1From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 19 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have long meditated to write you a Line. You are giving annual Bounties, for Medical Essays which Nobody reads; No Body thanks you; Nobody learns any Thing from all your Care and expence. Let me advise you to alter your Plan. Offer Premiums or Premia, for Dissertations on natural History. Not at large, for that Subject is infinite. But upon the Civilization, the Policy, the Legislation and...
2From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 7 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favour of the 27th. of Septr. has greatly obliged me. The Will of your Uncle has not Surprised me. I have known his Mind more than forty years ago. I believed him insane “quoad hoc,” at that time, as much as I do now. There was a Sense of Integrity and Benevolence and Humanity in him, united with the Wild Vagaries of a Monk and a Miser. A more curious Character is not to be found in...
3From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have seen but one of your Papers. I know nothing of the Transactions in England or America. The Will is a Phenomenon. A Neuton a Saunders a Barrow or a Bowditch might make the Algebraick Calculations necessary to explain it: I am totally incapable of it. I know not whether the Will has been proved and approved in Europe, or America. I know not what questions are depending before the Court or...
4From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 27 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 24th which has just come to hand—has given me so much uneasiness that nothing but the rainy Weather—and the uncertainty of finding you at Roxbury—should prevent me from taking my little Thomas with me in the Chaise—and driving to the Plains to see you—I am so interested in your Health that I shall not cease to be anxious till I hear from your own hand, that you are...
5From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 20 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
your favour of the 7th from Princeton has given me Comfort by giving me good hopes and full assurance of the Continuence of your Life for Some time—for you must know I have lately become a Convert to your benevolent System of your beneficenceyou remember that I have sometimes laughed at you—for your Bounty’s and Premium’s and Medals, and told you that nobody would thank you for theirs— but the...
6From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 16th. It is impossible for me, as it was for Junius to recollect the innumerable trifles I have written. of those that were printed in the olden time of the Revolution I believe I could give a list—but nothing I ever printed or wrote in my whole life, is fit for the inspection of Posterity—all written in a hurry distracted with care, dispirited by...
7From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 26 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 16th.—It is impossible for me, as it was for Junius to recollect the innumerable trifles I have written.—Of those that were printed in the Olden Time of the Revolution, I believe I could give a list—but nothing I ever printed or wrote in my whole life is fit for the inspection of Posterity—all written in a hurry distracted with Care, dispirited by...
8From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 3 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
I think it is Voltaire who some where says, the life of a Man of Letters ought to appear only in his writings, without any pretentions to the Character of a Man of letters—it has been my destiney to scribble a great deal—always in great haste, never revising or correcting any-thing—You desire a list of my publications—and I have given you incouragement to expect it—but I shall be accused of...
9From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 6 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
The Emperiour of China quoted the precept of Confucius, give much, and take but little—but you have adopted another maxim, give much, and take nothing—for I have nothing to give—but I am too proud to receive so much with all the gratitude that is due without returning any-thing—Here is a Box of Cegars which I have not dared to open though I suppose they are as odoriferous as an incensoir of a...
10From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 16 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
Thanks, dear Cousin, for yours of the 10th. and thanks again for the Box of perfumes. My daughter Louisa wishes me to go to Washington—my Grand-daughter Caroline wants me to come to Fishkill—and you write me to the top of the Skye striking Wachusetts—but you know not what you ask—probably nothing less than the trouble of bringing me back in a box.—Cordial thanks for your offer of a...