Papers of John Adams, volume 19
In Senate
Ordered that Caleb Strong, Joseph Bradley Varnum, and Thomas Dawes esqrs, with such as the honorable House may join be a committee, to present to the honorable John Adams esqr the following address—
sent down for concurrence
l:Phillips jun
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Read & concurred & Mr Russell, of Boston, Mr Jones, Mr Heath, & Mr Ames are joined
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The return of yourself and family to the United States, and to this your native State in particular, is gratifying to all who recollect, your many successfull labours in the service of your country.
To the patriot citizen of a free Commonwealth, the affection of an enlightened people will appear the most illustrious reward.
The Legislature of Massachusetts just to the merit of all her citizens, & particularly mindful of yours, participate in the public 311 satisfaction which is manifest on your arrival: and in these congratulations the Legislature are confident that they express the sentiments of the people.—
RC (Adams Papers).
18 June 1788
To the Honourable the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The kind and condescending Congratulations of So illustrious a Body as the Legislature of the Massachusetts, on my arrival with my Family, in this my native Country, does me great honour and demands my most gratefull Acknowledgments
If the Dangers and Fatigues which have fallen to my Share in the Course of a memorable Revolution, have contributed in any degree, to the Acquisition or Security, of those inestimable Blessings of Independence and Peace, of Commerce and Territory, of civil and religious Liberty which this highly favoured Nation now enjoys the Reflexion on them will be a source of Consolation to me, to my latest Period: and the Candour and Indulgence with which they have been received by my Fellow Citizens, will ever be remembered with Gratitude
Read and sent down
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Read and sent up
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RC (ICN:Herbert R. Strauss Coll.); endorsed: “A / Answer of John Adams / Esqr. to the address of / the Legislature—” and “June 19th: 1787.” FC in JA’s hand (DLC:John Adams Papers).
th.June 1788.
If amidst the vast Concourse of Friends who have eagerly pressed to welcome your safe Arrival to your native Country, you have not found your former Pupil and Secretary personally testifying his pleasing Sensations upon this happy Event, you will do him the Justice to 312 believe that no one has experienced a more heart-felt Satisfaction than himself upon this Occasion.1
I feel myself very unhappy that I cannot, as soon as my own Inclination would prompt me, give you and Mrs. Adams a personal Testimony of the Sincerity of my Congratulations upon your safe Arrival. But you will accept upon Paper what I cannot offer in person. I cannot refrain from expressing my particular Satisfaction, that the Seventeenth of June has been rendered still more memorable by your honorable Reception in the Metropolis of Massachusetts on the same day, by such public and private demonstrations of Joy as are characteristic of a People not inattentive to Merit and eminent Services rendered them— My own sensations have been in Unison with my Countrymen upon this pleasing Event.
The Joy the Supreme Court, which I am now attending, and my Brethren have expressed, has been honorable to you and particularly pleasing to me.
I will not add further, Sir, than to assure you, I wait with extreme Impatience for the Moment, when I can personally express to you and Mrs. Adams my Joy upon your happy Return, and the great Respect with which I have the honor to be, / Sir, / your & her most obedient / and very humble Servant
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency / John Adams Esqr.”; endorsed: “Mr Thaxter 18. June / 1788.”
Thaxter, JA’s former secretary, last wrote to him on 22 Jan. 1786 and to AA on 4 Feb. (both Adams Papers). Thaxter reported on the issuance of paper money, which he called a “slow, but a very sure Poison,” and events surrounding the final stages of Shays’ Rebellion.