11From John Adams to James Madison, 19 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
My Election to the Presidents Office was but by a majority of one, or at most of two Votes. Mr Jeffersons was by no Majority of the People, and by a Majority of one only in the House after Thirty or forty Votes equally divided between him and Mr Burr. Mr Jeffersons Second Election was by a great Majority and his third would have been by a greater Still, if he had not declined. Your Election...
12From John Adams to James Madison, 21 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr Malcom was three years in my family at Philadelphia as my private Secretary; and during that time his conduct was ingenuous faithful industrious and attentive and entirely to my Satisfaction. His connections in New York were respectable, and his Education to Letters and the Bar regular. Altho, since the dissolution of that connection between him and me there has been no intercourse and very...
13From John Adams to James Madison, 4 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have So often taken the Liberty to introduce Gentlemen to The President of The United States, that tho’ it might be an usurpation at first, it Seems now to be a kind of Right by Prescription. Upon no Occasion that I recollect, have I assumed this Priviledge with more pleasure than in now introducing Dr James Freeman whom I esteem one of our first litterary Characters and one of the best of...
14From John Adams to James Madison, 5 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I ought to make an apology to you for the trouble I give you to read so many of my letters upon subjects with which perhaps I should have nothing to do. but as I am requested to give a simple letter of introduction to a gentleman going to Washington, I could not refuse it. Mr Andrew Eliot a respectable Merchant of Boston has a petition to present to the Administration or to the legislature or...
15From John Adams to James Madison, 6 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
As I feel a kind of Ambition to introduce to the past present and future Presidents of U.S. Some of our most amiable Men, least bigotted least Superstitious Characters, and most catholic Minds, (in the moral, not Ecclesiastical Sense of the Word) I take the Liberty to introduce to you the Rev. Mr. Henry Colman. As it was known that he intended a Journey to the Southward for his Health which is...
16From John Adams to James Madison, 14 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
The Reverend, Mr Henry Colman of Hingham, my Neighbour and Acquaintance has a Brother, as I am informed, who wishes to be considered as a Candidate, for a Commission in the Army. As the Brother is unknown to me, I can Say nothing of his Pretensions. But I can Say of the Minister, that in point of Taste and Sense he is fit for a Companion of a Jefferson and a Madison, and in point of Learning...
17To James Madison from John Adams, 29 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will not think me a Fanatic, because I introduce Clergymen to you. The Truth is that none but Clergymen here have much Litterature or Science, I cannot say that reading and writing is the exclusive Priviledge of Clergy, as it once was in the World; but we bare too near a resemblance to that dark Age. The Gentleman who will have the honour to present this Letter has given proofs to...
18To James Madison from John Adams, 21 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Mr Malcom was three years in my family at Philadelphia as my private Secretary: and during that time his conduct was ingenuous faithful and industrious, attentive and entirely to my satisfaction. His Connections in New York were respectable and his education to letters, and the bar regular. Altho since the dissolution of that connection between him and me there has been no intercourse, and...
19To James Madison from John Adams, 11 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Francis C. Gray a Son of our late Lt. Governor, after an Education at Colledge, two years travels in Europe under the Protection of your Minister in Russia and three years Study of the Law has been called to the Barr, and now has the laudable curiosity and noble Ambition of Seeing his native Country. And who should he naturally wish to see in it so much as its first Magistrate. I hope he will...
20To James Madison from John Adams and Others, 12 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
By a resolution of the Citizens of Richmond we are authorised to make arrangements for the reception of General La Fayette “in such manner, as may best comport with his convenience and testify the veneration of the Citizens for his character, their sense of his Services and their affection for his person.” It will certainly be highly gratifying as well to the General as to our fellow Citizens...
21To James Madison from John Adams, 14 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I was Yesterday honoured with your favour of the fifth inclosing Dr Waterhouses Letter to me of the 23 of April, announcing to me the unexpected and afflicting News of the death of one of my oldest and most intimate Friends Dr Rush. Though I can scarcely look over an Obituary without mourning Some ancient Friend or acquaintance, none has affected me more Sensibly than the Sudden departure of...
22From John Adams to James Madison, 31 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have subscribed with Mr Gray and others a recommendation of Hendrick W Gordon Esquire a copy of which is enclosed. As he requests a separate Certificate, I enclose his letter and can sincerely say that from an acquaintance with him, of several years, I believe that what is said of him, in the Certificate, and in his letter, to be no more than he deserves; He is a civil, well bred man,...
23From John Adams to James Madison, 2 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am very apprehensive that the liberties I so frequently take of writing to you will appear importunate if not impertinent But I beg it may be fully understood that none of my letters are to be answered; and that I shall perfectly acquiesce in your decisions well knowing the multiplicity of Candidates, the difficulty of making the selections & that the President is the only ultimate and...
24To James Madison from John Adams, 17 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to you Col, William Sumner, and to Mrs Madison his Sister Miss Elizabeth Sumner; children of our late Governor Sumner; They have requested an introduction from me; And as I think it right that the President should know, & that his family should know something of the characters who appear at Washington I beg leave to say that Mr. Sumner has the advantages of Education,...
25From John Adams to James Madison, 22 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that General Dearborne, Mr Morton and other Gentlemen have recommended Mr Winthop for a Consulate abroad and I am requested to add my testimony to theirs in his favour. My Acquaintanc with him has been only general, but his Father and Grandfather, his Name and Family have been esteemed and Venerated all my Days, his Education was publick, he has travelled in Europe and his moral...
26To James Madison from John Adams, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
Thank you for your favour of the 12th. The Anecdote mentioned in my Letter of the 4th of September is of no Consequence to the Public, though, it may interest the private Feelings of your Family and mine. Mr Stodert was my Auther. After all possibility of thinking Seriously on the Subject was passed, Mr Stodert informed me of the Letter from Mrs Madison to Mr Steel mentioned in mine to you of...
27From John Adams to James Madison, 11 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Francis C. Gray a Son of our late Lt. Governor, after an Education at Colledge, two Years travels in Europe under the Protection of your minister in Russia and three Years Study of the Law has been called to the Barr, and now has the laudable curiosity and noble Ambition of seeing his native Country. And who should he naturally wish to see in it so much as its first Magistrate. I hope he will...
28To James Madison from John Adams, 17 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
A young Gentleman, and his Father, have requested me to mention his Name to The Secretary of The Navy. I choose rather to mention it to you. The youth has a fine Person, an elegant Figure, a fine Countenance, healthy vigorous and robust. His Education has been Accademical and mercantile in a very respectable House. His Father Served five years in our Revolutionary War, and his Grandfather was...
29To James Madison from John Adams, 5 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I ought to make an Apology to you for the trouble I give you to read So many of my Letters upon Subjects with which perhaps, I should have nothing to do: but as I am requested to give a simple Letter of Introduction to a Gentleman going to Washington I could not refuse it. Mr Andrew Eliot a respectable Merchant of Boston has a Petition to present to The Administration or to the Legislature or...
30From John Adams to James Madison, 25 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to present you, what I think a Curiosity. Dr Mayhews Thirtieth of January Sermon, preached and printed almost Seventy Years ago. It made a great Sensation in New England: and not a little Noise in old England where Several Editions of it were reprinted and one especially which was inserted in a Collection of Tracts in four Volumes under the Title of “The Pillars of Priestcraft and...
31From John Adams to James Madison, 23 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter supposes more importance, in my judgement, than it deserves. Whatever it is worth however, it is all in favour of the request in it. Waterhouse is another Rush; and for no other reason that I can conjecture, than his respect & able services, to the national Government, for the last 14 years, has been cruelly treated by the worst faction against it. I submit the subject, to...
32To James Madison from John Adams, 22 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I am informed, that General Dearborne, Mr. Morton & other gentlemen have recommended Mr. Winthrop for a Consulate abroad, and I am requested to add my testimony to theirs, in his favour. My acquaintance with him, has been only general, but his father and Grand Father, his name, and family, have been esteemed & venerated, all my days; his education was publick, he has travelled in Europe, & his...
33From John Adams to James Madison, 25 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Morning expecting a Letter from Dr Rush I Sent early to the Post Office: but my Messenger brought me a Letter from Dr Waterhouse, which I inclose, having no words of my own to express my Feelings. The Shock was Sudden and unexpected. I had a Letter from Rush dated the 10th., apparently written in full health and fine Spirits. An unchangeable Friendship of thirty Eight Years had...
34To James Madison from John Adams, 25 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to present you, what I think a Curiosity Dr Mayhews Thirtieth of January Sermon, preached and printed almost seventy years ago. It made a great sensation in New England: and not a little Noise in Old England where several Editions of it were reprinted and one especial[l]y which was inserted in a Collection of Tracts in four Volumes under the Title of “The Pillars of Priestcraft and...
35To James Madison from John Adams, 21 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Knowing the immense weight of your cares, it gives me pain to interrupt you a moment. But when a young Scholar, Lawyer and amiable character asks an introduction from me I cannot refuse it. Such is George Ticknor Esqr on his travels in his own Country first, and in foreign Countries afterward. He is ranked here, with our Everett & Buckminster, choice spirits, as we think them. With great...
36To James Madison from John Adams, 23 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have been informed that a Number of very respectable Gentleman are desirous of having The Honourable Richard Cutts Esquire of Biddeford in this State appointed to an Office under the Government of The United States, and wish to recommend him accordingly: but are very apprehensive that your delicacy, and nice Sense of honour, or regard to your reputation, will be an insuperable Obstacle to...
37From John Adams to James Madison, 17 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Accept my thanks for your favour of last month. The safe Arrival of your books has quieted my conscience. There is nothing within the narrow Compass of human knowledge more interesting, than the Subject of your Letter. If “the Idea of a Government in one Center Seems to be every where exploded” perhaps Something remains undefined, as dangerous, as plausible and pernicious as that Idea. Half a...
38From John Adams to James Madison, 29 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will not think me a Fanatic, because I introduce Clergyman to you. The Truth is that none but Clergymen here have much Litterature or Science, I cannot say that reading and writing is the exclusive Priviledge of Clergy, as it once was in the World; but we bare too near a resemblance to that dark Age—The gentlemen who will have the honour to present this Letter—has given proofs to...
39To James Madison from John Adams, 2 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
I am very apprehensive that the liberties I So frequently take of writing to you, will appear importunate, if not impertinent. But I beg it may be fully understood that none of my letters are to be answered; and that I shall perfectly acquiesce, in your decisions well knowing the multiplicity of Candidates, the difficulty of making the Selections and that The President is the only Ultimate and...
40To James Madison from John Adams, 17 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Benjamin Wells Esqr and his Lady are very ambitious of paying their respects to President Madison and his Lady. The Gentleman’s Grandfathers were two as respectable Characters as any in Boston. One of them, Chief Justice Pratt of New York was one of my Patrons at the Barr in 1758; and his Memory will forever be held in Veneration by me. The Lady is a Daughter of our late Governor Sumner and a...