1From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received but not duly answered your favor of April 3 d . It is a misfortune that a man can never be spoken to by a projectors without being misunderstood or misrepresented I told M r. Forbisher that if he expected any thing from the general government, he must apply to it by petition. But I never told him, that I had the least suspicion that the general government would ever do...
2From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I presume Mr. Pickering has sent you the inclosed declaration. But least it may not have come to your hand I send you a copy. This unaccountable misunderstanding, I hope will have no ill consequences. With great esteem I am Sir your / most obedient servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received your favour of the 3d and rejoice in the recovery of your usual health and pray that it may continue many years. When I came into office it was my determination to make as few removals as possible; Not one from personal malice; Not one from mere party Considerations. This Resolution I have invariably observed. Conviction of Infidelity to a Trust cannot be resisted...
4From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Congratulations on my return to my Family and Friends are very obliging. Your polite Invitation is accepted with Pleasure. At this Period, when Disorder, Indiscipline and Disobedience of every kind fashioned into a kind of Science, are vindicated as Rights and inculcated as Duties, it is not to be expected that our Country should wholly Escape their contagious Effects. Although many...
5From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Honour of your Letter of 25. September, and I beg leave to thank you, for your kind Congratulations on our little Success at the Hague.— I wish to have it in my Power to congratulate you Soon, upon a good Peace.— But, every Thing within my Observation, is disposing itself, both on the side of France and England for another Campaign So that I cannot give much Encouragement...
6From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 30 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received with much Pleasure your favour of the 19th. If I should meet with any “Roses,” in my Path, I shall thank you for your congratulations, and when I set my foot on “thorns” as I certainly shall, I will thank you equally for your condolence. But when you assure me that you “feel a confidence in the safety of our political Bark,” you give me much comfort, and I pray you may not be...
7From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 26 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am, this Evening favoured with yours of the 18. In Answer to your Question, I ask another.— Where is the Sovereignty of the Nation lodged? Is it in the national Government, or in the State Governmen[ts?] Are there more Sovereignties than one? if there is more than one there are Eleven. if there are Eleven there is no general Government—for there cannot be eleven Sovereignties against one.—...
8From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 30 th. of May, and find We are well agreed in opinion in all points. Nothing Since my return to America, has alarmed me So much, as those habits of Fraud, in the Use of Language which appear in conversation and in public writings. Words are employed like paper money, to cheat the Widow and the fatherless and every honest Man. The Word Aristocracy is one...
9From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 8 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind favour of April 22 d and Shall not be easy till it is answered, though it is not easy to find the time, amidst the Confusion of innumerable Visits, formal Ceremonials, Balls, Commencements, Levees, &c a &c a , blended with the constant more serious Duties of my Situtation.— I agree with you entirely, that among the first dangers to be apprehended is a contest between...
10From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I was in hopes to have troubled you no more in this Way: but am disappointed. If you can oblige me, I shall transmit the Sum to you, as soon as I get to Philadelphia. I am with Usual Esteem and / Love, yours NjP : DeCoppet Collection.