8671From John Adams to Charles Lee, 13 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of the fifth Inst. I this Moment received, and give me Leave to assure you that no Letter I ever received, gave me greater Pleasure. In truth sir I have been under some Apprehensions, that a certain Passage, in a very unfortunate as well as inconsiderate Letter, might have made Some disagreable Impressions on your Mind: I was indeed relieved in some Degree by Accounts...
8672From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 4 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday your favour of 25 of April came to Hand, but my dear sir you flatter me too much when you tell me that the Part I have taken gives me a right to influence and direct. I claim no other Right than that of being heard and having what I have to say considered: but According to present Appearances, even this is not like to be conceded to me. Content, in Gods name, if Persons of greater...
8673From John Adams to William Ellery, 6 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had, Yesterday the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 22d of January, and beg Leave to assure you, I shall pay all proper Attention to its Contents, by rendering to the Gentleman whom you recommend, every service in my Power. I had before been introduced, to that young Gentleman by his Father, for whom I have conceived a great deal of Esteem, and from what I saw of the son and from...
8674John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
I know not how it has happened that I have not found time to write you Since my return to my long home. The angry North East Wind, which has prevailed with little Interruption has pinched my faculties, I believe. We have been all, pretty well. This is the Day of our Election of Governor Lt Gov r. & senators. The Democrats are very Sanguine and the others are not So. The former Say that M r...
8675Saturday. Feby. 16. (Adams Papers)
Have had a pensive day. The next entry in the present Diary booklet (D/JA/16), curiously, is dated 21 Nov. 1772; this is followed by 18 blank leaves and then by scattered entries from ca. 20 July 1771 , through 28 i.e. 27 Nov. 1772 .
8676From John Adams to United States Senate, 26 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
For this excellent address, so respectful to the memory of my illustrious predecessor, which I receive from the Senate of the United States, at this time, and in this place, with peculiar satisfaction, I pray you to accept of my unfeigned acknowledgments.—With you I ardently hope, that permanence and stability will be communicated as well to the government itself, as to its beautiful and...
8677From John Adams to Peter Force, 17 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
The Dr. handed me this morning Mr Websters address delivered at Bunker’s Hill, upon condition that I would give you a slight notice of it. Among other avocations I have only found time to draw up the enclosed which I have scarcely reviewed—Do as you please with it— Yrs &c— DLC : Peter Force Collection.
8678From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 25 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a Copy of a Letter I yesterday recieved from Corunna. I communicate it to your Excellency in Confidence. The Writer is a particular Friend of your’s. He has so good an Heart, and is so amiable a Man, that I would not expose him to the Resentment of any of the Gentlemen, and therefore pray your Excellency to keep his Letter secret. Yet his Opinion deserves some...
8679From John Adams to United States Senate, 28 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I nominate The Hon Thomas Johnson Esqr of Frederick in Maryland to be Chief Judge James Marshall Esqr of Alexandria and William Cranch Esqr of the city of Washington to be Assistant Judges of the territory of Columbia Thomas Swan Esqr of Alexandria to be Attorney for the district. I also nominate the three judges and Attorney to be justices of the peace in both Counties of the district James M...
8680From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 19 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 19 March 1782. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, IV, f. 25–60). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 5:246–265. LbC in both JA ’s and John Thaxter’s hands ( Adams Papers ). The Letterbook text is divided between two Letterbooks, Lb/JA/16 and Lb/JA/18...
8681[In Congress, May 1775] (Adams Papers)
Congress assembled and proceeded to Business, and the Members appeared to me to be of one Mind, and that mind after my own heart. I dreaded the danger of disunion and divisions among Us, and much more among the People. It appeared to me, that all Petitions, Remonstrances and Negotiations, for the future would be fruitless and only occasion a Loss of time and give Opportunity to the Ennemy to...
8682From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 13 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Say what you will, that Man is in a poor case who is reduced to the necessity of looking to Posterity for Justice or Charity; and he who is obliged to fly to Newgate and to Cobbet for consolation, is in a more forlorn Situation Still. Col. P. is entertaing and instructing the Public by a new series of addresses to the People, the fourth number of which I read in Dr Parks Repertory last night,...
86831778. Feb. 28. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Last Night and this Day We have enjoyed a fine easy Breeze. The Ship has had no Motion but directly forward. I slept as quietly and as soundly as in my own Bed at home. Dr. Noel gave me a Phial of Balsamum fioraventi, for an Inflammation in my Eyes, which seems to be very good for them. It is very much compounded. It is very subtle and penetrating. Pour a few Drops into the Palms of your...
8684From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 19 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favour of the 14th. You urge me to explain the secret of Hutchinsons conduct. I have explained in my letter of the 11th. It was fear of explanations before the people of the doctrine of Impressments You may have but another nail upon the head; and there had been before and were afterwards many such nails, but they are too frivolous to be remembered one only, excepted, before...
8685From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commission for Saunders, to be a lieutenant in the Navy, & sent the letter to him inclosed in yours of 26 June to Mr Jones to be conveyed to him MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
8686March 9. 1783 Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Lorsqu’un homme entre dans la carriere des Arts, n’ayant pour guide et pour Appui que son Genie; lorsque L’Intrigue et la Charlatanerie, ces deux grandes Ressources des petits talens, lui sont etrangéres, il doit s’attendre á être long tems persecuté, méconnu, arrêté á chaque pas. Mais qu’il ne perde point courage; tous les Obstacles s’applanissent peu-a-peu devant lui; ses Ennemis se lassent...
8687From John Adams to United States Senate, 27 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Thomas Waring of South Carolina to be Naval Officer for the District of Charleston, in the place of William Hort who has declined his Appointment. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
8688[Tuesday October 1. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday October 1. 1776. Resolved that a Committee of four be appointed to confer with Brigadier General Mifflin. The Members chosen, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. Sherman, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Gerry. Resolved that a Committee of five be appointed to prepare and bring in a Plan of a military Accademy at the Army: The Members chosen Mr. Hooper, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Williams and Mr. J. Adams. On this...
8689John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment folded up a Magazine, and an Evening Post and sent it off, by an Express, who could not wait for me to write a single Line. It always goes to my Heart, to send off a Packett of Pamphletts and News Papers, without a Letter, but it sometimes unavoidably happens, and I suppose you had rather receive a Pamphlet or News Paper, than nothing. The Disign of our Enemy, now seems to...
8690From John Adams to Anonymous, February 1813 (Adams Papers)
The Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Society for promoting Agriculture, composed almost wholly of gentlemen who are practical farmers, and established for the sole purpose of collecting and diffusing useful information on this important subject among their fellow-citizens, are anxious that the community should derive every possible benefit from the Institution of which they have the...
8691To John Jay from John Adams, 15 December 1785 (Jay Papers)
There are mysterious Movements, of various kinds, that ought to be observed and reflected on, although we cannot draw any certain Conclusions from them. General Faucett, is often at the Levee, not indeed, on Wednesdays, nor at the Drawing Room on Thursdays, on which occasions the Foreign Ministers attend, but on Frydays, when there are no Strangers, and when only the Ministers of State, and...
8692John Adams to William Jackson, 14 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Last night I had the Honour of your Favour of 26 of October and congratulate you on your Arrival at Bilbao and your agreable Prospect of a Passage to America. I thank you sir, for your kind Attention to my Son, and wish you to take him home with you. Mr. Guardoqui will be so good as to furnish Charles with Stores, and draw upon me. What can be done with the Continental Property I know not,...
8693[July 1771] (Adams Papers)
At Falmouth, at Mr. Jonathan Webbs, who has removed to an House very near the Court House. Last Fryday Morning, I mounted with Brother Bradbury and his Brother Bradbury, at York for Falmouth, went over the Sands but could not ford Cape Nettick, and so was obliged to go round over the Bridge, by the Mill. Dined at Littlefields in Wells, drank Tea and lodged at Aliens at Biddeford. Coll. Ting...
8694From John Adams to United States Senate, 3 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
His Excellency John Jay, Esq. Governor of New York, has informed me, that the Oneida tribe of Indians have proposed to sell a part of their land to the said State, and that the Legislature, at their late session, authorized the purchase; and to accomplish this object, the Governor has desired that a commissioner may be appointed to hold a treaty with the Oneida tribe of Indians, at which the...
8695John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wish I could know, whether your season is cold or warm, wet or dry, fruitfull or barren. Whether you had late Frosts. Whether those Frosts have hurt the Fruit, the Flax, the Corn or Vines, &c. We have a fine season here and a bright Prospect of Abundance. You will see by the inclosed Papers, in a Letter from my Friend Parsons, a very handsome Narration of one of the prettiest Exploits of...
8696From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 16 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday had the honour of your’s of the seventh. The letter inclosed is a bitter satire on the nation which produced it. Is it possible that Arnold should shew his Face among Men after such a Letter? If it is not a bribe it is robbery committed in the American Service: for it is well known, that Arnold had no such Sum when the War began. He is now employed in stealing Tobacco and Negroes—...
8697From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
In one of your letters if I remember right, you expressed a desire to see my letters to Mr. Calkoen, the history of those letters is this. At a dinner with a large company I met with that learned, civilian who came to me and seated himself by my side and expressed an ardent curiosity to converse with me upon the subject of the American war he asked me many questions in French in which language...
86981778. March 3. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Our Wind continued brisk and fresh all the last Night, and this Morning. Our Course is about N.E. Showers in the Night and this Morning. The Flocks of Gulls, still pursuing Us. This Morning, Mr. Parison breakfasted with Us. Our Captn. in gay Spirits, chattering in French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Greek, and boasting that he could speak some Words in every Language. He told Us he had...
8699From John Adams to United States Senate, 25 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Proposition of a fresh Negotiation with France, in Consequence of Advances made by the French Government, has excited so general an Attention and so much Conversation, as to have given occasion to many manifestations of the public opinion from which it appears to me, that a new modification of the Embassy, will give more general Satisfaction to the Legislature and to the Nation and perhaps...
8700From John Adams to Samuel Lord, 20 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Address and Memorial to the President Senate and House of Representatives has been presented to me. The Veneration you profess of the Blessings of civil and religious Liberty, and your Attachment to your Country and its Government under which you enjoy Such inestimable Advantages, are Sentiments worthy of the best of Men. The Confidence and Satisfaction you express in the firm and upright...
8701From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this, D r. John Wheelock, is President of an Institution in America, which is founded upon good Principles and deserves Encouragement. If you will give him Leave he will explain to you his Errand to Europe, and if you think there is any Prospect of his Success, I should be obliged to you for any Advice you may give him. I am impatient to get back to Holland where I hope to have...
8702From John Adams to Edward Augustus Holyoke, 10 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Upon an Intimation from my Friend D r. Tufts of Weymouth, that the Medical Society, of which you are President, desired to extend its Connections in Europe, I ventured to apply to the Chiefs of the Royale Société de Médecine at Paris, and met with a more complaisant Reception than I expected. Enclosed are Copies of Letters which have passed upon the Occasion, and of the Diploma, which is the...
8703From John Adams to Peter Whitney, 2 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
John Quincy Adams was born in Braintree, now called Quincy, in the year 1767, in the white house, near the foot of Penn’s Hill, which you sir, once inhabited. I had been attending Plymouth Court the whole week under the greatest anxiety. Returning on Saturday afternoon from Plymouth, I met Dr. Tufts on Hingham Plain between Dr. Shute’s house and Mr. Cushing’s tavern, who informed me that I had...
8704From John Adams to B. de Cabarrus Jeune, 13 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, which you did me, the Honour to write to me, the 8th of this month, and I thank you, sir, for So ready an Answer to my Request, and for so clear, So full and So intelligible an Account, of the Several Sorts of Wines, which go, in general under the Denomination of Bourdeaux. It is a Branch of Knowledge, which like many others, is much wanted in America, where I shall...
8705John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
Last Night the Consul General De la Tombe made me a Visit with your kind Letter of the 18 th. He looks older than When I last saw him and he is indeed a fortunate Man: He gave me many details of affairs in France: a gloomy Picture of the Reign of Terror and a Smiling one of the present Reign of Moderation: but he is not without Inquietude on the subject of a Constitution. By the Turn which the...
8706From John Adams to William Henry Harrison, 11 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read with much pleasure your unanimous address of the 29th of june. I agree with you, that in the ordinary Course of Affairs interpositions of popular Meetings to overawe those to whom the management of Public affairs are confided will seldom be warranted by discretion, or found compatable with the good order of Society. but at a Period like this there is no Method more...
8707From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 29 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Course of Commerce, since the peace, between Great Britain and the United States of America, has been such as to have produced many inconveniencies to the persons concerned in it, on both sides, which become every day more and more sensible. The Zeal of Americans to make remittances to british merchants, has been such as to raise the Interest of Money to double its usual standard, to...
8708From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 April 1807 (Adams Papers)
you have Spent your Winter with delight as well as Industry. My Moments have neither produced pleasure or improvements to be compared to yours. I am obliged to be very œconomical of my sight. Though I can See very well, with Glasses, or without them My Eyes cannot bear fatigue as they did when they were young. you have Sett me a Task that will infallibly make me blind before it will be...
8709From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 3 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 28th of June. I know your press of Business too well to need any Apology for delays of answers to my Letters. It is a great Satisfaction to me, that Mr Jefferson has interested himself in Mr Clarks Publication. His Memory, I presume can furnish many materials: and certainly no man is better qualified to suggest improvements of the Work. Jus suum cuique. I...
8710From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 22 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I this day acknowledged the Receipt of the Letter which you did me the honor to write me on the 21st. by mistake I dated my Letter on the twenty third. I have the Honor to agree with your Excellency in Opinion that it is the Intention of Congress to redeem all their paper Bills which are extant at an Exchange of Forty for one; by which means the two hundred Millions of Dollars which are out,...
8711II. To Le politique hollandais, 22 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
The abby Raynal in his History of the American Revolution p. 19. Speaking of the Repeal in 1770 of the Act of Parliament which imposed Duties on Glass, Paints, Paper, Tea &c says “on n’en excepta que le Thé encore cette reserve n’eut elle pour objet que de pallier la honte d’abandonner entiérement la Superiorité de la métropole Sur Ses colonies: car ce droit ne fut pas plus exigé que les...
8712From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have carefully read all the Applications and Recommendations for the Office of Collector of Norfolk: and altho the List of Candidates is numerous and their Pretensions respectable, I think I discern Sufficient reasons in the papers to concur with you in opinion that Col William Davis ought to be appointed and pray you to send him a Commission Accordingly. His Letters have a strong Character...
8713From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 5 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
In Mr Wirts elegant and eloquent Panegyrick on Mr Henry.—I beg your attention to page 56 to page 67. the end of the second section. Where you will read a curious specimen of the agonies of Patriotism in the early Stages of the Revolution—“When Mr Henry could carry his Resolutions but by one Vote, and that against the influence of Randolph, Bland, Pendelton Wythe and all the Old members whose...
8714John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 February 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Sitting at My Fireside, with my Daughter Smith , on the first of February My Servant brought me a Bundle of Letters and Newspapers from the Post office in this Town: one of the first Letters that Struck my Eye, had the Post Mark of Milton 23. Jan y 1812 . Milton is the next Town to Quincy and the Post office in it is but three Miles from my House. How could the Letter be So long in coming...
8715From John Adams to United States Congress, 19 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The letter herewith transmitted will inform you that it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life our excellent fellow-citizen, George Washington, by the purity of his character and a long series of services to his country, rendered illustrious through the world. It remains for an affectionate and grateful people, in whose hearts he can never die, to pay suitable honors to his...
8716From John Adams to Robert Hallowell Gardiner, 16 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 1 March inst. and the valuable pamphlets inclosed. The inaugural address of Mr. Hale by its ingenuity & ample intelligence is perfectly adapted to the deep utility & novelty of the institution of the Gardiner Lyceum. You will be please to present my thanks to the first principal for his inaugural address, & receive the same for yourself from your very humb...
8717From John Adams to Franklin Dexter, 11 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
accept my thanks for an Oration, of dignified Candour and Moderation, as remarkable for its elegance and taste as for its profound Wisdom, at the Composition of which, party Spirit had was not present and had no share, it is worthy of the Son of my Great and Excellent friend; whose loss I have reason to deplore not only from the purest principles of disinterested friendship, but from selfish...
8718From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 3 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have written to the President on your Subject. I know not what Weight my opinion has or whether any at all. But this I know, that if such Scoundrels as Skinner, Bidwell Gannet: Such imbeciles as Dearborne, Hall Varnum Seaver are to be made Great men in New England: and such as Gerry Waterhouse Dexter and Grey to be neglected, Old Anarch will resume his Reign Washington has indeed a dreadful...
8719From John Adams to United States Senate, 15 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I by the President of the United States, to inform the Senate that he yesterday, approved & Signed, two Acts, which originated in this House, the one An Act preventing Citizens of the U. States from privateering against Nations in Amity with, or against Citizens of the United States—the other an Act prohibiting for a limited time the Exportation of Arms & Ammunition for a limited time and for...
8720From John Adams to United States Senate, 20 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Joshua Johnson Esqr. of the city of Washington to be superintendent of stamps according to the Act of Congress to establish a general Stamp Office. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.