101X. John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday, at Boston, I received your friendly Letter of July 17th. with great pleasure. I give full credit to your relation of the manner, in which your note was written and prefixed to the Philadelphia edition of Mr. Paines pamphlet on the rights of Man: but the misconduct of the person, who committed this breach of your confidence, by making it publick, whatever were his intentions, has...
102To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 21 November 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I am desired by our old Acquaintance Mr. D’Ivernois to transmit you the inclosed Papers for your inspection Opinion and Advice. The poor Fellow has been obliged to fly a Second time into Banishment. The first time, he was driven out as a Democrat: but it is now, Day about, as they Say, in Geneva, and he is compelled to run, as an Aristocrat. Shall We print his History? What Shall We do with...
103From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
The most exalted of our young Genius’s in Boston have an Ambition to See Montecello, its Library and Sage. I lately gave a Line of Introduction to Mr Everett, our most celebrated Youth: But his Calls at home, forced him back from Washington. George Ticknor Esquire who will have the Honour to present this to you, has a reputation here, equal to the Character given him in the enclosed Letter...
104From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
I must answer your great question of the 10th in the Words of Dalembert to his Correspondent, who asked him what is Matter- “Je vous avoue que je n’en scais rien.” In some part of my Life I read a great Work of a Scotchmen on the Court of Augustus, in which with much learning, hard study, and fatiguing labour, he undertook to prove that had Brutus and Cassius been conqueror, they would have...
105To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recd your favour of March 8 with the Letter inclosed, for which I thank you. Inclosed is a Letter to one of your Domesticks Joseph Dougherty , Had you read the Papers inclosed they might have given you a moment of Melancholly or at least of Sympathy with a mourning Father. They relate wholly to the Funeral of a Son who was once the delight of my Eyes and a darling of my heart, cutt off...
106From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
The sight of your well known hand writing in your favour of 25. Feb. last, gave me great pleasure, as it proved your arm to be restored and your pen still manageable—may it continue till you shall become as perfect a calvinist as I am in one particular. Poor Calvins infirmities his rheumatism his gouts and sciatics made him frequently cry out Mon dieu Jusque au quand Lord how long! Prat once...
107From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Samuel B. Malcom Esqr, is not wholly a Stranger to you. He was three years in my family in the Character of my private Secretary, and I believe his conduct appeared to you, as it invariably did to me ingenuous, candid faithful and industrious. His Friends in New York were among the most respectable; his Education was public and his Studies and in the Law and introduction to the Bar regular...
108From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have been deeply afflicted with the account of your accident—At first your Leg was broke—I shuddered, I feared that I should have no more letters from Montecello—Next came the account that it was only a small bone in the Arm—My hopes revived the difference between the leg and the Arm was immense. To illustrate this difference, and for your consolation and amusement; I will give you an...
109To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 23 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night, I received your Favour of the 17. If both Governments are possessed of the Contéents of my letter of the 7th. by opening it in the Post Office, much good may those Contéents do them. They both know they have deserved it. I hope it will convince them of their Error, and induce them to adopt more liberal Principles toward Us. I am for answering their Utmost Generosity with equal and...
110From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I return your letter at your request signified by Gen. Dearborn though it has been such a cordial to my heart—I feel much reluctance to release it. Since it has appeared in print it has been received with applause—great & universal. Our fellow citizens are determined to elect a President avec connaisance de cause—for the question has in discussion in every nook in the United States for seven...
111From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Yours Ap. 8 has long Since been recd. J. “Would you agree to live your 80 years over again”? A. Aye! And Sanse Phrases.” J. “Would you agree to live your Eighty-Years over again forever”? A. I once heard our Acquaintance, Chew, of Philadelphia Say, “He Should like to go back to 25, to all Eternity”: but I own my Soul would Start and Shrink back on itself, at the Prospect of an endless...
112From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
As you was so well acquainted with the philosophers of France I presume the name and character of Mademoiselle De Lespinasse is not unknown to you. I have almost put out my eyes by reading two volumes of her letters which as they were printed in 1809 I presume you have read long ago. I confess I have never read any thing with more ennui, disgust and loathing. The eternal repitition of mon dieu...
113John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Before I proceed to the order of the day, which is the terrorism of a former day: I beg leave to correct an Idea, that Some readers may infer from an expression in one of your Letters. No Sentiment or expression in any of my Answers to Addresses were obtruded or insinuated by any Person about me. Every one of them was written with my own hand. I alone am responsable for all the Mistakes and...
114From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 11 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I recd. yesterday your favour of May 27th. I lament with you the loss of Rush. I know of no Character living or dead who has done more real good in America. Robert Treat Paine still lives, at 83 or 84, alert drol and witty though deaf. Floyd I believe, yet remains. Paine must be very great; Philosopher and Christian; to live under the Afflictions of his Family. Sons and Daughters with Genius...
115From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of 30. May with its Inclosures. You have Since that day no doubt received my Answer to yours of the 11 th. , in which I agreed perfectly with You in the Propriety of Sending M r Lamb to Congress without Loss of time. I am content to Send M r Randal with him but had rather he Should come to You first and then to me, and embark in London after We shall have had...
116John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 3–5] July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Correspondences! The Letters of Bernard and Hutchinson , and Oliver and Paxton &c were detected and exposed before The Revolution. There are I doubt not, thousands of Letters, now in being, but Still concealed, from their Party to their Friends, which will, one day See the light. I have wondered for more than thirty years that So few have appeared: and have constantly expected that a Tory...
117To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 23 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We are just arrived, covered with Dust, and we have hired our Boat, to go over tomorrow at ten. No green Peas, no Sallad, no Vegetables to be had upon the Road, and the Sky is still as clear dry and cold as ever. The Flocks of Sheep and herds of Cattle, through the Country, stalk about the Fields like Droves of Walking Skeletons. The Sheep are pastured chiefly I think in the plowed grounds,...
118From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
I last night received, the Ratification of my last Loan and the inclosed Resolution of Congress of 18 July last, for the Redemption of Prisoners at Algiers.— It is probable you have received it before, but as it is, in your Department to execute it, and possible that you may, not have received it, I thought it Safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honour to do, here inclosed. M r...
119To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 10 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I last night received, the Ratification of my last Loan and the inclosed Resolution of Congress of 18 July last, for the Redemption of Prisoners of Algiers. It is probable You have received it before, but as it is, in your Department to execute it, and possible that you may not have received it, I thought it Safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honour to do, here inclosed. Mr....
120To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Nathaniel Barrett, a Gentleman of a respectable Family in Boston, of a fair Character and long Experience in Trade, will have the Honour to deliver you this Letter. He comes to France for the express Purpose of negotiating with proper Persons concerning the Proposals of Monsieur Tourtille de Sangrain, relative of Sperma Cœti oil. I beg Leave to recommend him and his Business to your...
121From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Mazzei, called on me, last Evening, to let me know that he was this morning at three to Sett off, on his Journey, for Italy. He desired me to write you, that he has communicated to me the Nature of his Errand: but that his Papers being lost, he waits for a Commission and Instructions from you. That being limited to five Per Cent, and more than that being given by the Powers of Europe, and...
122From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, September 1813 (Adams Papers)
σὲ γὰρ πάντεσσι θέμις θνητοῖσι προσαυδᾶn. “It is not only permitted but enjoined upon all Mortals to address you.” Why should not our Divines translate it “It is our duty and our priviledge to address the Throne of thy grace and pray for all needed lawfull Blessings temporal and Spiritual,”. Θεμις was the Goddess of honesty, Justice, Decency, and right; the Wife of Jove, another name for Juno....
123From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 16 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
last night M r Randal arrived with yours of the 9 th. If the Prussian Treaty arrives to You, I think you will do well to Send M r Short with it to the Hague and Exchange it with Thulemeier, and get it printed in a Pamphlet Sending a Sufficient Number to you and to me. if it comes to me and you approve, I will Send Some one or go myself. The Chev r. De Pinto’s Courier unfortunately missed a...
124John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
As I owe you more for your Letters of Oct. 12. and 28 than I Shall be able to pay, I Shall begin with the P.S. to the last. I am very Sorry to Say, that I cannot “assist your memory in the Enquiries of your letter of August 22 d .” I really know not who was the compositor of any one of the Petitions or Addresses you enumerate. Nay farther I am certain I never did know. I was so shallow a...
125From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 23 January 1825 (Adams Papers)
We think ourselves possessed or at least we boast that we are so of Liberty of Conscience on all subjects and of the right of free inquiry and private judgment, in all cases and yet how far are we from these exalted privileges in fact. There exists I believe throughout the whole Christian world a law which makes it blasphemy to deny or to doubt the divine inspiration of all the books of the...
126From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favours of Feb. 20. and 23 by M r Carnes, and the curious Pamphlets. Opening a direct Communication between Paris and America will facilitate the Trade of the two Countries, very much, and the new Treaty between France and England, will promote it still more. John Bull dont see it. and if he dont See a Thing at first, you know it is a rule with him ever...
127From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
The Project of a new Constitution, has Objections against it, to which I find it difficult to reconcile my self. but I am so unfortunate as to differ somewhat from you in the Articles, according to your last kind Letter. You are afraid of the one—I, of the few. We agree perfectly that the many Should have a full fair and perfect Representation.— You are Apprehensive of monarchy: I, of...
128To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 18 September 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
With much pleasure I have heard read the sure words of prophecy in your letter of Sep 4 th It is melancholy to contemplate the cruel wars, dessolutions of Countries, and ocians of blood which must occure, before rational principles, and rational systems of Government can prevail and be established—but as these are inevitable we must content ourselves with the consolations which you from sound...
129From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
Mr Benjamin Parker Richardson, a Grandson of a neighbour of mine, who has lived in harmony with me for almost eighty nine years, is very desirous of seeing the venerable Author of the Declaration of Independence, and as this is a virtuous curiosity which I always applaud and encourage in our young men, I have ventured to give him a line of introduction to you. A freedom which I have taken too...
130From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 July 1791 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, at Boston, I received your friendly Letter of July 17th. with great pleasure. I give full credit to your relation of the manner, in which your note was written and prefixed to the Philadelphia edition of Mr Paines pamphlet on the rights of Man: but the misconduct of the person, who committed this breach of your confidence, by making it publick, whatever were his intentions, has sown...