51From John Adams to John Lathrop, 22 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter of the 19th and for the valuable present of your discourse occasioned by the death of Dr Elliot. I had indeed an “acquaintance with the late Dr Elliot,” and with his Father and “an affection” for both. I believe them both to have been “candid pious, learned, sincere, and amiable” but I never had the felicity to belong to the same denomination in Politicks with...
52From 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...
53From 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,...
54From 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,...
55From John Adams to John Adams, 5 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
“Learn Patience of a Friend”! You think you must go to sea. Well, I have no great Objection; provided you can command yourself; and your Constitution is Strong enough to support itself in all Climates, and through all Risques But let me tell you, that to qualify yourself to be a Seaman such as Halley Rawley, Cook, Columbus &c. you must go through a course of Patient Study. You must make...
56From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 7 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you on the elections but hesitate on the causes you assign: I know not what is meant by the Policy of the war. Have we just and righteous causes of war against G Britain? Is the war necessary for the defence of our rights? if you answer these questions in the affirmative, it necessarily follows that the war is politick. If you say it was impolitick to declare war with so little...
57From 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...
58From John Adams to John Holmes, 10 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am deeply indebted to you for your kind letter of the 7th of this month, & the Oration enclosed in it. Old age lies under the scandalous imputation of querulousness, & the ridiculous charge of gerrulity. Though I reject the imputation, I cannot consistently deny the charge. Your request of criticisms from me brought to my recollection an Anecdote. Voltaire has published criticisms of great...
59From 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...
60From John Adams to John Adams, 26 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
It gives me much pleasure, to hear that you have a Taste for Numbers, because this quality or faculty, call it which you will, is commonly connected with a curiosity for Quantities, and leads to Algebraical and geometrical Studies You think you have and an Inclination for the Sea: but, my dear Child, you know not, as yet, your own Propensities. You must learn to think before you decide; to...
61From John Adams to John Thornton Kirkland, 10 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have written to my Son and enclosed your Letter of the 4th. which will be the best recommendation of mr Bigalow that can be written. Though it was a Small Sum that my Scanty Fortune and indigent Family permitted me to Subscribe to your Theological Establishment; I never did any thing with more Satisfaction than by contributing a mite towards removing Some of the Shackles of the human Mind....
62From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 13 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
You grieve me when you tell me that “your city is thronged with officers of the army.” Infandum, renovare jubes, dolorem. In the most critical moments of our affairs in 1776, I twice travelled through New Jersey; and with indignation and contempt which I feel still to my fingers ends, saw the taverns crowded with officers, who ought to have been in face of the enemy in New York, and at frogs...
63From 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...
64From 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...
65From John Adams to John Taylor, 6 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
I chearfully interrupt the series of Letters, I was writing to you, to acknowledge the Receipt of your’s of April 24 and that of the 24th of December last I am Somewhat Surprised, at the Failure of Memory in Mr Wythe, which appears in your Letter; for it is as certain as his Existence upon Earth, that the first Project of a Government that I ever, put upon Paper, was at Mr. Wythe’s express...
66To John Adams from John Adams, 4 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Ego recepi tua epistolam a te scriptam Vigesimo tribus mensis Julii. ubi nuntius te a bombardâ matutinâ expavi actum fuisse dicis quoque tibi propinationês plamusque nullo modo placeve et frateribus mihi qua valda placent. Discipulus sum in Schola Doctoris Nicholas, ad Ealing, ubi docenti Septuaginta quisque condiscipulos habeo—Magister noster Universitatis Oxonii alumnus est, et mihi maxima...
67From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have received your number 27. 15 October, 13. The large quarto Pamphlet entitled “Principes de Chronologie pour les temps anterieurs aux Olympiades,” by Count John Potocki I never received. It has miscarried. That the Count may have seen me, in London in France or Holland, is not improbable. I also have “plunged into the abyss of Antiquity” and have been “hunting for the books of the wars of...
68From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
With more joy than I can express I have recd your kind Letter of the 18th. of August. Your Mother has been Seized with a pulmonary Fever attended with very threatening Symptoms and a violent Cough which has confined her for some Weaks: but We have now the consolation of confident Assurences from Dr Holbrook that she is so much better as to be past all danger I can easily conceive of your...
69From John Adams to John Peter De Windt, 11 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favour of the 2d. I rejoice in your health and that of all your connections; and am not a little pleased with your situation in New York with your Caroline and especially with your determination to compleat your studies in the Law and be called to the Bar. The Profession is the most liberal in society, let the Priests say what they will. A Man of Integrity Talents and Urbanity,...
70From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
John Sergeant Esquire, a Director of the Bank of U. S. is appointed by that Board to negotiate for ten Millions of Spanish Dollars, offered by a commercial House in London This Gentleman, a Son of Jonathan Dickenson Serjeant Esq, once an intimate Friend of mine in Congress in times of difficulty and danger, requests an Introduction to you. I give it, with pleasure, both because I hear a good...
71From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Mr Bray a Son in Law of Samuel Eliot Esquire, the putative Father of the Greek Professorship at H.C. will I hope have the honor to deliver this to you in the Bosom of all your Family. You probably know the political Connections of Mr Elliot and Mr Bray: but no considerations of this kind should interupt the Intercourse of Politeness hospitality and Civility. If my Eyes and hands could endure...
72From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Judah Alden of Duxbury, a fifty fifth Cousin of yours, on the Fisheries. And another from Freeman Atwood. I have not time to read these Papers but I believe you may depend upon them. I think I have Sent you proofs enough of the importance of the Fisheries to your Country. And my Advice is to demand your recall and refuse Your Signature to any compact which shall...
73From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I am happy to have recd. your No. 30. No. 33. and No. 34. It is impossible to express the pleasure I have felt in reading these Letters, those to your Mother Sons and Brother, or the pain from the consciousness of my physical as well as Spiritual Inability to answer them as they deserve. Last night Mr T. Greenleaf Sent his Son, to read to me your Dispatches by Mr Dallas, ten thousand Copies of...
74From John Adams to John Adams, 3 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
I know not whether you have read Tristram Shandy, or The Sentimental Journey or the Sermons or Epistles of Stearne. I was never an enthusiastic Admirer of him, though he was amusing enough Sometimes; moral now and then; pathetic once in a while but tedious often and always Odd. I See announced, a Publication of Dr John Ferriar, of Manchester under the Title of “Illustrations of Sterne, with...
75From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
If you were in any spot between New Orleans and Passamaquoddy I should write you every day, if I could. But the communication now is so uncertain and so dangerous that I never write without fear of hurting you or the Public. You, almost from your Cradle, and I from 16 years of Age have been Heluones Librorum. We have hunted Books in Boston, in Bourdeaux in Paris in Nantes L’Orient and Brest;...
76From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
By Mr Gore in the Galen I received your favour of the 19th of June with the Seal: and yesterday from Washington your Letters in April with the Packetts of New Papers, these are all We have recd from you since the 21 of March. By the Gallen We had Letters from all your Sons and delightful indeed they were to Us. You must not let them be homesick nor be so yourself til you are all ready to...
77From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 11 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have a great Mind, to rattle with you in your own Way, in your Letter of July 18th— Do you know that a Mob, is the most powerfull and irresistable Army in the Universe? I can prove it. The Scotch Highlanders in several Rebellions, The People of La Vendée, but above all the Conquest of the Bastille, are full Proofs. No Phalanxes, No Legions no Regulars, no Legitimates have ever equaled Such...
78From John Adams to John Fothergill Waterhouse, 5 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for Dr Slaughtons Eulogium on Dr Rush.—It is indeed “appropriate, learned and eloquent.” But I know not what to think of Eulogiums, Pictures, Statues, or Monuments.—If they could be consecrated by Truth to Virtue or to Honour, they would be venerable. My Feelings have been more affected by the words “In memoriam ingenii, Boerhaaviani Salutifori,” which I have sSeen read on a Stone...
79From John Adams to John Taylor, 3 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of May. 20, with the thoughts on Government, returned in good condition. The Outline of a Militia in the 22d page, has been Since adopted in Massachusetts. This Commonwealth alone, had at the declaration of the present War, One hundred and thirty Seven Pieces of brass Cannon, belonging to as many Companies of Artillery, ready to march at the command of Government In...
80From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Wars of the Reformation Still go on; and produce very curious researches. The day before yesterday was put into my hand, by W. S. Shaw “Rapport a l’Institut national, Par A. G. Camus Pluviose An XI. In page 55 and Onwards you will find some Account of the Bollandists and the Acta Sanctorum I am not enough acquainted, with the present Generation of Men to conjecture, whether this is...
81From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 12 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 4th has given me much pleasure. I rejoice that you have been admitted a Counsellor in the supreme Court of your state, in the Mayors Court of the City, and Proctor and advocate in the district Court, as well as master in Chancery. I know not the distinction between a Master and a Solicitor in Chancery. . You have the ; But can you move the world? this will depend on your...
82From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you this morning by Doctor Reynolds and now write by Colonel Thomas Aspinwall, your quondam Tenant, Son of your once Brother Senator of Brokeline. He is Consul in London and must be intimate with you. His mutilated Limb among many other Witnesses proves his Merit as a military Officer and his Education in the University and at the Bar ensure him for a pleasant associte in the public...
83From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
On the 1st. Mr and Mrs Swelt made us happy by a Visit in which he assured Us he had Seen you, your Lady and Son and that you were all well. on the 2nd. Mr P. C. Brooks with his Son Edward made Us a very pleasant Visit to offer to take Letters or Packetts to you. This Mr Edward has a Steady Face and manly Countenance, I hope you will cherrish him. Your Brother has paid me the last Farthing, and...
84From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
We are at our Wits ends for News from you. We know not whether you are at Ghent, gone to Paris, returned to Petersburg, or where you are. We are equally anxious for your Lady and your Son. We know not whether they are to remove from Petersburg by Land or by Water, to Ghent to Paris or to England. Gallia, the too faithful Alemick of Britain, “changeful as a Child at play Now calls in Princes...
85From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I will not afflict you with lamentations over the Confinement of your Parents during the greater part of the Winter. Your Mother is restored to her usual health. I am better but feeble. My Eyes have suffered, and the quivering of my Fingers renders Writing painful, at a Time when The Hon. Mr Taylor of Virginia has published an immense Volume the lucubrations of Twenty years upon my obsolete...
86From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Mr Ticknor will go with your Sons. Let me introduce him to you. His Reputation is that of one of the first Schollars. W. Shaw will tell you how many Languages he reads. His Politicks are of little consequence to me, and I know them not. Probably of the Boston Fashion. My Son! You are now in the most difficult and dangerous Situation that you ever was in. You will be courted by Dissenters by...
87From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have Official Information that Mr Bayard and Mr Gallatin are joined with you in a Negotiation of great importance and no little difficulty, nor less hazard to your Reputation. What the Result will be I know not: but I need not Say to you that you cannot decline a Share in the Business. Your return to me is the first Wish of my private heart: but I am not yet So Selfish as to hope for the...
88From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 21 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 10th & 12th. I can only say that I wish you a pleasant voyage, & a happy fulfillment of your wishes and anticipations; I hope too that your Uncle, will find in you, an able, a faithful an attentive and industrious assistant in the arduous labours of his trying and distressing situation I am apprehensive however that you may be disappointed in your prospect of...
89From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
This Line is intended to go by Mr Bayard or Mr Gallatin, who are associated with you, or you with them in a Negotiation for Peace with G.B. under the Mediation of The Emperor. As I am and desire to be possessed of no Secrets, I cannot judge of the Probability of Success. The Gentlemen your Colleagues are well known to you to be able Men; and all of you must be Sensible of the delicacy of the...
90From John Adams to John Adams, 22 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your capacity is as Smart and quick and ready, and retentive as any bodies. I Should not therefore be Surprised if you Should soon take a turn in your thoughts and pursuits, and outstrip both your Brothers, George and Charles in Latin and Greek, as well as in Arithmetick and Geometry. But I want to know what School You attend; where you board; who are the Masters, Proceptors Ushers Schollars;...
91From John Adams to John Lathrop, 2 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
A present of a thanksgiving sermon from a Gentleman whome I have highly esteemed and honoured for three and forty years gave me great pleasure, after reading it over and over I can discover nothing in it which ought to give disquietude or disgust to any faithful American. If your text is applied to the French and English, nothing could be more appropriate, for no people ever delighted more in...
92From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Mr Pope of The House of Boardman and Pope, No. 37. India Wharf, was so obliging as to call upon Us to let Us know that they had a Ship to depart for St Petersbourg on Fryday next the 12th. The Ship Cordelia Captain Boit: and that they were desirous of taking any Letters from Us. Since then I have heard that Mr. Jordan is going in her, but he has not been so complaisant as to Let us...
93From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr Gibson, within this hour, called upon me for a Moment and gave me your Letter to your Mother of the day of July, and another to Mr J. A. Smith from his Brother as I suppose Dispatches for Government if he had any, The Captain would not allow him to take. He was taken and complains of ill treatment &c Our Govt. has agreed to treat at Gottenburg. I have lived upon hopes of embracing you last...
94From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
It is with great difficulty, that my paralyttic Fingers can hold a Pen. The litterary, the Scientific, the ecclesiastical, the political, the military, the naval Phenomina exhibited by your Country, would afford me abundant Materials, to load every Ship and every Passenger with Letters to you, if I had Eyes and hands to write; and were not restrained by the Consideration, that I could do no...
95From John Adams to John Langdon, 12 December 1810 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday at the Post office your obliging favour of the Sixth of this month; and I pray you to accept my Thanks for the cordial Pleasure it gave me. Men who were engaged in our American Revolution from the Beginning of it are become So rare, that they feel for each other, as the Soldiers who had Served under the Duke of Marlborough, Some of whom you and I have known, felt when they...
96From John Adams to John Armstrong, Jr., 14 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I understand that the Reverend Mr Henry Colman, the worthy Minister of a very respectable congregation in the town of Hingham in my neighbourhood has it in contemplation to write to the government in favour of his brother who wishes to be a candidate for a commission in the Army. As the brother is unknown to me, I can say nothing of my own knowledge concerning his character or qualifications....
97From John Adams to Rev. John Disney, 13 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
This letter will be presented to you by The Reverend Thaddeus Mason Harris Minister of Dorchester the next Town to this my very good Neighbor and worthy Friend, and what is of much more importance a Gentleman of Ingenuity and Learning, and what is of more consequence yet, of Spotless Morals and exemplary Piety. He has business of an interesting Nature in England, and has occasion for a Voyage...
98From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Public Mind Seems decided that Gerry and Gray are elected, and a Majority of Senators their Friends. Our Friend P. will not then be So Successful as he was when he brought G. in and turned you out. You are destined to be a Judge, and I am glad of it because it affords me a Chance of enjoying a Portion of your Society at least once a Month or two. And because it takes you out of The...
99From John Adams to John Langdon, 24 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I feel an irresistible propensity to compare notes with you, in order to ascertain, whether your memory and mine coincide, in the recollection of the circumstances of a particular Transaction in the History of this Country. As it lies in my mind, Captain John Manly applied to General Washington in Cambridge in 1775, informed him that British Transports and Merchant Ships were frequently...
100From John Adams to John Adams, 27 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I know not whether I can ever consent to your being a Sailor Boy. I have already prescribed to you Geometry, Astronomy Algebra Geography &c as one would think enough to discourage but I have still more to Suggest to you. Are you willing to go to calledge take a Degree and After that be admitted to the respectable Rank of a Midshipman? As the Czar Peter did. Are you willing to Study Homer and...