principal Studies I am ill qualified to correspond with you upon Politicks. I have lately fumbled here and there in 7 Volumes in 8vo. entitled the Light of Nature pursued by One Search. He says there is a Family of that name. I believe him and perceive that you are of that Blood; and as I claim a remote relation, I hope you will not be offended, if hereafter I...
7882John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 24 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 19: and congratulate you on the Success of the Loan. It gives me great Pleasure to find that American Credit is not quite exhausted, and I flatter myself that every Day will contribute something, towards removing the Prejudices, and Jealousies, and towards confuting the Calumnies, which have hitherto obstructed you and me, in our Endeavours to serve the...
7883From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having had so short Notice of this Opportunity, I can only have the Honour of writing a few Lines, and of inclosing a few News Papers. If the Dispatches of the Commissioners, have not met with uncommon ill Fortune you must before this Time, have received the important News of the Treaty, as well as authentic Information of the Agonies of G.B. Whether she will plunge herself, with uniform and...
7884From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, my dear Son, for your Letters and for the Presidents Speech, which is Consolation for all our Miseries for 60 Years. But I must have done with public affaires. Your Sons who behave well have been with Us last Week. They leave Us this morning for their School. Mr and Mrs Clark, and my little darling Susanna Maria were comfortably lodged last Night at Dedham on their Way to...
7885From John Adams to Sylvester T. Goss, 7 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 3d. and for Seven Copies of the Volum you have lately published—they will enable me—to present one to as many friends who may have Canodour enough to receive them with kindness—to me they never were, nor ever will be of any use— As you are to me an entire Stranger, I should be glad to become acquainted with you, if you can take the trouble to Visit me at...
7886From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 16, 10 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 10 March 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 313–315). LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “Delivered to Mr. Brown 15th March.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:541. In this letter, read by Congress on 11 Sept., John Adams again...
7887John Adams to the president of Congress, 3 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
D r Franklin has lately communicated to M r Jefferson and me a Letter he has received from the Comte de Vergennes and another from M r Grand. The first informs that M r Marbois had informed him, that upon his application to the Superintendant of Finances, he had received an Answer by M r Governieur Morris, that Letters Should be written both to Amsterdam and Paris to provide for the Payment of...
7888From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 21 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
On this our Thanksgiving day, among innumerable other Blessings, I have to thank express my Gratitude for your favour of Nov. 11. I do not believe that Boethius’s Consolations of Philosophy, which however I have never read, would do me more good. I hasten to answer your Questions, that your friendly Sympathies may be no longer afflicted or allarmed. Indeed I almost repent of the Simple Tale I...
7889From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your journal up to the 15th. of this Month—and I hasten to answer the last question in it Mr John Randolph certainly never wrote to me requesting letters of recommendation for any of his friends—And if any one has reported such a Slander of him, it is certainly very abusive—I cannot imagin who can have suggested such an idea to you—he would scorn the imputation with...
7890From John Adams to Thomas Brand-Hollis, 9 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have, to day, received your kind letter of the 7th and the valuable books that accompanied it. Mariana, Corio, and Ramsay, for which I most heartily thank you. I wish I could write romances. True histories of my wanderings and waitings for ships and winds at Ferrol and Corunna in Spain; at Nantes, Lorient and Brest in France; at Helvoet, the island of Goree, and Over Flackee in Holland; and...