2251To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
1 December 1822 This day being in tolerable health I renew my journal with the intention to pursue it through the Winter This Winter in consequence of the intriguing for the Presidency will be such an one as will furnish sufficient incident to make it interesting—As however I collect most of the news from mere publick rumour I do not vouch for the truth of it and it will of course be subject...
2252From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the 7th. Vol. of Wheaton’s Reports, the supplemental census of Alabama, and the commission of Tench Ringgold; as Marshall of the Dist. of Columbia, untill the end of the next session of the Senate. With great consideration / I have the honour to be / sir, yr. obed. servt, DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
2253To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
Decbr. 3 A Snow Storm—No visitors—In the evening a small party in consequence of the extreme severity of the weather—It was however tolerably pleasant—Dr. & Mrs. Thornton Mrs Key Mr & Miss Tayloe, Mr Mrs. & Miss Pleasanton, Major and Miss Selden, Dr Wrightman, Miss Hanson, Miss Aldrich Miss Forrest, Judge McLean, Mr Cook of Illinois Mr. Rhea, Mr Lear Mr. Coxe Mr. Elgar and Dr. Huntt with the...
2254From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Samuel L. Southard, 9 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. ADAMS requests the honor of Mr Southard’s company at Tea, on Tuesday Evening, the 10 of December and every Tuesday during the Session of Congress, when agreeable, at half past seven o’clock. NjP : Samuel L. Southard Papers.
Your Letter came yesterday and was received with even more pleasure than they generally are from its amiable and grateful tenor. Every advancement you make in your education or rather in the mutual improvement of both mind and heart is an additional blessing to you and to us and you will feel the delight accruing from it in the pleasure derived from the expansion of your own intellect and...
2256From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 12 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have written to my brother this day, informing him that I have consented that you and Charles should leave Cambridge, for your journey hither on the 23d. of this month, and requesting him to furnish each of you with 80 dollars, for the expenses of your Journey; an account of which expenses you will each of you keep to be exhibited to me. Take good care of yourselves on the road—We shall all...
2257To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 December 1822 to 13 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
12. December Mrs Frye called today to see me and I went with her to the Kings Picture Gallery and appointed Monday for her to sit to him—Her husband has one of the vilest things I ever saw which was taken by some miserable dauber —it is not fit to adorn a sign post—Had 21 visits and went out to see Mrs Calhoun Mrs Findlay, & Mrs Ingham—The former is a respectable looking elderly Lady the...
2258To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
& Miss Mason Capt & Mrs. Crane Mr. Kerby with several others Members of Congress—Mr. Petry came in the Eveng. and talked freely of the Bonaparté family He told me that while he was in Poland Napoleon was very much attached to a beautiful Polish Lady and that he (N.) rode fifteen miles every night during a fortnight at the risk of his life through the enemies Country to visit her—He likewise...
2259From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 14 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 7th. instant. If I agree with you that human knowledge ceases, where Metaphysics commence I must acknowledge that I am indebted to Metaphysics for the knowledge of this Truth after reading Lock and Malbranche Clark & Leibnitz Berckley & Hume, Condilac & Baxter Stuart & Brown have produced a pretty clear conviction of it—Your propensity to writing perhaps...
2260To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
14th December. We were all so exhausted that we determined to keep quiet all day at home. Received a Note from a Milliner requesting I would go and look at his things, this is a thing which has happened several times—Am I so much in vogue? I am solicited to take great care of myself this Winter and not to get sick, Are People afraid of closed doors again? What a hollow hearted World How much I...
2261From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 16 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 7th. If I agree with you, that human knowledge ceases where Metaphysics commence, I must acknowledge that I am indebted to Metaphysics for the knowledge of this truth, After reading Lock and Malbranch, Clarke and Leibnitz, Berckley and Hume, Condilac and Baxter, Stuart & Brown have produced a pritty clear conviction of it. Your propensity to writing perhaps...
2262From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
yours of the 9th. is received, you do not give me any account of your Studies as formerly—Mr. Smith and your Aunt have been very fortunate in escaping the Plague at Pensacola, please to give my love to them. I hope the Mexican Ambassador and his eight Gentlemen companions have brought with them plenty of Milled dollars, and Mexican Bullion, and after teaching our Merchants and Manufacturers...
2263From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 17 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
With high spirits I received the hand writing and the journal of the 1st. of this Month. I opened gay hopes before me for the Winter I rejoice in the recovery of you health, and to hear of the good health of you all— Mr. Adams, his Lady and Son appear to enjoy a serene and patient tranquility under the pelting of this pitiless Storm of political hail the thunder is not loud, and the Lightning...
2264From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 25 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your Journal beginning the third of the month has given me great pleasure. You are much to be envied and much to be pitied; such a variety of good Company is very desirable, but so much cerimoney and such fatigues must be rather burdensome.— We have received this morning the annunciation of Mr. Clays “GREAT UNKNOWN VOLUME OF GHENTISH HISTORY ” It will appear I presume at least as soon as the...
2265From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your last Journal and found it entertaining though you seem to think so little of it; I have infinitely less to write to you, Though you seem to think your journal infinitely little, nevertheless as our friend Shaw is with me, and willing to write for me, I will gossip with you a little.— The Newspapers of this part of the World are blazing with republications of Mr. Adams’s...
2266From John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1822 (Adams Papers)
Received Quincy April 3d 1822 of Thomas B Adams Esqr— the sum of Seventy-two Dollars in full for a semiannual dividend on my shares in the Massachusetts Bank— Also Twenty-Dollars as a dividend on my shares in the Boston Bank— 72 20 92 MHi : Cutts-Madison Collection.
2267From Joseph Hopkinson to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago there arrived at this port of Philadelphia, in a packet from Alexandria, a certain box, directed to me; which, when opened, was found to contain a very fine head , in excellent order —As no letter accompanied the box, or was received by any other Conveyance, the head was left to speak for itself; and inform from whence it came, and to what it was destined. The recollection of a...
2268To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 January 1823 to 20 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
1st January. If the weather to day is ominous of the storms of the ensuing year we must not expect much quiet—Let it come—I will not flinch be the end what it may—We went to the Presidents where we found a much larger party assembled than would have been expected considering the difficulties attendant on a sortie in such an inclement day—The Corps diplomatique paid their usual compliment and...
2269From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 4 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 26th. December just now received, has thrown me into a kind of froliksome mixture of gaiety and gravity, which has raised my Spirits. I am glad you are so fond of Swift; I know of no Man who has exhibited stronger proofs of a sound rational mind, and profound information on one hand, or of wanton fun, on the other; even his indecent drollery is instructive, and even moral....
2270From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Joseph Hopkinson, 5 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
The safe arrival of the Bust has given me much pleasure, and its safe installation in the Academy of Arts and Sciences, which the head was formed to grace, assures to me of its permanent security— To continue the very interesting conversation in the pretty porch of Bordeu, lighted only, as you say, by the softened rays of a pale but brilliant Moon, I must ask you to put yourself into the...
2271From Joseph Hopkinson to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 11 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read your letter with great deference and pleasure; but, of course, without any conviction of error in my opinions, you so ingeniously combat—The truth is the difference between us is marked by such light shades and mingling colours that it is not easy to detect the precise point where it is found—I am well satisfied it will not do, in this day and country, for publick men...
2272From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 5th. instant full of wise reflections philosophical and moral. I am glad you think so much and so prudently. You must be very happy all of you together I wish I could be one of your family circle during the vacations notwithstanding all the silly trécasseries of the times. Your Fathers notice of General Smyth was brought to me last night and read to me by Mr....
2273From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
Wonderful Woman, wife of a wonderful Man, How it is possible for you with your delicate Constitution and tender Health, to go through such a hurry of Visits, Dinners, and parties, Converse with such a variety, of Characters, masculine, and Feminine, and at the same time keep so particular a Journal. Yours of the 14th of December, up to the 30th. has arrived this Morning. your journal is a kind...
2274From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 21 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favour of the 15th. and the Pamphlet inclosed. Lord Bollingbrook says and every body knows that nobility in China ascends when a Man is ennobled, he ennobles all his Ancestors but none of his Posterity and his Lordship pronounces this law a wise institution, and I believe it is, and much wiser than to ennoble a long list of puppies, and Butterflies to all future ages. In this...
2275To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
22d The day was very unpleasant and I remained at home until the Evening when we went to the Drawing Room notwithstanding that it poured with rain. To our great surprize however we found a number of Ladies and Gentlemen and quite a sociable Party. We remained there about an hour and were rejoiced to get safe home. The young men went to the Circus to see the wonderful Rider who has just...
2276From 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.
2277From John Quincy Adams to John Peter De Windt, 25 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
I send you herewith a copy of the pamphlet lately published by me of which I request your acceptance. I should apologize for having left your Letter of the 5th instt so long unanswered. With my affectionate regards to my niece and best respects to your mother / I remain Dear Sir, your friend and faithful servant, MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2278To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 30 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
30th: January—Mr A & the boys dined at Mrs Decaturs & met us at Mr Cannings They found Mrs Decatur was very affable & agreeable & they were much delighted with their entertainment—The balls at this house are always elegant but there is still something flatt & stiff resulting from the knowledge of the Masters rigid love of ettiquette & ceremony—Beauty always appears to advantage here— 31st:...
2279From Thomas Boylston Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 31 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
By request of My Father I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Instant and the Essay on the Whooping Cough presented to the “Adams Library of the Town of Quincy.” As this is the first occasion, by donation , to that Library, I may be permitted, as one of the Trustees , to thank you in their behalf, for this valuable Treatise, upon a disorder, which I have always...
2280From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your last Journal, and thank you for it. When the Lady asked you which you prefered, the Illiad, or Paradise lost, you should have answered her as we New-England people do, by asking her another question, pray Madam do you read the Illiad in Greek, or in Pope. I wonder not that you threw your arms round your husband upon reading his answer to General Smyth, I would have done...
2281From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
yours of the 26th. January is received. I pray you to attend as much as possible, to every Court, and every scene in which law questions are discussed or mooted. Observe patiently and critically the conduct of Judges Counsellors, Jurors parties, Witnesses and spectators. And by no means fail to provide yourself with an ample apparatus for writing, a pocket ink horn, plenty of ink, good pens...
2282To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 7 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
7 Feby. We remained at home all the Evening Morning—Mr Adams dined at the Capitol with Mr Mrs L Hill and walked part of the way home which encreased his Cold and was quite unwell when he got to Mrs. Brown’s where we all went to a Ball which was very splendid and elegant—I had a great deal of conversation with many person’s and one with Mr Archer of Virginia upon second marriages which was...
2283From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 12 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Of making and reading Books, there is no end, And therefore it is hardly worth while to make a begining except for the necessary purposes of common life; I have never been afraid of a Book.—Brand Hollis, my Friend, said to me, there never was a bad book in the World.—Perhaps a Man of Sense and rectitude might learn something from any one; But there are many bad Books, and I have read...
2284From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 12 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Ere you can have arrived at Baltimore my beloved Children I address you in the hope that my Letter may find you immediately after your arrival at Boston in good spirits and safety and to thank you both for the many happy hours which you have caused your Mother to enjoy by your good conduct and affectionate attentions during your visit. Life is a scene so mixed so full of pleasure and pain that...
2285From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your Journal of the 26th. There is in human nature a germ of superstition, which has cost mankind very dear, and there is an other germ the love of finery, and which has done almost as much harm, and both have been employed with great sagacity by temperal and spiritual politicians to debase, degrade and subdue mankind, even with their own consent under the cruel iron rod of...
2286From Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 14 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Do not my dear Sir attribute my long silence to unmindfulness or negligence, after I received your kind letter announcing your safe arrival at home and conveying to us the music and Poetry for which our young friends were much obliged, I came to this City to make an Autumnal visit, here I was taken very sick and in consequence of my indisposition was advised to remain this side of the...
2287From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your Journal of the 26th. There is in human nature, a germe of superstition which has cost mankind very dear; And there is another germe, the love of finery, And which has done almost as much harm, And both have been employed with great sagacity by temporal, and spiritual politicians, to debase, degrade and subdue mankind, even with their own consent under the cruel iron rod of...
2288From Johnson Hellen to John Adams, 20 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Not having read the novel I am unable to Judge of the merits of the review. He seems to think this novelist an honor to the country; and asserts it as a singular fact, that all the characters are the copies of originals and executed with such accuracy, that the inhabitants of the village, which is the scene of the story, recognised upon perusal their associates in fiction. How did you get to...
At last my dear Charles I find a moment of leisure to address you not having had a moment since you left us disengaged from company—We have been out every night and the parties have generally been pleasant Mrs. Calhoun’s was an imitation of ours but did not take the Miss Roberdeau’s Miss Pleasanton Miss McKnight Miss Selby and one other whose name I have forgotten—They were all dressed...
2290To John Adams from William Cranch, 27 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
I hope you do not think that because I do not often write to you, I do not often think of you; much less that I have forgotten the debt of gratitude I owe. for your No other of my old friends is so often in my thoughts,—indeed you are the only one left of that class of my friends to whom I look’d up with reverence; & I delight in calling to my recollection your venerable form. You seem to me...
2291Conversations with John Adams Reported by Harriet Welsh, 27 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
The friendship of M Hawley is among the sweetest recollections of my life I first met him at the trial of the negro at Springfield from that day to his death we were friends he would not do anything in the House of R—without consulting me—he would not act upon the committe to answer Hutchinson respecting the Parliamentary authority over us unless I were present & that answer prevail’d was...
2292From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 1 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I like your philosophy very well, I will pursue an idea suggested in my last; I do sincerely wish that the Mandarins of China, the Bramins of Hindostan the Priests of Japan, and of Persia, could be influenced with the same zeal de propaganda fide as the Roman Catholics and Calvanists of this day are for propagating their Creeds, and ceremonies, I wish they would form into societies, open their...
2293From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
As I consider y’r ladyship as always imprison’d during a session of Congress I congratulate you upon y’r jail delivery by their rise they have not been very angry during this session consequently not very entertaining—our two sons arrived here in good health & spirits at the proper season and a furious snow wh’ blocked up all the roads detain’d them here for three or four days and enliven’d my...
2294From John Adams to William Cranch, 10 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of the 27th. Feb—with great satisfaction and sincere gratitude, I can reciprocrate your sentiments with great truth, the loss of my sight and a parilitic quiveration of my hands have rendered it impossible for me to write, And the dictation of a letter costs me more pain, than to write four, when I could write, You have rarely been out of my thoughts and I have...
2295From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 11 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have been so sick with the Influenza it has not been possible to write independent of which the perpetual round of dissippation in which I have lived seems to have deadened all my faculties and destroyed all the little gleam of light which was wont to illumine my ideas when I wished to throw them on paper—Party’s of every description being done with there is not a word of news stirring and...
2296From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 21 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Worn out by fatigue parties influenza and all sorts of weariness both of mind and body I have really been too idle to attend to my correspondence and have scarcely taken a pen in my hand—The apology is a poor one but such as it is you must be content to accept it for it is the truth— The City has been profoundly dull since the adjournment of Congress and we have had but one event to enliven us...
2297From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter and the pleasing information it contains has greatly delighted your father and I think you will now be rewarded by his full approbation of the exertions which you have made and which at last have proved successful—We shall certainly visit Boston as I wrote you and George has engaged to study with Mr Webster who is now here—Miss Hopkinson is at Alexandria to which place I took her...
2298From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 26 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I begin my letter, as you end yours of March 13th. with the word Amen . I admire your liberal philosophy and the large scale of your Religion, I cannot conceive however in your preferance in Presbyterianism, the presbytery have too much priestly Authority in matters of faith, like that which is claimed by the Episcopal Church, And the doctrines of both the Churches are too Calvinistical for...
2299From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 27 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
The easy manner in which you appear to take your College studies is diverting to me I confess but notwithstanding all your boast’s I flatter myself I shall assist at your Commencement with as much pleasure as I anticipate at John’s—The effect that your brothers success has produced upon your fathers spirits is such as to produce the greatest emulation in his Children for he has recovered his...
2300From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 27 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Surely my dear John you were not in your usual state when you wrote and enclosed George’s Letter to me or you could not have put such a construction upon it—Remember that when we undertake to correct the faults of others we should have attained to years of experience and have acquired by this means the capacity of advizing or else have conquered and eradicated all those failings in ourselves...