301From John Adams to Edward Cruft, 7 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
When I left your hospitable Mansion last december, I entertained a hope of seeing you again in a few days; but I found myself so ill that I almost dispaired of ever Seeing you again—My disorder left me so feeble that I have not had Strength and Spirits to thank you as I ought for the kindness I received from yourself Mrs Cruft and Mrs Smith—I congratulate you all on the birth of a daughter,...
302From John Adams to Nathaniel Curtis, 25 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of October 29th: and the four bottles of Native wine very politely sent me by John Adlum Esqr. of Georgetown. Please present my thankful acknowledgement to Mr Adlum for his valuable present. I am not certain whether the word Native means, that it is made of American Grapes or of foreign Grapes planted here; but in either case it proves that the wine is made of...
303From John Adams to Caleb Cushing, 26 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Although unfortunately my eyes have been so ill that I could not read, yet I have had the pleasure of hearing read, your Oration on the fourth of July; and never have read or heard a better. To point at its merits would be to copy the book. When Voltaire was asked why he had not written criticisms upon Racine as well as upon Corneille, he answered, “because there is no criticism to be made.” I...
304From John Adams to Charles Cushing, 13 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
Though the publication of my juvenile Letters to your Father, especially in a Nantucket Gazette is a riddle, a mystery beyon d all comprehension; yet as it was impossible for me to Suspect any unkindness in your Family, the friendly Apology in your Letter of the eleventh of this month was unnecessary, though highly gratifying to m e The Letters, while they have afforded some amusement to my...
305From John Adams to Joshua Cushman, 16 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Speech upon the great question—which I have read with at least as much interest as any one that I have seen—there is as much good sense in it—as in any of them—and as well expressed—though some critics may say there is less Art, and Oratory—this I hold in small estimation in the discussion of great National questions—I am very much pleased with your Euloguiams on Mr King,...
306From John Adams to Allen Danforth, 18 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am so delighted with the idea of an Old Colony memorial; and so perfectly satisfied with the design and execution of the first number dated Saturday May the 4th. 1822—that I pray you to admit your my name among your subscribers and accept the inclosed Bill as my subscription for the first year— I have no disposition to Vilify the character of the illustrious William Penn, or to depreciate...
307From John Adams to Daniel Davis, 24 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your favor of the 20th. I shall be glad to see you any day, or hour this week, or any other week at Quincy.— I cannot write, otherwise I would write what occurs to me, I can only give you a few hints now, for your further enquiries,—Before my time all the lawyers that I have heard of, were John Reid, Robert Auchmuty the Elder, Paul Dudley, Governor Shirley, Mr Overing, Mr...
308From John Adams to John Davis, 4 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Oration, which I have read with pleasure, there has never been any Alination of Esteem or affection between Mr Jefferson and me, we differed in opinion concerning the French Revolution, he was of opinion that it would terminate in the establishment of a free Democratical Republic in France Republican Government in France I could never be convinced of the Probability of...
309From John Adams to John Davis, 2 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for introducing to me Mr Lewis Weld, an Instructor in the Asylum for the deaf & Dumb at Hartford, in whom I was highly pleased to see, so accomplished a Grand Son of my Ancient friend and Neighbour the Revnd Mr Weld of Monatiquot, nor was I less gratified, but much more astonished at his Pupil Mr George H Loring We happened to have a little company extraordinary, and we had an...
310From John Adams to Thomas Dawes, 28 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I am informed by your Brother G, that you wish to know from me some Account of my Education! The first part of it was under Mr Joseph Cleverly in the public latin School in Braintree, the last part under Mr Joseph Marsh who kept a private Accademy the next door but one to my fathers house. From him I was Sent to Colledge in 1751. Had my first degree of course in 1755. kept th: Latin School in...
311From John Adams to Thomas Dawes, 16 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are copies of two letters written by me to my Wife one in the morning, and the other in the evening of the 3d: of July 1776 the day after the vote of Independence was passed in Congress. An extract of one of them has been published in the newspapers. Once on a time, upon my Stony field Hill, you interrogated me concerning that extract in so particular a manner that I thought you felt...
312From John Adams to Thomas Dawes, 9 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
Though I cannot boast aurium occulis cumque vigor integis yet I have been able to read, & to hear last night & this morning the comforts of old age, which you have so kindly Sent me, and which discovers good sense, great taste, & a good heart in Sir Thos Barnard the author—This work has been the more agreable to one, because it is a Commentary, a paraphrase, and an Immitation of Tullys divine...
313From John Adams to Thomas Dawes, 3 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, with all my heart, for your Christmas Oration; which I have read and reread with increased pleasure, loving the philanthropic heart which directed it not less than admiring the ingenious head which composed it. With any Man who denies the Legitimacy of our Revolutionary War or my Quasi War with France or Mr Madisons War with England I will not dispute, because there can be no...
314From John Adams to Henry Dearborn, 25 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to borrow a hand to thank you for your favour of March 11th. and for introducing to me, Mr Binon—whom I find to be a Gentleman of Sense and Letters—as well as Taste and skill—in all the fine Arts—He has been an agreeable Companion—and we have been fortunate enough to procure the best Accommodations Accommodations for him— Excuse me for I can barely write the name of your Friend,...
315From John Adams to Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, 20 November 1822 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to accept my cordial thanks for the rich present of your Memoir, on the Commerce and Navigation of the Black Sea &ca. This work had been read to me throughout, three years ago, and I had long since purchased it if I had known where to find it. It is now the more acceptable to me as the it is a present from the Author. I know of no Monument that has ever yet been erected in America,...
316From John Adams to Peter Paul Francis Degrand, 12 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
I can express my Feelings on the Recipt of your favour of the 5th of this month, only by my Thanks for your Politeness in Sending me from your own Stores a case of your excellent Hermitage Wine. I have long since taken a final Leave of my old and dear Friend Wine— Could I obtain the Common Wine of Burgundy, which I have heretofore purchased for two Louis a Burrique, or the Bino de Pais which I...
317From 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...
318From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 12 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you kindly for the Portrate of Mr Jay, which I very much admire, it is a great likeness it is stamped with wisdom sagacity, and benevolence as they have been, stamped upon his Countenance and Conduct, all his Life time.—I have delivered your formal letter to Mr Charles Shaw, to Mr William Smith Shaw the superintendent of the Boston Atheneaum and I shall deliver that inclosed with Mr...
319From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 23 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
Portraits or Busts, of Men or Women taken in Old Age, which as Ossean says, and says truly is dark and unlovely are always disagreeable; much more so are those taken after Death or in Articulo mortis The Portraits of Dr Franklin taken when he was eighty four were no more like him, in the middle of his Age or even when he was seventy years Old than they resembled those of Voltair I delight to...
320From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 31 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have not been able, till this moment to acknowlege your Letter of the 11th. You have my full consent to publish whatever you please concerning my Character. My Life can never be written, not even by myself; for it would take me as much time to write it, as it has to live it. You enquire for “Sources:” I know of none better than American Journals Newspapers and Pamphlets; next to them the...
321From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 24 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
Portraits, or Busts, of Men or Women taken in Old age which as Ossian says, and says truly is dark and unlovely, are always disagreeable, much more so are those taken after death, or in articulo mòrtes The Portraits of Dr Frankline taken when he was eighty four, were no more like him in the middle of his Age or even when he was seventy years old, than they resemble those of Voltair. I delight...
322From John Adams to Mrs. Derby, 23 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams’s Compliments to Mrs Derby and thanks her for the lone of Mr Coffins Journal, which has afforded him a rich entertainment, it is written extremely well and contains much important information, it is fit for publication would do honor to the traveller be a valuable addition to American literature, and promote the Commercial and political interests of the Country—Mr Adams respects to Mr...
323From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 24 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
This year compleats a Century Since my Uncle Boylston introduced the practise of Inoculation into the English dominions; but what improvements have been made, Since 1720 partly by experience, but much more by the Accidental discovery of Dr Jenner? The history of this distemper is enough to humble human pride! enough to demontrate what ignorant Puppets We are! how we grope in the dark! and what...
324From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 22 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 5th November gave us all great pleasure and certainly none more than me. I was delighted to hear that you had such good company from Boston to Newport and from thence on the Steamboat to New York, a circumstance which takes away the unpleasantness both of journeys & voyages, nor was I less gratified to hear of your safe arrival at Cedar Grove, and that you found your dear...
325From 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...
326From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 19 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Thank Mr De Wint for his Box of New york Cider Grove champaigne—Accept my thanks for the two Newspapers—my Introduction or rather presentations to the King and Queen of England have been heretofore published in broken scraps, mutilated and misrepresented. They have never before appeared with Official Authenticity Who has now brought them to light I cannot conceive. I cannot Suspect Mr Jay—for...
327From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 1 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
I wish you a happy New year, and as many new-years as your Nature can bear, in health Peace and Competence with your Children like Olive Plants about your table—but be sure to make them all Male and Female Children, Grand Children, and Great Grand Children work hard with their own hands, so as to be able to command their own livelihood by their Industry Economy and sagacity— I am very glad to...
328From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 25 January 1825 (Adams Papers)
your letter of the 6th. of January gave me much pleasure, to which was added was that of your Brothers for the lone of which I thank you and here-with return it— he writes in fine spirits, and I hope will be able to accomplish his designs, but what his views are unless he has been fortunate enough to find the affections of some fine English Lady of Moderate fortune, who is adventurous enough...
329From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 11 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have been informed that you have read Mr Locks Essays on the human Understanding it would also give me great pleasure to hear that you have read his Essay on the Conduct of the Understanding— There is a little Aeriel World within us—the reign of Intelligence, of sensibility, of Activity, as well worthy of investigation, as the great World without us—of Heaven Earth and Seas.—and nothing in...
330From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 8 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am as much delighted with answering your pritty Letter, of June 3d. as you was with writing it, though I have necessarily neglected it so long. I am much pleased with your account of your studies which are all very proper for you and I hope you will hereafter learn the french language, and the Grammars, at least, in the Greek and Latin, for this will teach you English Grammar better than the...