301To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 25 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
I ought sooner to have thank’d you for your last biographical Notices, but you had before left me to take my own time for scribling, & must not complain for my Abuse of the License. The anecdotes you have given of the Destruction of the private Papers of Mr. Otis & Mr. S. Adams has rescued two important facts from being totally lost to Posterity. They confessedly were two very extraordinary...
302To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
The bearer Major Wolcott Huntington, is a very estimable young Gentleman, Son of General Ebenezer Huntington of this State, who served in the American Army from the year 1775 till the close of the revolutionary War. In common with the patriotic young men of the present age, he is desirous of personally manifesting the admiration and gratitude with which all men are animated, towards the Eldest...
303To John Adams from John Jay, 27 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
On the 20th. Inst’ I recieved, and for the first Time saw, the fifth volume of Franklin’s works, published at Philadelphia. I was surprized to find in the 293d. page, a note of the Editor (Mr. William Temple Franklin) which contains a Paragraph in the following words—vizt.— “Mr. Adams and Mr. Jay had previously arrived, and in Time to share in the arduous and momentuous duties of the Mission....
304To John Adams from Benjamin Owen Tyler, 4 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Absence from home has prevented me from receiveing your very interesting letter of the 24th of May until within a few days. If any thing could add to the gratitude veneration, and respect I feel for one of the principal founders of my countrys freedom, it is your the great compliment and respect you pay me in that letter which I shall preserve with the utmost care while I live. The sentiments...
305From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters are always welcome, the last more than all others, it’s subject being one of the dearest to my heart. to my granddaughter your commendations cannot fail to be an object of high ambition, as a certain passport to the good opinion of the world. if she does not cultivate them with assiduity and affection she will illy fulfill my parting injunctions. I trust she will merit a...
306To John Adams from William John Coffee, 26 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I cant help Expressing my great disapointment at not being favored with an answer to my Solicitaions so Long Past, I know that I am to you a Stranger and on that accnt feel sorry to trouble or Intrude on your time or retirement, but at the same time having executed busts of all the other Presidents its proper to have yours I have also a considerable wish to Employ my talents on your bust to...
307To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 22 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
The Baron de Syon will have the honor of presenting you this letter. He has been travelling from the Western States as one of the family of Genl. La Fayette, who is desirous that he should have an opportunity of paying his respects to you, personally; he being a gentleman for whom Genl. La Fayette expressed a great affection. To gratify both Baron de Syon and La Fayette I have taken the...
308To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 12 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that I cannot procure a copy of The Life of Jackson, of wh this Edition is sold out. I send by this mail a copy of the Olive Branch, of which I request your acceptance. The very brief vindication of the work on the American Constitutions, is contained in page 39. I regret that it is so concise. If you have duplicate copies of any of Your recent newspaper or other...
309To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Feby. 27 Remained at home all the morning—Mr. Adams dined with Mr. Lowndes—In the evening went to the French Ministers where Mr. A accompanied me it being their last public night—God save the King produced a great effect I understand last night, and the papers are to ring with it tomorrow—The managers—Those of whom were Members of Congress had determined it should not be played, and Mrs. Peter...
310From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 24 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I was seriously concerned to hear of your illness and am still considerably uneasy of lest you should by any imprudence have a relapse and I entreat you will be particularly careful of the Night air—You must write me frequently even if it is only to say “I am well ” as I shall be very anxious for some time I presume you are taking the Bark? what Phyissian attended you? was your complaint...
311To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 20 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
In looking over a number of Delaplaine’s Repository , which was lent to me by Mr. Vaughan, for the purpose of reading a life of Dr Franklin written by Walsh, I was also attracted by an account of Samuel Adams which I had never seen. It contains some interesting anecdotes but there is one that strikes me as being somewhat exaggerated, and as the peice of history is a very interesting one I turn...
312To John Adams from William Bentley, 17 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Having been requested by J Marston Esqr to send to him through your hand, a copy of the Mecklenburg N C. resolutions as printed in the Essex Register, June 5. I have taken the liberty of adding another copy for your own use, as he assured me you had sent your own copy to a friend. With increased affection, / & with the highest reverence of your personal virtues, / & unrivalled public services...
313To John Adams from Charles Hood, 3 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
The Washington Society intend celebrating the Anniversary of the American Independence, by a public Dinner at the Marlborough Hotel— They particularly request the honour of your company. by order of the Standing / Committee MHi : Adams Papers.
314To John Adams from Richard Stockton, 12 September 1821 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you my Son Robert F Stockton of the Navy at present Commanding the Schooner Alligator now in the port of Boston. I can assure you with truth that he is a youth of exemplary moral Character and conduct,—and that he has already earned for himself a professional reputation equal to that of any other officer of his age and rank in the Navy.—I could not think of his...
315To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 2 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
It is now 37 years since I had the pleasure to recieve your first letter at Anconis It was a paternal letter containing advice to a Young Man, which was peculiarly usefull to me. You than said—“ I must talk to you like an old man ”—I am now 15 years older than you was than. In several of your Subsequent letters you express’d a wish to know precisely, the conversation which pass’d between Judge...
316To John Adams from William Bentley, 19 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
After I sent my reply to Mr Marston, I received your affectionate Letter of July 15. I am persuaded your indulgent opinion has given my young friend more pleasure, than all the applause of his audience. He has not a friend, who has not seen the extract I gave him. In regard to the North Carolina declaration we have been as much surprised, as any persons who have read it. We searched general &...
317To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 7 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
On my return to this pleasant Village from a peregrination in the West, I rec’d Your favor of the 22d June— The ground my friends have assumed as to my projecting—& in co’operation with Genl. Schuyler—my efficient & successful efforts in establishing the Canal policy in this State, & vigorously prosecuting the incipient Step which has led to their present gigantic State—has call’d forth all...
318To John Adams from Roger Chew Weightman, 14 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
As chairman of a committee appointed by the citizens of Washington to make arrange for celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of A can Independence in a manner worthy of the M tropolis of the nation, I am directed to write re as one of the signers of the ever memorable Declaration of the 4th of July 1776, to honor the city with your presence on the occasion. I am further instructed to inform...
319From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 16 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am very uneasy my dear John at your indisposition more especially as you do not mention its nature—I hope the heaviest part of your labour is now terminated and that you will ere this Letter reaches you have acquitted yourself with honour and applause. I regret very much not being present at your exhibition still more that your father has been disappointed in consequence of the delay of the...
320From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th. instt. which informed me of the part assigned to you at the next exhibition has given me great satisfaction; and I now indulge the hope that your performance of it, will be still more creditable to you than the assignment. The question will afford full scope for all your abilities, and as I believe the affirmative to be the right side, you will have no lack of argument...
321To John Adams from John Warren, 8 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
Dr Warren presents his best respects to President Adams; and has taken the liberty of enclosing a sketch of the life of General Joseph Warren, for the President’s perusal.—He would also take the liberty of requesting the President to make any alterations or additions, which he may judge necessary or proper.— MHi : Adams Papers.
322To John Adams from John Cartwright, 29 February 1824 (Adams Papers)
Daily viewing a facsimile of your signature to that most most glorious of all human records—The Declaration of American Independence, which Independence, so early as the year 1774, expostulating with the rulers of this country, I publicly advocated, it is my request, that you will accept a two-fold work in the cause of Freedom, entitled “The English Constitution Produced and Illustrated” and...
323To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 28 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
When I had the pleasure of meeting Judge Adams in Boston on Saturday last, & to whom I gave a Note wch I took out of the Post—he intimated that it was probable you would not want for a Snow Storm, but would indulge us with Happiness of seeing you & the family some day this week, wch I was rejoiced to hear, as every appearance of Snow has passed off without leaving enough to make it possible to...
324To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am confident, you will kindly permit me to Send you a few lines—at this time—if it was only, & I candidly confess, that I have Scarce any thing else, deserving your notice—to communicate, except it was to congratulate you—in regard to your continued vigour and health—as Mrs Quincy was kindly pleased to inform me, that you twice walked this Summer from your house to her abode, to make You...
325To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 11 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am prepared, whenever I may have the consent of yourself & family, to commence writing your life for my National Biographical work “the Repository of the Lives & Portraits of Distinguished Americans”, the first volume of which, containing Twelve lives & portraits, is already published.— Pray inform me, from what sources I may derive the materials from which I shall be enabled to complete...
326To John Adams from Jacob Engelbrecht, 15 March 1824 (Adams Papers)
The subject of this letter is of rather an odd cast. yet I indulge the hope, that you will excuse my eccentricity when my motives are made Known, I wish you Sir, to favour me with a letter, in your own Hand writing, which I wish to preserve in honour of you, and frame after your death,—the satisfaction I would derive of being thus honoured, would be a source of pecular joy. I hope, Sir you...
327To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
The last tiding of your welfare, with which I was gratified—was by Judge Peter Smith. I had made an excursion to Albany and N. york, to See the Governour, and endeavour to obtain in the last place Some relief to my Sight—but it was fruitless. I met Judge Smith—whom I had not Seen during Several years—between Schenectady and Cagnarrage, where he took the Stage—we were pleased with this...
328To John Adams from Francis Henderson, 6 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
I did Myself the honor to write you, on the 3d. January last, from Newport,—Rhode Island; with sundry accompanying documents for your perusal, relative to the Claim of Myself & Family on the United States, as the Heirs and Representatives of the late Lieut. Colo. John Laurens. Myself and Son, soon afterwards, arrived here, to spend the remainder of the Winter and Spring, and attend to the...
329To John Adams from John Farmer, 20 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour was received last evening, and the subject of it shall receive immediate attention. For some time past, I have entertained the idea that the late Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, was a descendant from the well known Rev. William Tompson of Braintree. In November, last year, I communicated my conjecture to Mr. Baldwin, of Chelmsford, son of the late Col. L. Baldwin of Woburn, and...
330To John Adams from John D. Winslow, 6 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to have the honor of tendering my services to the Electors of President and Vice President of the United States.—for the purpose of carrying on the Votes of thier board to the seat of Government. very respectfully / I have the honor to be / Your Most humble Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
331To John Adams from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 7 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your much esteemed favor of the 26th. ulto. was received, a few days since, when I was occupied at court. My stock of letters & papers, left me, by my father & c uncle, is very large; and it constitutes my principal inheritance, which I prize, beyond any estate, preserved from the wreck of the revolution. The patriotism of that period was without alloy. The perusal of the productions of those...
332To John Adams from William Dabney, 15 January 1825 (Adams Papers)
My respect for you, (altho’ personally unknown) induces me to offer you herein enclosed, and to ask your acceptance of, one right to use for yourself & heirs a right for my Patent Pump for raising water by gravity or Weight, a Patent for which, I have obtained from the United States in November last. This Machine is of cast & wrought iron, and not bulky—is simple in its construction and...
333To John Adams from Littleton Dennis Teackle, 4 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
As Chairman of the Committee of Public Instruction, I take the liberty of transmitting a Bill reported for that purpose, and beg the favor of your views upon the System proposed, and that you will be pleased to note its defects, and to suggest Amendments. Presuming upon a knowledge of your liberal, and Philanthropick disposition, I venture to essay this claim upon your time, and attention— I...
334To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 10 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
It hath pleased Almighty God in his Goodness and Mercy to give to this great & favored people yesterday, about half past four oclock P.M., your Son John Quincy Adams, as the President elect, to rule over this nation four years from the 4th. day of March next; I rejoice with you & with those dear to you on this happy event, I rejoice the more because it must be a balm to your heretofore wounded...
335To John Adams from Thomas Mussey, 9 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Through the politeness of your Nephew Mr Shaw, I have the pleasure to present you with an implement in domestic economy, which perhaps in some of its parts parts may be considered novel, especially in the case with which it is separated, and consequently kept clean; a circumstance not common to those which I have heretofore seen; although, professedly designed to effect the same purposes. As...
336To John Adams from J. H. Tiffany, 14 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
The 2d. & 3d. Vols. of the “Defence” with the accompanying notes are duly recieved. Deeply Sensible to those considerations which accompany presents of such distinguished intrinsic worth, bestowed with so impressive manner, the acknowledgement of my gratitude & great respects seems but a poor and inadequate return. In truth, when I pre view thes e pages, & reflect upon the thoughts & deeds of...
337From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 1 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter my dear John was brought me just before dinner and I hasten to answer it more particularly that part of it in which you mention that Messrs. Calvert and Taylor intend leaving Cambridge a week sooner then than the commencement of the Vacation and I am authorized by your father to tell you to present his compliments to Dr. Kirkland and request he will permit you to leave Cambridge at...
338To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 16 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
I am deeply sensible of all your kind feelings towards me, as express’d in your affectionate Letter of the 24th Ultimo. my wishes are in union with yours, that we were nearer each other, than we are, the sigh, is at present vain—I often contemplate a possiblity that if I sent my carriage & Thos. Alker a faithfull & well experienced driver, & you could feel strong enough to bear a ride of 10...
339From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 15 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday brought me your Letter my Dear John and your father and myself were both pleased to see the account you give of our dear fathers health for whom we have been very anxious for some time—According to your account I am a little afraid you will get spoilt among so many belles who will so inflate your natural vanity that you will be likely to share the fate of Narcissus—Some of these...
340To John Adams from Horace Holley, 3 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Adams was kind enough to say to me, when I was last at your house, and when I was contemplating this journey, “You will let us hear from you.” It is grateful to me to remember this remark, and to use the privilege which it confers. You and herself very often rise to my thoughts among the number of those, upon whose characters I delight to dwell as proofs of mental activity, cheerfulness,...
341To John Adams from Lewis Weld, 6 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
The interest you were pleased to express in the general subject of the education of the deaf and dumb and particularly in young Loring, with whom I had the honour of calling on you in May, was extremely gratifying to my feelings. In an employment like that in which I am engaged, so different form the ordinary business of instruction, and so incomprehensible in its details to most of those who...
342To John Adams from William Mumford, 7 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
It will I doubt not be in your recollection, that sometime in the month of October 1797. I waited upon you at your Hospitable Mansion at Quincy, to solicit you for the appointment of Treasurer of the Mint; at which time I presented you my credentials, consisting of Letters from Governor Fenner, Messrs. Bourne, Foster, &c. after perusal of which you observed that my credentials were amply...
343To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 13 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
I Most Heartily thank You for Your Affectionate Letter of Last october which I Have received only three days Ago and Have Also to Aknowledge the pleasure You Have done me By the introduction of Mr Hinckley and His Amiable daughter; they are going to England for a short time and Have promised the much Valued Gratification of their Company at La Grange where my family are Now assembled which Has...
344To John Adams from John Jay, 27 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to you of the 20th. Inst: I inserted a Copy of the one which on the 13th. Inst: I had written to Mr. William Duane; and promised on recieving his answer, to transmit a Copy of it to you. The last mail brought me his answer, in the words following— “Philadelphia—16th. March 1821”— “Sir Your Letter of the 13th. Inst: which you did me the honor to address to me, concerning some notes...
345To John Adams from J. H. Tiffany, 24 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I return the Discourses on Devila, or the 4 vol. of the Defence, with acknowledgements of great Obligation for its use. I have read & extracted with an attention which, I hope, will enable me to comprehend them independently, or in connection with the preceeding volumes. The system appears to be—That among the passions those for distinction is paramount & exists & operates in different modes...
346To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 19 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 9th. I have only recd. & Feel gratified that the note in the Olive Branch is satisfactory. It was an amende honorable, called for not only by justice to you & the valuable work it refers to, but a Regard to my own feelings. I have always regarded the acknowledgment of error as more honourable than the defence of truth. For one person capable of the former virtue, there are...
347To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 28 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
It seems an age to me , since we parted, and have not since had any accounts from those who have visited me here what has been the state of your health since that period, the best evidence I have rec’d has been thro the medium of the public News papers, in one of wch. is given the toast you sent the charitable masonic association Dinner given to Gen. LaFayette. If I can draw an Inference from...
348To John Adams from William Cranch, 29 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
Please to present my thanks to my aunt for her kind letter; and accept my congratulations on the prospect of your soon seeing your excellent son again after so long an absence; as well as upon the occasion which recalls him to his Country. I am rejoiced to see all parties approximating those orthodox political principles which you have so long advocated, and for the rigid adherence to which...
349From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 25 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your last is written under such disagreeable circumstances it partook a good deal of your general discomfort in its tone and expression. I have therefore delayed my answer until your difficulties shall be smoothed and your usual equanimity returned when I know my Letter will be welcome and you will not misconstrue the affectionate anxiety of Parents who have perhaps an exaggerated idea of the...
350To John Adams from Richard Rush, 2 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
An old Scotch woman, in North-Shields, signing herself Ann Hewison, has sent me a manuscript Quarto of what she calls extracts from the diary of William Langborn, an American officer, kept during his travels through several parts of Europe. I copy, word for word, the following passages. London July 18. 1786. “Saturday—Did myself the pleasure, agreeably to yesterdays invitation, of dining with...