1From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 8 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice, with joy unspeakable, in the news I hear of the open Part you have taken with no less Wisdom and Fortitude than Justice and Generosity, in the present great Crisis of your Country’s Fortune. To endeavour, with or without Success, to assuage the passions and allay the fever of your fellow Citizens; when upon the point of precipitating themselves down a precipice: was worthy of...
2From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 25 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
It is not with any enviable, or eligible Feelings that I find myself, under a necessity of addressing you, at this Time, and in this manner: to request the favour of you to communicate to our Society, my determination to retire. As my advanced Age and indifferent Health render it impossible for me to attend the Meetings of the Society or discharge the Duties of my Office with any regularity, I...
3From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 15 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
I take my pen to acknowledge your favour of the 10th. almost in the moment when I received it Of your Eloquence in the Boston town meeting I know nothing about but by inference and hearsay: but the reasoning which has been published to the world, tho’ but a Sketch, Sir had a great Effect upon the public mind. The Stubble was So dry, that you might easily have set the Feild in a blaze. but what...
4From James Madison to Samuel Dexter, 20 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. tho’ after some delay, your favor of the 30. Ult: and thank you for the friendly sentiments which you have been pleased to express. The situation into which our Country has been cast, by the violence, and particularly by the turn, given to the spirit of party, is deeply to be lamented. It has manifestly stimulated the foreign enemies of our prosperity, to presume on the debility...