1To John Adams from William Plumer, 21 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have for sometime neglected writing to my friend your son at St. Petersburg, because I expected his return early the approaching summer; but I now perceive he is appointed minster plenipotentiary to the court of St. James’s. My object in this Address is to enquire whether he will accept that mission or return to his native country? If he accepts that appointment, the son may terminate his...
2To John Adams from William Plumer, 2 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I received by the last mail your obliging letter of the 16th December; & be assured I am highly gratified by the information that my late speech merited your approbation. You observe that you are unable to account for the change in the sentiments of the New England states, & New York & New Jersey, as exprest in their recent elections; & request my opinion thereon. I regret that I have not the...
3To John Adams from William Plumer, 17 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
A few days since I received your obliging letter of the 25th of July with “Clark’s Sketches of the Naval history of the United States”; for which be pleased to accept my grateful acknowledgment. The letters from Prince & Clark & the prospectus are herewith inclosed. I have read the sketches with attention, & think they contain much useful information. In the compilation of my history of the...
A variety of avocations, and a degree of ill health, has prevented me till now from making my grateful acknowledgement for the receipt of your obliging letter of the 27th of last month. You ask my opinion whether New Hampshire is prepared to adopt the measures of the Massachusetts legislature? I think they are not. Though the damning doctrine of dismemberment has advocates here, yet I do not...
5To John Adams from William Plumer, 12 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to request you to accept of the enclosed address to the Clergy. Their systematic opposition to our government evinces a spirit equally hostile to Christianity and the real interests of their country. How far I have succeeded in exposing their misconduct you will judge. I wish some abler pen, and one more at leisure, had undertaken & more fully investigated the subject. What is your...
6To John Adams from William Plumer, 28 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
Although I have never had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with you, yet to your real character & to the great services you have rendered our common country, I am no stranger. With your worthy son, now on a mission to St. Petersburg, I served three years in the Senate of the United States, & contracted a friendship with him that I hope will terminate but with life. You no doubt will...
7To John Adams from William Plumer, 30 October 1810 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to congratulate you on this your natal day —& to express my sincere wishes, that a life that has been so greatly important and so highly useful to his country, may yet experience the return of many revolving seasons, accompanied with sound health, the zest of life. We have reports that the American Minister at St. Petersburg does not enjoy good health—and that he will soon return to...
8To John Adams from William Plumer, 5 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
It is sometime since I have had any information from my much esteemed friend, your worthy son, the minister of the United States at St. Petersburg. There is a report that he has not accepted the office of Judge, but will still remain at that court in the character of minister—permit me therefore to ask the favor of informing me per mail when you last heard from him—when you expect his return...
9To John Adams from William Plumer, 27 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to request you to accept my cordial thanks for the list of your works, obligingly communicated by your letter of the 9th. I hope I shall profit by the hints you give respecting the origen of the constitutions of several of the States & that of the United States, should I live to bring my history up to that period. Let me entreat you, whenever you write your son in Russia, to mention...
10To John Adams from William Plumer, 19 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed of having so long delayed acknowledging the receipt of your most excellent & truly innstinctive letter of the 10th of January. The pressure of official business, company, & partial, but necessary attention to my private concerns have so entirely engrossed my time for two months past, as to afford me no leisure to write a friend. In speaking of our Country you state a serious fact,...