1To 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....
2From John Adams to David Sewall, 29 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 24th, and it revived or restored many of the sensations of my youth. The last Trial before a special court of Vice-Admiralty in Boston, before the revolution, was of Ansell Nickerson for piracy and murder on the high seas. The case was very singular and unaccountable. Nickerson took a passage on board a small vessel and sailed from Boston for Cape Cod, with...
3To 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...
4To John Adams from David Sewall, 24 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
The great the meek the learned & pious Docr. Hemmengway, has at length left us. He died on Friday last—And such of his particular Friends and Acquaintance, as knew his situation, have reason to congratulate that his immortal Spirit is released, from its earthly tenement—The disagreable and distressing disorder (Cancer) that had been making rapid Strides on his mortal part rendred him an object...
5To 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...
6From John Adams to David Sewall, 4 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
your friendly letter of 31st October, has given me great pleasure. But if Envy were lawful I should envy the neatness, and firmness of your hand. Neither my eyes, nor my quivering fingers will allow me the power to write as you do. The vicissitudes of the last year have been like the Hurricane of the last Equinox, unexampled in the memory of Man. What other changes are to follow? I fear the...
7To John Adams from David Sewall, 10 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I was much gratified with the reception of yours of Novr. 4th. Current And if it were in my power to communicate the Strength of Nerve, Which by the indulgence of Providence I am permitted to enjoy, It would spedily and with great pleasure be afforded.—I now & then peruse the last Chapr. of Ecclesiastes—which is supposed, a description of Persons in advanced periods of life—some of Which, such...
8From John Adams to David Sewall, 19 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favour of the 10th. Your political sentiments, so far as you disclose them, are so nearly my own, that I shall have no controversy with you, upon these Topics. Your account of connections between the Quincy’s Sewall’s and Hull’s is very entertaining to me, and agrees very well, with all I have heard, or known of the subject. Mr Hull who made and executed the...
9To John Adams from David Sewall, 5 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your communication of Novr. 19th. ulto. came to hand a few days before my departure to attend the district Court at Portland, the duties of Which, & other engagements, has hitherto prevented paying that particular attention, which it always affords me pleasure to make on your Letters, which I have found the Copy formerly made from the Original of old Judge Samuel Sewall to his eldest son...
10From John Adams to David Sewall, 19 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the fifth, and Judge Sewalls Letter to his son Samuel, have convinced me that No Parson Hull existed. Doctor and President Hoar, who was the Guest of Hull the Coiner deceived me. This Hoar lies buried within half a Mile of me, under a Monument and a long Inscription much obscured by Age. He was connected with Hulls and Quincys so nearly that they buried him here. But why Should...