160115th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon we went and paid a visit to General Armfeldt governor of Finland. We dined at his hotel with the Prince Galitzin who arriv’d last night. After dinner we went to see the curiosities of the town, but there is nothing extraordinary altho there is a famous University here. In the evening the General Armfeldt came and paid us a visit. Gustaf Mauritz, Baron von Armfelt , a native of...
1602[August 1786] (Adams Papers)
There was a meeting of an association of ministers here this day; but there were only three present. Mr. Adams preach’d the Lecture, and was a whole hour in Sermon, endeavouring to prove, the Trinity, and the existence of hell. After all I believe he left all his hearers where he found them, and he was certainly much too long. After dinner I went with Mrs. White, Miss P. M’Kinstry, and Leonard...
1603From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 23 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
If a large packet forwarded by the mail from Mr Maury at Liverpool, but coming from Philadelphia & charged with heavy postage should be brought to the office, pray do not pay the postage, nor open the packet till I come to town on Saturday. yours. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1604John Quincy Adams, Form of Receipt of Devise and Estate of John Adams, 4 October 1826 (Adams Papers)
[Form of Receipt of Devise.] Received of John Quincy Adams and Josiah Quincy, Executors of the last Will of John Adams, late of Quincy in the County of Norfolk, deceased, the sum of three thousand dollars and Cents in payment of the devise, bequeathed to me by the said Will—Witness my hand at this day of excepting so much as may be found hereafter to be distributed among the fourteen devisees,...
160523d. (Adams Papers)
Attended upon Mr. Carey the whole day. His manner is not very agreeable; but his stile is much better than common. Townsend called here in the evening. Amory set off this morning for Boston. They say it is impossible for him to stay three days at a time in one place. He has been absent 6 or 8 months, and promised Mr. Parsons some time ago that he would come, and be very steady all through the...
16066th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon Mr. D. went to take a ride, in the afternoon, I went and took a walk upon the quay. I Met Mr. Peyron there. Fine, clear weather.
160725th. (Adams Papers)
We had no reciting to day. Saturday mornings commonly the two elder Classes, recite to their own Tutors in Doddridge’s Lectures on Divinity; but our Tutor did not hear us. The weather, warm and Pleasant. In the Afternoon Mr. Cranch, and my Cousin, came, and brought me the remainder of my furniture; I did but little to day, because the weather being so fine, we were almost all day walking,...
1608From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 29 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Samuel G. Goodrich, the Bearer of this letter, is a Citizen of Connecticut, of respectable character & acquirements, recommended to me by very estimable friends, and related by blood and marriage, to the late Lieutt. Governor Goodrich, and to Mr. Bradley heretofore a Member of the Senate of the United States from Vermont, and his son a Member elect of the present Congress from the same...
1609From John Quincy Adams to Richard Mentor Johnson, 18 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
If on your way to the House this Morning, you can do me the favour to call at my house, it will confer an obligation on your friend and very humble Servt MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1610From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 27 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr Ingraham of Boston left this place a few days since, and I gave him a packet for Quincy, containing letters from me to my father and my brother, and to you from my wife and from Catherine— I had shortly before enclosed a letter for you, to a friend in London, to be forwarded, and I shall dispatch the present probably by the way of Archangel— Notwithstanding the numerous accidents which have...
161129th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. White’s, in Company, with Mrs. White of Boston, Mrs. Willard, Mrs. Parkman, and My Classmate Bil: Abbot, who belongs to Andover. Walk’d in the afternoon, and at Mr. Shaw’s heard crazy Temple, talk an hour or two. He will not talk long to any body. Fine weather.
161220th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. D and Mr. Artaud went to take a ride, in the afternoon I went with Mr. Artaud to take a ride in a slay. In the evening, news came of Port Mahon’s being taken. Fine weather.
1613[December 1786] (Adams Papers)
It was on Wednesday, that the troop of horsemen from Boston went up in search of Shattuck. They succeeded in their attempt, and this forenoon at about 11 o’clock, they return’d through this town, with two besides Shattuck; by the names of Parker, and Page. These were taken by the horsemen, from Groton, before, the arrival of those from Boston. The circumstances of Shattuck’s capture, are...
1614From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Nothing further received from you, since I wrote you last week—My boys have returned to School; and to close their holidays I went with them to Drury–Lane Theatre, and saw the Tragedy of Richard the third—The part of this amiable hero, was performed by Mr Kean, who is now the reigning favourite of the Public—They have mutilated this Play so much in their manner of getting it up, that it is...
1615Saturday April 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
After having had a month of March uncommonly pleasant, and warm, the Present one begins with a Snow Storm. From about 2 o’clock afternoon it has snow’d, steadily till late in the Evening. Our Class recited this morning in Doddridge, but I was not in. My Chamber is so situated that the College bell, does, not sound with sufficient force to wake me, in the morning, and I have not of late been...
161626th. (Adams Papers)
Finished the book of John, in the Testament, and was the Rest of the day, employ’d in answering my Letters. Inclosed the Marquis’s letter to Mr. Breck, and wrote to Mr. Chaumont. Mr. Thaxter and Eliza dined with us. A fine day. The availability of an abstract and a partial text for this letter is reported in Helen Cripe and Diane Campbell, comps. and eds., American Manuscripts, 1763–1815: An...
1617From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
No Journal received this day—But there was one yesterday, and I hope for one to-morrow—We have had now a week of heat as oppressive as any of the whole Summer, and two or three of the Nights have been more so. Though I have no doubt, you find it equally insupportable at Philadelphia, it reconciles me to your stay there; because I would have you come home to a temperate climate, as well as to...
161819th. (Adams Papers)
Leonard White Came from Boston, and Cranch return’d from Braintree this day. Almost all the College, have got here now, and the new monitors, (who must always belong to the junior Class) took their Seats yesterday. They are Adams 2d. and Underwood, who is about 35 years old. I have done little or nothing this day. The first week is almost always loitered away. Monitors were appointed by the...
161910th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went with Mr. Artaud to the shops and bought some things. Before dinner we went and took a walk upon the quay. In the afternoon we took another walk, and went to Mr. Rimbert’s. Fine weather. It thaws fast still.
1620[January 1787] (Adams Papers)
I received, two letters, and a couple of Packets of newspapers, from Europe, they were the more acceptable, as it is almost three months, since I have had any direct news from thence, before. After playing a few tunes to the young Ladies, In the evening, I went with Bridge, and paid a visit to Mr. Hilliard; a sensible man although his Sermons are rather cold. AA2 to JQA , 1 Sept.–12 Oct. 1786...
1621[Titlepage] (Adams Papers)
Titlepage for D/JQA/10, covering the inclusive dates mentioned, with only occasional gaps. The top line on this and the following page are written in an earlier hand, presumably the date on which he purchased the blank book. The same inscription appears on the top of the titlepages of D/JQA/11 and 12, which are identical 380-page leather-bound books all measuring 4¼” × 6¾”. Indolence is sweet...
1622John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
I am almost asham’d to acknowledge how long it has been since I wrote you last, and can only hope you will consider my numerous letters to my brother, most of which I intended as much for you as for him, to be a sufficient apology— I have not received a line from you or from my father since last June, though I think it impossible but that you should have written more than once— My last letter...
162325th. (Adams Papers)
The Ladies dined with the Marquis de la Fayette. We went there before dinner. Mr. Williamos tells me the Abbé de Mably is dead. He was very old; not less I think, than 78. Yet although it is probable, that had he lived many years longer, I should not have seen him, above once more, still I was much affected at the news, because he was not only a man of great genius, and learning, but was one...
1624Monday July the 16th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning we enquired something about this city: It is situated upon the river Meyn and is call’d Francfort upon the Meyn to distinguish it from another city in Germany call’d Francfort upon the Oder. It is an imperial city, govern’d by its own magistrates: they Choose every year a new burgermaster or mayor. The dominant religion in this city is Lutheran. Catholics and Jews are tolerated,...
1625John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 30 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days agone, your favour of June 2d: you mention an Affair, concerning which I had determined to write in the begin ning of this Quarter. I have thought much of an Office in which to Study the Law. Should you return home next Spring, and be yourself at Leisure to instruct me, I should certainly prefer that to studying any where else. But if you are still detained in Europe, I...
162616th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. White’s. His Son and Mr. Soughton with their Ladies, were there. Spent all the afternoon; and when I return’d home, I found, B. Duncan, and her two Brothers with, our sweet Nancy, who play’d with James, as amiably and as innocently, as if they were both in their first or second lustre. Betsey was reading, the Night Thoughts, and I recommended to her perusal the 5th and 6th....
1627To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 21 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
American vessels are now pouring upon us in floods—I wrote you less than a month since that there had then arrived at Cronstadt forty since the opening of the year’s Navigation; and already the number exceeds ninety, besides as many more at Archangel and the other Russian Ports—They have already glutted the markets untill they are forced to disgorge; but I hear that they are still coming by...
16289th. (Adams Papers)
The inferior Court, is to sit according to Law, next Tuesday, at Concord; it is said, that the same People, who stopp’d it at Worcester, are determined to join others, and proceed in the same manner at Concord. And they will probably carry their Point; for the People that are sensible, what evil Consequences must attend these disorders, yet are unwilling to use any exertions for putting a stop...
162930th. (Adams Papers)
The Ladies were out the afternoon. I spent the whole Evening with Mr. Thaxter, at his Office; and I regret I cannot spend more time with him than I do. Supped, at his lodgings; at Mrs. West’s, a very good woman, as fond of hearing herself talk as other people are. Mr. Bil: Blodget was there, a droll, or who at least aims at being thought so: and his Conversation will divert one for half an...
163023d. (Adams Papers)
Went to Mr. Dana’s in the forenoon. He proposes going to Maryland, to meet in a Federal convention. We had the Club, at Mason’s chamber this evening. Fay the Freshman was there, and sung a number of Songs extremely well. He also plays sweetly on the violin. He entertained us there charmingly for a couple of hours; and appears to be quite an agreeable companion. On 29 Aug. Dana and four others...
16319th. (Adams Papers)
Walk’d into Paris in the morning, to the Marquis de la Fayette’s; to go with him to Mr. Jefferson’s upon the subject, of the Importation of our whale oil, into this Country. I was told the Marquis was gone out of Town, on horseback. Call’d upon Mr. Williamos and from thence went to Mr. Jefferson’s, where I waited till past noon for the Marquis, but, as he did not come then, I walk’d back again...
163229th. (Adams Papers)
We expected to have had a large Company to dine with us; but Mr. Hailes brought the excuses of the Duke of Dorset; who was this morning sent for at Versailles; and could not therefore come. M: de Gouvion, has also excused himself, and Coll. Humphreys’s illness prevented him from coming, so that we were reduced to eleven only. Marquis de la Fayette and Lady: Count Sarsfield, M: de la...
1633Friday 20th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning we set off from Hunfeld at about 5 o’clock for Gotha where we arriv’d at about 9 o’clock P.M. It is about 66 Miles. The 2 first Posts to Vaach Vacha and to Bercka we had very bad roads but the rest was pretty good; Vaach belongs to the Prince of Hesse-Cassel, and Bercka is the first town in Saxony. Here we saw a new Married couple going about the streets with some musicians before...
163420th. (Adams Papers)
After studying, all day, as usual, I went in the Evening to Mr. Duncan’s. Our time pass’d in chatting, laughing, romping, and dancing. Young Squire White, (for there are so many persons of that name in this Town that they are known only by their nicknames) humm’d and whistled a number of Country dances. This is another of the young Ladies’ playthings here, but it is his own fault for suffering...
163513th. (Adams Papers)
Finished my Trigonometry. Immediately after Prayers in the Evening, the military Company, assembled, on the Common, and Captain Vose harangued them. He gave them a pretty Oration upon Patriotism. It contained several brilliant thoughts, and a well adapted Quotation from Cicero. After the Speech, the Company, went through the manual exercise, which was very well performed. After Commons the...
1636John Quincy Adams to Charles Adams, 17 May 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favours dated Feb y 16. which M r: Wilcox sent me from Hamburg, and of March 10 th: which came in a Vessel arrived a day or two since at Amsterdam. The newspapers came with them, and proved a great entertainment to us. The Herald is a very excellent paper and I wish you by all means to continue sending it by every opportunity. But when you send them by...
1637May 13th. (Adams Papers)
At four in the morning I left Dreux, and rode, till 9 in the evening without stopping at all: But was then so much fatigued as my Carriage goes very hard, and the roads being very dusty I determined to go no further than Préz en Pail, which is 16 posts from Dreux, the country is mountaneous, and the roads are not so good as might be wish’d. This place is in the Province of Maine which forms...
1638John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
My last letter to you upon private affairs was of April 29. since which I have received none from you, untill last evening, when your’s of 4. to 12. March, from Quincy, and of 11. May from Baltimore, both came to hand.— In the last, you mention having written me, at full length, the week before by the way of London; but this letter I have not received. Your account of the administration of...
1639From John Quincy Adams to William Steuben Smith, 5 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of the 1st: instt: and thank you for your obliging congratulations—I am unable to give you at present a positive answer, in relation to your proposal to go with me, for the offer of which I give you my thanks—I know not whether the Secretary is appointed or indicated by the Government; or whether the choice will be left to my discretion. I have written to make the...
16403d. (Adams Papers)
A number of the Students have been very ill in consequence of eating cheese from the Buttery. It operated very violently as an emetic. We recited this morning to Mr. Burr in Reid on the Mind. The Tutor seems to be very unfavourable to the author, and treated him very cavalierly. He tells us we are to spend only this week upon the book, and that we shall go into Burlamaqui, upon natural Law...
1641To Thomas Jefferson from John Quincy Adams, 11 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty of transmitting to you a pamphlet which I have felt a necessity of giving to the public. So far as it involves a mere personal controversy I should not have thought it worthy of being presented to you. Thus much of it I would request of you the favour to overlook. Nor after the recent manifestation of the public sentiment on this subject would this collection of...
16428th. (Adams Papers)
Continual calms, and contrary winds. We are now at about 38 degrees of Latitude, and are not far from the western Islands. Consequently we have not yet run 400 leagues. We saw in the forenoon a brigg and in the afternoon, she pass’d about 2 leagues from us, and hoisted an English flag. It is a common custom when 2 vessels meet at Sea, they hoist the flag of their respective nations: in peace I...
1643John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
you will pardon me if I do not write to you very often for you know how I used to teaze you to write a copy of a letter for me but now I do not have you to write and my Pappa being always a doing publick affaires or a writing to you cannot do it for me, so that I am obliged to think myself, sometimes I think of a few words to write but you know I am no great hand at letter writing for if I was...
1644From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
We have this moment arrived thus far on our Journey, safe, and untill the last Station without accident. When we had proceeded four Verste from the last Post-house we found the Crane neck of our Carriage was broke in two, and we reached this place with much difficulty—A consequence of this first mishap has been that my Servants’ portmanteau has been lost from behind the Carriage—He is going...
1645Thursday 6th. (Adams Papers)
This morning we asked a man how many convents there were in Leon. He wrote what follows. de Freiles De St. Francisco 2 De St. Domingo 1 De St. Claudio Benitos 1 4 De Monjas De St. Benito 1 De la concepcion 1 Des Colzas 1
164614th. (Adams Papers)
Last night Mr. Parsons’ family was increased by an additional daughter; Mrs. Parsons as well as to be expected. This evening I went with Townsend; in the first place to Mr. Atkins’; this too is an house, where I always visit with pleasure: as I am always sure, to meet with good sense and sociability. From thence we went to Mr. J. Tracey’s, where we found three Ladies, all drest in the deepest...
1647To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have to answer two Letters from you—one of 28 October, and the other of 13. November—Tant va la Cruche à l’eau qu’à la fin elle se casse, was an old french proverb, long before Washington’s Mother was born. Tant va la Cruche a l’eau qu’à la fin elle s’emplit is the variation of Beaumarchais’s Basila in the Marriage of Figaro—But whether the pitcher is filled or whether it is broken it was...
1648From John Quincy Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 11 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
After I had written you in my last Letter that you needed not to answer it, because I expected to be half way on my return to St: Petersburg before your answer could arrive here, I was very sorry, when I found that I should not go so soon as I had supposed, because by my own asking your Mama and you not to write I saw that I should be several weeks, without hearing from you, and knowing how...
1649To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received your Letter of the 10th. instant, and take great consolation in learning from yourself, as I had already, and have since again heard from others, that your characteristic fortitude has firmly stood the test of that greatest of bereavements, with which it has pleased heaven that you should now be afflicted Mr Colman of Hingham was here a few days, and upon my shewing him...
1650From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 January 1825 (Adams Papers)
The Laws of descent, & of devisee of intestate are so intricately involved in the case stated by your letter of the 9th. instt. & it may be so much affected by Statutes of the Commonwealth passed since I was in the practice of the Law, that I can only say that I will sanction any act of my father which can dispose of my eventual title to a portion of the estate So far as I understand your...