1101From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 May 1824 (Adams Papers)
Abby S. Adams returns home in company with Mr Fuller. I have requested him to pay her expenses on the road, and upon his arrival, to give you a minute of them, informing him that you will discharge it—I now write merely to request you to do so, and to charge the same, in account, to me. your affectionate father MHi : Adams Papers.
110218th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I took a ride, with White, to see our class mate Eaton. We spent about an hour with him and return’d before dinner. Dined at Mr. White’s, and the afternoon went to see his pearl ash works: the sight of these and the account of all the process in making pot and pearl ash, was pleasing because it was new. Leonard complains very much of the stagnation of business; and indeed...
1103From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 June 1806 (Adams Papers)
I expected to have this letter from Quincy, where it was my intention to have gone yesterday in the Stage— But it was to have called for me at Whitcomb’s where I still lodge, and by some mistake went away and left me. It was the cause of no small disappointment, as I had flattered myself with seeing our two darlings, for whom I had got a little book and a toy to give them from their Mama— But...
1104Wednesday February 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
Slept none last Night. Felt unwell all day. Went in the evening to Mr. White’s but nobody was there: from thence to Mr. Duncan’s where I found Mr. Thaxter, and the young Squire, about as opposite to each other as North and South. Mr. Duncan, talk’d a great deal about paper money times, and the amazing depreciation, of that Currency. Went from thence in to Mr. Osgood’s, where there was all Mr....
1105From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 23 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two letters of last Week, with a dozen copies of my letter to Mr: Otis—And Mr: Gardiner’s fast Sermon—But the copies which you mention as forwarding with your’s of the 15th: instt: have not come to hand. I thank you most cordially for the promptitude with which you executed the charge of publication—I find the federal newspapers in Boston, which began with a system of...
110616th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Thermometer in the morning at home 29 academy 32 degrees below 0. Stay’d at home all day.
Know all Men by these Presents that I John Quincy Adams of Boston in the County of Suffolk, Esquire, in Consideration of the sum of one dollar paid me, by the said John Quincy Adams, and Josiah Quincy, Executors, of the last Will and Testament of John Adams, late of Quincy in the County of Norfolk, Doctor of Laws, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, and for the fulfilment of the...
110813th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Dined out with Mr. Artaud. Rainy stormy weather. Went to the Clubb in the evening.
1109To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 20 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr Dallas goes off with our Dispatches at three O’Clock to-morrow morning; and the John Adams is to sail from the Texel; if possible on the 25th.—I take the last moments before his departure to enclose you a press-copy of my last, which I sent by the way of England, with some other Letters for my Mother, my brother and my Children—I expect shortly to return to St: Petersburg—Peace is to be...
11109th. (Adams Papers)
I did not attend meeting this day for several reasons. At home the whole day; it was extremely long and tedious. I amused myself with reading in the first volume of Blair’s lectures: I have already perused the work; but I think it deserves a second reading. Retir’d early to bed, merely from ennui.
1111To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 5 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this Letter, Mr. D’Hauteval, is a french Gentleman from the Island of St. Domingo, where he had lately the misfortune to lose a plantation of great value, by the devastation of the insurgent negroes. He has been about two months in this town, where I have frequently had the pleasure of meeting him in Company, and where his amiable manners have entitled him to as much esteem, ás...
1112From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Paris. Hotel du Nord, Rue de Richelieu—Saturday 4. Feby: 1815. I arrived here at one O’Clock this afternoon, having left Bruxelles on Thursday Morning between five and six. It has been a solitary journey, and the roads, which are paved the whole way, as bad as they could be—If it were not for the pavement they would be nearly impassable—There was here and there a remnant of snow, at the sides...
1113John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 31 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received my kind friend’s letters of 3 d , 16 th: and 19 th: of May, and am impatiently waiting to hear from you and your father again. I am going this day on a tour to Amsterdam, where I shall make the arrangements for my immediate departure; so that I shall probably not remain here long enough to receive your reply to this Letter. There are many difficulties in the way of any...
111422d. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Judge Sargeant’s, with Mr. and Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Porter and his lady are there upon a visit from Rye: with a child about six weeks old, which forsooth immediately after dinner must be produced, and was handed about from one to another; and very shrewd discoveries were made of its resemblance to all the family by turns, whereas in fact it did resemble nothing but chaos. How much is the...
1115From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 17 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Card has two very coarse drawings of a device, of which I wish to have a Seal engraved—A Ship, under full Sail, or if the Artist can represent her labouring with reefed topsails, under heavier weather than either of those on the Card, it will suit me better. The Motto is “Fortiter occupa Portum”. and I think it will have the best effect, if placed between two concentric circles...
11166th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Went in the forenoon with Mr. Artaud to take a walk. Mr. D stay’d at home all day. Cloudy weather in the morning, and snow in the afternoon.
11173d. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Gummer arrived there at about 8 o’clock in the morning. Here people generally change their russian money for Swedish Rixdallers. We paid 1 Rbl. 40 cop. for each Rixdaller. Mr. Gummer supped out. From Wibourg to wersts Terwajoki Tervayokki 20. Willajoki Willayokki 17. Urpala Urpola 23. Pytterlax Puterlar 16 Kouckis 18 Frederichshamm 16. 110.
1118From John Quincy Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 16 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your obliging Letter of the 8th. instt I have only to renew the request that you would procure the necessary shelves for my books though the cost should be to the extent of your estimate observing only the caution mentioned in my former Letter that the shelves be made adoptable to removal to any other place I am as ever &c &c &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1119John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 30 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
After an interval of considerable anxiety, arising from the lapse of time, since I had heard from my dearest friend, I was at length at once confirmed in my apprehensions, and in some sort relieved from their alarm by your letter of the 14 th: which however I did not receive untill the Evening before last— The Washington Post Mark on the cover was dated the 15 th: but, I had sent into Boston...
1120From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 19 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
On Sunday Evening, immediately after I had closed my last Letter to you, I came on board this Vessel, with the expectation of proceeding the next Morning upon my Voyage. I requested Mr Rodde, in case we should sail, to write you a line informing you of that circumstance. We did actually sail on Monday Morning with a fair, but very light wind which by the time we were out of the harbour died...
112120th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon Mr. Wolff came to pay a visit to Mr. D. In the afternoon I went with Mr. Artaud to a booksellers and bought Cicero’s catilinaries French and Latin, and to the academy to get an almanack. In the evening Mr. Rimbert came to pay Mr. D. a visit. This is undoubtedly Phillippiques de Demosthene, et Catilinaires de Ciceron . . ., transl. Pierre Joseph Thoulier, l’Abbé d’Olivet, Paris,...
1122John Quincy Adams, Account of Sale of Part of John Adams’s Estate, 27 September 1826 (Adams Papers)
Silver oz. Pwt $ C $ C 1 Large Coffee Pot 36 10 at $1,12 per oz to John Adams 40,88 1 Tea Pot 14 10 = 1,20 = = 17,40 2 Sugar Castors 23 0
112313th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Dr. Kilham at Mr. Carter’s. This is a very friendly, obliging old gentleman, about 73 years of age, as I collected from his conversation: he is very sociable, and is a great genealogist. He gave me a much more circumstantial account of my ancestry, for four or five generations back, than I had ever known before, and I am told he can give the same kind of information to almost any...
112415th. (Adams Papers)
Between 9 and 10 in the morning, I went to the President’s, and was there admitted examined, before, the President, the four Tutors three Professors, and Librarian. The first book was Horace, where Mr. James the Latin Tutor told me to turn to the Carmen saeculare where I construed 3 stanza’s, and parsed the word sylvarum , but called potens a substantive. Mr. Jennison, the greek Tutor then put...
1125To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Within a few days I have received your kind favours of 19. Feby: and 10. Decr: last; the first of which was forwarded to me by Mr Hall, from Gothenburg, and the last by Mr Russell from London—Mr Hall came from Boston to Gothenburg, and has since arrived here in the Minerva, a vessel belonging to Mr W. R. Gray—he brought your letter of 19 Feby. and although from thence he transmitted it by the...
112627th. (Adams Papers)
This morning Miss Nancy return’d, upon hearing Lucy Cranch, was here, as they are very intimate together; not from a similarity of character however, for Lucy, has still more gravity and seriousness in her disposition, than her Sister. Every person I believe has, in some measure, a double Character; the one implanted by nature, and the other form’d by education. A Character naturally vicious,...
112719th. (Adams Papers)
At about 7 1/2 in the morning I set out for Cambridge, and arrived there just as the Clock struck ten. I found the Crowd large. At about half after eleven the procession arrived and took their Seats in the meeting house. The performances began, with a Salutatory Latin Oration by Champlin, which was followed by a Poem on Commerce by Fowle, which was very good. A Syllogistic on the Question...
112810th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This morning we went to see the palace at Oranienbaum, and then dined and after dinner set off in our slays from Oranienbaum for Peterhoff at five minutes past two o’clock, and arrived there, at three o’clock wanting twenty minutes the distance being 9 wersts. We came from Oranienbaum to Peterhoff on the land whereas yesterday we were upon the Gulph of Cronstadt. We saw the palace of Peterhoff...
1129[March 1786] (Adams Papers)
Between 9 and 10 in the morning, I went to the President’s, and was there admitted examined, before, the President, the four Tutors three Professors, and Librarian. The first book was Horace, where Mr. James the Latin Tutor told me to turn to the Carmen saeculare where I construed 3 stanza’s, and parsed the word sylvarum , but called potens a substantive. Mr. Jennison, the greek Tutor then put...
113028th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Stay’d at home all day. Mr. D. went out in the afternoon. Rainy weather.
113127th. (Adams Papers)
Sunday. Mr. Adams dined with Mr. de St. Olympe’s and spent the evening at Mr. Jefferson’s. At about seven o’clock in the evening the Queen, was delivered of a Son, who is Monseigneur le Due de Normandie: this is one of the most important events that can happen in this kingdom; and every Frenchman has been expecting it, as if the fate of his life depended upon it. One would think that after...
1132Sunday June the 24th 1781. (Adams Papers)
Nothing remarkable in the forenoon, Mr. Thaxter din’d at Mr. Sigourney’s; I din’d at home, after dinner I went to take a walk with Mr. Dana; we walk’d someways out of town, in the evening I went to Madam Chabanel’s where I supp’d; got home at about 10 1/2 o’clock. (Continuation from yesterday) From Guthrie’s grammar. Chapter 4th §: 17th. Here follows, on about one page in the Diary, the first...
113316th. (Adams Papers)
Two persons in the town, died in the Course of this day. A young Woman by the name of Bradly, and a Grandson of Dr: Cast, a boy about 11 years old. He was one of my brothers Companions, and died in Consequence, of having leapt from too great an height. Eliza dined here, and went in the afternoon with my aunt to see Mr. Adams a neighbouring minister. I pass’d the Evening at Mr. White’s. There...
1134From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your journals down to the 30th of August inclusive are received; and this day the memoirs of Lord Waldegrave for George—It comes quite apropos; for we are now all enjoying the Memoirs of Horace Walpole embracing the same and a longer period, Lord Holland the Editor of this latter work sent a copy of it most magnificently bound as a present to the President who has been kind enough to lend it...
11359th. (Adams Papers)
All the forenoon down in the Library; reading and writing. Pass’d the afternoon at my uncle Adams’s. There was some conversation concerning Mr. T——r. He has not many friends I believe in Braintree. I believe him at best a very imprudent man, or as Horace says of a character something like him Royall Tyler. “Never was a creature so inconsistent,” Horace, Satires , Bk. I, Satire 3, lines 18–19 (...
1136John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 9 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 28 th: of last month, and though I have not yet read it more than ten or fifteen times, I take the very first moment I have, to reply. I judge of your sentiments from my own, and conclude, that I shall run no risk of writing too often.— Perhaps in this I am mistaken. Perhaps with your aversion to writing , and the ILL-NATURE that the very thought of it...
1137From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 21 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your Letter N 1. dated the 15th. instt. with its enclosure, and am much pleased with the attention you are paying to my Affairs and your own—In entering upon a new Scene of life, it is important to begin well; to commence the formation of good habits, and to form a system for the employment of time which will obviate the formation of bad ones. At your Season of life, it is...
1138John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 19 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your letter by M r: Paleske of 28 Feb y: though short gave me great pleasure as it was so long since I had enjoyed that of seeing your hand-writing— I have indeed no right to expect that you should have leisure to write me at large upon any subject, and know that a free communication of your sentiments cannot be indulged, upon public topics.— With regard to private concerns it more properly...
113931st. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Allen, and Mr. Quarles, two clergymen, dined here to day. In the afternoon Charles went over to Bradford, to visit Walker, his Chum: We spent the Evening, and supp’d at Mr. White’s; there were several ladies and gentlemen from Boston there: Charles made it so late before he came from Bradford that he did not go with us. It was about 10. when we return’d home. The Company at Mr. White’s...
114023d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Davies preach’d in the forenoon from Matthew V, 20. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven, and in the afternoon from I Corinthians I, 23, 24, 25. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which...
114112th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williamos came out in the morning, and went with Mr. A, to Versailles. Good weather: very mild; but rain is much wanted.
1142Friday July the 6th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning Dr. Waterhouse came here and told us that Colo. Trumbul had arriv’d in Town. I went to the first Bible to see Mr. Bordly, I found Mr. Trumbel there. I din’d at home. Dr. Waterhouse din’d with us; after dinner Colo. Searle and Major Jackson came here; I went and took a walk with Major Jackson and Mr. Dana. I spent the evening and supp’d at Madam Chabanel’s, got home at about 10...
11436th. (Adams Papers)
Miss Betsey Cranch came and stay’d here all day. Miss Nancy went out to day, and will spend the rest of the week, with some of her friends. Went with my Cousin to Mr. White’s in the Evening. Mr. Ben: Blodget was there; but soon took his leave. There is something in this person that makes me, and Eliza smile, whenever we look at him. I don’t doubt however but he is a very good sort of a youth....
1144To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
“The Massachusetts election appears to agitate the Americans in Europe almost exclusively; of all the other Elections going on at the same time in many parts of the Union. I see paragraphs in the Newspapers, but hear not a syllable from any other Quarter—But American Federalists in this City have received letters from their friends in London, and in Gottenburg in high exaltation, announcing...
114531st. (Adams Papers)
Madame de la Fayette sent a Card to offer us places for the Te Deum, which is to be sung tomorrow at Nôtre Dame, when the king is to be present. Mr. Adams dined at Count Sarsfield’s. Not found. A social and intellectual friend of the Americans in Paris, Guy Claude, Comte de Sarsfield , was a French military officer of Irish extraction, who lived in Paris and traveled frequently between the...
1146Thursday June the 28th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning brother Charles and I, went to buy a trunk, when we had got it here we began to pack up our books, which we did before dinner. After dinner Pappa sent for us from the golden Lion. We went there and found Mr. Jennings there. We did not stay there long, but went to Mr. Lynch’s, and went into water with him and some other gentlemen; at eight o’clock our Master came here and we took...
114720th. (Adams Papers)
We had two sermons to day, upon a text from Proverbs: 19th. Chap: 20:v: Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. The several instances of death, that have lately occurred in this town were not passed unnoticed. Two persons, both promising to be useful in the spheres assigned them, had been cut off in the bloom of youth; the divinity, often took from the...
114813th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Weld preach’d all day from Micah VI. 8. He hath shewed thee O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. Mr. Weld proved, that to do justly, was to practice, all the Christian Virtues, and that a man who did not so, took things, for what they were not, and he likewise inculcated humility. The Sermon was...
114918th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. D’Asp, the secretary of the Swedish Ambassy, came out and dined with us en famille. After dinner I went into Paris. Mr. West is still very ill: his hand is swolen amazingly: his spirits were very low when I went there: but before I came away he began to be quite sociable. He spoke of Mr. B——g——m; who with his Lady left Paris, Sunday the 10th. instn. Mr. W: seems to have of Mr. B. very...
1150Tuesday July the 10th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning at about half past nine o’clock Mr. Dana, his servant and I set away from Utrecht, and arriv’d at Ni j megen at about 8 o’clock P.M. the distance, is about 50 Miles; We pass’d along thro’ the province of Utrecht, the land is very bad and gravelly. Nimegen is the last City in the Republic, in the Province of Gelderland; the land in this Province is much better than in that of...