Yours of the 5th. and 9th are received. My Eyes and my hands forbid every unnecessary Word. I have read Lardner and Jones; the latter 50 Years ago, and twice Sinse; the last time within a year. They both give Us their opinion but not proofs. They take for granted the Authenticity of Gospels Acts Epistles and Apocalypse, and then produce them as Witnesses. Sillimans Stones are not So...
2From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
At the hazard of the little Vision that is left me I have read your Travels in the Wilderness with as much Interest Pleasure and Instruction as Coxes or Moores or Crusoe’s or Gullivers. I have Sent the Manuscript to Alexander Bryant Johnson of Utica and requested him to return it to you by a safe hand. My dear Wife has been sick all Winter and is Still very week, tho’ We hope somewhat better....
I believe I must endorse you over, or rather bequeath you as a Legacy to The Philosopher of Montecello! What! Why! Wherefore? Is not the Life of Jesus, in the four Evangelists? Where else can you find it? In the Gospell of St. Thomas? Of the Evangellian Jesus, The Philosopher of Monticello, knows as much as you know, and has Studied it with as critical Attention. And could write it as well in...
I have Sent to The Post Office this Morning, your Diploma, as Member of our Accademy. How many years ago ought you to have had it? I hope you will now communicate your Speculations to that Body through Mr Quincy their corresponding Secretary. I should advise Mr George Marsden to petition Congress for Relief, Setting forth his Service Commissions and present Circumstances. of Meteroric Stones I...
5From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, dear Sir for your favours of 7. and 20th. Ult. Messrs Everett and Mr Ticknor will have the benefit of your Introductions. Oh! that I had been So introduced when I entered Holland a forlorn Pilgrim in 1780, without a Single Line of Introduction to any body. What a Knighterrant I have been? There has been too much Said about Franklins Plagiarism. If he was guilty, which I do not...
6From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have recd Condorcet, in good order and your favour of 20th. Ult. Enfields History of Philosophy, is worth many Condorcets. This great Work is drawn up from Brucker’s “Historia critica Philosophiæ”; an immense Work in half a dozen folio Volumes of Greek and Latin. Can you give me the Sketch of this Brucker? Who was he? Neither Brucker nor his Abridger, had Seen the Asiatic Researches; nor...
Alexander Hill Everett Esquire, a Genteman of the Bar in Boston, who had his Law Education in the Office of my son John Quincy Adams: and accompanied him to Russia, five or Six years ago, and afterwards travelled, in various parts of Europe, is to be Secretary of Legation to our Embassy to Holland. He is elder Brother to the Reverend Mr Edward Everett, and as great a schollar. He wishes me to...
Lord! Lord! What a Coat you have cutt out? It would require an hundred Taylors for twenty years to make it up. I would not undertake to make a Button hole in it, during the whole Remainder of my Life. I thank you however, for the sketch of your contemplated Work. I shipped, on board the Carriage of my Son in Law Colonel William Stevens Smith the two first Volumes of The Memoirs of your...
9From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have your favour of March 12 before me. The Choice you exult in, may not be considered as a favour, by the Chosen and by his Father and Mother So much as it is by you. The President, though by no means unfriendly to the chosen or his Friends was, with great Reluctance in duced to this Appointment. The appointment of Lincoln I did not disapprove, because I have known him for forty years, and...
10From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Can you give me any News of the Millenium? Is it to commence Soon enough for me to entertain a hope that I may live a thousand Years longer? I want to Study the Chaldaic Language and all its Dialects and all the Books that are written in them. I want to read all the Christian Fathers and ecclesiastical Historians. I want to learn the Chinese Language, and to Study all the Asiatic Researchers....