171From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 2 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 23d.— Gerry is gone to joine his Copatriots in lamentations over the degeneracy of his Country; at least in Sagadahock, Nantucket and Alexandria. I am, left alone, to carry the last and worst tidings to the Skies. What Shall I? What can I say of Mr Gerry’s Family? An amiable Wisdom and nine amiable Children. I can say no more— MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
172From John Adams to Gideon Granger, 13 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to enclose to you a letter from my neighbour Mr Mottram Vesey and to add my Testimony to the truth of his representations. His situation is the best in town and his qualifications too. Indeed I beleive he has no competitors. I have known him from his cradle, and his father and Grandfathers from mine. His appointment will oblige his connections who are numerous and respectable and I...
173From John Adams to James Madison, 31 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have subscribed with Mr Gray and others a recommendation of Hendrick W Gordon Esquire a copy of which is enclosed. As he requests a separate Certificate, I enclose his letter and can sincerely say that from an acquaintance with him, of several years, I believe that what is said of him, in the Certificate, and in his letter, to be no more than he deserves; He is a civil, well bred man,...
174From John Adams to James Prince, 19 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so good as to convey the enclosed letter, to Mr Mitchell, our agent in Halifax, for exchange of Prisoners: I have left it open that you may see, there is no treason in it. The parcel of Letters mentioned in it I received from Mr Mitchell through your hands. Decorum requires that I should acknowledge the receipt of them, by the first Cartel. With much esteem MHi : Adams Family...
175From John Adams to William Jones, 23 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am requested to enclose to you a letter from John Kingman Junior to me of the 16th instant. Of my own knowledge I can say nothing but that the young man appears intelligent; that he belongs to one of the few towns, in this State which are attached to the present national Administration, and not hostile to the war. All the gentlemen by whom he says he has been recommended, I presume are in...
176From John Adams to James Trecothick Austin, 17 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for Leolin which is a morsel of exquisite Taste in composition, and a model of Politeness in Political Controversy. There may be a point or two, in which you and I may not perfectly agree in opinion, but these at the present time are not of Consequence enough to make it necessary for either of us to spend our time in Explanations. I am Sir with the best wishes for your Usefulness...
177From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
We have received no Letters from you, later than the 7th of September. The obstructions in the Way, are Such that if the communication is not So frequent or So regular as We wish, We compose ourselves as well as We can, and please ourselves with the hope that you are all well. Your Friends here and at Washington are all well. I write you nothing on publick affairs. Our Government has many...
178From John Adams to John Taylor, 13 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
In page 10. You Say, “Mr Adams, has omitted a Cause of Aristocracy in the quotation, which he forgets not to Urge, in other places; namely, exclusive Wealth.” This is your Omission, Sir, not mine. In page 109 Vol. 1. I expressly enumerated “Inequality of Wealth” as one of the causes of Aristocracy, and as having a natural “and inevitable influence in Society.” I Said nothing about “exclusive”...
179From John Adams to John Taylor, 29 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
“Whether the terms ‘Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy,’ or the one, the few, and the many, are only numerical; or characteristic, like the Calyx petal and Stamina of plants; or complicated with the Idea of a ballance; they have never yet, Singly or collectively been used to describe a Government, deduced from good Moral Principles. ” Linnæus is upon my Shelf, very near me; but I will not...
180From John Adams to John Taylor, 30 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
In your 4th page, you give Us your Opinion “that the moral Efforts of Mankind, towards political Improvement, have been restrained and disappointed, by the erronious Opinion, that Monarchy Aristocracy and Democracy or mixtures of them constitute all the Elements of Government.” And you proceed to State, that “it will be an Effort of your Essay to prove, that the United States have refuted the...