1501From John Adams to Richard Rush, 8 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I know not, whether Perry’s Victory is not the greatest Action in naval History. His Age, the horrible Slaughter, and total Disability of his own Ship, his presence of mind, his cool and prompt transition to another Vessel, his masterly and daring Attack on the Center of the Enemies Line, his Modesty, his humanity are traits of a great Commander, who God willing, will wear well. The...
1502From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mr Elliot had informed me, by a kind Letter, of your Arrival at Barneveldt, before I recd. yours of 21. Septr. Had you been here as a Traveller, my House Should have been your home; my Friends your Friends. But I respected the Object of your Visit. Charles is gone to Buckminster. Both, Shewn to Mankind, and then taken away from the evil to come. Your reception in Boston and Cambridge was...
1503John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 4 October] 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
σὲ γὰρ πάντεσσι θέμις θνητοῖσι προσαυδᾶn . “It is not only permitted but enjoined upon all Mortals to address you.” Why should not our Divines translate it “It is our duty and our priviledge to address the Throne of thy grace and pray for all needed lawfull Blessings temporal and Spiritual,.” Θεμiς was the Goddess of honesty, Justice, Decency, and right; the Wife of Jove , another name for...
1504From John Adams to Samuel Elliot, 1 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
As I have lost Children and Grand Children, in infancy and a Son and daughter grown up and established in families: I know by bitter experience, how to Sympathize with you and Mrs Elliot and your amiable Family in the loss of your Son. I lament this melancholly Event, not only as an affecting bereavment to his Family but as a loss to his County and Mankind. His opening Genius, had given high...
1505From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, September 1813 (Adams Papers)
σὲ γὰρ πάντεσσι θέμις θνητοῖσι προσαυδᾶn. “It is not only permitted but enjoined upon all Mortals to address you.” Why should not our Divines translate it “It is our duty and our priviledge to address the Throne of thy grace and pray for all needed lawfull Blessings temporal and Spiritual,”. Θεμις was the Goddess of honesty, Justice, Decency, and right; the Wife of Jove, another name for Juno....
1506From John Adams to John Vaughan, 26 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Not to honor Mr Colman, for I know he needs none from me to you: but to gratify myself, and bring me once more to your recollection, I write this Line. He deserves to See all the greatest and best Men and Things in Philadelphia: and I hope no narrow Sentiments in Religion or Politicks, will prevent him. I am, as always your Friend PPAmP .
1507From John Adams to John Jay, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in the incident, which has called me, to give you a certificate under my hand, that I am yet alive. The Reverend, Mr Henry Colman, an ordained minister of a Congregational Church in Hingham (General Lincolns town,) six miles only from me, has requested of me an introduction, to you as one of the most interesting characters, our Country has produced. Mr Colman is beloved by his people...
1508From John Adams to Rufus King, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I run the risque of introducing to You, the Reverend Mr Henry Colman of Hingham. He is one of our liberal Divines; one of our Christian Disciples; one of our Biblio critical Students. But you must not tell this in N. York; He is worthy of your Esteem. He is highly esteemed by all Men who know him here. He wishes to see all the great and good Men and all the great and good Things in New York...
1509From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
If I am committing an indiscretion, I hope you will pardon it. The Reverend Mr Henry Colman of Hingham, a Clergyman established in the Affections and Esteem of this Neighbourhood is on a Journey to Philadelphia. He has an Ardent desire to See the Old Patriots of the Revolution, and where can I look for an older one, than to Governor M. Kean? In addition to his professional Virtues of Piety and...
1510From John Adams to Samuel Miller, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I know not whether my transient acquaintance, with you, will justify me, or acquit me of indiscretion, in introducing a gentleman to you in this manner. But the Reverend Mr Henry Colman a Congregational minister, beloved & esteemed in this neighbourhood, travelling to the Southward & wishing to see the most eminent, men; I know of none more eminent to whom I could introduce him. His character...
1511From John Adams to Samuel L. Mitchell, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
What apology can I offer, for the liberty I take of introducing to you the Revnd Henry Colman of Hingham? My apology is ready without ceremony. Mr Colman wishes to see, the great and good men and things in New York & Philadelphia, and as a man of Science, letters, and virtue, he is worthy to see them. Any notice you may take of him, will be gratefully acknowledged, by your humble Servant with...
1512From John Adams to John Vaughan, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Not to honour Mr Colman, for I know he needs none from me to you; but to gratify myself and bring me once more to your recollection—I write this line. He deserves to see all the greatest men and the best things, I Philadelphia; and I hope no narrow sentiments in religion or Politicks will prevent him. I am as always your friend MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1513From John Adams to William White, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I rely entirely on the long and agreeable acquaintance between us and the knowledge I have had for 34 years, of the Candour & urbanity of your character, as an apology for the liberty I take of introducing to you the Reverend Henry Colman, an established minister of the Congregational Church in Hingham. As a gentleman a Scholar, & a Christian, I am confident you will find him not unworthy of...
1514From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 22 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Considering all things, I admire Dr Priestleys last Effort for which I am entirely indebted to you. But as I think it is extremely imperfect, I beg of you to pursue the investigation according to your promise to Dr Rush, and according to your Syllabus. It may be presumptuous in me to denominate any Thing of Dr Priestley imperfect: but I must avow, that among all the vast Exertions of his...
1515John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, [22] September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering all things, I admire D r Priestleys last Effort for which I am entirely indebted to you. But as I think it is extreamly imperfect, I beg of you to pursue the investigation, according to your promise to D r Rush , and according to your Syllabus. It may be presumptuous in me to denominate any Thing of Dr Priestley imperfect: but I must avow, that among all the vast Exertions of his...
1516From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 18 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 6th. has given me much pleasure; had I lived with Dr Johnson I would have given him a guinea a piece his usual price for two sermons; one upon “Let your light shine before men” the other upon Let not your left hand know what your right hand performs.” They are perfectly reconciliable though it may be somewhat difficult in practice to comply with both precepts in sincerity....
1517From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I receive with pleasure, the News of your removal to Cambridge and establishment in Office, in which may you, and your amiable Lady Sons and daughters, continue to do honour, and administor medicine, to this Country, diseased in Body and mind There is not a more melancholly contemplation, to a mind that Soberly thinks, than the honours that are done to military Charactors by Sea and Land:...
1518From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
My last Sheet, would not admit an Observation that was material to my design. Dr Price was “inclined to think” that infinite Wisdom and Goodness, could not permit infinite Power, to be inactive, from Eternity: but that, an infinite and eternal Universe, must have necessarily flowed from these Attributes. Plato’s System was “ Αγαθος ” was eternal, Self existent &c. His Ideas, his Word, his...
1519John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
My last Sheet , would not admit of an Observation that was material to my design. D r Price was “inclined to think” that infinite Wisdom and Goodness, could not permit infinite Power, to be inactive, from Eternity: but that, an infinite and eternal Universe, must have necessarily flowed from these Attributes. Plato’s System was “ Αγαθος ” was eternal, Self existent &c. His Ideas, his Word, his...
1520From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I owe you a thousand thanks for your favour of Aug. 22 and its Enclosures, and for Dr Priestley’s “Doctrines of heathen Philosophy compared with those of Revelation.” Your Letter to Dr Rush, and the Sillabus, I return inclosed with this, according to your Injunction; though with great reluctance. May I beg a copy of both? They will do you no harm: me and others much good. I hope you will...
1521From John Adams to Miss Lomax, 14 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
My antient Friend, Mr Jefferson has presented me in your name, with a compliment more grateful to my heart, than the most costly monument of Art and Adulation could be. It is admired by all the ladies of my Family old and young, as the most exquisite production of the kind they have ever seen. It will be preserved with care by my Grand daughters and I hope, very soon by my great grand...
1522John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I owe you a thousand thanks for your favour of Aug. 22 and its Enclosures , and for D r Priestley’s “Doctrines of heathen Philosophy compared with those of Revelation.” your Letter to D r Rush , and the Sillabus Syllabus , I return inclosed with this, according to your Injunction; though with great reluctance. May I beg a copy of both? They will do you no harm: me and others much good. I hope...
1523From John Adams to Horatio Gates Spafford, 7 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received by the Mail your friendly Letter of 8 Mo. 31. with your Gazetteer of the State of New York. Although I have not the pleasure of a personal Acquaintance; my thanks are not the less but the more due to You for your kind Attention and valuable present. Your Work, as it is a monument of industrious research and indefatigable labour in collecting information concerning the important...
1524From John Adams to Richard Rush, 6 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
If G. B. did not mean to acceed to the Russian mediation G. B. has acted the part of a Jocky, or a Gypsy, or a Jilt: for She must have received the proposition from the Russian Ambassador long before, our President received it from Mr Dashkoff, and She ought to have made her refusal known, instead of giving Passports to Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard. I am not apprehensive of a disgraceful peace,...
1525From John Adams to Horatio Gates Spafford, 6 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received by the Mail your Friendly Letter of L.M. 31. with your Gazetteer of the State of New York. Although I have not the pleasure of a personal Acquaintance: my thanks are not the less but the more due to you for your kind Attention and valuable present. Your Work, as it is a moment monument of industrious research and indefatigable labour in Collecting information concerning the...
1526From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Οὐδὲ γυνὴ κακοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἀναίνεται εἶναι ἄκοιτις πλουσίου· ἀλλ’ ἀφνεὸν βούλεται ἀντ’ ἀγαθοῦ. Χρήματὰ γὰρ τιμῶσι, καὶ ἐκ κακοῦ ἐσθλὸς ἔγημε, καὶ κακὸς ἐξ ἀγαθοῦ. πλοῦτος ἔμιξε γένος. Grotius renders this into latin, thus. Nec dedignatur ditemque malumque maritum femina: divitiæ præ probitate placent. In pretio pretium est: genus et prænobile, vili, obscurum claro, miscet avaritia. I Should render...
1527John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Οὐδὲ γυνὴ κακοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἀναίνεται εἶναι ἄκοιτις πλουσίου· ἀλλ’ ἀφνεὸν βούλεται ἀντ’ ἀγαθοῦ. Χρήματὰ γὰρ τιμῶσι, καὶ ἐκ κακοῦ ἐσθλὸς ἔγημε, καὶ κακὸς ἐξ ἀγαθοῦ. πλοῦτος ἔμιξε γένος. Grotius renders this into latin, thus. Nec dedignatur ditemque malumque maritum femina: divitiæ præ probitate placent. In pretio pretium est: genus et prænobile, vili, obscurum claro, miscet avaritia. I Should render...
1528From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 1 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Afflictions in my family of the most serious nature have delayed my answer to your letter of the 6th of August. I knew not that my friend Dr Rush had communicated the papers inclosed in yours to anyone His confidence however was not misplaced. My letter to him was written, as I should have talked to him Tete a tete. He understood me & knew that every line & every word in that letter was true....
1529From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 1 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Permit one to enclose to you a Packet from my old Friend Governor M Kean: and a dialogue of the dead. The latter was the effusion of a musing moment of an evening at Richmond Hill when Congress sat at N York in 1789 immediately after the arrival of the news of Dr Franklins death. Searching last Sunday among a heap of forgotten rubbish for another paper, It struck my eye. After you shall have...
1530From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 31 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 20th, with the Authentic Account of the proceedings of the Congress held at New York A.D 1765 on the Subject of the American Stamp Act”: though they found me in the deepest affliction for the loss of my Daughter; were very acceptable and deserve my thanks. There was a prior Congress, held at Albany in 1754 or 1755, in which Franklin, Hutchinson, Wells and Brattle...