1To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 16 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
It is with great pleasure that I have observed, of late, the continued evidences of thy health so prolonged, and habitual activity and attention. Long may it be continued. I have lately been favored with a Letter from thy Son, at London, whom so many are anxious to see return to the United States. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, has conferred on me the honor of a Fellowship, with...
2To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 20 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
Will thy good-nature excuse the freedom of a friendly enquiry after thy health? assured that a real solicitude exists for its long continuance, with every other blessing? And of our Minister, thy Son—hast thou heard of late from him? I am anxious to learn how my humble offering was received, as well by him, as by the Autocrat of all Russia. And I am also very anxious to learn that the labors...
3To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 5 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am duly favored with thy Letter. I did not see that venerable old Man for whom thou enquirest, although I intended to do so. The lateness of the season, bad roads, & too little time for my purposes prevented. I have received a Letter from him, however, a few days since, & am happy to hear of the continuance of his health. I send thee a little trifle, as one among the list of my children ( of...
4To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 18 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to present my congratulations on the prospect of peace. Anxious to have the principles of my invention, in the construction of wheel-carriages, fairly & fully tested, I now send, enclosed, a Certificate of a single Right to make use of the improvement. I sent, some days since, the little pamphlet on that subject. Should it not be thy wish to use the Right I send, please hand it to...
5To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 7 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
I ought, perhaps, to apologize, for troubling thee with a subject of so little direct concern to thyself, as that I am now about to propose, for thy consideration. The details, which the 3rd Census will afford, aught to be embodied, in a Volume of convenient size, & published for general use; & unless some other person shall have effected this previous to next 6 Mo., (June,) I contemplate...
6To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 21 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I send, by this Mail, Nos. 7, 8, & 9, of my Magazine, & invite thy particular attention to the Essay of Franklin , on a National School, &c. Please favor me with thy opinion of it, & of the plans that he suggests. The little Work I mentioned sometime ago, is printed, at Boston, & I have directed my publisher to send thee a Copy. It is anonymous, because I must conceal the of Authorship. I hope...
7To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 26 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I am lately favored with a Letter from thy Son, one of our Ministers at Ghent, acknowledging the receipt of two copies of my Gazetteer, which thou wast good enough to forward for me. That Gentleman, in my estimation, stands on very high ground, & I am gratified to thee for having, so far, procured me his favorable notice. While lately at Washington, I learnt, both from the President & Col....
8To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 31 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
Although I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance, yet as an Author, I claim the privilege of one, & address to thee a copy of my Gazetterr of the State of New York. Be pleased to accept, with it, assurances of my high veneration & esteem. Few, very few of the Fathers of our Republic remain to this day, a trying & eventful one to our Country.—That thou, with all these, may survive...
9To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 1 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
Since I was favored with thy esteemed favor of a late date, I have received a Letter from thy friend Josiah Quincy, who also informs that I may send a Gazetteer to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, directed to thee. I now avail myself of that privilege; & I take the liberty also to send one for thy Son in Russia. I am very grateful for the friendly sentiments expressed in thy Letter. It...
10To James Madison from Horatio Gates Spafford, 13 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
At the moment of taking my pen to address thee, my eyes are flowing with tears of anxiety and deep distress for the situation of my beloved country. And when I grieve for that, I grieve also for myself. Perhaps thy time may hardly allow thee to peruse this, but let me entreat, if that may be possible. Devoted, as I feel, to the interests of America, my passions almost subdue, at times, my...