9161To John Adams from James Greenleaf, 18 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am not without apprehension that I may commit an impropriety by the present mode of address—if I do, I trust to your well known indulgence for forgiveness— It is my fixed intention, Sir, after obtaining an honorable discharge from my present confinement, to quit Commercial pursuits, and turn my attention to Agriculture—unless an opportunity should immediately present for serving my Country...
9162From Thomas Willis to John Adams, 16 April 1792 (Adams Papers)
the Defeat of our late army & Considering them Subject to Similar disaster led me to invent Something if posable to Support them in future, & I believe I may with propriety inform your honour that I have happyly Obtaind it— Sir it is A Carriage on four Wheels piked all Round mounts two Cohorns or Small Cannon sever l Blunderbusses &&— Mand by ten or twelve men about the Size of A Common Waggon...
9163To John Adams from Francis Dana, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I write you at present principally to communicate the following intellegence from Martinique. It is just given to me by our good Friends the two Abbés, who tell me it may be depended on, as they had it from Mr. Neckar’s Office. La derniere Convoi parti du Ferrol, est arrivé ici le 14. Xbre. il manque peu de batiments—Le 4 Vaisseaux venue de St. Doming. sous les ordres de Monsr. Le Chevr....
9164To John Adams from William Taylor Barry, 30 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
A few days since I forwarded to you by Mail a printed Circular, the object of which is to gain information to enable the Legislature of this State, to fix on the best practicable plan for the education of our youth, for which liberal appropriations were made at their last Session. It was with reluctance that we ventured to intrude on your leisure; and it is not wished that our request should...
9165To John Adams from Henry Colman, 7 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of sending you my Election Sermon; your silent approbation of which, if I felt confident that I should obtain it, would be the highest reward to which I aspire. The subject belongs to you, as furnishing one of the brightest and most illustrious examples of true, and inflexible and devoted patriotism which has honored this or any other age. I wished to have said this in the...
9166To John Adams from John Wilson, June 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty of requesting your acceptance of the enclosed volume. When you see me recommending with all the powers I am capable, a new rule to explode one which already has a place in grammar, be not alarmed, Sir, I beg of you; with an apprehension that I come forward to introduce an innovation. No, Sir, the reverse is the case; my efforts are directed to explode an innovation and...
9167To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 21 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
We in particular gratefully acknowledge your Excellency’s marks of Confidence, on our Strickest secrecy you may always depend, and be assured of our utmost endeavours of taking advantage of every favourable circumstance for the benefit of the Loan. We take a most heartily Share in this happy event and congratulate your Excellency with it, desirous to See the Other European powers embrace this...
9168To John Adams from Charles Bulfinch, 11 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I avail myself of the earliest opportunity, to have the honour of forwarding to you, a Copy of the eulogy deliverd in this town, at the request of the inhabitants, in honour of the late General Washington. The loss which the community has sustained, is here felt with as sincere emotions, as by those who have been favourd with a personal and more intimate acquaintance with that great man. I am,...
9169Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 16 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Having learned that Congress has given you the same powers it had given Colonel Laurens, whose sad fate grieves me, and that one of your mission’s objectives is to raise a loan for the United States, I take the liberty of asking you to please send me its terms as soon as possible; a relative of mine having voiced interest in investing 20,000 Dutch florins in the project. If you seek a...
9170To John Adams from George Hay, 12 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty, of putting into your hands, the inclosed essay, under the signature of Phocion. The subject, it is believed; is worthy of your serious consideration. The communication to me of the result of your reflections would be gratefully received. I have by the mail of today, transmitted a copy of this essay to Mr. Jefferson, and a copy also to Mr. Madison. I have never applied,...
9171To John Adams from Samuel Harrison, 2 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
As your Curiosity may be awakened by the novelty and singularity of the Address herewith presented. I will for your endeavour excellency’s reflections in some leisure hour endeavour to satisfy our curiosity by a cursory, yet true, but Brief account of the Person and Family with a sketch of his Life and his earnest request. I was born on the 26th day of April 1756 in a Village called Norton in...
9172Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I did myself the honor of writing you on the 19 th. Ult. it was my expectation that I should take my passage in the French packet which was to sail the 15 th. of this month, and of course that I should not be in Paris till the middle or last of August. it had not then been suggested to me, & being no seaman it did not occur to myself, that even from a London-bound vessel I might get...
9173To John Adams from Celia Thaxter, 16 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 promisory Note bearing Date March 29. 1802. given to me the Subscriber— MHi : Adams Papers.
9174To John Adams from Jonathan Mason Jr., 12 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of July the 18th came safe to hand. I consider it as a favour, this amid so great a variety of business, of the first importance, you have condescended so freely to offer me your advice, my situation warmly calling for it. The Obligation will be ever fresh in my memory, which in addition to many others I have received from yourself and your agreeable Lady, how to compensate for I...
9175John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 6 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this, is Mr. Hardouin a French young Gentleman whose company I had the pleasure of from Hamborough to Amsterdam, and who intends to go to Havre de Grâce to form an establishment in the commercial way. I receiv’d your favour of the 27th. of April, last friday and shall not fail writing as you enjoin me by every post: except this I shall pursue at present my Latin and Greek...
9176To John Adams from James McHenry, 8 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you the proceedings of a Court Martial held at Richmond for the Seal of Lieut James Triplett of the first regiment of Artillerists and Engineers— I have the honor to be / with great Respect / Your obed servant. DLC : James McHenry Papers.
9177Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 18 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Our Spring was cold and Wet, Our Summer fruitful and the Fall forbodes a plentiful Harvest. We had but very little warm Weather untill August. Our Rains were frequent, attended with Thunder and followed by fair Weather which continued for several Days and then Showers again—and such a Succession of Rains and Fair Weather I hardly ever remember which continue to this Instant. Indeed we have...
9178Abigail Adams to John Adams, 29 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
This is our Thanksgiving day. when I look Back upon the year past, I perceive many, very many causes for thanksgiving, both of a publick and Private nature. I hope my Heart is not ungratefull, tho sad; it is usually a day of festivity when the social Family circle meet together tho seperated the rest of the year. No Husband dignifies my Board , no Children add gladness to it, no Smiling...
9179From John Avery to John Adams, 6 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
having observed in a Philadelphia paper under date of the 24 th. febru y , that a Steward is wanted for the Presidents household; being much reduced in my circumstances, and considering myself well qualified for that business, have concluded that the birth might be worth my acceptance, which leads me to solicit your Excellencys recommendation in my behalf, for that purpose; hoping from your...
9180To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 20 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
I can at length furnish you with a copy of the proceedings of the Congress held at New-York in 1765; it is inclosed herewith. After diligent enquiry, I had not been able to procure a single copy either in manuscript or print, done in the United States, but fortunately met one, published by J. Almon in London, in 1767, with a collection of American tracts in four octavo volums, from which I...
9181Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 November 1789 (Adams Papers)
Tis more than a month since you left Home, and except the few lines from Fairfield, I have not received a single Letter from you. I have written to you every week, and should have been very happy to have learnt from your own Hand that you was benefitted by your journey and that you was conveniently accommodated. I get only one Boston paper, so that I am in the dark with regard to the politicks...
9182To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 30 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
The honour of your Excellency’s letter of the 3d. instt. has afforded me a great satisfaction on many accounts, but particularly for the information of the flourishing state of our dear Country. I hope you will have received before this my preceding of 28. ulto., to which I refer you in regard to the intentions of the European Courts. What your Excellency says on that subject confirms me in my...
9183To John Adams from Theodore Lyman, Jr., 28 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have just heard here with a deep and sincere grief of the truly great misfortune which it has at length pleased God to inflict upon you. I feel most profoundly with what cruel bitterness this calamity will fall upon you, but let it be permitted to us to hope, that better and more healing consolation can be found than in the thought that God had delayed it so long. I am not ignorant of the...
9184From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 2 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received with a great deal of pleasure the account of your safe arrival and joyful reception at Boston. Mr. Cutting was so kind as to send me a copy of the address of the assembly to you and your answer, which with the other circumstances I have sent to have published in the gazette of Leyden, and in a gazette here. It will serve to shew the people of Europe that those of America are...
9185From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 24 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your two last Letters would have been answered much sooner if they I had not been constantly engaged and prevented either by visitors at home or visiting abroad from writing or in fact doing anything—I think still you were mistaken about your having a Letter on my file which I had not attended to but you have assigned so excellent a reason for your silence which I ought to have recollected...
9186Adrianus Dubbeldemuts to John Adams: A Translation, 18 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
It has been a long time since I had the honor of writing to your Excellency. During this time there was really nothing of importance to write to you about. Although I am sure that your Excellency has already been informed of the merchants’ intentions in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and elsewhere, I believe that I can be of use to you by sending you a copy of the merchant committee’s petition of this...
9187From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 19 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
Have you forgotten your Mother my dear John? or do you never mean to write again? I have been long impatiently waiting for Letters now a long time and still meet with disappointment every post—What is the reason you do not write? Edward Taylor can be very punctual. Your father has had a Letter from your Uncle in which he says that in consequence of abusing the privilege of boarding out you are...
9188From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 February 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to thank you, my dear Sir, for forwarding M. D’Ivernois’ book on the French revolution. I recieve every thing with respect which comes from him. But it is on politics, a subject I never loved, and now hate. I will not promise therefore to read it thoroughly. I fear the oligarchical executive of the French will not do. We have always seen a small council get into cabals and quarrels, the...
9189From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 3 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me by Capt. Jones, and immediately answer’d it, acquainting you that my Packets contain’d no Commission, nor any Mention of one. I have just receiv’d another Letter from you, dated the 14th past, with a Number of Dispatches, but they are Duplicates only and as old as July; they contain nothing of...
9190To John Adams from Edward Everett, 16 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
It would be making a poor return for Your Kindness in Communicating to me Mr. Jefferson’s remarkably interesting letter, to enter into a Criticism of it: the rather as I ought to be grateful for his doing me the honor of expressing his general assent to the remarks in the Review of the Report of the Virginia University. Without therefore entering into a disrespectful discussion of the...
9191Adriaan van Zeebergh to John Adams: A Translation, 25 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing to your excellency the considerations we discussed yesterday. By clarifying my ideas and those of my city regarding the differentiating articles in the treaty plan between the two republics, I hope this can contribute in some way toward a good compromise on a point that, if I am not mistaken, we agree on entirely in principle. I am delighted to have this...
9192From John Adams to John Adams, 21 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
Nothing from your Family gives me more pleasure than to hear as I do, that you are a diligent Student and good Schollar. Do you know the meaning, of the Words, Patience of Application ? Patience of Study ? My little reading, you may well Suppose is not fresh in my head: but I remember to have somewhere read that Sir Isaac Newton used to Say that “all he had done in Science was by patient...
9193To John Adams from Jonathan Loring Austin, 23 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was duly honored with your Favor of the 2d Instant. Mr. Thaxter having left Paris, I applied to Mr. Grand for the twenty Louis d’ors which I received, and shall invest them in Calicoes and ship on Board the Mars as directed. In this Vessel I think to take passage myself, mortified and disappointed in all my Attempts to execute the Commission I am entrusted with, I cannot flatter myself a...
9194To John Adams from Alexander Jardine, 16 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I cannot resist the desire of writing to you nor the joy of your being elected president of the US:—as I think and hope that much of the peace and happiness of the rest of the world may now come to depend on you and your friends there, who I flatter myself may be well chosen. In short the love of Peace ,—the knowledge of its importance of late predominant in your Counsels give hopes of its...
9195To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
Since my departure from the United States, I have had the pleasure of receiving two letters from by brother and one from my Mother but it has not yet been my good fortune to receive one from you— I have however had the satisfaction of reading your writings in the Patriot, untill the beginning of November; and hope to have the continuation of them, by the first arrivals from Boston, which are...
9196To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
L’Assemblée d’Hollande, fort orageuse mercr[edi j]our de votre depart d’ici, [s’es]t separée jusqu’au 27 cour t. Il y a eu un tumulte à Arnhem en Gueldre, où la Garnison, qui S’étoit emparée de la maison de Ville, a du se soumettre, & délivrer l’hôtel à la Bourgeoisie, qui, sur son exemple, avoit chargé à balles. Le tout s’est passé Sans effusion de sang, mais à l’avantage de la Bourgeoisie,...
9197From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to omit to inform Congress, that on the 23d. of April the French Ambassador made an Entertainment for the whole Corps Diplomatick, in Honor of the United States, at which he introduced their Minister to all the foreign Ministers at this Court. There is nothing I suppose in the whole voluminous Ceremonial, nor in the idle Farce of Etiquette, which should hinder a Minister from...
9198To John Adams from James Warren, 20 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
After an Interval much longer than I ever designed should take place, I now set down to write again. The Multiplicity of Business, and the Croud of Company here must be my Excuse, every Body either Eats, drinks or Sleeps in this House, and very many do all, so that for A week past I could get no opportunity to write Morning, Noon, or Night. The Committee of Congress Arrived here last Sunday....
9199Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Have pitty upon me, have pitty upon me o! thou my beloved for the Hand of God presseth me soar. Yet will I be dumb and silent and not open my mouth becaus thou o Lord hast done it. How can I tell you (o my bursting Heart) that my Dear Mother has Left me, this day about 5 oclock she left this world for an infinitely better. After sustaining 16 days severe conflict nature fainted and she fell...
9200To John Adams from Isaac Stephens, [7 February] 1786 (Adams Papers)
Supposing Som one gentleman to be charged with the affairs of the united States of america in London I take the Liberty to write The Bearrer of this Letter Doctor warner his Brittanick Majestys Doctor in algirs and a gentleman that is able To give you any intelligence That you may want as To the affairs in algirs and allso as to our mortifying State of Slavery and has bin the means of Saveing...
9201To John Adams from J. D. Schweighauser, 22 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of the 2 Instant in compliance to which I have wrote to Cap Landais for Mr. T. Greenleaf’s passage. Inclose you will find the note of Sundry Articles which Mrs. Schweighauser has bought for Mrs. Adams amounting to 1730:16 which she hopes will meet with her approbation. This small Sum you will please to pay either to Mr. Odea or Messrs. Puchelberg & Co. at L Orient...
9202To John Adams from William Vernon, 9 March 1778 (Adams Papers)
I hope in God this will find you safe arrived at your desired Port, and that you are happy in your appointment, at least as much so, as any Gentleman, who hath left connections as dear to him, as Life can possibly be. Nothing hath occured since you left us, in the Public way, but what you will find in the Papers, which are all transmitted to you by this conveyance, only that the Ship Warren...
9203To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 14 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
Mr Finch an English gentleman of science and great ardour in geological and mineralogical pursuits intending to pay his respects to you at Quincy has requested this letter of introduction for that purpose. He is grandson of Dr: Priestley and has visited this country for the prosecution of his inquiries into in science, and is particularly desirous of being made known to you. In which I am...
9204From James Madison to John Adams, 3 February 1795 (Madison Papers)
I have been induced to this delay in acknowledging your letter of the 23d, inclosing one to you from Mr. Belknap of the 2d. Ulto. by a desire to obtain from my memory all the information it might have ever possessed in relation to the error in Docr. Kippis’ life of Capt: Cook. I was not a member of Congress till March 1780. It is probable therefore that, if his directions to American...
9205John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 25 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
As I am informed there is a vessel soon to sail from Amsterdam for Boston, I now forward to M r. Bourne to go by her, this letter enclosing copies of my numbers 2 and 3. upon the Etat de la France &c. The book itself will go with the copy of my first letter concerning it, from Hamburg— Hauterive has generally been given out as its author; but Talleyrand himself is now understood to have had...
9206Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I this day received your Favour of the 17th. Augst. Ultimo. I find that your mind is much distressed with the Accounts you have received of the almost despaired State of our worthy Friend Mr. Cranch. I have given you his Case in a Letter of the 26th. Sept. last, which will remove your Anxiety—that Letter you will probably receive with this as I am in hopes of getting it to Town before Grinnell...
9207To John Adams from James Warren, 22 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
A few days since, I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 4 th. July— You think the picture I gave you in my last too high wrought. You Cannot be of my opinion that there is here a total Change in Principles, & Manners. nor that Interest is the only pursuit. & that riches only are respected. Your distance will not permit you to form your Opinion from your own Observation. Your partiality...
9208Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 14 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you some time Ago requesting your Asking some of the Gentlemen of the Congress, belonging to Georgia, whether the Continental Certifycates would Answer to purchase a Cargo of Rice. My friends in Europe often you’st to say when nothing Material turnd up worth Adviseing me, they had nothing worth troubling me with so I may say as to my self for sometime past.—But to day we have a prize...
9209To John Adams from Bartholomé Wild, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Etant Neé Libre en Suisse et plus que 40. Année dans cette Libre Republique, on ne doit pas S’ètonner que je m’interesse pour un nouveaux Peuple Libre, qui avec l’aide de Dieu à S’en Se Soustraire de la tiranie Brittanique, en S’en franchissant de l’adieu ésclavage. Nôtre Province et Surtout les habittant de cette Ville ont apris avec un Joix extraordinaire que Les Etat d’hollande les onts...
9210To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge your favour of August 30th refering it to me to report on the applications for the appointment of Keeper of the Light House on Gay Head. The Candidates are Ebenezer Skiff, Matthew Tilton, Silas Daggett, Thomas West, Noah Pease and Nathaniel Mayhew. I have the honour to enclose all the recommendations, with two Letters from General Lincoln dated August 20th &...