301From John Adams to William White, 13 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
As Charity is the bond of perfection—I think it very desirable that great and good Men should have opportunities to see one another—however different their Opinions in Religion or Philosophy may be—. upon this principle I presume, thought I confess without much Authority to introduce to your acquaintance the Reverend Mr Andrews Norton-Dexter Professor of Biblical Criticism in our University at...
302From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 11 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
Half an hour ago I received, and this moment have heard read, for the 3d. or 4th. time, the best letter that ever was written by an Octogenarian, dated June the first. It is so excellent that I am under an almost invincible temptation to commit a breach of trust by lending it to a printer. My Son Thomas Boylston—says it would be worth $500—to any Newspaper in Boston—But I dare not betray your...
303From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 31 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 31st. as well as for that from New York—I have been reduced so low in health that I have not been able to write answers to letters as I used to—Your letter to Claudious was sent to him, as soon as it was received—I have long been anxious for your Mother—presuming her to be unwell—And rejoice in her Convalescence— I am impatient to hear Your admiration of the...
304From John Adams to Henry Colman, 5 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I received the first Volume of the Defence in perfect order, several mails before your polite letter which was intended to accompany it arrived—I now send you the fourth Volume of the Defence, under the Title of Discourses on Davila.—as this Volume is out of print, and I have no other Copy—and as in this is are contained in many manuscrips notes in the margin of my own—I pray you to return it...
305From John Adams to Peter Force, 10 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
I recieved the enclosed extract this morning from the North. The Source from whence it comes is as Mr DeGrand would say “first rate.” Dr. Waterhouse is a well known character in Massachusetts and so staunch a Republican that any thing concerning him would be gratifying to that party—Concerning the truth of the suggestion I know nothing. Whether true or false however this indirect notice of the...
306To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 17 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of March 25 th has been a cordial to me, and the more consoling as it was brought by your Grandsons M r Randolph and M r Coolidge. every lady connected with you is snatched up, so that I cannot get any of them to dine with me, they are always engaged—how happens it that you Virginians are all sons of Anak, we New Englanders, are but Pygmies by the side of M r Randolph; I was very...
307From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 27 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have mislay’d your letter and therefore cannot refer to it. I hope Mr Russell has his fill, your Father’s rejoinder is as some of the Southern papers express it, like the waters of the Mississippi, without “o’er-flowing full” There is but one vocce in this part of the world, and that is of disapprobation of Mr Russell’s conduct. The testimony’s of Mr. Brent and Mr Bailey are clenchers, and...
308From John Adams to U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 14 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that I live to see so fine a collection of the future defenders of their country in pursuit of honor under the auspices of the national government. A desire of distinction is implanted by nature, in every human bosom, and the general sense of mankind in all ages and countries cultivated and uncultivated, has excited, encouraged and applauded this passion in military men more than in...
309From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your Journal of the 26th. There is in human nature, a germe of superstition which has cost mankind very dear; And there is another germe, the love of finery, And which has done almost as much harm, And both have been employed with great sagacity by temporal, and spiritual politicians, to debase, degrade and subdue mankind, even with their own consent under the cruel iron rod of...
310From John Adams to William Thomas, 12 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Let me add a few hints to my former letter. Please to search in the publications after the Treaty of Peace for a letter of Monsieur de Marbois, Secretary of Legation to the Chevalier de la Luzern—and records and files of Congress during that period; and an Octavo Volume in french entitled, “Politique de touf les Cabineto del Europe” published by the French Government during the Revolution; in...
311From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 5 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I send you enclosed two pieces of paper. 1st. “Broken Hints to be communicated to the committee of Congress for the Massachusetts.” by Major Joseph Hawley of Northhampton. This is the original paper which I read to Patrick Henry in the fall of the year 1774 which produced his rapturous burst of approbation & his solemn asseveration “ I am of that Man’s mind .” 2d. A letter from Jonathan...
312From John Adams to Robert Walsh, Jr., 31 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 12th. with the invaluable present of your “Appeal from the judgments of Great Britain,” was brought to me last Night. I call it invaluable, for although, I have only had time to hear the dedication and preface read, these are quite sufficient to justify that expression. I have for some time ardently wished to see this publication, and now am gratified to my utmost...
313From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 7 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you most sincerely for your very kind and friendly letter— The general approbation which has been expressed of my resurrection to public view has been a sincere gratification to me—though I very much fear I shall disgrace myself and my Constituents; But if I do, it will be for want of Understanding, and not of integrity— The Prayers of Winslow and Cleverly, and Veazey are no suprize to...
314From John Adams to James Brackett, 10 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 5th: of Feby. As you have not agreed to any of my proposals in my last letter I now make a new one and that is that we both write in a petition or requisition to the fence viewers of the town that they would go upon the spot choose their own surveyor examine all the witnesses that they may summon or that either party may produce before them & determine the...
315From John Adams to William Tudor, Jr., 5 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your congratulations and kind wishes, the accomplishment of them is on high where I rejoice that it is— Dennis de Brett was a Merchant in London and a dessenter Esteemed among the Protestant Dessenters for which reason I suppose he was appointed Agent - he never gave any proofs of talents or influence - indeed he had none of the latter at Court, nor with the public, nor any...
316From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 22 September 1825 (Adams Papers)
I am suffering under a bitter repentance in neglecting to write & thank you for your last kind letter & for the valuable present of Cider whose only fault is that too good I am obliged to mix more than half water with it— I begin to look forward with great delight to the prospect of your return to Roxbury with Mrs Boylston, hoping that you both will come and see me before I go hence, to be...
317From John Adams to James Monroe, 15 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you Mr Ticknor and his Lady. This Gentleman is a Professor at our University in Cambridge, and one of the most conspicuous Literary Characters in this State, he has been for several years intimately acquainted with Mr Jefferson, and is highly esteemed by him. I believe he has been acquainted with Mr Madison he proposes to visit Montpelier as well as Montecello in the...
318From John Adams to F. C. Schaeffer, 25 November 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of Nov 19. & for the address inclosed. The Ceremonial for at laying the corner Stone of St Mathews church & the address pronounced on that occasion, were solemn affecting & impressive. You have not in my humble opinion given too much credit to Luther I love & revere the memories of Huss Wickliff Luther Calvin Zwinglius Melancton and all the other reformers;—how...
319From John Adams to Aaron Bancroft, 21 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Letter of Decr. 30 and above all for the gift of a precious vol—It is a chain of diamonds set in links of Gold—I have never heard or read a volume of sermons better calculated or adapted to the age and country in which it was written—How different from the sermons I heard and read in the town of Worcester from the year 1755 to 1758 As my destiny in life has been some...
320From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I see by your favour of May 10th that we must all grow Old—but you have not yet experienced one tenth part of the Infirmitys of Old Age—I am very glad your Physician promises you, that all will be well In your Researches do you find any Evidence of Persecutions of Quakers Anabaptists Witches or any–other Sectary’s amongst your Primitive Dutch Settle’rs in New–york—or amongst the cortier...
321From John Adams to Augustus Elias Brevoort Woodward, 17 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
The formidable invasion of my ninetieth year must be my apology for neglecting, and so improperly, your valuable and worthy present of “A System of Universal Science”; but the loss of my sight prevents my making the use of it I wish. It is a work of great labour and research, and must be useful to those who wish to inquire into that subject. I also thank you for the newspapers you sent me. I...
322From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 November 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 4 Nov. I am very glad you have got so far through Hallams middle ages to hear that you are so nearly through Hallam’s middle ages. I am travelling through the same country from the benevolence of your friend Quincy, who after travelling through it himself gave me a lease of it for a term. It is a valuable compendium and I am very glad to find that he gives so...
323From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have transmitted you a letter to Samuel Adams Welles Esqr. in Boston as you desire This gentleman is a singular character he is I believe the only surviving male of his Grandfather the late govenor of Massachusetts Samuel Adams who never had but two children a son and a daughter; his son who bore his name died early a surgeon in the army of the Revolution—without issue; his daughter married...
324From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 17 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received and read your lovely Letter of the 11th: As the three Cantabridgeans were here—they and I and all the family Uncle Aunt and Cousins all enjoyed the Luxury of it at Supper. It made a great impression on all of Us, especially upon George who with great dignity enjoined it upon his Brothers to lay the contents of it to heart. We all rejoice in the hope of seeing you in July...
325From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 24 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
On the 22d of the month I received the letter you did me the honour to write me on the 16th.—“The Sett of Papers the object of which is to prove that our present Policy is highly pernicious to the best Interests of the Cultivators of the Soil,” is not yet arrived.” It would not be difficult to prove, that the Policy of this Country is erroneous in Several particulars. We have an uncertain a...
326From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 1 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th. November—your comparison of the horse race with the presidential race is happy. I believe that the partisans, of the cavalry are more zealous than those of the presidency. I rejoice that the discussion has begun so early. Characters will now be sifted, and the decision will show the national character” Know thyself ought to be the motto of this nation....
327From John Adams to Harrison Gray Otis, 16 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
The information you gave me in your favour of the fifth of this month; for which I kindly thank you, has given me great pleasure, as it affords me a hope of once more embracing my Son. I feel a curiosity to know, the “dissenting Voice”; because a Singular Vote, against a multitude, I am always inclined to consider as a violent presumption; both of Integrity, and Fortitude. As I never had the...
328From 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...
329From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 22 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I revoke the appellation of Son—Your conduct to me is more like that of a tender affectionate partial and too indulgent a Father—than like that of a Cousin, or a Brother or a Son You overwhelm me so with your kindness that I have no expressions adequate to my sense of obligations I have received the two Barrels of Cider, and the Bottles of Wine which I shall reserve for the best use of which...
330From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 1 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind note of this afternoon. Mr De Wint and his family are all in Boston and are engaged there till next Saturday. It is utterly impossible for me to wait upon you in the present state of my health; nor in any case can I go with such an army as you have invited. All the strength nature has left me is not sufficient to endure it. Your kindness overwhelms me. My son said to...