991To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
Although the manifold proofs, which I received from your affectionate regards can never be obliterated—no—not even weakened by lenght of time—yet I presume—it may be become a difficult task to you to recollect, when the last line to inform me of your wellfare—from Montezillo was written—You know me too well, that I could wish to extort from you one Single line, which Should cause you the least...
992To John Adams from William Rotch, 10 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
The Old Colony Memorial was lately put into my hands, I suppose with a view that I might see my doom portray’d by A Coffin in a letter to S Adams Esqr. in the year 1785, lately hunted up after laying quiet 37 years, and now carefully publish’d, not by the person to whom it was addressed, who no doubt saw no cause for it; but by order of my friend John Adams, with his directions to insert it...
993To John Adams from Francis Henderson, 3 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
As I am a stranger to you, the subject matter of this letter must be my excuse for using the freedom of addressing you. In 1795 I married the orphan daughter and only child of the late Lieut. Colo. John Laurens of South Carolina, by whom I have one child living,—a Son,—now of age and with me, having finished his Education at the University of Edinburgh. Being engaged, since my Son’s arrival...
994To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 18 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
The promised extract of my old Friend Dr: Nicholls Letter, as given you in my Last Letter which went by Mail—is now Inclosed; it may serve to give you some information respecting the state of things in England, wch are not, likely to come in view thro’ the medim of the public papers—and some points wch. could be known among the parties Interested at those periods in events that were passing—I...
995To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 11 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
I can no longer restrain an inclination which has for Some month urged me to write to you, and to give you a Short narritive of myself and the part I have taken in the late contest with our ancient enemy the English Nation—rather government—After the war was declared in June 1812, a peice was published in the National intelligencer dated 5.th. June—respecting the affair at Machias in taking...
996Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 5 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Absences and avocations have had prevented my acknoleging your favor of Feb. 2. when that of Apr. 19. arrived. I had not the pleasure of recieving the former by the hands of mr Lyman . his business probably carried him in another direction; for I am far inland, & distant from the great line of communication between the trading cities. your recommendations are always welcome, for indeed the...
997To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 29 April 1821 (Adams Papers)
Putting off writing is like postnoing a visit,—if you let it alone too long you know not how to begin it. As you retired from the convention indisposed, I was not inclined to obtrude a letter on a sick man who had rather enjoy his own thoughts, than read the whimsical, wild, or Stupid notions of another. It is more than probable I had another reason, nay I am sure I had, lest it Should Seem to...
998To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
8 March—Had a party of 48 or 50 in the evening which was less dull than I could possibly have flattered myself—Cards & music—Mr. A. dined with Genl Jackson who seems to think he is not fairly treated by the Executive—Engaged to accompany Mrs. Middleton to the theatre tomorrow evening— 9th. So unwell all day was obliged to stay at home and nurse—Reading Mr. Laws Book on Instinctive Impulses—It...
999To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
As I returned home in safety in the course of this week, the first moments of leisure, after having informed my children and mr Busti of this happy event, shall be devoted, to acknowledge the favour of your’s of the first of Oct. In my former from Philadelphia I mentioned—how I was bruised—wounded—healed—and restored to perfect health—now I can only mention, and this, I am assured is a far...
1000To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 November 1818 to 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
If my delaying to answer ÿour favour of the 2 of oct was a just measure of my valuing your condescending kindnesses then—no doubt—I ought to be deemed not to deserve your So distinguished attention—but I am happy indeed, that you cannot foster Such an idea—and I Should rather be prompted to make an apologÿ for an insignificant Letter, was I not fully persuaded—that—imperfect as it may be, it...
1001To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is not before now, that I can answer your favour of the 18 last—My daughter, who fully Sympathises with my feelings, and knows, how highly I value every line, with which you continue to honour me, Send it to Albany, and last week it was returned here. I was there to examine the Dutch Records of last cent—and finally engaged to try, if I could translate—them—I declined the first proposal of...
1002To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
It was my intention to have delay’d writing to you—till the great die was cast—but perusing Dr Morse’s—Revolution I was So Struck and delighted by your interesting Letters—to him mr. Niles and Judge Tudor, that I could not longer bereave me Self of the pleasure of giving you my cordial thanks for these valuable Records. How deeply I regret, that your avocations did not permit you twenty years...
1003To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
4th. Jany The weather still severely cold—My Sons are gone to the House of Representatives to hear the Debates—Your Letter has just been put into my hands and I observe all yo u say upon the subject of Missouri. She has unfortunately a very intemperate Delegate who is not calculated to soften the impending storm. Much alarm evidently exists as to the consequences of this Question and Congress...
1004To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 16 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
Jany 16 1820 Was disappointed of going to church in consequence of their having prepared the heavy Carriage which I was afraid to go out in. The boys, however went and the Horses behaved so well that I took courage after they returned to go and make two visits of ceremony—The evening passed at home— 17 Very busy all day preparing for my Ball tomorrow, taking down bedsteads, and furniture of...
1005To 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...
1006To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 4 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of Aug. 15. was recieved in due time, and with the welcome of every thing which comes from you. with it’s opinions on the difficulties of revolutions, from despotism to freedom, I very much concur. the generation which commences a revolution can rarely compleat it. habituated from their infancy to passive submission of body and mind to their kings and priests, they are not...
1007To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
Absences and avocations had prevented my acknoleging your favor of Feb. 2. when that of Apr. 19. arrived. I had not the pleasure of recieving the former by the hands of mr Lyman. his business probably carried him in another direction; for I am far inland, & distant from the great line of communication between the trading cities. your recommendations are always welcome, for indeed the subjects...
1008From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 22 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
You reproach me unjustly my dear John and I suspect you received a long letter from me the 15 or 16 of the Month, in answer to your last; so that I am not so heavily indebted as you pretend It is very flattering to me, and affords me unspeakable pleasure, to find you so desirous of obtaining Letters from me, and it is so gratifying to me to seize every opportunity of evincing my affection for...
1009To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 20 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
Did Mr. Otis write more than two political Pamphlets? One his spirited “Vindication of the House of Representatives” printed in 1762. And the other that “Of the Rights of the Colonies asserted & proved” in which he strangely concedes the Authority & Right of the British Parliament to make Laws binding upon the Subjects however distant their Situation, & variant their Circumstances, in all...
1010To John Adams from Gurdon S. Mumford, 25 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
As a Member of the French benevolent Society established in this City more than 20 years ago for charitable purposes, and feeling for suffering humanity and desirous to contribute my mite towards aiding their benevolent intentions I have been induced to compose a brief view of the Honor’s render’d to General LaFayette by the People of this State, and the Constituted Authorities both of the...
1011To John Adams from Francis James Jackson, 16 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
Having been told by a number of gentlemen, & particularly by the Hon. Mr Quincy, that you considered the preservation of your house at the late fire, was owing to my exertions; this Sir, is placing a great deal too much to my Cr. at the expense of your neighbours, who speedily exerted every nerve to prevent the portending destruction. Permit me to sketch what fell under my notice at this...
1012To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
This answer to your letter of the 18th I consider indeed as an essential part of my religious worship on this day—I cannot indeed be Sufficiently thankful to my God for So many undeserved blessings, among which I place it in a high rank, that I continue to preserve your honoured frendship unabated, and I cannot reciprocate in a better manner, as in fostering the deep Sense I feel of the many...
1013To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 18 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
18th Received a number of visits and returned a few.—Mr Poletica passed the Evening with us—Talked much of his tour thro’ the Western States and appeared much pleased with his visit to Boston He informed us he had seen a gentleman lately from England who mentioned that the Queen had twice been seen drunk in Parliament before he left that Country— 19 Visitors came so early and staid so long I...
1014To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
Jany. 22 Still in bed not allowed to rise in consequence of the faint turn’s which still harrass my frame—The Dr made an attempt to bleed me, but the blood would not flow—and after opening two veins he abandoned the attempt—grew better towards noon—Col Johnson concluded his speech—Mrs. Smith passed the day with me and nursed me most affectionately—Mr Adams went to a Ball at Mr Pleasanton’s...
1015To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
Jany 22 The ettiquette question will soon be put down as the fathers of the Nation now decline all pretence to the right of first visits as Senators; but think they ought to receive it Strangers, making it thereby perfectly optional as it regards those who may be residents in the City to visit or not according to their inclination—And they are reduced to the necessity of denying the fact of...
1016To John Adams from Henry F. Lamb, July 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your Goodness will pardon the Liberty I take in Troubling you at this Time when I inform you that it is in behalf of an Aged & infirm parent, My Mother, who is the Grandchild of the Revd Eliphalet Adams of New London & Widow of the Late Captain John Lamb, who in the year 1785 was appointed by Congress, as their Agent to Algiers, Tunis & Tripoli, to purchase a Peace with those States & to...
1017To John Adams from W.H. Sumner, 3 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
In an address to governor Brooks, accompanying my last annual return of the militia of this commonwealth, I made some observations on its condition, of which I beg leave to enclose to you a copy. My public situation has made it particularly necessary for me to investigate the uses of the militia, as a military institution; but this is not the only light in which it should be viewed. Its...
1018Enclosure: Circular from Hezekiah Niles to Prominent Subscribers, 31 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
After revolving upon some suitable apology for intruding myself with the following statement and request, I have thought it most respectful to decline offering any, except to observe that if ought appears to your better judgement improper in either, that you will attribute it to any thing else than a willingness on my part to act so, in any respect towards you. For six years ending with the...