1To John Adams from Matthew Lyon, 4 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
Four years ago this day you became President of the United States, and I a Representative of the People in Congress; this day has brought us once more on a level, the acquaintance we have had together entitles me to the Liberty I take, when you are about to depart for Quincey, (by and with the concent and advice of the good people of the United States) to bid you a hearty farewell; this...
2To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 8 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
Th. Jefferson presents his respects to Mr. Adams and incloses him a letter which came to his hands last night; on reading what is written within the cover, he concluded it to be a private letter, and without opening a single paper within it he folded it up & now has the honor to inclose it to Mr Adams, with the homage of his high consideration and respect. MHi : Adams Papers.
3From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 8 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to mr Adams and incloses him a letter which came to his hands last night; on reading what is written within the cover, he concluded it to be a private letter, and without opening a single paper within it he folded it up & now has the honor to inclose it to mr Adams, with the homage of his high consideration & respect. RC ( MHi : Adams Papers); addressed:...
4To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 9 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
It was with great regret that I found myself dissappointed in my attempt to pay my gratefull respects to you this morning.—Conceiving that the bad weather, and worse Roads, would have rendered your arrival before to day impossible, I remained in the Country in full confidence of meeting you either to day or tomorrow. I beg you to be assured, Sir, that in your Retirement from public Life, my...
5To John Adams from Christopher Gadsden, 11 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
For five or six Years past at least, very rarely have I been seen from home (or wish’d to be) excepting at Church or Funerals, but my Duty to my Country & to our old Standbys tho’ now in my 78th, compell’d me in our late Election to take up my feeble pen again, at least to shew my good Will & Inclination, & tho’ many able Hands were not wanting, yet sorry am I to say, all our Efforts fail’d...
6To John Adams from Isaac Story, 20 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
The man, who loves his country, will venerate those, who have contributed to her glory and prosperity; and, as Republics are sometimes found wanting in gratitude, it becomes each individual, unless he would involve himself in the general obloquy, to express personally the sentiments of his heart. Unfortunately for America, that time has arrived. Being but a young man, I dare not trust language...
7John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 24 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
My last letter to you, was of November 25. since which I have not enjoyed the pleasure of receiving a line either from my mother or from you— To her I have in the interval written once; and now enclose a press-copy of the letter, in case the original should fail in the conveyance. My numerous letters to the Secretary of State, and to my brother will I hope apologize for my silence during so...
8To John Adams from Samuel Phillips, 25 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at their late Session, appointed the President of their Senate & the Speaker of their House of Representatives, to present to you a respectful address which they prepared they prepared for the purpose, upon your return to your native State. The execution of this commission has been unfortunately delayed, by reason of Mr. Phillips’ ill...
9To John Adams from Isaiah Thomas, 25 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose you a few numbers of our weekly Spy, being from March 4, which is the commencement of the Volume.—Should they afford you any amusement, I shall be happy to continue sending them to you, and shall be amply rewarded in so doing.—With Sentiments of Esteem, I subscribe myself, your most obedient & / very huml Servt— MHi : Adams Papers.
10John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 28 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
It is my intention during the short time that I expect to remain here, to send you from time to time such new publications in the french language, as may fall in my way, and appear to promise entertainment or matter of interesting meditation for you. With this design I purpose to combine another, which I am at least desirous to render of some utility to my Country— The translation from Juvenal...
11To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity which I have been able to improve, since your arrival at Quincy, to express my sincere acknowledgements for the distinguished proof which I have rec’d. of your confidence, in being appointed a Judge of the second Circuit of the United States. My friends have communicated to me the circumstances which attended this appointment, by which I learn with the...
12To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
The extreme bad traveling for some time past has prevented my calling and paying to you the debt of my most dutiful Gratitude While I sympathise with my country in the loss which they have sustained by the events of the late election it is some consolation that you will suffer less by the change than any other of your fellow citizens in the Union. Some few of them may be ingrateful for your...
13To John Adams from William Bayly, 31 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will not Deem this Letter Impertinent or Improper,—I was a Justice of the peace for P G County and I am told by a Gentleman of Veracity who saw it, that I was in the Nomination in the List made out by you, but in the Publication in the News papers after you Left this, I was Left out all together,— I shall be thankful if you will be good Enough to Inform me how this happened and...
14To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 4 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favor of 23d. ult. is just recieved; it was truly welcome as it gave me the first information of your safe arrival, & as the manner of it proved that you were in good health & spirits. Pardon me for differing from you in opinion when you say that you have exchanged honor & virtues for manure. I take the last article to be accumulative;—tho’ they aggregate may be formed of as form...
15William Smith Shaw to John Adams, 6 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
After living uninteruptedly in your family, for almost three years, and uniformly receiving, both from you and my Aunt, all the affection and tenderness of the most indulgent parents, I should do injustice to all the honorable feelings [of a gr]ateful heart, were I to omit this opportunity and leave you, Sir, without [ex]pressing to you my warmest acknowledgments, for the innumerable favors I...
16To John Adams from Bernard Hubley, Jr., 9 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Affectionate Attachment, I ever had for you, has induced me, to take a liberty, which I pray, may meet your abrobation;—My Dear Wife, was safely delivered of a Son, on Sunday, the Twenty fifth January last; on Sunday last, Fifth April, (being Easter day) he was Babtized, and Named John Adams, he is a fine Babe; should Providence permit him to live, to become a Man; the Wish and Prayers of...
17Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 10 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
I enclose for your perusal two of the latest letters received by me, from my Brother; although the last contains a conditional injunction, against the communication of it, to you, I am sure it will gratify your feelings, to discover the spirit, which dictated so much solicitude, on your account. That he should have felt all the anxiety, which he describes, both as it concerned the public &...
18John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 18 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
I enclose herewith the second number of my Gazette, which completes the Journal for the month of March. By the last post I sent to Hamburg a letter for my mother with the information, that on the 12 th: inst r: my wife was delivered of a son. But she was then extremely ill, & I wrote under the impression of great alarm on her account. She has since very much recovered, & as I am assured quite...
19John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 25 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
As I am informed there is a vessel soon to sail from Amsterdam for Boston, I now forward to M r. Bourne to go by her, this letter enclosing copies of my numbers 2 and 3. upon the Etat de la France &c. The book itself will go with the copy of my first letter concerning it, from Hamburg— Hauterive has generally been given out as its author; but Talleyrand himself is now understood to have had...
20To John Adams from John Murray Forbes, 25 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
On my return to this Country permit me to take the earliest opportunity to express to you the warm sense of grateful obligation which I feel for your attention to my Wishes & those of my friends, in the nomination of me to the Commercial Agency of the U. S. at Havre de Grace in France—This place promises to an American House even greater Commercial advantages than that of Bordeaux which I had,...
21John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 1 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have received, and communicated to this Government, my recall from the mission here— I shall hasten my departure as much as possible; but the situation of my wife who is still confined to her bed, renders it uncertain when she will be able to travel at-all, and yet more when to undertake the voyage. If a favourable opportunity from Hamburg for Boston occurs I shall give it the preference—...
22John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 16 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
M r: Welsh proposes to return home by the way of Amsterdam, and will be the bearer of this letter— With it, I enclose the 4 th: number of the Gazette, and copies of former letters to yourself and to my dear mother. I wish I could promise myself a more speedy departure than that which I anticipated in my last Letter to you; but we can no longer form a hope of my wife’s immediate recovery— There...
23To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have been for sometime past honored with your letter from Quincy, which afforded great gratification to my feelings, because it convinced me, you thought of me, & was not indifferent to my reputation. My first wish is to Act my part in life, with propriety & honor—my second, that minds like yours, should think I do so Act it. The attack made upon me in the wretched paper of Lyon, which no...
24To John Adams from Joseph Willard, 13 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
It is the unanimous request of the Corporation of Harvard college, that you would honor the College with your company on the next Commencement day. I hope, Sir, that you will accept the invitation. Your presence will give great pleasure to all, and to none more than to him who begs leave to subscribe, / with Sentiments of the highest respect, / Sir, / your most humble, / and most obedient...
25To John Adams from Hary Grant, 20 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor to send You from London some time Ago the Pictures Raphel through my friend Mr Harper. I Now take the Liberty to send You by the Portsmouth from Havre de Grace Under the Care of Capt. Izard of South Carolina a Bust of Our Ever revierd Washington Executed by Monsr: Pudon which I flatter my self will be Acceptable to You— I have been from my Consulate in Scotland some...
26To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
Long Since I Should have acquitted me of my duty in congratulating you with your Safe arrival at your beloved Quincÿ, but the apprehension of interrupting your contentment—the onlÿ reward for all—your Services and Sacrifices—during a long meritorious life, if you could disregard the applauses of enlightened Europe—persuaded me to postpone it a while. Tho in the medden of your friends—in the...
27To John Adams from John Sinclair, 22 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have now the pleasure of inclosing, the plan of a new Town I am erecting in the north of Scotland, where you will see the place destined for erecting a monument to the memory of our much respected friend General Washington. I hope that you have received the copies of the Generals letters to me, transmitted to you some months ago. At present they are a singular publication, but must be an...
28To John Adams from Christopher Gadsden, 24 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your highly esteemed Favour of the 16th Apl. made me happy to find my Letter of the 11th March was taken so kindly—This Moment hearing of the Departure of my Friend Mr. Wm. Crafts our late Navy Agent, I cou’d not any longer omit the Acknowledgmt. of yours, He is a Gentleman of Boston has resided here many years has a family & lately lost his Wife. He can let you know all about us here, as well...
29To John Adams from Caleb Strong, 24 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Governor presents his respectful compliments to the honorable John Adams Esqr, and requests the honor of his company to dine with him on the 4th of July next. MHi : Adams Papers.
30To John Adams from the Selectmen of Boston, 27 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Selectmen of the Town of Boston, present their most respectful compliments to Mr. Adams; and request the honour of his company at the visitation of the Schools on wednesday the 8th July next;—and to dine at Faneuil hall. MHi : Adams Papers.
31To John Adams from Aaron Bancroft, 1 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bancroft begs leave to intrude upon the retirement of Dr. Adams to present him an Election Sermon, in evidence of the respect he feels for his character, and as a tribute of gratitude for his public services. MHi : Adams Papers.
32To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
Having unexpectedly received an opportunity of conveying you my cursory remarks on some parts of Buffon’s and Jefferson’s Theory on Nat. Hist. by my Frend Col. John Lincklaen, I could not resist the temptation in Submitting them to your criticism, persuaded that you Shall bestow on me a new favour, if you condescend to their perusal and think them So much worth your attention, to communicate...
33To John Adams from Elias Boudinot, 13 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
A convenient opportunity offering by your Son, permit me to ask your acceptance of a small tract, I have lately been prevailed on to suffer to be published, in answer to Paine’s Age of Reason. I am not so vain, as to suppose it can add any thing to your stock of knowledge: it is merely an attempt to throw together the substance of various proofs of our holy religion, that lay scattered in a...
34To John Adams from John Trumbull, 21 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
Returning last night in the course of our Circuit, I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 8th. Instt: Notwithstanding the extreme fatigue I have undergone in the last fortnight, in attending the Sessions in two Counties in weather as severely hot as I ever experienced, & from an almost total loss of rest all the last week, owing to the decided attention, which my numerous companions in...
35To John Adams from Hannah Adams, 3 August 1801 (Adams Papers)
Impressed with a sense of your condescension, in permitting me to prefix your name to a second edition of this work, I am ambitious, that the present should make its public appearance under the same dignified and respectable patronage. I am the rather induced to avail myself a second time of the honour, which your name hath conferred on my Compendium, since your important talents and...
36John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 4 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
After a passage of 58 days from Hamburg we have this day landed here, where we purpose to stay five or six days— My wife will then go to spend a few weeks with her parents at Washington, and I shall hasten towards Quincy where I hope within three weeks to present myself before you— Her health though yet very infirm is better than we could have expected, and your little Grandson is as hearty as...
37To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
Though my apprehension of abusing your kindness made me delaÿ my answer on your Letter, with which you was pleased to favour me in July Last, I cannot longer resist the temptation in addressing you once more with a few lines, flattering meself that my Sincere homage to your exalted virtues will atone in part for mÿ intrusion. I am persuaded at present, that the boasted answer to your...
38To John Adams from Winthrop Sargent, 14 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
At the Solicitation of some of my particular Friends in this Country I have published a Compilation of Papers in relation to my Official Conduct in the Missisippi Government and Take Leave most respectfully to offer a Copy to the perusal of yourself and mrs Adams— I have the honour to be with gratitude / and highest Consideration / your very great Admirer / and obliged humble Servt P.S. I had...
39To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 October 1801 (Adams Papers)
The favour of your Letter of 20 Aug—with which I was so unexpected honoured—procured me a delightful pleasure in renewing your kind assurances of esteem, and opening a new field for my instruction—I am only grieved, that it is beyond my power—to make some equivalent return, and discharge a part of the obligations you have laid me under. I should sooner have acquitted meself of the duty of a...
40To John Adams from Augustus Elias Brevoort Woodward, 16 October 1801 (Adams Papers)
Having learnt from the resolution of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which has just appeared in the gazettes of the Territory of Columbia, that their attention is about to be directed, in a particular manner, to the subjects of light and of heat ; I do myself the honor to transmit you, as President of that institution, a work lately published by me, having an intimate connection...
41Oration on JA’s Birthday, 19 October 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your neighbours and friends assembled to celebrate the anniversary of your natal day, beg leave to approach you with sincere congratulations upon the pleasing occasion. Be assured Sir, that no lapse of time can abate our respect and gratitude for your long, laborious and faithful public services, or diminish our affectionate attachment to your person and character. An attachment founded in the...
42To John Adams from Philip Peck, 4 November 1801 (Adams Papers)
Excuse the Privolage that An Entire Intire Stranger to you takes in Informing You that he Has Ben blest, with a Son and his First born, and being very Anxious to have his Name Cald, After Yours he takes the Liberty to Request of you, your Approbation, and In So Doing he Shall Esteeme it as a high Favour Confurrd on Himself and Son, this Sir are the Real Sentiments of a Sincear Mind that Wishes...
43To John Adams from Robert Purviance, 19 December 1801 (Adams Papers)
By the Maryland Sloop of war Cap. John Rodgers a Box or case was directed for You, and was delivered in the public Store in September last. Since that I have been in daily expectation that it would have been called for by your order, and as that does not appear to be the Case, I suppose You have received no advice of its being shipped; in consequence thereof, I have taken the liberty to...
44To John Adams from Adam Gerard Mappa, 30 December 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr. van der Kemp communicating to me your desire of committing to writing a description of the Phenomena Which I Saw floating on the Surface of the African & Asiatic Seas, commonly call’d and known by the name of Portuguese Men of war, I do cheerfully undertake,—unhappily I am not Sufficiently informed of the variety and species of foam, to be found in those Regions, which undoubtedly are very...
45To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 2 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Shaw has written to me to procure, and forward to him the President message, the reports of departments and generally Such State papers as Shall be laid before the house of representatives, and has requested me to direct them under cover to your address—. but Sir however warrantable I might feel myself in so doing from the Suggestions of my friend whom I wish much to Serve, I dare not...
46To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been favoured with so manÿ proofs of your kindness I should have hesitated to undertake the task in writing this letter; more so, as I flatter’d meself, that it should have been in mÿ friend’s power, to satisfy in this article the utmost of your wishes. But here I fear I shall be disappointed, as this is the time of the ÿear of making up his annual accounts, which require all his...
47To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 9 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
Permit me Sir to add to the documents forwarded to Mr. Shaw the National Intelligencer; Since the doors of the Senate are opened, to Stenographers, the editor of this paper attends in Senate, and as the Subject of repeating, that part of the Judiciary System which passed last Session of Congress is now taken up in Senate, the Speaches of the Senators will I presume be interesting to you, if I...
48To John Adams from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to send you enclosed the copy of a convention which I have signed with Lord Hawkesbury concerning the 6. & 7. Arts. of the Treaty of 1794—As the discussions which led to this Result were begun and conducted under your instructions, I feel it to be my Duty, as well as a mark of Respect that is due to you, to send you this Copy by the same opportunity that I avail myself of, to...
49To John Adams from Wilhem Willink, 15 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
We have but shortly received Your much esteemed and friendly favor Copy of October 9. last directing us to hold Subject to the orders of Your Son J. Q. Adams Esqr. all the property of yours in our hands, and to follow his instructions in every particular, as fully as if we had your particular directions to that purpose: we shall attend duly to Your Son’s orders and conform strictly to the...
50To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 4 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr Charles Coffin, son of Dr. Coffin of Newbury port, educated at Harvard College, a prime scholar, & now a Candidate for the Ministry, & Vice President of Greenville College in Tennessee—He is commissioned by the Trustees of sd. College to sollicit contributions to the funds of sd. College, & was sollicitous to confer with you, sir, on the subject, it being...