1001To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 7 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of 15. Novr. last—and beg you to accept my acknowledgments for your obliging attention to the Circumstances, which though merely of a private nature, to myself had made it my duty to decline the highly honourable office, to which you had called me, and had prevented my return to the United States, on receiving your permission to that...
100217th. (Adams Papers)
I set out for Haverhill between 3 and 4. this afternoon, and arrived at Mr. White’s, a little after 5. Leonard was at my lodgings last Tuesday, and made me promise I would stay with him the next time I should go to that town. I was inform’d of Mr. Thaxter’s marriage. Last tuesday was the day, when he departed the life of a bachelor, and was ushered into a new kind of existence. His friends had...
100316th. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went with the Count and Mr. Schiebe to see the royal Cabinet of curiosities which is vast; but not much in order; there are some very curious things in it; but there are others which are not worth looking at. There are two pieces of silver just as they came out of the mines in Norway, one of which is worth 5,000 Rxdallers, Danish and the other about 3,000. One would think seeing...
1004From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 May 1824 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your letter of the 26 ulto. If the proposition which you say has been made to you, is the express desire of my father & it was by his direction that you made it me; & if on the receipt of this letter, he continues to desire that the house should be painted white, I authorize you to comply with his wishes; provided it can be done without inconvenience to the tenant of the house;...
10054th. (Adams Papers)
Blackstone still furnishes me with employment for my forenoon hours; and I this day took up the fourth volume of Hume’s History, which I was reading when I last went from here. This author’s manifest partiality in favour of the Stuarts, his unceasing labours to palliate their faults, and his blindness to their crimes, must be overlook’d or forgiven in favor of the great entertainment which he...
1006From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 28 November 1810 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days ago, and since I wrote you last a letter from Captain William Welsh, dated at Lisbau, a Russian Port in the Baltic, to which I suppose he came, on finding that all American vessels were excluded from the Port to which he was originally destined—He enclosed to me at the same time your kind letter of 25th: July—In the obstructed state of navigation in the Baltic, I have...
1007From John Quincy Adams to Walter Hellen, 28 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you in July last, I have had the pleasure of receiving your favour of 6. August, by Mr Boyd—As there was at the time when I received it scarcely the most distant prospect that the Negotiation then pending would terminate in Peace; I felt a repugnance at writing to you information which from the tenour of your Letters. I perceived would be so unwelcome to you— The prospect...
10087th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons, has recovered in a great measure from his illness: so that he was the chief part of this day in the office. I spent the evening in part with him. Play’d Backgammon, and draughts. At the former of these games he beats me; at the latter I beat him. I should suppose him to be a great proficient, at those games which require reflection, and a train of reasoning, which is very much the...
1009Martius. 1783. (Adams Papers)
5. Depart de Copenhague et l’10 arriveé à Hambourg. JA wrote to AA on 28 March , informing her that JQA had been impeded by “terrible Weather” on his journey from St. Petersburg and that “my Son has been another Source of Distress to me.” Receiving a letter from JQA dated 12 March from Hamburg, JA was hopeful that his son would arrive at The Hague by the end of March, but it was another three...
101024th. (Adams Papers)
Very warm this forenoon. After dinner, I had just set out with my aunt to go down to Mr. Beale’s in Dorchester, when we met Mrs. Williams, and her daughter in a Chaise; we returned, and about ten minutes after Mrs. Beale, and Miss Mayhew, with Ben and Miss Street, came in. Mrs. and Miss Williams propose passing the night here.
101121st. (Adams Papers)
I this morning requested of Mr. Parsons his opinion, whether it would be most advantageous for me to pursue, the professional study in those hours, when I should not attend at the office; or whether it would be best to devote those of my evenings, which I shall pass at my own lodgings, to other purposes, and a diversity of studies. He answered by observing, that I could not attend to any...
1012Aug. 16th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Brantsen’s; the Dutch Ambassadors, with a great deal of Company. In the evening I went to the French Comedy; the pieces represented were Rhadamiste et Zenobie a Tragedy by Crebillon and Le Français a Londres. The author of the Tragedy is regarded as one of the best dramatick poets of France. His Tragedies are all very deep, indeed, they are so much so, that several of them...
101314th. (Adams Papers)
We had a philosophical lecture at 11. A Class meeting was called this evening, to determine, whether the Class should take any further measures, upon the ill success of our petition for the overseers: it was proposed that the whole Class should refuse to perform the different parts that may be allotted to them for Commencement. A Committee of three was appointed, (Barron, Freeman and Packard,)...
101411th. (Adams Papers)
Reading Blackstone all day; and I pass’d the evening, at the office till eight: after which I went and past an hour with Putnam. F. Bradbury was with him. We had some conversation upon the stale topic of self love and disinterested benevolence. A subject, upon which I have very frequently conversed, with many different persons: and notwithstanding every thing that I have heard said upon the...
1015To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 27 December 1807 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 14th: instt: came to my hands just at a moment to renew and to strengthen impressions which had been weighing heavily upon my mind for near a month—The general questions relative to the powers and the process of expulsion under our Constitution had been forced upon me by the situation in which I was placed as Chairman of the Committee on the present Inquiry—My own...
1016From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 9 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
Upon looking back on the list of my Letters sent to America, I am surprized to find that the last I wrote you was dated so long ago, as the 13th: of September; but the causes of this long silence have not been from any abatement of my affection for you. During the whole of the last Winter, and untill I left St: Petersburg to come upon my present Journey I did not receive a line from you—There...
101717th. (Adams Papers)
Took books from the library. Hammond’s algebra; Burke, on the sublime and beautiful, and Smith’s theory of moral sentiments. Was employ’d a great part of the day, in calculating the Elements for a solar Eclipse. Snow. Nathaniel Hammond, The Elements of Algebra in A New and Easy Method ..., 4th edn., London, 1772; Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime...
10184th. (Adams Papers)
The judge was much better this morning. At 11 o’clock I came up to College. Mr. Williams closed his course, with a lecture upon astronomy. He finished with an affectionate farewell to the Class, advising them to carry into life the spirit of Philosophy, which was the spirit of business: a spirit which could not fail to make useful members of Society. I return’d and dined at Mr. Dana’s. Pass’d...
101929th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went and took a walk with Mr. Artaud to Mr. Rimbert’s. After dinner the youngest Mr. Montréal came here and I went with him and Mr. Artaud to the shops. In the afternoon Mr. D took a ride. In the evening Mr. Artaud went to the Concert.
1020To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 26 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr Hughes, the Secretary to the American Mission for negotiating Peace, was dispatched early this morning with one copy of the Treaty signed by the British and American Plenipotentiaries the Evening before last. It was executed in triplicate to provide against the accidents which might befall any single copy on the passage—Mr Clay’s private Secretary, Mr. Carroll is to go this day with another...
1021From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter N. 12 of the 14th. instant is before me—I approve of every thing which can contribute to the comfort of my father’s life: and of every thing which may at the same time contribute to your welfare and that of your family—Though I do not fully perceive in what manner my assistance can be required for your removal to his house, I am not aware of any manner in which, I shall hesitate to...
1022Aug 23d. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went and paid a visit to the Baron de la Houze the Minister of France at the Court of Denmark, who is here at present by Congé, and whom I had the honour of seeing at Copenhagen. He talked to me a great deal about America. He said he believed that France, England and Holland would carry on the greatest part of our Commerce; that the Nations of the North wanted a number of our...
1023From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 19 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have received from you the Anthology for January, for which I thank you—In a letter yesterday to my brother I have made some remarks upon it with which I hope you will not be displeased—Perhaps my own zeal upon a subject of importance, made me more sollicitous concerning one Article in it than was necessary—I should be glad to review the several pamphlets on this subject lately published in...
10247th. (Adams Papers)
I have been rather idle, this week, and this day entirely so. This evening I went down with Mr. Andrews to Judge Dana’s, and spent a couple of hours there. Invited Miss Ellery and Miss Nancy Mason, to the dance to’morrow. John Andrews, Harvard 1786, who was studying divinity at Harvard at this time. Almy, daughter of William Ellery ( JQA to AA2 , 14 Jan.–9 Feb. 1787 , Adams Papers ).
1025[Titlepage] (Adams Papers)
Titlepage of D/JQA/5 which covers the period 27 Jan.–23 Nov. 1782 and consists of JQA ’s entries for the remainder of his stay in St. Petersburg and for part of his return trip to western Europe. This Diary, the first actual blank book purchased for this purpose, measures approximately 5⅞″ × 3¾″” and contains 118 pages. Presumably it was JQA who marked off in pencil margins on the top and left...
1026To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 4 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing to you two certificates, respecting William Parker, a native Citizen of the United States, impress’d into the British Service, about fourteen months since, and whose liberation it has been impossible to obtain. He is the eldest Son of a widow of very respectable character, with a family of ten children, and in circumstances to depend in some measure upon him for...
102719th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This day Mr. Artaud went on hunting. In the afternoon Mr. D. took a ride out of town. Cloudy, rainy weather.
102824th. (Adams Papers)
It seems as if there is to be no end of this Stormy weather. It does not look more likely to clear up, than it did, a week agone; Charles and myself lodg’d down at our house; it is almost 7 years since I pass’d a night there before this.
102921st. (Adams Papers)
The second division of the Class, read a forensic, upon the Question, whether the destroying of inferior animals, be a violation of the Laws of nature. Where so much may be said on one side, and so little on the other, there cannot I believe, be derived, much instruction from a debate. The pieces were almost all short, and I do not recollect, that any thing new was said. Mr. Wigglesworth, gave...
10307th. (Adams Papers)
Went in the morning to Church: Mr. Harrison who is always with the Ladies squired them there A gentleman preach’d from a text in the Psalms. He spoke well, but was so slow that the first part of a phrase was lost before he finish’d the last. After Church I paid a visit with Mr. D. Le Roi and Captain Kortright, to Miss van Berkel, who arrived two days agone; she was not within, and to Miss...
1031From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 30 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of 26. November was received by me last Sunday; but in writing to you on Tuesday, the account of the Peace and the arrangements consequent upon it, which I proposed to you for our meeting again, so absorbed my attention that I forgot to acknowledge the receipt of it—Yesterday Morning yours of the 2d: instant reached me, and is on my file, number 48—The inconvenience of the house in...
1032John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 13 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The day after I sent off my last Letter, I received that of my good friend, dated the 27 th: of last month; and at the same time, a Packet from America, containing my orders to quit my station here, and proceed upon that to which I am now destined. Since then I have been occupied in taking measures preparatory to my departure, which I shall however probably not effect before the latter part of...
10339th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This day Mr. Artaud went into the country. Mr. D. went to the French Minister’s Hotel in the forenoon. After dinner he went and took a ride. Walk’d in the garden in the evening. Fine weather.
1034From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 9 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Mr Bagot, or to speak in the style and after the fashion of this Country, the Right Honourable Charles Bagot, was immediately after my arrival in this Country, appointed by the Prince Regent, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States of America—He is a young man—I conjecture about thirty, brother of Lord Bagot, and his Lady is a daughter of Mr Wellesly-Pole, the...
103514th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Thatcher of Boston preached in the forenoon from John XX: 13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him, and in the afternoon, from Ephesians V and 11. And have no fellowship, with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather, reprove them. This is the best Orator, that I have seen in...
103611th. (Adams Papers)
We recite this week in Burlamaqui, to Mr. Burr, but he did not attend this day. I am reduced to the necessity of being idle; for I have no wood left, and must live where I can. Foster went off this morning to Boston, and I have for the present taken up my quarters with Bridge, who has a little wood left. Meeting of the ΦBK, this evening at Burge’s chamber; the performers were absent: so there...
103723d. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went with Mr. D. Mr. Artaud and several other gentlemen to see her Majesty’s cabinet of paintings in the Palace. Mr. D and Mr. Artaud took a walk upon the quay. Mr. Artaud dined at Mr. Rimbert’s. Cloudy weather.
1038From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I continue to receive your journals—that of the 29th. was the last; and they would continue to be most agreeable, if they all gave cheering accounts of your brother—Count de Manon called on me yesterday and told me he had seen your brother last week; and thought he looked not worse but if any thing he thought rather better than he had a fortnight before. Tuesday Evening we had a party at Dr...
103911th. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted on board the Packet, which is to sail for L’orient next monday; from thence I went a shore on Long Island, and paid a visit to Madam de Marbois, which I ought to have done before. People here are much more attached to ceremony and etiquette than I expected to find them. I found Mr. Chaumont there and we read part of Phedre together. Mm. de Marbois speaks french very prettily: I...
10404th. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. It was very uncomfortable, the weather being so warm, and we are crowded there so thick. The Parson for our Comfort was very short. In the forenoon he preach’d from I Ep: John V. 11. And this is the record, That God, hath given to us eternal Life, and this Life is in his Son, and in the afternoon from, I Corinthians VII. 31. And they that use this world, as not...
104113th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Went in the afternoon and took a walk in the garden. Mr. Hoogwerst came to see us. Clear weather.
1042From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 15 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
The above note to Lord Castlereagh & the enclosed Letters are to be copied into the Book. The note itself I have sent by the coachman. If an answer should come to the office this day send it to me by the coachman If tomorrow morning keep it as I propose to come into Town. The letters to Mr Maury are press copies. I send the originals directly by the Post to him. The Letter for Mr Cornelissen...
10437th. (Adams Papers)
Company to dine. The Abbés wrote a billet to excuse themselves.
1044Thursday September 1st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
Went and sat with Mr. de Chaumont a couple of hours, and afterwards accompanied him, and Mr. Toscan &c to Concert hall; to see Mr. Turner’s scholars dance. Once every fortnight, there is such a forenoon ball, from 1. o’clock to three. There were a number of minuets and country dances performed pretty well: and all the beauties of Boston seem’d to be assembled there in one bright constellation....
1045From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 4 November 1816 (Adams Papers)
Since I last wrote to you, I have received your kind Letters of 27. August, and of 10. June, which I mention in the order, not of their dates, but of their reception. That of June enclosed a printed Copy of Judge Story’s biographical eulogium of our late excellent friend Dexter, whose loss is a calamity to our Country, and especially to our Native State, which with all her errors and follies I...
1046John Quincy Adams to Charles Adams, 1 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you on the 14 of February a letter, which I am informed you have received, but to which no answer from you has yet reached me. Nor have I since it was written received a line from you. I must again repeat the request that you would give me immediate information concerning the property which I have entrusted to you. I have also to request that you would not draw upon Mess rs: Willing of...
1047John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 27 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
it is some time since I wrote you a Letter & if I should neglect it a great while longer you would have no right to complain because you have been negligent in writing to me. however I think I will not take advantage of you. But what Subject Shall I write you upon as you have now the honour to be miss in her your teens I suppose you begin to look about the world for Diversion if you was here...
10483d. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon I went and took a ride with Mr. D. to Caminostrow. Fine weather.
104926th. (Adams Papers)
We have been left alone again this day. Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard went away this morning. I employ most of my time at present in reading the Abbé Millot’s elements of history. They are well written but very concise. He is quite philosophical: in some pas sages perhaps too much so. At least he calls in question many historical facts; without sufficient reason, I think. His reflections which seem...
1050John Quincy Adams to Cotton Tufts, 18 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days since your favour of the 10 th: inst t. and as there will be a difficulty in procuring a tenant for the house, I should wish if possible to take some other office at least for a time. The multiplicity of your affairs almost precludes the hope that you can attend to this matter: if however you should hear of any room conveniently situated which might be hired for a...