1From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have seen but one of your Papers. I know nothing of the Transactions in England or America. The Will is a Phenomenon. A Neuton a Saunders a Barrow or a Bowditch might make the Algebraick Calculations necessary to explain it: I am totally incapable of it. I know not whether the Will has been proved and approved in Europe, or America. I know not what questions are depending before the Court or...
2From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 7 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favour of the 27th. of Septr. has greatly obliged me. The Will of your Uncle has not Surprised me. I have known his Mind more than forty years ago. I believed him insane “quoad hoc,” at that time, as much as I do now. There was a Sense of Integrity and Benevolence and Humanity in him, united with the Wild Vagaries of a Monk and a Miser. A more curious Character is not to be found in...
3From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 19 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have long meditated to write you a Line. You are giving annual Bounties, for Medical Essays which Nobody reads; No Body thanks you; Nobody learns any Thing from all your Care and expence. Let me advise you to alter your Plan. Offer Premiums or Premia, for Dissertations on natural History. Not at large, for that Subject is infinite. But upon the Civilization, the Policy, the Legislation and...