1991From John Adams to William Wirt, 7 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
Be pleased to accept my cordial Thanks for the present of and elegant Copy of your Sketches of Mr Henry. I know not whether I shall ever have time to make you any other return than Thanks. But as I see you wish to investigate the Sources of the American Revolution, if you will give me leave, I will give you Such hereto as my memory affords to assist you. In 1764 was published in Boston a...
1992From John Adams to Peter Stephen Duponceau, 24 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I had I not been poison’d almost to the loss of my sight, by a rare fever or a blossom cold, I should have long since thanked you for, your discourse, and to have acknowledged to have read it with all that delight—which I always receive from the productions of your pen—The History of Pensylvania is an interesting subject not only to her Citizens but to all America and to all the World—The...
1993To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
Jany 22 The ettiquette question will soon be put down as the fathers of the Nation now decline all pretence to the right of first visits as Senators; but think they ought to receive it Strangers, making it thereby perfectly optional as it regards those who may be residents in the City to visit or not according to their inclination—And they are reduced to the necessity of denying the fact of...
1994John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 22 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
May I inclose you one of the greatest curiositys and one of the deepest Mysterys that ever occoured to me—It is in the Essex Register of June the 5 th 1819.— it is entitled from the Raleigh Register Declaration of Independence— How is it possible that this paper should have been concealed from me to this day— had it been communicated to me in the time of it—I know, if you do not know, that it...
1995To John Adams from Henry F. Lamb, July 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your Goodness will pardon the Liberty I take in Troubling you at this Time when I inform you that it is in behalf of an Aged & infirm parent, My Mother, who is the Grandchild of the Revd Eliphalet Adams of New London & Widow of the Late Captain John Lamb, who in the year 1785 was appointed by Congress, as their Agent to Algiers, Tunis & Tripoli, to purchase a Peace with those States & to...
1996To John Adams from W.H. Sumner, 3 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
In an address to governor Brooks, accompanying my last annual return of the militia of this commonwealth, I made some observations on its condition, of which I beg leave to enclose to you a copy. My public situation has made it particularly necessary for me to investigate the uses of the militia, as a military institution; but this is not the only light in which it should be viewed. Its...
1997From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 5 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
In Mr Wirts elegant and eloquent Panegyrick on Mr Henry.—I beg your attention to page 56 to page 67. the end of the second section. Where you will read a curious specimen of the agonies of Patriotism in the early Stages of the Revolution—“When Mr Henry could carry his Resolutions but by one Vote, and that against the influence of Randolph, Bland, Pendelton Wythe and all the Old members whose...
1998Inscription on the tomb of Henry Adams, March 1822 (Adams Papers)
In memory of Henry Adams who took his flight from the dragon persecution in Devonshire in England and alighted with eight sons near Mount Wollaston. One of the sons returned to England & after taking time to explore the Country four removed to Medfield & the neighboring towns—two to Chelmsford a . One only Joseph, who lies here at his left hand remained here, who was an original proprietor in...
1999Enclosure: Circular from Hezekiah Niles to Prominent Subscribers, 31 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
After revolving upon some suitable apology for intruding myself with the following statement and request, I have thought it most respectful to decline offering any, except to observe that if ought appears to your better judgement improper in either, that you will attribute it to any thing else than a willingness on my part to act so, in any respect towards you. For six years ending with the...