101From Thomas Boylston Adams to Samuel Frothingham, 29 September 1821 (Adams Papers)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Know all men by these Presents, that I Thomas Boylston Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk & Comth. of Massachusetts Esqr. have constituted, and hereby do constitute and appoint, Mr Samuel Frothingham, Cashier of the Office of Discount and Deposit of the Bank of the United States, at Boston, my true and lawful Attorney and Substitute; for me and in my name,...
102From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 9 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
Having in my Letters of the 3d and 6th: instant given you a detail of the state of your private concerns, under my care, accompanied by my account current to the close of the last year, I am solicitous to make some return for your many favours, from which we have occasionally gathered the earliest intelligence of events, most interesting to our own Country. The overture made in behalf of the...
103From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Meredith, 25 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
Excuse the liberty I take to trouble you with an enclosure for my young Friend Miss Rutter. Present me kindly to Mrs. Meredith & your family, and believe me as ever / Your friend & Servt PHi : Samuel Washington Woodhouse Collection.
104Thomas Boylston Adams to Joseph Clay Jr., 18 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
At the request of my father, M r: John Adams. I take the liberty, through you, to present the volumes, herewith sent to the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. It is believed, that the first volume of this work, has already been presented, by the Author, to the Society; if so, the sett will now be complete. I am, Sir, respectfully / Your most obed: hble Serv t RC ( PPAmP :Record Group IIa);...
105Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 4 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
Either write upon larger paper, or give an outside cover to your letters, for in the act of opening yours which I have just rec d: I took away with the wafer much of the connection of several sentences; and being interested in every word I felt rather out of humor; However I collected sufficient from the whole cloth to make quite a decent garment. The only circumstance to be regretted is, that...
106Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of July 19 th. was transmitted from Hamburg by our cousin Welsh & came to hand last evening. He had a pleasant passage of 38 days and will come on here as soon as he is a little recruited. We had already received your letter of the 14 th: informing of his intended embarkment in a short time, and I have made my arrangements in consequence to be off as soon as the Elizabeth...
107Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 6 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last letter, (June 24 th: ) I am favored with your’s of May 19. which gives the comfortable assurance of your safe return to Quincy. After the fatigues, vexations and anxiety, which a lengthy session of Congress always produces, I easily conceive the luxury of your enjoyment upon returning to your farm. There you meet the reward of your labors, by the appearance of...
108Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 12 th: , this morning, enclosing a letter from my brother, for the perusal of which I thank you. It is a very long time, since I had any intelligence concerning him, and I feel anxious lest some of his letters or mine should have miscarried on the route. W. Shaw informs me, in his letter of the 11 th: that the State Department has letters dated...
109Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of the 2 d: inst t: found me as you conjectured at Philadelphia, fixed in my lodgings & in possession of my Office, which however is too far removed from the Court house & the seat of business. I was unwilling to give up the advantage of living in the family where I am, because in case of the fever appearing in the City, the same lady has a place of her own at Germantown to...
110Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 8 May 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 11 th: Feb y reached me on the 29 th: ult o: ; being the first direct communication from you since my residence in Europe, the receipt of it was peculiarly acceptable; it also had another merit, that of giving the latest intelligence from our Country and friends. M r Wilcocks has not yet visited this Country; when he does I shall certainly pay him every attention, which his...
111Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 29 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am favored with your’s of the 23 d: inst t: and the enclosures—one of which is herewith returned. The Lieutenant Governor’s address is quite equal to my expectations, and there is little doubt with me, that he will rise a peg higher, merely, or chiefly because the people would not be united in any man of more capacity and talents. If any considerable interval take place prior to a new...
112Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
Since I am embarked in a very doubtful speculation, and I am ready to own, that I am by no means sanguine as to its success, yet as I am assured of your good will and best wishes towards the promotion of our interest, you must also indulge me in one request I have to make, which is to leave off croaking , which you know I never could endure, not because I could not appretiate the use and the...
113To James Madison from Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
Since the departure of my Brother, Mr. John Q Adams, upon his Mission to Russia, and while he was yet at sea, I had the pleasure to receive from him a list of names, comprizing the circle of his particular friends to whom he requested I would present, in his name, and as a small token of his respect, a set of Lectures on Rhetorick & Oratory, delivered during the period of his Professorship at...
114Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 25 th: inst t: came by this day’s Mail. I have found a Coachee ready made, at Fielding’s for sale, which, with the alterations that can with ease & despatch be made, will, I think, answer your purpose exactly. The body of the Coachee is somewhat shorter & more in the form of a Coach, than that you have, but it is well put together & the wheels & carriage appear to be...
115Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have searched, in conformity to the request expressed in your favor of the 2 d: inst t: all the writers upon the law of Nature and Nations, which I have in my Office, for authorities to support & justify & explain, the Sixth article of the Convention with France. The extracts from Vattel in your letter are somewhat more explicit on the particular point in question, than his masters,...
116Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1792 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind letter of the 6 th: this Evening, and feel happy that you advanced so far on your Journey, without receiving any injury. I was somewhat anxious for your health, but the favorable account you give, has relieved me in a measure from the apprehension. I hope you may enjoy it much more this Summer than the last. The directions left with me respecting M r: Harrison, are...
117From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Steuben Smith, 30 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
Our dear Caroline, your sister, is about to leave us and return to you, and I cannot suffer her to depart without some expression of my sorrow, that the first tender of my congratulation to you & Mrs Smith, upon your safe return to your native land, Should be drawn from me by the afflictive event, which has lately bereaved you of a lovely child. It is a loss, sincerely deplored by all your...
118Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 1 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
The morning after you left this place, the Aurora was filled with five columns & an half, from T. Coxe; wherein he undertakes to detail another private conversation, which passed between him and M r: Dennie, during his last visit to the City, & while he lodged in the same house with Dennie & myself. It is hardly necessary to observe, that this, like all other details from the same source, is...
119From Thomas Boylston Adams to Thomas Cadwalader, 13 November 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am now two thirds of my journey homeward having left Philadelphia on the 8th: instant, and travelled with great expedition. Having written thus far, and finding the tremulous motion of the Steam-boat, in concert with my nervous system, too unstable for a friendly communication, I broke off and surrendered my tools into the hands of a friend, who was very impatient to write to his wife, he...
120Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 22 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favors of the 17 th: & 19 th: instants and take the first moment of leisure, that has occurred, since their receipt, to acknowledge gratefully these fresh instances of parental solicitude respecting my personal concerns. I shall reply without reserve to your last letter, which relates more immediately to my professional prospects. I have always been persuaded of the...
121Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 3 June 1794 (Adams Papers)
I arrived in Philad a: on Sunday Morn g & was not a little disappointed at finding you had taken your departure only the Day before; I hastened my return from Reading, that I might reach Philad a: before you left it. My Journey has been as pleasant as I co[uld] wish, & I have returned not a little prejudiced in favor of the State of Pennsylvania. If my conject[ures] are well founded, it will...
122Thomas Boylston Adams to James Sullivan, 23 October 1804 (Adams Papers)
Having waited some time in expectation of an answer to the last proposal, which I had the honor to submit to your consideration relative to the settlement of the dispute between the proprietors of the Middlesex Canal Company & the owners of the Teel farm at Medford, I am induced once more to call the attention of the Gentlemen of the Committee to this subject. The Season is already so far...
123Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 26 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of the 14 th: has been some days in hand— I thank you for your tender solicitude for my health & success— As to the first I can say, with thankfulness that it is better than usual at this melting season— To the second, I can reply, that my professional success, is sufficient to keep me above despondency, though far short of my necessities. On Tuesday last I argued a cause of...
124From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Erving has not yet left Boston, but expects to go for Newport on the 5th instant, for the purpose of embarking in the John Adams Frigate, in a few days. I think it probable he will not sail, under a fortnight from this time. The news of your appointment as an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court for the Massachusetts District, has just reached us, and as it is the harbinger of your speedy...
125Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 20 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
The rumor’s of peace have almost totally subsided; those still in circulation deserve as little credit, as they generally receive. The hope is still cherished, and even encouraged by the Government here, merely to silence the importunate demands of many of its adherents. In a former letter I mentioned the report then current, that a cessation of hostilities had been agreed to, by the armies in...
126From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 24 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
You will oblige me by purchasing two Copies of “Buckingham’s trial,” and your Uncle wishes you to get the Review of Dr Bancroft’s Sermons, published in Some Christian Disciple or Register—Likewise to bring our North American Review, which will be out Tomorrow Truly Your’s MWA : Adams Papers.
127Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last letter, I have received none from you, of course I do not feel very culpable in having suffered so long an interval to elapse without writing, though, if a direct opportunity from this place had offered, I should not have neglected it. In my last, I promised to make out my Account at the commencement of the next Century, & this I intend doing, to accompany the present...
128Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 13 July 1795 (Adams Papers)
The flattering reception which my Letters have met with from you, and the expressions of commendation you have been pleased to use respecting them, would excite sensations of vanity, if I could consider them in any other light, than as the effusions of parental partiality, & paternal indulgence. As a tribute of affectionate approbation, I shall cherish it with fondness, & rember it with...
129From Thomas Boylston Adams to Ebenezer Francis Thayer, 28 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your friendly note of this day is not unexpected. I am ready to meet my antagonist, on my own element. But as a brave General is always magnanimous, in the hour of victory, I will cheerfully display the heroism, which this occasion demands. Mr Lemuel Hall, who has after, suit brought paid to my Attorney, four or five Dollars more than he was under a necessity of paying, by reason of Costs &ca:...
130Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have just received from the Department of State your favor of February 24 th: enclosing N o 26. of the series. My last number, goes by duplicate to England, under cover to M r: King; with that, you will receive a particular acknowledgment of all the letters received from you, for three months past, and I cannot but hope that you may find one of the copies, either at Hamburg or in London,...
131From Thomas Boylston Adams to Thomas Cadwalader, 6 December 1806 (Adams Papers)
It is not my practice to omit altogether, however I may sometimes unreasonably, postpone the acknowledgment of a business letter; and I am not a little surprized to find a letter of this description from you upon my file of unanswered communications. The only reason I can assign for this neglect is such as will hardly pass for an excuse, so that I shall throw myself upon your clemency without...
132Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
Since the receipt of your favor of the 18 th: ult: I have been absent from the City, a few days, attending a County Court, and tomorrow I expect to set out for another excursion of a similar nature. There is but little immediate benefit, derived from riding the circuit in order to attend the Courts in this vicinity; for the business is principally engrossed by those who reside in the shire...
133Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 11–12 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
It is just a week since I had the pleasure of receiving a visit from my Father at 8 oClock in the Evening of a very stormy day, after he had become almost exhausted by the fatigue of his ride from Elizabeth Town. He stoped at my lodgings, & as he was much fatigued he declined going any further that night. The next day I went to the place where I had after much trouble procured lodgings and...
134Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 23 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have yet to reply to your favors of the 15 th: & 21 st: inst ts: the latter of which with the letters of M r: Pitcairn, came to hand last evening. I have been anxious for some days on account of reports, which have been circulated with great zeal & industry, of a serious misunderstanding in the Cabinet at Trenton, and though I give credit slowly to the idle rumors of the day, I cannot but...
135Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 4 September 1791 (Adams Papers)
Influenced by the same principle as when I last wrote, viz. That of discharging a debt before it has accumulated much on the score of interest, I have determined to come to a settlement to the date hereof. You must not however expect the same degree of pure metal as that which produced the obligation; but make many grains of allowance for barrenness of Mint. Even should you be paid in Script...
136Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 June 1794 (Adams Papers)
It is a fortnight to day since my return to the City, & I have been waiting the arrival of every Post in hopes of hearing from my friends— I missed seeing my Father by one day only, & I have not yet heared of his safe arrival at home. It is probable you are busy in preparing my Brother for his departure— I hope however he will be called to Philadelphia before that takes place— I know not...
137Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 October 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favors of the 5 th: & 12 th: curr t: ; the first containing the mournful tidings of the death of our venerable Uncle Quincy; and the latter, by my brother, directing me to procure for you a mourning ring. I hope by the time my brother returns from Washington, to have your commission complied with, but as you gave me no particular directions respecting the fashion of the...
138Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 8 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received in due course your favor of the 25 th: ult o: together with the volume of Debates, Catalogue & ca: for all which I return you thanks— I have been but a negligent correspondent this Summer, compared with the last, for the plain reason that I have had more pressing claims upon my attention— You shall eventually lose nothing, however, by continuing your regular communications. The...
139Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
In discharge of my promise to write you a letter , which has been given you in two covers enclosing letters from my brother, I commence before the expiration of a second month since the date of my last, by an acknowledgment of your favor of June 10 th: which came to hand on the 6 th: curr t: together with several other’s for JQA. If to the countless instances of your affection and tenderness,...
140Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 3 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
The return of some Gentlemen of the Philadelphia Bar gives me an opportunity of droping you a few lines; The Court has been engaged in many important trials, & contrary to their expectations are obliged to meet this day— M r: Ingersoll however intends making part of the Journey, to Lancaster this afternoon; To prevent an interference of the Court of Com Pleas & the Supreme Court in Lancaster...
141Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 8 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Your’s of the 2 d: is in hand, with the enclosures, which receive thanks. I am sorry you dislike short letters, because I shall make a excuse therefrom for writing more seldom & only when I have matter enough to fill my paper on all sides. Against this I am sure you will protest & on second reflection, will prefer frequent brevity, to scarce prolixity. Among my brothers books you will find...
142From Thomas Boylston Adams to Nathaniel Ruggles, 27 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Almost a twelvemonth Since I transmitted to the department of war, Section of bounty Lands, a claim of Charles Newcomb of Quincy, as legal representative of one Peter Ellino, a Frenchman who served during the revolutionary war, in a Company of which John Lillie was Capt: in Col John Crane’s Regiment, and received an honourable discharge under Genl Washington’s hand. The documents which I have...
143Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 17-18 July 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have just taken your letter from the Office and, as Briesler has not according to expectation sailed to day, I will add a few lines to what I have already given him. To hear from Col o and M rs: Smith was an agreeable circumstance, tho’ much unhappiness is occasioned by it, under their peculiar situation. I had heard about a week since of their arrival at Dover, and of their illness—but had...
144Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
Though it is but a few days since I had the pleasure of writing you, I cannot omit a direct occasion, especially as they occur so seldom, were it merely to repeat the information that no material alteration has taken place in my health or spirits since my last. Indeed I usually find little else to remark, which can be called original after copying three or four sheets of politic’s, the...
145From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 February 1808 (Adams Papers)
I received, Yesterday your favor of the 6th instant, for which I thank you. The letter, which upon mature consideration, I burnt, as I informed you in the cover of a letter from my Mother, sent a few days ago, was on the subject of the proposed alteration of the Constitution, as to the tenure of judicial Offices; but my ideas upon paper Suited me less than when they were revolving in my mind,...
146Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the 16 th: on the 23 d: inst t: . My time has been so much taken up, during the week past with removing my Office & lodgings, that I could not conveniently devote any portion of it to return you an answer. I have now obtained an establishment, which has long been the object of my wishes, namely an Office under the same roof, where I lodge; in a pleasant part of Walnut...
147Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am grieved to hear of the fresh return of your old persecuter the Ague; I had flattered myself that the Air & Climate of New England would chase away all Billious complaints. I am suspicious that the Bark of which so free use is made in this disorder will not effectually remove it, at least I have found it the case with myself. There is a weed known here by the name of Cardis, which is much...
148Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 1 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am now and then regaled with a few words from your store house, spread over as many lines , which brings to my mind very forcibly the words of Pope. “The weighty bullion” & ca: you know the rest. As yet however I have nothing directly from your hand. I have been playing truant ever since I arrived, and begin to think it high time to attend my office more punctually. We have had Balls and...
149Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 15 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 11 th: inst t: which has this moment come to hand, found me with pen in hand; on the very threshold of writing to you, for the purpose of offering you my very sincere & hearty congratulations upon the success of your Competitor M r: Caldwell, who has obtained the appointment of Clerk to the Supreme Court of the U. S.— This exordium may appear singular to you, the more so,...
150Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 22 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have paid you all I owed in the article of letters, but I receive few communications from home. Please to tell my mother that I like to know, now & then, a little of the Cabinet secrets. The Report that the negociation with France is broken off, creates considerable sensation here & at New York— I think few people actually believe the story, but it serves the turn of newspaper Scriblers to...