1From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 10 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 5th of August—and the Cheese by Genel Boyd—for both—which I thank you—I have been for four, or five, and thirty years entirely of your opinion—that the United states have not among any Class of Politicians in England, any sincere friends, and those Millions of People who are not politicians, neither know or care, any more about us, than they do about the...
2From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 27 March 1806 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased with the temper and spirit of your Letter of February 28th: The subjects of your future Examination, are judiciously chosen and I hope you will acquit yourself to your own satisfaction as well as that of your Instructor’s. I know of no Characteristic of a weak head a dull discernment and superficial reflection more remarkable than the opinion you mention of many young Men who...
3From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 27 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received your luminous letter of 15th Feby. for which I thank you: but cannot enlarge upon it at present.— I write this to introduce to you Mr Theodore Lyman Junr. a Gentleman whose Talents Virtues and Connections deserve your Respect.—I know you can be of little Service to him, but you may be of Some—I wish you to be acquainted with him, and him with you—He is a Nephew of Mr Williams.—...
4From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 13 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 6th is before me. to save me the time for writing & your that of reading long discourses, I will come directly to the point of most essential importance. you would “provide by Law, against employing foreigners on board our vessels.” I would not for these reasons. 1 We are under no obligation by any Law of nations to make any such provision. 2 No nation ever did make any such...
5From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 12 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your ideas are accurate. The conduct of the faction now styling themselves Federalists, has in 1812 been consistent with their manœuvers in 1800.1. when they voted 37 times for Burr. I never saw Mr Clinton. By all I have heard or read, I suppose him to be a man of the World like Burr. Both, I presume, have thought themselves, all their lives, in pursuit of honour. Ambition and Avarice, as a...
6From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 8 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
David Hinckley Esqr of Boston and his amiable Daughter are about to travel in England. I earnestly recommend them to your particular and assiduous attention especially the accomplished Miss Ann and I pray you to introduce them in my Name as well as Your own to the Excellent American Minister and his Lady They will furnish you with ample details of all the News current in this Country Your...
7From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 12 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
My feelings have been aroused, coup sur coup by public and private Events beyond any previous period of my life. The arrival of your Aunt, & her son at Paris, to her husband & his father the arrival of your brother & Sister at New York, with my Great Grand daughter; your family dinner with your father & the departure of all but yourself to Cedar Grove; at the same time with the stupendous news...
8From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 22 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of Nov, might have been sooner acknowledged, if I had been younger, my eyes brighter, my fingers steadier, and if I had less writing to do, and fewer letters to answer. I have the honor to coalesse in the “consolidated” opinion of your neighbourhood, that the Presidents Message and the documents attending it do honor to the Government to the President his Ministers and...
9From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 20 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
My letter to you of 22 Decr was unacknowledged till 24 March. Yours to me of 24 March, is not to be answered, This you see is but retaliation, which in these days seems to be the law of this land & of all lands & all seas. I do not accept the lame hand as an apology—Nor is the insinuation of ambidexterity of Jefferson any ornament or seasoning to the dish to my taste. Jefferson was my friend...
10From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 7 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favour of Novbr. 13th. Of Lord Holland, I know nothing. I pity the people, I pity all men of destinction. I pity Emperors, Kings and Popes. they are all when invested with a little brief authority, hurried, and driven by their associates, into measures, they do not and cannot approve: What is to be the fate of Napoleon? no matter; Split him for a Mackerel and broil him for the...