1From Ann Frances Harrod Adams to John Adams, 20 June 1810 (Adams Papers)
When I take a retrospective view of the innumerable obligations which I owe you, not only as the revered Parents of my husband but as the kindest and best of friends, my heart expands with filial gratitude yet I know not how to attempt an expression of my feelings. After a residence of five years under your roof which has been endeared to me by some of the most interesting events of my life,...
2From John Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 31 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 31st of August by Captain Brownson. I saw in an American Paper that Grandpapa has been on board the Seventy four which is in the command of Commadore Bainbrige and thought it a very fine Ship and and am in hopes of having a great many more by my return. I do not like England near so well as America nor do I think I should like any country so well as my native...
3From François Adriaan Van der Kemp to John Adams, 13 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
How was I delighted in Seing your handwriting on the Addres—I could not guess—it was a Letter—I did not expect one—although I was confident, that, if the State of your health had been worse, Cornelia Amelia would have deemed it her duty to Send me a line—You can guess—how I was delighted—when opening it—I Saw it was a Letter from my revered frend—I glanced over it, without looking at the...
4From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 16 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your Mama, and I, consent that you shall ask Doctor Nicholes’s permission to come home for the Holidays, on Tuesday; upon Condition that you will return to School after the Holidays, as cheerfully, as you now come from it. Your affectionate Father. MHi : Adams Papers.
5From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 18 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your pretty little letter of October 3rd., mongrel as it is, part English, part French, has diverted me much. I have ran about here, & there, and every where, with delight especially to Auteuil. But my good boy you have many voyages & Journeys to perform, before you can trace all the residences of your vagrant Grand Father. You must go to the Rue de Richlieu to Passy, & to the place de...
6From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 10 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I see little in this Play but the Manners of the Atheanians and The Naivete et Nettite du Style. The Miseries of Domestick Life; when all Confidence is wanting: between Parents and Children Masters and Servants, Friends and Neighbours, Husbands and Wives, Lovers and Mistresses; are held Up to View in a Mirror. Such Morals are surely no better than those of London or Boston, Paris or New York....
7From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 15 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
you are a frolicksome little fellow; and I delight in your Fun with your School mates as heartily as you do, because it proves that you are all good natured and good humoured and live together in harmony. When I lived in Holland, the Dablers in English laughed a little, sub rosâ at a question put by William the fifth Prince of Orange to a Stranger who Spoke the Language “What for a Countryman...
8From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 10 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
Do you See, in these Plays of Terence, which are the Translations from Menander, the Character of the Athenians? Are not the Slaves Superior Beings to the Citizens? Every Smart Expression; every brilliant Image, every Moral Sentiment is in the Mouth of a Slave. To be Sure, however, Masters and Slaves are nearly on a Level, in Principles of Conduct. MHi : Adams Papers. {{Included with...
9From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 11 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Letter of July 26. Your Visit to Mr Clarksons must have been very pleasant. Such a number of young Ladies who all spoke in your mother tongue must have had to you, all the charms of Novelty as well as beauty. I have never read Mr Clarkson’s History of Quakers Anabaptists or Methodists You are too young to form a permanent Judgment whether you like London, Petersburg...
10From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 28 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
This is Commencement Day, at Harvard Colledge or in more magnificent Language at The University at Cambridge . But whether you call it Colledge or University, I hope you will one day Study there and take your Degrees there. I have recd your Letter of June 23d. Charles! have you left your Genius frozen in Russia? You was celebrated in Petersburg, and from thence in America, as a Smart Boy. This...