101From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
“Je vienné de perdre le plus grand Homme de mon Reoyoms” said Louis 14th, on the death of the grand Condé. “Ah! tout est perdu” Said the same great little, Strong weak Monarch on the death of Marshal Turenne I repeat both these Ejaculations, with a heavy heart; on the premature and unexpected death of Mr Dexter. I cannot enlarge on this Subject. But I will Say, Mr Dexter and the late Chief...
102From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your Mother and your Father have dined here with great Pleasure this day, and I have borrowed a Pen to write you one Line by a Vessel to Sail in a day or two, barely to Say we are all well. George and John are very well and very attentive to their Studies. The Corporation for an Hospital have met to day, and all Parties very cordial and unanimous. I can add no more, only that Mr Gerry and Mr...
103From John Adams to John Adams, 11 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
You cannot imagine, how much pleasure, your Letter of July 24th gave me. Your Father and Mother have improved Your hand in a few days, more than We were able to do, in as many Months. I enter So feelingly into the Spirit of your Amusements that I wish you had mentioned the names of the principal Dancers male and female at the Opera. I have been present at all those Scenes of life that you...
104From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of May 6th. like all your other Letters for more than 20 years has been a cordial to me. I approve of your judicious Œconomy in the purchases of Books. I have need of Parcimony. Your great grandmother used often to Say “What a Mercy it is, that the Lords keeps some People poor.” If I was not poor, I should plague you to death, in hunting Books for me all over Europe. Oh! What a...
105From 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...
106From John Adams to John Farrar, 29 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
I received last night by the Quincy Stage, the honour of your Letter of the 27th. of this month; and am very sorry you have had so much trouble on the occasion. If on any future occurrence you should wish to convey a line to me, if you put it in the general Post office in Cambridge or Boston, it will arrive to my hand with great certainty in two days Accidents and sickness, and a general...
107From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 7 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read your letter of February 28th with pleasure. There is not a necessary and perpetual connection between power and right on this Globe of ours, whatever there may be in the Sun, Moon, and Stars. In the milky way; in the north Star; in the south Star; in the Nebulae of Herschell right for what we know may always command power. If so I should wish to be an Inhabitant there....
108From John Adams to John Mitchell, 19 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honour to write me on the first of this month, with a parcel containing Letters from J.Q. Adams Esq in Russia to his Father, his Mother; his Brother & his Sons, with one to Robert Fulton of N. York committed to your care by H. H. Cogswell Esqr Secretary of the Province by Order of his Excellency Sir John C Sherbrook the Commander in Chief. My thanks...
109From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
Mr Andrew Bigelow, whose Character you will learn from the inclosed Letter from the President of Harvard Colledge, will be the Bearer of this Letter; and I pray you to give him a kind Reception, and if convenient let him See your Secretary and your Sons. Haec olim meminisse juvasit, on both Sides. I have been to the fortieth Independance. My Reveries would amuse You. Do you think my...
110From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
No language can express my Anxiety for you and your Family and no volume could contain the multitude of my thoughts concerning my Country and my Posterity. One Thing is clear in my mind, and that is that you ought to be at home; if there, you should be obliged to live on Turnips Potatoes and Cabbage, as I am. “ My Sphere is reduced to my Garden: and So must yours be. The wandering Life that...
111From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
This Line will go by the Ship Hugh Johnston William Johnston Master bound for St. Petersbourg. She belongs to the House of Loring and Curtis and is consigned to Mr Joseph Austin, all Citizens of Boston: So that I presume if Neutral Ships Neutral owners Neutral Cargoes and Neutral Consignees can in any case Sail Securely , this Letter will reach you with safety. I have Mementos enough. Fryday...
112From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
Last night I recd the 3 Volumes D’Argens’s Ocellus, Timeus and Julian, and the Journal des debats and the Journal de L’Empire, to 22 Mars 1815. What curiosities, all? Tacitus, Quintillian, Jacques le Fataliste, what would you Say? Would you Still doubt? You ought not. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth, in Wisdom and benevolence beyond all our conceptions, let the Earth rejoice. You have heard...
113From John Adams to John Pope, 4 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the very acceptable Present of a Speech in favour of the renewal, of the charter of the Bank. I have read it with pleasure as a fine speciman of Argument and Eloquence. I know not whether it is not the best Apology for the Constitutionality of the measure that has appeared. I cannot however but wish that the Constitution had been more explicit, in this, as in several other...
114From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 1 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
Though the Thirteenth year of the nineteenth century has made its Debutt, yet as the sun has not and I am obliged to light a candle, to make you the compliments of the season As the American name is uppermost of all earthly things in my thoughts at present I shall just inform you that last evening I had the exalted pleasure to see the President sail majestic up the Harbour and come to Anchor...
115From John Adams to John Peter De Windt, 8 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
your delightful letter of the 31st of October, has made us all happy, and seems to be a sensible gratification to the whole village. I congratulate you and our dear Caroline, your mother & your whole family on this joyful Event. I am not enough of an Astrologer to conjecture by what conjunction of the planets it happened the child was born on your birth day and on mine. When she shall be...
116From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to send me a Book whose Title is ΑΙΡΕΣΕΩΝ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΣ : A New Way of deciding Old Controversies By Basanistes. Third Edition enlarged Ridentem dicere verum quid vetat Hor. London Printed for J. Johnson & Co. St. Pauls Church Yard. 1815. If there has been any Subsequent Edition Send me that. But above all let me intreat you to read it. If you can inform me Who wrote it, or is Suspected...
117From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 26 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your sensible and feeling letter of the 7th of February. If you and I should take a flight to the North Star, and after a years residence, meet a negro, a Tartar or Indian, or a Hottentot from Earth; I verily believe we should embrace him as a brother. There are no doubt, hundreds of young men in the United States, who envy your situation because they know nothing of the...
118From John Adams to John Adams Harper, 20 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have received, under your Frank, Copies of Henry’s full Proofs of his own turpitude and that of the late Governor of Canada, and that of some of the British Ministery; and I thank you for them. I read a Speech of Mr. Harper in Congress which appeared to me to contain marks of a Mind awake to Principles of Equity Humanity and Benevolence, as well as of Discretion, Patriotism and Sound Policy:...
119From John Adams to John Trumbull, 1 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of the 26th. of Decr has given me more pleasure than it would be prudent or decent for me to express. Your design has my cordial Approbation and best Wishes. But you will please to remember that the Burin and the Pencil, the Chisel and the Trowell, have in all Ages and Countries of which We have any Information, been enlisted on the Side of Despotism and Superstition. I Should...
120From John Adams to John Adams, 14 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your classical letter of the 4th. of Octr, does you honour, upon every Supposition that I can make. If you have composed it yourself, it is highly honourable to the Skill and care of your Preceptors and to your own Application to your Studies; All of which must have concurred in producing Such a proficiency in so Short a time. If, by your dutiful and submissive behaviour to your Masters you...
121From John Adams to John Adams, 18 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am charmed with the Chirography of your Letter of the Eleventh of September to your Grandmother. If your proficiency in your other Studies is in proportion to your improvement in your hand writing you will soon be a first rate Scholar. Your Account of the Accademy at Ealing is quite Satisfactory. If under Such Masters pursuing Such Studies and Exercises, with Such Companions, you do not lay...
122From John Adams to John Taylor, 24 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
That the first Want of Man is his Dinner, and the second his Girl, were truths well known to every Democrat and Aristocrat, long before the great Phylosopher Malthus, arose, to think he enlightened the World by the discovery of them. It has been equally well known, that the Second Want is frequently So impetuous as to make Men and Women forget the first; and rush into rash Marriages, leaving...
123From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is devoted to one Subject. Since the Death of Judge Cushing there has been frequently expressed in Conversation, much regret at your Absence, among People of all Parties. Presuming that Absence to be an insuperable Bar to any Nomination as a Judge, I have taken very little Notice of such Insinuations of Regret and imputed some of them to one Motive and Some to another. I need not...
124From John Adams to John Taylor, 21 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
You remember I have reserved a right of employing twenty years to answer your Book, because you consumed that number in writing it. I have now written you thirty Letters and have not advanced beyond a dozen pages of your Work. At this rate I must ask indulgence for forty or fifty years more. You know that your Amusement and my own are the principal Objects that I have in View. In the fine...
125From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the Memoirs of Doctor Price. Though there is little in this Work which was new to me, except the Calvinism of the Doctors Father and Uncle. Yet I love to run over again the Passages of a Life which I esteemed and loved as one of the wisest and most benevolent of the human Race. I Shall not review this Pamphlet, and have nothing to Say in praise or censure of it, except that...
126From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
though I owe you many Apologies for neglecting to write for so long a time, it would give you no pleasure to read them. The Misfortunes afflictions and griefs in our Family in 1811 were sufficiently pungent, and to repeat them would be to renew them. I feel too much for you, your Consort and your Sister, as well as for Mr Smith to wish to renew the Sorrows which you must have felt at the first...
127From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 2 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have read the enclosed travels of Vanderkemp, with as much interest as Bruce’s or Chateaubriands, though they cost me, a large part of the vision, that remained to me I pray you tax your patience to read it, and then return it by a safe hand to the Author. My wife is comfortable this morning, & joins in love to all, without naming any; except the little one, who his Grand Mother says, “has a...
128From John Adams to John Taylor, 14 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams’s System is that of Pope, in his Essay on Criticism; “First follow Nature and your Judgment frame By her just Standard, which is still the Same.” This Rule, Surely cannot “arrest our efforts” or “appal our hopes. ” Study Government, as you build Ships or construct Steam Engines. The Steam Frigate will not defend New York, if Nature has not been studied and her Principles regarded. And...
129From John Adams to William Bentley, 30 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Well knowing your love of your Country, and your judicious discrimination in the choice of measures to promote its interest; I presume you will not be displeased, with the enclosed volume. Be so good as to accept it as a very small expression of gratitude for the many civilities I have received from you. At the same time your situation may afford, opportunities of improving the work and...
130From John Adams to Albert Gallatin, 24 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose a few Letters from my Family here to that part of Us who are at St. Petersburg; and ask the favour of Your Care of them. It will be great Joy to your Colleague in that City to receive the Society of Gentlemen he has So long known, and whose great Experience in public Affairs will furnish him with every necessary Information. I can do no more than pray for your...
131From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
If Parson Nelson could call that Composition of Alexander, Petrarch and Werter, The Admiral, “ Great and good , Surely it may be excusable in me, to make free with the Same Epithets. But away with Badinage. Be it known to you that I am in Correspondence, with your Rival; your victorious Rival; and what is more marvelous, a friendly correspondence. One of his Letters is inclosed, copied by your...
132From John Adams to John Taylor, 12 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
In this fourth page you say, that “Mr. Adams’s System tells Us that the Art of Government can never Change.”— I have said no such thing, Mr. Taylor.!—I know the Art of Government has changed, and probably will change as often as the Arts of Architecture, painting Sculpture Music, Poetry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Medicine &c that is to Say almost as often as the Weather or the fashion in...
133From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your Letter of Oct. 27. 1814. and that of 26. of November. I congrtulate you on the harmony between you and your Colleagues an inexpressible Felicity of which I have not always been So fortunate as to enjoy the Sweets. I congratulate you also on the Peace and the glorious moment in which the News of it arrived. The Raptures of Joy I leave the Newspapers to describe. It is my...
134From John Adams to James Williams, 5 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour, this morning to receive your favour from New York of the 30th of November. At the same time I had the pleasure to receive two small pacquets of letters from London; I thank you Sir for your kind care of these letters, and congratulate you on your safe return to this Country. I am Sir respectfully, your obliged & obedient Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
135From 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...
136From 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...
137From John Adams to R. Y. Hayne, 9 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Accept my thanks for Mr Whites Oration on the fourth of March, and be pleased to present them to your Constituents—At the same time I cannot refrain from congratulating you on the Felicity of our Country; and the Glory acquired by the Western the Southern and the Middle States in the late War—I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, with much respect, your obedient Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
138From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
I am not about to write you much upon War or peace. You must have enough upon those Subjects in public papers. My principal Topicks will be to inform you that We are all in unusual good health, have had an uncommonly fine Autumn and that We are all extreamly desirous of Seeing you all return to our Embraces. But none of Us can conjecture how it will be possible for you to get home, unless you...
139From John Adams to John Taylor, 18 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I hope my last Letter convinced you, that Democracy is as restles as ambitious as warlike and bloody, as Aristocracy or Monarchy. You proceed to say that I “ought to have placed right before Us, the Effects of these three Principles, viz Democracy, Aristocracy and Monarchy, commixed, in the Wars, Rebellions, and Persecutions of the and oppressions of the English form.” Pray sir What was the...
140From 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...
141From 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.
142From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I feel Some Compunction, when I recollect the long time that has passed Since I wrote you a Line. Indeed I Could take no pleasure in Writing, nor you in reading continual Narrations of Wounds Bruises, Sicknesses Amputations and Deaths, among those you Love, as I did with the most ardent and well merited Affection. I could only recommend Epictetus’ Antoninus, and St Paul, all of whom you know...
143From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
At the Request of Mr Quincy, I inclose to you, his Speech on the Admission of States into the Union which are Situated beyond the Limits of the 13 original Confederates. You will want none of my Comments upon it. Your Authority is quoted in it, in Support of its Principle. The Prophecies of Quincy’s imagination are not altogether chimerical; tho I hope the fulfillment of them is far, very far...
144From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your N. 48. April 8. arrived last night, and put our little family Circle into the best possible humour. The Gaiety of Spirit, the perfect good humour the delicate Satyre and the perfect Knowledge of Persons and Politicks, delighted and astonished Us all. If you had more of Juvenal and less of Horace; more of Swift and less of Adison, more Caustics and less Emolients, you would be the Terror...
145From 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,...
146From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 13 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 6th is before me. to save me the time for writing & your that of reading long discourses, I will come directly to the point of most essential importance. you would “provide by Law, against employing foreigners on board our vessels.” I would not for these reasons. 1 We are under no obligation by any Law of nations to make any such provision. 2 No nation ever did make any such...
147From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 10 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
Do you See, in these Plays of Terence, which are the Translations from Menander, the Character of the Athenians? Are not the Slaves Superior Beings to the Citizens? Every Smart Expression; every brilliant Image, every Moral Sentiment is in the Mouth of a Slave. To be Sure, however, Masters and Slaves are nearly on a Level, in Principles of Conduct. MHi : Adams Papers. {{Included with...
148From John Adams to Samuel L. Mitchell, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
What apology can I offer, for the liberty I take of introducing to you the Revnd Henry Colman of Hingham? My apology is ready without ceremony. Mr Colman wishes to see, the great and good men and things in New York & Philadelphia, and as a man of Science, letters, and virtue, he is worthy to see them. Any notice you may take of him, will be gratefully acknowledged, by your humble Servant with...
149From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
Though you may think the inclosed Letter from Mr Sears to Mr Marston, out of date; I inclose it to shew you the importance of the Object in View. The little Town of Chatham, is but one among many in Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut and New York who have used the Fisheries to advantage. I conjecture the difficulties you have had to encounter. The Fisheries in their utmost extent,...
150From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
Twelve days of in cessant Snows have obscured from our Sight Sun Moon and Stars till this Morning, till this Moment when I am gazing at it as it rises, in the Chamber where your Mother has been confined during the whole Storm. I brought her home Sick, from The Meeting of The Accademy in Boston on the 30th. Jan. and She has not been out of her Chamber Since. She is now pretty well again...