1From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have a rich Budget to send you by the next Ship. I have no time to prepare it by the Milo. I would send you some Newspapers but am told a Collection for the Months past is prepared for you Mr E. Copland Junr will present this. He is first Clerk to Degrand. You have all the Treaties and Projects of Treaties I presume but Britain and U. S. I presume from 1782 to 1815 Jays, Monroes Erskines and...
2From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is devoted to one Subject. Since the Death of Judge Cushing there has been frequently expressed in Conversation, much regret at your Absence, among People of all Parties. Presuming that Absence to be an insuperable Bar to any Nomination as a Judge, I have taken very little Notice of such Insinuations of Regret and imputed some of them to one Motive and Some to another. I need not...
3From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the Memoirs of Doctor Price. Though there is little in this Work which was new to me, except the Calvinism of the Doctors Father and Uncle. Yet I love to run over again the Passages of a Life which I esteemed and loved as one of the wisest and most benevolent of the human Race. I Shall not review this Pamphlet, and have nothing to Say in praise or censure of it, except that...
4From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
though I owe you many Apologies for neglecting to write for so long a time, it would give you no pleasure to read them. The Misfortunes afflictions and griefs in our Family in 1811 were sufficiently pungent, and to repeat them would be to renew them. I feel too much for you, your Consort and your Sister, as well as for Mr Smith to wish to renew the Sorrows which you must have felt at the first...
5From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have requested a number of Friends, to Search and Seek for information concerning the Fisheries, and they have procured me many Letters which I have Sent you. I ought to have recorded in a Book every One of those Testimonies: but you know the impossibility of it, as I have no Clerk. Some of those documents I have been obliged to Send away to you, without reading them. Inclosed is one from...
6From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
A Gentleman, whose Name is Reynolds a Native of Boston, a Graduate at Cambridge, a Pupil in Medicine and Surgery of the late Dr Warren, a Son of a respectable Merchant, a good Scholar and an amiable Character, requests as all other young Travellers do, Letters to You. He goes, I Suppose to See the Hospitals in England Scotland France &c. I have nothing in particular to Say, but that Yesterday...
7From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
It would be ridiculous in me to write you, upon public Affairs. If We have Judges as at the first; We certainly have not Counsellors or Warriors as at the beginning, except by Water. On the Ocean and on the Lakes We have no reason to blush. You have Sent a Pamphlet upon the Analogy between Russian Words and Sanscret Words. Our University and our Accademy See no importance in this Pamphlet. I...
8From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
My perplexities are increased every day, as I fear yours have been and are still. Mine, at present are altogether on your Account. The Princes Speech, paragraphs in London and Liverpool Papers scraps of Letters from both; all convince me that you have had Severe Tryals of your Intelligence and Integrity. It is universally believed here, that a Treaty of Commerce has been Signed, but there is a...
9From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I cannot forget the loss I have sustained in the death of Dr Rush. Since your departure his correspondence has been a kind of substitute to your conversation. Had I your pen, your tongue or your fingers, I would have pronounced his Eulogium before the Academy, rejoice always in all events be thankful always for all things: is a hand precept for human nature: though in my philosophy and in my...
10From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
If Parson Nelson could call that Composition of Alexander, Petrarch and Werter, The Admiral, “ Great and good , Surely it may be excusable in me, to make free with the Same Epithets. But away with Badinage. Be it known to you that I am in Correspondence, with your Rival; your victorious Rival; and what is more marvelous, a friendly correspondence. One of his Letters is inclosed, copied by your...
11From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your Letter of Oct. 27. 1814. and that of 26. of November. I congrtulate you on the harmony between you and your Colleagues an inexpressible Felicity of which I have not always been So fortunate as to enjoy the Sweets. I congratulate you also on the Peace and the glorious moment in which the News of it arrived. The Raptures of Joy I leave the Newspapers to describe. It is my...
12From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
The young Gentlemen are all flying to Europe, and apply to me for Introductions to our Ambassador in London. You must Shake hands with them all, invite them to a dinner on Mutton and Brockoli, with your Wife and yourself; but Entertainments a la mode you cannot give. The Corps diplomatique, will say “Adams lives “dans le plus infame Œconomy” their Coachmen and Footmen will look down on yours...
13From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you on the new acquaintences you have made. Madam de Stael and Sir Francis D’Ivernois are illustrious personages who will make a figure in history; a more splendid figure, that I can expect; or even than you can hope. Madam I never had the honor to see. With her handsome Lord I have enjoyed many a diplomatic dinner sometimes at his own hotel, and if I was not mistaken he had...
14From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
I feel so uneasy, on your account, that I want to write to you, every hour. But I am become so great a Coward, that I dare not write any thing to you. I never take my Pen, but with the utmost Anxiety, last I should hurt your Feelings, embarrass your Employments, give you unnecesary solicitude for your Country or excite a useless gloom on the prospect before Mankind. Shall I give you a History...
15From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
To Shew the pretty, little, easy task you have undertaken, let me give you a Schematic Picture of the publick and private Courses in a German University, for Six months. 1. Encylopedy, and Method of Studies. An encyclopedick course of general Litterature, of the divisions and Subdivisions, and of the relations of Sciences among themselves. A course on the method to be pursued, in Academick...
16From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I know not whether you are acquainted with the Bearer of this Letter Samuel G. Perkins Esqr, or his Lady a Daughter of the aged and Honourable Stephen Higginson Esqr. Mr Perkins was one of my Associates in the Board of Trustees and Visitors. We have thought it, a fortunate Opportunity, Politicks apart, to Send your Sons with Mr and Mrs. Perkins, and their Son about Johns age, and especially as...
17From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
I am not about to write you much upon War or peace. You must have enough upon those Subjects in public papers. My principal Topicks will be to inform you that We are all in unusual good health, have had an uncommonly fine Autumn and that We are all extreamly desirous of Seeing you all return to our Embraces. But none of Us can conjecture how it will be possible for you to get home, unless you...
18From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 March 1810 (Adams Papers)
The Opportunity by Captain Benjamin Harrod is so unexpected and the time allowed me is So Short, that I can only Say We are all Well and your Son very good as well as very healthy. We hear and read Such Accounts of unavoidable Expenses where you are, that our frugal Country We fear will not enable you to do your Errand. Our Reading has been all about Russia Life of The Empress Porters Travels...
19From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is to be honoured by the Reverend Samuel Cooper Thatcher, the Son of The Reverend Dr Peter Thatcher of Brattle Street and the Grandson of Oxenbridge Thatcher Esqr Barister at Law One of the most intimate confidential and beloved Friends I ever had one of the four first rate Lawyers, Gridley, Pratt, Otis and Thatcher who recommended me to the Court in Boston in 1758 when I was Sworn...
20From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I feel Some Compunction, when I recollect the long time that has passed Since I wrote you a Line. Indeed I Could take no pleasure in Writing, nor you in reading continual Narrations of Wounds Bruises, Sicknesses Amputations and Deaths, among those you Love, as I did with the most ardent and well merited Affection. I could only recommend Epictetus’ Antoninus, and St Paul, all of whom you know...
21From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
We live in dayly, hourly hopes of Letters from you at Paris. I wrote you by the Milo Capt Glover, and have written by the New Packett Captain Bronson, who is to carry your Sons under the care of Mr Samuel G. Perkins and his Lady. Two of our belle Esprits, the Greek Professor and Mr Ticknor, go in the Same Ship. The opportunity is favourable for our young Gentlemen, as far as We can judge. The...
22From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
At the Request of Mr Quincy, I inclose to you, his Speech on the Admission of States into the Union which are Situated beyond the Limits of the 13 original Confederates. You will want none of my Comments upon it. Your Authority is quoted in it, in Support of its Principle. The Prophecies of Quincy’s imagination are not altogether chimerical; tho I hope the fulfillment of them is far, very far...
23From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a Slip with an Essay in it, Signed Richlieu The Editor has poisoned it, with a Silly introduction; but that will not hurt it with you, ‘tho’ it Spoils it here. Who this Connecticut Gentleman is, I cannot conjecture. I did not believe, and cannot yet believe, that there is Brains enough, united with Courage and application enough, in that State to produce Such a paper. Trumbul?...
24From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your N. 48. April 8. arrived last night, and put our little family Circle into the best possible humour. The Gaiety of Spirit, the perfect good humour the delicate Satyre and the perfect Knowledge of Persons and Politicks, delighted and astonished Us all. If you had more of Juvenal and less of Horace; more of Swift and less of Adison, more Caustics and less Emolients, you would be the Terror...
25From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
Though you may think the inclosed Letter from Mr Sears to Mr Marston, out of date; I inclose it to shew you the importance of the Object in View. The little Town of Chatham, is but one among many in Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut and New York who have used the Fisheries to advantage. I conjecture the difficulties you have had to encounter. The Fisheries in their utmost extent,...
26From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I continue to live over again. De Grimm. Tome 3d Derncire Parte, page 304, has entertained me with the following Anecdote, “Mr Beaumarchais, has obtained finally, a reparation for his little retreat to Saint Lazere. In the first place, more than a Million has been paid to him, on his Accounts with the Government. In the Second he has received from Monsieur De Callone a Letter, infinitely...
27From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Were I to follow, the feelings of my heart I Should write you every day. But you remember Dr Winships “too serious an Affair.” I cannot write a line, without fear of hurting you, or your Occupations: for every Letter is opened. I have resigned the Chair of the A. of A: & Sciences, and that of Agricultural Society and am consequently an entire Freman. From the latter I have recd a civil Letter:...
28From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
Twelve days of in cessant Snows have obscured from our Sight Sun Moon and Stars till this Morning, till this Moment when I am gazing at it as it rises, in the Chamber where your Mother has been confined during the whole Storm. I brought her home Sick, from The Meeting of The Accademy in Boston on the 30th. Jan. and She has not been out of her Chamber Since. She is now pretty well again...
29From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
Please to deliver the inclosed three sheets to the Boston Patriot. MHi : Adams Papers.
30From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
This will be presented by my grandson and namesake, and your Nephew John Adams Smith, Esqr who is Secretary of Legation to your Commission. I have merited nothing from you or from him in this Appointment because I never approved it. I thought he had better follow his Profession in New York. But he appears to have had more Interest at Court than You or I both together. He procured...
31From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 26th. of December 1817 inclosing a Postnote upon the Branch Bank of The United States at Boston for nine hundred and One dollars and Ninety five Cents, being the Amount of the dividend of five per Cent upon the debt proved under the Commission of Bankruptcy of Robert Bird and Co. at New York. I am your affectionate Father MHi : Adams Papers.
32From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Where Shall the Begining, the Middle or the End of an oration be when the orator has nothing to Say? We are distracted for News from You, your Lady and your Children God bless you all. When I was young I read Hobbes and his Antagonists. A terrible Pother was made about his Doctrine, That the State of Nature is a State of War. That it is so, however till every One knows his place, all Nature...
33From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
Please to convey the three inclosed Sheets to the Printers. I beg of you to come up in the Stage. I cannot come to Town as I intended to bring you and your dear Boy. Your Brother is Sick at Dedham. We have been obliged to Send for him and I have neither Horses nor Horse MHi : Adams Papers.
34From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your Mother who was Sick, all Winter, is recovered and restored to her characteristic Vivacity, Activity Witt Sense and benevolence. Of Consequence She must take upon herself the Duties of her Granddaughter Neice, Maids Husband and all. She must be always writing to You and all her Grandchildren which is as dangerous to her health as her domestic Exertions. I say She must because She Will....
35From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have your favour of Oct 31. before me. The Sensations it produces in my Aged Bosom, and the Reflections it occasions in my bald and hoary head, are unutterable by any Language in my Dictionary, and by any figures I can find in the Lectures upon oratory. I can easily account for the Inferiority of your Memory to that of Mr David and Mr Rudolphe. I presume that neither of those Gentlemen had...
36From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of 5. and 8th of Jan. are recd. and thankfully recd and read with inexpressible delight,—Notwithstanding your Calvinism.!!! For We Unitarians, One of whom I have had the Honour to be, for more than Sixty Years; do not indulge our Malignity in profane Cursing and Swearing, against you Calvinists; one of whom I know not how long you have been. You and I, once Saw Calvin and Arius,...
37From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
A Battery of Great Guns, has been erected in Philadelphia in the Beginning of this Year, under the Command of a young Engineer Mr Walsh of Baltimore. As Sylla Said that in young Cæsar were many Mariuses, perhaps it may be found that in this young gentleman are many Hamiltons The Title of his work is The American Review of History and Politicks, and general Repositary of Litterature and State...
38From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
The Meloncholly History of the last Journey and the last days of your Sister will be given you by the your Mother. My Eyes, my hands and my heart are too weak to endure it, I can only Say, May my last End be like her’s. From the Cradle the most healthy of all my Children, till the last two years; during which she has Suffered, with all that patience fortitude and Equanimity which She uniformly...
39From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
There is not a day nor an hour in which my Thoughts are not employed about you and your Family: But though my Wishes are for your return, I dare not advise you: because I cannot Satisfy myself what you ought to do. Indeed I See not how you can return. Through France or England, from Sweeden or Russia? The loss of your Child has deeply affected me. I Sympathize with you and my daughter under...
40From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed I Send by your Sons, a little Information concerning the Fisheries. In tears for the loss of your Aunt Peabody; in too much Apprehension for tears at the Embarkation of your Sons which is to be next Sunday, and almost in tears of Indignation, at the Ignorance, and Insensibility of my dear New England, I Send you the inclosed Papers relative to the Fisheries. I will continue to collect...
41From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your very instructive letter of 31st. August is the last I have recd. from you. Several to your Mother are missing. Your Reasoning and expostulations with New England are conclusive and unanswerable You advise me to read Massillon. Thank you. I advise you to read Carlostad and Scheffmacher. I have read Sixty Years and five more on the Subjects. Had I about me all the Books relative to it which...
42From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I seem to be rambling with you, to the Hotell de Valois, the hotel du Roi &c &c but you have not yet visited Passy Chaillot, Auteuil, or Versailles, nor Mont Martyr nor Mount Calvaire. What has become of these Spots, where I have Taken so many anxious and Solitary Walks. Where is the Bois de Boulange? I envy you the Society of La Fayette and de Stael. The latter is more than her Father or...
43From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
As I have experienced Griefs as exquisite as yours I have the better right to advise you. I have no doubt you have delighted in the hope and prospect of educating a Daughter under your own Eye, that Should be a perfect Woman, a Daughter, a Sister, a Wife a Mother an Aunt a Grandmother, without Reproach or fault. But recollect your own Reflections upon Quintillian. Recollect This Vault of Air,...
44From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Noon Mr and Mrs. De Wint, arrived, in 48 hours from New York. They dined in that City on Monday and dined with me on Wednesday. Such is the facility and rapidity of Communication which Steam Boats Packetts and turnpikes have introduced. They presented to me the first of my great grandchildren that I have Seen of the four that have been given to me, one of whom has been taken away,...
45From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
“Chain’d to his Throne, a Volume lies, With all the Fates of Men: With every Angels form and Size Drawn by th’ eternal Pen. His Providence unfolds the Book And makes his Counsells Shine; Each Opening leaf; and every Stroke Fulfills Some deep design. Here he exalts, neglected Worms To Sceptres and a Crown: Anon the following Page he turns And treads the Monark down. Nor Gabriel asks the Reason...
46From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
We have received no Letters from you, later than the 7th of September. The obstructions in the Way, are Such that if the communication is not So frequent or So regular as We wish, We compose ourselves as well as We can, and please ourselves with the hope that you are all well. Your Friends here and at Washington are all well. I write you nothing on publick affairs. Our Government has many...
47From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 November 1816 (Adams Papers)
The Newspapers, throughout the Continent are announcing to Europe and America, Somewhat imprudently, that you are recalled and to be made Secretary of State. I know not whence this comes: but whether true or false, I hope it is true. And if it is true, I hope You will accept the Office of Secretary of State. If there is no Truth in it I hope you will demand your Recall and come home. And if...
48From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Kealing marred Hannah Storer. Look at the seal of this Letter, and send me from London a new One exactly like it, with this Motto Piscemur, Venemur ut Olim and I will the Price to your Brother, / No more MHi : Adams Papers.
49From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
Sir Isaac Newton, supposes an Ether, to pervade the Universe. To the Action of this Subtile and elastic Fluid, he ascribes Gravitation, Cohesion, Repulsion &c. Hartley makes it the Instrument of propagating his Vibrations. What is the difference, between Newton, Hartley, Diderot and Grim? All this is mechanical Phylosophy. The Universe is a Chimical Experiment. Invented, performed and...
50From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
John Winthrop Esqr, Son of John Winthop of Boston Merchant and Legislator, Grandson of John Winthrop Professor and Counsellor, Great Grandson of Col Adam Winthrop of Boston Counsellor descended from the good old Governor, is destined to Bremen Where he expects to be Consul. He was educated at Cambridge and has travelled in Europe. He married Col Hitchburnes daughter who left him three...