51From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 18 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
I direct this Letter to Quincy, concluding that you will be there during the Vacation which commenced last Friday—My last Letter to you, was dated the first of March, since which I have received only one from you—dated the 26th. of April. It would have given me pleasure to have received that which you wrote me on your birth-day; and if instead of giving it to Mrs: Gilman’s boy, you had taken...
52From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
On examining the Register which you sent me, I find that your Court sits at Nantucket the second and at Edgar Town the third Monday in May—This Letter may therefore find you, upon your return home—At the same time I trust you may will also receive the Register just published here, and also the Intelligencers containing the five Letters on Amelia Island. You must give me more particular...
53From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 25 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed to find upon my file of Letters to be answered , one from you of 29. January; besides two or three from my father of as old standing—you know however the only cause, which has occasioned so long a postponement of my reply—There has been I believe no change in the office of Collector at Plymouth; and it was with much pain that I learnt it was probable there would be. Should it...
54From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 25 last Month; contains some particulars relating to my property the condition of my Estate in Boston, which as you anticipated, were not altogether welcome None however that gave me so much concern, as your declining ill management of it for the future.—Yet as it is so essential to your happiness to be relieved from it I cannot insist upon your retaining it any longer; and...
55To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 15 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
If your Letter of 20. May were the only one from you upon my files yet unanswered, every look at its date would give me a pang of self-reproach—How then shall I acknowledge at the same time the receipt of those of 31. Decbr. and of 2. 8. 13. 29. January, and apologize for not having replied to them sooner—During the Session of Congress, your indulgence would readily account for my...
56To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr G. W. Campbell is going out as Envoy Extraordinary, and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the Court of Russia. He is to embark at Boston in the frigate Guerriére, and I hope will find an opportunity to go out and see you, with Mrs Campbell, and their family at Quincy—You and my dear Mother will I am well assured take the more satisfaction in seeing them with the...
57From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
They have at length found on the Books of the Bank, the dividend of 24 dollars due to your father, and have given me for it the check on the Branch Bank at Boston which is herewith enclosed—I shall pass over to the proper office in the War Department, the Affidavit in behalf of William Oliphant, and as soon as I can get information of what has been done in the case of Peter Ellins will inform...
58From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 10 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is a great affliction to me to be deprived as I am by constant and indispensable obligipations, of the pleasure of writing to you, at least every week; but so it is, and I am now to acknowledge the receipt since I wrote you last of your Letters of 17. May. N. 8.—of 1. June. N. 9. and of the 2d: of this Month, which is without number but should have been numbered 10. Your observations upon...
59From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Welsh, 29 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of yesterday I readily agree that the board of my two Sons residing with you should be for the ensuing year at the rate of five dollars a week each, and I beg you and Mrs. Welsh and Miss Harriet to accept our warmest thanks for your unvarying kindness to them— I am with the strongest respect and attachment Dear Sir / Faithfully Yours MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
60To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
By a Letter from my Son John, I have this day been apprized, of that afflictive dispensation of Providence which has bereft you of the partner of your life; me of the tenderest and most affectionate of Mothers, and our species, of one whose existence was Virtue, and whose life was a perpetual demonstration of the moral excellence of which human nature is susceptible—How shall I offer you...
61From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 28th. of last Month, has this day brought me the most distressing intelligence that I ever received; yet my dear John, if there was any thing that could soften its bitterness, it was that it should first come from a beloved and affectionate hand—Such it was coming from yours, and I thank you, for the kind and filial attention with which you immediately communicated the...
62From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 7 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is not for me to complain that the private correspondence between you and me has ceased—for I find upon my files letters from you from N 27. Novr. 27. 1817 to N 32 May 19th 1818. the receipt of which I have not yet acknowledged—As for your letters, they went on brisk and punctual to N31. Feby 7—from which time commenced a hiatus to the 19th of May—on which day two letters filled with the...
63From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the first instant did not come to hand until last Monday, that of the 9th: enclosing Mr Whitney’s funeral sermon, upon the decease of our dear & ever-to-be lamented Mother, (for which I beg you to thank him in my name,) reached me yesterday, together with a letter from my son George. I am yet almost without any account of the particulars of her illness. A line from Hariet Welsh,...
64From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 16 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the first instant did not come to hand until last Monday—That of the 9h. enclosing Mr. Whitney’s Sermon upon the decease of our dear and ever to be lamented Mother, for which I beg you to thank him in my name, reached me yesterday, together with a Letter from my Son George—I am yet almost without any account of the particulars of her illness—A line from Harriet Welsh, received...
65From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received a Letter from my eldest Son, which informs me that in consequence of a difficulty which had taken place at College, the President at the request of my dear and honoured father had consented that he should retire to Quincy, till the fermentation, was over, where he should study something or other, till the class is re-organized. As my Son in the same Letter desires me to assure...
66From John Quincy Adams to Henry Coolman, 18 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Will Mr Coleman do Mr and Mrs Adams the favour of coming and dining with them, this day at five O’Clock—of if engaged this day, to-morrow? NNGL .
67From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Since writing my last, I have received your Letters of the 10th. and 15th. with the papers enclosed in them. The obituary notice of our dear and excellent Mother, which I mentioned to you as having been published in the Baltimore Newspapers was as I had supposed, written by Mr Colman—You have doubtless seen it. A short notice has also appeared in the Alexandria Gazette, written by Judge...
68To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received your Letter of the 10th. instant, and take great consolation in learning from yourself, as I had already, and have since again heard from others, that your characteristic fortitude has firmly stood the test of that greatest of bereavements, with which it has pleased heaven that you should now be afflicted Mr Colman of Hingham was here a few days, and upon my shewing him...
69From John Quincy Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 30 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your dear Mother not long since received a Letter from you, in which I read with great pleasure, that you get on at School pretty fast, and that in three weeks you hope to begin College Studies—As it is just three weeks since you wrote that Letter; if your hopes have been fulfilled you will this very day begin upon your College studies; and Oh! how happy shall I be, if you can hereafter write...
70From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 6 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I received about a fortnight since a few lines from you so ill written that it was with difficulty that I could read them, and to my great surprize dated at Quincy, when I had expected you were assiduously pursuing your studies at Cambridge, after an interruption not less melancholy than indispensable—Your Letter barely hinted at the temporary dissolution of your Class, and by its brevity and...
71To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 14 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have been delighted in receiving your Letter of the 7th: instant, and am glad that you have seen Trumbull’s picture of Independence—I rejoice that the Picture has been painted—As a collection of likenesses taken from the life, of the founders of the greatest Nation, this Ball of Earth has seen or will see, which ours will certainly be, it has merit—As the Representation of the sublimest...
72From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letters of 29th. Novbr.—4 and 5 Decemr. 6th. and 7th. December—numbered 5. 6. 8. 9. with the correspondence between you and the Society for the suppression of Intemperance at Hanover enclosed in number 6 and the copy of your Letter to Mr Rush, enclosed in number 9 which copy conformably to your request I herewith return.— Before receiving these last two Letters I had...
73From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Baker Johnson, 27 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of 28. November condoling with me, on the distressing event of the decease of my beloved mother, is entitled to my sincere and grateful acknowledgments—The loss to me is such as can never be repaired in this world; and its heaviest aggravation is in the consciousness of its tenfold weight upon the declining days of a yet surviving Parent—The affection of sympathizing friends,...
74From John Quincy Adams, 1818 (Adams Papers)
Abigail Smith Daughter of the Revd. Mr William Smith by Elizabeth his wife, was born November 11. 1744. Mary Smith Daughter of the Revd. Mr William Smith by Elizabeth his wife was born Decr. 9. 1741. William Smith, Son of the Revd. Mr William Smith by Elizabeth his wife was born Decr. 6. 1746. A purpose of Marriage between Mr Richard Cranch of Braintree and Mrs Mary Smith of Weymouth Dated...
75From John Quincy Adams to Barnard,, 4 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Adams request the Honor of Capt Barnard’s Company at Dinner on Monday the 4h of January at 5 o’Clock The Favor of an Answer is requested. MHi : Adams Papers.
76From John Quincy Adams to Richard Mentor Johnson, 18 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
If on your way to the House this Morning, you can do me the favour to call at my house, it will confer an obligation on your friend and very humble Servt MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
77To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 14 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received you kind Letter of the 3d: instant, full of good counsel, of which I hope at the proper time to make a suitable improvement. It is a great satisfaction to me, that my Son George has mentioned your approbation, and made himself in any manner useful to you during the vacation at the University. My affection for him induces me to hope that his time has been spent most...
78From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter N. 12 of the 14th. instant is before me—I approve of every thing which can contribute to the comfort of my father’s life: and of every thing which may at the same time contribute to your welfare and that of your family—Though I do not fully perceive in what manner my assistance can be required for your removal to his house, I am not aware of any manner in which, I shall hesitate to...
I gave the Portrait of my beloved and lamented Sister your dear Mother, to mine, without reserve and to be disposed of at her pleasure—And however gratifying it would be to me, to be the possessor of it myself, I acknowledge your still stronger claim to it, and were it mine to give away again, would ask your acceptance of it—I have no such powers for it is yours, by the donation of her to whom...
80From John Quincy Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 14 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 4th Instant I have the honor to State, that it is made the duty of the board of commissioners provided by the Treaty lately concluded at this place between the United States and Spain to decide upon the Claims that may be brought before it, according to their own construction of the import of that instrument, and that an opinion upon the Nature or Character of...
81To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 9 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
The three papers written by me, recommending the system of neutrality , as the duty and policy of the United States, were published, with the signature of Marcellus , in the Boston Centinel, in the Month of April 1793.—President Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality was issued the 22d. of that Month. Marcellus was republished in some newspaper at New–York, and perhaps at Philadelphia; but...
82From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 17 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Card has two very coarse drawings of a device, of which I wish to have a Seal engraved—A Ship, under full Sail, or if the Artist can represent her labouring with reefed topsails, under heavier weather than either of those on the Card, it will suit me better. The Motto is “Fortiter occupa Portum”. and I think it will have the best effect, if placed between two concentric circles...
83To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I answer without delay your Letter of the 18th: instt. concerning Mrs. Clark—My wife has already written you very particularly the Circumstances in which she was left by the death of her husband—There is no provision made by the Public, for widows of the Officers who have died since the Peace—There is I believe no prospect of her having any more family. We invited her to come and spend some...
84From John Quincy Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of the 15th. inst. has just come to hand—It was quite a disappointment to me upon my return from Europe the year before last, and again when I visited Boston and my fathers house the last Autumn is, that the distance at which you then were prevented me from having the pleasure of meeting you. I hope to be more fortunate the ensuing Summer; it being my intention and that of...
85From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 28 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
It is only within these very few days that I have found a moment of time to examine the particulars of your account with me for the year 1818 which you transmitted to me last January, upon which, I find occasion to make very few, and unimportant remarks—Under date of 20. June it gives credit for $550.. Dividend from the Fire and Marine Insurance Office, instead of which it should be the...
86To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 17 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I take great pleasure in introducing to your acquaintance, Mr. David Hoffman, a distinguished Member of the Bar at Baltimore, who makes with his Lady a Summer excursion to our Section of the Union and will deliver you this Letter. I am dear Sir ever faithfully your Son MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
87To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
Know all Men by those Presents, that I John Quincy Adams, of Boston in the County of Suffolk, Esquire, am holden and stand firmly bound and obliged unto John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk, Esquire, my honoured father, in the full and just sum of ten thousand Dollars, to be paid unto the said John Adams, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns; to the which payment, well and truly...
88From John Quincy Adams, 7 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
I John Quincy Adams of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire, do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I give and bequeath to my eldest Son George Washington Adams, all that real Estate in Quincy, in the County of Norfolk, known by the name of the Mount-Wollaston Farm, conveyed to me by my honoured father, by his Deed dated the twenty-third...
89From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 9 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
On examining my books at the Athenarum, I find there are several volumes missing; among which—Vols. 1. 2. and 32. of Voltaire—1. Volume of Racine—One Volume, from three different sets of Shakespear. 1. Vol: of the Glasgow Sophocles; and some others—part of not all of which, you have—There is danger, if you keep them out that they will get damaged, or mislaid and forgotten; and then make broken...
90From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 28 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
Since my return to this City I have received your Letters of the 12th and 21st. instt. the former, enclosing a list of my books which you have in your possession—and the latter, six dollars in Bank Bills. It is not, nor has it been my intention to withdraw from you the permission to take out from time to time at the Athenaeum such of my Books as you may wish to peruse—but merely to caution you...
91From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 2 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 1 September N. 42 with the receipts enclosed, and the Book, containing the statement of Account between us has been received—It had escaped my recollection that the £20 for which I gave you an order upon S. Williams the day that I left London was for the same sum which I had at the same time borrowed of you. But I have no doubt that your memory is correct, and my forgetfulness...
92From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
On the 7th. of last Month, I left at the Branch Bank, Boston, a Check payable to you, requesting it might be passed to your credit, as my agent, which was no doubt accordingly done, and which as you recollect was to be reserved to pay for the timber, for which you had agreed, for building the Barn upon the Mount Wollaston farm, and for the work and other expenses of building it—The check was...
93From John Quincy Adams, 11 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
House in F. Street—Washington Deeds. 1. Nicholas Voss to Andrew & George Way. Lot n. 8. Square 253. 25. Jany. 1813. Liber A–E. N: 30. Fo. 150. 151. 152. Recites Lease from J. Templeman to Voss. 30. June 1802. Recorded Book H. n. 8. folio 342—for $110 ground rent renewable forever. Voss assigns the Lease to A & G. Way as Tenants in Common—for $3700. 2. Thomas Campbell Cox and Susan Mason Cox,...
There is but one copy of the “Epistle to my Mother” extant, and that is an unfinished fragment—I should be very unwilling that another copy of it should be taken especially in its present situation condition. It was written exclusively for the eyes of her to whom it was addressed, and of my father; and with the exception of perhaps twenty lines at the close, inspired by the grateful affection...
95From John Quincy Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 29 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your very obliging favour of the 15th. inst and also the box; containing the bottles of raspberry Cordial, for which Mrs. Adams joins with me in requesting your and Mrs Boylston’s acceptance of our best thanks. We regretted exceedingly that the shortness of the time which we were absent from this place last Year deprived us of the gratification which we had anticipated from...
96From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 3 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is to introduce to your acquaintance and to recommend to your kind attentions and good offices Dr. Charles Williamson of Milledgeville, a highly respectable Citizen of Georgia and a particular friend of Mr. Walker one of the Senators in Congress from that State—At his desire I am happy to have the opportunity of making Dr. Williamson known to those of my friends who may possess the...
97From John Quincy Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 5 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 30th: ulto. informing me of my having been elected President of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Under the encouragement of your obliging promise, to supply in the discharge of the duties of this Office, the deficiencies, unavoidable, from the Circumstances of my present situation, I accept it with a grateful sense of the favour by which it has been...
98To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have requested Mr. Edward Cruft to pay you on my account two hundred and fifty dollars on the first of July and the same sum quarter yearly from that day. I am Dear Sir your affectionate and dutiful Son. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
99From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 10 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
In looking over my file of Letters received, I find that the latest date I have from you is of 10. November 1819—I am not sure that I have written since then to you—so let this pass for N. 1. of the year 1820—I have lately had at least the satisfaction of hearing from you indirectly, by your Correspondence with your Mother and your brother; but shall be glad to hear from you more immediately....
100From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 17 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
We were a long time without hearing from your brother George or you, at all, and when at last we did hear it was with pain that you had been unwell, though happily mingled with the comfort of learning that your health was restored. My own occupations deprive me of the satisfaction of writing to you so often as I would, but you have other Correspondents here who have more leisure to be...