2181From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 23 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
All your journals have been duly received, and I should not have failed writing to you for the exception which absorbs all my leisure—When I first began the remarks upon Jonathan’s duplicata , I told you it was to me an affair of more than life and death, and so it is still—The plot has been seven years hatching, and its whole history has not yet been told. Your advice to treat all...
2182From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I will not loose a second before acknowledgeing your favour of the 21st. which I received this minute—I wish I could send you a Copy of all the papers, that is the Deeds by which I have given to the Town of Quincy one hundred and sixty five Acres of Land. And my Library. For the purpose of building a Stone Temple, and a Stone Academy, that Academy to be built over the Cellar of the House in...
2183From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 24 As there has not been one incident which could induce me to write I have omitted my journal altogether. We had a visit yesterday from Mr. Saul and I determined to send Coachman home with the Carriage and Horses as we had made no use of it for three weeks; and it is no longer safe to ride in the environs of Philadelphia—When he arrives I beg you will desire him to see after Ben, who...
2184From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 25 Went to the Presbyterian Church with Miss Pardon ; and heard a tolerable discourse from 12 Chapter of Paul to the Romans. Mr. Arbuckle is a very inanimate cold Preacher, and his style remarkably plain, and his language almost coarse considering the general refinement of modern language—He told us that Satan was the master of all knowledge; but that he knew nothing of love! That was a...
2185From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 26 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Instead of four 5 dollar bills, I enclose you a draft, payable to your order , on a Bank in Philadelphia—I am a little shy of entrusting to the Mail Bank Bills payable to the bearer —for they are more apt than all others to make themselves wings and fly away—A draft which will not be paid without your endorsement is safer. We have had a little, but very little rain, and it comes too late to...
2186From John Quincy Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 26 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am quite ashamed to acknowledge at this day that I duly received both your Letters of 29th May and of 22nd July—The recess of Congress usually offers a period of some relaxation to the members of the administration but I have not been so indulged this summer. You may perhaps have some knowledge of the principal subject which has absorbed all the leisure allowed me by the ordinary current...
2187From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 27. I see by the papers that Mr. Harrisson has lost his daughter Mrs. Mason—This is a severe stroke, but I believe it has been anticipated for some months by her friends—was it in child birth? and did the child live? She was too delicate a Blossom to live through the trials attached to married life, there was no stamina to enable her to support suffering—Mr. Douroughty is likewise...
2188From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Joseph has arrived safe with the Carriage and horses. Your journal of the 24th. and 25th. was doubly agreeable, after the interval of suspension, by the good tidings it gave of your brother—May his convalescence prove permanent. I had received a Letter from Mr Connell since his arrival in this Country and a promise of a visit which I am expecting from him—Connell told you of all the writers in...
2189From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased my Dear John by your Letters and hasten to answer the last which was received the day before yesterday—It was my intention to send you Miss Aikens Elizabeth but there is not a copy of it to be procured and I have not yet fixed upon any thing to supply its place—The books you mention have not fallen in my way and I have hitherto had no opportunity of perusing them but I agree...
2190From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 28. One of the companies having turned out in the State House Gardens, makes the view from our house quite picturesque, and the scene very animated, as they are all in fine Uniforms Drums Fifes &c &c—There is something so gaudy, and imposing in the display of Military pomp, even under its worst aspect, that it is not surprising that the people under Military despotisms should be so...
2191From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 30 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
How I wish I could divide myself and fly to nurse you my poor Boy—If your Uncle had not still to suffer one or more operations you would see me as soon as the Boats could convey me to you—Your sad picture of the ennui which you endured is striking but I hope you benefited from your study of the rights of Woman which spite of the prejudices existing against Miss Woolstoncroft are undeniable and...
2192From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
After closing my Letter yesterday Mr G. Harrison called on us and sat with us near an hour—He is a singular being and has a very energetic style of conversation thickly beset with ornaments now nearly exploded—There is however something odd in his manner—Speaking of the Post Master here—He said that he was a defaulter to a large amount and that he believed it was only for the sake of his Wife...
2193From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1822 to 31 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 30 It is worth while to be absent a short time from home for the sake of receiving such delightful Letters as yours and Georges of to day, not to mention Mr. Smiths; when you condescend to trifle you trifle so prettily it were almost to be wished that your gaiété de cœur could be more frequently called pretty—Georges short trip to the Clouds was likewise of infinite service, and he...
2194From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Sept 1 My first visitor this day was the General who looks much better than he did and is I think in a fair way of doing well: though he will probably never entirely recover his pristine strength or firmness—He was inclined to be very communicative, and had entered upon political subjects pretty seriously, when young Mr. Paul came in and stopped the conversation—He said he hoped that you and...
2195From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your journals down to the 30th of August inclusive are received; and this day the memoirs of Lord Waldegrave for George—It comes quite apropos; for we are now all enjoying the Memoirs of Horace Walpole embracing the same and a longer period, Lord Holland the Editor of this latter work sent a copy of it most magnificently bound as a present to the President who has been kind enough to lend it...
2196From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Sept 3. The Evening closed with a very heavy thundergust After which we had a most delicious evening—During the last Night there was an alarm of Fire, and for two hours the City was in an uproar—I do not know to what extent the damage amounted, and have only heard that it began in a Blacksmith’s shop and had been smothering throughout the day of Sunday—King Joseph and Mr. Anduago met it seems...
2197From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 5 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Do not suffer your failure to mortify you too much my dear John—It was accidental and must not prevent your future efforts—Fortune will at length smile propitious and reward your amiable exertions—I feel most sensibly for the pain you must have suffered and only wish I had been present to alleviate it—Your Father will perhaps be a little disappointed but your desire to excel will meet with its...
2198From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Mr. J. Hopkinson; Miss Dale, Mr Ewing; Miss Meredith, Miss Frazier, Mr Connell, and Mr N. Biddle, and Mary Mr. Knight, all called and delayed our dinner until three o clock—We had of course the greatest variety of conversation on almost all subjects excepting politicks; of which to my great satisfaction we had not a word—The Sketch of Old England is quite the rage but Ewing says Paulding is...
2199From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday afternoon at four, we performed the last sad offices of mortality to the remains of Mr. Josiah Meigs—It was but the Sunday week before, that happening accidentally to attend the Morning worship at the second Presbyterian Church I had seen him there ordained a Ruling Elder —He was suddenly seized yesterday was a week, immediately after returning early in the morning from Alexandria,...
2200From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Another attack of St Anthony confines me to my chamber since I wrote last and as it has been attended by head ache &c. with considerable fever I put myself into the hands of the Doctor; who is in hopes of eradicating the complaint altogether, though it is so stubborn it will require time, patience, and some confinement to my chamber—You have been too long accustomed to see me suffer in this...
2201From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 9 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Mr & Mrs. Bache Mrs. Dallas, and Mr U S. Capt Biddle called but I did not see them—Your letter was brought me, and you need not fear my leaving it about; as I am in the habit of filing and locking up my letters immediately after reading them—it is true that there are great machinations against you at this time going forward; and that they must and will continue as the time draws nearer which...
2202From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday after an anxious interval of two days without a line from you, brought me your Letter announcing your confinement to your chamber by the visit of that Saint far famed for the success of his Sermons to the fishes. I hope he has not taken offence at my partiality for the fisherman , and resolved to avenge my attachment to them upon you—If Dr Physick can give a final...
2203From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday passed without any material change—Mrs. Harrison called and Major Jackson and in the afternoon Mr. & Mrs. Walsh but I did not see them—They have just returned from Baltimore—Doctor Physick informed me that he hoped my brothers health would be firmly re-established in the course of a short time—I think it probable however he will operate once more— This morning I ventured down stairs...
2204From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Nothing worthy of Notice occurred yesterday, excepting a visit from Mrs. Hopkinson; and a Letter from Hariet Welsh brought by Miss H. Otis, who is come to this place to Nurse Mrs. Delavand whose recovery is deemed impossible—Miss Welsh informs me in her Letter, that John is gaining in standing at Cambridge: but I do not know what sources of information she has , although she states it to be...
2205From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
No Journal received this day—But there was one yesterday, and I hope for one to-morrow—We have had now a week of heat as oppressive as any of the whole Summer, and two or three of the Nights have been more so. Though I have no doubt, you find it equally insupportable at Philadelphia, it reconciles me to your stay there; because I would have you come home to a temperate climate, as well as to...
I have been so unwell it has not been in my power to answer your last Letter—Poor John—Has the belle passion again seized his imagination it is not yet time for it to occupy his heart —Is this the cause of his poetic ardour and his fits of absence—Tell him I shall be much hurt if he does not write me soon for though I will make all possible allowance for love I must not be forgotten— Your...
2207From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
16 Sept Finding myself very weak after my tedious confinement to my chamber I determined to accept the invitation of Mrs. Hopkinson, and took my passage in the Steam Boat accompanied by Mary—The day was fine but contrary to our usual good fortune, we found no one with whom to have a chat, excepting an old Quaker Lady; who was on her travels for the first time in her life; and full of terrors,...
2208From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
19 Sept My last I believe closed on this day; I will therefore continue the account of our proceedings—While we were at Table the Count and his daughter paid us a visit and left Cards—and in the Evening we received an invitation to a water party at four o’clock tomorrow afternoon; and to spend the Evening which we graciously accepted. After which we strolled to the burying ground, where Miss...
2209From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 20 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your beautiful letter of the 8th has given me great pleasure I call it beautiful because the style is handsome and handwriting marvellous for you. You cannot be in a better school than when writing for Your Father. You will return to Your Studies with greater pleasure after having written for him George! I have read I believe in Anacharsis a law of one of the democratic republics of Greece I...
2210From John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, Jr., 20 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received much satisfaction from the reports of your conduct since you left me. I have received still more pleasure from the constancy & punctuality of your correspondence with your parents, sister & Brother: & your letter to me of 12 crowns all. I thank you for the pamphlet you sent me containing the journal of your excursion to Concord which is very particular entertaining &...