31To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Solicitude I felt upon the account of your health , excited by your letter of last summer, is in a great measure removed by the history you have given me of your disease in your favor of the 28th. of February. Chronic diseases even in persons in the decline of life, are far from being incurable, and I have great pleasure in assuring you that complaints of the bowels such as you have...
32To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 10 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you upon the prospect of the funding System being delayed ’till the next session of Congress. I hope an election will intervene, before you meet again. Should this be the case, I think it probable that no One of our members who has voted against your motion, & in favor of the leading principles of Mr Hamilton’s report will be reelected. I have long deplored the temporary...
33To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should think myself inexcusable in leaving the army by resigning my commission without informing your Excellency that I was compelled to that measure by the prevalence of an opinion among some people that the distresses and mismanagement of the hospitals arose from a “want of harmony” between Dr Shippen, and myself. next to the conviction of my own mind that this was not the case, I wish to...
34To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 30 March 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 March 1811, Philadelphia. Introduces the bearers, Mr. Caldwell and Major Plenderleath, who were introduced to him as gentlemen of “uncommon worth” by his son-in-law in Quebec. They hold, respectively, civil and military commissions under the British government. On their travels in the U.S. they wish “to do homage to the person and Character of the President of the United States.” RC ( DLC...
35To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
The same Opinion of your Abilities and Zeal for our country which made me rejoice in your accepting of an embassy to France, leads me to rejoice with most of your countrymen in your Safe return to your native Shores. I am sure you cannot be idle nor unconcerned ’till the Vessel in which our All is embarked is safely moored. We stand in greater Need than ever of men of your principles. You may...
36To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 8 October 1810 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a small publication which contains an account of a new auxillary or palliative remedy for madness. It will serve perhaps be acceptable to some of your medical friends. You will I have no doubt amuse yourself and your fire side by wishing that it could be applied for the relief of napoleon,—George the third, and all the mad federalists & democrats in our country.— From Dear Sir /...
37To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
When a young man I read Sidney upon government. In one of his Chapters, he agitates the following question—“Whether A civil War, or slavery be the greatest evil” and decides in favor of the Latter. In ing and revolving that Subject in my mind, I have been led to suppose there are evils more afflicting and injurious to a Country than a foreign War. The principal evil of War is death. Now Vice I...
38To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 2 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
Permit an old friend to congratulate you upon your safe arrival in your native country. I rejoiced in reading, of the respectful manner in which you were received by your fellow Citizens. you serve a grateful & enlightned people. may you long continue to enjoy their Confidence, & may they long—very long continue to enjoy the benefits of your patriotism & knowledge.— I have to thank you for...
39To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 6 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
The letter you did me the favor to enclose me a few days ago is from a Dr: Thomas Clark- a British physician of great respectability Who is now a prisoner upon parole at Vendun in France. He has long contemplated becoming a Citizen of the United States, through part of which he passed a few years ago on his Way from the East Indies to Great Britain at Which time I became acquainted with him....
40To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 21 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of August 1st is still unanswered. It is full of truth, and useful information and reflections. I regret that my son did not state the impressment of seamen being in 1807 an Act of the British Government. It would have obviated One of the Objections to the War by the Minority in Congress. Our Country is divided into two great parties called Fedarists and Democrats. The former are...
41To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 24 August 1808 (Adams Papers)
In Contemplating the events that have lately taken place in Spain, and their probable Consequences, I we feel disposed to exclaim in the bold Apostrophe of Jeremiah “O! thou Sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? Put up thyself into thy Scabbard, rest, and be Still.” Chapt: 47. verse 6th: shall we hope that a Voice from heaven has arrested the destroyer of nations, or is he...
42To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 6 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
Although for many years past I have read nothing, but books upon medicine on week days, & upon Religion on Sundays, and have expected to continue to do so as long as I lived, yet you have almost persuaded me to read Fox’s history of James the Second. Your praise of it is enough for me, for I know how much your habits of reading and thinking qualify you to judge of the merit of books that...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just finished the labors of the Winter in the University, and hospital, I sit down with great pleasure to acknowledge your favor of Decemr last . One part of it commands my first Attention, and that is your communication of a discovery of a flaw in your Constitution from which you anticipate a certain, but easy passage out of life. Permit me my dear and long respected friend to request...
44To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
The letter from Col: Smith to which you have alluded was not received with yours of this day. Was it withheld,? or was it lost by the way?—I was much pleased in seeing his Name upon record among the Successful Candidates for a Seat in Congress from the state of New York. The Air, the Society, and the great Objects which will occupy his mind in Washington will recussitate him, and Show his...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 15 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now recd your friendly letter, and take the earliest opportunity to express my entire satisfaction with the contents of it. no man could have been nomd. as Mr B Successor that wd. be more agreeable to me than Mr Potter, & had I known before that he was a candidate for the appt I should not have requested it. He will likewise I have no doubt be equally agreeable to all the officers...
46To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 18 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
I expected that the establishment of the federal Goverment, and the reformation of the Constitution of Pennsylvania would have gratified all my wishes for the prosperity of my Country, and have left me to enjoy in private life the pleasures of science and professional pursuits. But I find I cannot be an indifferent Spectator of the great Question which now agitates your house. It involves in...
47To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your two letters of yesterday & to day have made me serious. They discover a profound knowledge of times past, present & to come. I have directed one of my daughters to copy two sentences from your letter of this day to be sent to my son Richard at Washington who, poor fellow! is swamped in a beleif of the infallibility and perpetuity of the “powers that are”. I know he reveres your judgment....
48To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 18 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I profitted so much by your kindness and conversation while I was abroad that I cannot refuse an Application from a young Student for a letter of introduction to you in order that he may assist in obtaining your Mantle and transporting it to your Native country before you leave our world.— The bearer Dr Saml Griffitts has genius and an insatiable desire for...
49Benjamin Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon After I received your last & Affectionate letter , I was called upon to witness a most distressing Scene have been visited by a deep domestic Affliction. m My eldest son was brought home to me from new Orleans in a state of melancholy derangement brought on induced
50To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 4 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
Herewith th r ough the politeness of Mr Quincy you will receive the Coins for your son. I regret that some of them are not recently coined. None such have been issued lately from the mint. Your Son Thomas’s friend Mr Erving has paid me for them. Permit me to Congratulate you upon your Son John’s honourable Appointment to a Seat upon the bench of the United States. It gives great Satisfaction...
51To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter written a few days before your embarkation from for France, lays me under an Obligation to renew my correspondence with you. You are pleased to say my letters give you pleasure. This is eno’ for me. Happy shall I esteem myself if thro’ your eminent and useful Station I can convey a single idea that will add a mite to the happiness of our beloved country. Many new events have...
52To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 1 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
It would have given me great pleasure to have Spent an hour with you in this place After my return from Genl. Howe’s camp. I could have told you but little of the loss of the enemy on the heights of Bradywine for I confined my Questions to Subjects more interesting to my country, and which were solved without difficulty or restraint. Let us leave to common Soldiers the joy that arises from...
53To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 15 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have been so long accustomed to regard all your opinions upon goverment with reverence, that I was disposed upon reading your last letter, to suspend my belief in republican Systems of political happiness; but a little reflection led me again to adopt them, and upon this single principle, that they have Never had a fair tryal. Let us try what the influence of general science & religion...
54To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
Will you bear to read a letter that has nothing in it About politicks or War?—I will, without waiting for an answer to this question, trespass upon your patience by writing you one upon Another Subject. I was called on Saturday last to visit a patient About nine miles from Philadelphia. Being a holiday, I took my youngest son with me to drive me instead of my black Servant. After visiting my...
55To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 23 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to revive a friendship, Once very dear to me, by addressing you upon a Subject highly interesting to the United States. The Commerce of our Country has suffered greatly by our Absurd Quarantine laws in the different States. These laws which admit the contagious nature of Our american yellow fever, have produced a reaction in the Governments of Europe which has rendered our Commerce...
56To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 28 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
Act 1. Scene 2nd. Mr Adams alone in his Study. Enter B Rush. A: Aye Rush is that you? What is that paper you hold in your hand? R A Summary view of the physical, moral and immoral effects of certain hymns upon the body & mind of man & upon his Condition in Society. Permit me Sir to request your Acceptance of it. A What must I do with it? R: Send it to the parson of your parish, but if he “too...
57To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 29 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Boudinot having lately built a house at Burlington in the state of New Jersey, and purposing to remove there with his family in the Course of two months, it is presumed he intends to resign the Directorship of the mint of the United States. Should this be the Case, I have been induced by the wishes of all the Other Officers of the mint, as well as by Other Considerations, to solicit the...
58To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 2 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith you will receive the musk melon seed which I promised to send you by a private hand in my last letter , to which I refer you for an Account of the Method of cultivating it. The Seed came originally from Minorca. Receive Once more the Assurances of respect and esteem from Dear Sir your sincere Old friend RC ( NIC ); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Dec. and so recorded in SJL . Last letter...
59To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 20 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I shall begin my letter by replying to your daughters. I prefer giving my Opinion & Advice in you her Case in this way. You and Mrs Adams may communicate it gradually and in such a manner as will be least apt to distress and alarm her. After the experience of more than 50 years in cases similar to hers, I must protest agst: all local applications, and internal medicines for her relief. They...
60To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 September 1808 (Adams Papers)
The politicks of our City are under the direction of three Classes of people, old tories, merchents, and brokers. They are neither anticipating, nor retrospective animals. All their calculations are for the present moment. They know nothing of its treaties, nor of the former volcanic eruptions of the power and tyranny of France. The last shower with them is always the heaviest. Why then do you...