8601To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
What Shall I answer to your obliging favour of the 29 May? I can not express, what I felt—it cheered my drooping Spirits—my continued distressing head-ache has cast on my mind a deep gloom—So that within a month I was unable to read or to write. This daÿ is the first, that I am Some what less uncomfortable, or I would not have delay’d till now, to give you my thanks—But, if montaigne is...
8602To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, 4 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I fancy such an Army was scarcly ever collected together before. What a Contrast do my Eyes behold every Day: in Boston an Army of Slaves!—on this Side the Sons of the respectable Yeomanry of New England. At Home we are Lords of our own little but sufficient Estates. Some of the worthy Committee from the Honble. Continental Congress were very uneasy, the Soldier’s Pay being too high in their...
8603To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 28 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the President sent the nomination to the senate yesterday of John Quincy Adams as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Great Britain— I am Well thank God— Yours Sincerely, MHi : Adams Papers.
8604To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 10 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
In a short memoir of my Father, prepared for the Volume of the Historical Society now in the press, I have made a few extracts from the letters of his distinguished correspondents. And from among your early letters those which I now inclose for you to see and which I hope you will permit me to print in these Transactions. The one to my grandfather is taken on account of the most kind &...
8605Enclosure: Draft of an Article, 30 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Le S. Adams que le Congrès des Etats Unis de l’Amérique a désigné pour assister aux conférences pour la paix lorsqu’il y aura lieu, est arrivé depuis quelque tems ici et a eû l’honneur d’être présenté au Roi et à la famille royale.
8606Samuel A. Otis to John Adams, 28 October 1794 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you soon after my arrival that I had engaged you lodgings at Franciss Hotel, Two rooms first floor, for 20 dollars, but not having your answer shall relinquish them—And for two reasons— 1 st The place is two public—you must dine with a large Company and not the most respectable part of Congress; in short you must lodge at a tavern and at a dear rate— 2 d I have got you two rooms on the...
8607To John Adams from John Davis, 9 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
You may probably recollect a paper communicated to the Academy, some years since, demonstrating the falsity of a mathematical Problem by Mr Winthrop, which was published in the 1st. part of the IId. Volume of the Memoirs. The communication referred to was by Mr. George Baron , an Englishman then residing at Hallowell, now at New-York. It was committed to President Willard and Professor Webber...
8608Peter Cunningham to John Adams, 10 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have been So missfortinate as to be out of my native Country when those unhappy wars began, and have not got home before now. Deturmind to Serve in the United States Service (by Sea) and not Presumeing to Sirlissett any Considerable station on board a Frigate for want of experence in the art of war, I have tacking a masters Berth on board an arm’d Vessell belonging to this State, Cald the...
8609To John Adams from John Lillie Jr., 7 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
Nothing but the importance of the following subject which immediately concerns myself could have induced me to beg your attention upon it, by being persuaded your time was gennerally employed in National affairs,— But as the result of this business is very interesting to me, I have taken the liberty to write & request your assistance & advice, and that you would have the goodness (if not too...
8610To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 13 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago, I received from England, together, your favours of March 25., May 5., and June 10. The two first were brought to London and forwarded from thence by Mr. Cook, whom as recommended by you, I shall be happy to see either here or in England, if his or my peregrinations should at any time bring us within reach of each other. At the same time I received with several other letters one...
8611To John Adams from Craig Ritchie, 5 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
For the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the United States of America. The Address and Memorial of Sundry Inhabitants of the Town of Canonsburgh and its vicinity in the county of Washington County in the State of Pennsylvania, Respectfully Sheweth That we Sincerely regret that any circumstances should have given any Foreign Government ground to belive; that, when the...
8612To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 9 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 27 th. ult o. came safe to hand yesterday. I attended the Convention last week and after choosing a President &c we heard the Constitution Read by paragraps with the objections which were verry few and of no great importance, and were fully answered a Committe was then appointed to draw a Bill of Rights with such Amendments as they tho’t necessary. which they Reported and...
8613Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 December 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 5. or 6. weeks, on a journey I take three or four times a year, must apologize for my late acknolegement of your favor of Oct. 12. after getting thro the mass of business which generally accumulates during my absence, my first attention has been bestowed on the subject of your letter. I turned to the passages you refer to in Hutchinson & Winthrop , and with the aid of their...
8614To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War in conformity with the orders of the President has the honour to offer the following observations and suggestions relative to the objects of the Presidents letter of the 15th Ulto. With respect to the speech. It appears adviseable that it should be chiefly if not wholly confined to the foreign affairs of the country giving to these with France the primary and prominent...
8615To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 2 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of your Esteemd Letter of the 18 June, and find it out of your Line to Give Introductions in Affairs of Commerce With which I Rest Satisfied, but more So as Not any Business of Consequence can be done with the States from hence, before the Navi n: of the Medeterranian becomes Entirely free for thier Flag I find I have Commited an Error in writing to the Moroccan Minister, as...
8616To John Adams from James Warren, 23 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last from Plymouth about three weeks ago after which I was detained at Home longer than I Expected and did not get here till last Tuesday. I Understand that Letter and one wrote at the same time to Mr. Adams went by the Post. As I wrote with some freedom I should be glad to hear of the receipt of it. Since I have been here I have had the pleasure of yours of the 17th. Feby. and am...
8617To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured by the receipt of your Excellencys Letters of the 17th and 20th Instant. Considering the former Conduct of Mr Fox in the Early part of Life one cannot but be astonished at what He is now doing. His Ideas are vast and his Fortitude wonderful in these Times; but to tell your Excellency truly I can never trust a Man entirely, whose principles and course of Life were once so loose...
8618To John Adams from The Intelligencer, 16 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been here, almost ever since I had the Pleasure of seeing you at Fairfield, and have attentively observed the Conduct of these People’s Leaders; and, according to the best of my slender Judgement, think that their Councils are stampt with Folly, Timidity, and Treach ery. But to trace the whole Labyrinth of their Inconsistency and Perfidy, would be irksome and endless; therefore I shall...
8619To John Adams from Charles Storer, 1 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Enthusiasm is as necessary to the science of Politics as of Religion: without zeal in the Cause there can be no success— Such zeal was once conspicuous, and this enthusiasm has borne us hitherto through a difficult & dangerous war. But that it should now leave us, all at once, is disagreable—not more so, however, than apparently true— What can have become of this said public spirit I cannot...
8620To John Adams from George H. Richards, 15 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
It has long been a favourite object of my literary ambition to become the biographer of yourself and a few other the great & eminent men of our country. The varied scenes which have passed in review since you came upon the stage, & the important part you have acted in that novel & splendid drama which has been exhibited in the theatre of the new world, have created a public interest in your...
8621To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 10 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
I received the honour of yours of the 29th. past from Nantes. I hope you are before this time safely arrived at L’Orient. M. De la Luzerne is making diligent Preparation for his Departure, and you will soon see him. He and the Secretary of the Embassy are both very agreable and sensible Men, in whose Conversation you will have a great deal of Pleasure in your Passage. What Port the Ship will...
8622Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 5 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to You about the 17 or 18th. of last Month which suppose You have received. Yesterday People in Boston were openly inoculated for the Small Pox. The Business had been carried on in private for some Time amongst the Soldiery and others; the Selectmen represented the Impossibility of preventing its Spread any longer and leave was given by the general Assembly for Inoculation in...
8623Joseph Reed to John Adams, 7 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I should not have put you to the Expence of a Letter by the Post. But M r. Vanbibber a Gentleman of respectable Family & Fortune going over to Holland I could not resist the Temptation of renewing our friendly Intercourse which was suspended during the Winter. M r. De Berdt was so obliging as to communicate a Paragraph of his Letter respecting the Bills drawn by M r. Morris in the Fate of...
8624Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 10 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
I enclose for your perusal two of the latest letters received by me, from my Brother; although the last contains a conditional injunction, against the communication of it, to you, I am sure it will gratify your feelings, to discover the spirit, which dictated so much solicitude, on your account. That he should have felt all the anxiety, which he describes, both as it concerned the public &...
8625To John Adams from Asale Harris, 12 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
We Address our Selves to you As we are Natives of the United States of America their Bread & Born under our National Independence federal Constitution the Bill of Rights Sir we Humbley pertition to you to Consider our present Situation Being Impressed on Board of his Britannaic Majestys ship Sir as we have a Groing Navy of our own our Assistance is as Much wanted in our own Country Navy as...
8626To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 10 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your ever welcome & kind Letter of the 6th. Ultimo, did not reach me untill the 20th. since then my eyes has denied me the pleasure of acknowledeing it. What you quote as the precept of Confucius, does not apply in that Instance, to me, for I have always rec’d more gratification from you than I am able to return—and you are not able to estimate the value I put upon your kindness to judge how...
8627From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 30 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have had a severe Fit of the Gout which has confined me six Weeks; but is now going off, and I flatter myself that it has done me a great deal of Good. I have just received a Letter from Dr Ezra Stiles, of which the inclosed is an Extract. Please to communicate it to Mr Searle, and then give it to M. Dumas if you judge it...
8628To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 September 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 29th. ulto. enquiring about your son Thos. B. Adams at the Hague. On the day of the date of your letter I recd. one from him dated the 28th. of May, from which be pleased to receive the following extract, containing all the information I can give in answer to your enquiries, excepting that the latest letter from your eldest son is dated the 22d. of June...
8629To John Adams from B. de Cabarrus Jeune, 8 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Jay reçu la Lettre que Vôtre Excélence m’a fait L’honneur de m’écrire Le 2 du courant. Je Suis bien Sensible, aux remerciements qu’elle à la bonté de me faire; elle à bien voullu avoir égard a mes disposition. Je me trouverai toujours trés heureux d’avoir des occasions à pouvoir Luy étre utille. Votre Excélence me demande un detail des differentes qualités de vins de cette province; nous en...
8630To John Adams from John Thaxter, 7 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The affair of surrounding the State House at Philadelphia terminated very differently from the expectations of our Enemies of all denominations— The Troops employed in this contemptuous daring Attack on the Civil Power have humbly solicited the forgiveness of Congress, while two of their Officers, the Ringleaders, have fled for safety to the Asylum of two of our choice Friends , D. & A.— They...
8631To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 8 July 1792 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter relative to the house, and have since confer’d with Mrs. Koppell on the Subject. She does not incline to take the lease off your hands, but is willing to let the house, if a satisfactory tenant shall offer, for a year after your time. If this can be effected the rent in the interum may be saved. I have therefore advised your Son by a note yesterday to put...
8632To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Altho’ the early part, I have taken in the struggles of America for the rights of Liberty and Mankind, would be a silent witness of my particular happiness at the present moment, when Your Excellency’s steady and prudent conduct in our Republic is crowned with the most glorious success, I should deem myself wanting in my duty, if I did not congratulate Your Excellency most sincerely in the...
8633To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 24 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favor of the 13th Instt I have had the honor to receive— By our public prints you will have observed that our Legislature had convened agreeably to the proclamation of the Governor— The first subject of consequence that has occupied their attention was the choice of a Senator, which became necessary from Mr. Norths refusal to continue longer in that capacity— Mr: Watson was...
8634Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I set down with a heavy Heart to write to you. I have had no other since you left me. Woe follows Woe and one affliction treads upon the heal of an other. My distress for my own family having in some measure abated; tis excited anew upon the distress of my dear Mother. Her kindness brought her to see me every day when I was ill and our little Tommy. She has taken the disorder and lies so bad...
8635To John Adams from John Lathrop, 27 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your very obliging favour of the 4th I recieved, together with the late professor Luzac’s very learned and elegant Oration concerning citizen Socrates. As it is read with great pleasure by those members of the Academy who have had an opportunity to see it, we have a desire to know why that great man left the chair of Rector Magnificent, and whether he now sustains any relation to the...
8636To John Adams from John Jay, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to You was written the 2 d. Ult:— It acknowledged the Receipt of your Letters of 15. 17. 21. 25 & 27 th: October last—no others have since arrived. All those as well the Letters which accompanied your Draft of a Treaty with Britain, together with my Reports in favor of them and of that Draft are … under the Consideration of Congress, and as yet have produced no Instructions to you on...
8637To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 15 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have receivd your favor Acknowledging the Receipt of Mine of the 24th of April, which seems to have been long while getting to you. I was sorry to hear of your Dissapointment in going in the Alliance, which some people here think woud be better Employed in convoying on the Coast of America the very important fleet now gone then any marading Scheme Whatever. I suppose you will Accompany the...
8638Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 8 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
You will hear by this Conveyance, itts probable that the small pox is likely to spread here chiefly by Innoculation As 4. or 500. I suppose are already received itt and people that have moved Out several times now tarry, Amongst which is Mrs. Edwards.—I am just agoing to set Out for Salem and am to meet Mr. Cranch and Mrs. Adams att Roxbury to settle About both families coming in and Cousin...
8639To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 6 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
As I believe there is no man in America who was more intimately acquainted with the late Capt John Paul Jones while he was in Europe than myself, I have thoughts of doing justice to the injured Character of that gallant Officer. There are two papers which would be of great use to my object, one of which is a letter written to you from Nantes by Capt Jones, stating the circumstances of an...
8640To John Adams from Barnabas Deane, 10 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
Boston. 10 February 1778. printed (virtually verbatim): JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:272 . Deane recommended his nephew Jesse, the only son of Silas Deane, to JA ’s care for the trip abroad. He cautioned against allowing the boy to associate “with the Common hands on board” lest he form bad...
8641To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Revd. Mr. Evens call to tender his services as a Chaplain to the troops now raising—In that Character he passed thro our long Contest with Great Britain to great acceptance. He joined my family during the seige of York town I not only became atteached to him as a friend, but as a Gentleman well qualified & disposed to discharge with fidelity the duties of his station. I think him now...
8642To John Adams from Oliver Whipple, 29 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Being in Portsmouth this day, I was credibly informed, that Mr. Nathaniel Folsom, was certainly recommended to your Excellency for the office of naval officer, in the Room of Mr. Russell deceased, by his Brother in Law Governor Gilman, altho’ I exceeding respect Governor Gilman, & value his Recommendations, yet Sr a Person who enjoys a high office from the Suffrages of the People, ought not to...
8643To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 5 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
I plainly perceive that you are not to be converted, even by the eloquence of Massillon, to the Athanasian Creed—But when you recommend to me Carlostad and Scheffmacher; and Priestly, and Waterland, and Clark, and Beausobre—Mercy! Mercy! what can a blind man do to be saved by unitarianism; if he must read all this to understand his Bible? I went last Christmas day to Ealing church, and heard...
8644To John Adams from Rufus King, 3 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
You will undoubtedly hear much of the tumultuous and irregular conduct of a considerably numerous class of people in the western counties of massachusetts— the same temper which appears to have collected these illegal Assemblies in Massachusetts, has shewn itself in New Hampshire; but General Sullivan, who is now President of that State, by very proper and decisive Measures has put an End to...
8645Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I generally endeavour to write you once a week, if my Letters do not reach you, tis oweing to the neglect of the post. I generally get Letters from you once a week, but seldom in a fortnight after they are wrote. I am sorry to find that your Health fails. I should greatly rejoice to see you, I know of no earthly blessing which would make me happier, but I cannot wish it upon the terms of ill...
8646To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 1 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you so copiously, a few days since, that I can embrace the present opportunity only to offer the tribute of my duty and affection on the commencement of the new year, and to enclose a few papers and a review which may perhaps afford an hour of amusement. No news of importance has transpired since the date of my last Letter. The communication between the Continent and this island is at...
8647To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 12 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 9th february was receiv’d by me yesterday—It establishes beyond doubt that your memory at an age when that faculty fails in most men, is more vigorous than mine though I have not yet attained the age at which mental energy by the Constitution of New York is decreed to be ipso facto extinct— My recollection of what passed at the dinner referr’d to by you is too vague to enable...
8648To John Adams from Joshua Johnson, 30 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am this day honord with your polite favour of the 20 Idem covering two Letters one for the President of Congress and the other for Major Jackson, the first will go forward this day by the Sally Cap Worth for Rhode Island, the other shall be sent so soon as I can find out where Major Jackson is. You say there is no News but that of Commodore Gillon and that I must have heard off, this is...
8649Charles Adams to John Adams, 30 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
The effusions of our Jacobin spirit had been smothered if some evil minded person in Philadelphia had not published an extract of a letter from one of the party relating the circumstances The whole conduct of the feast had been carefully concealed nor was it possible to procure any information respecting it until the extract appeared. The partisans of M r Genet fall off daily. some still...
8650To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
J’ai le plaisir de pouvoir vous donner enfin de bonnes nouvelles de Mr. votre fils. Le billet suivant m’a été écrit avant hier matin par Mr. Visscher “J’ai vu une Lettre” Elle est de Mr. Van Der Borgh, Envoyé de cette rep. à Stockholm, à Mr. son frere ici. “de Stockholm du 31 e. Janv. dans laquelle je trouve les Lignes suivantes, qui peuvent interesser Mr. Adams:— Le jeune Adams est allé...