11To 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...
12To John Adams from David Sewall, 18 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Decemr. 31st. ultimo I have once & again perused with pleasure.—I did not know, until your letter mentioned it that Joseph Adams, formerly the Minister of Newington, was your Uncle—I once heard him preach at York, at a Ministers meeting, from the Words “ How is the Gold become dim, and the most fine Gold changed ” I then thought He handled the Subject very well, but Whether...
13To 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...
14To John Adams from David Sewall, 24 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have a desire of knowing, (in case it will not be too troublesome for you to make the Communication) the Occurrences that took place, in a Court of Admiralty, held at Boston, toward the latter part of Govr. Barnard’s Admina. for a supposed Murder on the high Seas.—It was I belive the last trial of the kind in Massa. prior to the american revolution.—Govr. Jno. Wentworth & some Gent of N....
15To 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...
16To John Adams from David Sewall, 14 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have been much gratified by your Communication of Jany 29th. ult.— When I requested the Information, I did not, I think, mention the occurrence, which gave rise in my mind to the Application, I will therefore mention it.— Two person stand Indicted in the District Court of Maine, for piratically runing away with a Vessell & cargo— One (the Master) as Principal: the other (the Mate) as...
17To John Adams from David Sewall, 19 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
My life being yet continued, and my Scribling faculties stil remaining, I determined to address you a few lines once more to my Old Friend, I felt at a loss, for a Subject, to amuse, But upon the late Anniversary of Independence, I took up a Book which enumerated some of the causes which led to that important event—In which the Resolution of the American Lady, to proscribe the use of Tea ; so...
18To 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...
19To John Adams from David Sewall, 15 – 19 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 15th. ultimo reached me at Watertown some few days since. Gladly would I have remained unnoticed in these Times of difficulty. But I am unexpectedly and unprepared drawn forth (litterally from the Plow) and I fear by some evil Genius in order to stop some greater ability, from lending Aid to Guide the State. Unacquainted With the Arts of Warr, Raw and unexperienced in the Grand...
20To 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...