51From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, July 1826 (Adams Papers)
Having just received a letter from John I wish to know if you are desirous that I should come on before the affairs are settled as I have no interest in the concerns and as I am aware of the difficulties incident to the settlement I think it will be better for me to have nothing to do with it as it is impossible for me to steer clear of breakers however I may wish it I shall proceed to New...
52From Stephen Peabody to John Quincy Adams, 25 July 1826 (Adams Papers)
Two or three weeks since an old friend of mine Capt. Jacob Sherburne of Orland, on the Penobscot River Maine wrote to me requesting my “influence with the President” to obtain for him the appointment of keeper of the light house now building on “Moos Peek head.” I enclosed his letter to you at Washington giving some account of him & his character It appears that you were then on your way to...
From the earnestness of my last Letter I am much afraid that you may think as is often the case with my friends that it proceeded from ill temper—It was most assuredly not with such a motive or in such a disposition that it was written It sprung from the feeling of anxiety which the extreme difficulty of your situation produced and under the idea that Mr Quincy had relinquished his charge...
I yesterday sat down to answer your last Letter, and wrote two, neither of which I have sent, as the nature of my feelings were was such that their expression could not have been agreeable—Altho’ still under it unpleasant impressions, and knowing that neither my opinions or feelings will ought avail, I consider myself in duty bound to write, lest you should misinterpret my silence and deem it...
I did not write you yesterday because I was so much fatigued I was obliged to lie down as soon as I returned from the Capitol—The services were tolerable in the manner peculiar to both the Gentlemen who officiated, and were a happy specimen of the tame and the bombastic—Mr. Port’s prayer was handsomely made for you; and I think the Doctor had a leaning to the Sage of Quincy, which appeared...
This day has brought me an invitation in form to attend at the Capitol tomorrow to witness the ceremonies and I am told that I must go—I shall therefore attend and all the members of the family will attend with me— Mr. Wirt declines the uniting the two characters in the Oration on the plea of not having known your father personally and his Patrick Henry having proved a failure from the same...
I yesterday wrote to you in answer to your Letter and as I suppose it will be agreeable to you to hear from the family frequently I write again to day— Last night there was a Town meeting called in honour of your fathers memory which was immesely crowded and at which Mr. Rush and Governor Barber distinguished themselves very handsomely—It was the wish of these Gentlemen to combine the events...
58From Stephen Peabody to John Quincy Adams, 12 July 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have no assurance that my opinions have any claims to your confidence; but I have been acquainted with the writer of the inclosed letter for thirty years past. He is about sixty five years old & has always sustained a good character . He is an inhabitant of Orland in the County of Hancock on Penobscot River in Maine. He has seen better days than the present. He was employed several years...
Ere I touch upon the melancholy subject which at present occupies your mind; allow me to offer the most sincere congratulations on the return of this day, which I had intended to celebrate in common with our family, and the Members of the administration, as a testimony of regard—The event which has so recently occurred, which altho’ painful to the individual feelings of all who had the...
60From Josiah, III Quincy to John Quincy Adams, 8 July 1826 (Adams Papers)
As I know you will be desirous to know the circumstances of your father’s funeral and the principles which were adopted in relation to it, and the family having in a very great degree considered my opinion on the subject, I deem it my duty to make you acquainted with both.— Two modes were suggested of paying honor to his memory. 1st. A public funeral, at the expence of the State or the City,...