51John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 20 March 1804 (Adams Papers)
A letter is now reading from Captain Bainbridge, with an account of the loss of the frigate Philadelphia, wreck’d on rocks on the coast of Tripoli—the last week in October— They were in pursuit of a Tripolitan Cruizer, and struck on rocks, not laid down in any Chart they had on board — Captain Bainbridge and 307 men, are prisoners in Tripoli.— I have already seen an account of this misfortune...
52To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 5 January 1805 (Adams Papers)
I have now two letters from you, and one from my mother, which ought to be answered more particularly, than my time will admit—The business of the Session has been delayed, untill such an accumulation has taken place, as will very much hurry the close of our Time—And although I might perhaps without injury to the public, suffer the business to be done without taking much trouble about it...
I have as little faith in presentiments as yourself—but the anxiety which I have felt for this whole week on your account has been such, that on receiving this morning your two letters of the 19th: and 21st:—I opened them with a trembling hand and heart—I lay this morning an hour before day-light, torturing myself with the fancy that some calamity of fire had befallen you or the children; and...
54John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days ago your kind letter of 29 January. After having been so many months without a line from you, it gave me sincere pleasure to see your hand-writing again, though I could not but sympathise with the afflictions under the immediate burden of which it was written— I have cordially and deeply lamented my poor brother, and will obey your injunction respecting his child I learn...
The enclosed lines were written as a tribute of my affectionate remembrance, of your birth-day—But though begun upon that day they were not finished untill the next, and the necessity of copying them fair, has delayed their transmission, untill this time. I have not heard from you of a later date than the 1st: of this month; nor have I later letters from any of my friends at Quincy—We have had...
56From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 May 1806 (Adams Papers)
The first pen I put to paper after reaching my journey’s end must be to inform you, my dearest friend, of that Event—I left New-York, at four O’Clock of the afternoon of the first of this Month; the same day that my last Letter to you was written—My Sister concluded to remain there with the Coll: at least for the present—Her prospects and those of her family, are of a gloomy cast, but I can...
57From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind attention to my affairs, as detailed in your last Letter which I have received within these two days— I confide entirely in your judgment and discretion, and shall approve of any arrangements you shall make for the present disposal of my farm— R. Dexter holds or held a note from me of a little more than three hundred dollars—I left a request with Shaw to pay it as...
58John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 26 August 1804 (Adams Papers)
Another week has past away, without bringing me a line from my dearest friend— The last letter I have received from you was dated the 31 st: of last month— I endeavour as much as possible to compose my mind with the hope that some accident at the Post-Office may have detained your letters since that time; but the thought that illness or some disaster must have befallen you or my dear children,...
59John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 9 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
I received this morning your letter of the 4 th: inst t: which gave me pleasure as containing the information of the children’s health; and sorrow by that of your own indisposition— The remainder of the letter was equally painful and unexpected to me— Our separation was very much against my inclination; but it was your own choice, and it has been my unvaried principle, and I hope will always...
60From John Quincy Adams to Justus Bush Smith, 8 January 1805 (Adams Papers)
When I was at New-York in April last, I received from your brother James $500 in part payment of the interest due upon your note. There still remains about $200 of interest due—This, together with the principal, from what he then said to me, and from the assurances in your letters before that time, I suppose you are at this time prepared to discharge—If however it will better suit your...