8671From John Adams to Alexander Hill Everett, 14 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
If I did not feel “the faintness of declining days” if my eyes could see and my hands be steady; I would write you a long letter on the subject of your Remarks on the Governors speech and the preface to them. But I can now only thank you for the pamphlet and express my approbation of it. If you should live to be an octogenarian as I hope you will, you will know by experience, the delight that...
8672From John Adams to Charles Jared Ingersoll, 15 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
Philosophy and Theology being my principal Studies I am ill qualified to correspond with you upon Politicks. I have lately fumbled here and there in 7 Volumes in 8vo. entitled the Light of Nature pursued by One Search. He says there is a Family of that name. I believe him and perceive that you are of that Blood; and as I claim a remote relation, I hope you will not be offended, if hereafter I...
8673From John Adams to Alexander Hill Everett, 17 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 15th. Inclosed with this Letter you will find “A Treatise on Expatriation ” by George Hay Esqr of Virginia a Son in Law of Mr Monroe, and a speech of Mr Charles J. Ingersol M C. Son of the Clintonian Candidate for V. P. who made the Address at the Antinapolion Dinner, and a Son of Jared of famous Memory, One Collector in Connecticutt and afterwards Judge of...
8674From John Adams to Timothy Alden, 21 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is an Answer to your Questions, to the best of my Knowledge of a Subject to which I have never given much Attention: And it is now too late, to think much of it, for those who could have given details are all departed. I am Sir respectfully your respectful humble / Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
8675From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 24 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
If weak Eyes and weaker fingers had not requird more time to write a Line than was once necessary for a page, I should sooner have aprissed my Sincere Sympathy with you and your whole Family on the loss of your amiable Grand Child. We who have lost all our Ancestors and Collaterals and Several of our Children and Grandchildren well know the pungency of Grief in younger Life under Such tender...
8676From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have recd Condorcet, in good order and your favour of 20th. Ult. Enfields History of Philosophy, is worth many Condorcets. This great Work is drawn up from Brucker’s “Historia critica Philosophiæ”; an immense Work in half a dozen folio Volumes of Greek and Latin. Can you give me the Sketch of this Brucker? Who was he? Neither Brucker nor his Abridger, had Seen the Asiatic Researches; nor...
8677From John Adams to Richard Rush, 6 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
As I have been, in the course of my life, 200 or 300 times in an “Agony of Embarrassment” I understand very well what the expression means. Mr Dexter too is not ignorant of it. When in Senate without the smallest expectation, or suspicion, or hope, or wish, or thought, of such a thing, he heard, Samuel Dexter nominated as Secretary of War, he was in amazement, and after a pause exclaimed “I am...
8678From John Adams to John Taylor, 9 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have received from Mr. John M Carter, Your “Inquiry,” in 656 Pages, neatly bound. If I had any rational Expectation in my 79th. Year, of Life health, unclouded Eyes and unparralysed fingers, for 20 Years to come: I would chearfully engage with you, in an analitical Investigation of all those Subjects, which you Say, have amused Some of your Leisure hours for 20 Years past. The Field is vast....
8679From John Adams to John Taylor, 15 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Inquiry in a large Volume, neatly bound. Though I have not read it in course, yet upon an application to it, of the Sortes virgilianæ, Scarce a page has been found, in which my name is not mentioned and Some public Sentiment or expression of mine examined. Revived as they these Subjects are, in this manner in the recollection of the Public, after an Oblivion of So many...
8680From John Adams to John Taylor, 16 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
It is unnecessary to discuss, the nice distinctions, which follow in the first page of your respectable Volume; between Mind, Body and Morals. The Essence or Substance of Mind and Body, of Soul and Body of Spirit and Matter; are wholly witheld as yet, from our knowledge; from the penetration of our Sharpest faculties; from the keenest of our inscision knives; the most amplifying of our...
8681From John Adams to John Taylor, 19 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
I believe that none but Helvetius will affirm that all Children are born with equal Genius. None will pretend, that all are born of dispositions, exactly alike; of equal Weight; equal Strength; equal Length; equal delicacy of nerves; equal Elasticity of Muscles; equal complexions; equal Figure, Grace or Beauty. I have Seen in the Hospital of Foundlings, “the Enfans trouvees”, at Paris, fifty...
8682From John Adams to John Taylor, 19 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
That Aristocracies, both ancient and modern have been “variable and artificial” as well as natural and unchangeable, Mr. Adams knows as well as Mr. Taylor, and has never denied or doubted. That “they have all proceeded from moral causes” is not so clear; Since many of them appear to proceed from physical causes; many from immoral causes; many from Pharisaical, jesuitical and Machiavilian...
8683From John Adams to Richard Rush, 2 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
While I am reading a Letter from you, I almost forget that I have lost my delightfull Corrispondent of forty Years—I thank you for information, upon many points. On the subject of J. Q. A, I cannot write, or Speak. My heart is too full. I see his Destiny. He is to be depressed and oppressed by an immense load of Jealousy, Envy, Malice and Revenge, as your Father and his Father have been before...
8684From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
If with blind Eyes and paralytical Hands, I could enfanter des in Folio, like De Wolf, Priestley and Voltaire, and at the Same time had the Library of the late King of France, about me I might be qualified in part to correspond with you. Buckminster imported Brucker with him from Europe. In the Sale of his Library, the Competition was between Harvard University and the Athenæum. William Smith...
8685From John Adams to John Taylor, 6 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
I chearfully interrupt the series of Letters, I was writing to you, to acknowledge the Receipt of your’s of April 24 and that of the 24th of December last I am Somewhat Surprised, at the Failure of Memory in Mr Wythe, which appears in your Letter; for it is as certain as his Existence upon Earth, that the first Project of a Government that I ever, put upon Paper, was at Mr. Wythe’s express...
8686From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
How Shall I? How can I express my Obligations to you? My Time, thoughts, labours are all Spent in my Garden, from five in the morning to Eight at night. I am more fatigued than my Boys or my Men. They laugh and Sing and dance, after I am So exhausted that I can Scarcely hear Madame or Mademoiselle read your Letters or Buckminsters Sermons, or Everets. At a time, when I had resigned the Chair...
8687From John Adams to Richard Rush, 30 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 20th has given me great pleasure; because it informs me that you are happy. Your Visit to Philadelphia must have been delightful; and the Company of your excellent Surviving Parent on your return, and her domestication with you, and the fair Enchantress must be more So. This family Intercourse cannot be less pleasing to your Mother. It will preserve her health and prolong...
8688From John Adams to Andrews Norton, 31 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, and Mr Vanderkemp, for giving me, an Opportunity of reading, his “historical Sketches of Calvin and Servetus. ” Though I am aware of the Objections against the publication of this Work; I rejoice that it belongs to The University. The Candour, moderation and impartiality So conspicuous in it, will be a model to others; while it will preserve in This Country the Knowledge of the...
8689From John Adams to Richard Rush, 1 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
I long to See the narrative of Dr Rush’s Life. I hope it will be printed. The Anecdote relative to me, in 1774, and the Toast ascribed to me, at Mifflins Supper, is so exactly like me at that time, that I dare take my Bible Oath, that it is literally true. My toast then was, as you Say and I believe, “Cash and Powder to the Yankees.” You ask me what would be my Toast now? I assure you, it...
8690From John Adams to John Taylor, 3 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of May. 20, with the thoughts on Government, returned in good condition. The Outline of a Militia in the 22d page, has been Since adopted in Massachusetts. This Commonwealth alone, had at the declaration of the present War, One hundred and thirty Seven Pieces of brass Cannon, belonging to as many Companies of Artillery, ready to march at the command of Government In...
8691From John Adams to John Taylor, 4 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
When your new Democratical Republick meets, you will find half a dozen Men of independent Fortunes; half a dozen, of more Eloquence than learning; half a dozen, with more Learning than Eloquence; half a dozen, with Eloquence, Learning and Fortune. Let me See;We have now, four and twenty. To these We may add Six more, who will have more Art, Cunning and Intrigue, than Learning Eloquence or...
8692From John Adams to John Taylor, 7 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
In the third page of your “Inquiry”, is an Assertion, which Mr. Adams has a right to regret as a gross and egregious misrepresentation. He cannot believe it to have been intentional. He imputes it to haste; to ardor of temper; to defect of memory; to any thing, rather than design. It is in these Words, Mr. Adams asserts, “that every Society naturally produces, an order of Men, which it is...
8693From John Adams to John Taylor, 9 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
Suppose another case which is not without examples; a family of Six daughters. Four of them are not only beautiful, but Serious and discrete Women. Two of them are not only Ugly, but ill tempered and immodest. Will either of the two, have an equal chance, with any one of the four, to attract the Attention of a Suitor, and obtain an husband of Worth, respectability and consideration, in the...
8694From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have received your number 27. 15 October, 13. The large quarto Pamphlet entitled “Principes de Chronologie pour les temps anterieurs aux Olympiades,” by Count John Potocki I never received. It has miscarried. That the Count may have seen me, in London in France or Holland, is not improbable. I also have “plunged into the abyss of Antiquity” and have been “hunting for the books of the wars of...
8695From John Adams to John Taylor, 17 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
What Shall I Say, of the “Resemblance, of our House of Representatives to a legislating Nation.”? It is, perhaps, a miniature, which resembles the original as much as a larger Picture, would or could. But, Sir, let me Say, once for all, that, as no Picture great or Small; no Statue, no Bust in brass or marble, gold or Silver, ever yet perfectly resembled the Original: So no Representative...
8696From John Adams to John Taylor, 18 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
Observation fourth. “By modifying our temporary, elective, responsible Governors, into Monarchs.” How have I modified our Governors, into Monarchs? My three Volumes were written in “Defence of the Constitution of Massachusetts, and insolent against a rude Attack of Mr Turgot. This constitution, which existed in my hand writing, made the Governor annually elective, gave him the Executive Power,...
8697From John Adams to Charles Eliot, 20 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams presents his compliments and thanks to Mr Elliot for his obliging note of the 17th and his valuable present of Miscellaneous writings of Charles Elliot to which are prefixed some notices of his character Mr A had read many of the peices at the time of their publication with much pleasure The others shall be read to him by his grandchildren to whom he will reccommend the character of...
8698From John Adams to Richard Rush, 25 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
I can write you little, but the history of my diseases and their Symptoms. Your kind favour of the 17th found me ill in my bed in which I have passed the greatest part of my time for fifteen days. Our cruel North, and North East Winds have given me a cold and fever So distressing that I could neither read write, Speak or think Stand go, Sit or lye. What must have become of me? What and where...
8699From John Adams to Alexander Hill Everett, 4 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
Be pleased to accept my thanks for your Oration, which I read with great pleasure. But as it was immediately in so much request, as to be borrowed and circulated and not yet returned, I can only say at present that it is ingenious and eloquent. I am glad to hear that you are to pronounce an oration, before another society the day after commencement, which I hope to have an opportunity also to...
8700From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 4 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of the 30th. of June, with emotions which it would be in vain for me to attempt to describe. My attendance at Lexington is out of all question; the state of my health renders it both morally and physically impossible. I dare not express even to you, in a confidential private letter, my recollections, my reflections my feelings, or opinions, on this day, and...
8701From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
Bad health ever Since last Christmas! the last month worse than ever! Head loaded, Eyes almost blind! horrid Chh Yard Cough! high fever! feet almost Stumbling on the dark mountains! rapidly advancing towards the Valley of Jehoshaphat! No Veal Cutlet, no Old Hock, no old or young Madeira, no meat, no Spirit: nothing, but Indian Porridge, Water gruel and mutton broth, lemonade, five and twenty...
8702From John Adams to John Wilson, 7 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
Nothing but sickness would have delayed an acknowledgement of your favour of June 1814 I have indeed been entertained by your Philogical Entertainments and agree with you that the English language is capable of “immense improvements.” Every Art is founded in Science, and every Science in principle; Where can we look for the principles of Grammar, but in the physical constructions of the...
8703From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 15 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
I thank you Madam for your obliging Letter of the 10th whether my life shall be Spared to se the restoration of peace, is a question which I cheerfully submit to him whose right it is to decide it. The severe threats of “our old inveterate enemy” have been habitually so familiar to you and me, from the year 1760, ie. for 54 years at least: that they excite less terror in us, than in the puny...
8704From John Adams to Alexander Coffin, Jr., 16 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
My thanks are due to you for your, “Battle of Bunkers hill, or the death of General Warren.” As that hero, patriot, and martyr, was one of the most intimate friends I ever had; no subject could have been chosen, more interesting to my feelings. The facts are pretty correctly stated; and I am glad to see General Pomroy remembered, who acted a great part on that day, and seems to have been...
8705From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 16 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
I recd, this morning your favour of the 5th. and as I can never let a Sheet of your’s rest I Sit down immediately to acknowledge it. Whenever Mr Rives, of whom I have heard nothing, Shall arrive he shall receive all the cordial Civilities in my power. I am sometimes afraid that my “Machine” will not “Surcease motion” Soon enough; for I dread nothing So much as “dying at top” and expiring like...
8706John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 16 July 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d this morning your favour of the 5 th and as I can never let a Sheet of your’s rest I Sit down imm e diately to acknowledge it. Whenever M r Rives , of whom I have heard nothing, Shall arrive he shall receive all the cordial Civilities in my power. I am sometimes afraid that my “Machine” will not “Surcease motion” Soon enough; for I dread nothing So much as “dying at top” and expiring...
8707From John Adams to John Taylor, 29 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
“Whether the terms ‘Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy,’ or the one, the few, and the many, are only numerical; or characteristic, like the Calyx petal and Stamina of plants; or complicated with the Idea of a ballance; they have never yet, Singly or collectively been used to describe a Government, deduced from good Moral Principles. ” Linnæus is upon my Shelf, very near me; but I will not...
8708From John Adams to John Taylor, 14 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
In your fourth page you “are unable to discover, In Oour form of Government, any resemblance of Monarchy, Aristocracy or Democracy.” “as defined by ancient Writers, and by Mr Adams himself.” As these Words are technical Terms, whose meaning is as well defined both by ancients and moderns, as the Words, Point, Line, Surface, or Solid, in Geometry, I Shall nor turn over Volumes to quote...
8709From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 17 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have certified in the book in the Atheneum that to my certain Knowledge, The Group was written by Mrs: Warren. Your polite invitation to Plymouth, is esteemed as an effusion of friendship, ancient and modern: But three score and nineteen years have reduced me to the Situation, the temper and humour of Mr. Selden, who Clarendon Say’s, would not have Slept out of his own bed, for any office...
8710From John Adams to John Taylor, 23 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
You “are unable to discover in our form of Government any resemblance of Aristocracy.” As every branch of Executive Authority committed or entrusted, exclusively to One, resembles and is properly called a Monarchical Power; & Government in proportion as its Powers legislative or Executive are lodged in One, resembles Monarchy: So whatever Authority or Power of making or executing Laws is...
8711From John Adams to Richard Rush, 14 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
There is an height, beyond which the proudest Wave cannot ascend: there is a depth, at least a bottom, from which no Waters are left to rise or retire. There is a tide in the Affairs of Men. It is a trite observation of Historians, that there is in human Affairs, an ultimate point of depression, from whence, Things naturally but gradually rise and return to their Level. Our american Affairs...
8712From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favr. of the 12th has revived or awakened my Pen which had fainted or Slept for many Weeks Preparations for Festivals have taken no time, nor many thoughts. One Sunday Evening, which our Parson, Said was the most pleasant and profitable, he had ever Spent, was all. Mr De Wint and Caroline have as little disposition to Pomp as her Grandfather. If you can give me any information concerning...
8713Three party indenture for distribution of property between JA and AA et al., 7 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
This indenture of three parts made and concluded this seventh day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & fourteen by and between John Adams Esquire and Abigail his wife in her right, of Quincy in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Richard Norton of Alexandria in the District of Columbia Esquire, William Norton of Weymouth in said County of Norfolk,...
8714From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I am happy to have recd. your No. 30. No. 33. and No. 34. It is impossible to express the pleasure I have felt in reading these Letters, those to your Mother Sons and Brother, or the pain from the consciousness of my physical as well as Spiritual Inability to answer them as they deserve. Last night Mr T. Greenleaf Sent his Son, to read to me your Dispatches by Mr Dallas, ten thousand Copies of...
8715From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your last Letter has affected me more than any I ever received from You. The Loss of your Friend Mr Mappa, your own Loss and Madam Vand erkemps loss must be So severe, that my heart has been deeply affected with the News, in the midst of the public News. The Menaces of G.B. I despize; but the Grief of my Friend melts my heart. Oh! that you were near me! Is the Pope and the Inquisition to make...
8716From John Adams to Henry Warren, 24 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
Though I had been prepared, by your friend Dr Freeman to apprehend the melancholy information in your obliging letters to Mrs Adams of the 19th of this month, yet I was not wholly without hope that your memorable Parent might survive her indisposition, and be preserved to us a little longer. But the Lot is cast and we must be seperated; tho’ but for a short time. A friendship of more than half...
8717From John Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 26 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
As the comfortable and reputable Establishment in Life, of my Grandchildren is very near my heart; your Letter of the 14th of this month could not fail to give me much pleasure. Yesterday the 25th. the anniversa r y, the 50th Aniversary of my own marriage, your Letter was brought to me from the Post Office. I devoutly pray that my lovely Abigail may be as happy in her marriage as I have been....
8718From John Adams to William Plumer, 27 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your pamphlet, which I read with great Satisfaction It is written with admirable temper, and carries demonstration with it, to every mind that is not rendered by party prejudice and passion, insensible to evidence. Too Many of our Clergy are going the Way of the Magi, the Druids the Mandarines, the Mufti, the Bramins, the Pontiffs of antient and modern times; by making...
8719From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have great pleasure in giving this Letter to the Gentleman who requests it. The Revd David Edward Everett, the Successor of Mr Buckminster and Thatcher and Cooper in the politest Congregation in Boston, and probably the first litterary Character of his Age and State, is very desirous of Seeing Mr Jefferson. I hope he will arrive before your Library is translated to Washington. By the Way I...
8720From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 28 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 10th is too delicious, to be disgraced by Ceremonies and Apologies in my Answer. You might as rationally ascribe the Events of this Annus mirablis, or any Annee la plus chetive et meprisable to the Power of Animalcules in Cayan Pepper Water, as to the Power or Policy of Men. I see nothing in the History of Napoleon more wonderfull or inexplicable, than in that of Zingis, of...