Thomas Jefferson Papers
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John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1814

From John Adams

Quincy December 20. 1814

Dear Sir

The most exalted of our young Genius’s in Boston have an Ambition to See Montecello, its Library and its Sage. I lately gave a Line of Introduction to Mr Everett, our most celebrated Youth: But his Calls at home, forced him back from Washington.

George Ticknor Esquire who will have the Honour to present this to you, has a reputation here, equal to the Character given him in the enclosed Letter from my Nephew, our Athenæum Man, whom you know.

As you are all Heluones Librorum I think you ought to have a Sympathy for each other.

I gave a Letter to Francis Gray a Son of our great Merchant and Patriot which I hope he will have the Honor to present1 in due time.

The Gentleman you recommended to me, to my great regret has not arrived. I hope no Misfortune has befallen him.

Paine, Lovell and Gerry are gone and left alone

John Adams

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “President Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Feb. 1815 via “mr Ticknor” and so recorded in SJL. RC (DLC); address cover only; in same hand as FC; with PoC of TJ to Charles W. Goldsborough, 9 Feb. 1815, on verso; addressed: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson. Monticello. Virginia. Favor’d by George Ticknor Esquire.” FC (Lb in MHi: Adams Papers). Enclosure: William S. Shaw to Adams, Boston, 19 Dec. 1814, apologizing for his inability to introduce Ticknor in person; indicating that he is the son of Elisha Ticknor; describing him as an industrious, studious, well-educated lawyer; commending him for his mastery of Greek, Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, and French; explaining that, prior to pursuing his studies in Europe, he desires to visit various parts of the United States, including “Monticello and the great philosopher there and the great library &c”; and asking Adams to write a letter introducing Ticknor to TJ (RC in DLC; addressed: “The Hon John Adams Esqr. Quincy Favored by George Tickenor Esqr.”).

heluones librorum: “gluttons for books.” TJ had recommended William C. Rives to Adams.

1FC: “deliver.”

Index Entries

  • Adams, John; introduces E. Everett search
  • Adams, John; introduces F. C. Gray search
  • Adams, John; introduces G. Ticknor search
  • Adams, John; letters from search
  • Adams, John; on deaths of Revolutionary colleagues search
  • Adams, John; TJ introduces W. C. Rives to search
  • Everett, Edward; introduced to TJ search
  • Everett, Edward; proposed visit to TJ of search
  • Gerry, Elbridge (1744–1814); death of search
  • Gray, Francis Calley; introduced to TJ search
  • Gray, William; J. Adams on search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; letters of introduction from search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; letters of introduction to search
  • Lovell, James; death of search
  • Paine, Robert Treat (1731–1814); J. Adams on search
  • Rives, William Cabell; introduced by TJ search
  • Rives, William Cabell; proposed visit of to J. Adams search
  • Shaw, William Smith; introduces G. Ticknor search
  • Ticknor, Elisha; mentioned search
  • Ticknor, George; introduced to TJ search
  • Ticknor, George; travels of search