1001John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 October 1803 (Adams Papers)
We have been detained here since Sunday the 9 th: inst t: by the severe illness of my wife— We think however to go on this day, as far as Elizabeth-town, and to proceed by easy Stages to-morrow as far as Princeton, and the next day, (God willing) to Frankfort, where we hope to find you— If you can procure for us in that place, or on the other side of the City, towards Baltimore, convenient...
1002John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received only three days ago your N: 22. dated the 6 th: of December, and containing the melancholy tidings of the death of our unhappy brother at New-York. I had been informed of it two days earlier by a letter from my excellent friend M r: Murray at the Hague, who had seen an account of it in a New-York Gazette.— Of the situation in which he has left his wife and children you say nothing,...
1003John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 9 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Since our return to this place we have indulged ourselves with a few days of rest. The morning after we came back, I went over the lutheran church, which is the handsomest building in the town, & makes a conspicuous figure in all the views from the neighbouring hills. It is built in the shape of a cross, painted white, & roofed with red tile. These colours shew to great advantage here, as they...
1004John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 24 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I continue to number my letters, although the series containing our Silesian tour is closed, so that untill our return to Berlin, you may know whether you receive all those I write— At Dresden from which my last to you was dated, we spent six days, in the course of which I renewed my acquaintance with the picture gallery, made an excursion one afternoon to Tharandt, through the valley of...
1005From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
I return with thanks, Mr Jarvis’s Letter, enclosed in your’s of the 6th.—The sense of the People, throughout New. England, as signified by their suffrages in the choice of Electors, has been very gratifying to me—If in other parts of the Union it has been less favourable, I have in almost every part of it been honoured with a support for which I ought to be grateful—The opposition in...
1006John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
As I have wrote to Mamma and Sister I have but very little to write to you but I cannot let an opportunity slip without writing to you. I have wrote an account of my Voyage And of this city to Mamma and also all the news I have heard since I have been here excepting a report that the ardent an English 64 Gun brig was taken by the French, and that two Spanish frigates have been taken by the...
1007From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 2d. instt: enclosing a copy of the judiciary Bill which was before you for consideration came to hand some days since—As your legislative occupations employ you only three hours a day, I can readily conceive that you can find little time for private correspondence; for as an Antient Orator was wont to say that he had not time to make his speech short, so I have often found...
1008From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I have sent you under another cover, a copy of the President’s Message, with the documents, and the Journals of both Houses—We have hitherto done nothing, and this week being destined to horse-racing, will of course be passed in doing more nothing. This morning came a Message, with nominations for appointments; consisting only of those which have been made during the recess—The only one...
1009From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 19 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
Under another cover, I enclose to you the documents laid on our table this morning— I have not yet had a line from you; but received a letter a few days since from your father, and one since from Shaw—The issue of your elections for the electoral Ticket, appears to be ascertained—and shows that the federalists will be relieved from the embarrassment of fixing upon their Candidate—It is...
1010From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have placed to your credit as my Agent the sum of ten thousand Dollars, in the United States Branch Bank, which you are to employ as follows, and in no other manner without express authority from me hereafter. I have authorized Messers: Payne and Co. to purchase for me, Middlesex Canal Shares at 330 Dollars a share, all assessments paid—or at 250 dollars with the last Assessment to pay—If...
1011John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
The shortness of my paper, & of my time yesterday abridged my discription of the natural ruins at Adersback, one of the most curious objects we have yet viewed upon this journey. As I was closing my letter, the king & queen passed under our windows, on their way to Furstenstein. There, a double entertainment combining the fashionable amusements of antient & modern times, a carousel & a...
1012John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 April 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your favour of the 22 d: inst t : thanks you know are “the exchequer of the poor.” upon that exchequer of mine you are entitled to bills to a large amount. I assure you I feel the obligation of your attention to my trunk, which has not yet arrived, but which will be very acceptable when it comes. But your Letter has excited my curiosity, and I find myself very much...
1013John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
M r: Newcomb has executed a power of Attorney, authorising you to receive his interest due. I herewith enclose it.— You mention in your Letter to your mother, that you expect to leave Philadelphia the 28 th: of this month. But not where you purpose to go. I should be glad to hear from you once in a while. I think you are now in my debt upon the score of our correspondence. War—seems to be now...
1014From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 5 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
On new year’s day I received your very agreeable Letter of Decr: 21st: which I should have answered immediately; but it was not sitting day; and I find no time for my correspondence but while we are in Session—The reason of which is that having become a Jack of so many trades, I employ all the time I have to spare at home , in preparing for my bussiness at Cambridge next Spring—I have...
1015John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have had your favour of the 30 th: ult o: several days; and have taken time to deliberate upon its contents— And first as to the chemical apparatus—If you have not already procured one, we shall spare you any further trouble about it, as we have succeeded in obtaining a large one here, which will quite supersede the want of D r: Woodhouse’s oeconomical preparations— If however you have...
1016John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As my thoughts are Principally busied upon the French tongue, & as I wish you to turn yours the same way, earlier than I did, I cannot think of a Subject to write to you upon more agreable & useful both to you & me than this: Pappa who has an opportunity of Conversing with many men of Learning in this Kingdom, among the phisiciens & Lawyers, as well as eclesiasticks, of various orders,...
1017John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 November 1795 (Adams Papers)
You were doubtless informed by our friends who favoured me with a visit at Helvoet of my sailing from thence at last. I landed the next day at Margate, and the morning after reached the place from whence I now write you. I found nothing to do; or rather all done. But I still find my self detained here to wait for further orders which I expect daily to arrive M r: Pinckney is expected back in...
1018From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, for giving the necessary Bonds for the entrance of my Son George at the University and am very glad he is there—Market Projects, have lost most of their attractions for me—I desire to have nothing to do with that which is in contemplation, till something comes in the shape of returns from the other. I yesterday received a Letter from Messrs: R. P. & C. Williams of Boston,...
1019From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
Just one month ago, arrived here Captain Haskell, in the Ship Lucia, belonging to Mr. Gray, who sailed from Boston about the 15th: of June.—He brought me letters of the 13th. of that month, from him and your favour of the 20th: of Febuary—I was indeed almost as much rejoiced as if your letter had been dated four months later; but I could hardly keep the thoughts out of my mind how agreable it...
1020From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your N 19/10 dated 10 Septr: 7. Decr: 1811. and 3. Jany: 1812 was forwarded to me from Gothenburg, and received by me the 8th: of this present Month—And this day I received from Captain Henry, a letter dated Paris 12. April, enclosing yours N. 22/13 of 29. Feby—Your N 20/11 it seems had fallen into the hands of the Halifax Admiralty-Court, and is not to be expected—18/9 and 21/12 are therefore...
1021From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 November 1805 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to my mother from Providence & New-York, giving her an Account of our progress thus far; but the moment one sets one’s foot into Philadelphia, the Squire becomes such a standing topic of enquiry from all quarters, that it never fails to remind me of the duty of remembrance to him. We left New-York in the Diligence Stage on Monday Morning, and arrived here the next day just at...
1022From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days since your favour of the 28th. ulto: with the very interesting account of Selfridge’s trial—A subject upon which there has been much curiosity here; though we had heard nothing of the trial except the short paragraphs in the newspapers.—It has confirmed me in an opinion which I have long since entertained, that for our real security, in the protection of person, property,...
1023John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I have now received the Port-Folio, to number 48 inclusive; excepting N: 47 which yet remains in arrear— They have come to me lately, two and three at a time; but other subscribers have not been so well served— At Quincy N: 48 has been received but six or seven numbers immediately preceding it are missing— This procedure must be corrected The ode to Xanthias Phoceus, has produced some...
1024From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
The original of the enclosed did not go, as I had expected by the Cordelia; for she sailed on the very day that it was written, and before I could send it down to Cronstadt. But it was dispatched by the Hector, Captain Hetherington, which sailed, only three days later, for Providence—All the vessels which had arrived here during the regular season, are now gone—The last, or last but one that...
1025John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I believe there have been two or three opportunities of writing to the Hague since I received your favour of the 23 d: ult o: which have escaped me. This circumstance is not to be attributed entirely to indolence or inattention on my part: in fact I have been very unwell, and for the last three weeks have scarcely taken a pen in hand. My previous correspondence from hence I think will bear no...
1026From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have already drawn for three hundred pounds Sterling, of the credit, for which Mr: Gray gave me a letter upon his correspondents here. He will call upon you for the money; which does not quite amount to the balance I left in your hands for the purpose—I have written to you that I shall in all probability be compelled to draw upon you for more, but as by the course of exchange I draw at great...
1027John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
For I suppose you must have an explanation to keep you current with the vieux stile , now-a-days.— I have received your pleasant account from Brussels of your travels thus far. Continue to write me as often as you can, and sur tout return as speedily as possible. I have read something in Adam Smith about the wonders performed by division of labour. I know very well the effects of its...
1028From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have not forgotten the engagement which I voluntarily undertook, at the beginning of the last year, not to suffer any month to pass over without writing at least once to you, and once to my Mother, and I am sufficiently sensible that in regard to yourself I have failed in the fulfillment of this promise; inasmuch as my last Letter to you bears date the 25th: of January—the last opportunity...
1029John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
We received your short Letter of 19. November written just as the pilot from the mouth of the Elbe was about to leave you. Since that time untill this day, we have had almost incessantly Easterly winds blowing, and we hope that you enjoyed the benefit of them, and long before this, find yourself restored to the bosom of our Country and friends. Since your departure several circumstances have...
1030From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have not received from you any letter of later date than that of 29. Feby. but I learn from a Boston Newspaper of 12. March that your fears for you youngest child were unhappily too well founded—Most sincerely and deeply do I sympathize with you upon this afflicting bereavement; and I pray that it may be made instrumental to you, and to your partner, and to us all in the only way by which...
1031From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 19 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of congratulation with the very appropriate passage from Machiavel’s an author, with whose works I have never been familiar, and whose reputation as a political writer is problematical—The Sentiment which you have quoted from him is perhaps correct in its first part—certainly in its second. The congratulations of all my friends are entitled to my gratitude....
1032From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
To acknowledge in their order the Letters that I have received from you, since my last of 22. January, I am first to mention a short one of 1. December, which was delivered to me, by Mr Tarbell—And I mention it particularly, because it contains an erroneous position, that the Aliens and Post–Office Laws of this Country, do not allow the conveyance of Letters by private hands—There have been...
1033John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your N: 16. dated the 11 th: of May. which you gave to M r: Treat, with injunctions to take special care of it— Now, mark how specially this recommendation was observed— In order to secure your letter from all accident, which might happen to the bag, M r: Treat put it into his own trunk.— But being boarded by the officer of a french privateer, he was obliged to submit...
1034From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
We are in the midst of the bustle of a removal—I wrote you some time since that we were in the predicament of having the house in which we live sold over our heads—afterwards I told you, as I was told by my land l ord that the bargain was broken off, and we should remain in the house—About ten days ago my Landlord came and informed me that it was sold, and that if I could go out on the first...
1035From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the first instant did not come to hand until last Monday, that of the 9th: enclosing Mr Whitney’s funeral sermon, upon the decease of our dear & ever-to-be lamented Mother, (for which I beg you to thank him in my name,) reached me yesterday, together with a letter from my son George. I am yet almost without any account of the particulars of her illness. A line from Hariet Welsh,...
1036John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have not written to you before, since I left you, because my Studies and European Letters have engrossed all my Time. But as you will probably soon enter this University, I wish to give you a few hints which you may improve as you please. You will consider them, not as the commands or instructions of a Preceptor, but as the advice of a friend, and a Brother. Your intimate acquaintances will...
1037From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 February 1808 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to you, I believe for two letters; but there is so much in the last, of what parson Gardner in one of his Sermons said was called in the barbarous jargon of modern times quizzing , that I hardly know how to answer it at-all—For the use or abuse of my name in the newspapers, whether from friend or foe, in good or in evil I hope I shall not be held accountable—Neither do I suppose...
1038John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you together with the last sheet of the Journals of the House of Representatives, a Report from the Secretary of the Treasury, shewing the receipts and expenditures, upon the Seamen’s fund— You will see from this how much is collected in New-England, and how much expended elsewhere— Look particularly at the port of Norfolk. The Louisiana Government bill goes on prospering and to...
1039John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
My last letter to you, was from Dresden, and dated the 17 th: of last month, since which I have not had the pleasure to receive any thing from you. We spent a month at that place very agreably, & as long as the picture gallery remained open, I did not fail to visit it almost every day. We likewise went to Königstein, & saw also at Dresden the electoral jewels, the library, the old porcellain,...
1040John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here in three days from New-York, last Monday Evening, the 21 st: inst t: — I found my father in good health and spirits— My mother has been very unwell, but I am happy to tell you is upon the recovery. Whitcomb got here two days ago, and brought me, your facetious letter of the 18 th: —with the Port-Folio, for which I give you my thanks— But it is still incomplete for the prospectus...
1041John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed paper will give you an exact idea of that property belonging to me, [in the] hands of Doctor Welsh, and our brother Charles, which it is [my] wish that, you would take under your care, and management upon your arrival in America. When my library shall arrive from Lisbon, you will consult with your mother for a place of security in which to lodge it— If it should be joined to that...
1042From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 5 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Mr Sargent who arrived in London, about ten days ago, delivered to me your Letter of 6. December; and I am now in daily expectation of receiving your annual account, and your final arrangement for making the second payment upon the Bank Shares. Your anticipation that the price of the Script would fall, as the day to make the payment drew near, was so well founded, that I hope you did not wait...
1043From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have mentioned to the Secretary of War, your wish that your Son Thomas may be admitted at the Military Academy at West–Point—His name will accordingly be placed upon the list of Candidates, and his admission may be expected in March 1824—But Mr Calhoun advises that he may be placed in the meantime at some School or Academy, where he may be kept to the most assiduous application of...
1044From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Since writing my last, I have received your Letters of the 10th. and 15th. with the papers enclosed in them. The obituary notice of our dear and excellent Mother, which I mentioned to you as having been published in the Baltimore Newspapers was as I had supposed, written by Mr Colman—You have doubtless seen it. A short notice has also appeared in the Alexandria Gazette, written by Judge...
1045From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
There was one of the small English Poets, I think it was Dodsley, who on the reformation of the Calendar in England published a Poem upon the Tears of Old May-Day—As this is the only Country of Europe where Old May-Day is yet held in honour, it would not be expected that here too is precisely the spot where she sheds the most tears—If she sheds none upon the present visit which she is making...
1046John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 11 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter to you, I have not had the pleasure of receiving a line from you— I have it not yet in my power to unpack my books, and consequently not to take out and send you those belonging to you. But I have sent you a set of the Massachusetts Laws, and a copy of the translation from Bulow, by the Sylvia, Captain Seth Daggett, who has already sailed, and will probably reach...
1047John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 24 October 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received your letter enclosing the 8 per Cents, and the bank bill, for which I am to give you my best thanks. I arrived here safely after a fatiguing journey of thirty hours from Philadelphia, and had the happiness to find my wife and child in very good health— Louisa looks better than she has for years before, and I flatter my self with the hope that she will find this climate...
1048From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 December 1805 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 4th: instt: came to hand two days ago—But I have no information of a public nature to communicate, which may render it worth your while to peruse an answer—We are all very full of sound and fury against the foreign Nations from whom we have received such violent outrages; but having two of them upon our hands at once, we shall be very cautious about engaging in the contest...
1049From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you last (which the enclosed will shew you was very lately) though I have not have had the pleasure of hearing from you, I have at least enjoyed that of hearing of you—Mr: Ducoster, brought me a letter of 24. July from my Mother, and Mr Ingraham has brought us verbal information three days later—The thread of life, as somebody says in Shakespear is of a mingled yarn; our...
1050From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 29 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
A War between the United States and Great-Britain, and a War between France and Russia, having commenced on the same Week in the month of June last, have concurred almost entirely to annihilate, the few and precarious opportunities of Communication with you, which I had previously possessed— Our War has banished our flag from the Baltic, and stopped the channel of conveyance though England of...