201From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 2 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the Trouble you have kindly taken in procuring the Samples of Coins for my Son J. Q. A; which Mr Quincy was so good as to deliver with his own hand: and am glad to learn from your Letter that Mr Erving in behalf of my Son T. B. A, has paid you the Amount of them. I thank you for your Letter of the 4th of March and your Congratulations on the Appointment of my Son to a Seat on...
202From John Adams to John Pope, 4 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the very acceptable Present of a Speech in favour of the renewal, of the charter of the Bank. I have read it with pleasure as a fine speciman of Argument and Eloquence. I know not whether it is not the best Apology for the Constitutionality of the measure that has appeared. I cannot however but wish that the Constitution had been more explicit, in this, as in several other...
203From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have your favour of March 12 before me. The Choice you exult in, may not be considered as a favour, by the Chosen and by his Father and Mother So much as it is by you. The President, though by no means unfriendly to the chosen or his Friends was, with great Reluctance in duced to this Appointment. The appointment of Lincoln I did not disapprove, because I have known him for forty years, and...
204To the Boston Patriot, 6 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
ON Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October, 1782 I arrived in the night, at the Hotel de Valois, Rue de Richelieu in Paris, after a journey of ten days from the Hague, from whence Mr. John Thaxter and Mr. Charles Storer departed with me, on the Thursday se’night preceding. I have several times performed this journey of about three hundred and twenty-five miles in three days. But rains of unusual...
205From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Public Mind Seems decided that Gerry and Gray are elected, and a Majority of Senators their Friends. Our Friend P. will not then be So Successful as he was when he brought G. in and turned you out. You are destined to be a Judge, and I am glad of it because it affords me a Chance of enjoying a Portion of your Society at least once a Month or two. And because it takes you out of The...
206From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged by your favour of 28th March. Is it a proof that Manilius has not been read by any of the learned Men in Europe for thirty Odd years, when We See that the discovery of the Prophecy, or prophetic History of the Progress of human Reason, was reserved for 1811 and the retired Philosopher of Olden barneveldt? How many Questions and Reflections are excited by the Lines you Send...
207From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 9 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
The former leaf you may insert in your Silva if you please. If you do not, please to return it to me and it shall be published some other Way. Take care that my Name be not hinted at unless any dispute should arise, in that case call upon me. If Manilius’s “Ratio” had not been confined to physical Subjects, We might have seen it as adroitly applied to religious, moral and political...
208From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Mr Pope of The House of Boardman and Pope, No. 37. India Wharf, was so obliging as to call upon Us to let Us know that they had a Ship to depart for St Petersbourg on Fryday next the 12th. The Ship Cordelia Captain Boit: and that they were desirous of taking any Letters from Us. Since then I have heard that Mr. Jordan is going in her, but he has not been so complaisant as to Let us...
209From John Adams to Samuel Miller, 12 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
Some Gentlemen in this Town have lately caused to be printed a Sermon of Mr Hancock the Father of the late President of Congress and Governor of Massachusetts; which although I heard it delivered from the Pulpit and was familiar with it afterwards in print in my Childhood; I had not seen for I know not how great a Number of Years. Knowing your taste for Antiquities and believing that it...
210From John Adams to Samuel Miller, 13 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I Sent yesterday to the Post Office one of Mr Hancocks Century Sermons under cover to you and I thought the foregoing Letter written for the Purpos was wrapped in it. By Some inadvertence, of myself or another, it was omitted: and I am not Sorry for it as it now gives me an opportunity to add Somewhat relative to your Ancestor. John Alden, a Magistrate of Plymouth Colony, was one of the first...
211From John Adams to Richard Rush, 14 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
Though your Letters give me great Pleasure, I Should regret the Receipt even of your favour of the 8th of this month if I could think it had diverted your Attention a moment from the Duties of your office or even from the practice and profits of your Profession. Your Office, is one of the most necessary and important in Society. A public Accuser is the Guardian of the Morals as well as...
212From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 21 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
In my first personal interview with Mr. Jay in private, between him and me alone, that minister opened and related to me in detail, the transactions which had passed after his arrival at Paris, from Madrid, and before my arrival on the 26th of October. Mr. Jay informed me, that after the arrival of Mr. Fitzherbert’s latin commission, which you have already published, the Comte de Vergennes...
213From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your Mother and your Father have dined here with great Pleasure this day, and I have borrowed a Pen to write you one Line by a Vessel to Sail in a day or two, barely to Say we are all well. George and John are very well and very attentive to their Studies. The Corporation for an Hospital have met to day, and all Parties very cordial and unanimous. I can add no more, only that Mr Gerry and Mr...
214From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
This Line will go by the Ship Hugh Johnston William Johnston Master bound for St. Petersbourg. She belongs to the House of Loring and Curtis and is consigned to Mr Joseph Austin, all Citizens of Boston: So that I presume if Neutral Ships Neutral owners Neutral Cargoes and Neutral Consignees can in any case Sail Securely , this Letter will reach you with safety. I have Mementos enough. Fryday...
215From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 1 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
The information given me by Mr. Ridley upon my arrival in Paris, that Dr. Franklin had written to Mr. Jay at Madrid to obtain his vote for Mr. William Temple Franklin to be secretary of legation to the commission for peace, was a mistake; as appears by the following documents: To all to whom these presents shall come, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, send greeting. Whereas the United States of...
216From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 6 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
Instructions to the Hon. John Adams, for the treaty of peace, dated 14th August, 1779 . Sir—You will herewith receive a commission, giving you full power to negotiate a treaty of peace with Great Britain, in doing which you will conform to the following information and instructions— 1st. The United States are sincerely desirous of peace, and wish by every means consistent with their dignity...
217From John Adams to Samuel Miller, 11 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of the Sixth of this Month is this day received with great Pleasure. I thank you, Sir for the Facts relative to your Ancestors, and Shall be obliged to you for any others that you may please to communicate to me. I may possibly furnish you hereafter with Some Information concerning your Uncle Joseph Miller: but this is mere conjecture at present. I escorted to the Tomb in the...
218From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 15 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
The instructions of congress to Mr Jay, as minister to the king of Spain, were never communicated to me. At least, I have no recollection, and can find no copy or memorandum of them. One link in the chain will therefore be wanting. But to furnish all in my power, and to shew to the attentive inquirer, the refinements and double refinements of the Comte de Vergennes’ policy, the following...
219From John Adams to James Monroe, 25 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have received, Letters from my Family at St. Petersbourg, at two Several Times, under the Seal of The Department of State, and honoured with the Frank of your Name. I ought to have acknowledged the first by the return of the Post: but I hope you will excuse that omission and Accept my Thanks for both at once. I wish you Sir, in your important and difficult office, all the Honour, Comfort and...
220From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 11 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
In your favour of the 9th of this month, you request a Copy of the first page of your Letter to me, “about a month since.” How time flies? Your Month has been three months. You have been so happy that three months have appeared but one. The Copy you desire is as follows. Cambridge March 12 1811 Dear Sir I here Send for your Perusal The Preface to the Botanist. The Publisher has print off a few...
221From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 18 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
As my object is to deposit as much about information concerning an interesting period of our history, as remains in my possession, and that they may not be scattered like the season’s leaves and like my friend Samuel Adams’ papers, I think it proper to send you some other copies which happen to be in my power.— To B Franklin, Esq. Paris, 5th June, 1782. Sir—Mr. Laurens, while under confinement...
222From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 21 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
As Charité commens par soi même, or as We more elegantly express it, as Charity begins at home, I shall first resent the domestic part of your dramatic Dialogue, of the 13th. The prosperous and promising Circumstances of every Branch of your Family gives me unfeigned Pleasure. The only exception is to be deplored, but not in despair. Richard is my Friend by a Sort of Inheritance. He cannot...
223From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 27 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I shall now proceed with that obnoxious Journal:— Monday, Nov. 11, 1782. Mr. Whiteford, the Secretary of Mr. Oswald, came a second time; not having found me at home yesterday, when he left a card with a copy of Mr. Oswald’s commission, attested by himself, (Mr. Oswald.) He delivered the copy, and said Mr. Oswald was ready to compare it to the original with me. I said Mr. Oswald’s Attestation...
224From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 5 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
The K. of modern Babilon, mentioned in your Letter of the 2d, who was become as a Beast, and whose Kingdom was taken from him, because of the hardness of his heart: is not so beautiful an Animal as the Taureau blanc of Voltaire and it is to be feared will never be restored from his Brutality to his Humanity like him. The Layman I think cannot disguise himself from me, unless he Studies hard to...
225From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 12 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Charge of “Change of Politicks” hinted in your Letter of the 8th, deserves no other answer than this, “ The Hyperfederalists are become Jacobins, and The Hyperrepublicans are become Federalists . ” John Adams remains Semper Idem, both Federalist and Republican in every rational and intelligible Sense of both those Words. What shall I say of Mr Dexter? Rara Avis in Terris nigroque Similima...
226From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 16 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Journal proceeds—November 18, 1782.—Returned Mr. Oswald’s Visit. He says Mr. Strachy, who sat out the 5th, did not reach London until the 10th. Couriers are three, four, or five days in going, according as the winds are. We went over the old ground, concerning the tories. He began to use arguments with me, to relax. I told him he must not think of that, but must bend all his thoughts to...
227From John Adams to James Trecothick Austin, 17 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for Leolin which is a morsel of exquisite Taste in composition, and a model of Politeness in Political Controversy. There may be a point or two, in which you and I may not perfectly agree in opinion, but these at the present time are not of Consequence enough to make it necessary for either of us to spend our time in Explanations. I am Sir with the best wishes for your Usefulness...
228Memorandum Preceding Letter to George Wythe, January 1776, 21 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
In the beginning of the year 1776 There was printed, at Phyladelphia, a Pamphlet under the Title of Thoughts on Government in a Letter from a Gentleman to his Friend, if memory serves me. The Gentleman was Mr John Adams and his then a Member of Congress and his Friend now President of the United States and his Friend was Mr George Wythe then a Member of Congress from Virginia and now...
229Note Regarding Genesis of Thoughts on Government, 21 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
In the Winter of 1776 there was much discussion in Congress concerning the Necessity of Independence, and advising the Several States to institute Governments for themselves under the immediate Authority and original Power of The People. Great difficulties, occurred to many Gentlemen, in making a Transition from the Old Governments to the new, i.e from the Royal to Republican Governments. In...
230From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 23 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
“Sirs—The Journal proceeds—1782—November 21, Thursday—Paid a visit to Mr. Brantzen, and then to the Comte de Linden. Spent two hours with him. He says the king of Sweden has overwhelmed him with his goodness; is perpetually writing to his ministers to compliment and applaud him, for the part he has acted in refusing to go to Vienna, and for the reason he gave for it. Says the revolution in...
231From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 29 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Journal proceeds—1782—November 26—Tuesday—Breakfasted at Mr. Jays, with Dr. Franklin, in consultation upon the propositions made to us yesterday by Mr. Oswald.—We agreed unanimously to answer him, that we could not consent to the article respecting the refugees as it now stands. Dr. Franklin read a letter which he had prepared to Mr. Oswald, upon the subject of the tories, which we had...
232From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 30 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Journal proceeds—1782 Nov. 29, Friday. Met Mr. Fitzberbert, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Jay, Mr. Laurens, (for the first time) and Mr. Stratchy, at Mr. Jay’s Hotel D’Orleans; and spent the whole day in discussions about the fishery, and the Tories.—I proposed a new article concerning the fisheries. It was discussed and turned in every light and multitudes of amendments proposed on each side, and at...
233From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 31 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have several sweet letters from you the last of which is the 20th of this month. The table of Cider and health and Rum and death I have given to Dr Tufts who will propagate it. It is a concise but very comprehensive result of long experiences, Attentive observation, and deep and close thought. I was too wise to go to the great celebration. the heat would have killed me. It was here as with...
234From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
When the conferences between the British and American ministers were first opened, or very soon afterwards, the former demanded the cession of the whole Province of Maine. They pretended that it was no part of the province of the Massachusetts bay, and therefore no part of the American confederacy, and consequently not included in their commission nor in ours—that the boundary between the...
235From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 10 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
Some honourable gentlemen, from the ardor of their benevolence to me, and their laudable desire to excite jealousy, envy, and hatred between me and Mr. Jay, for the public good: have been pleased to publish to the world assertions concerning the negotiations of the peace of 1782, which ought to be subjected to their own “ Analysis of Investigation .” 1. One honourable gentleman has printed,...
236From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 14 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
Upon honor, now, Rush! You cannot be serious in calling me, mad, to my Face! I learned a proper Answer to you, in Bedlam in England. In one of the Visits I made to that Hospital, I took a few Turns in the Area, where Some of the most harmless of the patients are permitted to walk. One of them a decent looking Man joined me, and conversed very Sensibly but with much animation for Some time: but...
237From John Adams to Alexander Hill Everett, 24 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Pamphlet I sent You was written in the Boston Gazette between the first Congress in 1774 and the second Congress which was in 1775 immediately after the Battle of Lexington—it was printed by Edes and Gill under the signature of Novanglus in answer to Massachusettensis written by Jonathan Sewal in Madam Draper’s Paper. Almon in London seized upon Novanglus and printed him in a Volume of...
238From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 25 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
If I could be considered as a Friend to the Family I should Advise the Grand Children of Dr Franklin to divide the Real Estate among them in their several proportions rather than to sell it in order to divide the Money. Not a Liver or a Stiver was ever committed to Dr Franklin or any other Minister of The United States in Europe, “to be employed, in Secret Services to his Country.” The Million...
239From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 28 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th., My dear Friend, has filled my Eyes with Tears,—and, indurated Stoick as I am, my heart with Sensations unutterable by my Tongue or Pen. Not the Feelings of Vanity, but the overwhelming Sense of my own Unworthiness of Such a Panegyrick from Such a Friend. Like Louis the 16 I Said to myself Qu’est ce, que J’ay fait pour le meriter. Have I not been employed in Mischief...
240From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have Sent to The Post Office this Morning, your Diploma, as Member of our Accademy. How many years ago ought you to have had it? I hope you will now communicate your Speculations to that Body through Mr Quincy their corresponding Secretary. I should advise Mr George Marsden to petition Congress for Relief, Setting forth his Service Commissions and present Circumstances. of Meteroric Stones I...
241From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 7 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
The preliminaries of peace were signed and I was weary of writing in the night. I do not find that I kept any journal during the remainder of the winter, until the month of May, 1783. I spent my time in looking at France, in the court and the city, in the theatres, churches, and especially in the palace, where the courts of justice are held. This survey of the laws, government, history,...
242From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 12 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
Suum cuique decus Posteritas rependit, has some Truth in it and you have addressed several Examples of it: But it is by no means an universal Aphorism; nor do I believe it to be generally true. You seam to think that Integrity is less envied than Talents. This Question deserves consideration. Under the Roman Emperors nothing was envied so much as Integrity or even the Appearance or suspicion...
243From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 15 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I receive no Letters with So much pleasure as yours and Rushes. The Shortest of them always contains Something new and Solid; Some thing witty and a good deal that his humerous. How many more hot Nutts for the Monkeys you will See, I know not. They will lie, and laugh and joke: but they will not make much Noise, because that might provoke Some of their own Party to peep at the Patriot which...
244From John Adams to Theodore Foster, 6 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favour of the first of this month., from the hand of Dr Solomon Drowne. As I was absent when he first called at my house I lost the Pleasure of several Hours Conversation With him. This Gentleman’s Deportments and Conversation so well supported the handsome Character you gave him; that I regret very much that I am not to have more of his society. While I recollect...
245From John Adams to William Plumer, 7 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter to you of the fifteenth in answer to yours of the fi f th of September, We have received undoubted intelligence, that my Son has declined his appointment as Judge, and that he will not return to America this year, You may therefore write with confidence that if your Letters reach St Petersburg, they will there find him. The condition of his family rendered it impossible to...
246From John Adams to Kilborn Whitman, 9 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
your kind letter of september 2nd though received in season has not yet been answered or acknowledged. Unfortunate accidents and afflictive Events have rendered me incapable of Writing during the whole of this time. I read your letter, Sir with much concern, and immediately communicated it to my son. I cannot say that I have interested myself in any appointment of any kind, since the 4th of...
247From John Adams to James Wilkinson, 12 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
On Thursday night I received from the Post Office your favour of October the second. Although it arrived at a moment when Wounds, Sickness, and Deaths in my Family, and among my tenderest Connections had excited all my sensibility and that of all my Family I thought it my duty to answer as soon as possible to the Interrogatories you enclosed. My answers are contained in the enclosed Sheet N.2....
248From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 13 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
Sobrius esto! Recollect your own Non Nobis! Your Letter of the 20th. of September I communicated to Mrs Adams as you advised. Mrs Adams to her Daughter, After a reasonable Time for Deliberation and Reflections the Heroine determined. The Mother and the Daughter went to Boston and consulted Dr Warren Junior, Dr Welsh, Dr Warren Junior having previously consulted Dr Tufts and Dr Holbrook. The...
249From John Adams to Aaron Black, 15 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
On the receipt of your Letter of June 4th. I lost no time I communicating it to your Sister and your Neice. They have written you letters in answers which you will receive with this. Your Brother was my next Neighbour for more than twenty years. We lived in harmony and Friendship. He lived and died esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. His Estate which I understand is encumbered with heavy...
250From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 15 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Letter of August 16th was presented to me by your son in law Dr Thomas Ewell and his amiable Lady your Daughter. Although I was confined with a wounded leg which is not yet healed; and afflicted With a series of misfortunes afflictions and Deaths among my tenderest connections such as rarely happen to any man even in this troublesome world: I am not the less obliged to you for...