301From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
In our good old English language of Gratitude, I owe you and give you a thousand thanks, for Tracy’s Review of Montesquieu which Mr Dufief has sent me by your Order. I have read an hundred pages, and will read the rest. He is a Sensible Man and is easily understood. He is not an abstruse misterious incomprehensi Condorcet. Though I have Banished the Subject from my thoughts for many Years, yet...
302To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 18 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed, you have in Confidence some Compliments. Give me in confidence your Opinion of them. Is there any thing said by me which I ought not to have said? Is there any expression exceptionable? Have I compromised myself or the public in any thing? more than ought to be— The Custom of making a Speech is so settled, that not only, the Secretary of State and the Master of the Ceremonies, but...
303From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 13 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Let me allude, to one circumstance more, in one of your Letters to me, before I touch upon the Subject of Religion in your Letters to Priestley. The first time, that you and I differed in Opinion on any material Question; was after your Arrival from Europe; and that point was the french Revolution. You was well persuaded in your own mind that the Nation would Succeed in establishing a free...
304John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a National Register, to convince you that the Essex Register is not to blame for printing the Mecklenburg County Resolutions, on the Contrary I think it to be commended—for if those Resolutions were genuine they ought to be published in every Gazette in the world—If they are one of those tricks which our fashionable Men in England call hoax’es and boares —they ought to be printed...
305From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1825 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. has revived me—It is true, that my hearing has been very good, but the last year it has decayed so much, that I am in a worse situation than you are, I cannot hear any of the common conversation of my family, without calling upon them to repeat in a louder tone. The presidential election has given me less anxiety than I, myself could have imagined, The next...
306John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 14 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept my thanks for the comprehensive Syllabus, in your favour of Oct. 12. The Psalms of David , in Sublimity beauty, pathos and originality, or in one Word, in poetry, are Superiour to all the Odes Hymns and Songs in any language. But I had rather read them in our prose translation, than in any version I have Seen. His Morality however, often Shocks me, like Tristram Shandy’s execrations....
307To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 28 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 12, but yesterday, and wish it were in my Power to order the Interest due to the French Officers to be paid; but it is not. They must remain unpaid, be the Consequence what it may untill Congress or the Board of Treasury order it. Indeed, I dont know how your Subsistence and mine is to be paid after next month. Mr. Grand will be likely to advance yours, but from...
308From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from The Hon. Stephen Higginson Esq r , is upon a Subject of so much Importance, and contains so much Information that I cannot withold it from you. The little Jealousy, Envy or Caprice, that shall deprive our Merchants of the Benefit of Trading to the Isles of France & Bourbon, will only compell them to seek the Ultimate Marketts upon the Continent, directly. In four days,...
309From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your Letter of the 12. M r Jarvis and Commodore Jones are arrived here from New york both charged with large Dispatches for you. M r Jarvis sent his Packet on by Col. Trumbul who departed from hence for Paris last Thursday. Com r Jones went off a day or two ago. but both will arrive to you before this Letter. The Papers they carry, with a Renovation of your Commission at...
310John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Ridendo dicere Verum, quid vetat . I must make you and myself merry or melancholly, by a little more Phylosophical Speculation about the formidable Subject of Aristocracy. Not long after General Dearborn’s return to Boston from the Army, a violent Alarm was excited and Spread in Boston and through the country, by a report at first only Secretly whispered in private circles that an Affair of...
311John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Education, which you brought into View in one of your Letters ; is a Subject So vast, and the Systems of Writers are So various and So contradictory: that human Life is too Short to examine it; and a Man must die before he can learn to bring up his Children. The Phylosophers, Divines, Politicians and Pædagogues, who have published their Theories and Practices, in this department are without...
312From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 31 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have received from our old Acquaintance D’Ivernois the inclosed volume for you in the course of the last Week. I consider all Reasoning upon French affairs of little moment. The Fates must determine hereafter as they have done heretofore. Reasoning has been all lost—Passion, Prejudice, Interest, Necessity has governed and will govern; and a Century must roll away before any permanent and...
313To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 17 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I was sometime in doubt, whether any Notice Should be taken of the Tripoline Ambassador; but receiving Information that he made Enquiries about me, and expressed a Surprise that when the other foreign Ministers had visited him, the American had not; and finding that He was a universal and perpetual Ambassador, it was thought best to call upon him. Last Evening, in making a Tour of other...
314From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 September 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 12 inst. Hope springs eternal. Eight Millions of Jews hope for a Messiah more powerful & glorious than Moses, David, or Solomon who is to make them as powerful as he pleases. Some hundreds of millions of Musslemen expect another Prophet more powerful than Mahomet who is to spread Islamism over the whole earth—Hundreds of millions of Christians expect and hope...
315From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am greatly obliged to you for your Letter of the 9th. It has entirely convinced me that the Mecklengburg Resolutions are a fiction, when I first read them in the Essex Register, I was struct with astonishment— It appeared to me utterly incredible that they should be genuine; but there were so many circumstances calculated to impose on the public; that I thought it my duty to take measures...
316To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 16 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night Mr. Randal arrived with yours of the 9th. If the Prussian Treaty arrives to you, I think you will do well to Send Mr. Short with it to the Hague and Exchange it with Thulemeier, and get it printed in a Pamphlet Sending a Sufficient Number to you and to me. If it comes to me and you approve, I will Send Some one or go myself. The Chevr. De Pinto’s Courier unfortunately missed a...
317John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
D r James Freeman , is a learned, ingenious, honest and benevolent Man, who wishes to See President Jefferson , and requests me to introduce him. If you would introduce Some of your Friends to me, I could with more confidence introduce mine to You. He is a Christian, but not a Pythagorian a Platonick or a Philonick Christian. You will ken him and he will ken You: but you may depend, he will...
318To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 24 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Preston arrived here, two days ago, but had lost his Letters. I hope he had none of Consequence. He dont remember he had any for me. He tells me from you, that the Doctor is arrived at Philadelphia which I am glad to hear, and those oracles of Truth the English Newspapers tell us, he had an honourable Reception, which I should not however have doubted, if I had not any such respectable...
319From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
We are just arrived, covered with Dust, and have hired, our Boat, to go over tomorrow at ten. no green Peas, no Sallad, no Vegetables to be had upon the Road, and the Sky is Still as clear dry and cold as ever. The Flocks of Sheep and herds of Cattle, through the Country Stalk about the Fields like Droves of Walking Skeletons. The Sheep are pastured chiefly I think in the plowed grounds, upon...
320John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 26 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your rich present of Dec. 28 th . The Pettifogger of Furnivals Inn , or of Cliffords Inn , Scarcely deserves the pains you have taken to enquire into his Biography. My Curiosity is Selfish, personal and local. The Character of the Miscreant, however, is not wholly contemptible. It marks the Complextion of the Age in which he lived. How many Such Characters could you and I...
321From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letters of December 20. and Jan. 11. by Coll Franks.— The whole of the Business shall be dispatched, and Coll Franks Sent to Congress as you propose, as soon as possible. I have prepared a Draught of a joint Letter to M r Barclay, and Signed it, concerning M r Lamb, and shall inclose it to you with this. As to the Treaty with Portugal, the Chevalier De Pinto’s Courier whom...
322To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 26 May 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
I had this Morning, the Pleasure of your Favour of the Sixteenth inst, by the Post; and rejoice to learn that your Battallions, were so far fill’d, as to render a Draught from the Militia, unnecessary. It is a dangerous Measure, and only to be adopted in great extremities, even by popular Governments. Perhaps, in Such Governments Draughts will never be made, but in Cases, when the People...
323From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d , the Ratification of the Prussian Treaty, and next Thursday Shall Sett off for the Hague in order to exchange it with the Baron De Thulemeyer. Your favour of the 11 th. instant I have rec d. There are great and weighty Considerations urged in it in favour of arming against the Algerines, and I confess, if our States could be brought to agree, in the Measure, I Should be very...
324From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 30 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
Who shall write the History of the American Revoluion? Who can write it? Who will ever be able to write it? The most essential Documents, the debates & deliberations in Congress from 1774 to 1783 were all in secret, and are now lost forever. Mr Dickinson printed a speech which he said he made in Congress against the declaration of Independence; but it appeared to me very different from that...
325From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Virginia Ladies have always been represented to me, and I have always believed it, are among the most beautiful, virtuous, and accomplished of their Sex, One of them has given me a most luxurious entertainment in a narration of her Visit to your Domicil. Her discription of the Mountain, the Palace, the Gardens, the vast Prospect, The lofty Mountains at a distance. The Capacious Valley...
326John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Lyman was mortified that he could not visit Monticello . He is gone to Europe a Second time. I regret that he did not See you, He would have executed any commision for you in the litterary line, at any pain or any expence. I have many apprehensions for his health, which is very delicate and precarious. But he is Seized with the Mania of all our young etherial Spirits, for foreign travel. I...
327From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
last night I received yours of the 16.— M r Lamb has not written to me. M r Randal I have expected every day, for a long time. but have nothing from him, but what you transmitted me. my opinion of what is best to be done, which you desire to know is, that M r Lamb be desired to embark immediately for New York, and make his Report to Congress and render his Account, and that M r Randal be...
328To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 27 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I found that either the Duke of Dorsetts Letter to the Premier had produced an order at Dover or that his Graces Letter to the Custom House Office had as good an effect, for I was allowed to pass without Molestation, and indeed received Marks of particular Respect. We arrived yesterday 26. in the afternoon, and as Fortune would have it Coll. Smith arrived the Night before 25. We soon met. I...
329John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Οὐδὲ γυνὴ κακοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἀναίνεται εἶναι ἄκοιτις πλουσίου· ἀλλ’ ἀφνεὸν βούλεται ἀντ’ ἀγαθοῦ. Χρήματὰ γὰρ τιμῶσι, καὶ ἐκ κακοῦ ἐσθλὸς ἔγημε, καὶ κακὸς ἐξ ἀγαθοῦ. πλοῦτος ἔμιξε γένος. Grotius renders this into latin, thus. Nec dedignatur ditemque malumque maritum femina: divitiæ præ probitate placent. In pretio pretium est: genus et prænobile, vili, obscurum claro, miscet avaritia. I Should render...
330To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 1 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favours of Feb. 20. and 23 by Mr. Carnes, and the curious Pamphlets. Opening a direct Communication between Paris and America will facilitate the Trade of the two Countries, very much, and the new Treaty between France and England, will promote it still more. John Bull dont see it, and if he dont see a Thing at first, you know it is a rule with him ever after...
331From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 16 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
I recd, this morning your favour of the 5th. and as I can never let a Sheet of your’s rest I Sit down immediately to acknowledge it. Whenever Mr Rives, of whom I have heard nothing, Shall arrive he shall receive all the cordial Civilities in my power. I am sometimes afraid that my “Machine” will not “Surcease motion” Soon enough; for I dread nothing So much as “dying at top” and expiring like...
332From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I was Sometime in doubt, whether any Notice Should be taken of the Tripoline Ambassador, but receiving Information that he made Enquiries about me, and expressed a Surprize that when the other foreign Ministers had visited him, the American had not; and finding that He was a universal and perpetual Ambassador, it was thought best to call upon him. last Evening, in making a Tour of other...
333From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of March 8 with the Letter inclosed, for which I thank you. Inclosed is a Letter to one of your Domesticks Joseph Dougherty. Had you read the Papers inclosed they might have given you a moment of Melancholly or at least of Sympathy with a mourning Father. They relate wholly to the Funeral of a son who was once the delight of my Eyes and a darling of my heart, cutt off...
334To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Every line from you exhilarates my spirits and gives me a glow of pleasure—but your kind congratulations are a solid comfort to my heart. The good-natured and good-humoured acquiscence of the friends of all the candidates gives me a comfortable hope that your prediction may be fulfilled that the ensuing administration, will not be so difficult as in a former letter I had apprehended. Here we...
335From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 30 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
The Seconds of Life, that remain to me, are So few and So Short; (and they seem to me Shorter and Shorter every minute) that I cannot Stand upon Epistolary Ettiquette: And though I have written two Letters, yet unnoticed I must write a third. Because I am not acquainted with any Man on this Side of Montecello, who can give me any Information upon Subjects that I am now analysing and...
336From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
The Proverbs of the old greek Poets, are as Short and pithy as any of Solomon or Franklin. Hesiod has several. His Αθανατους μεν πρωτα θεους νομω, ως δiακεitai Τiμα . Honour the Gods established by Law. I know not how We can escape Martyrdom, without a discreet Attention to this præcept. You have Suffered, and I have Suffered more than you, for want of a strict if not a due observance of this...
337To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night I received yours of the 16. Mr. Lamb has not written to me. Mr. Randal I have expected every day, for a long time, but have nothing from him, but what you transmitted me. My opinion of what is best to be done, which you desire to know is, that Mr. Lamb be desired to embark immediately for New York, and make his Report to Congress and render his account, and that Mr. Randal be...
338From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
I am impatient to See your Plan of a University and new System of Education. To assist you in your contemplations, I Send you, a Pamplet, “The Politicks of Connecticut.” By a federal Republican in the name of Hamilton. Was there ever Such a combination? Two Copies were Sent me from the Post on Saturday last: I know not from whence nor by whom. Now Sir! please to hear a modest Proposal. Let me...
339To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me leave to introduce to you John Coffin Jones Esqr, an eminent Merchant of Boston and a late Member of the Legislature from that Town. His Character both in public and private Life is much respected, and his Intelligence will enable him to give you a much better account of the general and particular Politicks of this Country than I can. Our Fellow Citizens are in the midst of their...
340John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of March 21 st 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 fit —“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...
341From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I will not wait for regular answers to my Letters, while I am engaged in this important occupation of giving you Some Account of Tom Moretons New Canaan; which is infinitely more entertaining and instructive to me, than our Friend Condorcets “ New Heaven ” was almost 30 years ago, or than Swedenborgs “ New Jerusalem ” is now. In his third Chapter is a curious History. Before the English came...
342John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday, I received from the Post Office, under an envellope inscrbed inscribed with your hand, but without any letter, a very learned and ingenious Pamphlet , prepared by you for the Use of your Counsel, in the case of Edward Livingston against you. M r Ingersol of Philadelphia , two or three years ago Sent me two large Pamphlets upon the Same Subject. Neddy
343John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, with Postscript by Abigail Adams, 2 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I know not what to Say of your Letter of the 11 th of Jan. but that it is one of the most consolatory, I ever received. To trace the Commence me nt of the Reformation I Suspect We must go farther back than Borgia , or even than Huss or Wickliff , and I want the Acta Sanctorum to assist me in this Research. That Stupendous Monument of human Hypocricy and Fanaticism the Church of St. Peter
344From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of June 22 d. and July 7 and 11 th. are before me. The delay of M r: Lamb’s Arrival is unfortunate, but I think with you that the sooner a project of Treaties is prepared the better, and I will give the earliest attention to it whenever you shall send it— I shall go this morning to Stockdale, to talk with him about sending you the News Papers, and Pamphlets through the Channell of...
345From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 26 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Sometime Since I received from Gov. Bowdoin some Papers relating to Alexander Gross, with an earnest desire that I would communicate them to the French Ambassador here. I did so and his Excellency was so good as to transmit them to the Comte De Vergennes.— M r Bartholomy however advised me to write to you upon the Subject, that you might prevent it from being forgotten. inclosed is a Letter,...
346John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 11 June 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Half an hour ago I received, and this moment have heard read for the third or fourth time, the best letter that ever was written by an Octogenarian dated June the 1 st . It is so excellent that I am almost under an invincible temptation to commit a breach of trust by lending it to a printer. my Son Thomas Boylston , says it would be worth five hundred dollars to any newspaper in Boston , but I...
347From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r Preston arrived here, two days ago, but had lost his Letters, I hope he had none of Consequence. he dont remember he had any for me. He tells me from you, that the D r is arrived at Philadelphia which I am glad to hear, and those Oracles of Truth the English Newspapers tell Us, he had an honourable Reception, which I Should not however have doubted, if I had not any Such respectable...
348From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 26 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had this Morning, the Pleasure of your Favour of the Sixteenth instant, by the Post; and rejoice to learn that your Battal lions, were So far fill’d, as to render a Draught from the Militia, unnecessary. It is a dangerous Measure, and only to be adopted in great Extremities, even by popular Governments. Perhaps, in Such Governments Draughts will never be made, but in Cases, when the People...
349From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Οὐδὲ γυνὴ κακοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἀναίνεται εἶναι ἄκοιτις πλουσίου· ἀλλ’ ἀφνεὸν βούλεται ἀντ’ ἀγαθοῦ. Χρήματὰ γὰρ τιμῶσι, καὶ ἐκ κακοῦ ἐσθλὸς ἔγημε, καὶ κακὸς ἐξ ἀγαθοῦ. πλοῦτος ἔμιξε γένος. Grotius renders this into latin, thus. Nec dedignatur ditemque malumque maritum femina: divitiæ præ probitate placent. In pretio pretium est: genus et prænobile, vili, obscurum claro, miscet avaritia. I Should render...
350To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night I received your Letter of the 12. Mr. Jarvis and Commodore Jones are arrived here from New york both charged with large Dispatches for you. Mr. Jarvis Sent his Packet on by Col. Trumbul who departed from hence for Paris last Thursday. Comr. Jones went off a day or two ago, but both will arrive to you before this Letter. The Papers they carry, with a Renovation of your Commission at...