21To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
Never Shall be obliterated the few days, which I enjoy’d at Quincÿ—I fostered allways indeed a faint hope—to See you once more, and know, that I Should meet with a cordial reception—but never my ardent imagination did reach to that which I received—From you I expected all the warmth of an old friend—but—even if I was more presumtuous—I could laÿ no claim whatever on the numerous civilities,...
22To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
At lenght I have been able to peruse Condorcet’s book—It can not be difficult to you, to conjecture, what impression it must have on mÿ mind. If I had bestowed on it onlÿ Superficial attention, its aim wuld not have escaped me, although I had not been assisted bÿ your correct marginal notes—It is a genuine ofspring of the School of the famous Sÿsteme de la Nature. It is not less daring in its...
23To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
When I send you last mail Basanistes, I was so much tortured with head–ache—that it was not in my power, to join to it one single line. The Post-master at first objected—if thus the postage comes higher than you might wish, I only executed your orders but should request—in that case to wait rather for a safe opportunity Perhaps—however—his scruples are unfounded. You render me nearly enamoured...
24To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 6 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
I will trÿ to answer your very kind favour of Sept. 3—as the chilly weather and a violent pain in my Shoulder, occasioned by having yesterday worked to excess, and imprudently exposed myself to rain, without changing cloaths, when returning home, for which I now do penance, forbids to do a great deal in mÿ garden. Was your residence nearer I would Soon forget pain, recruit my Strenght, and...
25To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Again a few lines from your old friend, who continuallÿ receives fresh proofs of your unabated attachment. I owed to your distinguishing friendship, that I have been honored once more with a valuable Letter of your Ladÿ, which filled my breast with joÿ, and makes me nearly belief, that I must possess Something, worth noticing—to have in So far attracted her notice—I do not longer Suspect that...
26To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I Shall now make an experiment, if I can dispell a malignant Spirit of gloom, which hovers about me, without any other incantation besides acknowledging your both Favours of the 4th and the 9th of april with which I was So kindly honoured by you. Indeed—Sir! this intercourse is nearly the only pastime left me in my deep retreat and then mÿ Situation imperiously often forbids me to indulge...
27To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
My Sending the wreath unaccompanied bÿ a Single line was occasioned bÿ a Short excursion to Sacket’s Harbour—to take a view of the boasted powerful defence of our frontiers, after the Surprise of Ogdensburg, courted So long bÿ the iterated incursions on the defenceless and peaceble Canadiens. It was indeed a Severe retaliation from which the Inhabitants Shall not recover in manÿ years—although...
28To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
At lenght I succeed in Sending you the outlines of the contemplated work, which I could have, wished to have been executed by you had you twenty years less. It will however not loose of its value—if the Son charges himself—with the payment of his Father debt. It is true, it requires Some Skill to prove it, altho I would not hesitate to run the risk of making it pretty evident, that you could...
29To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I listen onlÿ to a pleasant emotion of my heart, in congratulating my Self, that among So manÿ blessings, with which the good God favours me till this instant, is the preservation of your precious life during another year. How precarious is it, if I Shall enjoÿ that favour once more: your age, alreadÿ above, what is commonlÿ allotted to men, mÿ own advancing years, with the frailties and...
30To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
Now I hope, you have already perused my Oration—although I have not Seen it yet in print—I doubt not, or friendship Shall influence your judgment. You desired, to know my opinion about mr. English book. I received it lately—and, as your requests, when it is in my power to grant them, are always considered—equal to commands—I taught it the best way—to do it in this manner. We cannot much...
31To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
The sun breaks through the skies—I skipt just in the garden—but the soil is yet too wet—to morrow—if it is a warm day—I shall make a beginning of gardening. I must take hold of the few moments at mÿ command—to answer your favour of the 8th. Brucker’s hist critica Philosophiæ is a work indeed of immense erudition; and considerable acuteness. It consists in 5 vol 4to. I regret, that it was sold...
32To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I can Scarce persuade myself, that I Staÿ’d with you So manÿ daÿs—and conversed on So few, Subjects onlÿ, upon which I did want your information. I could onlÿ glance at your Librarÿ—had no time to Satisfÿ my greedy curiosity—and forgot even to look at the consolato del mare and other rare Publications in your possession but I am apprehensive, this would have been the case had I protracted my...
33To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
A continued headache has compelled me, to delaÿ an answer to your favour of the 16th of Febr. from daÿ to daÿ; tho I receive no higher gratifications than from these. It is indeed far beyond, what I could reasonably have flattered me with, that, in your far advanced age, you So often would have condescended, in taking notice of mÿ letters, and bestowing So manÿ marked proofs of your...
34To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 11 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
Although not in a mood to perform anÿ Serious thing, I must try to procure me Some relief—in reading once more your favour of the 18—Oct. and See, if writing will in part effect, what your conversation would Successfully affect do, was I nearer to your residence—but alas! these wishes are vain, and it is weakness—to indulge them too much. you Shared my pains—and whose heart can better feel for...
35To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I So returned from the field—having dug my patatoes, and now the rain compells me to Staÿ home, how can I better employ mÿ time; than with beginning to answer both your favours of the 4th and the 15th. how happÿ am I in this mÿ hermitage—in receiving So often Such distinguished marks of your kind remembrance. The Demon of head-ache, which has now possessed me nearly a month abated his attacks,...
36To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
Unexpectedlÿ I was favoured with your obliging Letter of the 20th Febr—tho’ I did receive it only the 21 of March—having been through carelessness of our Postmaster first Send to the black River-countrÿ. The unfavorable weather domesticating me again—and old habits too rapidlÿ adopted again—occasion, that I am Since a few days not quite So well however—I Seriously intend to prevent a...
37To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
You Shall indulge me—having been engaged So long in various lucubrations—that I take Some repose, and write a few lines to the man, whom duty and inclination compel me to revere. I do So rather as—how triffling a Letter may be, you are So indulgent as to favour it with a kind reception—and to tell you the truth—I have been a while impatiently desiring to hear Something of your health and that...
38To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
Musing on Moliere—the last precious gift of de Gyselaer which I received this Summer—and for which mÿ warmest thanks never reached him, I was as usually diverted from Him to you recollecting—how often—and in how various manner you have been pleased to bestow your kindnesses upon me—and then—it was natural, that I looked for the accomplishment of Some of your intentions to oblige me—and the...
39To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
I am So much younger—I have not So manÿ avocations—I have nothing better to perform; it is mÿ chief recreation in mÿ Solitude, to correspond with mÿ friends: all this I deem a Sufficient apologÿ for writing So often, and I flatter my Self, It Shall be one for you, even if I interrupt you in more Serious concerns, or take hold of a few precious moments, intended devoted to weightier affairs. I...
40To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 11 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
I Should rather guess that Basanistes would do good—It is true it is a heroic medicine, but it would not come in the hands of the vulgar—it might have a Salutary effect upon Some of the higher classes. If men of influence—either by their abilities or wealth—can be lured to become the Patrons of liberal Sentiments, and will Support them, who are bold enough to Step forward in their defence—a...
41To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
What a gratification again have you bestowed upon me in your Letter of Febr. 7th. not never to mention ing the cadeau of which I disposed directly with the next mail, as you intended—and which Shall I doubt not, be highly acceptable to Monticello’s Philosopher. It Seems—I see you in all your grandeur in your Superb castle—and yet the most admirable part was its owner—I Should Saÿ so, as once...
42To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
If I should not write, except I could Send you an interesting Letter then I would but Seldom have this opportunitÿ, but I flatter mÿself, having been So long honoured with your friendship, even, when I was to manÿ an object of horror as a daring rebel, who would not crouch to Despotic power—and—when you was elevated to the highest Station in your countrÿ, when by manÿ an insignificant Western...
43To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
The daÿ before I was so unexpectedly favoured with your affectionate Letters of the 22 & 23 of Febr. mr D. Parish with his usual politeness took a package of Letters for our Dutch friends under his charge for the Dutch Minister, who was so obliging—to offer me their conveÿence to Holland. Nevertheless it was a duty to comply with your friend’s demands, more so, as it appeared to me, that it...
44To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
Everÿ mail I flattered my Self to receive a Line from Mount Wallaston, till I received your favour of the 1st. and long before that day I Should have written had I not been prevented bÿ that malignant demon, which haunts me from time to time, when I expected to have devoted a moment of leisure in writing to you. Besides, I had imposed upon me a task of correcting and copÿing my memoir on the...
45To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
Not a line—not a Letter from Mount Wollaston Since that of July 5th with a note of Mrs A—I will not longer delaÿ to Send you a few lines. I hope not I dare presume, you Suffered not a new relapse because then Mrs Adams would have condescended to inform me of it. Neither did I hear in all that time from Boston. It is a painful reflection that great distances easily obliterate the vestiges of...
46To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I will not delaÿ to answer your favour of the 10th, with which I was again gratified—I was apprehensive that all was not well in your honoured family—and feared that the disagreable weather of cold and rainÿ days had Some influence on your health—happily it giveth only colds—of these we had a full Share—and—I—as it ought to be, as the chief of the family, the largest—but—if we minded long Such...
47To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Permit me, to congratulate you and your Lady, with the appointment of his Exc: John Quincy Adams to the Embassÿ at the Court of St James. He has now reached the Summit of his Diplomatic career—and will—I ardently hope—ere long bless his country with a treaty of amity and commerce. The Allmighty prolong your days, till you may See Him pressed once more at His Mothers bosom! Now I you may hear...
48To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I Should have yet delay’d further to answer your favour of the 30th of Jan: accompanying Condorcet’s had I not received your Second Summons of Febr. 19. What Shall I plea in defence but, peccari Pater! and yet—if I tell you the cause—which lureth me to Sin; you will I know mitigate the punishment. Not head: ache—although I was not free from it, but, the wish to answer the desire of a few...
49To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I hope not, I dare Say more, I am confident, you deem it not an intrusion, when I write you So often—would you not willingly admit me into your presence, if I lived in your neighbourhood? and in part I reap this comfort, in conversing with you in writing—and yet, I have nothing to saÿ—although mÿ Spirits are not much depressed, and mÿ vigour rather restored by renewed exertions. I do not like...
50To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 November 1816 (Adams Papers)
I mentioned in a former letter, that Monticello’s Philosopher, desired in one of his Letters, that I might undertake, to write the life of J. C. and that I would endeavor to chalk out its outlines—which I would Submit to your considerations. Having hurted my leg through carelessnes—working in my garden, and rendered by further neglect—So painful, that I have been doomed to my cottage, during a...