11From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, with Postscript by Abigail Adams, 8 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
Two Days ago, I was favoured with your polite and elegant Letter of January 22. I have received so many of your Letters, within a few Months, containing such important Matter, in So masterly a style, that I am ashamed to confess I have answered but one of them, and that only with a few Lines. I beg you would not impute this omission to Inattention, Negligence, or Want of Regard, but to its...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 17 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Elizabeth Mifflin Boyd, Chestnut Hill, Pa. (1955); AL (draft): Library of Congress This will be delivered to you by Mr. Archer, a young Gentleman of excellent Character, whose Zeal for the Cause of Liberty, and strong Desire of being serviceable to it and to our Country, with those Qualities of Mind and Acquirements that lay the best Foundation for his really becoming so, will I am...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 30 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Parke-Bernet sale catalogue, February 27–28, 1974, item 265. The Bearer M. Tessier, is well recommended to me as a Person of good Character and an excellent Surgeon, who purposes to go to America and offer his Services in our Armies. Having no Orders to send Surgeons thither, I could give him no kind of Encouragement by Promises of Employment or otherways. He therefore goes of...
14From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 6 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of a Letter from you, a few days before I Sailed from Boston, which I have never been able to answer. I think I find more to do here; more Difficulty to do right and at the Same Time give Satisfaction, than I did, you know where. We Suffer here extreamly for Want of Intelligence from America, as We did there, and as I fear you do still for Want of it from Europe. We have...
15From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 10 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to you, for more Letters than I can repay at present. But declaring myself a Bankrupt, You must except of a few shillings in the Pound. Indeed I suspect the Debt is greater than I know of. I saw in the Courier de L’Europe, Part of a Letter from you to Dr. Dubourg, which was intercepted, in which you refer him to me for a long Letter you wrote me upon our military affairs &c. But...
16From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 19 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of yours of August 19, by the last Post, and thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Return. You judge right, when you Suppose, that I cannot be idle, but my Industry will probably be directed, in a different manner, in future. My Principles are not in Fashion. I may be more usefull here, as you observe, than in the Cabinet of Louis the 16. But let me tell you, that...
17From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of Octr. 12 and 19 are before me. I should not have left the first Seven days unanswered, if had not been for my new Trade of a Constitution monger. I inclose a Pamphlet as my Apology. It is only a Report of a Committee, and will be greatly altered no doubt. If the Committee had boldly made the Legislature consist of three Branches, I should have been better pleased. But I cannot...
18From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 1 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday, received your Favour of the 28 of April, the first Since my Arrival by Dr. John Foulke. This young Gentleman shall have every assistance in my power to procure him in the Prosecution of his Studies. When, or whether ever I Shall enter on the Business of my Mission, So as to restore Peace, Time only can discover. England is more disposed to a War with one another at home, and a War...
19From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 13 July I have received. Your Account of the Resurrection of the Spirit of 65 and 6, is very refreshing. The Ladies having undertaken, to support American Independance settles the Point. Surely no Gentleman will ever dispute it against So many of the fair. The ill bred Fellows at St. James’s will continue to quarrell about it, but We knew long ago that they have no manners. If Mrs....
20From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr Peter Paulus, is seized with an enthusiasm to go to Philadelphia, with his Journeymen. I Should be much obliged to you, for any Advice or Civility you may Show him. The Batavian Spirit is at last arroused, and has uttered its Voice, with Majesty, for the Souvereignty of the United States of America. The 19 of April, was the memorable day, when their High Mightinesses took, the Resolution....