201From John Adams to William Bentley, 30 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
The Mecklenboug Declaration of Independence is “en bon train.” Vive la Verite. But this letter has another Subject and Object. Mr Russell our late Ambassador to Sueden informs me that he has brought with him, from Italy a printed Volume containing large extracts from Six Orations of Cicero long lost. This Volume he had thoughts of presenting to Dr Kirkland for the Library of the University, on...
202From John Adams to Tyler Bigelow, 1 February 1824 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your address to the Peace Society. I have heard it with great pleasure It is ingenious eloquent and learned. It shows a fine talent and I always read such benevolent compositions with delight. They always reccommend themselves to the best feeling of my heart—My natural wishes are for their success, but War is a mightier river than Mississippi or La Plata. We may wish it should...
203From John Adams to John Binns, 20 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the Copy of your Declaration, which I have just received and will return by the first Opportunity. I pray you to save yourself the trouble and expence of sending any other Copy to Sir your / humble Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
204From John Adams to John Binns, 8 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging letter of September 2d. but have not received the Declaration of Independence. it has been lost, or at least retarded in the Post Office—whenever it arrives I will indeavour to send you such remarks as may occour to me.— I have no pretensions to any Critical taste, in any such elaborate and elegant Efforts of the fine Arts.— I am Sir, with much Respect for your...
205From John Adams to J.B. Binon, 7 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your polite favour of the 3d: of this month. I am afraid that you are engaged in speculations that will never be profitable to you. The age of sculpture & painting have not yet arrived in this country and I hope it will not arrive very soon. Artists have done what they pleased with my face & eyes head & shoulders, stature & figure and they have made of them monsters as fit for...
206From John Adams to J.B. Binon, 11 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
To all who may see this letter I certify that I have been acquainted for several years with the barer J B Binon and have found him a Man of letters, taste and sense, very much of a gentleman—and a Manly candid & generous Man—he is eminent in the fine Arts, especially in sculpter and statuary which are his professional occupation, he has been employed in Boston in making many Busts—& in the...
207From John Adams to J.B. Binon, 11 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter you may show to whom you please—there is not an individual in the havana with whom I have any acquaintance / and am sir you / most obident humble / Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
208From John Adams to Nathaniel Bowditch, 4 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging favour of October 30th.—And thank you for the very Curious, Ingenious and Valuable Mathematical papers inclosed with it— My Election to a Seat in the Convention as it was the Spontaneous effect of the good Will of my Neighbours in my Native Town, has given me much pleasure, and as I have not perceived that it has been disapproved by the Community at large—It...
209From John Adams to Nathaniel Bowditch, 4 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have recceived with Pride and Pleasure a Volume of Mathematical Papers from a Fellow Citizen and Native of Massachusetts who alredy ranks among the greatest Masters of the Sublimest Sciences which Human Understanding is capable of comprehending. If it is true, as it is reported that you have made a Translation of the Méchanique Céleste, I pray you to admit my name into the List of...
210From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 6 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
The Emperiour of China quoted the precept of Confucius, give much, and take but little—but you have adopted another maxim, give much, and take nothing—for I have nothing to give—but I am too proud to receive so much with all the gratitude that is due without returning any-thing—Here is a Box of Cegars which I have not dared to open though I suppose they are as odoriferous as an incensoir of a...
211From 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...
212From 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...
213From 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...
214From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 3 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
I think it is Voltaire who some where says, the life of a Man of Letters ought to appear only in his writings, without any pretentions to the Character of a Man of letters—it has been my destiney to scribble a great deal—always in great haste, never revising or correcting any-thing—You desire a list of my publications—and I have given you incouragement to expect it—but I shall be accused of...
215From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 23 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
Not a word at present about your delicious Cider and flounders. Miss Farnam a Grand Daughter of my Ancient acquaintance of Sixty years standing and brother barrister at Law with whom I have rode many a painful Circuit Mr Farnham of Newbury port, is a bout to remove to Princetown, in the Character of a school mistress, and is to reside in the family of Mr Clark your Revnd Pastor, her Aunt Mrs...
216From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 21 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have been as Civil to Mr Lane who brought me your letter of 26. As I could. He dined with me and I was much pleased with him— I am sincerely grieved at your long 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 exhilarates the Spirits and Animates the Body—You will have...
217From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 16th. It is impossible for me, as it was for Junius to recollect the innumerable trifles I have written. of those that were printed in the olden time of the Revolution I believe I could give a list—but nothing I ever printed or wrote in my whole life, is fit for the inspection of Posterity—all written in a hurry distracted with care, dispirited by...
218From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
I still breathe in great weakness, but in my latest breath I shall wish for your health and prosperity and that of all your family. As to giving you advice concerning your concerns at Harvard University—I am utterly incapable of it. The conduct of that beloved and venerated Seminary is too refined and sublime for my dullness to comprehend. I presume not to censure any of its acts, though some...
219From 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...
220From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 1 June 1824 (Adams Papers)
I owe you a letter, but have not been able, and am not still able to acknowledge it—I am very low, but low as I am, I feel a longing to take a ride with you up your new road—to the top of Boylston Hill—Alias Waychusetts—But I might as reasonably wish to fly on a sunbeam to sirius the dog-star Our public affairs in this state go on pritty well but I am sorry for one event, the removal of Mr....
221From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 4 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
Mr Greanleaf and his Colleague in our Quincy Town Meeting thoght fitt to recommend all the Amendments, not as passed, but as the best that could be obtaind. I Said a few Words upon Some of the Articles and referred to my honourable Colleague to explain the reasons more at large. Peter Boylston Adams my Brother got together two or three Octogenarians half deaf though not half blind like him...
222From 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,...
223From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 12 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Badinage Avaunt!!! I must now be very serious. I have recollected all I can of Homer Virgil and Shakespear—for you know I can read neither and I can recollect nothing comparable to your idea of a stone edifice on the top of Waychusetts Hill as an asylum for men and women in despair—it is in Milton only that I can find any thing approaching it, in sublimity. In humanity it has no competitor...
224From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 27 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
My anxiety for you is greater than, that for myself, I long to know the state of your Health, and I cannot longer forbare to send and enquire after it. my love to Mrs. Boylston, and Prayers for your health, and comfort—from your affectionate friend / and Cousin MHi : Boylston Family Papers.
225From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 13 April 1826 (Adams Papers)
A thousand thanks to my ever dear Cousin, for his unbounded benevolence to me. The barrel of cider will last three of my lives, & the wine I presume is excellent for your wine is always Superlative. I am rejoiced that you and Mrs B are convalescent. George has done his duty in waiting upon you, and I hope he will do so as long as you live—Your kind and thankful friend Miss Smith sends her...
226From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 1 November 1821 (Adams Papers)
Though my visit to Princetown formes an Era in my Life, and afforded me as much pleasure as my nature, and state was capable of—And though I look upon every step of its progress with delight St Anthony who was as persecuting a saint as any in the Callendar took advantage of it to stir up his fires subterranean fires, and sent a violent inflamation into my eyes and face, which has prevented my...
227From 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...
228From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that you have arrived safely at Princeton where may your health be perfectly restored—my kind regards to Mrs Boylston and to the young family—I am labouring & sorrowing according to the oracle and for nothing more than I know of than my distance from you—We go on here in a dull round—no news of any kind that is worth repeating. I am in a kind of solitary imprisonment to which I...
229From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 27 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 24th which has just come to hand—has given me so much uneasiness that nothing but the rainy Weather—and the uncertainty of finding you at Roxbury—should prevent me from taking my little Thomas with me in the Chaise—and driving to the Plains to see you—I am so interested in your Health that I shall not cease to be anxious till I hear from your own hand, that you are...
230From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 16 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
O that I had the talent at discription, of a Homer a Milton or a Walter Scot—I would give you a Picture of all that I have Visited—with more pleasure than I should Mount Irea or Monticello—Mr David Hyslop has been importuning me for seven years to dine with him in Brookline—I have always declined, till last Wednesday—when taking my Grand Son George Washington Adams for my guide, and aid de...
231From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I will not loose a second before acknowledgeing your favour of the 21st. which I received this minute—I wish I could send you a Copy of all the papers, that is the Deeds by which I have given to the Town of Quincy one hundred and sixty five Acres of Land. And my Library. For the purpose of building a Stone Temple, and a Stone Academy, that Academy to be built over the Cellar of the House in...
232From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 20 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
It flatters me to find that from your lofty elevation, so near the summit of your Wachusett you sometimes look down upon our three blue hills and even over my montezillo all of which are Molehills in comparison with your superb high places. Can you see the Boylston hill in Brookline? Your barns have been seen from that enchanting spot. I look with longing eyes from one of my montezillo’s at...
233From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 7 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
Although I have not been able to acknowledge your kind letter, I have not been less grateful for it nor less delighted with the exuberance of the productions of your agriculture. My little hills too have been tolerably fruitful but they are mole hills in comparison with your mountains. I long to look down upon my hillocks from your lofty heights but all such delights are forbidden to and...
234From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 26 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 16th.—It is impossible for me, as it was for Junius to recollect the innumerable trifles I have written.—Of those that were printed in the Olden Time of the Revolution, I believe I could give a list—but nothing I ever printed or wrote in my whole life is fit for the inspection of Posterity—all written in a hurry distracted with Care, dispirited by...
235From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 16 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
Thanks, dear Cousin, for yours of the 10th. and thanks again for the Box of perfumes. My daughter Louisa wishes me to go to Washington—my Grand-daughter Caroline wants me to come to Fishkill—and you write me to the top of the Skye striking Wachusetts—but you know not what you ask—probably nothing less than the trouble of bringing me back in a box.—Cordial thanks for your offer of a...
236From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 20 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
your favour of the 7th from Princeton has given me Comfort by giving me good hopes and full assurance of the Continuence of your Life for Some time—for you must know I have lately become a Convert to your benevolent System of your beneficenceyou remember that I have sometimes laughed at you—for your Bounty’s and Premium’s and Medals, and told you that nobody would thank you for theirs— but the...
237From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 22 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
Is not your lively imagination a little exalted, you certainly have exalted my name to a greater height than it would ever have arisen to, without your sublime compliment—I presume you have laid aside the thought of building an Hospital for despair on that height—I am sure my name ought not be associated with despair How I long to make you a visit, but I cannot get out of my Chamber yet, here...
238From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 30 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
Some of Jobs afflictions and some peculiar to myself have rendered it impossible for me to write to you even a bare acknowledgement of the favours I have received from you. The first & greatest of which is the Extract from Mr Nichols. The manly sense pure integrity & noble disinterestedness of that worthy gentleman always charms me. After such a treat it seems a sin & a shame to mention such...
239From John Adams to James Brackett, 2 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that Mr. Brackett has cut off one lot of Mr Adams’s land almost half way down from the upper end, by mistake. It is not worth while at your age & mine for us to go to law about a few acres of mud and a few cords of wood. I therefore propose that we agree upon two or three honest neighbours and upon a skillful, experienced & scientific surveyor to go upon the spot and decide the...
240From 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...
241From John Adams to James Brackett, 29 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are two letters from a Mr Farmer of Billerica; a Gentlemen whom I never saw, or heard of—also a plan of a Farm in Chelmsford with some notes; by which it appear, that the Brackets and Adams’s emigrated from Mount Waliston very early to Billerica, and Chelmsford—As every Civility requires a return I could do no less than acknowledge the receipt of his letter— I have written him that...
242From John Adams to James Brackett, 5 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few lines on Jany: 15th. and another on Feby: 2d. but have received no answer to either. I should be glad to receive a candid answer to both. Your two Sons indeed called upon me yesterday but with no answer to my letters. I proposed to them three plans for settling the dispute between us. The first was that your brother Captain Hall & my brother Captain Adams should go upon the...
243From John Adams to James Brackett, 12 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of yesterday. The condition you mention or refer to is altogether inadmissable. No line or section of any line or point of any line between us has ever been agreed upon by me or any person authorized by me or by my order or with my consent or knowledge. I have been informed that boundary trees or blazed trees have been cut down & carried away that heaps of stones...
244From John Adams to James Brackett, 15 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that Mr Pratt and Mr Hunt are cutting wood upon my land by your order that they cut last year twenty cord and have now marked out 30 more If this is true I presume it is by mere mistake of the boundaries between you and me. I shall be obliged to you if your will inform me upon what lot of yours they are cutting which joins me and wish that this may be inquired into. I am...
245From John Adams to James Brackett, 3 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received with pleasure your civil & friendly letter of Feb’y 26th I am very far from censuring your fathers attachment to the lands of his ancestors I have felt & still feel a similar fondness for those of my own, these are natural feelings & amiable sentiments I have not tender Motives for doating on the lot in questions it was purchased for me with the hard earnings of my laborious...
246From John Adams to Alden Bradford, 4 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received with pleasure your favour of the 30th. of September; and can express nothing but the most respectful Approbation of the Proposal to publish in a Volume the Speeches of the Governors of Massachusetts from 1765 to 1775. with the Answers. and if a Pamphlet of the Town of Boston within the Same Period, the last Effort of Mr Otis could be added it would enhance its Value.— These...
247From John Adams to Alden Bradford, 12 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
There has been some misunderstanding between us. I fear the mistake was originally mine; the “Appeal to the world” was not the pamphlet I intended. In the discourses on Davilla publish’d—in the year ’89 page 87th. beginning I find this paragraph: Americans! Rejoice &c continued to the words “alteration of the constitution” In the margin of this vol—appears in my hand writing these words “This...
248From John Adams to Alden Bradford, 26 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 24th. has exerted a thousand conjectures in my Mind, and as many questions.—Where was the paper enclosed found—To whom was it addressed, by whom was it written—I have no recollection, of having seen it in print, or read it in Manuscript—Apparently it was written by some person who had been conversant in law, and history—though some ideas in it, might have been borrowed...
249From John Adams to Alden Bradford, 5 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
The zeal of my young friend Samuel Adams Welles for the glory of his Grandfather is natural, amiable & laudable. I wish he would publish his researches—The appeal to the world of the town of Boston I wish to see published not for the honor of Mr Otis or Mr Adams—but for the sake of justice to the town of Boston & the Massachusetts Bay it contains the essence of all that was afterwards done in...
250From John Adams to Daniel Brent, 1825 (Adams Papers)
The President directs me to request of you to procure as soon as possible from the Printer some Copies of the Proclamation as he is very anxious to send them to Congress to day Yours &c DLC : Peter Force Collection.