8951To John Adams from Richard Rush, 10 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
I beg you will do me the honor to accept a copy of a discourse I delivered on the 4th of July at this place. The present crisis of our country, Sir, is most momentous; but it seems greatly to be feared that the powerful and intelligent state of Massachusetts will not yield her zealous cooperation to the nation in its present struggle. With constant wishes for your health and happiness allow...
8952To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 28 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr Marshalls letter of acceptance arrived this morning. Mr Lee has written, but lest one letter should not overtake you, & knowing you will be anxious on this subject, I have taken the liberty, to address one note to you, at York Town, another at Fredk. Town. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / and esteem sir yr most / Obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
8953To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 22 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I was honoured with your letter of the 15th covering the proclamation respecting the St. Domingo trade; and last evening a packet from Doctor Stevens & General Maitland, announcing that the arrangements were to far made as to admit of the opening the ports of Cape Francois & Port au Prince on the first of August. That is, vessels previously sailing from the U. States and Jamaica, may...
8954To John Adams from William Charles Jarvis, 17 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
Permit one who now sits under that political vine and fig tree, which you have had so great a hand in planting and rearing, to present you a little volume called “The Republican” As an American citizen, you will permit me to take this opportunity to express to you my gratitude, for the eminent services you have rendered your Country. I am with the highest respect / your Obet. & very humble /...
8955John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 21 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Thaxter and brother Charles wrote both to you the day before yesterday and as I had no subject to write upon, I did not write But I can now give you an account of our journey. We dined on Monday at Haerlem and arrived at Leyden at Six oclock. We lodged at the Cour de Hollande and saw Mr. Waterhouse that evening. The next day we went to hear a Medicinal lecture by Professor Horn , we saw...
8956To John Adams from John Jay, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
During the late special Session of the Legislature of this State an act was passed for the further defence of this State of which a Copy is herewith enclosed.—The first section of this Act appropriates a Sum not exceeding 150,000 Dollars, towards the defence of the City and port of New York, and provides that the said sum shall be expended under the direction of the President of the United...
8957C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 8 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of 25 November to the ambassador was received. Since he was not in town when it arrived, and since there was business at hand, regarding the loan guarantee unanimously resolved last Monday, his response to you has been delayed. Moreover, this negotiation is already finished, and many dawdling rentiers are scratching their heads now because they are too late to benefit from it. This...
8958Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 2 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you sometime Ago, desireing you to inquire of the So. Carolina Gentlemen whether they wanted to make Exchange of some money, I had in So. Carolina, but as itt is not very likely I Apprehend I have concluded, to send a Vessell to bring the Value in Rice, which I find is Allowed—so would not give you the trouble. I wrote Mr. Black to send me a Phila. weekly paper but as I have not...
8959To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 January 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 31 Dec. last delighted me more than usual. It was a new mark of your affectionate esteem—it assured me of your continued health; It was an evident proof that I was not yet left alone. Last year has again bereft me of a worthy friend; and I can not longer fill up the empty place with others, ere long, if mÿ days are to be prol onged, I Shall mourn them in mÿ Solitude where,...
8960To John Adams from John Davis, 15 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I herewith inclose Mr. O’Brien’s letter, pursuant to your Excellency’s instructions. I thought it proper to copy the two first pages and to place the extract in the hands of Dr Lathrop, to be communicated to the Academy, at their next meeting. Mr O’Brien’s donation is still at Plymouth. No convenient opportunity has ocurred to have it conveyed by land, and the severity of the season has...
8961Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
How great was my joy to see the well known Signature of my Friend after a Melancholy Solicitude of many months in which my hopes and fears alternately preponderated. It was January when Charles arrived. By him I expected Letters, but found not a line; instead of which the heavy tidings of your illness reachd me. I then found my Friends had been no strangers of what they carefully conceald from...
8962To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 27 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Presidents direction, The Secretary of State respectfully submits the following ideas on the matters to be communicated to Congress, in the President’s speech, at the opening of the approaching session. I. The subject most pressing on the attention of the United States is their situation in relation to the French Republic. The measures taken to effect an amicable adjustment...
8963To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 27 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 14th, and after reading it several times, to fasten its contents in my memory, laid it up with your other favours, as a choice memorial of your Friendship. I have deposited them with similar estimable letters, received at different periods from the illustrious founders of our Nation, whose approbation encouraged me to hope I had not lived in vain....
8964To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink and De la Lande & Fynje, 13 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr van Staphorst having taken along with him Your Excellency’s favour of the 8th: Inst: prevented it’s reply. Since being favoured with your Excellency’s of the 10th:, We have conversed with Said Gentlemen, who told us to have informed Your Excellency, about their Sentiments in respect of the motion in behalf of the Continental Loan, and desired us, as we are of some different Opinion to give...
8965To John Adams from M. Addenet, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Il y a quelques mois qu’un de nos Ambassadeurs me demande Si j’avois vu un ecrit dont il ne Connoissoit que Le titre et dont il desiroit faire lecture. C’étoit celui qui Contient Les Pensées sur la révolution de L’Amérique. Sans lui dire de qui je le tenois je le lui prêtai, et, en lui rendant Ce service, je Crus entrer dans vos vues. Il est parti sans m’avoir rendu cet ouvrage que je serois...
8966To John Adams from James Warren, 3 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I Returned from Plymouth last Wednesday after An Absence of about 10 days. In my way I called on Mrs. Adams and found her pretty well, having recovered her Health after a Bad Cold which threatoned A fever. From her I received the Inclosed Letter, which I presume will give you A full Account of herself and Family. I came to Watertown with full Expectation of receiving several of your favours....
8967To John Adams from Samuel Blodget, 1 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Presuming on the kind indulgence which I have ever experienced since the commencement of your acquaintance, I beg leave to repeat my solicitations in favour of an important concern, in which you have been pleased deeply to interest yourself. The proprietors of Lands within this City (of which I am one) are deeply concerned in the necessary completion of the objects, for which the board of...
8968To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 18 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter of the 6 th , Congress have been pleased to appoint M r Jefferson, one of their Ministers plenipotentiary for negociating peace— I have not yet received an answer to my Letter informing him of this event, tho’ I have some reason to believe he will accept the appointment— I believe I mentioned to you that Congress had refused to accept M r Laurens’s resignation— Many members...
8969To John Adams from James Warren, 7 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have been very much Indisposed for the greater part of the Time since you left us. I have been at Home three weeks, and the whole time Confined to the House, and a fortnight of it unable either to read or write. My disorders have at last Terminated in a fit of the Gout. How much longer I am to be Confined by that I know not. The Consolations that are dealt out to me in the Bitterness of...
8970From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Library of Congress I duly received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 17th. Inst. inclosing a Copy of one from Mr. John Ross, acquainting me with the Presentation to you of 51 Bills Drawn in his Favour the 22 June last on Mr. Henry Laurens; for the Sum of 40,950 Guilders; and desiring to know...
8971To John Adams from James Lloyd, 26 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
It has now been for a full ascertaining that unless new pretense. on the part of G. Bn. were advanced, a treaty, of peace wd. be signed, but it was not till last thursday that I ceased to doubt if it wd. receive my signature.—The B. Ps. had declared to us at the outsett that it was not the intention of the B. Govt. to grant to the People of the U.S. in future the liberties of fishg & drying &...
8972To John Adams from John Bradford, 17 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
After a tedious Suspension, our fears being greatly Alarm’d at your not being Arriv’d after forty eight days sailing hence, A General Joy was diffus’d through this town last Evening, by reading a London paper taken in a prize which arriv’d at Salem, and sent by Express to the Council, Announcing Your Arrival at Paris, at Doctor Franklins house on a Certain day; on which Event I most heartily...
8973To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 14 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
The desire of paying my respects to an old and excellent friend compels me under all the pressures of ill health and much business, to avail myself of Col o. Smiths secure conveyance to take up my pen. It is long since I have written to you, but much longer since I have had the honor of hearing from you, and I am perfectly satisfied that both these effects have been produced by causes not...
8974To John Adams from Jesse Torrey, Jr., 17 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will excuse the freedom I have used, in sending you a copy of the Moral Instructor.—Judging from the conspicuous seat which you occupy in the republic of moral and political literature, I have no doubt but you are taxed with the perusal of more new books than suits your convenience or inclination, at your advanced period of life.—I am induced to believe, however, that the subject of...
8975To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 28 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
This letter will be handed to you by Dr. John Foulke (a Graduate in our University) a young gentleman of a respectable Quaker family who goes to France to finish his Studies in Medicine. He is a youth of a fair character, and promising Abilities, and friendly to the liberties of his country. It gave me great pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival, and favourable reception in Spain. We long to...
8976To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your two letters of the 4th instant, and am happy in your approbation of the matters therein referred to. Yesterday I received the inclosed letter from Colo. Francis Nichols, offering himself a candidate for the office of Treasurer of the mint. He was an officer in the Pennsylvania line in the war of our revolution. He now lives at Pottsgrove in that State. He...
8977To John Adams from Abiel Holmes, 11 November 1807 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Holmes, presenting his respects to President Adams, takes the liberty to ask of him an account of General Oglethorpe , and particularly of what passed between the general and him in the interviews when the President was in London after the Peace of 1783. Mr. Holmes has noticed in Boswell’s Life of Johnson mention made of a MS. Memoir of Oglethorpe, and does not despair of obtaining it. He...
8978To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
No—you can not forget me even without one single line I should be fully persuaded of this truth—yet it was pleasing to be so affectionately remembered—You knew, that it would increase my contentment in my deep retirement—It was as a moderate electric shock it giveth a soft impulse on my family shewing their gratification, that their Husband and Father continues to be favoured with your...
8979To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully transmit to the President of the United States the Copy of a Letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue dated the 25th. instant, accompanied with a proposal made by John Nivison for building a Light-House on North Island at the entrance of George Town Harbour in the State of South Carolina. This proposal being the most favourable of any that have...
8980To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 15 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have receivd your Excellencys Translation into plain English of the Memorial to the Sovereigns of Europe. I cannot but Admire the trouble, to which your Excellency has put yourself, in making intelligible the Obsolete and Phantastic Language of the Quondam Governor of Massachusets: but indeed the Matter of the Memorial is Excellent, and well deserves the Observations of the European World. I...
8981To John Adams from Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, 11 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Murray takes leave, respectfully to represent to President Adams, that owing to the deranged state of the Printer’s affairs, a very large part of Mr Murray’s publication is attached by the Sheriff to answer demands made upon him (the Printer) and that the agreement entered into, by the Author, is so worded, as to subject the whole impression to the control of Mr Belcher’s Creditors. If a...
8982To John Adams from John Phillips, 27 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
The Mayor of the City of Boston, most respectfully solicits the Honor of President Adams’ company, on the evening of the fourth of July. The presence of that venerable and illustrious Citizen, whose prophetic spirit, so clearly discerned, and whose patriotic exertion, so largely contributed, to obtain the blessings of Independence, would confer an high obligation and awaken the most grateful...
8983To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 4 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
An indisposition which has considerably impeded my movements for a few weeks past, has prevented my having the honour of paying my respects to you as I have wished to do, and being about accompanying my sister Mrs Gardiner to Kennebec, I shall not be able to make my visit to Quincy till after my return towards the end of the month— I have for some time past thought of an undertaking which the...
8984To John Adams from John Warren and Others, 4 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
As Surgeons of the continental Hospital we take the Freedom to address you upon an Occasion which though it does not immediately Concern our Department, yet as it relates to the Hospital with which we are so nearly connected, we thought called for our Attention, as being a Subject, upon which, we might be able to give some Information, which might perhaps be of some little service in assisting...
8985To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 19 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Y r. Exc y. will see by the inclosed Letter for Mr. Livingston, what we are doing here. After having perused it you will be so Kind as to close and send it under cover to our worthy friend, Mr. Barclay at l’Orient, to be forwarded from thence by the 1 st. opportunity.— The other Letter, from Nantes, I’ve found at my return here from Dort. I am just now confidently told, that the business of...
8986To John Adams from John Sullivan, 15 – 19 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your very Acceptable Favour of the 7th Instant Came to hand this Day. You could not have Conferred a greater obligation on me than by giving yourself the Trouble to write me; but when you give me to understand that my Services are acceptable in Your Eyes and in the Eyes of the Congress in General I already Esteem myself fully rewarded for all my toils; and cannot but persevere in my Endeavours...
8987To John Adams from James McHenry, 10 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit to your consideration, a report relative to the military establishment of the United States. It suggests several propositions, which if adopted, it is respectfully presumed would ameleorate our military system, and contribute essentially to the security and respectability of the United States. I have the honour to be Sir, with the greatest respect Sir / Your most...
8988From Levi Woodbury to John Adams, 6 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your last my dear John I can only say that if the accomodations are so suitable and the price so reasonable as you say at the Exchange I should most certainly prefer them to any others but you know that your father is particular on this point and I wish you to ascertain exactly before I come so that we may decide immediately after our arrival—There will be your father myself Ellen...
8989To John Adams from William Bentley, 14 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
We have received from the Editor of the Raleigh Register an account of the Mecklenburg resolutions. The editor is the Father of the Editor of the National Intelligencer, Joseph Gales. The whole will appear in our next number. I thought it however respectful to you to give you, the most early notice, & to justify the enthusiasm your patriotism had employed on the occasion of such a possible...
8990To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 11 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of your favour of the 29th: ulto: you have doubtless received many additional documents confirming your opinion of the system of policy prevalent here in relation to our foreign affairs—Unqualified submission to France, and unqualified defiance of Great Britain, are indeed the two pillars upon which our measures are to rest—And numerous as the proofs are which you will have of...
8991Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 2 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
By the Ship John, Capt n. Duer I gave you information of our safe arrival at London, and I now embrace the earliest opportunity of acquainting you that on the evening of the 31 st of October we reached the place of our destination. We left London on the evening of the 28 th. and reached Harwitch the next day at noon; about 5 oClock we got under Sail on board a Packett for Helvoetsluys with a...
8992To John Adams from Hannah Thaxter, 12 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
Received of the Honorable John Adams Esq. by Cotton Tufts Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents in full for one years Interest on said Adams’s Note of hand given to me March 29th. 1802. MHi : Adams Papers.
8993To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to inclose Copy of a Letter received from General Knox, dated the 19th. ulto. in answer to one from me, making certain enquiries, relative to the Claim of Silas Dinsmore late an Agent to the Cherokee Nation of Indians, already submitted to your consideration— I am Sir / with perfect consideration / your obedient / humble servant DLC : James McHenry Papers.
8994Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowlidge a feast of Letters from you since I wrote last, their dates from August 19 to Sepbr. 1. It is a very great satisfaction to me to know from day to day the Movements of How, and his Bantitti. We live in hourly expectation of important inteligance from both armies. Heaven Grant us victory and peace, two Blessing s I fear we are very undeserving of. Enclosed you will find a...
8995To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
In the month of July I received from Fiseaux & Co. of Amsterdam a letter notifying me that the principal of their loan to the United states would become due the first day of January. I answered them that I had neither powers nor information on the subject, but would transmit their letter to the Board of treasury. I did so by the packet which sailed from Havre Aug. 10. the earliest answer...
8996To John Adams from M. Du Cange, 23 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Permettez moi de vous remercier d’une maniere plus particuliere de la façon obligeante avec laquelle vous m’avez reçu ce matin, quoique je n’eusse pas l’honneur de vous être connu. Comme Ecrivain d’une feuille Publique, j’entre dans une Carriere où il m’importe extrêmement de me concilier l’estime des Personnes en place, et Celle de Votre Excellence est du nombre de celles dont je suis le plus...
8997From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 11 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
I will answer your last Letter by saying that your most horrible is altogether thrown away as neither of the young Ladies who remained with us were very beautiful or fascinating but good natured pleasant girls who amused me very much by their musical talents and the eldest by a highly cultivated mind—Their ages would not have frightened you but their tall Grenadier look might have intimidated...
8998To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The close confinement of our friend and the denyal of all visits, the use of pen, ink and Paper, as well as all newspapers, still continues with unabated rigour. No person but His Son accompanyd by Mr. Manning has yet found way to Him, and these have been peremptorily refusd a second visit. It now appears that Government find him nothing but His furnishd appartments, Mr. L ordering his own...
8999From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 8 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since I have written to you. this proceeds from the difficulty of writing with my crippled wrists, and from an unwillingness to add to your inconveniences of either reading by the eyes, or writing by the hands of others. the account I recieve of your physical situation afflicts me sincerely. but if body or mind was one of them to give way, it is a great comfort that it is the mind...
9000To John Adams from James Bowdoin, 30 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
The attachment of M r. Boid to the American Cause has, as you are Sensible, occasioned the forfeiture to the British Government of all his Lands upon the Schoodac: to which river they have extended their Province of New Brunswick.— The Papers that relate to his Case, as well as to that encroachment, were by order of Congress, as I have understood, transmitted to you, during your residence in...