1To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 11 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I am prepared, whenever I may have the consent of yourself & family, to commence writing your life for my National Biographical work “the Repository of the Lives & Portraits of Distinguished Americans”, the first volume of which, containing Twelve lives & portraits, is already published.— Pray inform me, from what sources I may derive the materials from which I shall be enabled to complete...
2To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 10 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I received your last obliging letter, & thank you most sincerely for the information it contains. I beg leave at the same time to tender my acknowledgments for the kind & prompt manner with which you have answered my several letters.— The Revd. Dr. Morse informs me that his son’s portrait of you for me, is acknowledged to be the best likeness ever taken of you. I am very happy to hear it. I...
3To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 27 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
You had done me the honour of answering my letters to you, so fully, that I had supposed I should never again, perhaps, trespass on your time and attention. I am induced, however, once more, to trouble you. I this day received an anonymous letter, under no date, and bearing the Boston Post office mark. It is very well written, and appears disinterested. It is respectful, liberal, and evinces a...
4From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of 24th. of Decr. with the Pamphlet. I am Sorry to see in our American Reviewes an affectation of imitating European Reviewers. They generally discover an unnatural Appetite for Sour Plums: more Sagacity in discovering little faults than great Merits. I will now for a Moment undertake the Office of a Critic, not for publication: but between you and me. In my Opinion you...
5From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
your letter of 27th Feb, has surprised me. Of the writer of the anonymous letter to you I have no knowledge. The portrait taken by mr Stewart is the property of John Quincy Adams my son, taken by his order, often repeated, for six years, from St Petersburg & paid for by his property; I have no right in it, or power over it. Most certainly it will never go from under my roof, with my consent,...
6To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 5 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
A few weeks ago I had the honour of informing you that I have a fine portrait by King, of your distinguished son, the Honourable John Quincy Adams, in my National Gallery of portraits.—I took the liberty at the same time, to request the favour of you to forward to Charles Shaw Esqr. of Boston, a package which I then enclosed to your special care.— A letter which I had the honour of receiving...
7From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 17 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have recd, with pleasure your obliging Letter of the Sixth. Accept, Sir my cordial Thanks for the Portraits of my Friends Rush and Jay. The latter appears with proper Dignity in his Robes of Chief Justice and the Likeness of the Countenance is correct. What Shall I Say of the former? Dr Rush the last time I Saw him in March 1801, was as upright as a Reed and his Countenance no less animated...
8From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 12 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you kindly for the Portrate of Mr Jay, which I very much admire, it is a great likeness it is stamped with wisdom sagacity, and benevolence as they have been, stamped upon his Countenance and Conduct, all his Life time.—I have delivered your formal letter to Mr Charles Shaw, to Mr William Smith Shaw the superintendent of the Boston Atheneaum and I shall deliver that inclosed with Mr...
9From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 8 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
There are several things abroad which are reported to have been intended as pictures of me; some of them drawn by persons who never saw me. others by persons who never saw me to whom I never sat and others and others by painters who requested me to sit. I pretend not to be a judge of the merit of any of them. But there is not an approved likness among them. The least approved of all is one...
10To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 3 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received, within a few days, your portrait, painted by Mr. Morse for me.— I have already informed you that I received an anonymous letter from a lady without date or place of residence, but bearing the Boston postmark, requesting me in urgent terms not to use the portrait for an engraving. Before the portrait arrived, I heard, through various channels, from persons of Boston, that the...