John Adams was a Founding Father and the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain. During the latter part of the Revolutionary War and in the early years of the new nation, he served the Continental Congress of the United States as a senior diplomat in Europe. Adams was the first vice president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with contemporaries, including his wife and advisor Abigail Adams and his friend and rival Thomas Jefferson.
Kempwick 10 oct. 1796. Sir! Washington’s resignation, which crowns that Excellent war with glorÿ, opens the career for my worthy and much respected friend, to bestow new obligations upon his…
Boston 18 Oct r. 1796 Dear Sir, I regret that urgent business hinders me from making yourself and M rs Adams a visit at Braintree prior to my return to…
Philad a Nov r 16 th 1796 Sir After an agreeable journey we arrived here in the midst of Election, and by lies abuse & bribery the disorganizers will carry…
The Hague 26 th: November 1796. My dear Sir. Two days since I had the pleasure to receive your kind favors of the 9 th: June and 8 th: of…
Quincy Nov br 27 1796 Sunday Eve my Dearest Friend Winter has caught you on the Road I presume, for a colder Day than this we seldom have in Jan’…
Quincy Nov br [ December ] 4 th 1796 my Dearest Friend The Weather has been & held so uncommonly cold ever since you left Me, that I had no…
Philadelphia, Dec. 13 th. 1796 The American Philosophical Society, desirous of expressing due Regard for Preeminence in Science and Virtue, have directed an Eulogium to be prepared to the Memory…
The Hague December 24. 1796. My Dear Sir: The french Directory have refused to receive M r: Pinckney as Minister from the United States, and have taken a resolution, that…
Dec br 31. 1796 Quincy my Dearest Friend I received by the last post, Your Letters of the 14 th. 16 th 18 th & 19 th . 1 The…
Quincy Jan’ y 1 1797 “O Blindness to the future kindly given That each may fill the circle mark’d by Heaven[”] 1 The new year opens upon us with new…
[ , Start insertion, 1797-1801 , End, ] Sir, You can appreciate the value of facts, without reference to the person from whom they are derivted. Circumstances Not be controulled,…
[ , Start insertion, 1797-1801 , End, ] Sir, The Committee who were appointed to carry into Effect, the Views of the Legislature, relative to their appropriation of $5000, for…
Franklin County State of Pennsylvania [ , Start insertion, 1797-1801 , End, ] Sir At a Crisses so Alarming as the present—when our Independance is threatened by a haughty foreign…
Dear Sir, I have received your letter of the 15th instant, and am happy to hear of your safe arrival in Philadelphia. The affairs of state require our immediate attention,…
East Chester, January 20, 1797. My Dear Papa: I had the pleasure a few days since to receive your favour of the 11th inst. and was happy to hear of…
Quincy Jan’ ry 22. 1797 my Dearest Friend I have not received a Line from You of a later date than the 3 d Instant the last week is the…
Weymouth January the 23 d. 1797 Our Newspapers have announced to us the Choice of a President of the United States and that it has devolved on You. I congratulate…
Quincy Jan ry 28 th 1797 my Dearest Friend I received by the post on thursday the whole Mail containing your Letters of the 5 th 9 th 11 th…
29. Jan ry 1797. Yes My Dear Friend I had seen and read the Tenth Muse, and I think she abuses our poor old Govenour who tho quite in his…
Quincy Jan’ ry 30 1797. my Dearest Friend Inclosed is a Letter for our Daughter which you will be so good as to cover and address. it is in reply…
Boston. 2d Feby.1797. Dear Sir. I hasten to acknowledge my sense of your politeness in transmitting the very valuable official paper contained in your letter, and of your condescension, in…
The Hague February 3. 1797. My Dear Sir. A few days ago, I received at once your Letters of Novr: 11. from Quincy and of Decr: 5. from Philadelphia. In…
Philadelphia Febr 3th 1797 Sir I hope Sir you will excuse the intrusion from an unhappy widow, whose distress Situation has obliged her to fly for succour for her and…
Cambridge 3d Feby 1797 My dear Sir The newspaper, which you did me the honor to inclose, containing Mr Pickering’s letter to Mr Pinkney on the subject of Mr Adets…