121From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 1 February 1824 (Adams Papers)
After waiting somewhat impatiently I allow for your last it came to hand on friday & delighted me exceedingly as it contained much information concerning our classmates of whom I hear nothing in any other way. One thing I have heard however by the newspapers which I should have preferred not to have heard I mean the deat h of Levett. It would seem that we have hardly yet been long enough...
122From John Adams to John Adams, 12 January 1824 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 28th: Decr. is an epistle of a sage. I will tell you a story, of ancient days. “When I was a Sophomore at College, my mother and her Sister Ann Adams, Wife of my Uncle Ebenezer Adams, came to spend the day with me. On looking round my room, they thought I wanted several little articles of accomodation, which they did not see. They asked why I had not this thing, that thing,...
123From John Adams to G. Furman, 11 January 1824 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your letter of 13th. And as I Applaud very much your occupation, I should be happy to assist you if it was in my power, but it is not, I have never preserved phamplets or newspapers, I never had leisure to attend to it, And have given away every thing of the kind, almost as soon as I had read it, The greatest collection that I know of in the World is in the Atheanum in Boston,...
124From John Adams to William Bayard, 29 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your circular of the 12 inst & I thank you for the honour you have done me in addressing it to me. Be assured my heart beats in unison with yours and with those of your constituents & I presume with all the really civilized part of mankind in sympathy with the Greek suffering as they are in the great cause of liberty & humanity The gentlemen of Boston have taken measures to...
125From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I return your letter at your request signified by Gen. Dearborn though it has been such a cordial to my heart—I feel much reluctance to release it. Since it has appeared in print it has been received with applause—great & universal. Our fellow citizens are determined to elect a President avec connaisance de cause—for the question has in discussion in every nook in the United States for seven...
126To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 29 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I return your letter at your request signified by Gen. Dearborn though it has been such a cordial to my heart—I feel much reluctance to release it. Since it has appeared in print it has been received with applause—great & universal. Our fellow citizens are determined to elect a President avec connaisance de cause —for the question has in discussion in every nook in the United States for seven...
127From John Adams to Aaron Hobart, 25 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am under great obligation to you for the Presidents message, & for the Documents of the War Office, & Navy Office, and I am proud to see how abley and faithfully the Government is conducted, & these communications are the more acceptable, as comeing from a Grand Son of my beloved Brother I wish you a pleasant and satisfactory session, / and am your obliged / Uncle MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
128From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 23 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I regret that a disagreeable but unavoidable circumstance prevented my writing to you on Sunday as my rule heretofore pursued required & this is the first moment I have had since that time. The circumstance to which I allude was an absence from this city occasioned by the sickness of a young friend & relation of mine who has just entered upon the practise of that profession, a knowledge of...
129From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 18 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 14th. has given me great pleasure, I congratulate you on the Birth of your fifth Daughter. God Bless the lovely little creatures, may they all imitate their Mothers & Grand Mothers from the seventh or eighthth generations such a race of Mothers has rarely existed in this world I believe. I hope you will educate them as you Grand Mother was educated, by reconciling...
130From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 7 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I recieved two days since your favour of the 30th of last month for which I am as thankful as usual. By some strange combination of circumstances I find we have both chosen the Sabbath day for writing our communications. This in me is nothing as I am in the land of dissipation & what Ticknor would call “heartless frivolity” but in you who sojourn in the land of the blue laws & good habits is...
131From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have seen many of your poetical effusions from the time when you were at College, to the last Month, And there are so many indisputable proofs of natural, and social affections, and genuine poetical imagery; that if you had cultivated the muses as much as you have politicks, you might have made a Shakespear, a Milton, or a Pope, for any thing that I know— How sweet an Ovid, is in Murray...
132From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have seen many of your poetical effusions, from the time when you were at College, to this last Month. And there are so many indisputible proofs of natural and Social affections, and genuine poetical imagery that if you will had cultivate the muses as much as you have politicks you might have made a Shakespear, a Milton or a Pope, for anything that I know, how “How sweet an Ovid, is in...
133From 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...
134From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 23 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Night before last I recieved your communication in answer to my last which was as welcome as all the others recieved from you. I must thank you for a great deal of amusement which it all afforded me; Your description of a certain society astonished me somewhat & I was glad to see that even one individual dared to raise his voice “like a pelican in the wilderness” against such a crying sin....
135From John Adams to John Adams, 18 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your account of the first part of your journey, is quite as entertaining and instructive as is that of the latter part, recorded in your former letter. The seventy persons on board the steam boat who were obliged to sleep in mats covered with a blanket, reminded me of my excellent friend and physician, Dr Holbrook’s account of the treatment of the small pox in Canada when our Revolutionary...
136From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
With real pleasure I received your kind letter of July 28th. though I received it but a few days ago. I thank you for introduceing to me Major Wolcott Huntington —whose appearance and manners do honor to both his names— I rejoice to hear that you enjoy so good health and I wish, that your Life may be prolonged for the Government of Connecticut as long as mine has been; which has been extended...
137From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your last letter was brought to me from the Post office when at breakfast with my family. I bade one of the misses open the budget, she reported a letter from Mr. Jefferson and two or three newspapers. A letter from Mr. Jefferson says I, I know what the substance is before I open it; There is no secrets between Mr. Jefferson and me, And I cannot read it, therefore you may open and read it—When...
138To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 10 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your last letter was brought to me from the Post office when at breakfast with my family. I bade one of the misses open the budget, she reported a letter from M r Jefferson and two or three newspapers. A letter from M r Jefferson says I. I know what the substance is before I open it; There is no secrets between M r Jefferson and me, and I cannot read it, therefore you may open and read it—when...
139From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 7 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
The very great despatch with which you have answered my last not only proves to me that you are desirous of continuing the correspondence of which that letter was the commencement on my part, but requires immediate thanks & accordingly to show you that I shall not be backward in furthering its continuance I hasten to answer you although your letter was but last night recieved & although this...
140From John Adams to John Adams, 2 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for two letters written at two notable periods of your life one at the happy meeting of your family at Providence and New York, the other at Washington all in health written with the vivacity, and spirit for which you are so remarkable. They gave me and the whole family a great deal of pleasure and excite an appetite for your account of the first part of your journey. We have...
141From John Adams to Nathaniel Adams, 27 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of the 20 inst & should be glad to give you any information in my power with respect to your family: There was a gentleman of your name who was a judge of the judicial court in Nova Scotia. He educated a son at Harvard college who was John Adams the poet, who was a theologian & man of genius, as his writings both in verse & prose which are still extant...
142From John Adams to James Walker, 25 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
you will be surprised at receiving this Letter. But I hope you will pardon the curiosity of dotage, I wish to know whether the records of the Town and Church of Charleston were destroyed in the great Fire of the 17th. of June 1775. if any of them remain, I wish to know what remains concerning the Revrend Thomas Shepard once Minister of that place my Wifes Great Grand Father, Daniel Quincy...
143From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
With much pleasure I have heard read the sure words of prophecy in your letter of Sep— 4th. It is melancholy to contemplate the cruel wars, dessolations of Countries, and ocians of blood which must occure, before rational principles, and rational systems of Government can prevail and be established—but as these are inevitable we must content ourselves with the consolations which you from sound...
144To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 18 September 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
With much pleasure I have heard read the sure words of prophecy in your letter of Sep 4 th It is melancholy to contemplate the cruel wars, dessolutions of Countries, and ocians of blood which must occure, before rational principles, and rational systems of Government can prevail and be established—but as these are inevitable we must content ourselves with the consolations which you from sound...
145From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 12th I am extremely sorry to hear that Genll Miller has lost so much of his Health. I esteem him not only the bravest among the brave, but a gentlemen of superior intelligence of a very enquisitive sagasious and penetrating mind, in short One of the soundest characters I know. will you be so good as to present to him my affectionate respects—& sincere thanks...
146From John Adams to DeWitt Clinton, 18 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received with great pleasure your kind letter of the 6th: inst with your discourse before the Phi Beta Kappa. So kind a letter from a gentleman of your name, a name which I have respected for half a century is peculiarly gratifying to me.—I had once a friendship with the late Vice President of the U. S. and first Govr: of the State of New-York, which was very dear to me. Although in...
147From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
Watchman! what of the night!? Is darkness that may be felt to prevail over the whole world? Or can you perceive any rays of a returning dawn? Is the devil to be the “Lords anointed” over the whole globe? Or do you forsee the fulfilment of the prophecies according to Dr. Priestly’s interpretation of them? I know not but I have in some of my familiar and frivolous letters to you told the story...
148To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 15 August 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Watchman! what of the night!! Is darkness that may be felt to prevail over the whole world? Or can you perceive any rays of a returning dawn? Is the devil to be the “Lords anointed” over the whole globe? Or do you forsee the fulfilment of the prophecies according to D r Priestly’s interpretation of them? I know not but I have in some of my familiar and frivolous letters to you told the story...
149From John Adams to Maria Sophia Quincy, 14 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
You have much better advisers than I can be—but I will venture suggest one line. As Nature will attach you sufficiently to your own contemporaries may I here suggest to you to seek the society and conversation of ladies and gentlemen older than yourselves. Such is the advice of your assured friend Printed Source--M. A. DeWolfe Howe, ed., The Articulate Sisters (Cambridge, 1946)..
150From John Adams to Levi Woodbury, 9 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am greatly obliged to you for your letter of August 6th. And also for the pamphlet enclosed with it and most of all for your message to the legislature the kind expressions of your personal esteem and regard are very flattering to me. The subject of the pamphlet is too nearly interesting to my personal feelings for me to make any comments upon it: but I will say it is the most spirited and...
151From John Adams to Francis J. Oliver, 28 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that the gentlemen of Boston have done themselves & Capt Hull the honour of this public testimony of their respect & esteem for his character & gratitude for his public services.—I pray the committee to accept of my thanks for their obliging invita to assist at the festival but my strength is so low as to deprive me of the honour of attending & the pleasure If it were possible for me...
152From John Adams to John Jay, 4 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
The excellent president, governor, ambassador and chief justice, John Jay, whose name, by accident, was not subscribed on the declaration of independence , as it ought to have been, for he was one of its ablest and faithfulest supporters. A splendid star just setting below the horizon. Printed Source--Niles’ Register..
153From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 23 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received two kind letters from you not yet answered. Mr Curtis sent me the fish which I found very fine & I beg that you would not give yourself the trouble of sending me any such delicacies for I am not and never was much of an epicure. And now all kinds of food are much alike to me—my own beef & mutton are the best for me. My health about which you seem to be anxious would be best...
154From John Adams to William C. Somerville, 2 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of May 8th. and a valuable publication inclosed and I know not how to express my obligation to you for it. I have heard it tranthintly read & it has afforded me exquisite entertainment and much instruction, it has awakened so many recollections of what I saw and heard in Europe from 17 8 78, 17 7 88, dureing the ten years that I resided in that quarter of the...
155From John Adams to Nathaniel F. Williams, 29 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of May 21st: You request a copy of President Washington’s letter to me concerning my Son It is not in my power to oblige you, that letter and all others I have long since packed up and stored away in trunks and given away, so that they are no longer my property nor in my possession. Stung by some provocations in the agony of my heart I did, some twelve or fourteen...
156From John Adams to Joseph Adams, 29 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of the 28th and the terse and nervous pamphlet inclosed My friend Mr Shaw of the Atheneum brought up that Pamphlet and read it to me a fortnight or three weeks ago I thank you for the present and feel a pride that a man of our name should have written it you I presume you are a sprig from the old Mount Wollaston stem and should be glad to know from which...
157From John Adams to William Sumner, 19 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the privilege of hearing read your manuscript dissertat concern the mil I scarcely know how to express the satisfaction & delight I have received from its perusal. It is so conformable to all my feelings—all my inquiries & all my opinions concerning it from my cradle that is seemed to be living my life over again. The delight of my childhood in the trainings will never be...
158From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 10 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favor of the third—With great pleasure I learn that you are all convalescent, and that your Brother is well and intends us a visit with you—Our John performed his part at the Exhibition with applause and approbation; But something has happened since, that has brought him here, where I wish he could remain, till next August twelve months, but I cannot advise him so, for his...
159From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 10 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of May 5th. The King of England has performed one noble action, and I hope he will many more, his Fathers library was a glorious one, when I saw it, it was well chosen, elegantly printed bound and lettered, but not gorgeously, it has been greatly increased since I saw it. If it was in my power I would give as many Books to my Quincy Academy, but this is only a...
160From John Adams to Charles Carroll, 9 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 26th April—You are entirely mistaken in supposing that the second article of the Convention with France was stricken out at my desire or information, on the Contrary I was desirous of retaining them [it]; so much so that I sent a message to Senate, and explicitly told them it would have been more agreeable to my inclination to have ratified the Convention as...
161From John Adams to Harrison Gray Otis, 9 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
The amount of my former letters to you is this that all the sovereignty there existing in the nation was in the hands of Alexander Hamilton & that his conduct of it was delirious or in the strong language of my last letter stark mad I am now to justify these conclusions. The manner in which this oligarchical triumvirate was introduced into power is to be explained hereafter; but in the manner...
162From John Adams to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 30 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am honored by your favor of the 20th. April with a Copy of Gov McKeans letter of 22 August 1813—inclosed. I have no doubt that Mr. McKean sent an express to Delaware to summon Mr. Rodney to Congress—that he arrived at the critical moment with boots and with spurs—went into Congress and made a speech which Mr McKean rehearses and voted for independence thereby deciding the vote of the State...
163From John Adams to Selleck Osborn, 27 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 24 April & have desired my friend Mr Shaw to subscribe my name to your proposals. I am Sir your very hum Sert MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
164From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 22 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
I admire your checks and bridles which you call maxims. To allude to Bolingbrokes figure, Man is a Noble Animal he is a bucephalus that requires an Alexander to ride him, And I believe he could not, without whip, spurs, and bridle. But of all the whips spurs and bridles, those of the Priests are the most detestable; and those of the Presbyterians are not much better, than those of the...
165From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. is a reviving cordial in which I have languished for a fortnight—But I have to complain, that it is only two days, since I heard since I heard of George’s misfortune. I suppose it has been concealed in tenderness to me, but I wish to hear the worst of bad news from the begining. This tenderness for me has concealed many misfortunes which if they had been communicated to...
166From John Adams to William Rotch, 13 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you write me on the 10 April instant and I thank you for it because it gives me an opportunity of making an apology & that is none other than the one you have pointed out viz “old age bordering on second child hood” When I read those letters in the old Colony memorial I regretted those offensive passages & was sincerely glad that the editor had done you justice....
167From John Adams to Harrison Gray Otis, 4 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
Ridendo dicere verum quid vetat. Mr. Simon has given us a factitious sketch of the last years of the last Century, and the first years of the present—And why should not I add a few commentary’s, still ridendo, for I cannot review that tragicomico farce, grave as it was to me, without laughing—I was President a mere cipher, the Government was in the hands of an oligarchy consisting of a...
168From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 30 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your journal which has become a necessary of life to me has failed me for so a long a time but I must excuse it because it too severe a tax upon you & I hope & 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 newspaper flurry of flickerings for Govenor & they will associate your husband with Mr Otis as...
169From John Adams to Harrison Gray Otis, 29 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Voltaire at eighty, raved Tradgey; And I fear that you will think that I, at eighty seven and a half, am raving politicks and history. Be it so. but a regard to my own family and above all, to the sacred regard to the honour, the interest and duty of my Country, imperiously, demand of me that I should rave on—I must confess to allude to some former figures, when I was running the gantlet, and...
170From John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 29 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased with your letters, to your Parents and to your Sisters, as well as those to me, and I advice you to write as many as you can, but have a care not to write in too much haste, acquire a habit of care and attention not only to the beauty and distinctness and legibility of your hand writing but to the correctness of your Grammar, spelling and even punctuation by this habit, you...