1From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 26 April 1824 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of the April 1st. And am very sorry it will not be in my power to give you more detailed information That your Father was a steadfast Patriot, of the Revolution, from its beginning to its end, is most certain—In the Congress at New York in 1765, he we though young, he was one of the most active and spirited members. In the Congress of 74—and in all the...
2From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 26 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 20th revives me. A Brother Octogenarian who can write with Such vigour of hand and mind, excites a kind of Emulation even in these old Veins. A History of the first War of The United States, is a very different thing from an History of The American Revolution. I have Seen in France a military History of France during the Reign of Louis the 14th. by the Marquis of Quincy....
3From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 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 and deliberations in Congress from 1774 to 1783 were all in secret, and are now lost forever. Mr Dickinson printed a Speech which he aid he made in Congress against the declaration of Independence: but it appeared to me very different from that...
4From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 6 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your friendly letter of the first of this memorable month; bearing in the hand writing, the sentiments and the arrangement every mark of undecayed Vigour of mind and body: while it delights me in every other View mortifies me by a comparison with my own quivering Infirmities which make it painful and difficult for me to write. The History of Mankind, as far as We can race it, is full of...
5From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 11 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I wish to recommend to your Benediction, the Gentleman who will have the honour to present to you, this Letter. Mr Francis C. Gray, a Son of our late Lt. Governor, who after an Education at our University, two Years travels in Europe and three Years Studies at the Bar, has Wisdom enough to wish to See more of his native Country. And Who, or what can he more rationally wish to See, than the...
6From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 30 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th, which I very highly esteem, now received last night, after I have given a line of introduction to Mr Everett, a very distinguished young Schollar, Preacher and Author. The Brittish Nation and their Government has sufficiently and uniformly manifested that disposition towards this Countrey for two hundred years. As they prefer the Roman Catholic Religion to Ours; So...
7From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 29 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
The Revd. Mr Edward Everett, though in early youth is desirous of Seeing the oldest Patriot and Statesman in America; and to gratify him I give him a Letter to you. As I cannot Say enough of him, I have a great mind to Say nothing at all; but I will Say, he has given to the World proofs of Genius Learning and Industry, which might be compared to a Pascal at his Age. Mr Colman has a Letter,...
8From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 26 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for yours of the 15th. Mr Colman is much pleased and very grateful for your kind reception of him and regrets that his limited time would not permit him a longer Enjoyment of your Society and Civility. As far as I recollect to have heared; your Account of the political Sentiments of Pensilvania and Delaware are mathematically exact, in 1774.5.6 I mean. An Analysis of the Interests and...
9From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 9 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Aug. 28th has been duly received and highly esteemed. I say with you, the Will of eternal Wisdom and Benevolence, be done.— I wish to know, where the Anecdote of Sir William Keith is to be found. I have my doubts whether any History of America would “sell well.” Gordons, Ramsays, Warrens, even Marshalls I believe have not been very lucrative. No Party has been quite satisfied...
10From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
If I am committing an indiscretion, I hope you will pardon it. The Reverend Mr Henry Colman of Hingham, a Clergyman established in the Affections and Esteem of this Neighbourhood is on a Journey to Philadelphia. He has an Ardent desire to See the Old Patriots of the Revolution, and where can I look for an older one, than to Governor M. Kean? In addition to his professional Virtues of Piety and...