1From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 7 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favour of Novbr. 13th. Of Lord Holland, I know nothing. I pity the people, I pity all men of destinction. I pity Emperors, Kings and Popes. they are all when invested with a little brief authority, hurried, and driven by their associates, into measures, they do not and cannot approve: What is to be the fate of Napoleon? no matter; Split him for a Mackerel and broil him for the...
2From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 11 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have a great Mind, to rattle with you in your own Way, in your Letter of July 18th— Do you know that a Mob, is the most powerfull and irresistable Army in the Universe? I can prove it. The Scotch Highlanders in several Rebellions, The People of La Vendée, but above all the Conquest of the Bastille, are full Proofs. No Phalanxes, No Legions no Regulars, no Legitimates have ever equaled Such...
3From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 25 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of 26 June. Your Phylanthropic sentiments are very agreeable to me: but remember they are no more than Terinus “Homo Sum ” and that was only a Translation from the still more ancient Greek of Menander. The English and American Republicans must not flatter themselves that they have discovered any thing new. All their “Liberty Equality and Fraternity” is summarily...
4From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 26 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your sensible and feeling letter of the 7th of February. If you and I should take a flight to the North Star, and after a years residence, meet a negro, a Tartar or Indian, or a Hottentot from Earth; I verily believe we should embrace him as a brother. There are no doubt, hundreds of young men in the United States, who envy your situation because they know nothing of the...
5From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 21 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 10th & 12th. I can only say that I wish you a pleasant voyage, & a happy fulfillment of your wishes and anticipations; I hope too that your Uncle, will find in you, an able, a faithful an attentive and industrious assistant in the arduous labours of his trying and distressing situation I am apprehensive however that you may be disappointed in your prospect of...
6From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 12 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
My feelings have been aroused, coup sur coup by public and private Events beyond any previous period of my life. The arrival of your Aunt, & her son at Paris, to her husband & his father the arrival of your brother & Sister at New York, with my Great Grand daughter; your family dinner with your father & the departure of all but yourself to Cedar Grove; at the same time with the stupendous news...
7From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 12 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
As I am not able to be punctual as Smith , in the payment of my debts; I fear I owe you a Letter, of so long Standing that it ought to be paid with Interest.— I want Information concerning the Fisheries in New York, New Jersey, Connecticutt, Rhode Island. I have heard that in your City of Hudson and from your City of New York, Fisheries to the Banks of Newfoundland to the Gulph of St. Laurence...
8From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 13 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
You grieve me when you tell me that “your city is thronged with officers of the army.” Infandum, renovare jubes, dolorem. In the most critical moments of our affairs in 1776, I twice travelled through New Jersey; and with indignation and contempt which I feel still to my fingers ends, saw the taverns crowded with officers, who ought to have been in face of the enemy in New York, and at frogs...
9From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 7 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read your letter of February 28th with pleasure. There is not a necessary and perpetual connection between power and right on this Globe of ours, whatever there may be in the Sun, Moon, and Stars. In the milky way; in the north Star; in the south Star; in the Nebulae of Herschell right for what we know may always command power. If so I should wish to be an Inhabitant there....
10From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 13 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 6th is before me. to save me the time for writing & your that of reading long discourses, I will come directly to the point of most essential importance. you would “provide by Law, against employing foreigners on board our vessels.” I would not for these reasons. 1 We are under no obligation by any Law of nations to make any such provision. 2 No nation ever did make any such...