1From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from The Hon. Stephen Higginson Esq r , is upon a Subject of so much Importance, and contains so much Information that I cannot withold it from you. The little Jealousy, Envy or Caprice, that shall deprive our Merchants of the Benefit of Trading to the Isles of France & Bourbon, will only compell them to seek the Ultimate Marketts upon the Continent, directly. In four days,...
2To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 1 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Letter from The Hon. Stephen Higginson Esqr. is upon a Subject of so much Importance, and contains so much Information that I cannot withold it from you. The little Jealousy, Envy or Caprice, that shall deprive our Merchants of the Benefit of Trading to the Isles of France and Bourbon, will only compell them to seek the Ultimate Markets upon the Continent, directly. In four days,...
3To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 14 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
I now do myself the pleasure to inclose to you a copy of the Arret explanatory of that of Sep. 28. on the subject of our whale oils. mr̃ Necker in a letter to me has renewed the promise of taking off the 10. sous per livre at the end of the next year. but at the same time he observes that whenever the national fishery shall be able to supply their demand for whale oil we must expect a repeal...
4From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 14 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I now do myself the pleasure to inclose to you a copy of the Arret explanatory of that of Sep. 28. on the subject of our whale oils. Mr. Necker in a letter to me has renewed the promise of taking off the 10. sous per livre at the end of the next year. But at the same time he observes that whenever the national fishery shall be able to supply their demand for whale oil we must expect a repeal...
5From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to introduce to you John Coffin Jones Esq r , an eminent Merchant of Boston and a late Member of the Legislature from that Town. His Character both in public and private Life is much respected, and his Intelligence will enable him to give you a much better Account of the general and particular Politicks of this Country than I can. our Fellow Citizens are in the midst of their...
6To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me leave to introduce to you John Coffin Jones Esqr, an eminent Merchant of Boston and a late Member of the Legislature from that Town. His Character both in public and private Life is much respected, and his Intelligence will enable him to give you a much better account of the general and particular Politicks of this Country than I can. Our Fellow Citizens are in the midst of their...
7To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing to you on the 2 d. of Aug. and of adding a P.S. of Aug. 6. you will have known since that that the interposition of Denmark, as auxiliary to Russia against Sweden, has been suppressed magisterially by England and Prussia. this seemed to prove that these two powers did not mean to enter into the war; that on the contrary they wished seriously to quiet things on the...
8From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 5 [December] 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing to you on the 2d. of Aug. and of adding a P.S. of Aug. 6. You will have known since that that the interposition of Denmark, as auxiliary to Russia against Sweden, has been suppressed magisterially by England and Prussia. This seemed to prove that these two powers did not mean to enter into the war; that on the contrary they wished seriously to quiet things on the...
9To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 2 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have received with a great deal of pleasure the account of your safe arrival and joyful reception at Boston. mr̃ Cutting was so kind as to send me a copy of the address of the assembly to you & 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...
10From 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...
11To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 2 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
I received this day a letter from mr̃s Adams of the 26 th. ult. informing me you would set out on the 29 th. for the Hague. our affairs at Amsterdam press on my mind like a mountain. I have no information to go on but that of the Willincks & VanStaphorsts, & according to that something seems necessary to be done. I am so anxious to confer with you on this, & to see you & them together, & get...
12From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 2 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I received this day a letter from Mrs. Adams of the 26th. ult. informing me you would set out on the 29th. for the Hague. Our affairs at Amsterdam press on my mind like a mountain. I have no information to go on but that of the Willincks and Van Staphorsts, and according to that something seems necessary to be done. I am so anxious to confer with you on this, and to see you and them together,...
13To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
I am in hopes daily of receiving a letter from you in answer to my last. the delay of the letters which contained the proposition to the board of treasury takes away all probability of their answering in time, and I foresee that I shall be closely pressed by circumstances on that point. I have settled your matter with de la Blancherie, at the sum you fixed. (8 Louis) he demanded 12, but...
14From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 20 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am in hopes daily of receiving a letter from you in answer to my last. The delay of the letters which contained the proposition to the board of treasury takes away all probability of their answering in time, and I foresee that I shall be closely pressed by circumstances on that point. I have settled your matter with de la Blancherie, at the sum you fixed (8 Louis). He demanded 12. but...
15From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 6 th. and had before received the Same Information from Amsterdam. I know not how to express to you, the Sense I have of the disingenuity of this Plott.— The Difficulty of Selling the Obligations I believe to be mere Pretence. and indeed the whole appears to me to be a concerted Fiction, in consequence of some Contrivance or suggestion of M r Parker, the...
16To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 12 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 6th. and had before received the same Information from Amsterdam. I know not how to express to you, the sense I have of the disingenuity of this Plott. The Difficulty of selling the obligations I believe to be mere Pretence, and indeed the whole appears to me to be a concerted Fiction, in consequence of some Contrivance or Suggestion of Mr. Parker, the great...
17To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 6 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the treasury have given notice to Willincks & Van Staphorsts that they shall not be able to remit them one shilling till the new government gets into action; and that therefore the sole resource for the paiment of the Dutch interest till that period is in the progress of the last loan. Willincks & V.S. reply that there is not the least probability of raising as much on...
18From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 6 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners of the treasury have given notice to Willincks and Van Staphorsts that they shall not be able to remit them one shilling till the new government gets into action; and that therefore the sole resource for the paiment of the Dutch interest till that period is in the progress of the last loan. Willincks & V.S. reply that there is not the least probability of raising as much on...
19To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 31 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you my young Friend Mr. Alexander Edwards of South Carolina, a modest and amiable young Gentleman who came particularly recommended to me, and whom I have found by Several Months Acquaintance to merit every Attention and Encouragement. I am, my dear Sir yours most affectionately, RC ( DLC ).
20To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 13 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
I informed you in my letter of the 31 st. of December of the measures I had taken relative to the reimbursement of the 51,000 gelders to Fizeaux & co. to wit, that I had asked the Willincks and Van Staphorsts to pay the interest, & written to the board of treasury for their orders as to the principal. I inclose you a letter just received from Fizeaux & co. now Hugguer, Grand & co. by which you...
21From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 13 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed you in my letter of the 31st. of December of the measures I had taken relative to the reimbursement of the 51,000 gelders to Fizeaux & co. to wit, that I had asked the Willincks and Van Staphorsts to pay the interest, and written to the board of treasury for their orders as to the principal. I inclose you a letter just received from Fizeaux & Co. now Hugguer, Grand & Co. by which...
22To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r. Parker furnishes me an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your favors of Nov. 10. Dec. 6. 10. 18. & 25. which I avoid doing thro post. the orders on the subject of our captives at Algiers have come to me by the last packet. they are to be kept secret even from the captives themselves, lest a knolege of the interference of government should excite too extravagant demands. the...
23From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 31 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Parker furnishes me an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your favors of Nov. 10. Dec. 6. 10. 18. and 25. which I avoid doing thro post. The orders on the subject of our captives at Algiers have come to me by the last packet. They are to be kept secret even from the captives themselves, lest a knolege of the interference of government should excite too extravagant demands. The...
24From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
By the last Post I answered your Letter of the 12, and Yesterday received yours of the 16.— Com. Jones has before now delivered you dispatches that will Serve no doubt for your direction. M r Van staphorst, will have no Objection to an handsome Commission, for paying off, the Debt M r Fizeaux mentions: and M r Fizeau, will be glad to have it paid off, that the Money Lenders not knowing what to...
25To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last Post I answered your Letter of the 12, and Yesterday received yours of the 16. Com. Jones has before now delivered you dispatches that will serve no doubt for your direction. Mr. Van staphorst, will have no Objection to an handsome Commission, for paying off, the Debt Mr. Fizeaux mentions: and Mr. Fizeau, will be glad to have it paid off, that the Money Lenders not knowing what to...
26From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your Letter of the 12. M r Jarvis and Commodore Jones are arrived here from New york both charged with large Dispatches for you. M r Jarvis sent his Packet on by Col. Trumbul who departed from hence for Paris last Thursday. Com r Jones went off a day or two ago. but both will arrive to you before this Letter. The Papers they carry, with a Renovation of your Commission at...
27To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night I received your Letter of the 12. Mr. Jarvis and Commodore Jones are arrived here from New york both charged with large Dispatches for you. Mr. Jarvis Sent his Packet on by Col. Trumbul who departed from hence for Paris last Thursday. Comr. Jones went off a day or two ago, but both will arrive to you before this Letter. The Papers they carry, with a Renovation of your Commission at...
28To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 16 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you on the 12 th instant, that is to say, by the last post. but as that channel of conveiance is sometimes unfaithful I now inclose you a copy of my letter of that date, and of the one of Fiseaux & co. inclosed in that. I have since received my letters by the packet, but, among them, nothing from the Board of Treasury. still their orders may be among the dispatches with which Paul...
29From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 16 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 12th instant, that is to say, by the last post. But as that channel of conveiance is sometimes unfaithful I now inclose you a copy of my letter of that date, and of the one of Fiseaux & co. inclosed in that. I have since received my letters by the packet, but, among them, nothing from the Board of Treasury. Still their orders may be among the dispatches with which Paul Jones...
30To 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...
31From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 12 December 1787 (Jefferson 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...
32From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
I last night received, the Ratification of my last Loan and the inclosed Resolution of Congress of 18 July last, for the Redemption of Prisoners at Algiers.— It is probable you have received it before, but as it is, in your Department to execute it, and possible that you may, not have received it, I thought it Safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honour to do, here inclosed. M r...
33To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 10 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I last night received, the Ratification of my last Loan and the inclosed Resolution of Congress of 18 July last, for the Redemption of Prisoners of Algiers. It is probable You have received it before, but as it is, in your Department to execute it, and possible that you may not have received it, I thought it Safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honour to do, here inclosed. Mr....
34From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
The Project of a new Constitution, has Objections against it, to which I find it difficult to reconcile my self. but I am so unfortunate as to differ somewhat from you in the Articles, according to your last kind Letter. You are afraid of the one—I, of the few. We agree perfectly that the many Should have a full fair and perfect Representation.— You are Apprehensive of monarchy: I, of...
35To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Project of a new Constitution, has Objections against it, to which I find it difficult to reconcile my self, but I am so unfortunate as to differ somewhat from you in the Articles, according to your last kind Letter. You are afraid of the one—I, of the few. We agree perfectly that the many should have a full fair and perfect Representation.—You are Apprehensive of Monarchy; I, of...
36[To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ London, 6 Dec. 1787. Recorded in SJL as received 17 Dec. 1787, “recommending of Cerisier.” Not found. Antoine-Marie Cerisier, French historian and diplomat, was attached to the French embassy in Holland, where Adams met him in 1780 (Didot, Nouvelle biographie générale; Adams, Works , I , 330; vii , 492).]
37To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 13 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
This will be delivered you by young mr̃ Rutledge. your knowledge of his father will introduce him to your notice. he merits it moreover on his own account. I am now to acknolege your favors of Oct. 8. & 26. that of August 25. was duly received, nor can I recollect by what accident I was prevented from acknoleging it in mine of Sep. 28. it has been the source of my subsistance hitherto, & must...
38From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 13 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by young Mr. Rutledge. Your knowledge of his father will introduce him to your notice. He merits it moreover on his own account. I am now to acknolege your favors of Oct. 8 and 26 . That of August 25. was duly received, nor can I recollect by what accident I was prevented from acknoleging it in mine of Sep. 28. It has been the source of my subsistence hitherto, and...
39From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r Boylston is going to Paris, with a Cargo of Sperma Cæti oil, and will be obliged to you for any Assistance or Advice you can give him. I forwarded a few days ago, from M r Gerry, a Copy as I suppose of the Result of Convention.— It Seems to be admirably calculated to preserve the Union, to increase Affection, and to bring Us all to the Same Mode of thinking. They have adopted the Idea of...
40To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 10 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Boylston is going to Paris, with a Cargo of Sperma Cæti oil, and will be obliged to you for any assistance or advice you can give him. I forwarded a few days ago, from Mr. Gerry, a Copy as I suppose of the Result of Convention.—It seems to be admirably calculated to preserve the Union, to increase Affection, and to bring us all to the same mode of thinking. They have adopted the Idea of...
41From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r Daniel Parker will have the Honour to deliver you this. He is an intelligent American, and well informed as any Man you will see from hence. I beg leave to introduce him to you. Let me thank you for your late Letter and the important State Papers inclosed with it.— I have ordered to your Address, a dozen Copies of my Boudoir for the Marquis, who desired M r Appleton and M r Paine to have...
42To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 28 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Daniel Parker will have the Honour to deliver you this. He is an intelligent American, and well informed as any Man you will see from hence. I beg leave to introduce him to you. Let me thank you for your late Letter and the important State Papers inclosed with it. I have ordered to your Address, a dozen Copies of my Boudoir for the Marquis, who desired Mr. Appleton and Mr. Paine to have...
43From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 9 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I Sent you a Copy of my Second Volume by Mr Barthelemy the French Chargé here now Minister, with a Letter about Money matters. in your favour of Sept. 28. you dont mention the receipt of them.— I have indeed long thought with Anxiety of our Money in the hands of our Friends, whom you mention, and have taken the best Precaution in my Power, against Accidents.— I do not consider the Game as up.—...
44To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 9 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you a copy of my second volume by Mr. Barthelemy the French Chargé here now Minister, with a Letter about Money matters. In your favour of Sept. 28. you dont mention the receipt of them.—I have indeed long thought with Anxiety of our Money in the hands of our Friends, whom you mention, and have taken the best Precaution in my Power, against Accidents. I do not consider the Game as up....
45To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I received your favors by M r. Cutting, and thank you sincerely for the copy of your book. the departure of a packet-boat, which always gives me full emploiment for some time before, has only permitted me to look into it a little. I judge of it from the first volume which I thought formed to do a great deal of good. the first principle of a good government is certainly a distribution of it’s...
46From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favors by Mr. Cutting, and thank you sincerely for the copy of your book. The departure of a packet-boat, which always gives me full emploiment for some time before, has only permitted me to look into it a little. I judge of it from the first volume which I thought formed to do a great deal of good. The first principle of a good government is certainly a distribution of it’s...
47To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 16 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me Leave to introduce to you Mr. John Brown Cutting, who will need no other Recommendation, than his own Genius. Let me beg your acceptance, too of a Sett of my Defence &c. and let me know your Opinion of the Second volume, and whether it is worth my while to write a third upon Confederations &c. Yours most Sincerely, RC ( DLC ); endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 23 Sep. 1787. My...
48From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am Sorry to give you the trouble of this Commission: but I fear it will not be effectually done but by you—and therefore let me beg the favour of you to send for M r de La Blancherie and withdraw my Subscription to the Society of whose affairs he has the direction, and put a stop to his sending me the Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres et Des Arts.— he persuaded me at the Hague to...
49To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 6 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am Sorry to give you the trouble of this Commission: but I fear it will not be effectually done but by you, and therefore let me beg the favour of you to send for Mr. de La Blancherie and withdraw my Subscription to the Society of whose affairs he has the direction, and put a stop to his sending me the Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres et Des Arts. He persuaded me at the Hague to...
50To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 30 August 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since your favor of July 10. mine have been of July 17. 23. & 28. the last inclosed a bill of exchange from mr̃ Grand on Tessier for £46–17–10 sterl. to answer Gen l. Sullivan’s bill for that sum. I hope it got safe to hand, tho’ I have been anxious about it as it went by post and my letters thro’ that channel sometimes miscarry. From the separation of the Notables to the present moment has...