11To John Adams from David Sewall, 24 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
The great the meek the learned & pious Docr. Hemmengway, has at length left us. He died on Friday last—And such of his particular Friends and Acquaintance, as knew his situation, have reason to congratulate that his immortal Spirit is released, from its earthly tenement—The disagreable and distressing disorder (Cancer) that had been making rapid Strides on his mortal part rendred him an object...
12To John Adams from David Sewall, 31 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Various changes in the Natural, political and moral World, have occurred, since the beginning of the current year. of which, our advanced Age, admonishes us, We shall probably not much longer be permitted to suffer enjoy, or contemplate. I delayed for some time to write you under some expectation of once more viziting the Metropolis of the State, from whence I hoped to make an excurtion to...
13To John Adams from David Sewall, 10 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I was much gratified with the reception of yours of Novr. 4th. Current And if it were in my power to communicate the Strength of Nerve, Which by the indulgence of Providence I am permitted to enjoy, It would spedily and with great pleasure be afforded.—I now & then peruse the last Chapr. of Ecclesiastes—which is supposed, a description of Persons in advanced periods of life—some of Which, such...
14To John Adams from David Sewall, 5 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your communication of Novr. 19th. ulto. came to hand a few days before my departure to attend the district Court at Portland, the duties of Which, & other engagements, has hitherto prevented paying that particular attention, which it always affords me pleasure to make on your Letters, which I have found the Copy formerly made from the Original of old Judge Samuel Sewall to his eldest son...
15To John Adams from David Sewall, 28 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of Congratulating you on the returne of your worthy Son to America, after years of absence in Europe, And may He satisfactorily discharge the duties of his present appointment.—I was pleased and much gratified with a short interview with President Munro, on his late tour into the District of Maine: And have considerable expectations that the difference in Sentiment, on the...
16To John Adams from David Sewall, 5 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
it is some time since I Wrote you, since which you have you have been bereaved of the Lady of your early years. may you have divine consolations, under this and every other afflictive dispensation.—The political dissolution of Maine from Massachusetts seems to be rapidly approaching; And to which I have been uniformly Opposed, upon the principal that one large State, united would have more...
17To John Adams from David Sewall, 13 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Communication of the 11th. ultimo (altho’ by an amanuensis) was very gratifying.—I was led to suppose, & stil think it probable that our classmate Whittemore has some time since passed off the stage of human life; as I read in a News Paper a year or two since, among Obituary Notices, that of William Whittemore of Cambridge Æ. 80.—and also in the last University Cattaloge of H.C. a Strar...
18To John Adams from David Sewall, 20 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
It gives me real pleasure to see the tribute of esteem and respect, offered you from the convention of Massachusetts.—A collection of Persons, I really believe, as Wise learned and patriotick as ever convened in New England.—A tribute, as rare a Phenomenon in Politicks; as the Transit of ♀ over the ☉ in Astronomy. I sincerely congratulate you and Society at large, that your health permits you...
19To John Adams from David Sewall, 26 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your first query, how do you do? altho’ I may not with propriety reply “ Athletice, prancratise, Valeo , ” Yet thro the smiles of a kind providence, I am free from pain or anxiety of Body or Mind, respecting the things of this life or a future—I have food and raiment convenient, and in a quiet contented frame of Mind perhaps in as much, or more so: than at any former period of my...
20To John Adams from David Sewall, 18 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
your Letter of the 30th. Ulto. has been recieved, and once and again perused with pleasure and satisfaction; as is every of your Communications.—To humanize, or Civilize, I doubt not, is doing something essential to ameliorate the Condition of Mankind, as Well as, to Christanize, And attempts at the former ought to precede the latter—But the uncommon exertions of the latter; at the present Day...