51From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 6th is Safe, and I thank you for it. Like all your other Letters, it is to me, full of Entertainment and Instruction. I expected you would apply my last to yourself and think it a little Satirical; but, my Friend, it was more Serious than you was aware. It expressed the real State of my own Mind. With Eyes allmost out, with hands trembling, So that I can Scarcely move or hold a...
52From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have transmitted to Mr. Quincy, extracts from two of your letters, relative to the name and family of Keimper. — I rejoice in all your joys and wish you many returns of your happy anniversary.— I agree with you in the merit of Govr. Clinton.— In all elective governments there is a perpetual conflict for power between two great parties, among the people. I have been astonished and confounded...
53From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 December 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of 28. of November and another Some time ago that I have not answered. I rejoice with you in all your Prosperity, particularly in the happy Marriage of your Son; and sympathize in all your Sorrows, more especially in the Misfortune of your son Friend Vreede, whom I remember well. Happy are you in your various Learning and the Enjoyment of your Books. I can read...
54From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 January 1806 (Adams Papers)
Having lamented for sometime, the loss of my Correspondent at Barneveldt, I was, this morning unexpectedly gratified with your favour of the twenty second of December. I return with pleasure the Compliments and congratulations of the Season. I can sincerely unite with you, in humble Thanks to the Almighty for the Blessings of the past year on you and your Family as well as on me and mine.—But...
55From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 13th and thank you for your Zeal for the honor of my “Defence”. That Work which was begun on the 4 of October 1786 and finished on the 26 of December 1787 was written in haste. It was not the fruit of twenty Years Labour like Montesquieus & Gibbons and as it was written in haste may be supposed to have marks enough of Inaccuracy. I am not yet sensible of any...
56From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received your kind Letter of the 3d of this month. I read every Thing which falls in my Way, which relates to the French Revolution: but I Suffer inexpressible Pains, from the bloody feats of War and Still more from those of Party Passions. Disgrace to the Cause of Liberty, and a general Depravation of hearts and manners among the rising Generation, is much to be dreaded from...
57From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 27 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
I do declare that I can write Greek better than you do, though I cannot Say, So well as you can, if you will. I can make nothing but Pot–hooks and Trammels of the Frontespiece of your amiable Letter of the 15th. If you had quoted your Authority I might have found it. Jesus is benevolense personified. An Example for all Men. DuPuis has made no Alteration in my opinions of Christian Religion in...
58From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
Pray tell me how you apply the sublimate Murcury for the cure of externally and internally of weak weeping inflammatory and dim sighted Eyes—I am very much interested in this inquiry— Have you seen Duponceau and Heckevelder on the Indians—which is the worst! The Revenge of Indians or the Inquisition—I admire your maxim—Nil peractum donec aliquid peragendum—but I have scarcely written eleven...
59From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 August 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 5th of July with your Letter to Chanceller Livingston on Some Points of the natural History of Buffon and Jefferson, and your other Letter to Gerrit Boon. Col. Lincklain by whom you Sent them has not favoured me with a Visit—if he Should I Shall Shew him all the Civility in my Power. I have read the Letters with great pleasure. There are too many Subjects of...
60From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Lord! Lord! What a Coat you have cutt out? It would require an hundred Taylors for twenty years to make it up. I would not undertake to make a Button hole in it, during the whole Remainder of my Life. I thank you however, for the sketch of your contemplated Work. I shipped, on board the Carriage of my Son in Law Colonel William Stevens Smith the two first Volumes of The Memoirs of your...
61From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in all your Felicities described in your favour of 29th. Nov. What a Contrast between your Existence and mine! You have travelled to Boston to Philadelphia and to New York, and been the delight and Admiration of all Men of Science, Letters and Taste in Massachusetts Pensilvania and that World of itself the State of New York. I am “fixed like a plant, to one peculiar Spot To draw...
62From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
That showers of hot stones or cold stones may have fallen, in the neighbourhood of Volcanoes, is not impossible, nor improbable: but it is impossible that, any projectile force of exploding Mercury or any mixture of Sulphur Nitre and carbon, or any Vapour, could drive these stones to any great hight in the air, or ever ballance them in the Air so as to allow them to sail about in it like...
63From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
The promised Anecdote of Quaker Benevolence is this. In June 1775, The British Man of War Asia, took Prisoner Colonel Hitchburne, now of Dorchester dying of a paralitic Stroke, then a Boy, but an ingenious one, just out of the Offices of Saml. Fitch, and James Otis, where he had been a Student in Law. The Men of Wars Men broke open his Chest, as he was crossing Hudsons River at New York, and...
64From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have your favour of March 12 before me. The Choice you exult in, may not be considered as a favour, by the Chosen and by his Father and Mother So much as it is by you. The President, though by no means unfriendly to the chosen or his Friends was, with great Reluctance in duced to this Appointment. The appointment of Lincoln I did not disapprove, because I have known him for forty years, and...
65From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
May your anticipations of another Visit to Quincy be reallised! Much good may your Theological Studies do you! I have been reading an Abridgment of Scheffmachers Demonstration of the necessity of a Sovereign Judge of the Faith upon Earth from the Doctrine of the Trinity. He Says the New Testament flatly contradicts itself: affirming with equal perspicuity and Energy that J. C. is, and that he...
66From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Can you give me any News of the Millenium? Is it to commence Soon enough for me to entertain a hope that I may live a thousand Years longer? I want to Study the Chaldaic Language and all its Dialects and all the Books that are written in them. I want to read all the Christian Fathers and ecclesiastical Historians. I want to learn the Chinese Language, and to Study all the Asiatic Researchers....
67From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 13th and thank you for your zeal for the honor of my “defence”. That work, which was begun on the 4th of October 1786 & finished on the 26th of December 1787, was written in haste. It was not the fruit of twenty years labor, like Montesquieu’s & Gibbon’s, and as it was written in haste, may be supposed to have marks enough of inaccuracy. I am not yet sensible...
68From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 August 1803 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of July 17th. on Saturday. I received and read with pleasure your Essay on the use of Copper among the Greeks and inclosed it immediately by the Post, to Mr Bordley of Philadelphia as you directed. The Remarks on Jefferson and Buffon I presented with my own hand to the Accademy at their last Meeting, which was in May. It was referred to the Committee, to whose...
69From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 14 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of 21. March, Suggests Topicks enough, as all your Letters do for writing Folios. I cannot call the Review, in the Anthology “luminous” nor judicious. “The Silent Votes in our deliberative Assemblies.” I would Scarcely part with this part of the Lectures, to Save all the rest of the two volumes. Vanderkemp, John Adams, and John Quincy Adams, have had experience enough, to have a...
70From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
How deeply I thank you. Our Quincy Library will be honord with the name of Vanderkemp. Virgil and Manilius, shall be sent to Mrs. Quincy, and Mrs. Gould. Oh that I had begged Manilius while I could read, for I believe much may be discovered in him, on the remotest Ancient mythology, his ratio I believe is the logos of Pythoagoras and Plato, and all our modern Trinitarians— I do not love to...
71From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 9. ult. has been a circuit to Philadelphia and returned to me, only on Saturday last. Your friendly Congratulations, on a late Re election, are very obliging. I am as well as you, and have been these Eighteen years a Friend of Governor Clinton: but, although I feel no Resentment at his consenting to stand a Candidate for the office I held, I cannot but regret that he yields...
72From John Adams to François AdriaanVan der Kemp,, 24 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your agreable favour of the fifth of this Month, Commodore Gillon was absent, when your Letter came to hand, and for many days after. As soon as he returned, I took the first Opportunity to Speak with him, on the subject of your Friend the Clergyman. The Commodore has no Chaplain and his Crew is composed of People of various Religions, the greatest Part however are Frenchmen...
73From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 June 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Reverend Dr Belknap and Dr Morse being upon a Journey into your Neighbourhood I have been desirous that they Should have an Opportunity of Seeing you, and that you Should have an Opportunity of Seeing them. They are clergy men of great Fame and what better of great Merit. I have not add any Thing more , assurances of unva esteem humble sert PHi : John Adams Papers.
74From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
In your last letter you request copies of my letters to Dr Price. They are inclosed. These letters and many others & other writings & conversations to the same effect destroyed my popularity, with mankind. The Turgoites the Reondoccettians — Roachfocaution the Brissotians, the jacobins & the Sans Cullots, in france took offence & pronounced me an aristocrat, & would have guillotined me if I...
75From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
The Old Folk, returning last Evening from an Airing which has become daily necessary for both, to keep Soul and body together a little longer, We found your very acceptable Letter of the 7th. at the Post Office. The Cold, the Frost and the Drouth have been as Severe with Us, as with you. Such a Spring and Such a Summer was never known. I have given you no Epithets which I did not believe and...
76From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of November and January have not been acknowledged. The Politiques de Pous les Cabinets, I once had but have lost. Of the other Books I know nothing; and it is too late for me, ever to know any thing, concerning, “An infernal Spirit, which has Evil for its Good,” I can Say Nothing, but advise you to read Beausobres Manicheism, and Hugh Farmers Demons. My Grandsons are at an...
77From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of October 15 and all the others that you mention, I believe, although I have not been able regularly to acknowledge the receipt of them. I thank you for the two Lectures. I have not been able to procure any information relative to the N.W. Coast, which might be usefull to you. Mr Barrell is no more and I never could learn whether Mr Ingrahams Journal has been...
78From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
Can you and will you be So good as to give me any information concerning a Work intitled “Le Philosophie de bon Sens” by the Marqus D’Argens; the translation of Ocellus Περι του παντος , with notes and dissertations? Or his translation of Timeus of Locris ΠΕΡΙ ΨΥΧΑΣ ΚΟΣΜΩ, καὶ φύσιος , with notes and dissertations? Or his translations of the Emperor Julians Defence of Paganism and reflections...
79From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 16th. would occupy me for 12 months, when I know not that I have 12 days to live. The Outlines of the Life I shall be happy to receive. Basanistes is a Jeu d’Esprit. There is nothing new in it. It is only like viewing Boston Harbour from Weymouth great Hill by a Man who had often Seen it from Bacon Hill. The Same “ Analysis of Investigation ,” might be applied to prove that...
80From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
How Shall I? How can I express my Obligations to you? My Time, thoughts, labours are all Spent in my Garden, from five in the morning to Eight at night. I am more fatigued than my Boys or my Men. They laugh and Sing and dance, after I am So exhausted that I can Scarcely hear Madame or Mademoiselle read your Letters or Buckminsters Sermons, or Everets. At a time, when I had resigned the Chair...
81From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
It is a custom on the Demise of Princes for all classes of Men in Society to present to the successor addresses of Condolence with the grief of the loss of the Predecessor—and congratulations—with the Joy at the succession—in imitation of this long established Custom—I condole with you on the loss of your friend Elliot—and congratulate you on the Honorable testimony of his rememberance of you...
82From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 6 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 10. of Nov. and thank you for the quotations from the Posthumous Works of the late K. of Prussia. The Quotations from Condorcet are Proofs of Insincerity or Inconsistency but the latter may be easily expected from a Person who writes upon a subject he knows nothing of. I am able unfortunately to give you some Extracts of letters concerning a Man of more Sense,...
83From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 November 1801 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 3. oct....I Should be obliged to your friend Mr Mappa if he would commit to writing a description of the Phenomena, he observed in the Eastern Asiatic Seas; and the various species of foam which he saw floating on the waves and thought preparatory matter for testaceous and crustaceous fishes. The Spat, or Eggs of oysters, float on the Waves, and are deposited...
84From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favr. of the 12th has revived or awakened my Pen which had fainted or Slept for many Weeks Preparations for Festivals have taken no time, nor many thoughts. One Sunday Evening, which our Parson, Said was the most pleasant and profitable, he had ever Spent, was all. Mr De Wint and Caroline have as little disposition to Pomp as her Grandfather. If you can give me any information concerning...
85From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 27 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am this moment honoured with your Letter of Yesterdays date and I thank you for your kind Congratulations, on the News from America. May Great Britain ever Send to America, while she continues to send any, only such brave, able, active and enterprizing Generals as Cornwallis and Burgoine. Every Such General will consume them an Army of Ten or Fifteen Thousand Men, every Campain, without...
86From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 January 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 23. Ult, with its in closed Sketch, Skeleton, Frame, Plan, Scheme, System, Plott, Platt, or by whatever other name you please to call your Etching, has been received. What Title do you in tend to give it? An History of The Decline and Fall of Christianity? or An History of The Improvement of the Human Mind? or An History of the Progress of Society? or An History of the...
87From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 31 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
“That old Vertigo in his head Will never leave him, till he’s dead” was Said of Dr Swift. I say, that “malignant Dæmon” will never cease to haunt you, till you learn more temperance in reading, writing and thinking. I am glad you mentioned this Dæmon, because it gives me an Opportunity of enquiring into the natural history of that Species, or Genus of Beings. Have you read Farmers Treatise of...
88From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 July 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1. of June and read your Sketch of the Achaic Republick. It is a valuable Addition to American Litterature, and richly deserves to be printed. It will do Some good. I fear however, that all Men in Power will generally Say with Oliver Cromwell, on reading Harringtons Oceana, that they will not be frightened out of their Power by a few paper Shot. I should be...
89From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 27 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
“Where Adams from a noisy world withdrew Sick of Glory faction, power & pride Sure judge how empty all, who all had tried Beneath his shade the weary chief reposed And Life’s great scene, in quiet virtue closed ” I have received your kind letter of 11th. November and I believe another before it unacknowledged, for both of which, I thank you— The 30th. of October passed ever like all other days...
90From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your affecting favour of 16. Aug. is before me. The natural bent of my mind has the honour to resemble yours so much, that chymical physical and mathematical studies would have been the favourite Amusement, pursuit and Occupation of my Life, if I had been permitted to choose. But such Felicity has not been granted to me. Imperious Circumstances have driven me, to Metaphysicks to Theology, and...
91From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 31 January 1805 (Adams Papers)
Until your wishes & enquiries shall be known concerning, Ingraham’s Journal, I see nothing more likely to afford you amusement, than that part in which he seems to believe, that he had added somewhat to our Stock of Geographical Knowledge. In the 2d. volume the first page of which he has marked 52 or book 2 ch:4, he says—"1791 April 19, We steered NNW from the Island of Dominica and at 4...
92From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 30 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
To be Sure, you can cutt out Work, like a Master Tayler, or Shoemaker for a Thousand hands to work up. Was there ever Such a Letter as yours of July 19th.? The Name of De Gyzelaer, like the Name of D’Ivernois which I recd on the same day from St. Petersburg, excites recollections that would fill a volume. You are preparing the negotiations of John Adams at the Courts “of St. James’s,...
93From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I cannot answer your two last Letters. Of Thomas Adams I know nothing; except that a Man of that name was one of the Counsell of Plymouth and named in the Charter, and Parson Prince Somewhere Says the most active Man in promoting the Translation of the Charter to New England. Our Friend D. A. Tyng, cannot Surely expect Miracles from his and your Friend PHi : John Adams Papers.
94From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 14 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your third of Aug.—Griefs upon Griefs! Disappointments upon Disappointments! All is Vanity! What then? This is a gay, merry World, notwithstanding. Pray! Can you tell me What are The Uses of Grief .? And will you tell me What are the Abuses of Grief ? Grief exists, to a tremendous degree. So much is certain. But can you tell me, what it is good for? And what it is bad for? For every...
95From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your last Letter has affected me more than any I ever received from You. The Loss of your Friend Mr Mappa, your own Loss and Madam Vand erkemps loss must be So severe, that my heart has been deeply affected with the News, in the midst of the public News. The Menaces of G.B. I despize; but the Grief of my Friend melts my heart. Oh! that you were near me! Is the Pope and the Inquisition to make...
96From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 30 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I last night recd your favour of the 19 Dec, it Should be I presume 19 Jan. The Compliments you make me on this new year, are very flattering to the Vanity of an old Man: but there is one very wicked one among them, I mean when you insinuate that intriguing Individuals, when I am no more, will join in my Eulogies to defame my Successor . When it happens if I know it I shall laugh in my grave,...
97From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 September 1802 (Adams Papers)
Looking over, this morning what I wrote yesterday, I thought I would extend a little what was said of France. I wish our good Men who write so much about Barrel and Robertson , would make themselves acquainted with La Harpe. He has written 14 or 15 volumes of a course of Litterature, at the Lycæum, in which is a great deal concerning the French Revolution. I have read the work. If you have...
98From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 31 December 1808 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your kind Inquiries concerning my health, in your favour of the 14th, I can inform you that I enjoy as good health as a Man in his fifteenth Lustre, can reasonably expect, except a little paralytic trembling in the hands, which does not much incommode me however in Writing. I have been engaged this Summer as you have in reading History. Voltaires Moeurs et Esprit des Nations and...
99From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
In one of your letters if I remember right, you expressed a desire to see my letters to Mr. Calkoen, the history of those letters is this. At a dinner with a large company I met with that learned, civilian who came to me and seated himself by my side and expressed an ardent curiosity to converse with me upon the subject of the American war he asked me many questions in French in which language...
100From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 April 1807 (Adams Papers)
you have Spent your Winter with delight as well as Industry. My Moments have neither produced pleasure or improvements to be compared to yours. I am obliged to be very œconomical of my sight. Though I can See very well, with Glasses, or without them My Eyes cannot bear fatigue as they did when they were young. you have Sett me a Task that will infallibly make me blind before it will be...