31From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 4 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your pathetic Letter of the 2d. has filled my heart with Sympathy and Grief. Your Son, by all that I know, or have heard of him, would have been an ornament to Society. Your Sorrow at his loss must be exquisite. I can give you no better Advice for your Consolation, than to read your favourite Dr Barrow. It is the Lot of humanity! You are not alone! If I look back for Sixty years, what a long...
32From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 5 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
You “never profoundly admired Mr. H.” I have suggested some hints in his favour. You “never profoundly admired Mr S A”! I have promised you an apology for him, you may think it a weak one, for I have no talent at Panegyric or Apology. “There are all sorts of men in the world.” This observation you may say is self evident & futile; yet Mr Locke, thought it not unworthy of him to make it and if...
33From John Adams to Henry Colman, 13 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
When I have heard you Say, and you have repeatedly Said it to me, that “you were determined to read, “The Original of all Worships”; I certainly Sympathised with you: but whether that Sympathy, had in it more of congratulation, or of Compassion; I cannot Say. When you have once read Dupuis You will find yourself, irresistably impelled to read Court de Gebeline Primative World; and then Bryants...
34From John Adams to James Madison, 17 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Accept my thanks for your favour of last month. The safe Arrival of your books has quieted my conscience. There is nothing within the narrow Compass of human knowledge more interesting, than the Subject of your Letter. If “the Idea of a Government in one Center Seems to be every where exploded” perhaps Something remains undefined, as dangerous, as plausible and pernicious as that Idea. Half a...
35From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 18 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
I return the letter of JQ, which you lent me. You know his is a painter. And which of Hogarths is more moral or more satirical? Have you adjusted your Bib & Tucker to visit the President? There is no other theme of conversation at present. It is kind in him at this pressing time to give the Nation something to talk about. His plain manners will please in general. Tranquility & prosperity to...
36From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
From the tenderness of Friendship and the Weakness of Compassion and humanity, I have promised two Gentlemen to mention their names to you, as Candidates for Mr Daltons late Office, Captain Tucker and Mr Deblois. A Friendship of forty Years with the former, and of fifty Six years with Mr Dalton have deeply interested my Feelings in behalf of both these Gentlemen. But what Signify Feelings when...
37From John Adams to D. Lynch, Jr., 23 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honour of writing to me on the 14th of this month answering to me my election by the American Society for encouraging domestic manufactures, instituted in New York as a member, an honour made more illustrious by the President of the United States. Be pleased to present my respects to the Society, and my thanks for the honour they have done me, and to...
38From John Adams to James Monroe, 23 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
From the tenderness of friendship, & the weakness of compassion & humanity, I have promised two gentlemen to mention their names to you as Candidates for mr Daltons late office. Captain Tucker and mr Deblois. A friendship of 40 years with the former & of 56 years with the mr Dalton have deeply interested my feelings in behalf of both these gentlemen. But what signifies feelings when I know...
39From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of the 8th. and the enclosed Biography have been read with all the interest inspired by So long a Friendship; though a great part of it was well known to me long ago. Writing has indeed become extreamly painfull to me: to such a degree, that the numerous imperious demands upon me, often compell me to neglect Some of my dearest and most honoured Friends. I have lent your Sketch...
40From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 24 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
As we have amused ourselves with looking at a few pictures, suppose we should add one more to the Gallery. The Artist makes the scene of his action that spacious Apartment that we very properly denominated Fanuel Hall. The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Judges, the Counsellors, the Representatives, the President and Professors & Students of the University; the Docters of Law, Physic, &...
41From John Adams to James Monroe, 27 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Another application has been made to me by Mr Elbridge Gerry, the oldest Son of the late Vice President, for a recommendation to the office of Surveyor in Boston. How can I recollect, the laborious Services, the great Sacrifices of a Gerry for forty years, and the destitute Circumstances of his Widow and Children, without Emotion. I told him I had mentioned the Names of Tucker and Deblois;...
42From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 27 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received my pamphlet & your Register, with your letter of the 20th. Inclosed are four papers. No 1. A letter from President Washington Aug 27. 1790. No 2 another letter on the same subject on the same day Aug 27. 1790. No. 3 First rough draught of an answer, in my hand writing. 4 a copy of my answer to the President, which was sent to him dated Aug 29th. 1790. & which, if it was not...
43From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 27 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
“Inclosed are four papers.—No. 1. A letter from President Washington, Aug. 27, 1790; No. 2. Another letter on the same subject, on the same day, Aug. 27, 1790. No. 3. First rough draught of an answer, in my hand writing. 4. A copy of my answer to the president, which was sent to him, dated August 29, 1790, and which, if it was not consumed in the Vandalion combustion of Washington, is probably...
44From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 30 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
The oldest Statesman in North America is no more.—Vixit. McKean, for whose services, and indeed for whose patronage, the two States of Pensylvania and Delaware, once contended, is numbered with his fathers. I cannot express my feelings upon this event in any way better, than by the publication of the enclosed letters. 1st. June 13th. 1812 2nd. August 20th 1813 3rd. August 28th 1813 4th....
45From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, June 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received my Pamphlet and your Register, with your Letter of the 20th. “Inclosed are four Papers—No. 1. A Letter from President Washington, Aug. 27, 1790. No. 2. Another Letter, on the Same Subject, on the Same day. Aug. 27, 1790. No. 3. First rough draught of an Answer, in my hand Writing. 4. A Copy of my Answer to the President, which was Sent to him dated August 29, 1790, and which,...
46From John Adams to James Monroe, 7 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
In the good old English Language of your Virginian and my New England Ancestors, I am right glad to See you in the oldest Plantation, in old Massachusetts, next to Salem, where you will be recd with more Splendor and I hope with equal Cordiallity. MHi : Elizabeth Smith Scrapbook; Smith-Townsend Family Papers.
47From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
I am impatient to See your Plan of a University and new System of Education. To assist you in your contemplations, I Send you, a Pamplet, “The Politicks of Connecticut.” By a federal Republican in the name of Hamilton. Was there ever Such a combination? Two Copies were Sent me from the Post on Saturday last: I know not from whence nor by whom. Now Sir! please to hear a modest Proposal. Let me...
48From John Adams to James Reiley, 23 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have read your narrative, and I cannot scruple to recommend it to the serious, candid and attentive perusal, not only of all who delight in voyages and travels, and all those who love to have their strong passions of pity and terror excited by the artificial means of tragedies and romances, but of all who have leisure, capacity and inclination to read any thing. I should be glad to see a...
49From John Adams to George Washington Jeffreys, 29 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 15th: and rejoice in the establishment of your Society for the promotion of Agriculture. Our mother Earth is a kind, tender, affectionate Parent who will abundantly reward every filial and rational attention that is paid to her. But are you not too modest, in behalf of the Southern States? Your cotton, your Sugar, and your Hemp, are improvements such as the...
50From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 14 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
I fear I have not answered your letter of 20th of June. That of the 8th: of August, I certainly have not. I have been justly accused of Imbecility & Dotage for twenty years past. Yet I seem to be a Man of more consequence now, than I ever was before in my whole life. What a cloud of Reminiscences, has your last letter, exhailed in my old brain! Several of with whom I gazed through a telescope...
51From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
I fear I have not answered your letter of 20th. of June. That of the 8th. of August I certainly have not. I have been justly accused of Imbecillity and Dotage for Twenty Years past. Yet I Seem to be a Man of more consequence now, than I ever was before, in my whole Life. What a Cloud of Reminiscences, has your last Letter, exhailed in my old brain! Sewal, with whom I gazed through a Telescope...
52From John Adams, 26 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
Dinner to Mr. Adams.—On the 26th ult. a public dinner was given to Mr Adams, by the citizens of Boston, at which most of the distinghed men of both political parties were present, among the number was the honorable John Adams, the second president of the United States, who gave the following volunteer toast : By the Honorable John Adams.—The Temple of Liberty, and the Temple of Concord—in...
53From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 12 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
The procrastination of Old Age and the dissipation of the month of August must be my Apologies for neglecting your important Letter of July, to this day. When I heard that your Register was in danger of being discontinued for Want of Support, I regretted the discouragement very Sincerely: as nearly thirty Years ago I lamented the Period of Mr Careys American Museum. I mean not to give any...
54From John Adams to Richard Rush, 15 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
I will now venture to congratulate you upon your relief from a part of the heavy burthen which has been imposed upon you for So many months. And above all I congratulate you, my son and myself on your future destination. Had Providence permitted me to choose Events my heart would have dictated none other. Accept my Thanks for your uninterrupted and invariable kindness to me and my Friends, and...
55From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
Mr J. A Smiths appointment was not by J. Q. A but by the President “Sancte Socrate ora pro nobis” Said Erasmus on reading the Doctrine of Socrates so like the christian. My memory does not recollect the place in Plato and my Eyes cannot look it. But as Plato learned all he taught in Egypt and India, I choose “petere fontes.” I am of Sir William Jones’s Mind that “Our divine Religion, has no...
56From John Adams to Alpheus Cary, 9 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so good as to procure for me a piece of white marble four and twenty inches in length and twenty inches in breadth to be inserted in a slab of Quincy granite with the following inscription on it and send it to me and your bill shall be honoured by your friend and humble / servant Inscription Dedicated to the memory of Joseph Adams senior who died December 6. 1694: and of Abigail...
57From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind congratulations on the return of my little family from Europe. To receive them all in fine hea l th and good Spirits, after so long an absence, was a greater Blessing, than at my time of Life when they went away I had any right to hope or reason to expect. If the Secretary of State can give Satisfaction to his fellow citizens in his new Office it well be a Source of...
58From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 7 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 2nd. If, 37 years ago, I wrote to you in the character of an Old Man, I must now write in that of a Superannuated one. When Chief Justice Oliver Said to you in 1782 that he dreaded “me more than any Man in America” he did not explain his reasons. I will not pretend at Present to conjecture more than one. He knew that I was the first Projector of the...
59From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 9 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Oh! that I had Eyes and Fingers for a little Badinage! When you cannot keep your Chin above water, I advise you to apply to the Hospital for the Sane.—Vid Dr Rush passim, and a pritty thing in the North American Review, by young Mason—The great Docter Johnson and Rush agree that we are all a little cracked. This only a Few who can be denominted Sane, and those only quad hor—For these Mason has...
60From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 10 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have read your discourse with pleasure, and the notes with terror. they open a field of controversy so solemn, as to intimidate the boldest champions of which race of heroes, I certainly have not the honour to be one. I may however pretend to be a humble projecter, and in that character would propose, 1st. To petition the holy league to purchase of the Turks, peaceably if they can, forcibly...