101From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
Livy in his 42. Book and chapters 29 and thirty, as an introduction of his History of the War between the Romans and Perseus King of Macedonia, says that all the Kings and States of Europe and Asia had their Attention fixed upon those two powerfull Nations upon the Point of engaging in War. He first explains the Views of the Kings Eumenes, Prusias, Ariarathes, Antiochus, Ptolomy, Massinissa,...
102From William Steuben Smith to John Quincy Adams, 6 April 1806 (Adams Papers)
my son John graduates at this College the next Commencement—I am so occupied and shall continue so for some time to come, in the final arrangement of my affairs, that I shall not be able, and sufficiently composed, to give him the aid that he may require, in composing an English oration for him to deliver on that day— Will you do me the favour to write one on such a subject, as will instruct,...
103Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 July 1804 (Adams Papers)
I recieved your last very kind letter two days since and return you many thanks for your verses the idea is extremely beautiful and I should be much delighted to see it dressed in some other form by you I do not admire the versification at precent whatever you do write must be more grateful to me than the best piece that ever was pened— I followed the multitude to day and went to pay my...
I have just recieved your letter of the 5, my beloved friend, and can only lament, that the extreme irregularity of the Mails, should have caused you unnecessary anxiety. I have written to you twice, and trust ere this, your mind is perfectly at ease on our account. I am sorry however, to be obliged to tell you, that George has a very bad Cough, and that I am very unwell with a Sore Throat,...
Percieving from your last letter my beloved friend that you suffer great anxiety concerning Charles; I can with pleasure assure you, that he is very fat, very handsome, and apparently very well; though he still has the Cough which is sometimes very troublesome. Your Mother is recovering slowly and all the rest of our family are in good health— Your father was in Town yesterday and brought...
106John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 February 1804 (Adams Papers)
I will write to you, if it be only for the Pleasure of giving you a Proof under my hand, that I am alive.— We have had no Topicks this Winter but Banks, Insurance offices, Toll Bridges and Turnpike Roads, till lately a Manifesto has appeared of the Republican Democrats against Governer Strong, made up partly from Dallas’s and partly from the Connecticutt one which Mr Tracy answered. Your...
107From Samuel Allyne Otis to John Quincy Adams, 21 November 1808 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you certain communications from the Register Treay which I presume will meet your wishes in respect to settlement. Any farther attentions in my power you need make no reserves in commanding. Mr Hillhouse moved a few days past for repeal of embargo laws. The day was occupied by him & Mr Lloyd, in favr of repeal, & by Gen. Smith aga inst it. You can be at no loss to know how the...
108From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
Your luminous Letter of the 27th of Feb. and 6. March are is before me. Was this an homogenious Nation under a consolidated Government, the Provision in the Constitution of Massachusetts would be Sufficient. But in a Confederation like ours there is danger. In Holland they have thought unanimity necessary in all most every Thing. Under our old Confederation, a Concurrence of nine States out of...
109Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 July 1804 (Adams Papers)
I recieved yours of the fourth only two days since & cannot concieve the reason of your letters being so long on the road I scarcely ever get one under a fortnight your last I believe was owing to your not having sent it to the post office untill eight four days after it was written I know nothing that adds so cruelly to the bitterness of separation as a want of punctuality in writing— Since...
110Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 August 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favour of the 23 d arrived in due time and afforded me sincere pleasure as it contained the pleasing intelligence of the health of yourself & friends and I unite with you in prayers for its long continuance— Our dear children I hope & trust are recovering from the effects of the Season although we have had little or no hot weather it has been unusually sickly & the Summer complaint...
111From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
Many Thanks for your favor of the Eleventh. It is very odd, but no less true that I not only never Saw, Mr Bentley, but I never heard of his fame or name, till I read his Election as Chaplain in a Newspaper. Since that time I have heard much, and among other things that he is an intimate Friend of James Winthrop the Judge. Mr Bowdoins appointment is the best, the President has made in this...
I this morning recieved your favor of the 12 which afforded me the satisfaction of knowing that you were well & regret very sincerely the strange remissness of the Mails for which I can no way account— I made my first payment to Mr. Gulliver as you directed. Mr. Shaw inform’d me to day he should bring me the money from Mr. Bradford in the course of a Week he is so much occupied in attending...
113From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 November 1807 (Adams Papers)
I have not written to you, though I have received two kind Letters from you, Since your departure, giving me very pleasing accounts of your comforts in your Travels. Soon after you left Us, I took the resolution instead of Sending George to Atkinson by the Stage or any other accidental and precarious conveyance to convey him myself. Accordingly We Set out, your Mother your Son and myself, and...
114From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 July 1806 (Adams Papers)
I last night recieved your truely tender and kind letter words cannot describe the feelings with which I read it my heart swelled with gratitude and love and I almost ceased to think the stroke so bitter which proved to me how dear I am to your heart. Your plan is so perfectly agreeable that I beg you will take the house and if possible have it prepared and my Children with you by the time I...
115From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 July 1806 (Adams Papers)
Accept my best beloved friend the sincere congratulations of your wife whose prayers are humbly offered to the author of all good for your happiness and to grant you many many happy returns of this day that it may be the last which we may pass in affliction and separated— This day poor little Archibald was consign’d to the earth close by our dear little babe and poor Boyd and his wife are in...
116Catherine Nuth Johnson to John Quincy Adams, post 4 July 1803 (Adams Papers)
last Evenings Mail brought presented me your Welcome letter, announceing the pleasing intelligence of my dear Louisa’s of the Safety of My Beloved Child Permit me to offer my sincere Congratulations on this happy event the memorable day which gave him Birth to the little stranger is I hope a Presage to his own Independence, the greatest Blessing, (health Excepted) this World has the Power to...
117From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 May 1806 (Adams Papers)
After a couple of days of anxious solicitude 1 last night recieved your very affectionate letter from New York which revived my half drooping spirits by affording me the delightful certainty of your being in health and having arrived thus far in safety— I am rejoiced to hear that the Col. still supports his misfortune with cheerfulness and sincerely wish he may yet find a more pleasing...
118Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 August 1804 (Adams Papers)
I recieved your very kind letter of the 3 d on Sunday evening & was inexpressibly shocked at the melancholy news it contain’d 1 Poor M rs: Sargent. I most sincerely sympathize with you my beloved friend in grief for her early death amiable & lovely as she was every ene who has seen her must deplore her loss but you my best friend who have known her so long and once loved her so well must...
119From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
I did not think to receive a reply to my letter of the 2d: instant, before I had the Mail charged with another and on the way to Washington. Yet so it is, and I am now to acknowledge your favor of the 13th: which came to hand yesterday with enclosures The Journals of the H. R. I have received to No 14 inclusive & but three sheets of the journal of Senate. Bills, Messages & Reports, in...
I last evening recieved your almost unkind letter which was brought me by your brother & Mr Shaw the latter came to town to attend Selfridges trial which I understand commenced yesterday he looks very well and says our friends in Quincy are all in good health I have not seen them since my residence in Town Caleb is so bad a driver they cannot send for us I am really hurt at the stile of your...
121From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your affectionate Letter of December 19th reach’d me a few days since, and found me and the rest of the family in good Health, and Spirits, blessing for which we ought to be truly thankfull. as all the Gifts of providence are enhanced and enjoyed with tenfold pleasure when attended by them, we can never so justly appreciate the blessing we enjoy, as when we are deprived of them. I was glad to...
122Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
Within the course of the last week, I have had the pleasure to receive your favors of the 20 th: 27 th: & 30 th: of December, number’s 19–20–21. of the series, which wants only No 18 to be complete. The interest, which your letters never fail to excite, has been abundantly testified by the eagerness, with which subscriptions to the Port folio have been sent forward, from every part of the...
Being apprehensive that you may be uneasy at not hearing from me my beloved friend I write from your Mother’s where we have been the last fortnight and where I think we seem likely to remain sometime longer although I at present expect to go into Boston tomorrow Louisa has been very sick and Sister T. B. is confin’d with a bad Breast her Baby grows finely and is one of the prettiest creatures...
124Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1803 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 20 th: inst: came to hand yesterday, in the condition, which you have the cover here enclosed, except that the wax was not broken. By some means or other, the packet was sent on to Washington , and the name of J. Adams. on the back of it, must have excited the curiosity of some body, who from appearances, took the very excusable liberty, in this free country, to inspect its...
125From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for my Letter from N.Y and the Pamplet inclosed. Commodore Morris’s Defence contains Information which appears to be wanted by our President and all his Ministers, by his senators and Representatives, by his Officers and Men of his Navy, and by the commercial Citizens of our Country. To be sure to protect the Commerce and Seamen in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and blockade...
Your letters of 17th 18th 19th were brought me on Friday, the information they contain’d, must plead my apology, my best friend, for not writing immediately, but the Shock was so great, I felt totally incapacitated for the exertion, which it required. Your Mother & Father came to see us yesterday, having hear’d of our loss. Alas my beloved friend, three times in the last twelve months, as it...
127From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 January 1805 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Decr. 24. was received in the regular course of the Mail and in good order. It refreshes me to See that you write in good Spirits. Your Family and private Friends must console you, under all your humiliations in public Life. For fifteen years, i.e from the year 1760 to 1775 I was in the Valley, the dark Valley of Grief Gloom and disappointment; Unalterably devoted to Principles...
128From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 December 1807 (Adams Papers)
Knowing very well by too long Experience the nature of your Employment, I wish you to understand that I never expect or desire any answers to my Letters except when I expressly request Information, more than a bare Acknowledgment of the Recipt of them. I Say this however upon a very patriotic and Self denying Principle because every Line from you is a cordial to my Spirit. Mr John Smith of...
129Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
I recieved your very kind letter and was rejoiced to hear that you had arrived safe at New York as I was a little apprehensive Patty might occasion you some trouble on the road I am extremely glad she performed her journey so well— It is painful to me to renew the subject of our last letters but I cannot suffer you to suppose that I remained here from choice had I had the slightest prospect of...
130From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
I fully designd writing to you so that my Letter should have reachd you at Washington, but ten days of very severe sickness has prevented me from holding a pen, and now I do it against many expostulations. I duly received your two kind Letters, and thank you for them. Mrs Adams Caroline and the two Boys made me a very pleasent visit of a fortnight. I enjoyd their society in my usual health,...
131From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I received to day your favor of the 7th: inst: covering the journal & Speech not spoken—since which I have had no time to read either—Parson Bentley’s promotion is to me by no means unaccountable—I heard something, by going to Salem so often last winter—If you like to hear a very familiar conversation between a frail mortal and infinite wisdom, listen to the prayers of this “no God or twenty...
132From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 May 1806 (Adams Papers)
I last night recieved your kind letter from Quincy but was much mortified at the very slight mention you make of the Children I expected you would have written very fully as to their growth and every alteration which has taken place since my departure and feel more than half disappointed at John’s not knowing you although it was unreasonable to expect he should. You can readily imagine with...
133From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the 30th: ult. on the 7th: current and also the pamphlet containing the documents respecting the Chesapeake. I have read the whole with attention, and am particularly impressed with the concluding letter of Mr: Madison, which is universally admitted to be a very luminous and correct State paper. That it could not be answered or refuted, is very apparent from the...
134Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
M r: Walter who had been in the City several days, while I was absent, called at my dwelling & left your favor of the 5 th: inst t: yesterday. I am sorry, that he proceeded to Washington without my seeing him, but he promises me this pleasure on his return. I have now returned to my old haunts for the season, and though we cannot yet boast of perfect health in the City, there is reason to...
135John Adams to John Quincy Adams, February 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have been confined, with a cold for three Weeks and the family have been generally affected in the same Way: We have not heard from yours for Some time. I long to see you all: but the Weather and the roads will keep Us, at a distance I fear for Some days if not weeks. I have read Seven Volumes of De la Harpe in course, and the last seven I have run through and Searched but cannot find what I...
136From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 March 1807 (Adams Papers)
I write you my beloved friend in the hope that half your journey will be perform’d when you recieve this letter and that it may be the last I may have occasion to write. my impatience to see you is becoming so great, minutes seem hours, and days years. and Though I endeavour to laugh at my folly, but even my dreams partake of this folly, and after passing the night in idea with you I wake...
137Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 October 1803 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter from Providence and rejoiced in the favorable account you gave of your journey thus far, but a Letter Since received by your Sister dated at Newark gave us all much anxiety upon Mrs Adams’s account. We hope her disorder was only occasiond by over fatigue; and that a little rest would restore her. She is a veteran in journeying, and has frequently gone through what would...
138John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
The 11 th. of September is reckoned among the happiest days of my Life: The Navy officers who composed the late Court Martial on Capt Little, came out to visit me, with M r shaw who brought me your favor of the 4 th dated at Philadelphia, informing me of your arrival on that day with my Daughter and Grandson in as good health as could be expected.— You do not expressly say whether you intend...
139From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 May 1806 (Adams Papers)
The pleasure I recieved on reading your account of our charming Children my best beloved friend you can more readily concieve than I describe I can believe that George grows like me but Johns round face and deep dimples must I think be infinitely more like his father who has ever been celebrated for this to me fascinating beauty the delight I feel at learning that they still talk of me is...
140Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I was so much fatigued from my journey that I found it impossible to write by Whitcomb he will tell you how very much the poor baby suffered and I hope it will be an inducement for you to come and fetch us as I really feel that George will be almost too great a charge for me alone he has quite recovered his fatigue and looks as well as ever the meeting with my friends was almost too much for...
141Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
I recieved last night your charming letter of the 16 and was much distressed to learn that your mother had again been unwell the weather here is quite cold winthin this few day, and we all seem to revive I hope e’re this you have had a change as favorable and that you may all soon enjoy the blessing of health— I was so unwell when I last wrote I scarcely answer’d any part of your letter assure...
142From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 December 1807 (Adams Papers)
I returned from Dedham on Friday morning, and found your letter of the 14th. The Court of Common Pleas dispatched business rather faster than usual, on account of Christmas; but there was business enough left unfinished to have occupied a day or two more. I am glad to find you are satisfied with my sale of your wood—I believe, no body has done better since, though sundry lots have been...
143From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 January 1808 (Adams Papers)
As I know you hold a higher Rank in the intellectual Scale and a more estimable Situation in the moral Gradations of the Universe than Admiral Nelson, I know of no reason why I should not borrow his Fathers Epithets and for once or twice bestow them upon you. I, who perhaps ought to be indifferent to all Things in this World, and certainly Should conscientiously resign all Men Measures and...
144Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
We have not a printer in Boston who gives us any of the debates in either house of Congress: I have seen the National intelligencer for a few weeks past. I there read the debate which I presume was the cause of Dr Eustice writing to mr Jos Hall the following, “You will probably have heard of the bold an independant manner in which J Q A. voted away from his party, having gained credit with us...
145From William Smith Shaw to John Quincy Adams, 15 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honour to send you with this Parson Gardners sermon—also a few more copies of your letter—There have been five thousand of them published here for circulation and five thousand more ordered from Salem— Mr. Atherton formerly of the house Cram Poor Atherton has requested me to mention his name to you for a n commission in the army if the selection should be left to the Senate as...
146From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 June 1806 (Adams Papers)
I write you a few lines although with difficulty having been for some days extremely ill and still remaining too unwell to be able to attend to anything my illness was I believe occasion’d by walking though a very small distance and nearly threaten’d a premature confinement I am so much better that I trust I have escaped the danger and make no doubt I shall get through very well your charming...
147From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, April 1808 (Adams Papers)
A1tho I have not so frequently written to you It has not been oweing to Your having been less frequently in my Thoughts than formerly; I found it so difficult to determine from a partial view, what were the wisest and best measures for the government to pursue, in a day so dark, and in times so perilious, that Silence was best for me, after having once given my opinion upon a subject where we...
148Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 October 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your three last letters have arrived at the promised time I am concern’d to learn that mine have fail’d however as the news they contain’d was not of the most pleasing nature I should be grateful for their detention as in all probabily you will recieve three of them by the same opportunity which will be the means of saving you from a state of extreme anxiety and Solicitude— I am excessively...
149From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
I have regularly received the Journals and Documents you have been So good as to inclose and two Short Letters for which I thank you. I have recd also the Economica of Mr Blodget for which I pray you to thank him. It is I presume a work of merit and Utility. I have not been able as yet to attend to it very carefully. I have not written to you before, because I had nothing to write, unless it...
150Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 May 1804 (Adams Papers)
I recieved your favor of the 3 d three days since it gave me real pleasure as you appear to be in good spirits and write much more cheerfully than you have done some time past— I was much surprized at the change you mention in M rs. Whitcombs person she wrote Caroline she had been unwell but I did not think she had been seriously sick— I have just done reading Madame de Staals new Novel which...