13 April 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Discusses Fries' Rebellion in Pennsylvania (a taxpayer revolt against the first federal property tax), a recommendation for a commission, and reorganization of the army.

GLC05261

6 August 1812

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel B. Malcolm

Remarks upon Malcolm's decision to keep himself free of a political party and asks if he has considered the consequences. ". . . this Maxim, has rarely failed to annihilate the Influence of the Man who adopts it and very often exposed him to the tragical Vengence of all Parties." Thoughtfully examines the need for political parties despite their evils. Discusses at length "These two Tyrants... Fashion and Party." Comments that he is sorry Malcolm has left his practice and the bar and would like to see his publications. Condemns the practice of dueling in America stating it is carried…

GLC05262

15 May 1815

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter

Title: to Jedidiah Morse

Adams thanks Morse for his pamphlet "American Unitarianism" (Review of American Unitarianism, published in 1815), but comments that he heard the doctrines maintained 65 years ago by a number of ministers. Adams resists what he perceives as Morse's attempt to convert him to Athanasianism, citing his reading of Samuel Clark (a famous anti-trinitarian) and others more than fifty years ago. By Athanasianism Adams means Trinitarianism.

GLC05508.016

30 November 1767

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: [Legal document to the Justices of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace at Charlestown in Middlesex County, Massachusetts]

Countersigned by "Jon. Sewall." Legal document created by Adams in defense of the town of Stoneham, Massachusetts. The town of Framingham, Massachusetts had removed James and Rebekah Holden and their daughter Naomi as poor residents who could not support themselves and sent them back to Stoneham, where the officials of Framingham said they were from. Adams says the Holden family was not from Stoneham and that the town should not have to take them in as a charity case. Sewall's note on verso says that Selectmen of Framingham state Stoneham is the home of the Holden family.

GLC05609

February 12, 1788

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: balanced government under the Constitution

Adams mentions his Defence (just received by Rush) and writes "It is an opinion here that they [the volumes] contributed Somewhat to to restore permanent Tranquility to this Commonwealth, as well as Suppress the pestilent County Conventions, Insurrections and Rebellion." He continues to argue that balanced government is the only way to protect the laws and secure "Liberty, Property, Life and Character...." Adams also mentions Rush's expectation that he will have higher office, "[y]ou tell me my Labours are only beginning, Seven and Twenty years have I laboured in this rugged Vineyward and am…

GLC05289

26 June 1825

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smith Shaw

Former President Adams discusses Native American and African religion with Shaw, his nephew and former private secretary. States "Dr. Jarvis has assigned some good causes of the too general inattention to the religion of the indians. But those causes do not apply to the negroes. We have thousands if not millions of them domesticated with us. We might examine them. But who asks them a question? Or studies their languages ... Why are not Bibles translated into negro and sent to the gold coast?" Refers to a slave named Glasgow owned by Boston pastor Samuel Cooper. States that when Cooper…

GLC07533

April 28,1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Writes that although he lacks any sympathy for the "philanthropy" of slavery, he will not violate the treaty requiring the enslaved people who sought freedom to be returned to enslavers. One black and white bust engraving of John Adams included.

GLC00024

May 19, 1800

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Pardon of George Rice for piracy].

Countersigned by Acting Secretary of State Charles Lee. Rice had been convicted of piracy aboard the ship Unicorn in Maryland in 1797. Pardoned by Adams because circumstances had shown that a pardon could be extended in a way that was consistent with the public good.

GLC00043.01

1 October 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: Instructions to John Lamb to treat with Algiers

Co-signed by Jefferson 11 October 1785 in Paris. Lamb was instructed to confer with Minister Carmichael in Spain, then proceed to Algiers. The Continental Congress sent John Lamb to negotiate with Dey Mohomet of Algiers for the release of 21 Americans held as prisoners and to secure safe passage of American vessels in the Mediterranean. The Dey demanded $3,000 ransom per man, twice as much as he asked of other nations. Lamb returned home in 1789 without securing a treaty. Also written in Paris, France

GLC00345

April 25, 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

An important letter in which Adams discusses American foreign and domestic debt, his desire to return home, the mission to London proposed by John Jay, false reports of Adams himself receiving a commission on a Dutch loan, Jefferson in Paris, his son John Quincy Adams, the Society of Cincinnati, and the dangers of ambition, wealth and power, to the spirit of republicanism.

GLC00366

06 March 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Broadside

Title: Proclamation of a day of solemn fasting due to religious persecution

Proclaiming a day of solemn fasting for April 25th (with element of Thanksgiving)

GLC00270

November 11, 1807

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Addressed to "My dear Phylosopher [sic] and Friend," this letter discusses George Washington, France and scientific societies. Adams dwells ironically at great length upon those "talents" which brought about Washington's "elevation above his Fellows." The ten talents include a "handsome Face" and "tall Stature", coming from Virginia ("Virginian Geese are all Swans"), the "Gift of Silence," self-control, and his ability to hide his temper. His letter concludes that he ought never have agreed to the appointment of Washington Commander of the Army (during the Quasi-War) with Hamilton, and he…

GLC00424

January 2, 1801

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Boylston Adams

Docketed on page 4. Written as President to his son about the Convention with France which averted war. Adams quotes from jurist Vattell and mentions Grotius and Pufendorf. Also, The Law of Nations (book by Emer de Vattell).

GLC01204

April 28, 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Trumbull

Mentions Trumbull's M'Fingal, a poem styled on Hudibras, the great poem by Butler concerning the English Civil Wars. Also discusses the desire for a national poem.

GLC01228

December 28, 1774

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Adams describes the effects of the Boston Port Bill upon the government and people of the colony. He warns that the arrest of Parliament's opponents "will produce Resistance, and Reprisals, and a Flame through America, Such as Eye hath not yet Seen, nor Ear heard nor hath it entered into the Heart of the Minister or his Minions to conceive." He prophesies resistance and reprisals.

GLC01788

January 5, 1767

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Richard Cranch

Adam's request for legal advice from brother-in-law, Richard Cranch, regarding a case and Cranch was handling for him, and the defendant's ("Lombard") countersuit.

GLC01801

23 October 1815

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Thanks him for his letter, which included a letter from William Cobbett to Niles. He loves clergymen "because they are often sociable and sensible men," but "the priesthood seems to have something militant and belligerent in its nature." Remarks that Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson seemed to have supported the idea of religious primacy. Adams had been President of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Smith was Adams's son-in-law and his former secretary.

GLC02295

19 June 1791

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Vice President Adams to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 10 June. Is happy Knox is pleased with his situation at Bush Hill. Hopes to hear soon "of the Birth of a peaceable son of Mars." Says he did not know about the paragraphs in the New York newspapers. Just heard of the "Lyes" from New Haven yesterday. Does not think the criticism originated with Roger Sherman or Ezra Stiles. Says "The Preface to [Thomas] Paines Nonsense has occasioned much Speculation. It is thought rather early for Electioneering. My head I thank God is not easily diverted from its…

GLC02437.05014

10 March 1800

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

President Adams received Knox's letter of February 27. Adams expresses his concern that after recommending Knox's son, Henry, for a commission in the US Navy, the Senate did not approve. He tells Knox that there is little else he can do. Adams says, "the Navy however is a scene of momentous responsibility to me and if a ship should be lost by any Man for whom I shall have made myself thus exclusively answerable, you know what candid constructions will be put upon" me.

GLC02437.07375

June 1774

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: [Bill to Henry Knox]

Bill for goods purchased by Knox. These items include salt, 6 china coffee cups, a china slop bowl, and a cream pot. The total cost was £10.7.0. Signed "Recd. the Above Jno. Adams." This document is not related to President John Adams.

GLC02437.08361

October 3, 1775

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Palmer

Letter written as member of Congress to a neighbor at home. The letter discusses family news and congressional business. Adams mentions Franklin, Lynch, and Harrison forming a committee to visit New England to investigate continuation of a united army.

GLC01725

May 24, 1821

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to Mathew Carey

Adams complains that American government mixes too many legislative powers with the executive. Also discusses Europe's quest for Democracy "without Sufficient knowledge of the system of Organization necessary to form it and preserve it." The original signature was clipped and has been replaced.

GLC01726

July 9, 1770

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

This letter begins the Adams-Macaulay correspondence. Adams compliments Mrs. Macaulay for stripping "the false Lustre from worthless Princes and Nobles and Selfish Politicians." He refers to Macaulay's History of England.

GLC01784.01

April 19, 1773

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Describes the contest between Massachusetts Governor Hutchinson and the Assembly over the question of Parliament's control. Denies sovereignty of Parliament over American rights.

GLC01785.01

June 28, 1773

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Adams also takes the opportunity to thank Macaulay for her help in supporting American interests. He discusses the deteriorating relations with Britain.

GLC01786