I intended to have written to you when at your own house or Office in Boston, but was prevented by the intense severity of the weather , added to the general ill health of both your & my family, during the whole time we sojourned under your Roof, which, by the assiduity of your wife & Catharine and the faithful attendance of their domesticks was made, in every respect, our own house . My...
2From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the 30th: ult. on the 7th: current and also the pamphlet containing the documents respecting the Chesapeake. I have read the whole with attention, and am particularly impressed with the concluding letter of Mr: Madison, which is universally admitted to be a very luminous and correct State paper. That it could not be answered or refuted, is very apparent from the...
3From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
Although I have recently written you a letter of some length, I will not therefore refrain from a prompt acknowledgment of your favour of March 12th: which particularly deserves my thanks for the variety of intelligence it contains, of a nature not to be derived from any other source. The detail you have given of the various intrigues supposed to be in operation at head quarters and elsewhere...
4From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
I have received from Messrs: Curtis & Adams to whom I sold your Wood near the Mill pond, the amount of price agreed for; viz $160.0. for forty Cords which it turned out on measurement. I am now some what perplexed with your farm, as well as my own. My Tenant says I must consider him this year, since times & prospects are so dull and no market for produce, and I expect the greater part of your...
I received, Yesterday your favor of the 6th instant, for which I thank you. The letter, which upon mature consideration, I burnt, as I informed you in the cover of a letter from my Mother, sent a few days ago, was on the subject of the proposed alteration of the Constitution, as to the tenure of judicial Offices; but my ideas upon paper Suited me less than when they were revolving in my mind,...
6From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 January 1808 (Adams Papers)
You have been lately gratified with such copious communications from this quarter, that I have been the more remiss in mine, not wishing to encumber you with too much matter at once. We have read your Report to the Senate in the case of Mr: Smith, and the printed documents together with Mr: Smith’s vindication; but the volume of evidence communicated by the President I have not seen, and am...
I returned from Dedham on Friday morning, and found your letter of the 14th. The Court of Common Pleas dispatched business rather faster than usual, on account of Christmas; but there was business enough left unfinished to have occupied a day or two more. I am glad to find you are satisfied with my sale of your wood—I believe, no body has done better since, though sundry lots have been...
8From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 November 1807 (Adams Papers)
Your letter from Washington of the 27th: ult: to our dear Mother, came to hand this day; and as She was in Boston, we had the first perusal of it. We learn from it with much pleasure your Safe arrival at the end of your journey and that you and yours are in good health. In return for this intelligence I am happy to be able to acquaint you with the health of all our friends here and your...
9From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
When Sunday comes I usually enquire whether I have any arrearges to make up with my correspondents; if I have, it is to me the most convenient season for discharging such debts. Though I have, at present, no letter unacknowledged, I have a variety of documents and journals from you, which deserve mention, because they serve as a substitute in some degree for letters, which we know you have not...
10From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 December 1806 (Adams Papers)
The trial of Mr. Selfridge begun on Tuesday last and finished on Friday. I attended nearly the whole time and as it may be some time before the trial will be published, it may be interesting to you to learn some of the particulars from a Spectator. The evidence on the part of the Defendant was opened by Mr: Gore in a very handsome style and the law as applicable to the facts which he expected...
11From Thomas Boylston Adams to Thomas Cadwalader, 6 December 1806 (Adams Papers)
It is not my practice to omit altogether, however I may sometimes unreasonably, postpone the acknowledgment of a business letter; and I am not a little surprized to find a letter of this description from you upon my file of unanswered communications. The only reason I can assign for this neglect is such as will hardly pass for an excuse, so that I shall throw myself upon your clemency without...
12From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Meredith, 2 September 1806 (Adams Papers)
Accept my best thanks for the Volume of Moore’s fugitive poems, which accompanied your letter of the 23d: ult: It is the more acceptable, as it completes my set of his works, the former of which, were presented me, by S. Ewing. As specimens of perfection in the style of printing books, in your City, they are far superiour to any I have ever seen; but of their contents, I am truly not...
13From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 3 August 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have received a letter from my friend Dr: Chapman, informing me of his intention to compile in a series of volumes the best of the modern Orations, both forensic and parliamentary with brief remarks illustrative of each case. He wishes to know if my father’s library contains the Speech of the late Lord Littleton on the Canada-bill, Charles Townshend’s on raising a Revenue in America, so...
14From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Meredith, 30 July 1806 (Adams Papers)
Your very friendly letter of the 8th: instant came to hand on the 16th: and I have with some impatience waited the arrival of a little stranger, whose advent has been delayed a full month , that I might have the pleasure, in my reply, of announcing to you & your good lady similar tidings to those communicated by you. I have a Daughter for your son, provided you Should approve the Alliance, and...
15From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Meredith, 27 June 1806 (Adams Papers)
I suppose you have condoled and sympathized with me, like many other’s of my friends, upon the reputed death of my wife. Should this have been the case, I owe you my acknowledgments, but it is far more grateful to my feelings, that it is yet in my power to assure you that this calamity has not overtaken me, altho’ it has lately befallen a namesake of mine who is a kinsman and an inhabitant of...
16From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 9 April 1806 (Adams Papers)
Supposing that you will be at Washington long enough to receive a letter from this place before your departure I shall venture to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 19th: ult: to inform you of the health of both your children, as also of your friends at Quincy, who are looking with pleasure for your return, and who hope the cause of your leaving your wife behind you will terminate in...
17From Thomas Boylston Adams to Thomas Cadwalader, 19 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have just now, upon my return from Boston, found your letter of the 9th: instant, disclosing to me an enterprize in which you contemplate embarking, as an Associate with Dr Rose, a Gentleman of whom you have heretofore Spoken advantageously in your letters to me. At the same time you have proposed to me an Agency to obtain for you in this quarter, purchasers and Settlers of the land which is...
18From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 5 September 1805 (Adams Papers)
Next Monday (the 9th: currt) the Court of Sessions sit at Concord for the County of Middlesex—I have made a draft of a petition to be presented for a Committee to be appointed to appraise damages for the proprietors of Medford farm—Can you go there and present it—if not I will send it to my friend Danl. Adams of Hopkinton as I cannot go myself on account of its being so near last of service...
19From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 24 April 1805 (Adams Papers)
I want the form of a petition to be presented to the Court of Sessions, praying for a Committee to be appointed to assess damages, in case of property damaged by the proprietors of the Middlesex Canal—If you can not find a form, this side of Cambridge, you must go there and obtain one from the Clerks Office of the Sessions, where I presume you will find some on file— Our Petition must be...
20From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
I did not think to receive a reply to my letter of the 2d: instant, before I had the Mail charged with another and on the way to Washington. Yet so it is, and I am now to acknowledge your favor of the 13th: which came to hand yesterday with enclosures The Journals of the H. R. I have received to No 14 inclusive & but three sheets of the journal of Senate. Bills, Messages & Reports, in...
21From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 26th: is So copiously answered that I shall reserve my fire for a future occasion, when I hope to be better able to write than I am now. I have been seized furiously by the Nose within a few days, by a fretful & provoking tumour, which has made me fell more indisposed than I have for a twelvemonth. It has distorted my face rather unluckily, just at this time, & moreover so...
22From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I received to day your favor of the 7th: inst: covering the journal & Speech not spoken—since which I have had no time to read either—Parson Bentley’s promotion is to me by no means unaccountable—I heard something, by going to Salem so often last winter—If you like to hear a very familiar conversation between a frail mortal and infinite wisdom, listen to the prayers of this “no God or twenty...
23Thomas Boylston Adams to James Sullivan, 23 October 1804 (Adams Papers)
Having waited some time in expectation of an answer to the last proposal, which I had the honor to submit to your consideration relative to the settlement of the dispute between the proprietors of the Middlesex Canal Company & the owners of the Teel farm at Medford, I am induced once more to call the attention of the Gentlemen of the Committee to this subject. The Season is already so far...
24Thomas Boylston Adams to Thomas Cadwalader, 26 July 1804 (Adams Papers)
I had for sometime contemplated offering you my congratulations on the auspicious event of your marriage, before the authentic annunciation of it, under your own hand. I noticed, with very lively pleasure this accession to the fund of happiness, which, if the wishes of friendship can [avail,] will be as inexhaustible as the Bank of my friends personal merits. You have been as prompt to...
25Thomas Boylston Adams to William Meredith, 22 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 15 th: and thank you for your attention to my Commissions. The Books, I believe, had best be sold, as you suggest, at Auction, and to the highest bidder. I shall regret the sacrifice of the folio Edition of the laws, because they have been heretofore in great demand, and in time, would probably sell for a just price, but I must forego the benefit of a...
26Thomas Boylston Adams to William Meredith, 8 February 1804 (Adams Papers)
On the 3 d inst: I enclosed to you, Bank Notes of various descriptions, amounting to two hundred and ninety dollars, accompanied by a letter of advice as to the disposal of the money. I hope you will receive it and apply it as requested. I have, since I left your City, been leading a desultory, or as Joe says, a miscellaneous life, and have therefore collected very little information worthy of...
27Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I reached Boston on Saturday Evening the 10 th: inst: and came out to Quincy on Sunday afternoon, with Cousin Shaw— Our parents are well; my Mother is wonderfully recovered, and seems to me to be as active & busy as ever about her family— this is a great comfort to me, and will help to render solitude in some measure supportable. to me. I feel, that there will be ample time to reflect on my...
28Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 31 August 1803 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 24 th: is before me, and I most ardently hope the information respecting the prospect of my mother’s recovery may not prove delusive. I expected a letter from my brother by this day’s mail, but am disappointed. My suspence & anxiety have been extreme for ten days past, and nothing but your letter, which assures me, that my mother was considerably better, has relieved my...
29Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1803 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 20 th: inst: came to hand yesterday, in the condition, which you have the cover here enclosed, except that the wax was not broken. By some means or other, the packet was sent on to Washington , and the name of J. Adams. on the back of it, must have excited the curiosity of some body, who from appearances, took the very excusable liberty, in this free country, to inspect its...
30Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favors of the 18 th: ult: and 2 d: instant, the latter enclosing a valuable communication from my father; for which please to express my thanks. I have taken note of those “thoughts on the times,” and will make use of them. I hope M r: Ames , will continue to expand his thoughts on those topics. The Port Folio begins to get into some favor all over the Country, and the...
31Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 25 February 1803 (Adams Papers)
Your two letters on La Harpe, I have taken the liberty to publish in the Port Folio, and I have now to ask the favor of you, as your leisure & inclination may serve, to pursue your extracts & comments upon any portion of that great work, which you may find agreeable or think useful. I make this request in behalf of the Editor of the Port Folio, who will be flattered & obliged by any literary...
32Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I do not intend to write you very often, though I find it impossible to refrain altogether. Your last, is of the 10 th: inst t: but a subsequent enclosure has been received, which gave great joy to our trusty and well-beloved O.O. A second sheet is wished, before the publication commences, lest the thread should be broken. As yet you will not expect any very brilliant account of success,...
33Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 18 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I lately enclosed you a prospectus of the Rev d Doctor Smith’s works accompanied by a print of the Author, which I sent rather as a specimen of good American Engraving, than on any other account; although as a subscriber to the work, which will ere long be published, you might wish to posses so striking a likeness of the Author. I sent the print and prospectus without any knowledge of M r:...
34Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
Since I am embarked in a very doubtful speculation, and I am ready to own, that I am by no means sanguine as to its success, yet as I am assured of your good will and best wishes towards the promotion of our interest, you must also indulge me in one request I have to make, which is to leave off croaking , which you know I never could endure, not because I could not appretiate the use and the...
35Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I received, yesterday, your favor of the 27 th: ult. and thank you, for the wholesome admonitions, it contains. Your advice will always receive due attention, both from myself and our friend. When you shall have received and perused, the concluding numbers of the Port Folio, & taken with you the consideration of the extreme rapidity with which they were published, I think you will discover...
36Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
The Eastern Mail brought your letter of the 23 d: this morning. The business part of it stands thus. D r: Woodhouse has been in the habit of putting up chemical equipage at various prices, and when our friend Quincy wrote for one, last year I communicated the order to the D r: Professor himself, who promised to attend to it. This promise no doubt escaped his memory, as he has since been twice...
37Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have at length returned to the City for the purpose of remaining in it during the rest of the Season. We do not yet pretend to be free from cases of autumnal fever, which have been particularly malignant and fatal; but those, who, like myself, are believers in domestic origin, may return without apprehension. From my brother I have had accounts, from time to time, of the health of our family...
38Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
M r: Walter who had been in the City several days, while I was absent, called at my dwelling & left your favor of the 5 th: inst t: yesterday. I am sorry, that he proceeded to Washington without my seeing him, but he promises me this pleasure on his return. I have now returned to my old haunts for the season, and though we cannot yet boast of perfect health in the City, there is reason to...
39Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 July 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have received & thank you for your favor of the 6 th: curr t: . This day, twelve months ago, I left Philadelphia to visit my friends, in N. England, but however strong my inclination to see them often, I must forego that gratification for the sake of bettering my condition here. Should any serious cause occur, such as the yellow fever, (of which we have already had some alarm), which should...
40Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 13 June 1802 (Adams Papers)
I received your short note, accompanying the Oration delivered by my brother, before the charitable fire Association, and thank you for the promptness of your attention in transmitting it. The perusal of it was a rich repast, and though its merit did not surpass, it fully equalled my expectations. I am yet to hear from you, in answer to some of my late communications. You have certainly lost...
41Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have your favor of the 23 d: inst: before me. The Country looks so pleasant and inviting in the vicinity of this City, that I have no difficulty in conceiving the beauties of Quincy farm, at this moment. I have lately passed some days, at different intervals, in the Country, and found much benefit, from the change of air. As to the accident, which befel me, I should scarcely have thought it...
42Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
I received, at Norristown, while attending a County Court, your favor of the 25 th: ult: with an enclosure for Old-school, which is already delivered to him. He is thankful for it, as well as for the translation of Bulow, which you will perceive he has begun to publish. The concluding sentence of the Editor’s introduction will excite your smile, as being the first instance, wherein he has...
43Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
Since the receipt of your favor of the 18 th: ult: I have been absent from the City, a few days, attending a County Court, and tomorrow I expect to set out for another excursion of a similar nature. There is but little immediate benefit, derived from riding the circuit in order to attend the Courts in this vicinity; for the business is principally engrossed by those who reside in the shire...
44Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favors of 28 th: February & 13 th: March, came safe to hand; I thank you for them, and should have sooner acknowledged their receipt, but for the constant sitting of Courts, ever since. I repent, that I have written so much to you and my father, on the subject of myself, since I perceive, that it has produced so much uneasiness & anxiety, not to say more, on my account. It would have...
45Thomas Boylston Adams to Joseph Clay Jr., 18 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
At the request of my father, M r: John Adams. I take the liberty, through you, to present the volumes, herewith sent to the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. It is believed, that the first volume of this work, has already been presented, by the Author, to the Society; if so, the sett will now be complete. I am, Sir, respectfully / Your most obed: hble Serv t RC ( PPAmP :Record Group IIa);...
46Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have your favor of the 7 th: inst t: before me; the letter for M rs: Adams, which came with it, was sent to her the day after, I received it, and the same day, she called in a carriage at my Office, to inform me of its receipt. Her daughter was with her and in good health. I have not been able to visit her so often as I wished, but before she returns to NewYork I will try to see her again. I...
47Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 15 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive, this morning, your favor of the 1 st: curr t: and now hasten to acknowledge it, with more eagerness, on account of the long interval, which has elapsed, since I have written particularly to yourself. I am not sorry, that you consider politicks, as forbidden fruit, for though you cannot fail to form an opinion, upon the very novel & extraordinary occurrences, in...
48Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 30 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favor of the 13 th: ult o: . The principal subject in which you dwelt; viz: the intention to destroy the main pillar of our political edifice, has since undergone a very serious discussion; and you have doubtless listened with peculiar interest to the spirited debates, which the motion of M r: Brackenridge has produced in the Senate of the United States. The...
49Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 December 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received your favor of the 28 th: ult. with the enclosures; Dennie stepp’d in a moment after, and I gave him the fable, for which he thanks you. He desires me to add, that as he cannot expect, from your present, unsettled State, you will have much time to bestow in producing original matter, he will be grateful for any thing, you may Send him, from your stock on hand. I was...
50Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 October 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favors of the 5 th: & 12 th: curr t: ; the first containing the mournful tidings of the death of our venerable Uncle Quincy; and the latter, by my brother, directing me to procure for you a mourning ring. I hope by the time my brother returns from Washington, to have your commission complied with, but as you gave me no particular directions respecting the fashion of the...