11To John Adams from John Cartwright, 29 February 1824 (Adams Papers)
Daily viewing a facsimile of your signature to that most most glorious of all human records—The Declaration of American Independence, which Independence, so early as the year 1774, expostulating with the rulers of this country, I publicly advocated, it is my request, that you will accept a two-fold work in the cause of Freedom, entitled “The English Constitution Produced and Illustrated” and...
12To John Adams from John Gardiner, 10 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I take leave to present to you a Map, (of the military bounty Lands in the Illinois Territory) engraved for the use of the Soldiers of the late Army. By means of these Maps every Soldier can, for one dollar, obtain accurate information relative to the soil, Timber, & position of the Tract which falls to his lot, & thereby appreciate the value of his Country’s bounty. I have the honor / to be...
13To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1824 (Adams Papers)
I take much satisfaction in presenting to you, the Bearer of this Letter, the Count de Medem, recently arrived, from St. Petersburg, and attached to the Legation of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, in this Country—On his visit to Boston, it affords me pleasure to have the opportunity of making him personally known to you.— I hope to have in a few days the satisfaction of presenting myself...
14To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 7 November 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have forwarded to you a Copy of the Additional Census of Alabama, in virtue of an Act of Congress of the 7th. of March last; the receipt of which you will be pleased to acknowledge. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, / Sir, / Your obedt: & very hu. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
15To John Adams from John Jackson, 11 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Who can better explain the character of a patriot of our Revolution, than his copatriots in the field or in the council? With the approbation of Judge McKean I am collecting materials for a life of his late father. Will you, Sir, many of whose nights were consumed, with Thomas McKean, in watchings for your Country’s sake, communicate to me any anecdotes of him, which are reposited in your...
16To John Adams from John Henry Sherburne, 4 October 1825 (Adams Papers)
As the nephew of your late friend General William Whipple, who signed with you the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and who afterwards defended it, with his sword, and as the Nephew of the late Governor John Langdon, who assisted, in framing our all wise Constitution, I beg your acceptance of the Volume herewith transmitted, being the Life & Charactor of your late friend, and Patriot John...
17To John Adams from John Henshaw, 25 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with the direction of the Standing Committee of the Washington Society, I take this opportunity to request, that you will honor the Society with your presence at a public dinner to be provided by Mr Seymour at the Marlboro’ Hotel on the approaching Anniversary of that Independence, in the achievement, of which, you have so distinguished a part— When nearly all your compatriots of...
18To John Adams from John Thornton Kirkland, 24 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of Sending you a Card requesting your presence at Commencement.—I beg leave to remind you of your being one of the Judges of the speaking for Boylston prizes the day after Commencement, & to ask you, if you should attend, to do me the favor to dine with me on that day at half after two oC.— With high consideration / & affectionate regard, / I am, Dear Sir, / Your ob. Servt MHi...
19To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
I send you the enclosed pamphlet, at the request of Mr John Williams, a native of North Carolina, now a member of the Senate of the United States from the State of Tennessee— I am ever faithfully and affectionately, your Son MHi : Adams Papers.
20To John Adams from John Phillips, 27 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
The Mayor of the City of Boston, most respectfully solicits the Honor of President Adams’ company, on the evening of the fourth of July. The presence of that venerable and illustrious Citizen, whose prophetic spirit, so clearly discerned, and whose patriotic exertion, so largely contributed, to obtain the blessings of Independence, would confer an high obligation and awaken the most grateful...
21To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have requested Mr. Edward Cruft to pay you on my account two hundred and fifty dollars on the first of July and the same sum quarter yearly from that day. I am Dear Sir your affectionate and dutiful Son. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
22To John Adams from John Everett, 26 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to enclose you, with the assurance of my respect and veneration, a copy of an Oration delivered to the Republican Citizens of Boston on the late Anniversary of the 4th July, 1776. I cannot express the pride and gratitude I feel, in having it, in my power, to offer any mark of my attachment to the Institutions of my country, to him who declared its independence and defended its...
23To John Adams from John Kean Dayton, 15 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
I can not refrain from addressing a few congratulatory lines, on the occasion of your Son, being appointed to the high and important Office, that you once filled, much to the honor of our beloved Country In this event, millions of the descendants of those who were in former years ruled by your wisdom will rejoice— May you Honored Sir, long continue to live & witness our nations gratitude, and...
24To John Adams from William John Coffee, 10 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I Som three weeks ago took the liberty of writing to you in Concequen ce of the Advice of Mr Jefferson’s but he I fear will no longer have Permission to give Advice he being given Over by his Physicians, but that Sad news you no doubt—Sir are too well aquainted with now Sir as I must Shortly go to Washington and the Cold wether would hinder my proceeding in The Modeling Sir will your goodness...
25To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
You have been made acquainted with the controversy in which I have been for some Months engaged in relation to transactions at the Negotiation of Ghent. As the subject is one in which the defence of my own character and that of two of my Colleagues was inseparably connected with principles of deep concernment to this Union, I have thought it necessary to collect in one publication the papers...
26From John Adams to John Adams, 18 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your account of the first part of your journey, is quite as entertaining and instructive as is that of the latter part, recorded in your former letter. The seventy persons on board the steam boat who were obliged to sleep in mats covered with a blanket, reminded me of my excellent friend and physician, Dr Holbrook’s account of the treatment of the small pox in Canada when our Revolutionary...
27To John Adams from John Manners, 19 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
I received, with peculiar gratification, your letters, together with the volume and other documents accompanying them, and am not insensible of the obligations under which you have laid me, by the kind attention with which you have been pleased to honour me. I have read with pleasure and interest your instructing letters and am satisfied of the correctness of your opinion respecting the...
28From John Adams to John Adams, 16 October 1824 (Adams Papers)
Your frolicsome letter of the 10th of October has come to hand this morning and amidst the sinking and fainting infirmities of age has given me a temporary flash of spirits and has tirminated in the solid comfort of the arrival of your father and Mother and Miss Mary at Washington after tot et tanta discrimina rerum. The ladies must have had a severe trial your Mother is so much in the habit...
29From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 19 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I received with much pleasure you new year’s Letter, with the copy of the Lamp–lighter’s address, and the hint from the fount of the Centinal about a Present; which your uncle Thomas will tell you I have not forgotten. Your Parents were very highly gratified with what Mr Gould gave you leave to write to me concerning your promotion to the second Class, in which you will no doubt take care to...
30From John Adams to John Adams, 25 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
In the reign of Charles 1st of England, Henry Adams came to America from Devonshire and settled at Mount Wollaston with eight sons, one of whom returned to England. Four removed to Medfield, Medway, Bellingham and the neighbouring towns—two to Chelmsford Thomas and Samuel by name; Joseph only, my great grandfather, and the great grandfather of Samuel Adams of Boston, remained in this place...
31To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 June 1824 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of a joint Resolution, of the two Houses of Congress, a copy of which is hereto annexed, and by direction of the President of the United States, I have the honour of transmitting two fac simile copies of the original Declaration of Independence, engrossed on parchment, conformably to a secret Resolution of Congress 19 July 1776, to be signed by every member of Congress, and...
32To John Adams from John Marston, 1 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
Parental solicitude for the welfare of a beloved son, I hope will excuse the liberty I take of inclosing you, a letter from Mr Bailey at Washington, who has kindly interested himself in behalf of my son, who you know is a Cadet at West point. My Son has been at the Academy four years, & in consequence, of not passing his last examination in mathematicks, was not included in the list of...
33To John Adams from John L. Meredith, 5 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have in contemplation, in concert with Isaac Walker a qr. blood Indian of the Wyandot tribe, to publish a history of the traditions of that once powerful nation. provided a work of this kind would meet the approbation of our most distinguished fellow citizens.— The work will contain the traditional history of that nation from as early a date as near 200 year previous to the discovery of...
34To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 15 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
If your Letter of 20. May were the only one from you upon my files yet unanswered, every look at its date would give me a pang of self-reproach—How then shall I acknowledge at the same time the receipt of those of 31. Decbr. and of 2. 8. 13. 29. January, and apologize for not having replied to them sooner—During the Session of Congress, your indulgence would readily account for my...
35To John Adams from John Sanderson, 24 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have addressed to you, by the Post office, the first no. of the “Biography &c. ” —of which I have now hazarded the publication; & which I beg the favour of you to accept, with my grateful acknowledgements, at the same time, for your kind attention to my former letter. This vol. has been hurried into the world but “half made up”, to meet the conveniences of printers & publishers. It has been...
36To John Adams from John George Jackson, 12 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter to Genl. La Fayette, has been occasioned by the recurrence of our national anniversary, & contains a printed copy of the Address I delivered on that day. If there be nothing improper in the request, and I assure you, that I cannot perceive its impropriety; I pray you to favor me with the facilities at your disposal, to ensure its safe conveyance to him. I send you a copy...
37To John Adams from John Whitney, 3 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
With the profoundest reverence of respect, it has again fallen to my happy lot, in behalf of the Committee of arrangements, for the approaching celebration of our National Independence, on the fourth of July next, to solicit the pleasure of your Company to dine with the Citizens of Quincy at the Town-Hall on that day; that your health and strength may be such that you will be enabled to comply...
38To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr G. W. Campbell is going out as Envoy Extraordinary, and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the Court of Russia. He is to embark at Boston in the frigate Guerriére, and I hope will find an opportunity to go out and see you, with Mrs Campbell, and their family at Quincy—You and my dear Mother will I am well assured take the more satisfaction in seeing them with the...
39To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 25 April 1824 (Adams Papers)
I take great pleasure in presenting to you the bearer of this letter, Mr Juli u s de Wallenstein, a Secretary of the legation of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia—He visits Boston & other parts of our Country for the improvement of his health, & with purposes of enlightened curiosity. Upon the most transient conversation with him, no testimonial will be needed to mark him in your estimation as...
40To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 9 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
The three papers written by me, recommending the system of neutrality , as the duty and policy of the United States, were published, with the signature of Marcellus , in the Boston Centinel, in the Month of April 1793.—President Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality was issued the 22d. of that Month. Marcellus was republished in some newspaper at New–York, and perhaps at Philadelphia; but...
41To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 22 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have been highly gratified in recieving your kind Letter of the 10th. instant.—I hope you will not attribute the infrequency of my Letters to you, to any other than its true cause. The Revd. Mr. Little will deliver you this Letter. He is the Pastor of a small flock of Unitarian Christians, who are gathering in this City, and who need some assistance to enable them to erect a place of Worship...
42From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 29 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two Letters; and have since then also received a Letter from President Kirkland, containing a Statement of the reasons of your dismission from the University—I have delayed answering your Letters, in the hope, that you might obtain permission to return after the vacation, and receive your degree, without degradation—I have written to President Kirkland, and hope to hear...
43To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
By a Letter from my Son John, I have this day been apprized, of that afflictive dispensation of Providence which has bereft you of the partner of your life; me of the tenderest and most affectionate of Mothers, and our species, of one whose existence was Virtue, and whose life was a perpetual demonstration of the moral excellence of which human nature is susceptible—How shall I offer you...
44To John Adams from John Farmer, 12 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
Permit an humble individual to present you a memoir of one of the ancient towns of Massachusetts, which claims some affinity with Braintree, as it derived from thence some of its early and most respectable inhabitants. The Brackett and Tompson families might be mentioned among those which emigrated from Braintree, some of whose descendants were persons of influence & wealth. Both families have...
45From John Adams to John Adams, 28 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
Your letter, of the 21st. sprightly and entertaining like all the rest, has been recieved. I participate in all your apprehensions concerning the election. The odium, which has been conjured up against the family, is indeed a formidable motive of national action. Not a reason, not an argument even original; it is a prejudice! and it is a consolation to see that it does not prevail in...
46To John Adams from John Jay, 27 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
On the 20th. Inst’ I recieved, and for the first Time saw, the fifth volume of Franklin’s works, published at Philadelphia. I was surprized to find in the 293d. page, a note of the Editor (Mr. William Temple Franklin) which contains a Paragraph in the following words—vizt.— “Mr. Adams and Mr. Jay had previously arrived, and in Time to share in the arduous and momentuous duties of the Mission....
47To John Adams from William John Coffee, 26 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
I cant help Expressing my great disapointment at not being favored with an answer to my Solicitaions so Long Past, I know that I am to you a Stranger and on that accnt feel sorry to trouble or Intrude on your time or retirement, but at the same time having executed busts of all the other Presidents its proper to have yours I have also a considerable wish to Employ my talents on your bust to...
48From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th. instt. which informed me of the part assigned to you at the next exhibition has given me great satisfaction; and I now indulge the hope that your performance of it, will be still more creditable to you than the assignment. The question will afford full scope for all your abilities, and as I believe the affirmative to be the right side, you will have no lack of argument...
49To John Adams from John Farmer, 20 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your favour was received last evening, and the subject of it shall receive immediate attention. For some time past, I have entertained the idea that the late Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, was a descendant from the well known Rev. William Tompson of Braintree. In November, last year, I communicated my conjecture to Mr. Baldwin, of Chelmsford, son of the late Col. L. Baldwin of Woburn, and...
50To John Adams from John Jay, 27 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to you of the 20th. Inst: I inserted a Copy of the one which on the 13th. Inst: I had written to Mr. William Duane; and promised on recieving his answer, to transmit a Copy of it to you. The last mail brought me his answer, in the words following— “Philadelphia—16th. March 1821”— “Sir Your Letter of the 13th. Inst: which you did me the honor to address to me, concerning some notes...
51To John Adams from John Farmer, 20 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
The favour of your letter is most gratefully acknowledged. The information respecting the Bracket and Tompson families will add to what I have already received. I think it very probable that Capt. Joseph Tompson, one of the early settlers of this town, was a son of the minister whom you mention, or otherwise connected with the family. I conclude so from several circumstances. He wrote his name...
52To John Adams from John Marston, 26 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
I know it will afford you much pleasure to be informed that I was not wholly forgotten by my late friend Mr Eliot. On my arrival in town yesterday morning, Mr Guild communicated the pleasing intelligence that I was a legatee, for the Sum of five hundred dollars. The amount is small, but as an expression of his esteem & respect, I consider it of great value. In looking back on past intercourse...
53From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 30 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received from President Kirkland, his answer to my enquires respecting your standing as a Scholar in your Class, and it confirms the Statement made by yourself—Your number upon the general scale, at the close of the last term was 24—In the course of one half year, you had risen from 45. This result has opened my heart to the cheering hope, that you will yet redeem a standing worthy of...
54To John Adams from John Davis, 1 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you Mr Lewis Weld, an instructor in the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, at Hartford, who visits Boston, with a number of his pupils, for the purpose of exhibiting evidence of their improvement and of the hopeful progress of the institution. In conversation with Mr. Weld, yesterday, he expressed a strong desire to be introduced to you, a disposition which I could not but...
55From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 17 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received three Letters from you since I have been here, all grumbling Letters; and all very badly written—The first was of the 16th: the second of the 17th: of September, and the last of the 27th: of October—This last I disapprove of the most; and request you to write me no more such Letters—You conclude it by saying that you hope I will forgive any thing rash in my Son; but I shall do...
56From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 25 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 16th. instt. and have given deliberate attention to its contents—I listen with pleasure to all the circumstances that you allege in indication of yourself; and shall doubly rejoice to learn at midsummer, that your expectations are confirmed, by the standing which you will then have attained—If you should not be lower than 12. it will be apparent that my...
57From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 17 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
The proposal contained in your Letter of the 12th. instt. does equal honour to your head and to your heart—It shall be carried into effect; but I shall take upon myself a suitable portion of the expense necessary to that purpose—I shall immediately write to your uncle concerning it. The sum received for the Claim given you by your Grandfather, was three hundred and seventy dollars and forty...
58To John Adams from John Sanderson, 29 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty of sending to your address some pages of a work I have just put to press in Philada.—A copy of which I shall convey to you, entire, as the nos. or half vollumes are competed. The first will be published in a few weeks, & the others at convenient intervals, perhaps of six months.— I wished very much to consult you on the subject of this publication before the present...
59From John Adams to John Adams, 12 January 1824 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 28th: Decr. is an epistle of a sage. I will tell you a story, of ancient days. “When I was a Sophomore at College, my mother and her Sister Ann Adams, Wife of my Uncle Ebenezer Adams, came to spend the day with me. On looking round my room, they thought I wanted several little articles of accomodation, which they did not see. They asked why I had not this thing, that thing,...
60From John Adams to John Adams, 2 November 1823 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for two letters written at two notable periods of your life one at the happy meeting of your family at Providence and New York, the other at Washington all in health written with the vivacity, and spirit for which you are so remarkable. They gave me and the whole family a great deal of pleasure and excite an appetite for your account of the first part of your journey. We have...