501From John Adams to Wilkes Allen, 5 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your history of Chelmsford which I have read with great pleasure and interest—It is a gratification to me to read such histories I have lately read the history of Haverhill by Leveret Saltonstall t he history of Bridgewater by Judge Mitchell and a history of Billerica by Mr Farmer—And I wish some Young Gentleman of Letters would undertake the history of the Ancient...
502From John Adams to Charles Holt, 4 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
The Universal Vanity of human Nature, must have obstructed itself on your observation in the Course of your experience; so forcibly that you will easily believe that your Letter of August 29th. has been received and read with much pleasure.—Besides you know that the Just always rejoices over every sinner that repenteth—Your Letter however did not surprise me because I had received many such...
503From John Adams to Edward Everett, 2 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received within this hour, the Inclosed letter from Mr. Jefferson—Which, as it is infinitely too Learned and scientifical for my dull Genius, and poor attainments to grapple, I send to you—who are, or will be, equal to all these things—If any Man is, or is like to be—I send it especially, as it has relation, to the North American Review—As I have barely read it over, and not yet...
504From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 2 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have been as Civil to Mr Lane who brought me your letter of August 26th. as I could, he dined with me, and I was much pleased with him—I am sincerely grieved at your long confinement and continued indisposition, what can I do to restore your health—If you come to the Convention as I hope you will—That I think will cure you—for wrangling and Contention exhilirates the Spirits, and Animates...
505From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 31 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
Some time ago I requested permission, to write to you certain facts in Confidence which I wish to be preserved some where after I shall be no more here.—But they are facts in which my personal Character is interested—And it is so awkard a thing to write of ones self—And it is so certain, to be suspected of partiality, and accused of Vanity—And it is so difficult for a Man to Satisfy his own...
506From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 10 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have two kind letters from you to answer—the last—of August 7th.—has filled me with deep sorrow and affliction. I am afraid you are not so careful of your health as you ought to be. I pray you to do every thing in your power to preserve it, for it is very interesting to me and mine—and let me add, without flattery, to the public. The misnomer, an error currente calamo—needed no correction,...
507From John Adams to Samuel Wyllys Pomeroy, 8 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
Accept my kind thanks for your Letter of the 1st. Inst. and its inclosure. I have given a rapid reading to your Sentiments on Indian Corn and its cultivation and intend to give it a more deliberate perusal. I agree with you in opinion that although that grain has been too exclusively cultivated in New England, it ought not to be rejected nor disgraced. It is a nourishment of inestimable value,...
508From John Adams to George A. Otis, 3 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter of the 24th. of July—I should be very wrong to give an opinion on a work that I have never read, especially if that should differ from such Authorities as you quote—especially that of Mr Jefferson—I am reading your first Volume of Botta which appears to me to be very well written—But as I have not an Italian Edition I cannot compare the translation with the...
509From John Adams to Charles Carroll, 2 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 24th July, I received as a precious treasure. You have in your list of Survivors omitted General Floyd in the State of N York, somewhere not far from Utica, as I hope and believe he still lives; he certainly was addressed on the fourth of July by his neighbours with great respect and was able to make them a concise answer. While Mr Ellery was dying and reading...
510From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 27 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
I will not envy you but congratulate you on the pleasure you have had in your excursion to Washington But I covet the like pleasure so much that if I could do it with out stirring up an uproar, & hurly burly through the Contenent—Old as I am I would get into my Gig, & bend my course thitherward to morrow morning—. I regret most grievously that you did not Visit Cedar Grove—at Fishkill...