1790 Letters

Hague, NED -

John Quincy Adams letter to...

Georgetown, MD - 4 January 1790

After being detained 8 or ten days beyond the intended commencement of my journey by the critical illness of my mother, I am now subjected to a further delay by an attack on my own health

London, ENG - 17 January 1790

After having given freedom to your country, it was worthy of the virtues and great character of your Excellency, to establish her happiness on a solid and permanent basis, which is assuredly the result of the new Federal Constitution

Paris, FRA - 22 January 1790

Yesterday I went to dine with the Count de Montmorin, and expressed to him my wish that France might seize the present moment to establish a liberal system of commercial policy for her Colonies.

Paris, FRA - 22 January 1790

In another letter of this date, I have mentioned a part of yesterday's conversation with the Count de Montmorin. That part of it, which I am now to communicate, is for yourself alone.

Paris, FRA - 22 January 1790

I shall, in consequence, set off for London as soon as I possibly can.

Paris, FRA - 22 January 1790

Yesterday I went to dine with the Count de Montmorin, and expressed to him my wish that France might seize the present moment to establish a liberal system of commercial policy for her colonies.

Paris, FRA - 24 January 1790

It gave me very sincere pleasure to learn from you the good tidings, which you communicate respecting our new form of government. I know that you are not liable to the dupery of false hopes and groundless expectations

New York, NY - 24 January 1790

The business of Congress is as yet merely in embryo. The principal subjects before them are the plans of revenue and the Militia, reported by Hamilton and Knox.

Paris, FRA - 31 January 1790

M. Necker, pressed for money, had listened to overtures for selling the debt of the United States, and mentioned the matter to some members of the National Assembly, by which means it became known to the principal Americans, and friends of America he

New York, NY - 4 February 1790

The idea which the latter evolves is a great one, and suggests many interesting reflections to Legislators, particularly when contracting and providing for public debts.

New York, NY - 14 February 1790

We proceed slowly in business. The Report of Mr. Hamilton has been, of late, the principal subject of debate. On the foreign debt the vote has been unanimous.

Philadelphia, PA - 15 February 1790

The serious crisis of affairs in which the United States are involved with the Creeks, requires that every honorable and probable expedient that can be devised should be used to avert a war with that tribe.

Paris, FRA - 20 February 1790

You have seen the decree which has been made respecting tobacco, and which gives to French shipping a preference of above one hundred livres per ton over American.

New York, NY - 27 February 1790

As to offices in the gift of other departments, I think it my duty not to interfere, nor to ask favours, it being improper for a judge to put himself under such obligations.

New York, NY - 4 March 1790

The only act of much consequence which the present Session has yet produced is one for enumerating the Inhabitants, as the basis of a reapportionment of the Representation.

New York, NY - 7 March 1790

Although your last favor of the 27 February does not require any particular answer, I cannot let this occasional correspondence drop without thanking you for so interesting a supplement

New York, NY - 8 March 1790

The present subject of deliberation is the proposed assumption of the State debts. Opinions are nearly balanced on it.

New York, NY - 14 March 1790

The assumption of the State debts has of late employed most the House of Representatives. A majority of 5 agreed to the measure in Committee of the whole.

Newburyport, MA - 15 March 1790

John Quincy Adams letter to father... It has become necessary, however, for me to determine speedily upon the spot of my future residence.

Paris, FRA - 17 March 1790

Our revolution is getting on as well as it can, with a nation that has swallowed liberty at once, and is still liable to mistake licentiousness for freedom.

London, ENG - 18 March 1790

According to present appearances, the war must recommence between France and Austria, if it has not already begun ; but that an honest and solid confederacy against France is likely to take place between the great powers

New York, NY - 21 March 1790

I feel much anxiety for the situation in which you found Mrs. Randolph; but it is somewhat alleviated by the hopes which you seem to indulge.

Covent Garden, ENG - 28 March 1790

Mr Morris had the honor to wait upon his Grace, the Duke of Leeds, this morning, but had not that of seeing him.

New York, NY - 30 March 1790

I have been so unlucky, also, as to miss seeing the President twice that I have waited on him, in order to intimate the circumstances which you wish him to know.

New York, NY - 4 April 1790

You will see by the papers herewith covered that the proposed assumption of the State debts continues to employ the deliberations of the House of Representatives.

Newburyport, MA - 5 April 1790

John Quincy Adams letter to father... It appears to me that the hostile character of our general and particular governments each against the other is increasing with accelerated rapidity.

London, ENG - 7 April 1790

I assured him of our sincere disposition to be upon good terms, and then proceeded to mention those points in the treaty of peace which remained to be performed.

London, ENG - 13 April 1790

My letter of the seventh will have communicated what passed with the Duke of Leeds respecting the business you committed to me.

London, ENG - 13 April 1790

I am still waiting for intelligence from the Ministers, who (to judge by appearances) slumber profoundly upon the application made to them.

New York, NY - 13 April 1790

In all these, I discover strong marks of the dissatisfaction with which you behold our public prospects. Though in several respects they do not comport with my wishes, yet I cannot feel all the despondency which you seem to give way to.

New York, NY - 13 April 1790

I thank you for your favor of the 2nd instant. From the sentiments expressed in it, you will hear with pleasure that the proposed assumption of the State debts was yesterday negatived

New York, NY - 17 April 1790

The House of Representatives are still at the threshold of the Revenue business. The assumption of the State debts is the great obstacle.

London, ENG - 23 April 1790

I think Colonel Hamilton's idea of obtaining money at four per cent is premature. Doubtless it will be practicable at a future day, when we do not want money

Whitehall, ENG - 28 April 1790

We cannot but lament every circumstance, which can have delayed the accomplishment of those engagements, (comprised in the treaty) to which those States were in the most solemn manner bound

Covent Garden, ENG - 29 April 1790

As your Grace seemed to be particularly pleased with the contents of that letter, I took the liberty to request that I might be speedily honored with the communication of your sentiments on the subjects of it.

Covent Garden, ENG - 30 April 1790

The candor, with which your Grace avows the intention to retard a fulfilment of such parts of the treaty as depend upon Great Britain, meets, as it merits, my utmost acknowledgment.

London, ENG - 0 May 1790

If your friends speculate in the Assignates I wish them much success, but I incline to think that there will be more loss then gain in such speculations.

London, ENG - 1 May 1790

Our very good friend, the Marquis De Lafayette, has intrusted to my care the key of the Bastille, and a drawing handsomely framed, representing the demolition of that detestable prison, as a present to your Excellency

London, ENG - 1 May 1790

It seems pretty clear, that they wish to evade a commercial treaty, but not peremptorily to reject it; and, therefore, I have construed into rejection his Grace's abstruse language, leaving him the option to give it a different interpretation.

London, ENG - 2 May 1790

On Satur day, the seventeenth, I dined in company with Mr Fox. The state of French politics formed, of course, a large part of the conversation. The situation of other countries was then passed in review, and it became a question how far Britain migh

New York, NY - 2 May 1790

I thank you very sincerely for the readiness with which you have complied with my troublesome request on the subject of the Stamp act.

London, ENG - 7 May 1790

When this letter reaches your hands it will probably find you meditating on the situation of France, which is not perhaps enviable, but it is by no means so dreadful as would at first sight appear.

New York, NY - 19 May 1790

The President has been critically ill for some days past, but is now, we hope, out of danger; his complaint is a peripneumony, united probably with the Influenza.

London, ENG - 29 May 1790

The general opinion here is, that Spain will submit, and that Spain only is the object of this armament. But I hold a very different faith.

London, ENG - 31 May 1790

The political hemisphere is again clouded by a dispute between England and Spain ; the circumstances of which you will hear before this letter can arrive.

New York, NY - 1 June 1790

The funding bill for the proper debt of the United States is engrossed for the last reading. It conforms in substance to the plan of the Secretary of the Treasury.

New York, NY - 17 June 1790

The assumption still hangs over us. The negative of the measure has benumbed the whole revenue business. I suspect that it will yet be unavoidable to admit the evil in some qualified shape.

Charleston, SC - 19 June 1790

I am infinitely obliged to you, for having favored me with introductory letters for my nephew, Mr. Horry. It will give him an opportunity of travelling with such great advantage

New York, NY - 22 June 1790

The funding and Revenue systems are reduced by the discord of opinions into a very critical state. Out of this extremity, however, some effective provision must, I think, still emerge.

London, ENG - 3 July 1790

I have heard nothing since from the Duke of Leeds. On the tenth of June the King prorogued the parliament, which was dissolved on the eleventh. The election will be completed in about ten days

New York, NY - 4 July 1790

You will find by one of the Gazettes herewith sent, that the bill fixing the permanent seat of Government on the Potowmac, and the temporary at Philadelphia, has got through the Senate.

New York, NY - 7 July 1790

and, as far as your communications with the British Government had gone, to assure you of my entire approbation of your conduct respecting the former.

New York, NY - 24 July 1790

After all the vicissitudes through which the assumption has passed, it seems at present in a fair way to succeed as part of the general plan for the public debt.

New York, NY - 12 August 1790

On their own proposal, formerly, to exchange a minister, we sent them one. They have taken no notice of that, and talk of agreeing to exchange one now, as if the idea were new.

Boston, MA - 14 August 1790

John Quincy Adams letter to mother... The principal topic of conversation this week has been the arrival of the Columbia from an expedition which has carried her round the world.

London, ENG - 16 August 1790

You will have seen the declaration, and counter declaration, of the Spanish and British courts, exchanged at Madrid the twenty-fourth of last month. These leave the material ground of controversy in its original state, and the armaments go on with un

Paris, FRA - 28 August 1790

For God's sake, my dear General, take care of your health ! Do not devote yourself so much to the Cabinet, while your habit of life has, from your young years, accustomed you to constant exercise.

New York, NY - 29 August 1790

That New Orleans and the Spanish posts on the Mississippi will be among the fiirst attempts of the English, in case of a war with Spain, appears very probable ; and that a combined operation from Detroit would be convenient to that end, cannot be dou

London, ENG - 30 August 1790

The situation of France, however, seems at first sight to preclude all effort. The national bank, which was in contemplation, has never taken effect.

New York, NY - 6 September 1790

If my heart had not done you more justice than my pen, I would disown it. I have so long omitted writing to you, that my conscience has been a very severe accuser of me.

London, ENG - 10 September 1790

In expectation of that reply, I have patiently waited in this city to the present hour, though called by many affairs to the continent. But my departure cannot be much longer delayed

Whitehall, ENG - 10 September 1790

I well remember the nature of the conversation you allude to, as well as the particular points upon which the two countries mutually complain of a non-observance of treaty.

Woodford County, KY - 11 September 1790

I have taken the liberty to inclose to you a Kentucky paper, wherein is published an extract from one of Mr. Brown's letters respecting the Spanish business.

Paris, FRA - 12 September 1790

I see often some of them, who say you not only predicted what was to happen, but how ; they wish to consult you now, that you might tell them when the bankruptcy will arrive

London, ENG - 18 September 1790

Sweden being unsupported by her allies, and Russia having nothing to gain by farther fighting, but a part of the Finland deserts, not worth fighting for, they have struck a bargain of peace immediately

London, ENG - 18 September 1790

It is perfectly natural that your opinions should differ from mine. There will ever be a difference of opinions on subjects, which do not admit of demonstration.

Boston, MA - 21 September 1790

John Quincy Adams letter to father... There are not in the profession many gentlemen inhabit ing this town whose characters are remarkably formidable from their respectability.

London, ENG - 24 September 1790

It appears, first, that the American ship was stopped on the high seas, and detained by a British vessel of war, which took away several of the crew, and kept one, who was a British subject.

London, ENG - 24 September 1790

I have already had occasion to mention the impress of American seamen, to serve on board of British ships of war. The ministers seemed desirous of doing what was right, and of avoiding just ground of complaint

Boston, MA - 0 October 1790

John Quincy Adams letter to mother... You will perceive by our papers that four members of our present delegation in Congress are reflected.

New York, NY - 17 October 1790

A British packet arrived yesterday. The accounts she brings are all of a warlike aspect.

Boston, MA - 19 October 1790

John Quincy Adams letter to father... I have attended Town meeting, Sir, and it was upon the occasion of the choice of representative for the district.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 November 1790

This is the first symptom of a spirit which must either be killed, or will kill the constitution of the United States. I send the resolutions to you, that it may be considered what ought to be done.

Philadelphia, PA - 21 November 1790

Bush Hill is a very beautiful place. But the grand and sublime I left at Richmond Hill. The cultivation in sight and prospect are superior, but the Schuylkill is no more like the Hudson, than I to Hercules.

Paris, FRA - 22 November 1790

My last letter was of the twenty-fourth of September. Since that period, I have passed through Flanders and a part of Germany, and having coasted the Rhine to Strasburg, came thence to this city.

Paris, FRA - 22 November 1790

The country I now inhabit, on which so many other countries depend, having sunk to absolute nothingness, has deranged the general state of things in every quarter

Boston, MA - 28 November 1790

An individual remarked, that while Congress thought themselves authorized to take such liberties, private property could not be secure in a national bank.

Lisbon, PRT - 30 November 1790

You will be pleased to observe, by my letter to him of this date, that the Court of Lisbon, having, from a desire of opening an official intercourse with the United States, made the first advances, by appointing a Minister Resident

Paris, FRA - 1 December 1790

To begin then with our friend Lafayette, who has hitherto acted a splendid part. The King obeys but detests him. He obeys because he fears.

London, ENG - 24 December 1790

I am led to fear, that my conduct in regard to our impressed seamen has not been equally fortunate ; but I hope the interference will be excused.

Bush Hill, PA - 26 December 1790

On Friday evening last, I went with Charles to the drawing-room, being the first of my appearance in public. The room became full before I left it, and the circle very brilliant.

London, ENG - 28 December 1790

In the afternoon of that day I received a note from Mr Burgess, appointing an hour on the twenty-fifth for an interview with the Duke of Leeds. I attended, but something or other kept his Grace away.

Philadelphia, PA - 31 December 1790

I have this moment received and read your very obliging letter of this date, expressing your entire approbation of my conduct in the conference, which, by your orders, I have lately held with the Seneca Indians.