1From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 21 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Letter of the 14th. and printed half Sheets inclosed. I am Sorry there has been So much cause for the publication of the Olive Branch; but as I believe it will do good I have Subscribed for it. I am ashamed of the Vanity and Injustice of Some of our Preachers and Writers: and rejoice that the Events of the War have so completely confuted their Calumnies against the...
2From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 20 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have a great desire to read the olive branch of which you are the publisher and reputed author, I have in vain sought for it in Boston, it is not to be had there, will you do me the favour to send me the pamphlet, and the price, which shall be remitted you by— / your humble Servant PS send me all upon the subject. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 3 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Jan 26 is received, and a shower of obligations with it, before it, and after it, which demand my best Thanks, Mr. Marstons Copy I sent to him by his Son the Midshipman, to whom I gave one of my Copies. The elegant Copy you sent me Shall be placed upon my choicest shelf to be used only by me and my little Embryo Midshipman Isaac Hull, after me, who is yet 8 months old. Comfort...
4From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 25 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the reduction of the Price of the copies of the first Edition of the “Sketches” And I now thank for the two volumes of the Naval history. The arrangement is improved, and the same chaste simplicity is preserved. I cannot however but wish, that the elegant and masterly Biographia and the social Feasts might be preserved in some reputable collection. My reverend neighbour Dr....
5From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 24 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
I wish you to procure me a morsel of white marble eighteen or twenty inches square, and two or three inches thick and to engrave upon it the enclosed words and figures. It is to be inserted in a little monument of Quincy Granite that I have erected to my Father and Mother. If you will send it to me, Mr Trask will insert it in its proper place. I will pay your account on demand. Your humble...
6From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 19 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a sketch of the unfortunate enterprize against Penobscot in 1779. drawn by an eye witness. Mr Clarks materials for the modern History of the Navy are multiplying so fast and are so much more splendid than those of ancient date that I begin to be apprehensive he will not have room for all of the latter that ought to be preserved. There is the more reason for inserting these because...
7From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 18 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 6th. has given me much pleasure; had I lived with Dr Johnson I would have given him a guinea a piece his usual price for two sermons; one upon “Let your light shine before men” the other upon Let not your left hand know what your right hand performs.” They are perfectly reconciliable though it may be somewhat difficult in practice to comply with both precepts in sincerity....
8From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 1 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Afflictions in my family of the most serious nature have delayed my answer to your letter of the 6th of August. I knew not that my friend Dr Rush had communicated the papers inclosed in yours to anyone His confidence however was not misplaced. My letter to him was written, as I should have talked to him Tete a tete. He understood me & knew that every line & every word in that letter was true....
9From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 26 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Our old Commodores & Captains, are not so ardent for glory as they were 35 years ago. One of the bravest of them sends me word, that his wife has covered with his journal: but he will send me what he can recollect, as soon as he can prepare it, with proper deliberation. As soon as it comes I will enclose it to you. Commodore John Foster Williams, who at his advanced age still condescends to...
10From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 21 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have been highly gratified by your obliging letter recd Yesterday. You need not give yourself any concern about my Name in your future Edition. I desire no more than Neighboursfare. A memoir from me, would amount to little more, than the Soliloqui of the Fly upon the Chariot Wheel “What a Dust We raise”? And would excite many little Strong Passions, that we might injure rather than Serve the...