1081From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 31 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
I cannot take leave of the Year, without confession of my fault and begging Pardon, A Letter so kind and obliging as yours of 20th September ought not to have been Unnoticed, till this day. My heart is bound up with the Navy and I love the Officers, as well as my Sons. Their politeness to me, was conspicuous enough. Their Invitations were cordial enough. But I had reasons, which I could...
1082From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 28 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
You know not the Feeling I have for you. I wish Mr Cutts and Mr Seaver, may guess right: but you know Men are apt to guess as they wish. You “do not See but Christians destroy each other full as much as Pagans”. To this I answer, Joshua Pizarro Alva, Lorrain, Laud, Bartholomews day, the Powder Plott and the Irish Massacre. I will add that Democrats, Deists and Atheists destroy each other, and...
1083From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 19 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Little did I think when I last wrote you, what a monument was erected to me. I have since received an immense volume of 630 pages printed in large Octavo, full page, small type, No name, no place, no printer, no date. I have not a suspicion or a conjecture, who the author is. the whole book is devoted to the chastisement of me and my books. There is no personal scurrility against me; but my...
1084From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 9 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Since there is nothing in human life but Brimborians, that is maginificent nothings, pompous Bubbles, Sounding Brass, tinkling Cymbals, fantastic Non Entities, airy Gossamers, idle dreams delirious visions &c &c. &c. I am desirous of assisting your studied and learned investigations into this Essence of sublumary things. Le grande Dictionaire Royal Francaise latine et allemande by Pomay....
1085From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
I know that Mother Harvard had Power to make D.D. M.D. and LLD as well as Batchelors and Masters: but never knew till now that She possessed the Prerogative of making Princes. It is a notable Epocha in our History. Why may she not make Dukes, Marquisses, Viscounts, Earls Barons Knights, and Esquires? If the Republicans wish and expect from me an History of the Rise and Progress of The Essex...
1086From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 25 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mine Eyes are better. I am angry with you for calling our Navy little. It is the greatest Navy in the World. Far greater than the Brittish. I rejoice in the Glory of the Essex, and her Captain Porter: but he ought not to have threatened to revenge himself upon Lima. What is himself, and myself and yourself? He should have vindicated the honour of his Country. I am glad that Mr Gray applauds...
1087From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I receive with pleasure, the News of your removal to Cambridge and establishment in Office, in which may you, and your amiable Lady Sons and daughters, continue to do honour, and administor medicine, to this Country, diseased in Body and mind There is not a more melancholly contemplation, to a mind that Soberly thinks, than the honours that are done to military Charactors by Sea and Land:...
1088From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 10 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of Decr 25 And the Extracts inclosed. I regret the loss of your Visit and wish for that to come. The sooner the better. your entertaining account of the Solemnities of the day at Plymouth interested me very much. Every Thing was in the Spirit of the Times. Beaumarchais in his Figarro Says Tout finit d’un Chanson. your Dialogue with a Lady was remarkable. I Should...
1089From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am broke….I am a Bankrupt… Je n’ai rien; Je dois par tout Dans mes affaires Je Suis au but.... My Table is loaded with long, learned and ingenious Letters, from far and near, upon Religion Law Government History Politicks and War which I have not answered, and cannot answer. I will however not fail to acknowledge my debts to you both pecuniary and litterary; and trust to the Clemency of my...
1090From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 5 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I read, within a few days an Address to General and Governor Gage, from the Barr, and the Name of Caleb Strong, among the Addressers. This, to be sure, is a characteristic Trait. In former parts of my life, I have known, Somewhat of this Thing called “ A Barr .” A Significant Word and an important Thing! By all that I remember of the History of England The British Constitution, has been...