1From John Adams to Peter Force, 1825 to 1829 (Adams Papers)
What is the News ? Please send me some Copies of the Message if ready— Yrs &c— DLC : Peter Force Collection.
2From John Adams to Peter Force, 1825 to 1829 (Adams Papers)
Mr Elliot has sent to ask permission to have a copy of the Message, so as to put it in his evenings paper. The President directs me to say that he has no objection to gratifying Mr Elliott— Yrs in great haste— DLC : Peter Force Collection.
3From John Adams to Samuel L. Southard, 1826 (Adams Papers)
Mr J. Adams presents his compliments to Mr Southard, and will be much obliged if he will inform him what arrangement has been made regarding the draft which Mr A. had the honour to present. As it is a money matter of some amount Mr A wishes to give all the information in his power to Mr Cruft of Boston by whom it was sent— NjP : Samuel L. Southard Papers.
4John Adams, Inventory of Estate, 5 September 1826 (Adams Papers)
Norfolk, ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to Daniel Greenleaf Esquire, Josiah Bass, Gentleman, and Josiah Adams, Yeoman, all of Quincy, in the County of Norfolk Greeting. Whereas , at a Court of Probate, held at Dedham, in and for the said County of Norfolk, on the first Tuesday of August, A. D. 1826. John Quincy Adams and Josiah Quincy both of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, Doctors of...
5July Fourth Toast by John Adams, 30 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
From Diary of George Whitney: “Spent a few minutes with him in conversation, and took from him a toast, to be presented on the Fourth of July as coming from him. I should have liked a longer one; but as it is, this will be acceptable. ‘I will give you,’ said he, ‘Independence forever!’” He was asked if he would not add any thing to it, and he replied, “not a word.” Printed Source--The Works of...
6From John Adams to Roger Chew Weightman, 22 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
Col House of U.S. Army now stationed at Fort Independence in my neighborhood, has favored me with a call, and communicated your very polite letter, desiring him to offer me a escort to Washington in order to celebrate with your approaching Fiftieth Anniversary of our National Independence I feel very gratefull for this mark of distinguishing and respectful attention on the part of the citizens...
7From John Adams to Jacob Taylor, 10 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
Your very polite and cordial letter of invitation, written to me in behalf of the City Corporation of New York, has been gratefully received, through the kindness of Genl J. Morton. The Anniversary you propose to celebrate “with increased demonstrations of respect,” in which you invite me to participate in Person, is an event sanctioned by Fifty years of experience, and it will become...
8From John Adams to John Whitney, 7 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 3d Instant, written on behalf of the Committee of Arrangements, for the approaching celebration of our National Independence; inviting me to dine, on the fourth of July next, with the Citizens of Quincy, at the Town-Hall, has been received with the kindest emotions. The very respectful language with which the wishes of my Fellow Townsmen have been conveyed to me, by your...
9From John Adams to Jacob Taylor, 24 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have received your polite letter of the 28th. with the Splendid testimonial of the benevolence of the City of New York in a Gold medal, and a Silver one in commemoration of the great Canal in New York, which is the pride and wonder of the age and deserves to be commemorated by every effort of Art. I rejoice that the City of New York has taken the lead in Striking medals on important events....
10From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that you have arrived safely at Princeton where may your health be perfectly restored—my kind regards to Mrs Boylston and to the young family—I am labouring & sorrowing according to the oracle and for nothing more than I know of than my distance from you—We go on here in a dull round—no news of any kind that is worth repeating. I am in a kind of solitary imprisonment to which I...
11From John Adams to Edward Everett, 24 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
Having after much persuasion prevailed upon my Cousin to remain still longer with us, we were again nearly disappointed by discovering that the Vessel which conveys your things had sailed before her box could be recovered. Our difficulties were now renewed and we could secure an acquiescence in our wishes only by promising that we would make one more call upon your kindness, and request of you...
12From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 April 1826 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of March 25th. has been a cordial to me, and the more consoling as it was brought by your Grandsons Mr. Randolph and Mr. Coolidge, every body connected with you is snatched up, so that I cannot get any of them to dine with me, they are always engaged—how happens it that you Virginians are all sons of Anak, we New Englanders, are but Pygmies by the side of Mr. Randolph; I was very...
13To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 17 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of March 25 th has been a cordial to me, and the more consoling as it was brought by your Grandsons M r Randolph and M r Coolidge. every lady connected with you is snatched up, so that I cannot get any of them to dine with me, they are always engaged—how happens it that you Virginians are all sons of Anak, we New Englanders, are but Pygmies by the side of M r Randolph; I was very...
14From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 13 April 1826 (Adams Papers)
A thousand thanks to my ever dear Cousin, for his unbounded benevolence to me. The barrel of cider will last three of my lives, & the wine I presume is excellent for your wine is always Superlative. I am rejoiced that you and Mrs B are convalescent. George has done his duty in waiting upon you, and I hope he will do so as long as you live—Your kind and thankful friend Miss Smith sends her...
15From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 27 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
My anxiety for you is greater than, that for myself, I long to know the state of your Health, and I cannot longer forbare to send and enquire after it. my love to Mrs. Boylston, and Prayers for your health, and comfort—from your affectionate friend / and Cousin MHi : Boylston Family Papers.
16From John Adams to Henry Whiting, 16 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your letter, I remember that the time referred to in the Journal, I moved a few resolutions for the Institution of a Military School or Academy for the instruction of the young Gentlemen in the Military, science and practice. These resolutions were adopted by Congress and a Committee appointed to carry them into execution. A committee was appointed of which I was one; but, it was...
17From John Adams to Edward Everett, 11 February 1826 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with your request, I am directed by the President to return the enclosed letter. As relates to the Letter of General Lafayette, it is his intention to address you as soon as a moment of leisure will permit. Your’s very respectfully MHi : Edward Everett Papers.
18From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
I herewith inclose to you a letter addressed to me from Mr. Shaw written at my request—I can only add that I entirely coincide with him in his opinion I am &ca. your affectionate / Father NN : William Smith Papers.
19From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
I herewith inclose to you a letter addressed to me from Mr Shaw written at my request. I can only add that I entirely coincide with him in his opinion I am &ca. your affectionate / Father DLC : John Quincy Adams Papers.
20From John Adams to Samuel L. Knapp, 26 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have too long neglected to acknowledge my thanks for your volume of Biography. I am well pleased with the general spirit of this work, and the style is agreeable. I am glad to see so many circumstances preserved of the history and character of several men, illustrious in their time; but you have omitted many names, once important at our Bar, and in our Courts of Justice. For example John...
21From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter inclosing the letters from Mr Basset and Mr. Custis Congress had resolved, but I believe not passed int o a law, to erect a monument to President Washington; but they passed resolutions requesting the then President to write a letter to Mrs. Washington soliciting her consent to have her remains removed, to be entombed with those of her Husband in the City of...
22From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter inclosing the letters from Mr Basset and Mr. Custis Congress had resolved,—but I believe not passed int a law, to erect a monument to President Washington,—but they passed resolutions requesting the then President to write a letter to Mrs. Washington, soliciting her consent to have her remains removed, to be entombed with those of her Husband in the City of...
23From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 14 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance, a young Lawyer by the name of Josiah Quincy, and with the title of Coll. being an Aid to our Governor. The name of Coll. Quincy has never I believe been extinct for two hundred years. He is a Son of our excellent Mayor of the City of Boston and possesses a character unstained and irreproachable. I applaud his ambition to visit Monticello and its...
24To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 14 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance, a young Lawyer by the name of Josiah Quincy, and with the title of Col l being an Aid to our Governor. The name of Col l Quincy has never I believe been extinct for two hundred years. He is a son of our excellent Mayor of the City of Boston and possesses a character unstained and irreproachable. I applaud his ambition to visit Monticello and its...
25From John Adams to Daniel Brent, 1825 (Adams Papers)
The President directs me to request of you to procure as soon as possible from the Printer some Copies of the Proclamation as he is very anxious to send them to Congress to day Yours &c DLC : Peter Force Collection.
26From John Adams to Peter Force, 1825 (Adams Papers)
Will you be good enough to have fifty copies of the enclosed invitation printed for me before the evening. If you can you will much oblige / Yours &c DLC : Peter Force Collection.
27From John Adams to Henry Clay, 21 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
The President requests that all resolutions from either House of Congress, as soon as acted upon by the Departments may be returned to him. Will you send me that which I sent to the Department confirming the appointment of Mr Conkling of N–Y— Your’s &c DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
28From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 19 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
Knowing as I do the whirlwind of business, ceremony, Levee’s Drawing rooms Dinners, Parties, with which you are hurried away, I acknowledge it a great favour for you to write a letter to me—and when I receive one, it is so much the more pleasure— As to the Message a Father says, that a more meritorious state paper has never appeared on the American Annals; And I think it gives as universal...
29From John Adams to John Adams, 11 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Letter—and your Father still more for his permission in permiting you to send me a Copy of his Message, which if it had not been delay’d in Boston, would have reached me before any body else— It is every thing I could wish, or desire it to be, it cannot fail to give general, or, if not, universal satisfaction to the nation, and to all Nations—It proves so particular...
30From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 3 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your two letters—and I wish you would continue to write to me twice a week—my dear Charles Mathematicks and Law are the two rocks on which a Man of business may surely found his reputation, as well as his capacity for doing good, to himself, his friends, his country, as well as to mankind. Study my dear Charles makes the man. It is not novels or Poetry It is neither Scott or...
31From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to have neglected so long to write you an account of the delightful visit I received from Mr. and Mrs. Cooledge, Mrs. C—— deserves all the high praises I have constantly heard concerning her, She entertained me with accounts of your sentiments of human life, which accorded so perfectly with mine that it gave me great delight—In one point however I could not agree—She said, she had...
32From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Letters I agree with you that we can never be thankful enough for the blessings we enjoy—I congratulate you upon the blessings you enjoy —and the prospects you have in your children and Grand Children—Virtuous children are the greatest comforts, and the greatest Blessings we old people can enjoy— I regret that I cannot write to you oftener As to your project of making...
33To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 1 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought not to have neglected so long to write you an account of the delightful visit I received from M r and M rs Cooledge, M rs C— deserves all the high praises I have constantly heard concerning her, She entertained me with accounts of your sentiments of human life, which accorded so perfectly with mine that it gave me great delight—In one point however I could not agree—she said, she had...
34From John Adams to John Henri Isaac Browere, 23 November 1825 (Adams Papers)
This certifies that John H. I. Browere Esq. of the City of New York has yesterday and to-day made two portrait bust moulds on my person and made a cast of the first which has been approved of by my family. P.S. I am authorized by the Ex President to say that the moulds were made on his person without injury, pain or inconvenience. Thomas B. Adams Judge Printed Source--McClure’s Magazine.
35From John Adams to Samuel Frothingham, 13 October 1825 (Adams Papers)
Know all Men by these Presents, That I John Adams of Quincy Do make, constitute and appoint Samuel Frothingham of Boston my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to transfer to the Treasurer of the United States in trust for Said states, all the Exchanged 6 P. Cent Stock of the United States, and 6 P Cent Stock of the Loan of 1812 standing in my name on the Books of the Bank of the...
36From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 22 September 1825 (Adams Papers)
I am suffering under a bitter repentance in neglecting to write & thank you for your last kind letter & for the valuable present of Cider whose only fault is that too good I am obliged to mix more than half water with it— I begin to look forward with great delight to the prospect of your return to Roxbury with Mrs Boylston, hoping that you both will come and see me before I go hence, to be...
37From John Adams to Thomas Perkins, 16 September 1825 (Adams Papers)
I am deeply indebted to you for a polite and friendly letter and for a noble basket of Grapes, which were the more delicious for the fair hand by which they were presented. Such clusters and varieties of Grapes, I have never seen, since I lived some part of the day in Boileau’s garden, at Auteuil in France. They are perfectly delicious. You have merited the thanks of the Country, by giving...
38From John Adams to John Marshall, 17 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
The extreme imbecility of old age must be my apology for neglecting to write, and thank you for your valuable Book, It has not been for want of esteem or respect, or admiration that I have not written frequently to you—There is no part of my Life that I look back upon with more pleasure, than the short time I spent with you—And it is the pride of my life that I have given to this nation a...
39From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 17 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for a very pleasant letter, and I supplicate a continuance of them—I have given up the hopes of seeing the family, or any part of it this Year—but when the Marquis is gone I hope to have letters from your Brother, John, and yourself, which will help to keep up my old spirits a little longer, my heart & wishes and Prayers are with you forever—We have nothing to tell you here but...
40From John Adams to Joseph Delafield, 13 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
In reply to your question, upon what map did the Commissioners trace the boundary line described in the Treaty of 1783—I answer that it was Mitchells map. And to your question, whether by the Long Lake intended by the treaty was meant the Long Lake laid down in Mitchells Map,—I answer, that it was, & that we used no other authority for places named in the description of the boundary line than...
41From John Adams to Peter Force, 2 August 1825 (Adams Papers)
General Lafayette arrived in this City yesterday afternoon and agreeably to the Presidents invitation took up his quarters at the Presidents House—We understand that he will recieve the visits from one to three oclock this day— Mr Force. Gen Lafayette is desirous that notice should be given of his intention to recieve visits tomorrow & I know of no better method of spreading the information...
42From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 26 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
Dr Jarvis with great truth and propriety observes that “the Religion of the Indians has not been Scrutinized as it Should be.” Nor has the Religion of any other nation, from Jonah the Chaldean to the Kingdoms of Whidah and Ashantee been Sufficiently invigorated. Who knows any thing of the religion of the wild negroes in Africa, but the infernal cruelty of their Sacrifices? It is probable that...
43From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 20 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
Dr Jarvis with great truth and propriety observes that “the Religion of the Indians has not be scrutinized as it should be.” Nor has the Religion of any other nation, from Jarah the Chaldean to the Kingdoms of Whidahh and Ashantu been Sufficiently investigated. Who knows any thing of the religion of the wild negroes in Africa, but the informal cruelty of their sacrifices? It is probable that...
44From John Adams to Peter Force, 17 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
The Dr. handed me this morning Mr Websters address delivered at Bunker’s Hill, upon condition that I would give you a slight notice of it. Among other avocations I have only found time to draw up the enclosed which I have scarcely reviewed—Do as you please with it— Yrs &c— DLC : Peter Force Collection.
45From John Adams to Peter Force, 10 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
I recieved the enclosed extract this morning from the North. The Source from whence it comes is as Mr DeGrand would say “first rate.” Dr. Waterhouse is a well known character in Massachusetts and so staunch a Republican that any thing concerning him would be gratifying to that party—Concerning the truth of the suggestion I know nothing. Whether true or false however this indirect notice of the...
46From John Adams to Anonymous, April 1825 (Adams Papers)
I am almost most ashamed to acknowledge to you my tardy obligation, for your handsom Edition of your History of the Colonies— butt I am heartily thankful for your valuable present—but ninety years are extremely heavy—ninety years are greatful to me—heavy as ninety years are MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
47From John Adams to John Adams, 22 April 1825 (Adams Papers)
You have been the most punctual correspondent that I ever had except your Brother—but for four weeks past I have been constantly disappointed, whenever I have enquired for a Letter from John—but I have constantly been compelled to make an apology by recollecting that you have been overwhelmed with business of more importance to the public, than soothing my curiosity— Yet I never can be easy...
48From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 19 April 1825 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Charles Sigourney & Lady, a respectable pair in Hartford, Connecticut, the Husband a Son of my old friend in Amsterdam, and the Wife, a very conspicuous literary Lady, have requested a line to you, as they are bound on a journey to the seat of your University—and wish I suppose an apology for visiting Monticello—I have lost your last letter to me, the most consolatory letter I ever...
49To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 19 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Charles Sigourney & Lady, a respectable pair in Hartford, Connecticut, the Husband a Son of my old friend in Amsterdam, and the Wife, a very conspicuous literary Lady, have requested a line to you, as they are bound on a journey to the seat of your University and wish I suppose an apology for visiting Monticello—I have lost your last letter to me, the most consolatory letter I ever...
50From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 30 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
Your journal which has become a necessary of life to me has failed me for a long time, but I must excuse it because it is too severe a tax upon you, and I hope and presume that George is too deeply absorbed in the studies of his profession to be able to spare time to copy your records. We are here in a news-paper flurry of flickenings for Governour and they will associate your Husband with Mr....