201From John Adams to John Taylor, 12 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
The painful difficulty of holding a pen which has been—growing upon me for many years & now in the middle of the 84th year of my age has become insupportable must be my apology—not only for terminating my Strictures upon your enquiry but for the necessity I am under of borrowing another hand to acknowledge the receipt of your polite & obliging letter of Feb’y 20th. I have never had but one...
202From John Adams to Mordecai M. Noah, 15 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you for another valuable publication your travels in “Europe & Africa” which though I cannot see well enough to read I can hear as well ever & accordingly have heard read two thirds of it & shall in course hear all the rest—It is a magazine of ancient & modern learning of judicious observations & ingenious reflections I have been so pleased with it that I wish you had continued...
203From John Adams, 30 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
This Book, of more value than a gold Watch Sett with diamonds is presented to John Adams by his Grandfather MQA .
204From John Adams to John Rhea, 31 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received with great pleasure, your favour of March 9th. with the inclosed of Copy of a Speech, and of a circular Letter The speech is to me both in point of eloquence and information at least, as satisfactory as anything I have read upon the Subject—The Letter is a Concise comprehensive and marsterly compendium of the state of the Government and the prosperous circumstances of the...
205From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 31 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Political Chart is a happy thought—and an invention as useful as it is ingenious, accept my best thanks for the present you have made me of it—and for your obliging favour of March the 18th. which came to my hand but yesterday— As I have always have been convinced that abuse of Words, has been the great instrument of Sophistry and Chicanery—of party, faction and Division in Society:—the...
206From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of March 21st. I will Communicate to Mr Bowditch, and Pickering— You may put my Letters upon the Subject of Tracy’s Book into any hands you please, with or without any Verbal alterations, as you may think fitt—“what you would have them, make them.” Or as James Otis used to say to Samuel Adams—here take it. and “Quicu Wuicu” it— I am obliged to borrow the hand of a friend to write...
207From John Adams to Ebenezer Green, 2 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Memorandum of Agreement made the 2d day of April in the year of our Lord 1819, between John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk Esqr and Ebenezer Green of said Quincy Yeoman. It is covenanted and agreed by & between the parties to submit all Accounts and demands between them, to the determination of Messrs Josiah Bass, James Hall and George Beale all of Quincy—the Report of whom or any...
208From John Adams to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 4 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you Sir for your Condolence in my great affliction.— And for the Copies of the two letters from your Uncle to you Father—the first in 65. and the last in 76. Cæsar Rodney your Uncle was in my opinion a judicious and Sagacious Judge of men and things—I knew only three of the Delegates to the Congress of 65.—General Timothy Ruggles was a Man of a strong mind—but devoted to great...
209From John Adams to Henry Channing, 7 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 31st March and the two newspapers inclosed, the History of the Old Lady and the Epilogue, have entertained and instructed me their wit and humour and Allegory are less malicious and more Significant than is Common in our American political Anama’s—how happens has it happened that Connecticut has monopolized the wit and humour of the Continent it has certainly...
210From John Adams to William Willis, 10 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Sympathy in my Sorrows, and Condolence in my grief—are soothing to my afflicted Bosom—Sixty years of pure friendship; fifty -four of which, were passed in the Sacred State of Wedlock; are ties that can never be dissolved, and obligations that never can be forgotten, but this is a Subject that I cannot dwell upon— How my Letter of the 21st of Feby.—may appear in print publick I know...
211From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 14 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of April the 3d is like the recognizance of an old acquaintance after a Separation of several Years. I lay no serious claim to the title of Father of the navy or of any thing else but my family. Have you seen a history of the american navy written by a Mr Clarke and edited by a Mr Matthew Cary? I gave the names of Alfred, Columbus the Cabots and the Andrewdoria to the first ships...
212From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 15 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Do not expect to escape so, I have a hundred if not a thousand letters to write you. which however I shall never write, upon the restoration of the tories to this Country, and their subsequent Conduct towards me—of that host of Vagabond Foreigners who have tormented and deceived this Simple American people for four and forty years—for the secret Correspondences’s and Corruption—Civil political...
213From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 16 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I recd. from the post Office your vindicia hibernicae and I feel myself under great obligation to you for it, there is not a Subject upon which the attention of mankind can be turned to more advantage and your enterprise in this publication does not less honor to your choice than to the natural patriotic affections of your heart. I have always esteemed and admired the Irish Nation as...
214From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your kind favour of the 4th. of March and thank you for your kind rememberance of me, but I am overwhelmed with an oppressive correspondance at an age when I can neither write nor read; and this must be my apology for making so unequal returns to you for your goodness. I rejoice that your energies are so usefully employed. Your translation I am convinced will be useful to the...
215From John Adams to William Tudor, Jr., 28 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your favour of the 25th. I must refer you to one of those letters—I wrote to your Father—in which I have given a particular account—of the trial of Michal Corbett and three other sailors—an accusation of Murder and Piracy on the high Seas—by killing Lieunt—Parton—of the British Frigate the Rose—before a special Court of Vice Admiralty—I have some where amongst my old manuscript...
216From John Adams to Ann Frances Bulkeley Humphreys, 28 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of Yesterday reached me yesterday me last night— I cannot express in terms strong enough, my thanks to you for it— The Yankey in England—five hundred years hence will be more esteemed in this Country than all Chaucers Canterbury Tales—it is infinitely Superiour to Sherridons School for Scandall—such a mass of Wit and Character— I know not where to find—Wheather it is conformable to...
217From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 30 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Of Republicks the Varieties are infinite—or at least as numerous, as the tunes and changes, that can be rang upon a complete sett of Bells—Of all the Variety’s a Democracy is the most Natural—the most ancient and the most fundamental—and essential of all others— In some writing of mine or others of mine I happened currente calamo to drop the phrase “the word republic as it is used may...
218From John Adams to Thomas Goodsell, 4 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Be pleased to accept my thanks—for an address from the Agricultural Society of the County of Oneida by Alexander Coventry Esqr.— Tho I have not the honour, of knowing, or being known—either to yourself or Mr Coventry I have not the less obligation to both for this favour—I have been more amused with this Address than with any I have ever read upon such occasions—it has laid open sources of...
219From John Adams to Robert Walsh, Jr., 5 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
For every Man of Letters and reputation is dear to me—altho an entire stranger in Person—your name and writings have not been unknown to me—for several years— your favour of April 27th. does me honour—your Prospectous of Avindiciæ Americanæ is not only Comprehensive but vast and requires talents information and application equal to yours—I heartly wish you success in the execution of it....
220From John Adams to Samuel Adams Wells, 7 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 3d. has distressed me—It will compel me to disclose truths which will be disagreeable to you—and very unpleasant to me— Your ardour in support of the honour of your Grand Father—has my Cordial appropriation—we know where to find the precept—Honour thy Father, and Mother, and we know it has been approved by all Ages and Nations—Civil, and Savage, till french philosophers...
221From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 9 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
In one of your letters—you ask me whether I can give you the names of the Mohawk’s who were concerned in the Noyade of the ten in Boston Harbour I now tell you in the truth and upon honor—that I know not and never knew the names of any one of them during the week of that transaction— I was employed in the discharge of my duty as a Barrister at Law in the Court of Judicature—in the Town and...
222From John Adams to Benjamin Russell, 10 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have very particular reasons for requesting of you a favor— it is that you would inform me—where I can find a Copy of three little Essays printed in your Centinal and written by my Son John Quincy Adams—in the years 1791 1792 93—under what Signature I am not able to recollect—but reccommending to the Government of the United States a System of Neutrality—these little Essays—if I do not...
223From John Adams to Dummer Sewall, 12 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have your favour of the 3d of May your Name has been familiar to me for fifty or Sixty years, the Names of Dumor and Sewal are amongst the most respectable in the Lexicography of New England—whether you are an Elder Brother or a Cousin of my friend David of York, I know not— Main has cost me two many anxious nights and laborious days to save it from the all grasping gripe of Great Britain—to...
224From 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...
225From John Adams to Rev. Greenwood, 21 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are two letters—one to Mr Jefferson—which I pray you to present to them with my the affectionate Respects / of your humble Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
226From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
All the Literary Gentlemen of this part of the Country have an Ambitious Curiosity to see the Philosopher and Statesmen of Monticello—and they all apply to me for Introductions— and if I had ever received one introduction from you, I should have less scruple of Conscience in granting their requests—in the Stile of our New-England—the Reverend Mr Greenwood the Successor of Mr Thatcher and Dr...
227From John Adams to Robert Walsh, Jr., 25 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
For every Man of letters and reputation is dear to me—altho an entire Stranger in Person—your Name and writings have not been unknown to me for Serveral years— Your favour of April 27th does me honour—your prospectus of Avindiciæ Americaniæ—is not only Comprehensive but Vast and requires talents information and application equal to yours—I heartly wish you Success in the execution of it.—...
228From 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...
229From John Adams to Benjamin Russell, 29 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you Sir for your kind letter of the 17th and am much obliged by your attention to my request’s—I now remember that the three Essays—were signed Marcellus and I well know they were written by John Quincy Adams—and I know that posterity will deem them—documents of importance—in the History of the United States of America—if you or my friend Mr Shaw will procure them to be copied for me...
230From John Adams to Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, 1 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
accept my thanks for your polite Invitation, to your Anniversary Dinner at Faneuil Hall on the 7th. of this Month—nothing would give me greater pleasure than to meet a Society which I have held in veneration from my earliest youth, and to whom I Attribute—in a great Degree that Valour Military Skill Science and discipline which has contributed much to the present and prosperity and glory of...
231From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 1 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
you are engaged in an inquiry which I think the most important—which can occupy the human mind next to the first Philosophy— I wish I could attend you to the end of your Career but as age forbids it—I can only furnish you with such feeble helps as were the productions of former years I have sent you the first Volume of the “the Defence & which I again pray you to return—as I cannot replace it—...
232From John Adams to Robert J. Evans, 8 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I respect the Sentiments and motives which have prompted you to engage in your present occupation so much that I feel an Esteem and affection for your person, as I do a Veneration for your assumed Signature of Benjamin Rush—the terpitude the inhumanity the Cruelty and the Infamy of the Affrican Commerce in Slaves have been so impressively represented to the publick—by the Highest powers of...
233From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 9 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
Please to accept the third Voloum of the “Defence” the first you will please to return when you have made all the use of it you wish for—the second I hope you have received—a fourth I may here–after lend you on the same condition I have the first —As you are the only Man now living who studies the Science of Government as far as I know—I should be willing if I had many days to live—to become...
234From John Adams to William Plumer, 16 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 8th and for your Valedictory Address—I have read it with pleasure it appears to be an honest account of his Stewardship by a faithful Steward to his Master—I have but one remark to make upon it and that is relative to the subject of Pardons in this important Article I have sometimes considered myself at Liberty to revise and to question the propriety of the...
235From John Adams to Samuel Adams Wells, 19 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I return you the papers relative to the Gaspee—I long to see them in print you ought to publish them in the first News paper they are among the most Significant Documents of the Revolution—I inclose you also a letter to the President—I wish I could see you every day—for a multitude of thoughts occour to me which I cannot write— I am Sir with Esteem and affection your friend my letter to your...
236From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
For the last twenty years I have made it a rule to interfere as little as possible with public affairs. but an occation now presents in which I think it my duty to make a frank, a Candid, a Submissive representation to you—if the Treaty with Spain returns ratifyed there will be commissioners appointed to adjust the claims for Spoilations on our Commerce—there is a Gentleman who I recommend to...
237From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 22 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
May I inclose you one of the greatest curiositys and one of the deepest Mysterys that ever occoured to me—It is in the Essex Register of June the 5th. 1819.—it is entitled from the Raleigh Register Declaration of Independence—How is it possible that this paper should have been concealed from me to this day—had it been communicated to me in the time of it—I know, if you do not know that it...
238From John Adams to Peter Stephen Duponceau, 23 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
Moriturus te Salutat! this pathetick Saluation I am sure will engage your humanity to pardon a question which I acknowledge to be impertinent and might be Offensive from any-other than a dying Man— Have you examined Bryants Annalysis of Ancient Mythology Court De Gebelin’s Monde Primitif—in nine ponderous Volum’s—and Dupuis’s Culte Universal—the two former of these appear to be Christian...
239From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 23 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 14th.—as Religion and Government and the Literature and the Sciences Subservient to them are the only objects worth the Study of a wise Man—I love every sincere enquirer after truth relative to either of these Subjects— I cearch for principles petits fontes nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri jurare in verba magistri—is the only precept that can guid us...
240From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
Pray tell me how you apply the sublimate murcury for the cure external’y and internally of weak weeping inflamatory and dim sighted Eye—I am interested in this inquiry—have you seen duponceau and Heckevelder on the Indians—which is the worst! the Revenge of Indians or the inquisition? I admire your maxim Nil Peractum do nec aliquid peragendum—but I have scarcely written eleven hundred words,...
241From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
Pray tell me how you apply the sublimate Murcury for the cure of externally and internally of weak weeping inflammatory and dim sighted Eyes—I am very much interested in this inquiry— Have you seen Duponceau and Heckevelder on the Indians—which is the worst! The Revenge of Indians or the Inquisition—I admire your maxim—Nil peractum donec aliquid peragendum—but I have scarcely written eleven...
242From John Adams to John Farmer, 25 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 12th but I have not received the memoir. The Brackets and Thompsons were amongst the earlier settellers of Mount Walliston—out of which the town of Braintree was fabracated Tompson after Wheelright was one of the first ministers, but his name is here extinct—the Brackets are still numerous and wealthy; that either of those families Emigrated to Billerica I...
243From John Adams to John Farmer, 26 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 12th. but I have not received the memoir.— The Brackets and Tompsons were among the early Settlers of Mount-Waliston out of which the Town of Braintree was fabracated. Tompson, after Wheelright, was one of the first Ministers, but his name is extinct—the Brackettss are still mumerous and wealthy—that either of those families Emigrated to Billerica I know...
244From John Adams to Peter Stephen Duponceau, 5 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 28th. June has given me more pleasure than you can imagin; I am delighted to find a Gentleman in America who ever knew Court my friend Court, he was introduced to me in 1778 and I continued to enjoy his friendship till his death, he has mentioned me more than once in his Works, he was a kind of Walking Alexandrian Library And as modest amiable and unassuming as he was learned—if...
245From John Adams to Jeremiah Greenleaf, 5 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of June 24th. but not your “New System of English Grammar”—I therefore cannot make any remarks upon it—the title promises well, every effort to felicitate Education deserves encouragement I therefore wish you abundant success—and am your / most humble and obidient Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
246From John Adams to Joseph Milligan, 5 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
In exchange for the Gold and Silver which you have repeatedly sent me as presents I have nothing to return but the inclosed Copper Coin I am your obliged humble Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
247From John Adams to Sylvester T. Goss, 7 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 3d. and for Seven Copies of the Volum you have lately published—they will enable me—to present one to as many friends who may have Canodour enough to receive them with kindness—to me they never were, nor ever will be of any use— As you are to me an entire Stranger, I should be glad to become acquainted with you, if you can take the trouble to Visit me at...
248From John Adams to Franklin Dexter, 11 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
accept my thanks for an Oration, of dignified Candour and Moderation, as remarkable for its elegance and taste as for its profound Wisdom, at the Composition of which, party Spirit had was not present and had no share, it is worthy of the Son of my Great and Excellent friend; whose loss I have reason to deplore not only from the purest principles of disinterested friendship, but from selfish...
249From John Adams to Ann Frances Bulkeley Humphreys, 14 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
your reccommendation alone would have been surficient apology for me Authority for me to sign my name to the recommendation of Mr Frances Coffin a Brother of our friend Mrs Derby to be Consul at Lima—tho the other names already signed to that reccommendation we being among the most respectable in the state, would have been amply surficient without mine—when the extreme heat of the weather is...
250From John Adams to William Bentley, 15 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind favour of the 12th. Mr Dunlaps Oration is well written and discovers talents, dispositions and views, which will secure him success at the Bar, in publick and private Society; it is conformable to the general sense and public opinion of the World. Thank him for it, for me, and wish him all possible prosperity A few weeks ago I received an Essex Register Containing...