11From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 27 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have been So much gratified with the Specimen of your Register, which you were So kind as to Send me and I recollect So many Extracts from it, that I had Seen in the Newspapers, that I wish to possess the whole. If you will get the thirteen Volumes, including the Index, decently and Solidly bound, without Elegance and transmitted to me, I will find means to transmit You your own Price. There...
12From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 7 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
I here Send you three great Authorities, James Otis Oxenbridge Thatcher and Samuel Adams, all Supported by almost an unanimous Vote of the Town of Boston, all containing every Principle, every Sentiment and every Idea in Mr Henry’s Resolution at least a Year before he moved them or composed them. Indeed this was common Place Language in Boston and Massachusetts in the mouths of all Men but the...
13From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 3 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your letter of 23rd Decbr. & your Register, which is the first I have ever seen. I have an ardent curiosity to know, who you suspect to be your “Anonymous Correspondent.” I am intuitively certain it cannot be Governor Johnson, Secretary Thompson or President Jefferson. Of all the speeches made in Congress from 1774 to 1777 inclusive of both years; not one sentence remains...
14From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 14 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to you for your favour of the 5th. the eleven volumes of your Register, shall be paid to your order in Boston or Baltimore as you please, as soon as I receive, or know where they are in Boston. The 12th & 13th shall be paid for in the same manner Of the destination of my Son I know nothing but by rumour, Whatever may be the determination of government I shall acquire. it is the...
15From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 12 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
The procrastination of Old Age and the dissipation of the month of August must be my Apologies for neglecting your important Letter of July, to this day. When I heard that your Register was in danger of being discontinued for Want of Support, I regretted the discouragement very Sincerely: as nearly thirty Years ago I lamented the Period of Mr Careys American Museum. I mean not to give any...
16From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 27 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
“Inclosed are four papers.—No. 1. A letter from President Washington, Aug. 27, 1790; No. 2. Another letter on the same subject, on the same day, Aug. 27, 1790. No. 3. First rough draught of an answer, in my hand writing. 4. A copy of my answer to the president, which was sent to him, dated August 29, 1790, and which, if it was not consumed in the Vandalion combustion of Washington, is probably...
17From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 30 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
The oldest Statesman in North America is no more.—Vixit. McKean, for whose services, and indeed for whose patronage, the two States of Pensylvania and Delaware, once contended, is numbered with his fathers. I cannot express my feelings upon this event in any way better, than by the publication of the enclosed letters. 1st. June 13th. 1812 2nd. August 20th 1813 3rd. August 28th 1813 4th....
18From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 29 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so good as to print in your Register, the inclosed Original Letter from Mr Rodney and the Copy of my Answer.—As I never saw this Gentleman and know his name only by Newspaper fame, his Letter was as unexpected to me as if it had fallen from the Morning Star. I have his explicit Permission to publish it and am ambitious that my name should descend to Posterity in friendly Company...
19From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 14 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
In a former letter I hazarded an opinion that the true history of the American revolution could not be recovered, I had many reasons for that apprehension, one of which I will attempt to explain. Of the determination of the British Cabinet to assert and maintain the sovereign Authority of Parliament over the Colonies, in all cases of Taxation and internal policy. the first demonstration which...
20From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 13 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
grand Adams The American Revolution was not a trifling nor a common Event. It’s Effects and Consequences have already been Awful over a great Part of the whole Globe. And when and Where are they to cease? But what do We mean by the American Revolution? Do We mean the American War? The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the Minds and Hearts of the People. A...