31From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 13 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is some consolation to find in the Paragraph of the Charter, next following the Court of Admiralty, that Nothing in it, “Shall in any manner enure, or be taken to a bridge, bar, or hinder any of our loving Subjects Whatsoever, to Use and exercise the Trade of Fishing upon the Coasts of New England, but that they and every of them Shall have full and free Power and Liberty to continue and...
32From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 29 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
Is your daughter, Mrs Stewart, who I am credibly informed is one of the most accomplished Ladies, a Painter? Are you acquainted with Miss Lydia Smith, who I am also credibly informed is one of he most accomplished Ladies and a Painter? Do you know Mr. Sargent? Do you correspond with your old companion in Arms Colo. John Trumbull? Do you think Fisher will be an historical Painter? Whenever you...
33From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 24 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr Otis Said Such a “Writt of Assistance” might become the Reign of Charles the Second in England, and he would not dispute the Taste of the Parliament of England, in passing Such an Act, nor of the People of England in submitting to it; but it was not calculated for the Meridian of America. The Court of Exchequer had no Jurisdiction here. Her Warrant, and her, Writts never were Seen here. Or...
34From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 15 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging favour of the 8th. but cannot consent to your resolution to ask no more questions. Your questions revive my sluggish memory—. Since our national Legislature have established a national Painter, a wise measure for which I thank them, my imagination runs upon the art & has already painted I know not how many historical pictures. I have sent you one give me leave to...
35From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 11 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
The “Defence of the New England Charters” by Jer. “Dummer” is, both for Style and matter, one of our most classical American Productions. “The feelings, the manners and Principles which produced the Revolution,” appear in as vast Abundance in this Work, as in any, that I have read. This beautiful Composition, ought to be reprinted and read by every American who has learned to read. In pages 30...
36From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 16 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
We cannot yet dismiss this precious statute of the 6th of George the second. Chapter 13. The second section I must abridge, for I cannot transcribe much more. It enacts that all the Duties imposed by the first section, shall be paid down in ready Money by the Importer, before landing. The third section must be transcribed by me or some other Person because it is the most arbitrary among...
37From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 14 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Otis, to Show the Spirit of the Acts of Trade, those I have already quoted as well as those I Shall hereafter quote And as the best Commentaries upon them; produced a Number of Authors upon Trade, and read Passages from them, which I Shall recite, without pretending to remember the Order in which he read them. Sir Josiah Child “A new discourse of Trade” Let me recommend this Old Book to...
38From 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...
39From 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...
40From 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...
41From 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...
42From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 5 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
In Mr Wirts elegant and eloquent Panegyrick on Mr Henry.—I beg your attention to page 56 to page 67. the end of the second section. Where you will read a curious specimen of the agonies of Patriotism in the early Stages of the Revolution—“When Mr Henry could carry his Resolutions but by one Vote, and that against the influence of Randolph, Bland, Pendelton Wythe and all the Old members whose...