This morning I did See in a N.Y. paper—the announced death of your Revered Father—my beloved and respected Frend—during more than forty years—alas! He is no more—I am nearly left alone—and fostered—in vain—the hope, that I Should See Him once more! You with your Dear Lady and family enjoy’d this happiness, and rendered Him by your unrelenting attentions—in his last moments—thankful to His God....
2To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
So many months are past Since I received a Single line from Massachusetts—in former days I was now and then remembered with kind regard by mrs Quincy—my frend Tyng allways men tioned to me the State of your health now and then your beloved Emily honoured me with Some information about her beloved Relatives—and—now—I appear worse as a Stranger—of one thing I remain nevertheless confident, that...
3To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your unexpected favour of Nov. 30 was highly gratifying—I am too much acquainted with the infirmities of old age, to presume or even to wish, that my insignificant lines should be punctually attended to—It is more than enough if now and then I may be informed of your welfare—and it is with deep regret, I saw—you suffered so long under such a severe indisposition—which—I thank my God, that it...
It is with an inexpressible delight, that I received and perused your affectionate Letter of the first of this month after a long Silence. I cannot expect, that I Should more often receive similar favours—I Shall continue thankful, if I am permitted to See these now and then. I mentioned the name of your grand Son George, the Son of the Judge, not knowing that he was already engaged in...
5To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I trust, that you will not deem it amiss, if, after such a long silence, I take once more the liberty of writing you to assure of my continued affectionate regards. It might be the last time, as, although your age is far more advanced, mine is already arrived at 74 and the dimng of my eyes—dayly increasing makes reading and writing highly difficult. Since I was honoured with your favour of...
You will not be displeased, I am confident, if I address you again a few lines—perhaps—one or other of your family may consider it proper, to favour me at a proper period with Some information—with respect to your continued health—of which the N. papers assure us, you enjoy a considerable Share—What a blessing at Such an advanced age! My family was with me highly gratified—in Seing in these...
7To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, September 1825 (Adams Papers)
Often when I labour in my garden,—and I do so usually from sunrise till its setting—I expatiate with you and your son in your delightful mansion. Soon everything around you shall brighten, you shall revive a while, when the president your son visits you. Indeed your last days appear to me your best days. Printed Source--Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, An Autobiography, Together with Extracts from...
After Such a long protracted Silence you will not find fault, that I indulge once more in writing you a few lines—your kindnesses, of which I received So many proofs during more than forty years—your affectionate esteem, which never was abated would be a Sufficient apology—even if I had from time to time obtained a few lines from one of your family. But the last pertinent account of the...
9To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I may not longer delay to answer your unexpected, affectionate and interesting favour of Jan y 11 th as it afforded me an inexpressible delight in my deep retirement, and honored me with a fresh proof of your continued esteem, which I trust can never be forfeited by me. Health and comfort remain yet my share, and I do not consider that these are cancelled by excruciating head-ache, to which I...
10To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
It was my intention to have delay’d writing to you—till the great die was cast—but perusing Dr Morse’s—Revolution I was So Struck and delighted by your interesting Letters—to him mr. Niles and Judge Tudor, that I could not longer bereave me Self of the pleasure of giving you my cordial thanks for these valuable Records. How deeply I regret, that your avocations did not permit you twenty years...
11To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I trust from your former, so often renewed, kindnesses, that after such a long silence, you will not take it amiss, if I address you once more a few lines, although I have it not in my power, to communicate any subject deserving your attention but it can not be unpleasing to you. see, that my gratitude remains unabated. You enjoy the inexpressible delight, to have survived the slanderous...
12To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
I delay’d to write you a few lines—to congratulate you cordially on the happy arrival of the 30th of Oct—and join your Relatives and frends in celebrating the anniversary of your 89 Birthday fostering the hope, that before this time I might have Seen a happy desired conclusion in our Legislature—with regard to the Presidential election—But the caucus-cabal thus far disappointed me in my ardent...
13To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 September 1824 (Adams Papers)
Confident, that, after Such a long Silence, a few Letters of an old friend, who allways revered you, and will continue to do So till his last breath, Shall not be unacceptable, I once more take up my pen I can not—after approaching my 73th foster the hope, that I Shall be permitted to do it often—But I will not delay it longer—as I hear neither from you or my N. England frends a word—except...
14To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 6 March 1824 (Adams Papers)
Again a Letter from Oldenbarneveld—I Suffered this winter with excruciating headache, partly owing to want of exercise partly to dyspeptic constitution. This morning I awoke with a clear head—So chearful, that I enjoy’d not So much happiness in Several weeks—I went with all Speed to my garden—examined its State—the Soil was as hard as iron—then I cleaned a part of my Seedhouse—and returned...
15To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 March 1824 (Adams Papers)
I would not So Soon have intruded again into your dignified retirement had it not been, that you took Such a warm interest in all your Frends concerns—be these of a good or unpropitious cast. We met with a Severe loss—a Similar one to which I was in part a witness—Several years ago—under your hospitable roof. The dear wife of my Son at Philadelphia is no more—She died in the night of Febr....
16To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 6 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Confident that a few lines shall not be unacceptable, as you cannot but approve my grateful feelings, for your distinguished kindnesses; which shall never be obliterated I once more are prompted to address—to thank you cordially. thank you for your noble minded Letter to my Revered friend J. Adams. This is a general sentiment in our neighbourhood and state. It is a laurel around your head...
17To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Although the last favour with which I was honoured by you on Aug. the 3 d leaves me Scarce any hope to receive another proof of your regard from your hand. yet I should deem myself undeserving former kindnesses for which I Shall ever remain thankful could I leave your letter without any answer and I am confident you will not consider it as an importune intrusion. It is a high gratification...
18To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 13 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Once more I must give you my cordial thanks for this proof of your remembrance—not, that I suspected it—but I did not expect so soon an answer. Every one, which I receive every letter of myself—I consider—nearly unwillingly—that it may be the last of our correspondence—continued now since more than forty years—during which—whatever Station you fulfilled—I was allways honoured with your kind...
19To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 11 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Althoug it was not in my power to assist, under your roof, at the celebration of your 88th anniversary, yet I cannot deny my Self the enjoyment of congratulating you and your respected family with this event. It is my ardent wish and fervent prayer, that it may please our All-good God to pour out you and your Family his choicest blessings during the continuance of your residence here, So that...
20To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 26 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am confident you will not take it amiss—if, once more, I address you with a few lines, less so, as I did not hear from Quincy since Febr. last—except thro Public Reports by which I was informed, that you enjoy’d health, and continued as always before, to deserve well of your country—may your Friends and Children enjoy this blessing a long while— I would have written long since, had I not...
21To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 26 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you cordially for your last favour of Jan. 19 as I too received again a fair proof. that whatever difficulty may attend the expression of our mind in writing—yet—you possess the full powers of body as well as of mind—whenever you can do good, as art inclined to bestow a new act of kindness—In this every reader would coincide, could I, without your consent, publish the contents of...
22To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I cordially thank you for your affectionate Letter of the 4th—So Soon I did not expect a fresh proof of your kindness—my wife and Daughter Shared in my happiness—I was pleased with the explanation of your Seal—It Shall be preserved with the Seal—and—after my death—with all your Letters—and those of your beloved Lady—delivered to J. Q—or Th—— So that no unhallowed eye may be cast upon them. I...
23To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
So much time has elapsed, Since I was delighted with the interesting affectionate Letter, which I received last Summer from Mrs Quincy—Since which I obtained not one Single line from Massachusetts, that I cannot express the delightful Surprise when I did See myself favoured with a fresh proof of your frendship in your Letter of the 5th inst. Yes, my Dear Friend! this Letter was as warm as...
24To Thomas Jefferson from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
It is a long time—since I was honoured with any favour from your hand, and little less—that for the last time I took the Liberty of addressing you. I plainly perceive, that writing may be to you a penible task—but—would it require great exertions—to induce one of your family to inform the man, whom you favoured—voluntarily with your kind regards, and influential recommendations—of which he...
By the frendship, with which I was gratified and honoured by your Beloved Parents’—during the best part of my life, and which I yet continue to enjoy unabated—By the courtesy with which you obliged me—voluntarily, and by your Literary endowments I feel my Self Sufficiently justified, in Submitting to your examination sundry paper—although I know that your High Station, your more Serious...
26To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am confident, you will kindly permit me to Send you a few lines—at this time—if it was only, & I candidly confess, that I have Scarce any thing else, deserving your notice—to communicate, except it was to congratulate you—in regard to your continued vigour and health—as Mrs Quincy was kindly pleased to inform me, that you twice walked this Summer from your house to her abode, to make You...
27To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Although I hear no more of Montezillo than of Boston—Yet I trust, that it is not unacceptable to receive again a—few lines—and the N. papers tell us—from time to time—that He—whom we love and respect—continues to enjoy health and happiness—and yet Sometimes—from a foul mouth ed an adders tongue endeavours to poison those who are less acquainted with them whom we respect and admire—and it may...
If a Sense of duty did not compell me to address You with these few lines, I could not deem it proper to intrude on your more Serious occupations—but—where, perhaps, it might afford you an opportunity of doing good—even in attending to the duties of your High office, I trust, I Shall not need an excuse for this interference by the Secretary of State—while I am too well informed of John Quincy...
29To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
Although I did not hear from Montezillo—Since your very affectionate Letter of 30 May—except by our friend Tyng, on 27 July—I am confident, that I can not be forgotten—and Supposed, that health and contentment must have remained your familys Share, increased yet by the presence of the Secretary of State, and the distinguished progress of your grandson—yet these pleasing contemplations were...
30To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 13 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
It is a gratification, that I have it in my power, to cause you Some pleasurable emotions—by the commu ni cations, that an increase of enjoyment has fallen to our Share—although Some what moderated by our Daughter’s indisposition, which however—we have much reason to hope, that is only a passing cloud which Soon Shall pass by. Mr and mrs Busti—in returning from Batavia renewed their visit to...