131From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
James Otis Counsellor, Colonel &c &c &c Said to me Some fifty or Sixty years ago “John; when I meet with good Luck or bad luck, I Say nothing about either; because I know that more will be glad than grieved at my Misfortunes, and more will be mad than glad at my Prosperity.” This Old Fellow understood Mankind; and So do I. and therefore, when I am happy I never boast of it; and if I were...
132To John Adams from Henry J. Knox, 12 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
In addressing this letter to you I rely not less on your liberal feelings, than on your ability, persuaded that the detail will not be uninteresting, the following is my situation, resulting from circumstances that I could neither foresee nor controul;—When, at the commencement of the late war, you were kind enough to patronise my attempt at getting some active employment, I did hope that a...
133From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 13 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
grand Adams The American Revolution was not a trifling nor a common Event. It’s Effects and Consequences have already been Awful over a great Part of the whole Globe. And when and Where are they to cease? But what do We mean by the American Revolution? Do We mean the American War? The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the Minds and Hearts of the People. A...
134To John Adams from Jacob Flint, 17 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
You may recollect that some time since, your Excellency, speaking of the fisheries in New-England, expressed a curiosity to know the quantity of fish, taken in one season by the people of Cohasset. I told you I would endeavour to ascertain it, & would do myself the honour to communicate an account of to you. I then thought I should be able to do it immediately. But I found, on inquiry, that...
135To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 19 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
Though I had no personal views whatever in proposing the Resolve which I had the honor to introduce which went to request you to permit your Bust to be taken for the purpose of being placed in the State House; yet I have thought you might permit me to say a few words on the subject. My motive was a conviction of high state expediency. I intended to follow it with the portraits of those other...
136From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 21 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
I presume you have read the elegant life of Patrick Henry by Mr. Wirt the Attorney General of the United States. If you have not you have ju a dilicious pleasure to come. Mr Wirt has accurately stated the Virginian Resolves and Mr Henrys Motion in suport of them and theory of treason that excited against him and a glorious anicdote it is. But we ought not to forget our own Massachusetts...
137From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 25 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
As Mr Wirt has filled my head with James Otis; and as I am well informed that The Honourable Mr Benjamin Austin alias Honestus alias Old South alias Old North alias Politicastor roundly asserts that Mr “Otis had no Patriotism”; and that “he acted only from Revenge of his Fathers disapointment of a Seat on the Superior Bench” I will tell you a Story which may make you laugh, if it should not...
138From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 25 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
As Mr Wirt had filled my head with James Otis; and I am well informed that the Honourable Mr Benjamin Austin alias Honestus alias Old South alias Old North alias Politicaster roundly asserts that Mr Otis has no Patriotism; and that he acted only from revenge of his Fathers disappointment of a Seat on the Superior Bench I will tell you a story which may make you laugh if it should not happen to...
139To John Adams from Committee of Citizens Boston, 1 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
Being deputed by a numerous body of our fellow citizens of Boston, we have to request that you would permit a Marble bust of you to be executed by an able artist now resident in that Town to be placed in Faneueil Hall In thus soliciting your assent to this tribute of our high respect and veneration we are particularly influenced by a desire of transmitting to our children the features of the...
140To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is not before now, that I can answer your favour of the 18 last—My daughter, who fully Sympathises with my feelings, and knows, how highly I value every line, with which you continue to honour me, Send it to Albany, and last week it was returned here. I was there to examine the Dutch Records of last cent—and finally engaged to try, if I could translate—them—I declined the first proposal of...