1From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 20 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
your favour of the 10th. is received—I remember that a Woman came to me in London with a Book she wished me to buy—it was Carvers Travels—she said she was his Widow that he had left her the Property in his this Book—and that she had little else to support her—with much Pyrrhonism concerning the Veracity of her intentions as well as in the historical facts—as in the Work itself—I though it a...
2From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 29 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your favr of the 17th. Decr. Your favour of the 17th Decr. You may do what you please with my letter of 20th Decr. I presume the Collo Troup you speak off is the gentleman whose eloquent speeches I have read with great satisfaction in the Volume of the transaction of the Convention for reforming your the Constitution. It would give me pleasure to peruse all your publications,...
3From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 10 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter of the 4th: Instant. I wish that time may bring forth as able a vindicator of the merits of your useful life, as Mr VanderKemp, has proved in defence of my reputation with posterity, for some little usefulness in Holland—This testimony of Mr VanderKemp was as unexpected to me as if Luzac, De Geislaer, Van Berkel, Father Dumas, Cerisier or VanderCapellen de Pol,...
4From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 23 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved, and heard read Collo. Troups letter to Judge Livingston of the 23d Jan. 1822. You need not wish for a More rigorous, a more able, or a more spirited vindication of your claim to the first suggestion of the Canal policy in New York; and of Genl. Schuylers sagacious patriotism, in adopting, and supporting your Ideas in the Ligeslature. You have both great merit but still I think...
5From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 31 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your Letter of the 26h: with my blind eyes, and palsied hand tantas componere liter non possium I am with usual regards &c N : Elkanah Watson Papers.
6From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 10 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of July 19th is yet unacknowledged. The first page of it, or rather the first part of the first page compells me to Say that the real cause of the rancorous virulence with which I have been treated by all Parties French and English, Democratical and Aristocratical, and I might Add Presbyterian and Antipresbyterian, has been that I never was and never would be a passive Tool of any...
7From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 11 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Our country is in a high fever. So in all Europe—so are the four quarters of the globe. Who first contracted, or first generated the disease? Montreal was no sooner surrendered in 1759 than the conqueror of Canada was discarded from the English Cabinet—a simple maniac ascended the throne, and a machivilian maniac who had been his preceptor became his prime minister. The design was conceived of...
8From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 28 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your note of Feb’y 12th. and for the communication of Judge Troups letter. I am very much obliged to him for his civility to me as well for his testimonies in honor of your meritorious exertions for the public good. Your active life has been employed as far as I have known the history of i, in the promoting useful Knowledge and useful arts: for which I hope you have received or...
9From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 6 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with your Letter of the 28th. Ulto. It has received the recollection of our former acquaintance in France, England and Holland, as well as in Several parts of our own Country. I think with you that it is the duty of every considerate Man to support the national authorities in whose hands they may be I will not Say, whatever their measures may be. To your allusion to the war I...
10From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 17 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received with Pleasure your polite Letter of the 5th. and thank you for your kind Compliments. I am very much disposed to believe, that you have been misinformed concerning “Some very leading Characters in the State of N. york.” If they have been “disappointed” it has been in the Election of the V.P. not in mine: and that by no means on the Ground of “the known Independence of my mind”....
11From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 14 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of April the 3d is like the recognizance of an old acquaintance after a Separation of several Years. I lay no serious claim to the title of Father of the navy or of any thing else but my family. Have you seen a history of the american navy written by a Mr Clarke and edited by a Mr Matthew Cary? I gave the names of Alfred, Columbus the Cabots and the Andrewdoria to the first ships...
12From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 15 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 9th. I have only to Say that you may do a s you please with my Letter of the 6th. But if you expect that any Opinion of mine will have any Influence, you will find yourself mistaken. The Rushing and Dashing and Roaring of the Wor d Washington! Washington! Washington! like the Waters at Passaick or the more tremendous Cataract of Niagara deafens Stuns astonishes...
13From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 7 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 2nd. If, 37 years ago, I wrote to you in the character of an Old Man, I must now write in that of a Superannuated one. When Chief Justice Oliver Said to you in 1782 that he dreaded “me more than any Man in America” he did not explain his reasons. I will not pretend at Present to conjecture more than one. He knew that I was the first Projector of the...
14From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 20 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received and heard Mr Troups letter to Judge Livingston of the 23d of January 1822. you need not wish for a more ingenius, a more able or a more spirited vindication of your claim to the first suggestion of Canal Policy in New York, or of Genll. Schuylers sagacious patriotism in adapting and supporting your ideas in the legislature you have both great merit but still I think Mr Clinton...
15From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 16 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
Inter Arma Silent leges, is what We call an old Saying. I hope that Scientiæ will not be added. You may raise wheat when you will, by ploughing and harrowing deep enough, by plenteous manure, and by early Sowing: But while the Price is depressed by immense importations from the Southward, it never will repay the Expence. Full fifty five Years have I observed enquired, read reflected, and tried...
16From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 29 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 17 Dec You may do what you please with my letter of 20 Dec The Mr. Troop you mention is the gentleman I presume whose eloquent speeches I read in the vol of transactions of the convention for reforming the constitution. It would give me pleasure to peruse all your publications and to correspond with you on the subject of them but I can read nothing and...
17To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 28 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Nearly One third of a Century has elapsed, Since I first did myself the honor to write you from & I shall always recollect with gratitude the kindness I have uniformly experienced from you in all situations. By a coincidence of singular Vicissitude, (on my part) you are at the head of the respectable Massts Agricultural Society & I am undeservedly I admit placed at the head of the Berkshire A....
18To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 9 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
I consider Your opinion on the Subject of War—as expressed to me in the Letter you did me the honor to write of the 6th Inst—So just—& So decisive—that I am confident of it was published as an extract of a Letter from you—to A.B—in this County—it would do great good, in bringg. back many deluded by the farci c al Washn. benovolents—whereas I consider them the real Jacobins—& Tories of Our...
19To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 4 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice to notice by the public papers that you not only live, but that it is evident from yr. interesting letter to Ar. Coffin—that Providence Continues to bless you with an unimpaird intelect. I rejoice Sir to find a motive to address you once more. We have corresponded upwards of 40 years on various Subjects. The object of the present letter is to inclose to you a letter from Mr A...
20To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 2 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
It is now 37 years since I had the pleasure to recieve your first letter at Anconis It was a paternal letter containing advice to a Young Man, which was peculiarly usefull to me. You than said—“ I must talk to you like an old man ”—I am now 15 years older than you was than. In several of your Subsequent letters you express’d a wish to know precisely, the conversation which pass’d between Judge...
21To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 7 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
On my return to this pleasant Village from a peregrination in the West, I rec’d Your favor of the 22d June— The ground my friends have assumed as to my projecting—& in co’operation with Genl. Schuyler—my efficient & successful efforts in establishing the Canal policy in this State, & vigorously prosecuting the incipient Step which has led to their present gigantic State—has call’d forth all...
22To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 7 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
On my return from a Journey I rec’d your two favours of the 11th & 12th. Ulto.—On the Subject of Siberian wheat—as respects its culture on the Seabord your remarks are doubtless correct—I yet console myself it will be found congenial with the Interior Soil & Climate As proof off which I am promised a bushel from Collo. Whipple Collector of Portsmouth, the only person who retains of that wheat...
23To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 17 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your friendly favr. of the 10th. Inst. I took the liberty to shew your letter to Secy. Yates the Great Orator & permitted him to take a copy to transmit to his friend Mr. Van Der Kemp. I hope I have not transgressed. By last mail I transmitted to you in conformity to your request, Robt. Troup’s pam Letter on New York Canals addressed to Brockholn Livingston. I presume you know the...
24To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 19 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your respected favr of the 15th Inst—permit ted me to Say—You are greatly mistaken—Altho’ the Spirit of party has cruelly exposed you, to the rancorous Venom of party Malignity—Your friends are consoled, with the full belief, that these angry wa t ers beat against you, as against a rock in the Midst of the Ocean—& that each Succeeding wave falls broken at your feet—they also Know...
25To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 5 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
As I feel sensible of the honor of your correspondence, I cannot permit myself to be in your debt on that Score, especially as my Letters are attended with no expence. I find Sir—I am highly hon’d in making the Tour of the United States in your company, and It is the fin I trust I hope our travels, & our example will not be without its salutary influence on at least a portion of Our fellow...
26To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 26 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
It was Not my intention to have troubled you again very soon—but an incident has occured which has made it necessary. The day after I wrote my last letter to you, requesting permission to publish yr. letter The Honbl Secy. Yates called on me & requested I wou’d submit yr. letter to immediate publication, inasmuch as he had taken the liberty to publish yours (to appear the insuing day) to him....
27To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 14 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Holding an occasional correspondence with you for upwards of 40 years on various subjects, it is peculiarly proper and I desire to bless GOD, that I have it in my power in the Evening of your useful days to offer to you my sincere, and hearty congratulations on the recent elevation of your distinguished Son to the first Office in the power of a grateful Nation to bestow upon him. I am the more...
28To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 15 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Holding a correspondence with you for the on various subjects for upwards of 45 years; it is peculiarly proper, and I desire to bless GOD that I have it in my power in the Evng. of your useful days to offer to you my sincere and hearty congratulations on the recent elevation of your Son to the first Office in the gift of a republican Nation. I am the more gratified that this great State has...
29To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 5 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is Now 17 Years since I was first hon’d with your Paternal Letter at Nantes. Since which in Various situations, & On Various occasions in your Important Life, I have presumed to address you; and have never Ceased to Venerate the Independance of your Mind, & your “stern Republican Virtues”—I cannot now forbare Congratulating you on your recent elevation to the first station in the Power of...
30To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 1 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am hon’d with your Obliging Letter of the 17th. Inst. After the departure of My Letter of the 5th. Ulto. I Regretted that I had touched on a delicate Subject Since however it is So, I feel impressed with the propriety of unveiling the Mistery, which I Request May be considered as Confidential —I had Spent the Evening of writing you in Company with Chancellor Livingston who in the Most...