41To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 January 1809 (Adams Papers)
In a situation such as you have seen a Sea Captain in a Gale of Wind, I sit down to acknowledge the receipt of your two last instructing letters. Present events will justify your opinion of the present measures of our rulers. Your Account of the pernicious influence of a belief in the time in Which the prophesies are to be fulfilled is to much opposed to the System of the divine government...
42To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 12 May 1807 (Adams Papers)
In one of your former letters you say as an excuse for your not assuming the reserve of certain public men, that you never beleived yourself to be a “great man”, and of Course did not expect that every thing you said, and did & wrote would be the subject of public Observation and Scrutiny. I consider your not preserving a Copy of your letter to your youthful friend Mr Webb as a proof of the...
43To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 16 September 1808 (Adams Papers)
I shall answer your letter of Augst: 31st: by giving you an Account of one of my late dreams. After having recently observed the fatal effects of intemperances in the use of Ardent Spirits in one of my patients, and reflecting afterwards upon the incalculable evils they are spreading through our Country, I went to bed a few evenings ago at my usual hour, and during the night I dreamed that I...
44To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 August 1806 (Adams Papers)
You ascribe wonders to the influence of Silence and Secrecy in public men. I agree with you in their effects upon characters, and human Affairs. Dr South says the “world was made for the bold.” But they possess but only half of it,—the other half was made for the “Artful”—among whom I include nearly all silent men. I say nearly all, for we now and then meet with persons who are silent from...
45To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 24 October 1806 (Adams Papers)
Ever since the receipt of your last letter I have passed my days like an arrow shot from a bow. At a time of life when (to use an expression in one of your letters written to me soon after your return from England) “nature sighs for repose,” I live in a Constant round of business, which employs both body and mind. Even my studies (the times for which are taken from family Society or Sleep) are...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 28 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Dr Anth: Fothergill wishes to do himself the honor of paying his respects to you. He is a relation of the late illustrious Dr John Fothergill, & possesses a large share of his philanthropic disposition. After having acquired wealth & independance at Bath, he has come to spend the evening of his life in our peaceful & flourishing country. He is well informed & amiable, and will duly...
47To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 21 November 1805 (Adams Papers)
I am pleased in reflecting that I destroyed all the documents and Anecdotes I had collected for private memoirs of the American Revolution. I discover from your letters that I have seen nothing but the “Scenery of the business,” and know but little more than what servants who wait upon table know of the secrets of their masters families, of the springs of the events of the war, and of the...
48To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 23 March 1805 (Adams Papers)
Philadelphia March 23rd: 1805 I was much gratified by your early answer to my letter, and by your kind inquiries after several branches of my family. My second daughter’s husband’s name is Thomas Manners. He is a branch of the Rutland family. His father is wealthy, but as his estate will be divided among nine Children, my son in law will probably be dependent upon a military Commission for the...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 11 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have endeavoured to fulfil your Wishes by furnishing Mr Lewis with some inquiries relative to the natural history of the Indians . The enclosed letter contains a few short directions for the preservation of his health, As well as the health of the persons Under his Command. His mission is truly interesting. I shall wait with great solicitude for its issue. Mr: Lewis appears admirably...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 5 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you herewith Sir John Sinclair’s pamphlet upon Old Age with many thanks. I have read it with pleasure, and subscribe to the truth of most of his opinions. They accord with opinions which I published many years ago in the 2nd Volume of my Medical Inquiries and Observations . I have just finished reading Col: now Sir Robt Wilson’s account of the British Campaign in Egypt. It is well...