31To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
Having in so long a time not received a word from Quincÿ, although I was freed from all anxiety about your wellfare mrs Guild and her amiable sister Catherine, both having informed me, that you continued to enjoy not only a hum cum dignitate, which would be nothing new—but all possible happiness that can fall to the share of human mind, while your excellent Lady’s gratification must have...
32To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Since the 7th of Febr—I did not receive a line from my frend—but having been honoured with two Letters of your Ladÿ, without a hint, that your health was not So good, and having read in the N. papers—that you were present at a festival at Boston, I presume, that other more Serious occupations kept you employ’d—or that Letter writing became rather to you a penible task, whenever you could not...
33To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
So many months are past Since I received a Single line from Massachusetts—in former days I was now and then remembered with kind regard by mrs Quincy—my frend Tyng allways men tioned to me the State of your health now and then your beloved Emily honoured me with Some information about her beloved Relatives—and—now—I appear worse as a Stranger—of one thing I remain nevertheless confident, that...
34To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 6 March 1824 (Adams Papers)
Again a Letter from Oldenbarneveld—I Suffered this winter with excruciating headache, partly owing to want of exercise partly to dyspeptic constitution. This morning I awoke with a clear head—So chearful, that I enjoy’d not So much happiness in Several weeks—I went with all Speed to my garden—examined its State—the Soil was as hard as iron—then I cleaned a part of my Seedhouse—and returned...
35To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 26 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am confident you will not take it amiss—if, once more, I address you with a few lines, less so, as I did not hear from Quincy since Febr. last—except thro Public Reports by which I was informed, that you enjoy’d health, and continued as always before, to deserve well of your country—may your Friends and Children enjoy this blessing a long while— I would have written long since, had I not...
36To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
From my last letter you may presume the cause of my delaying to answer, the favour, with which I was once more honoured—How gratified that I was in Seeing once more a Letter from my high respected frend—it was nevertheless not unmingled with painful failings—These are past as a morning cloud, and your mind must be now by the long desired arrival of your long desired John Quincy be cheered and...
37To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
I intended to have answered your affectionate Letter of the 29 Dec. last, before I left my home for Albany—But an unexpected Letter of the Gov—and another of my frend Judge Platt, determined me directly to go hither. I took a parcel of letters with me, but could not find leasure to answer any, except a few lines to my Son. Now returned in health, a Severe cold excepted—your affectionate Letter...
38To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 September 1825 (Adams Papers)
After Such a long protracted Silence you will not find fault, that I indulge once more in writing you a few lines—your kindnesses, of which I received So many proofs during more than forty years—your affectionate esteem, which never was abated would be a Sufficient apology—even if I had from time to time obtained a few lines from one of your family. But the last pertinent account of the...
39To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
So much time has elapsed, Since I was delighted with the interesting affectionate Letter, which I received last Summer from Mrs Quincy—Since which I obtained not one Single line from Massachusetts, that I cannot express the delightful Surprise when I did See myself favoured with a fresh proof of your frendship in your Letter of the 5th inst. Yes, my Dear Friend! this Letter was as warm as...
40To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
I cordially thank you for your affectionate Letter of the 4th—So Soon I did not expect a fresh proof of your kindness—my wife and Daughter Shared in my happiness—I was pleased with the explanation of your Seal—It Shall be preserved with the Seal—and—after my death—with all your Letters—and those of your beloved Lady—delivered to J. Q—or Th—— So that no unhallowed eye may be cast upon them. I...
41To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
Unexpectedly I was favoured with your kind Letter of Aug. 22—and, what was more gratifying, it Sheweth, that you enjoy’d health and chearfulness—be these continued to you—till the last moments. I too gradually Seem to recover mÿ Strenght: ere long the necessity of working in the garden Shall cease—and then I must return to the Records—which nevertheless—during the first weeks—Shall not amuse...
42To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
Since I was gratified with your favour of march the 10, another of my intimate acquaintances—whom you may, perhaps, may recollect to have Seen in Holland, H. de Roo, van Wulverhorst is gone—the harvest for gathering my frends Seems to be at hand—two more, Vreed-en Cau, are yet left—and this week my Son communicated to us the death of his youngest Boy—only Six years—of uncommon bodily strenght...
43To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
No—you can not forget me even without one single line I should be fully persuaded of this truth—yet it was pleasing to be so affectionately remembered—You knew, that it would increase my contentment in my deep retirement—It was as a moderate electric shock it giveth a soft impulse on my family shewing their gratification, that their Husband and Father continues to be favoured with your...
44To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
What an era has elapsed Since I was not gratified with one Single line from Montezillo! more than three mounths—and yet now, and then I amuse my Self—in reading again the Last Letters, with which I was honoured by you and mrs Adams—of march 10 and Apr. 28. Yet I am pleased to Suppose that health, remains your Share—otherwise I Should have been informed of it. Was I not fully persuaded, I Shall...
45To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Indeed you are very kind towards me: I can not reciprocate these proofs of your frendship as by assuring you of my most cordial thankfulness—that may be called, filling the measure—till it runs over—I know, I should receive some tiding from Montzillo—but a Letter—in your own handwriting, I could not expect indeed. Although I do not publish your Letter—this to me—deservedly might be placed next...
46To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I can not express my feelings for the affectionate reception, which I met with at Montezillo—you honour me not only with your distinguished and partial regards, to which I am indebted for all the attentions, which I received—but you treated me as a Brother—as a friend—with cordiality—which was followed by each member of your family—It is not in my power to reciprocate it, but I thank my God...
47To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
Although the manifold proofs, which I received from your affectionate regards can never be obliterated—no—not even weakened by lenght of time—yet I presume—it may be become a difficult task to you to recollect, when the last line to inform me of your wellfare—from Montezillo was written—You know me too well, that I could wish to extort from you one Single line, which Should cause you the least...
48To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
As I returned home in safety in the course of this week, the first moments of leisure, after having informed my children and mr Busti of this happy event, shall be devoted, to acknowledge the favour of your’s of the first of Oct. In my former from Philadelphia I mentioned—how I was bruised—wounded—healed—and restored to perfect health—now I can only mention, and this, I am assured is a far...
49To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 November 1818 to 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
If my delaying to answer ÿour favour of the 2 of oct was a just measure of my valuing your condescending kindnesses then—no doubt—I ought to be deemed not to deserve your So distinguished attention—but I am happy indeed, that you cannot foster Such an idea—and I Should rather be prompted to make an apologÿ for an insignificant Letter, was I not fully persuaded—that—imperfect as it may be, it...
50To 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...
51To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
It was my intention to have delay’d writing to you—till the great die was cast—but perusing Dr Morse’s—Revolution I was So Struck and delighted by your interesting Letters—to him mr. Niles and Judge Tudor, that I could not longer bereave me Self of the pleasure of giving you my cordial thanks for these valuable Records. How deeply I regret, that your avocations did not permit you twenty years...
52To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
This answer to your letter of the 18th I consider indeed as an essential part of my religious worship on this day—I cannot indeed be Sufficiently thankful to my God for So many undeserved blessings, among which I place it in a high rank, that I continue to preserve your honoured frendship unabated, and I cannot reciprocate in a better manner, as in fostering the deep Sense I feel of the many...