51To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 2 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
It is now 37 years since I had the pleasure to recieve your first letter at Anconis It was a paternal letter containing advice to a Young Man, which was peculiarly usefull to me. You than said—“ I must talk to you like an old man ”—I am now 15 years older than you was than. In several of your Subsequent letters you express’d a wish to know precisely, the conversation which pass’d between Judge...
52To John Adams from John Gardiner, 10 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I take leave to present to you a Map, (of the military bounty Lands in the Illinois Territory) engraved for the use of the Soldiers of the late Army. By means of these Maps every Soldier can, for one dollar, obtain accurate information relative to the soil, Timber, & position of the Tract which falls to his lot, & thereby appreciate the value of his Country’s bounty. I have the honor / to be...
53To John Adams from James Riley, 14 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour duly to receive your highly esteemed favour re commendatory of my Narrative, under date of 23d July last.—It would have given me great pleasure, to become personally acquainted with a Gentleman, who has been so preeminently favoured by Heaven, with extraordinary intellect, Virtue, talents, & strength of mind, whose life has been devoted to his countrys best interests, in...
54From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 17 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received three Letters from you since I have been here, all grumbling Letters; and all very badly written—The first was of the 16th: the second of the 17th: of September, and the last of the 27th: of October—This last I disapprove of the most; and request you to write me no more such Letters—You conclude it by saying that you hope I will forgive any thing rash in my Son; but I shall do...
55From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 17 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
You will receive a Letter from your father by the same Mail which conveys this Letter to you in answer to the one which you wrote to him last week in which I am sorry to say you assumed a tone highly improper and disrespectful—The tender affection I bear you and the ardent desire (which forms a part of my existence) that I must ever feel for your welfare has induced me frequently while in...
56To John Adams from Timothy Alden, 20 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your esteemed favor of the 29 of April was duly received. In that you mention having received five numbers of the Alleghany Magazine. I have taken the liberty, which I hope you will excuse, to transmit all the numbers published, except the two last, which accompany this line. Please to accept them as a token of that respect, which I have been taught from early life to cherish for one, of whose...
57To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have to answer two Letters from you—one of 28 October, and the other of 13. November—Tant va la Cruche à l’eau qu’à la fin elle se casse, was an old french proverb, long before Washington’s Mother was born. Tant va la Cruche a l’eau qu’à la fin elle s’emplit is the variation of Beaumarchais’s Basila in the Marriage of Figaro—But whether the pitcher is filled or whether it is broken it was...
58To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
As I returned home in safety in the course of this week, the first moments of leisure, after having informed my children and mr Busti of this happy event, shall be devoted, to acknowledge the favour of your’s of the first of Oct. In my former from Philadelphia I mentioned—how I was bruised—wounded—healed—and restored to perfect health—now I can only mention, and this, I am assured is a far...
59To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 7 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of sending to you the only copy entire , which I possess of the Discourse I delivered before the Humane Society last Spring. I have promised it to Mr Shaw ultimately, and when you have read it, if you will take that trouble I will thank you to give it to him I do not ask you to read the Discourse itself which is a trifling performance on the trite subject of Charity, but the...
60To John Adams from Josephus Bradner Stuart, 10 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have obtained from Wm. Temple Franklin, Esqr. a selection of the manuscript writings of the late Dr. B. Franklin, which I am now arranging & intend ere long to publish.—It is my intintion in this work to present to the publick a political view of the times from 1770 to 1790. & to transmit to posterity the united fame , of those celebrated worthies to whom we are indebted for the glorious...
61To John Adams from John Jackson, 11 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Who can better explain the character of a patriot of our Revolution, than his copatriots in the field or in the council? With the approbation of Judge McKean I am collecting materials for a life of his late father. Will you, Sir, many of whose nights were consumed, with Thomas McKean, in watchings for your Country’s sake, communicate to me any anecdotes of him, which are reposited in your...
62To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 13 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter with pleasure, and read it with high satisfaction. You have paid the highest compliment on the President’s Message or rather, Elogium, that I have yet seen, or have ever heard of—Our proud federalists however are displeased & mortified that he did not tell the whole world, how grand, how rich, how powerful, how gifted & how virtuous they in Boston are above all other...
63To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 16 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to You for the Very Agreable Acquaintance of Mr Theodore Lyman; to Him I Will Be Under obligation for the kind Care He takes to forward this Letter: He lives in the Capital: I in the Country Where the pleasure and occupation of farming are to Me a Continual source of Enjoyment. Not So Exclusive However as to Render me insensible of What is Going on in the political line. our...
64To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 21 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters of 21 and 26 Novr. and of the 8th: instant have been received—Of Mr Mason the bearer of the first, I have seen much less than I could have wished; and of Mr Barrell who brought the second a little more; for coming not only with your Recommendation, but with a volume of others all highly respectable, he pushed his importunity to such an excess, that I lost my temper with him, for...
65To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 22 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Accept my most cordial thanks for your truly friendly epistle. I loose not a moment in answering your interesting query. The Lady in question is, I conceive legally divorced. Her quondam husband is now in the jail of New York, for the third or fourth time; a mere vagabone. They were divorced in 1810, by the Supreme Court of Vermont. The Lady & her father, with the aid of Judge Dawes were...
66To John Adams from John Trumbull, 26 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
You will forgive my long delay in replying to your very interesting & confidential favor of the 18th. March:—I was reluctant to write until I could inform you that I had made some progress in the work so honorably confided to me by the Nation. You justly observe that the intended size of the paintings appears to you vast:—They will considerably exceed the dimensions of the descent from the...
67To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 26 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a Post-Note upon the Branch Bank of the United States at Boston, for Nine hundred and one dollars, and ninety–five Cents, being the amount of the dividend of five per Cent upon the debt proved under the Commission of Bankruptcy of Robert Bird and Co at New-York—I will thank you for a line acknowledging the receipt of this, and remain, Dear Sir / ever affectionately yours CSmH .
68To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 29 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Habituated as I have long been to consider your judgement as infallible, I have not found it exactly so on the subject of our two last letters. When I wrote to you on that subject of the heart, I had come to a fixed resolution of following the advice of my family & friends. I have penetrated their thoughts, & have discovered their opinion which taken collectively amounts to this— we censure...
69To John Adams from Thomas B. Wait, 10 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honour of calling on you, I only conjectured that the printing of the Journals of the Convention, &c would be under the direction of the Secretary of State; but by the inclosed N. Intelligencer it appears to be very certain that the publication will be committed to his care.— You will recollect that in the letter wh. I shewed you from Mr: King, it was suggested that, were I on...
70To John Adams from William Wirt, 12 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am just honored with your letter of the 5th. inst. and am truly gratified to learn that my sketches of Mr. Henry have afforded you entertainment. If I could have anticipated such an effect, I would have taken the liberty, on the first publication of the book, to have ordered you a copy, as a slight proof of that sincere respect, which, in common with my countrymen, I feel towards you as one...
71From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 19 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I received with much pleasure you new year’s Letter, with the copy of the Lamp–lighter’s address, and the hint from the fount of the Centinal about a Present; which your uncle Thomas will tell you I have not forgotten. Your Parents were very highly gratified with what Mr Gould gave you leave to write to me concerning your promotion to the second Class, in which you will no doubt take care to...
72From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 25 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is impossible for me to express the happiness I feel at the news which comes by so many different channels from Boston concerning you, & which has been so agreeably confirmed by yourself. the rapid improvement which is evident in your style & writing is itself a sufficient indication of the pains you are taking to cultivate your mind, and take all the benefit and advantage which your father...
73To John Adams from Joseph Gales, Jr., 26 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
Hereto adjoined is a copy of a Circular, which we have addressed to each Member of both Houses of Congress. The work therein suggested, we consider important to the public; and further, feel little anxiety for the result.—We deem it respectful to trouble you with our views on the subject, as if the work be undertaken, we shall ask with confidence your advice and direction as to the authorities...
74To John Adams from Nathaniel Niles, 30 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I was favored with your communication in due time, and have gratefully published it in this day’s Register—of which a copy is herewith transmitted. I am much mistaken if the public will not feel greatly indebted to you for this sketch of the character & conduct of a man so distinguished as Mr. Otis. When your inclination wills it, I will thankfully receive, & I trust pay due respect to, any...
75To John Adams from John Jay, 31 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I recd. your Letter of the 9th. by the Mail which arrived here on the 24 Instant on the Return of Mr. Son and his Sisters from their Tour thro’ the Eastern States, it gave me pleasure to learn from them, that they had paid their Respects to you—that they found you and Mrs. Adams in good Health, and that I might expect a Letter from you—that expectation induced me to postpone expressing to you...
76From John Jay to John Adams, 31 January 1818 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . your Letter of the 9th by the Mail which arrived here on the 24 Instant. On the Return of M r . Son and his Sisters from their Tour thro’ the Eastern States, it gave me pleasure to learn from them, that they had paid their Respects to you that they found you and M rs . Adams in good Health, and that I might expect a Letter from you— that Expectation induced me to postpone expressing...
77To John Adams from LeRay de Chaumont, 4 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
To you who like the greatest men of the Roman Republic, after having as them rendered the most eminent services to your Country, cast off the Robe of State, to cultivate your spot of ground, and give to your countrymen the best example.... I take the liberty to Send my maiden speech, in this Country, upon that great art, Agriculture. I have never forgot that the first words of English I...
78To John Adams from Henry J. Knox, 12 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
In addressing this letter to you I rely not less on your liberal feelings, than on your ability, persuaded that the detail will not be uninteresting, the following is my situation, resulting from circumstances that I could neither foresee nor controul;—When, at the commencement of the late war, you were kind enough to patronise my attempt at getting some active employment, I did hope that a...
79From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 14 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have read the pamphlet you sent me my dear John and am much pleased to find that you begin to turn your attention to literature in any shape—I admire exceedingly the principles which actuate the society for whom this address was made, but I am afraid that their doctrines are not made for our corrupt and perishable world and that like old fairy tales they will only serve to prove to the world...
80To John Adams from Jacob Flint, 17 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
You may recollect that some time since, your Excellency, speaking of the fisheries in New-England, expressed a curiosity to know the quantity of fish, taken in one season by the people of Cohasset. I told you I would endeavour to ascertain it, & would do myself the honour to communicate an account of to you. I then thought I should be able to do it immediately. But I found, on inquiry, that...
81To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 19 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
Though I had no personal views whatever in proposing the Resolve which I had the honor to introduce which went to request you to permit your Bust to be taken for the purpose of being placed in the State House; yet I have thought you might permit me to say a few words on the subject. My motive was a conviction of high state expediency. I intended to follow it with the portraits of those other...
82To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., March 1818 (Adams Papers)
At the Request of General Welles I write this Letter to introduce Mr. Binon the Artist we yesterday mentioned in the Committee’s Address & whose Services you so kindly condescended to encourage, for the Public Purpose of gratifying the Citizens of this Town, & Posterity. From the Specimen of his Abilities as an Artist of which We have a satisfying Proof in a Bust of General Dearbo r n, we...
83To John Adams from Committee of Citizens Boston, 1 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
Being deputed by a numerous body of our fellow citizens of Boston, we have to request that you would permit a Marble bust of you to be executed by an able artist now resident in that Town to be placed in Faneueil Hall In thus soliciting your assent to this tribute of our high respect and veneration we are particularly influenced by a desire of transmitting to our children the features of the...
84To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is not before now, that I can answer your favour of the 18 last—My daughter, who fully Sympathises with my feelings, and knows, how highly I value every line, with which you continue to honour me, Send it to Albany, and last week it was returned here. I was there to examine the Dutch Records of last cent—and finally engaged to try, if I could translate—them—I declined the first proposal of...
85To John Adams from Thomas Dawes, 7 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
I had this day an opportunity to examine our Town Records. In May 1765 the representatives chosen were James Otis, Thomas Cushing, Oxenbridge Thacher and Thomas Gray. In May 1766 were chosen James Otis, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. I am very respectfully PS. I have read Mr. Wirt’s sketches of Mr. Henry and also a review of them in the North American Review for this month....
86To John Adams from Richard Sharp, 7 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
I regret that my absence on a tour to the north of Italy, deprived me of the pleasure of seeing your young friend W Lynam, as it must always be a gratification to me, to have an opportunity of shewing my regard, & respect, for so old, & eminent, a friend— Most heartily indeed do I join in your wish that you could once more spend even a single month in London, for though many are gone forever...
87To John Adams from Henry Dearborn, 11 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
This will be presented to you by Mr. Binon the sculptor who waits on you, as proposed, to form a model, from which he will sculpture your Bust in marble.— with the highest respect / I am Sir your / Humbe.Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
88To John Adams from Arnold Welles, 16 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
In behalf of a numerous body of Citizens of Boston, we request your consent, to set for a Bust , in Marble, to be executed by an eminent Artist, now resident in that Town, to be placed in Faneuil Hall.— In soliciting your assent, to this tribute of our high Respect & Veneration, we are particularly influenced, by a desire of transmitting to our Children, the Features of the Man, whose...
89To John Adams from Henry Dearborn, 16 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
In behalf of a numerous body of Citizens of Boston, we request your consent; to set for a Bust , in Marble, to be executed by an eminent Artist, now resident in that Town, to be placed in Faneuil Hall.— In soliciting your assent, to this tribute of our high Respect & Veneration, we are particularly influenced by a desire of transmitting to our Children, the Features of the Man, whose patriotic...
90To John Adams from LeRay de Chaumont, 21 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
I noticed with great disappointment in the Letters you honored me with the 12 of last month, that you had not then received the Letter which I had the pleasure to write to you at the same time that I sent you the address, which you received with so much kindness and indulgence. I could not help however feeling grateful for the Neglect of some of the Post Offices since it was the cause that...
91To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
That I may prove to you and my Dear Mrs Adams, the high estimation of the value I attach to the picture you have confided to my care—I sent immediately for a blacksmith, and had an Iron fender made to go round the lower part, as a protection from the careless brush, of the House maid, or the incautious foot of those who might otherwise wish to come too near it—The room is every day aird, and...
92To John Adams from James Smith, 28 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
If you will permit me to intrude upon the repose of your happy retirement I would beg leave to present you with one of the first Copies of my Prospectus of a national Vaccine Institution, to be established in the City of Washington. And if you should approve of an attempt of this kind it would confer a most distinguished honor to be directed to record your Name on the Book of the Institution...
93To John Adams from A. & J.W. Picket, 30 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
Considering you a patron of literature & science, & a well wisher to the general interest of education, the editors of the Academician, by this day’s mail, forward you the 1, 2 & 3 Nos. for perusal. Should you approve of the work, your signature as a subscriber & influence to make the work known would aid us very much in effecting the Object we have in view. With the greatest respect, / We...
94From John Adams to John Adams, April 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased with your Translation The Character of Anacreon is one of the many Mysteries of Antiquity which the Researches of your whole life will not be able to unridle. He did well to renounce the Heroes for he either knows nothing of the Sons of Atreous of Cadmus the Theban King or of Hercules and his twelve Labours or if he knows any Thing he dared not tell what he knows. It is...
95To John Adams from Alexander Townsend, 2 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to request, that you wd. at your leisure favour me wh. the chronology of the events of your life . Unless your own hand does this, I fear it will be done but imperfectly. Me it wd. cost some research. Many who have them in memory, have not your ability to put them on paper. I am aware, you never can become your own biographer. A life spent in forming materials for history,...
96To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 5 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
Since my last short Conversation with you, I have read Mr. Wirt’s Biographical Romance, a singular Book indeed! Composed more with a View to display the Author’s Talents, than those of his Subject. A better attempt at flattering Virginians, than furnishing Facts for sober, future, Historians. His Materials were scanty indeed, & he has made the most of them. Henry was undoubtedly a bold &...
97From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 5 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
You have at last much to my satisfaction, renewed a correspondence which ought never to have been interrupted, and that in the most acceptable manner to your parents, by an assurance of future attention and regularity—The accounts we receive of your conduct are very flattering, and we receive them as an earnest of what we may hope and expect as you advance in life, to reward us for the many...
98To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
Since I was gratified with your favour of march the 10, another of my intimate acquaintances—whom you may, perhaps, may recollect to have Seen in Holland, H. de Roo, van Wulverhorst is gone—the harvest for gathering my frends Seems to be at hand—two more, Vreed-en Cau, are yet left—and this week my Son communicated to us the death of his youngest Boy—only Six years—of uncommon bodily strenght...
99To John Adams from Justin Griswold, 22 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am requested by the old Revolutionary Gentlemen of this vicinity, to ask the favour of your Hon. to give your, and your son: John Quinsey’s ages, for their gratification— Your conceding to the above will oblige / theirs, and—, / Your obedient / Hum. Sert.— MHi : Adams Papers.
100To John Adams from William P. Gardner, 29 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
A Stranger to you, an Apology is justly due on my part for the Liberty I take in addressing this Letter. The Hand of time will, ere a period but short in it’s Duration must elapse, sweep from this sublunary stage of Existence the few remaining revolutionary Patriots who, by their wisdom in Council and their valour in the field plannd and establishd the Liberty and independence of our happy...