1From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 6 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Other parts of your letter of yesterday may be remembered hereafter; but “ Brimborion ” must not be delayed nor trifled with. I shall produce an authority or two. Deletanville’s Dictionary. Brimborion SM. A trifle, A thing of little value. Lallemonts Dictionary. Brimborions. S.M.PL. Bagatelles choses de peu de valeur. Apinæ arum. Crepundia orum Children’s Playthings. Baubles as Bells Rattles....
2From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 30 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
You made that Westphalian Couplet yourself, Sleeping or waking, nobody but you could have dreamed or thought of Hogs of Westphalia are a saving brood What one lets drop, the other takes for food. It so perfectly and summarily comprehends the whole Genius and history of Party and Faction from the Ipso dixit of Pythagoras to the disciples of the Scottish Creolian of Nevis. And does “Jonathan”...
3From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 27 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Are the works of Apuileus in Harvard College Library or in any other collection in America Have you read his Metamorphosis which he calls his Ass of Gold, his Assinus Aureus, or Asinus Runi.” Among these novels, fables, tales or whatever you please to call them, is his Amours of Cupid and Psyche. Have you read Molier’s Psyche? Have read La Fontaines Psyche? Have you seen a splendid translation...
4From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 31 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
“The History” is of no value, except on account of its date. It was written and printed in Edes and Gills Boston Gazette, in the Interval between the first Congress in 1774 and the Second Congress in 1775 under the Signature of Novanglus. In this View it is a Document; an historical Memoir. To me personally, it is of Some importance as it is a record of the Principles on which I engaged in the...
5From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
You are So waggish and roguish with your Woofs and your Warps and your Webs, that I am almost afraid to write or Speak to you. Yet I wish We were nearer together. I was a little alarmed at the Story of the pacific Commission. Some body was pleased to call the Sarcasms in the Repertory, “Severe.” They ought to have been called the Snarlings of Park the Puppy, and the Squealings of Park the...
6From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 6 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
The Talents and qualities of the Tumble Bugg, are Strength Industry, Patience, Foresight of Futurity, care to provide for Posterity and for individual Wants, at a future day. Now, which of these mental Faculties or bodily qualities, has this “the most enlightened, the best informed, the most Sagacious, and the most virtuous Nation on the Globe” discovered during the last 13 Years? A tumble...
7From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 1 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
The report that John Quincy Adams has written to his father, or any one else that “the war which the United States has declared, and is waging against England is in his opinion unjust and unnecessary;” whether fabricated in Halifax or Boston is altogether groundless. Mr Quincy’s resolve is slacking. Louis 14th Fistula drained his brain of vapours. Vide Talk of a tub. You have not acknowledged...
8From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 19 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
The History of Queen Ann’s reign and of the Treaty of Utrecht is So instructive, that it is worth while to look into the Life of Mesnager, and into that of the Abby Gautria. Mesnager was a Merchant of Rouen; in great Commerce but preferring Politicks of to trade Louis 14th. informed of his Talents, Sent him twice into Spain, to regulate the commerce of the Indias; and after wards into Holland...
9From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 28 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 10th is too delicious, to be disgraced by Ceremonies and Apologies in my Answer. You might as rationally ascribe the Events of this Annus mirablis, or any Annee la plus chetive et meprisable to the Power of Animalcules in Cayan Pepper Water, as to the Power or Policy of Men. I see nothing in the History of Napoleon more wonderfull or inexplicable, than in that of Zingis, of...
10From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 18 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to sympathize with you and your Children on the loss of your amiable and excellent Consort. As my reflections on this mournfull Event can be no other than your own I shall spare you the pain of reading them. I thank you for your Letter of the 14th and the Pamphlet inclosed. Do you know the Meaning of the Words “ Awakenings ”? and “ Revivals ”? I am old enough to have attended the...
11From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 11 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the Eighth I can only say that Societies Since as I have never been of any Use to any of our learned Societies Since their Institution, except perhaps in a present of Books to one of them. I should be extremely unhappy to have reason to suspect that I had done them any harm. My Course of Life and perpetual Avocations have been such that I never could turn my...
12From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 15 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I receive no Letters with So much pleasure as yours and Rushes. The Shortest of them always contains Something new and Solid; Some thing witty and a good deal that his humerous. How many more hot Nutts for the Monkeys you will See, I know not. They will lie, and laugh and joke: but they will not make much Noise, because that might provoke Some of their own Party to peep at the Patriot which...
13From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 9 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you sketches of Naval history and a letter from the Author Make what use of them you think probono publico. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
14From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 12 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
What is common Law in England has been Subject to disputes enough. In Blackstones Commentaries and Fortescue Alands Preface to his Reports you may find the most intelligible Account. In general, Usage from time immemorial practiced and approved, is the Criterion It is denied by many and doubted by more whether The United States have any common Law There may be some Principles and Rules of Law...
15From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 9 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Our Boston Rulers must be acknowledged to be profound Politicians. They appear to have Studied the Uses of Solomons Temple and its furniture, and the Rites and Ceremonies of the Hebrew Polity. The final Causes of the Temples and Altars of Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus &c and the Festivals in honour of Such Gods among the Greeks and Romans, appear to be well understood. The History of the Rise and...
16From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 25 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I will join with Vice President Gerry and Lt. Governor Gray in any reasonable representation. But higher interests than yours or mine are at stake. What is your family & mine & twenty others to eight Million of people? How much less to mankind? The salvation of both, seems to be staked both by republicans and federalists, upon the opinion of Washington. the Boston junto of republicans appeal...
17From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have just recd your Favour of Yesterday. It has been a Rule of the Government from 1789 to this day to answer no Solicitations or Recommendations for Office. The necessity of this Rule must be obvious to evry enquiring Mind. The Hyperfederalists, or the Ultrafederalists, have a more exalted System, than the Simple Federalists. They dare not, openly and publickly avow or attempt to Support...
18From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 12 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Charge of “Change of Politicks” hinted in your Letter of the 8th, deserves no other answer than this, “ The Hyperfederalists are become Jacobins, and The Hyperrepublicans are become Federalists . ” John Adams remains Semper Idem, both Federalist and Republican in every rational and intelligible Sense of both those Words. What shall I say of Mr Dexter? Rara Avis in Terris nigroque Similima...
19From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 15 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
You ask my Opinion, (if I understand you) whether Duane or General Hull, be the fittest Man for Secretary of War. I answer. In my opinion, Wilkinson was fitter than either. But his Vanity and the Collisions of Faction have rendered his Appointment improper and impossible. Again, if you wish my Opinion, you Shall have it. I know that Colonel William Stevens Smith of Lebanon, in Smiths Valley on...
20From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 25 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
In the style of John and Jonathan Bull, I give you a thousand thanks for your letter of the 18th and the Journal of the Surgeon. The great James Otis whose style was hasty, rough and coarse, and who hated and despised correction, often gave some of his compositions to Sam Adams, whose language was soft, harmonious, and oily, as Otis expressed himself “To quieu it” Who “quieu ” this little...
21From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 2 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Gerry! Gerry! Gerry! You was the last of my Colleagues! I am left alone! It cannot be long before I Shall Join you. What Tidings Shall I carry to you? That a total degeneracy has prevail’d ; or that the ancient Virtues are revived? Are there none who rejoice in this Exit? I Shall Soon give them another moment of delight: and much good may it, do them. Ames and Parsons Sett the World in a howl...
22From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 31 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
I cannot take leave of the Year, without confession of my fault and begging Pardon, A Letter so kind and obliging as yours of 20th September ought not to have been Unnoticed, till this day. My heart is bound up with the Navy and I love the Officers, as well as my Sons. Their politeness to me, was conspicuous enough. Their Invitations were cordial enough. But I had reasons, which I could...
23From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 28 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
You know not the Feeling I have for you. I wish Mr Cutts and Mr Seaver, may guess right: but you know Men are apt to guess as they wish. You “do not See but Christians destroy each other full as much as Pagans”. To this I answer, Joshua Pizarro Alva, Lorrain, Laud, Bartholomews day, the Powder Plott and the Irish Massacre. I will add that Democrats, Deists and Atheists destroy each other, and...
24From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 19 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Little did I think when I last wrote you, what a monument was erected to me. I have since received an immense volume of 630 pages printed in large Octavo, full page, small type, No name, no place, no printer, no date. I have not a suspicion or a conjecture, who the author is. the whole book is devoted to the chastisement of me and my books. There is no personal scurrility against me; but my...
25From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 9 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Since there is nothing in human life but Brimborians, that is maginificent nothings, pompous Bubbles, Sounding Brass, tinkling Cymbals, fantastic Non Entities, airy Gossamers, idle dreams delirious visions &c &c. &c. I am desirous of assisting your studied and learned investigations into this Essence of sublumary things. Le grande Dictionaire Royal Francaise latine et allemande by Pomay....
26From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
I know that Mother Harvard had Power to make D.D. M.D. and LLD as well as Batchelors and Masters: but never knew till now that She possessed the Prerogative of making Princes. It is a notable Epocha in our History. Why may she not make Dukes, Marquisses, Viscounts, Earls Barons Knights, and Esquires? If the Republicans wish and expect from me an History of the Rise and Progress of The Essex...
27From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 25 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mine Eyes are better. I am angry with you for calling our Navy little. It is the greatest Navy in the World. Far greater than the Brittish. I rejoice in the Glory of the Essex, and her Captain Porter: but he ought not to have threatened to revenge himself upon Lima. What is himself, and myself and yourself? He should have vindicated the honour of his Country. I am glad that Mr Gray applauds...
28From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I receive with pleasure, the News of your removal to Cambridge and establishment in Office, in which may you, and your amiable Lady Sons and daughters, continue to do honour, and administor medicine, to this Country, diseased in Body and mind There is not a more melancholly contemplation, to a mind that Soberly thinks, than the honours that are done to military Charactors by Sea and Land:...
29From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 10 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of Decr 25 And the Extracts inclosed. I regret the loss of your Visit and wish for that to come. The sooner the better. your entertaining account of the Solemnities of the day at Plymouth interested me very much. Every Thing was in the Spirit of the Times. Beaumarchais in his Figarro Says Tout finit d’un Chanson. your Dialogue with a Lady was remarkable. I Should...
30From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am broke….I am a Bankrupt… Je n’ai rien; Je dois par tout Dans mes affaires Je Suis au but.... My Table is loaded with long, learned and ingenious Letters, from far and near, upon Religion Law Government History Politicks and War which I have not answered, and cannot answer. I will however not fail to acknowledge my debts to you both pecuniary and litterary; and trust to the Clemency of my...