51Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 15 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive, this morning, your favor of the 1 st: curr t: and now hasten to acknowledge it, with more eagerness, on account of the long interval, which has elapsed, since I have written particularly to yourself. I am not sorry, that you consider politicks, as forbidden fruit, for though you cannot fail to form an opinion, upon the very novel & extraordinary occurrences, in...
52To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 18 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your favor with which I have been so highly gratified, & which so deeply impresses me with a Sense of your goodness & consideration, came to hand the fiftenth instt, the long detention by the way adds to the Idea which had formed, that the spoilers hand might have been laid on some of the papers directed to your address—I hope my f e ars are groundless—I will deem myself permitted Suitable to...
53To John Adams from James Asheton Bayard, Jr., 19 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to send to you a speech delivered upon the subject of the Judiciary when lately under the consideration of the House of Representatives and beg you, to be assured of the very high Consideration / with which I have the honor to be / Sir / your very obt. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
54To John Adams from John Redman Coxe, 19 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
Having received from you by the hands of your Son, the very acceptable Donation of the 2nd & 3d vol of your Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America; which renders the work complete, I am directed by the Society to transmit their thanks for your assistance, in thus advancing the design of their institution. I have the honour to be, / Your obedient servant, MHi...
55To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
You know too well mÿ attachment to your person, and am persuaded how highly I value your honoured correspondence, not to Suspect that Some weighty reason must have prevented my not answering your favour of Jan. 26—I dare not wait longer now I am honoured with another of March 8—With my remarks on Buffon. I am always apprehensive, to bereave me of the Sensible States faction, which you bestow...
56To John Adams from Dudley Leavitt, 7 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I some weeks since had the pleasure of seeing an advertisement issued by your order, for the purpose of encouraging discoveries relative to Light & Heat.—Such a laudable stimulus to the promotion of Science from so eminent a Patron of useful Knowledge, must, I think, meet the approbation it merits, and contribute to useful discoveries, not only by exciting the emulation of the aspiring &...
57To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 20 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the honour & advantage of your name to head the list of subscribers to the Gazetteer of the Eastern Continent. I wish the Work may not be found unworthy such patronage. The high & sincere respect I have for your character, the gratitude I feel for the eminent services you have rendered our country, & the many acts of kindness I have received from you, prompt me to...
58To John Adams from Rev. Manasseh Cutler, 22 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose the late Census of the United S t ates, presuming it to be a document which it will be agreeable to you to possess. I should have been happy to have forwarded to you any documents you would wish to have received, & should have taken the liberty to have sent such as I conceived would have been acceptable, but the number provided for the house, have generally been...
59To John Adams from James Asheton Bayard, Jr., 25 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have been extremely flattered by the letter which you did me the honor to write me on the 10th. Inst. It is no virtue to be insensible to the praise of great & good men. I could not have received a more grateful reward for any labour than your approbation. I beg the favor of being presented very respectfully to Mrs. Adams. and / have the honor to be / with sentiments of the highest...
60To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, 28 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
Know All Men by these Presents that I Cotton Tufts of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executor of the last Will and Testament of Norton Quincy late of the Town of Quincy, Esquire, deceased, being in the County of Norfolk aforesaid. By Virtue of the Power and Authority given to me in and by the said last Will & Testament, as well as by the free Consent of...
61To John Adams from Elisha Sylvester, Jr., 20 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have taken liberty to call at your house in a friendly way Several times, and as I respected you as President of the united States, and liked the laws and administration, while you was in that office,—and as I was in much trouble and am yet, I occasionally travelled in your parts, to contrive some means of redress.—I have call’d on your Kinsman Revd Norton also, and suspect such visits are a...
62To John Adams from John Sinclair, 3 June 1802 (Adams Papers)
I expected to have had the Honour of hearing from you before this time, on the subject of the publication of General Washingtons Letters, but I hope to have that pleasure soon. In the interim I beg to send an engraving of the proposed Monument and a plan of the new town of Thurso in which it is proposed to be erected. You will also herewith receive a paper on Longevity. Permit me to request...
63To John Adams from William Cushing, 9 June 1802 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cushing joins to present our best respects to you & Mrs Adams and our best wishes for your health & happiness. We returned through Providence, & have been unwell since we got home (the 4. May) with bad colds coughs & influenza, but are beginning to be restored. I hope to have the honor of calling upon you in the fall, when the new circuit begins. This new mode may make the burden rather...
64To John Adams from Thomas Truxtun, 10 July 1802 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to present you with a Copy of the medal voted me by Congress, and executed agreeable to Your directions (to the Secretary of the Navy) as President of the United States, and I pray you good Sir, to receive it as a Small token of the veneration, Respect and Esteem I bear towards you. May you live long and enjoy health and happiness in the Sincere prayer Dear Sir of Your sincere friend...
65To John Adams from Stephen Peabody, 7 August 1802 (Adams Papers)
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That We Stephen Peabody of Atkinson in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshre, Clerk and Elizabeth his wife in Consideration of two thousand two hundred and fifty one dollars paid by John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and...
66To John Adams from William Cunningham, 10 August 1802 (Adams Papers)
It is intended with the leave of Providence to settle a Gospel Minister in this Town, the solemnity to be performd on Wednesday the 6th. of October next, at which time it will be highly gratifying to Willm. and Abigail Cunningham to be honoured with a visit from your Excellency and Lady. the pleasant season for travelling, the high and well ventilated situation here, whch is favourable to...
67To John Adams from David Humphreys, 28 August 1802 (Adams Papers)
A combination of circumstances having prevented me from having the honour of paying my respects in person to Mrs Adams & yourself, I could not proceed on my journey to the Westward, without expressing in this manner my extreme sensibility of the disappointment. When I was in this Town, a few weeks ago, on my way to the Province of Main, I so fully indulged the expectation of making the visit,...
68To John Adams from David Brown, 7 September 1802 (Adams Papers)
From the encouragement which literature has received from you, I am encouraged to solicit the honor of your name to the inclosed Proposals... not doubting, if obtained, but what a people, daily increasing in learning, will follow the example,—as being made by the late Guardian of their country. I have the honor to be, / Sir, / your Excellency’s most obdient, / And most humble servant, MHi :...
69To John Adams from C. P. Wayne, 17 September 1802 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed you will receive Proposals for publishing by Subscription, a History of the late General George Washington; your presenting it to any of your friends, will greatly oblige me, and should you think proper to sanction it with your own name, it will be duly appreciated / By Sir, / Your most obedient Servant, MHi : Adams Papers.
70To John Adams from Bernard Hubley, Jr., 30 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
Having undertaken to publish a Journal, during the period I was an Officer in the Army, upon condition of Eight hundred subscribers to proposals made; I take the liberty of Writing to you a few lines, and enclosing one of the Hand Bills, wishing that you may do me the honor, that your Name may be placed at the head of the list of Subscribers Names.—Should the Book be dedicated to any...
71To John Adams from Ma., Citizens of Quincy, 30 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
The return of this anniversary cannot fail to awaken in our breasts the warmest sentiments of gratitude and esteem. It recalls to view the many important events of your public life, events intimately connected with those principles and proceedings which constitute the greatest glory of our country, and will form some of the most valuable pages in the history of nations. We hope the liberty we...
72To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 11 November 1802 to 28 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
Mÿ occupations in gathering seeds—and preparing my fields and garden for ensuing spring have thus far prevented my answering the favour, with which I was honored bÿ you last month—Tho’ mÿ hope of receiving, before this time, a decision about the Achaic Republick, had influenced this delaÿ. I sent it to Philadelphia, where my correspondent J. Mifflin will charge himself with super intending the...
73To John Adams from John Davis, 11 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
It had been impressed on my mind, that the next meeting of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences would be on the third Wednesday of the present month, and I did not discover my errer until it was too late to give the usual notice. It ought, by statute, to have been held yesterday (the 2d. Wednesday) at Cambridge. I request this in advertence, and would wish to know whether you will authorize...
74From James Madison to John Adams, 22 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Being informed that our Mediterranean Passports and papers of navigation have been recently counterfeited and used by persons not entitled to them, and being referred to you for explanations respecting it, permit me to request you to make a deposition reciting your knowledge of the subject as circumstantially as may be and especially what you know respecting the interest Mr. Willis the...
75To John Adams from John Morton, 29 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
Having furnished the respectable Editon of the Medl. Repository with a summary Accot. of the City of Hava. I beg a presumption to request your acceptance of a Copy of that article from their last number. You will perceive Sir that, as there stated, it is but a summary; but as I intend collecting all my Notes into one View, I shall at a future day beg your acceptance, also, of that collection....
76To John Adams from Rev. Manasseh Cutler, 15 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
The members of the house had arrived in sufficient numbers to form a House on Tuesday, the 7h. instant, but the Senate had not a quarum untill monday—(13h.). On that day they attempted to elect a President pro-tem. in the absence of the Vice President, who has not yet arrived but did not come to a choice. Mr. Tracy had 7 votes—Mr. Bradley—7—there were 2 featuring & 2 won blanks. Yesterday Mr....
77To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
A letter of mÿ frind Mr. Mifflin induces me to address you again few lines. Mr. Dobson returned him the Mss of the Achaic Republick, after many protestations of regard for the author the purchasers would not be sufficiently numerous to purchase an edition of this work It would answer extremely well in Europe—but he was under the necessity of declining the printing. Mr S. Bradford regretted...
78To John Adams from John Coxil, 28 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have been vary anxious and try‘d to send these Bricks that I engaged to you. I have obtained fair promissis from those with which I contracted to carry them, that they would be faithfull to come at those times they repeatedly set. After a multiplied series of disappointments the Bay thro’ which they must pass has frozen over which cuts off the expectation of getting them freighted, (or...
79To John Adams from David Sewall, 6 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I was considerably amused by a News paper publication some few Weeks since, Which Paper I have lost or mislaid.—It was a description of something that tended to the great and long desideration of ascertaining Longitude. A Gent. was said to have departed on a Voyage from Philadelphia for some Port on the Eastern Continent, and during the Voyage, told the precise Longitude the Vessell was in...
80To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 17 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I must answer your favours of Dec. 14 ult. and Jan the 3th. Want of time will once have the happy effect, to emportune you not with a Long Letter. How can you insinuate, that your correspondence is of no value? Is not every line of you then an act of kindness towards me? Not to saÿ, that I never received one, without some kind of instruction. But why Should I use any motif—to entreat you to...
81Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 18 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I lately enclosed you a prospectus of the Rev d Doctor Smith’s works accompanied by a print of the Author, which I sent rather as a specimen of good American Engraving, than on any other account; although as a subscriber to the work, which will ere long be published, you might wish to posses so striking a likeness of the Author. I sent the print and prospectus without any knowledge of M r:...
82To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 February 1803 (Adams Papers)
In returning you my remarks—I hope to enjoy ere long the satisfaction, that, after a Second perusal, you may find them worthÿ a place among the Mem. of your Academÿ: if So, my debt towards you will be increased, as you may claim their additional value. However this may be, I am preparing a Memoir on the use of copper by the Greeks, addressed to John Luzac—to pay a part of the Intrest—if I can...
83To John Adams from David Sewall, 22 February 1803 (Adams Papers)
I have been gratified with the perusal of Mr Williams’s Observations, on the temperature of Sea Water at differt depths. And the publication is the first of the kind I have seen, or heard of, and suppose the Thermr. may be very usefull to mariners, if properly attended unto. The Gulf Stream, I am of Opinion, Occasions the sudden transitions from Cold (very Cold) to temperate and Warm—in our...
84Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 25 February 1803 (Adams Papers)
Your two letters on La Harpe, I have taken the liberty to publish in the Port Folio, and I have now to ask the favor of you, as your leisure & inclination may serve, to pursue your extracts & comments upon any portion of that great work, which you may find agreeable or think useful. I make this request in behalf of the Editor of the Port Folio, who will be flattered & obliged by any literary...
85To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
I send you mÿ Lett. on the use of copper among the Greeks—I can not flatter me, that it Shall procure you either much information, or amusement, but I maÿ have opened a new road for investigation, and then mÿ endeavours will have Some merit—at least in your eÿe. If it happened, that it deserved your approbation, that you deemed it worth a Public view, I Should intend it for the Pennsylvanian...
86To John Adams from Isaiah Thomas, 24 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
You will pardon my boldness, for my freedom in so often troubling you—but I thought you would have the Curiosity to peruse one of the Greatest Wonders of the Age—It is an Oration, said to be written by the Son of him, who would ransom a second time turn our Churches into brothels —& who wrote in legible characters, " will ransom our freedom a second time from the hands of the Opulent !"—This...
87To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, Jr., 1 April 1803 (Adams Papers)
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Cotton Tufts Junior of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gentleman in Consideration of Seven Thousand Dollars lawful Money, paid by John Adams of Quincy in the County aforesaid Esquire the Receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said John Adams, his Heirs and assigns one...
88To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, 20 April 1803 (Adams Papers)
Receieved by Cotton Tufts of the Honble John Adams Esq. Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents in full for one years Interest on his Note of hand given to me April 1802 —Quincy Thaxter and endorsed by him to us Said Note bearing Date March 29. 1802 Hingham April 20th. 1803 Received by Cotton Tufts of the Honbl. John Adams Esq. Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents being in full for one...
89To John Adams from Rufus King, 22 June 1803 (Adams Papers)
On the 16th of last month the King of Great Britain sent a message to Parliament announcing the termination of the discussions with France, and calling on them to support him in his determination to employ the power & resources of the nation in opposing the spirit of ambition and encroachments of the Government of France. Letters of marque had been issued against France, and I conjecture that...
90To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 14 July 1803 (Adams Papers)
Although a considerable period has elapsed since I have had the honor to address you, I have notwithstanding continued to entertain an uniform recollection of your former civilities, and an anxious Solicitude for your health and happiness. Flattering myself that the friendly concern which you were pleased hitherto to manifest towards me, has undergone no abatement. a sense of duty mingled with...
91To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 July 1803 (Adams Papers)
Since I Send you, at your for me So highlÿ gratifying—demand mÿ Lucubrations on Jefferson’s and Buffon’s theories —I have the honor to Submit to your criticism a Short essay on the use of copper and brass during the trojan War , addressed to our mutual frend John Luzac. I had the pleasure to send you, as you desired, his historÿ of the French Revolut . Could I imagine—that you would construe...
92To John Adams from Isaac S. Gardner, 5 August 1803 (Adams Papers)
I am requested to give notice the Committee appointed by the Hor. Court of General Sessions of the peace at their last Term, purpose attending the buisness of Viewing the purpos’d Read by Dr. Veezeys Mills in Quincy as petitioned for by his Honor Edward H. Robbins Esqr. and others, will attend that service on Tuesday the sixth day of Septr. next at 9. 0clock A.M. said Comm’te will meet at...
93To John Adams from James Ash, 25 August 1803 (Adams Papers)
Suffer me to inclose you, short proposals, for some matter, collected with both toil and perseverence. It is now ready for publication; and whatever encouragement you are disposed to give, to enable the printer to execute it, you will be pleased to transmit with Convenient expedition. There are a number of characters, with whom you have been connected in political life, who have been vilified...
94To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 28 August 1803 (Adams Papers)
The painful tidings I have this afternoon transiently heard relative to the health of my long beloved friend Mrs: Adams, induce me to trouble you with a line to enquire what is her present situation, of which you will be so kind as to inform me by the return of the post.—I pray that she may not be in so hazardous a state as is reported, but that her useful life may be protected.— You will...
95To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 September 1803 (Adams Papers)
How Shall it be in my power, to paÿ you mÿ Sincere thanks for the favours with which you continue to honour me—even above mÿ warmest expectation. I was not vain enough to attend at So much condescendence from your part, to offer mÿ Inset —with your own hand—to your illustrious Academÿ—by which I received the most unequivocal pledge of your high approbation—a more than equivalent reward for my...
96To John Adams from William Cunningham, 21 November 1803 (Adams Papers)
I sent you, from Dedham, a copy of my Oration. Since my return home I have made diligent but fruitless enquiries for Mr Adams’s Sermon. Among a number of his sermons in the hands of two of his children it could not be found. It is strongly impressed upon me that I have seen it either in manuscript or print; and I have not quit the hopes of finding it, as soon as I can find it I shall certainly...
97To John Adams from William Cunningham, 2 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your esteemed favor of the 28 ult. More valuably as I know your time is employed, yet I cannot restrain the wish that you would have "Patience and leisure to make the friendly remarks" which arose on the perusal of my performance. I am sufficiently sensible of inaccuracies to be admonished, for the future, against too much confidence in my own information—a friendly eye to...
98To John Adams from William Cunningham, 10 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
I have ascertained that Mr. Adams’s Sermon at the Dudleian Lecture was not published; a copy was deposited in the archives of the University agreeably to the wish of Judge Dudley. I am informed, in a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Cushing of Ashburnham, that it was a laboured Discourse on the Validity of Presbyterian Ordination, and for which the Author was much complimented. I have, for sometime,...
99John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
This prohibition of the admission of slaves into Louisiana, is like the drawing of a jaw tooth. We have expedient after expedient introduced to answer this purpose— Breckenridge has at last concentrated all his wisdom on the subject in the Amendment, which I now inclose you.— This is a tolerably good device to reconcile the two parties of slave and anti-slave, into which the majority are...
100To John Adams from William Cunningham, 15 February 1804 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your esteemed favor of the 16th Ult. I assure you, without reserve, that I shall not misuse nor abuse the confidence you may be pleased to repose in me. By the first opportunity I had after the receipt of your Letter, I sent to Mr Russell of Boston for a paper contained the outline that you have so flatteringly expressed a wish to see. Expecting, post after post, to receive the...