8221From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 53, 26 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
At last, even the Morning Post, of the eighteenth of April, confesses, that the Memorial from the Empress of Russia to the States General, has dissipated all their golden dreams of an Alliance, with the Czarina. It was announced to us last Week, that a Russian Squadron had left Cronstad, with an Intention to sail to our Assistance, nay some of the public Papers went so far as to announce their...
8222John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your two Letters of the 29th of Sept. and 10th of Oct. gave me more Concern than I can express. I will not say a Fit of the Spleen. But last night I got a Letter from Mr. Vernon, in which he acquaints me with the Arrival of the Boston, at Portsmouth. There were Letters from me on Board of the Boston, Providence or Ranger, and there was all the Things mentioned in the Memorandum, you gave me,...
8223Novr. 25th. 1760. (Adams Papers)
Rode to the Iron Works Landing to see a Vessell launched. And after Launching went to smoke a Pipe, at Ben. Thayers, where the Rabble filled the House. Every Room, kitchen, Chamber was crowded with People. Negroes with a fiddle. Young fellows and Girls dancing in the Chamber as if they would kick the floor thro. Zab Hayward, not finding admittance to the Chamber, gathered a Circle round him in...
8224From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 1 September 1807 (Adams Papers)
It is rare, that a Letter of yours remains so long upon my Table unacknowledged as has that of July 9th. Crudens Apophthagm is well worthy of your Remembrance and that of your Posterity for forty times forty years more. It is the only Clue to the Labyrinth of the World, the only key to the Riddle of the Universe. “Some Crimes are punished to prove a Providence; others escape to teach a future...
8225From John Adams to United States Senate, 2 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate George Washington of Mount Vernon to be Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the Armies raised or to be raised in the United States. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
8226From John Adams to Jabez Bowen, 27 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 15 th never reached me till yesterday I condole with you in the unfavorable aspect of your elections: but still hope that your people will cool upon reflection and that a majority of the convention may be induced to accept the constitution. It is in vain to enquire what Congress may or can do; at present they can do nothing. The awful object before them, I mean the national...
8227From John Adams to Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant, 22 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I received with pleasure your friendly letter of the 25 th of April—your recommendation of M r William Pickman has great weight with me. but you must give me leave to enquire whether he has made application to the President: if he has not he should be advised to do it, immediately. There you know the Constitution has wisely placed the Authority of judging in the first instance of the Merits...
8228From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning yours of the 25th and as yours are the best Letters I receive I must hasten to acknowledge it. But the Press upon me is so great that I must be very short. Your Brief of the formidable Position of France is very true as it appears, at present: but Intelligence of the surest kind which is not laid before the public shews it to be all hollow at home and abroad: in Spain,...
822928. Thurdsday. (Adams Papers)
At Colledge, a Clowdy-Day.
82301779 Ap. 28. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Went up to Nantes from Minden or St. Nazare, before Wind and Tide in 4 Hours. This Morning by C aptain Landais who came on board I received a Letter from Dr. F. inclosing one from M. de Sartine, both expressing a Desire, that the Alliance might not sail for some Time, and that I would take my Passage home, with M. Le Chevalier de la Luzerne, the new Ambassador, in one of the Kings Frigates....
8231[April 5. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
April 5. 1776. Good Fryday.
82321784. August. 3. (Adams Papers)
1784. August. 3.
8233From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 26 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you, M r Anstey a Member of Parliament and Barrister at Law, who is Sent out by the Commissioners of American Claims to verify Facts, Such as Titles to Estates, Incumbrances upon them &c. The House of Commons Yesterday ordered an Account of Vessells cleared out for the Importation of Flour Biscuit and Live Stock from the U States into any of the Islands of...
8234From John Adams to John Taylor, 9 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
Suppose another case which is not without examples; a family of Six daughters. Four of them are not only beautiful, but Serious and discrete Women. Two of them are not only Ugly, but ill tempered and immodest. Will either of the two, have an equal chance, with any one of the four, to attract the Attention of a Suitor, and obtain an husband of Worth, respectability and consideration, in the...
82351760. Decr. 2d. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Evening at Coll. Q.’s with Captn. Freeman. About the middle of the Evening Dr. Lincoln and his Lady came in. The Dr. gave us an ample Confirmation of our Opinion of his Brutality and Rusticity. He treated his Wife, as no drunken Cobler, or Clothier would have done, before Company. Her father never gave such Looks and Answers to one of his slaves in my Hearing. And he contradicted he...
8236From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 19 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received the opinion of the heads of departments in the case of John Sylvester dated 5th. & agree in their opinion that John Sylvester ought not to be pardoned. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
8237From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
On my Return from Holland, on the Sixth instant I found your Favours of the 8. and 13. Aug.— on my Arrival at the Hague The Exchange of Ratifications was made on the 8 of August with The Baron De Thulemeier, and I had it Printed. it is only in French.— Copies Shall be Sent you as Soon as I can find an Opportunity. We were present at Utrecht at the august Ceremony of Swearing in their new...
8238John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
Politicks are forbidden fruit to me, at present, and what other Subject can I choose for a Letter? Shall I tell you what Books I read? or how many times a Week I go into the Woods? These Informations would not be interesting to you. I Suppose I may hint at a Question of Law without giving offence to the Powers that be, or the Powers that once were, but be not. A great noise has been made about...
8239From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
The blank commission inclosed in yours of 2d I return with my signature, that you may fill it with Capt Geddes, if you persist in your opinion concerning him. The gentlemen who recommend him, are respectable & I know of nothing to excite a question concerning the validity of their testimonies. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
8240From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
On the 1st. Mr and Mrs Swelt made us happy by a Visit in which he assured Us he had Seen you, your Lady and Son and that you were all well. on the 2nd. Mr P. C. Brooks with his Son Edward made Us a very pleasant Visit to offer to take Letters or Packetts to you. This Mr Edward has a Steady Face and manly Countenance, I hope you will cherrish him. Your Brother has paid me the last Farthing, and...
8241John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have now run through the Summer, and altho the Weather is still warm, the fiercest of the Heats is over. And altho the extream Intemperance of the late Season has weakened and exhausted me, much, yet I think upon the whole I have got thro it, as well as upon any former Occasion. A Letter from General Washington, dated Saturday, informs that our light Parties have brought in four and twenty...
82421779. May 7th or 8th. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Odea of Paimbœuf, Coll. Wibirt and Mr. Ford, dined in the Cabin. O. speaks English perfectly, appears to have read much, is an Admirer of Rousseau and Buffon. W. is silent; has something little in his Face and Air: and makes no great Discovery of Skill or Science. F. talks as much as ever. Says, that the Americans at Paris, wished I had remained at Passy, instead of F ranklin —that Passy...
8243[John Adams’ Diary resumes.] (Adams Papers)
Last night at Court one of the Ladies of Honour, told me, that the Supper was given, in a great Measure, for Mrs. Bingham. Cette Super a été donne, en grande Partie, pour elle. There was great Enquiry after her, and much Admiration expressed by all who had seen her, of her Beauty. As the Princess of Orange was enquiring of me concerning her, and her Journey to Spa, Paris, Italy, the Spanish...
8244From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 November 1807 (Adams Papers)
I have not written to you, though I have received two kind Letters from you, Since your departure, giving me very pleasing accounts of your comforts in your Travels. Soon after you left Us, I took the resolution instead of Sending George to Atkinson by the Stage or any other accidental and precarious conveyance to convey him myself. Accordingly We Set out, your Mother your Son and myself, and...
8245From John Adams to United States Senate, 27 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The President asks Leave to insert William instead of Edward Tilghman in the nomination. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
8246From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
A new Administration has commenced, Mr Monro’s inaugural Oration you will See in the Newspapers. It Seems to be popular. Even Ben Russel Says there has been nothing like it Since Washingtons Administration. If there is any Faith in the Government or any Sincerity in the People, you are appointed by the former, and are elected by the other Secretary of State. My Advice is to accept it without...
8247[14–18 July 1778.] (Adams Papers)
July 14. 1778. Dined at Chatou with Mr. Bertin, the Minister of State. Went to see the Park where We rambled till We were weary. We received from Mr. De Sartine the following Letter, in french. Notwithstanding the Precautions I have taken, Gentlemen, to assure the Subsistance of the Inhabitants of the Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, who, in the present Circumstances, will receive little or...
8248[Independence of the Judges, 1773–1774] (Adams Papers)
In the Year 1773 arose a Controversy concerning the Independence of the Judges. The King had granted a Salary to the Judges of our Superiour Court and forbidden them to receive their Salaries as usual from the Grants of the House of Representatives, and the Council and Governor, as had been practiced till this time. This as the Judges Commissions were during pleasure made them entirely...
8249From John Adams to John Avery, 21 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had this Morning the Honour Pleasure of your Favour of the 7th. Instant, and am glad to learn that my Letter to you of the Tenth of February, was conveyed Safely to your Hand, and am obliged to you for communicating the Resignation enclosed in it to the Honourable Board. It would give me a great deal of Uneasiness if the Honourable Board should not proceed forthwith to fill up the Vacancy,...
8250Feb. 19. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Arose at 4 O Clock. The Wind and Weather still fair. The Ship rolls less than Yesterday, and I have neither felt, nor heard any Thing of Sea Sickness, last night nor this Morning. Monsr. Parison, one of General Du Coudrais Captains, dined with us, Yesterday, and made me a present of a Bottle of a nice French Dram, a Civility which I must repay. He seems a civil and sensible Man. The Mal de Mer...