31To 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...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...