851From 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...
852From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 20 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Otis quoted another Author “The political & commercial Works of Charles D’Avenant LLD Vol 2 Discourse 3 on the plantation trade” I cannot transcribe 76 pages but wish that americans of all classes would read them; they are in the same strain with Downing Childs Gee Ashley Charles 2 James 2 William and Mary William the 3rd: Ann, George’s 2nd: & 3rd: All conspiring to make The people of...
853From 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...
854From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 17 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr Otis proceeded to page 198 of this great Work of the great Knight Sir Josiah Child Proposition Eleventh “That New England is the most prejudicial Plantation to this Kingdom.” “I am now to write of a people whose frugality, industry, and temperance, and the happiness of whose laws and institutio ns do promise to themselves long life, with a wonderful increase of people, riches and power: and...
855From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 7 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
On the 20 of January 1768 the House of Representatives appointed a committee to prepare a petition to the King & letters to his ministers & a letter to the agent knowing that Such a committee was appointed & that they were buisily employed in preparing these representations meeting Mr Otis one morning I asked him how do you proceed with your petitions & letters he answered I have drawn them...
856From 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...
857From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 15 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
Mr William Smith Shaw has lent me the fourth Volume of his political pamphlets, the first tract of which is the Controversy between Governor Hutchinson, and the two Houses of the Legislature in 1773 concerning the Souvereign Authority of Parliament over the Colonies. I knew there was such a Pamphlet; but I had not seen it for more than forty Years, and I feared it was lost. I have enquired for...
858From John Adams to Benjamin Owen Tyler, 19 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour from Richmond of July 4 I cannot write long letters. When you visit Boston do not forget Quincy the residence of your Ancestors for almost 200 years. Your Grandmother had an elder sister who Married Mr Joshua Bracket and a brother Benjamin. I should be glad to know something of all these for I believe it is twenty years since I have any thing of any of them When you...
859From John Adams to Benjamin Owen Tyler, 24 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Copy of the declaration of Independence for which I thank you. It is elegantly and exquisitely executed— I should think that our Harvard Colledge ought to be as proud of it, as of the Manuscript Copy of the Aphorisms of Hypocrites lately presented by Mr Nichols of London through Mr Boylston of Prince Princeton, which is said to be worth in England fifteen hundred Guineas.—...
860From John Adams to U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 14 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that I live to see so fine a collection of the future defenders of their country in pursuit of honor under the auspices of the national government. A desire of distinction is implanted by nature, in every human bosom, and the general sense of mankind in all ages and countries cultivated and uncultivated, has excited, encouraged and applauded this passion in military men more than in...
861From John Adams to Vine Utley, 10 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 2d. and having a natural disposition like the Old Frederick of Prussia—“trope incline a saisir les ridicules”—I could not help laughing and that some what immoderately.— Why Sir? the history of my Physical habits according to the best estimate I can make, would fill a Volume in folio as large as the Life of Richard Baxter—who was for what I know a relation of...
862From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
The information in your last letter, of your return to your garden and your records has given me great pleasure. The records are very interesting, and your translation of them will be an honourable and a durable Monument to your Memory Your friend and my friend Mr Tyng has told you truely that I am “constantly employed” and may add, beyond my Strength of body or mind. Never in my whole life...
863From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
A friend in need, is a friend indeed; you must certainly have read Shakespear, and have learnt from him, when you have once made a friend, to grapple him to your Soul with hooks of Steeal. You have been constantly grappling me for more than forty years—The newspapers have brought to me your correspondence with Mr. Yates, and that has introduced a correspondence between him and me And what is...
864From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 December 1825 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Letters I agree with you that we can never be thankful enough for the blessings we enjoy—I congratulate you upon the blessings you enjoy —and the prospects you have in your children and Grand Children—Virtuous children are the greatest comforts, and the greatest Blessings we old people can enjoy— I regret that I cannot write to you oftener As to your project of making...
865From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you this Morning before I received your delightful letter of the 7th. which has opened a New world to me I rejoice with all my heart in your prosperity and comfortable pleasing prospects—I rejoice that the Governour and the Legislature and the People of the State of New-york—have the Wisdom to appreciate your labours at their just value—which I esteem an important service rendered not...
866From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
I Sincerely condole with you in the loss of your Friends Walker Wislar and Bray. I Sincerely Congratulate you on the Acquisition of an honourable Usefull and profitable Employment and Amusement for Life. And more cordially as it is a providential Rescue from your metaphysical and delirious Project of Writing Cosmogonies and Metempsichosies of Worlds. A Week before I recd. Your Letter, I...
867From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
In your last Letter you requested copies of my Letters to Dr. Price. They are inclosed— These letters and many others, and other writings and conversations to the same affect destroyed my popularity with mankind.—The Turgotests, the Condorcetians, the Rochefaucaultians the Brissotians the Jacobins and the Sans Cullotts—France took offence and pronounced me an aristocrat Rochefoucauldians; and...
868From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
The events of this month, have been to me almost overwhelming. They have excited my sensibility too much for a man almost ninety years to bear. The multitude of letters of congratulations which I have received I can never pretend to answer, for it fatigues me to dictate even a few lines—but none of these letters have been more cordially welcomed than that of my friend Van der Kemp. I...
869From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
I see by your favour of May 10th that we must all grow Old—but you have not yet experienced one tenth part of the Infirmitys of Old Age—I am very glad your Physician promises you, that all will be well In your Researches do you find any Evidence of Persecutions of Quakers Anabaptists Witches or any–other Sectary’s amongst your Primitive Dutch Settle’rs in New–york—or amongst the cortier...
870From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
I owe you a letter or two I believe, and my Conscience smites me for the neglect,—and my daring attendance in the Convention a whole Month, threw me into a fever, which has confined me from the eighteenth of December— Yesterday I ventured out to Church, for the first time—Recluse as I have been, I have had opportunity to read, and here read, a great deal of the Current Literature of the...
871From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 30 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your kind favour of the 21st. I have had a very feeble Winter and am Still afflicted with paines and Imbecilities which render it very difficult to take the exercise necessary for my health. J. Q.s Report must speak for itself. I am not a Judge of it: but Farrar who is, and who has read it with care Speaks well of it. If a Reviewer can be found in France or England to tear it to...
872From 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...
873From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
As Misery is Said to derive Some consolation from the Misery of others; your Letter of 18. Septr. has given me Some miserable Comfort, to find to find that your Batavian Predecessors in New York were not much more tollerant than my Yankee Ancestors in New England. But I admire your East India Company and their Director, and their Threat, of the Authority of their H. M. the States General. How...
874From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the Sixth of July has afflicted me. My Minister Mr Whitney lately told Us, what I had well known for more than 70 Years, that “Afflictions multiply upon Us, as we advance in Years” A whole flock, a whole drove, a whole herd of Calamities have huddled together upon me in the last Year. The List of them would astonish You. But I Am not in the habit of distressing my friends with...
875From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your kind favour of the 4th. of March and thank you for your kind rememberance of me, but I am overwhelmed with an oppressive correspondance at an age when I can neither write nor read; and this must be my apology for making so unequal returns to you for your goodness. I rejoice that your energies are so usefully employed. Your translation I am convinced will be useful to the...
876From 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...
877From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have transmitted to Mr. Quincy, extracts from two of your letters, relative to the name and family of Keimper. — I rejoice in all your joys and wish you many returns of your happy anniversary.— I agree with you in the merit of Govr. Clinton.— In all elective governments there is a perpetual conflict for power between two great parties, among the people. I have been astonished and confounded...
878From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
Pray tell me how you apply the sublimate Murcury for the cure of externally and internally of weak weeping inflammatory and dim sighted Eyes—I am very much interested in this inquiry— Have you seen Duponceau and Heckevelder on the Indians—which is the worst! The Revenge of Indians or the Inquisition—I admire your maxim—Nil peractum donec aliquid peragendum—but I have scarcely written eleven...
879From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in all your Felicities described in your favour of 29th. Nov. What a Contrast between your Existence and mine! You have travelled to Boston to Philadelphia and to New York, and been the delight and Admiration of all Men of Science, Letters and Taste in Massachusetts Pensilvania and that World of itself the State of New York. I am “fixed like a plant, to one peculiar Spot To draw...
880From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
How deeply I thank you. Our Quincy Library will be honord with the name of Vanderkemp. Virgil and Manilius, shall be sent to Mrs. Quincy, and Mrs. Gould. Oh that I had begged Manilius while I could read, for I believe much may be discovered in him, on the remotest Ancient mythology, his ratio I believe is the logos of Pythoagoras and Plato, and all our modern Trinitarians— I do not love to...
881From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
In your last letter you request copies of my letters to Dr Price. They are inclosed. These letters and many others & other writings & conversations to the same effect destroyed my popularity, with mankind. The Turgoites the Reondoccettians — Roachfocaution the Brissotians, the jacobins & the Sans Cullots, in france took offence & pronounced me an aristocrat, & would have guillotined me if I...
882From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
It is a custom on the Demise of Princes for all classes of Men in Society to present to the successor addresses of Condolence with the grief of the loss of the Predecessor—and congratulations—with the Joy at the succession—in imitation of this long established Custom—I condole with you on the loss of your friend Elliot—and congratulate you on the Honorable testimony of his rememberance of you...
883From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 27 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
“Where Adams from a noisy world withdrew Sick of Glory faction, power & pride Sure judge how empty all, who all had tried Beneath his shade the weary chief reposed And Life’s great scene, in quiet virtue closed ” I have received your kind letter of 11th. November and I believe another before it unacknowledged, for both of which, I thank you— The 30th. of October passed ever like all other days...
884From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I cannot answer your two last Letters. Of Thomas Adams I know nothing; except that a Man of that name was one of the Counsell of Plymouth and named in the Charter, and Parson Prince Somewhere Says the most active Man in promoting the Translation of the Charter to New England. Our Friend D. A. Tyng, cannot Surely expect Miracles from his and your Friend PHi : John Adams Papers.
885From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
In one of your letters if I remember right, you expressed a desire to see my letters to Mr. Calkoen, the history of those letters is this. At a dinner with a large company I met with that learned, civilian who came to me and seated himself by my side and expressed an ardent curiosity to converse with me upon the subject of the American war he asked me many questions in French in which language...
886From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have two kind letters from you to acknowledge one of the 9th September, and one of the 20th. December—with heartfelt satisfaction I congratulate you upon the restoration of your Health—The weakness of your Eyes is the inevitable effect of your amazing exertions of them upon your Records—while I wonder that you have any Eyes left—I have great pleasure in perceiving that yours are infinitely...
887From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for the renewed testimony of your friendship in your kind letter of the 20th.— If JQ. or any of my Posterity, do not recognise the obligations of this Country to Holland It will prove in them an ignorance, inattention, and ingratitude unworthy of their name.—You ask the history of my seal, I had it cut immediately after the peace of 83. It was a proud, perhaps a vain exultation, at the...
888From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 11 March 1824 (Adams Papers)
I sincerely sympathise & condole with you in the Death of your Daughter in Law, such losses are afflictions that flesh is are to, though they are exquisitly rending to the heart, as I know by many severe experiences, I congratulate you however that your Daughter has left a Son, I hope to represent her & his father & G. B. to the entire satisfaction of all My wishes on a certain subject are...
889From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 13 December 1821 (Adams Papers)
The unexpected Visit of Judge Smith to my Cottage, was highly interesting, and acceptable—and I entertained hopes that he would have made me a Second, and of longer continuence—from all that I had heard of him; I had conceived an high Esteem, which his personall appearance and conversation fully confirmed—my health was much better when he was here; than it has been since; and it is now...
890From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for the renewed testimony of your letter of the 20th frindship and your kind letter of the 20th If JQ—or any of my posterity, do not recognise the obligations of this Country to Holland, It will prove in them an ignorance, inattention, and ingratitude, unworthy of their Name, You ask the history of my seal I had it cut immediately after the peace of 83. It was a proud, perhaps a vain,...
891From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
If you may not murmur when you approach seventy, surely I ought not when I approach ninety; and when I am happy enough to get you under my roof; you certainly shall not hear me murmur unless I loose my senses in the mean time. Our friend Ting is misinformed; it is true, the winter before last, I sorted some old papers, but have done nothing since; although I have not destroyed no papers my...
892From 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...
893From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
Pray tell me how you apply the sublimate murcury for the cure external’y and internally of weak weeping inflamatory and dim sighted Eye—I am interested in this inquiry—have you seen duponceau and Heckevelder on the Indians—which is the worst! the Revenge of Indians or the inquisition? I admire your maxim Nil Peractum do nec aliquid peragendum—but I have scarcely written eleven hundred words,...
894From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the first of the Month—We have had for some time, no subject of Conversation here—except a phenomenon in Nature unpresidented in any former moment of our History—a Violent rain falling at a time of extreeme cold here below, covered the Earth with polished Silver; and the Trees with Millions & Millions of Diamonds—the scene was almost too splendid for the Eyes to...
895From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Letter of the 3d. October and the Seeds inclosed, which my Son will use to the best advantage next Spring—he and all his family thank you for them—My poor Grand daughter—Mrs Clark is detained at Albany—on account of the Sickness of her Child, whose safety I am anxious to hear—she has I presume returned to Utica— Miss Welsh we have not seen—though she has returned to...
896From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 22 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 16th. My Health is that of the quivering Flame over the dying Lamp. I am very much interested in your Records. I wish you would inform me, whether the Dutch in New York hanged or banished any Quakers? hanged or pressed to death by the Paine forte et dure, any Wiches as our New England Ancestors did? I wish you would enquire, Whether Virginia did not persecute...
897From John Adams to William Vaughan, 5 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
A Reminiscence, as the French phrase it, of Civilities received from you and your Brothers, whenever I have met them in France England or America, emboldens, me to introduce to you a Gentleman of Virtuous Character and Worthy Connections. Mr Theodore Lyman Junr of Boston. He is modest, Studious and inquisitive.— I have had this Winter the pleasure of a Visit from your Brother and his Lady, and...
898From John Adams to Gulian C. Verplanck, 6 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Had I been able to write or read your should not have been a month without an answer to your obliging favour of Jany: 7th: It was only the last evening that I had an opportunity to court a young Lady of sixteen to read your discourse to me & to her I am obliged this morning to write this feeble expression of my gratitude. I have no recollection that I ever heard or perused any American oration...
899From John Adams to Virginia Patiot, 17 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the copy of Decius’s letters &c. And I pray you, accept a Sermon of Dr Mayhew in 1749—50, and to present another to Decius, whoever that Gentleman may be, with the compliments of one who agrees with him in the Aphorism “Omnes deteriores sumus Licentia” and who is his and your well wisher / and humble Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
900From John Adams to Peter Thatcher Vose, 25 December 1821 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice to have been introduced this morning, to the knowledge of a Gentleman, whose nativity was so near—and whose sentiments and feelings so much nearer to my own—whose names have been venerated by me all my Life time There is not a family in North America, who have transmited to their numerous Posterity even down to the present time, more of the Piety and Virtues, the literature and...