61To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
Although I have so lately written, I will not, as mÿ restored health can be no pretext, delaÿ for one single daÿ, to send you a few lines more; now I have seen the confirmation of the good news from Washington—and, certainlÿ, if we maÿ claim a friend’s comfort in distress, then he too must be entitled to share our joys. I do so indeed, and congratulate you and your Excellent consort most...
62To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
It is certainlÿ a long while, that you received not a line from me, and this nothwithstanding I was So highly gratifiede, and as it were buoy’d by your kind favour of 30 Nov. last—But—how could I do else, as I wrote not even to mÿ Son—labouring Since the three last months under an increasing debility, which Seemed to threaten the total destruction of the machine. As long however it was only a...
63To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 November 1810 (Adams Papers)
I Know you will permit me to indulge me Self in reviving mÿ drooping Spirits in writing a few lines to you—of whom’s health I had the last pleasing information from the N. papers, when I did See, that you paid ÿour last tribut of respect to deceased worth in attending the funeral of Cambridge’s President. You must now have nearlÿ reached the term of your fifteenth Lustre. I hope—this last year...
64To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 14 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
I can but imperfectly express the pleasure, which I received from your kind favour of the 15th Dec. last—It was yet enhanced, if possible, bÿ receiving in the same instant a Letter of Rob. R. Livingston, our Late Chancellor and Ambassador to France, by whom, I supposed I was long ago forgotten. You cannot conceive, how delightful it is in mÿ situation, to be now and then remembered by the wise...
65To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I listen onlÿ to a pleasant emotion of my heart, in congratulating my Self, that among So manÿ blessings, with which the good God favours me till this instant, is the preservation of your precious life during another year. How precarious is it, if I Shall enjoÿ that favour once more: your age, alreadÿ above, what is commonlÿ allotted to men, mÿ own advancing years, with the frailties and...
66To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 May 1809 (Adams Papers)
As you felt So Sensiblÿ for mÿ Sorrows, it is highly becoming, that you Should be among the first, to whom I Should communicate mÿ happier prospects. Mÿ Eldest Son John at Philadelphia did ask me, two days past, for my consent in his marriage with a Miss Julia Taylor, of a respectable familÿ and connections, with a moderate fortune, adequate to his wishes. His former prudent conduct made me...
67To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
A continued headache has compelled me, to delaÿ an answer to your favour of the 16th of Febr. from daÿ to daÿ; tho I receive no higher gratifications than from these. It is indeed far beyond, what I could reasonably have flattered me with, that, in your far advanced age, you So often would have condescended, in taking notice of mÿ letters, and bestowing So manÿ marked proofs of your...