9601To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 7 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of sending to you the only copy entire , which I possess of the Discourse I delivered before the Humane Society last Spring. I have promised it to Mr Shaw ultimately, and when you have read it, if you will take that trouble I will thank you to give it to him I do not ask you to read the Discourse itself which is a trifling performance on the trite subject of Charity, but the...
9602To John Adams from James Mann, 28 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
This certifies that Ebenezer Coddington Thayer of Braintree sustains an unblemished reputation. After the honorary degrees of Harvard College had been conferred upon him, he has the usual time persued the study of the theory and practice of Physic with the greatest proficiency. And I can with confidence add, that should he be indulged a surgeon’s birth in the Army or Navy of the United States;...
9603To John Adams from John V. N. Yates, 23 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your much esteemed favor was received a few days since, and I could not deny myself the pleasure of sending it to the press, though at the risk of being charged with Egotism —But the desire of the Publick is so strong to see every thing that falls from the pen of one of our earliest & most distinguished Statesmen and patriots, that I yielded to the wish of several of my friends in making it...
9604To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 27 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I received your very acceptable letter of the 20th. and I shall attend to its request with great pleasure. I neither believe that our “ souls ” or our “ marrow ” are to be tried. The only thing to be put to risque is our “ wind ”. “Armour & attitude”, now-a-days mean only what they did in the days of Æolus.—Quâ data porta ruunt—The seas are upturned and the shipping interest annihilated—But...
9605To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 25 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Having understood that Dr. Townsend whose wife was formerly intimate in the Otis family might possibly give me some anecdotes of James Otis, I called on him, a day or two since. He said he knew nothing particular but still mentioned two or three things which I wish to mention to you to know if they will recall any thing to your mind that I can make use of—The first thing was the trial of the...
9606Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 18 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
As we hear that you are soon Expected at Paris, I Beg leave to mention to you that the Bills which were paid by your orders in Holland are All in the hands of Fizeau & Grand of Amsterdam, and that when your Accounts are arranging it will be necessary to have them here, to Compare them with the sums Charged— you will therefore please to take up those Bills and bring them with you— I have had a...
9607To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 2 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have just receivd your favor of the 26th of May in answer to mine of the 24th. You must not expect me to be a very exact correspondent, my circumstances will not always admit of it. When I have opportunity I will write you with freedom if any information I can give you should be of service I shall be amply paid. I know your time is too precious to be spent in Answering Letters; but a line...
9608To John Adams from Ebenezer Clough, 26 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
By the direction of the Committee of Arrangements for the Approaching national Anniversary I have the pleasure to present to you the inclosed Card, and to solicit the honor of your Company with us in Fanueil Hall, the hall of liberty on the 4th of Next Month, in order to celebrate the Festivity of a Day, which you were one of the Authors of obtaining for Us, Fifty Years Ago. From Sir, Yours...
9609To John Adams from Alexander Hill Everett, 12 August 1824 (Adams Papers)
This letter will be handed you by Mr. Raymond of Baltimore who is probably known to you by reputation as the author of the Treatise on Political Economy. I have taken the liberty of introducing him to you at the request of our mutual friend Mr. Sparks and have no doubt that you will derive much pleasure from making his acquaintance. I left Washington Tuesday week. The Secretary & his family...
9610To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 24 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
The information I have found in your letters has been of a great service to me, the last of the 1 st. inst. not excepted, ’though you suppuse in it quite the reverse. I beg you to accept my hearty thanks for it. I have been highly pleased with your undertaking the defence of our governments, especially as I have been assured by Col. Smith that you intend to compleat the work. I am extremely...
9611John Thaxter to John Adams, 30 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I should have done myself the honor of addressing you before this, had I been so fortunate as to have known of opportunities previous to their passing. I have a prospect of sending this soon, and gladly embrace the opportunity. Ld. North’s propositions have occasioned much speculation here. Congress have expressed their opinion of them in their resolutions, which will doubtless have a good...
9612To John Adams from George Poindexter, 14 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
At this important moment when imminent danger threatens us from abroad, the undersigned Young Men of Richmond, feel themselves impelled by that common sentiment, which now Animates America, to express, their fervent wishes for peace, but their determined resolution to support those measures of Government, which are calculated to repel foreighn aggression, and to protect our Country from injury...
9613To John Adams from Joshua Barney, 23 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
Since I had the honor to Command the packett-ship Genr l. Washington. in 84. I have lived at this place in hopes long before this, to have been call’d into the service of my Country in some manner or other. but this has not been the case; I am now very desirous of Visiting Europe in which I have two Views, first I am in possession of a large tract of Western land. this land I wish to sell, or...
9614To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
General Pinckney and his family have arrived at Amsterdam; but as I have not seen him I presume he did not pass through this place. On the other hand Mr: Monroe has arrived in Paris, upon his return from his tour through this Country.—What was the cause of Mr. Pinckney’s being ordered to leave France is yet unknown.—But the conduct of the french Government and its dependents, at the same time...
9615To John Adams from American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 17 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
At the request of several Members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and by the permission of the Vice President Dr. Kirkland I have notified the Member s of the Council to meet at the Academy’s room in Boston on Thursday next at 12 o clock A.M. I am, Sir, with great / respect your hume sert MHi : Adams Papers.
9616To John Adams from William Cunningham, 11 February 1809 (Adams Papers)
The last Letter which I had the honour to receive from you, dated Jan. 3d. I have before acknowledged. Permit me to remind you, that, I have in expectation something farther from you concerning the misnamed Aristides. I am perfectly ashamed to speak to you again of my Chathams, but it is unavoidable. The three concluding numbers the printers refuse to publish. In two of them, I embodied the...
9617To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 17 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
We received by Mr Fynje your Excellency’s esteemed favour of 17 inst, by whch. you are pleased to agree to all the terms we proposed by our letter of 16 inst, with this exception, that the allowance, for remedium of negotiating, and paying out the money, brokeridge, Notary Stamps, and all expences whatsoever, and also for the final redeeming of the negotiated Sum, all together is to be fixed...
9618To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 2 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
A subscription was opened in this Town, a few days ago, to raise money for the building a Galley, in order to loan her to the Government, for the farther protection of the Missisippi, should it be thought proper to encrease that species of naval force in that quarter. A considerable Sum was immediately subscribed, and, in a few days, a sum adequate to the purpose will be subscribed: for, the...
9619To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 19 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Les derniers papiers Anglois ont copié de la Gazette de N. York un long article au sujet d’une prétendue sédition d’un Corps de 2000 h. de l’armée du Gl. Washington. Quelque décréditée que soit, avec raison, cette source impure, cela ne laisse pas d’inquiéter ici ceux du bon parti, et de donner quelque espoir aux Anglomanes. Ayez donc la bonté, Monsieur, de me marquer en réponse, le plutôt le...
9620To John Adams from John Dudley, 2 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
With all due deference—I beg Leave to Lay before you the following facts— Necessity is the motive—that frequently obliges me to actions contrary to my Inclination—hope it will Be admited to pleade in Excuse for the Liberty I take in soliciting your Intrest in my Behalf—without previous Leave— my case is as follows) I am a native of America N Carolina—was an officer in the Service of the united...
9621To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I inclose herewith some Slips which came to Hand by the last Mail. A Letter from Mr L of the 7th Instant has the following Paragraph. I have had the Honour of corresponding with Mr Adams, All is well, it could not be otherwise it cannot be otherwise, when Men are not determined to be Knaves or Fools. I am Happy to find Mr L satisfied with your Excellencys Conduct towards Him. I have sent the...
9622From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Although your last Letter was not quite so good as I could wish the consciousness and solicitude you appear to feel of its not being worthy of you convinces me it is unnecessary to for me to make any remarks on it—excepting that I must entreat you always to accustom yourself to do every thing as well as you can, lest you should find bad habits creeping on you which will be very difficult to...
9623To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a Letter dated Augt. 25th. from James Breckenridge Esq. who was named Commissioner for the Third Division of Virginia—It seems that this Gentleman resides out of the Division and that this circumstance and expectations of being able to render more important services have induced him to decline the appointment.—I have good reason to believe that Mr. Breckenridges...
9624From John Jay to John Adams, 1 November 1785 (first letter) (Jay Papers)
The enclosed Letter from President Lee to you (of the Subject and Contents of which I am informed) will explain to you the Design of the Letters and papers which accompany this. The one to the archbishops of York and Canterbury are left open for your Information; and that you may the more easily determine with yourself either to deliver it in Person, or merely to forward it by a proper...
9625To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have just returned from Cambridge, where I was told by by President Kirkland, that the priz is for in Elocution are to Commence at 1/2 past Nine oClock precisely instead of Eleven oClock as Mr G W Adams informed us yesterday.—I hope this alteration or any change in the Weather will not prevent your haviening the on this occasion with your company the pleasure which woud be ever gratefully...
9626To John Adams from Charles Francis Adams, 12 February 1826 (Adams Papers)
A fortnight has passed over, since I last addressed you, and scarcely any thing of interest has happened. The City having considerably recovered from the severe epidemic which has been raging here, the gaity is becoming rather more extensive, and the number of Strangers who accompany the Supreme Court upon its Session here, have a tendency to enliven us. The town is always most full at this...
9627To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 25 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Behold the fruits of the french Alliance! Our young men no longer look upon Great Britain as their home or Mother Country, but turn their eyes entirely to France for all the purposes of business and knowledge. The bearer of this letter Mr. Wm. West —a young merchant of excellent character, and of a respectable Quaker family waits upon you with a proof of this assertion, I beg leave to...
9628To John Adams from Thomas Law, 27 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In my letter of this morning I Introduced the most difficult article of the proposed National code, that I might at once meet the most powerfull objections—And as you approve of the plan at the first glance I will proceed—I am convinced that the irresistible force of truth must ultimately cause an adoption of every general principle—first, by the subscription of those States who will benefit...
9629To John Adams from Alexander McDougall, 5 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
While you are anxiously engaged to preserve the rights of your Country, I cannot entertain the least doubt, but you will readily excuse this address, when I assure you, I am induced to it, from a Sincere desire to promote the common cause of America in this City. The Delegates of this Colony who are in Trade, can inform you, I have no private interest, in the Subject on which I now Sollicit...
9630From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 25 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter my dear Son was received by your father a few days since but he is so extremely busy it is impossible for him to answer it immediately—We are very sorry to observe by your Letter that you are disatisfied with your situation and I must say I think you formed an opinion before you had time to judge either of its advantages or disadvantages. You must be perfectly sensible that both...
9631To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just received notice of the death of Colo. Innes, and that his remains are to be interred this forenoon. By the mail of to-morrow I will send a commission for your signature for the gentleman you shall be pleased to name for his successor. The inclosed letter from Colo. Spencer with the address of Columbia and the neighbouring towns in the northwestern territory, I received this...
9632To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 10 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
You would long since have received my acknowledgement of your very obliging favor of 8th. Ult. had it not been my intention to pay my respects to you in person. Various unexpected calls of business have successively disappointed this hope. It is strong proof that I was not in error in resisting the late proceedings at town meeting that my conduct meets your approbation. For the very Kind...
9633To John Adams from Edward Augustus Holyoke, 6 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency s Favours done to the Massachusetts Medical Society, call for their most grateful Acknowledgments; and it is at their Desire I now enclose to Your Excellency, the Copy of a Vote from their Records, expressive of the Gratitude they feel, & the Obligations they are Under to Your Excellency, for Your kind Attention to their Interests, & for the Honour done them, by introducing...
9634To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Upon the Public Affairs of the Country we all have a Right to speak freely and censure where we think there’s Misconduct; to ramble into the Field of Conjecture when we are disposed for it; in Short to turn Politicians if we please. You know from early Life I never Spard Men nor Measures and made Use of my Right to Censure very freely therefore you won’t be Surprized if I tell you I am out of...
9635John Jay to John Adams, 6 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
D r. Franklin informs me, that in your Passage from England to Holland, you experienced many more difficulties than are common even at this rigid Season. Mine from Dover to Calais, was far from being short or pleasant. Neptune however was less uncivil to me than to You— Neither of us have enjoyed much of his favor: but I will forgive him with all my Heart, if he will let me pass once more in...
9636John Thaxter to John Adams, 5 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Knowing that the Fever of your dear Charles is a Source of continual Anxiety to You, any thing tending to decrease or remove it cannot fail to be agreable. The Fit of this day was mild and only of an hour and an half or two hours duration. It came on at ten—he laid upon his Bed during the Fit, and rose up after it very gay and merry, dined with Us and has been in good Spirits all the...
9637Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
And may it prove an auspicious prelude to each ensuing Season. You have this Day to declare Yourself Head of A Nation. And now O Lord my God thou hast made thy servant Ruler over the people. give unto him an understanding Heart, that he may know how to go out, and come in before this great people, that he may descern between good and bad, for who is able to judge this, thy so great People?...
9638To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed is an extract of a private letter which I have just recd. from Mr. Higginson, & which I hasten to communicate to the President. MHi : Adams Papers.
9639To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 8 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you most sincerely on your safe return to your family and your country. I hope you found the former in good health, and the latter I am very sensible will be at all times benefitted by the assistance of so able a Citizen, and the more especially at this time, when the most important of all sublunary things is under consideration, the establishing of government. Independent of...
9640To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
Know all Men by those Presents, that I John Quincy Adams, of Boston in the County of Suffolk, Esquire, am holden and stand firmly bound and obliged unto John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk, Esquire, my honoured father, in the full and just sum of ten thousand Dollars, to be paid unto the said John Adams, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns; to the which payment, well and truly...
9641Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favours of May 14th and June 16th came to Hand last Evening; and tho I have only just time to acknowledge them, I would not omit a few lines; I have written before by this vessel; which is Bound to France. Mr. Allen your old fellow traveller is a passenger on Board, and promises to be attentive to the Letters. In my other Letter I mention a serious proposal made in a former; but do...
9642To John Adams from Charles B. Cochran, 1 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The momentous concerns which have so fully engaged your attention, since last I had the Honor of a few lines from you and a disinclination to brake in upon moments so precious to the Public, have been the reasons of my omitting to avail myself of the license you then gave me of continuing a correspondence so flattering in itself and so truely interesting to me: But at a time when every good...
9643To John Adams from John Rodgers, 31 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
It was with Singular Pleasure I learned from the public Papers, that the Judiciary Bill had passed the House of Representatives, by so respectable a Majority, and I hope it will meet with no Obstruction in the Senate—I consider it as a wise Measure, & one that promises no Small Utility to the Union; as the important Trusts it contemplates will, no doubt, be commited, under the present...
9644To John Adams from Henry Grand, 15 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
Messieurs Willem & Jan Willinck Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst & De La Lande & Fynje en me remettant Quatre cens mille Livres m’en faisoient espèrer autant, mais par une Suivante ces Espérances Se Sont évanouies: Je n’ai pas cru, Monsieur, devoir insister, mais seulement me borner à leur représenter que la privation de ces fonds pourroit gêner les opérations de Monsieur Morris.— En effet, j’ai...
9645From George Washington to John Adams, 20 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 10 th. ins t. with its enclosures.— They contain a great deal of interesting matter;—and N o 9 discloses much important information, and political foresight.— For this proof of your kindness, and confidence, I pray You to accept my best, & most cordial thanks.— M r: J. Adams, your son, must not think of retiring from the walk he is now in:—his prospects, if he...
9646To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
By the decease of Robert Chesley, the offices of Surveyor and Inspector of the Port of St. Mary’s in the district of Nanjemoy in the State of Maryland, have become vacant. The names of Robert Chesley, son of the deceased, and William Hebb, are presented in the papers which I have the honour to enclose.—The weight of recommendation by Col. Howard of the Senate, Charles Caroll of Carrollton...
9647To John Adams from Charles Storer, 13 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to your Commands, by M r: West , respecting Lodgings, I have been, yesterday & today, in search of such as I thought would suit you, but have not been able to find any.— There are many houses to be let—but these are either too large or too small; your direction being for “a Drawing Room, Dining Room, three Chambers, & one for one Servant only”— Besides, in all these Houses, the...
9648To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 15 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing to your Excellency, and sending several inclosures by the last Post. I send herewith another, which ought to have preceeded in publication one, which your Excellency has received. I suppose M r Hartly is or will be soon, with you. He says He shall settle matters at Paris in a little while. and M r Fox has said the same thing. the Bill which the Latter...
9649To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received the inclosed letter from Jacob Lewis, Consul of the U. States at the Isle of France, from whence he has recently returned to Boston with his family. I shall write to him by this mail, and desire him to wait upon you, to give more full information concerning that French Colony; particularly in reference to the anxious wishes of a number of merchants here trading to the East...
9650Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 24 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Captain Chavagnes is very flattered by the honor of your acquaintance and promises to you the most sincere sentiments in reiterating the interest he has in your health and that of your dear children and Mr. Dana, and wishes you all the happiness you deserve. I would like it very much if, after having seen you work so fruitfully for your country, which could not be in better hands, I could...