We have been suffering so much from intense heat this Summer my dear George it has been impossible for me to attend to any thing like a regular correspondence and indeed our lives pass in such ar a routine of invariable sameness there is not wherewithal to furnish an anecdote for a Letter or a line to interest a reader— I yesterday received a melancholy Letter from Mr. Pope announcing the...
52From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 25 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
I enclose here with the two Policies of Insurance on my two Houses in Nassau Street Boston, which will expire on the first of next Month; and which you will take care to have renewed. Keep the new Policies in your own custody, till further order from me— I hear a pleasing account of your industry and attention to your profession—Send me a list of the Law Books that you have, and I will...
I was very happy to hear from you my dear George as I felt anxious on account of the great heat knowing you would be exposed to all the ferver of an intense Sun and am very glad to find that you have not suffered from it— You say so little concerning the brilliant display of which we are told so much in the papers, that I suppose you were in too enthusiastic admir a state of admiration to find...
As it is possible my dear George that you may hear a rumour that your father was drowned I hasten to write you a few lines to assure you that he is safe although he did run some risk this morning in one of his swimming expeditions. In crossing the river this morning in a small crazy boat in company with Anthony the boat filled with water and upset when about half over but he fortunately had...
I yesterday received your melancholy Letter my Dear George informing me of the low state of Mrs. Welshs health and the painful anticipation of the family of her speedy demise—I always had a high opinion of Mrs. Welsh since I had the pleasure of first making her acquaintance and have always been very sensible of her kindness to myself and my children—The external polish of life acquired by...
I was much pleased with the flow of good spirits which your last Letter indicated my Dear George more particularly as I considered it a strong evidence of returning health which I hope will now be substantially confirmed— That you will make a good Soldier if you aim at distinction in that line I have no doubt—but the Company into which you have entered is much more famed for dissipation than...
The frequent and violent attacks of sickness which assail me my Dear George render me a wretched correspondent as the few days of comparative health which I enjoy are attended with a degree of debility which incapacitates me from any exertion of thought or rather of sedentary occupation without reproducing disagreeable sensations in my head and eyes.— We perceive with much delight an entire...
58From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 30 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have this day drawn upon you, at sight, for ten thousand Dollars, in favour of Richard Smith, Cashier of the United States Branch Bank or Order—I drew for the whole sum, because I cannot comprehend, how you should want five hundred dollars, to supply any claims upon you, on my account, while you are in the receipt of all the rents due not only on the first of January last, but on the first...
59From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 30 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have this day drawn upon you, at sight, for ten thousand Dollars, in favour of Richard Smith, Cashier of the United States Branch Bank or Order—I drew for the whole sum, because I cannot comprehend, how you should want five hundred dollars, to supply any claims upon you, on my account, while you are in the receipt of all the rents due not only on the first of January last, but on the first...
As I know you will be very anxious to hear from me my Dear George I hasten to write merely to inform you that my health though still very weak is much better and I am able to ride out— No change has yet taken place in our establishment and we have all the trouble of our removal still in anticipation but my chief concern is the disposal of our house which I fear will be attended with much...
61From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 20 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Your letter has given me great pleasure, and so have those of your brother John—they are lively, animating and cheerful, and at the same time judicious and prudent, which to me is of more importance than all the rest. This great nation appears to me to be as well satisfied as so great a nation can be and in their satisfaction I sincerely rejoice. What obligations does this event impose upon...
62From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 14 January 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 1st. instt. (dated by mistake 1824) with the quarterly account enclosed, which I suppose is correct, and all the particulars of which I approve—It should have been signed with your name at bottom, with the addition of the words “Errors excepted” and dated—You will remember this, in the rendition to me of your next account, and remember it also, in all your...
It is an age since I have written to you my Dear George in consequence of having no subject on which to write that could afford you any pleasure and the times are such that it is hazardous to note even the events of the hour—On Sunday Morn Messrs. de Bresson and Laborie quarrelled about a piece of Omlet at the breakfast Table and adjourned to the race ground to settle their dispute with Swords...
My health is so bad that I am obliged to relinquish my correspondence almost in spite of myself for if the inclination to write seizes me my Letters can give no pleasure to those who receive them as they are tinged with the languor and weakness which pervades both my mind and my frame.—My friends here tell me that the great struggle which is now making in the political world is in great part...
65From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your Letter N. 14. dated the 15th. ulto. with the enclosed account, which appears to be regular and correct. I now enclose you a note for fifteen dollars from Richard Johnson, residing he says at N. 68 Hanover Street—He promised to pay it to you—I Lent him the money, on a Story of his own that he had had his pocked picked at Richmond, of more than 1300 dollars, and that he was...
For value received I promise to pay John Quincy Adams, or his order, fifteen dollars on demand Signed 48 Hannover Street Endorsed to George W Adams or Order MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
When I left you my Dear George I was far from believing that an act of so little importance as the to the publick as the Endorsement of the Note for Mrs Moulton, should have been made a charge of so painful a nature against you Father; and brought so much shame upon the poor woman, who has been so cruelly and wantonly attacked in consequence of it—You have heard my statement concerning the...
In all the hurry and confusion which attended our journey it was impossible for me to write you even a few lines to let you know how we were— Elizabeth has no doubt given you all an elaborate account of all the fine things we saw in Philadelphia into which I was so unexpectedly drgged dragged. It was a splendid show and I whirled amid the glittering confusion until my brain was almost turned....
69From Clerk of the Suffolk County Court of Common Pleas to George Washington Adams, 5 October 1824 (Adams Papers)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Suffolk ss At a Court of Common Pleas begun and held at Boston, within and for the County of Suffolk on the first Tuesday of October, being the fifth day of said month, in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Upon the recommendation of the standing committee of Suffolk Bar, that Mr. George Washington Adams may be admitted an Attorney...
70From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 21 September 1824 (Adams Papers)
I certify that George Washington Adams was a Student of Law under my direction at the City of Washington, for two years from the first of October 1821. MHi : Adams Papers.
I am very sorry my Dear George that you should have received so much pain from my Letter as it was only intended to remind you that family intercourse might be punctually and affectionately sustained in the midst of the most active and severe duties more especially if it is actuated by a spontaneous affection of the heart—Your father was sorry as well as myself that so slight a censure should...
72From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington Adams, 9 August 1824 (Adams Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr George Washington Adams for the eloquent oration on the late 4th. of July which he has been so kind as to send him. he deems it a subject of worthy congratulations to his fellow citizens that a young character of so much promise, and descended thro’ a lineage so meritorious, is now entering on the stage of life, with so much personal, as well as...
73From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington Adams, 9 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr George Washington Adams for the eloquent oration on the late 4 th of July which he has been so kind as to send him. he deems it a subject of worthy congratulations to his fellow citizens that a young character of so much promise, and descended thro’ a lineage so meritorious, is now entering on the stage of life, with so much personal, as well as...
Accept my congratulations my Dear George on your success in the performance of a task become unpleasant from its constant repetition and the almost impossibility of striking out something novel either to amuse or instruct—The line you adopted was very correct and gave more scope than the beaten topic’s usually appropriated to the day and avoided one of the evils into which fourth of July...
75From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
I have not replied to your Letter of the 24th. of June, having been in expectation of receiving your statement of Account, of the first of this Month—I shall this day give a Check on the U.S. Branch Bank, Boston, payable to R. Smith, Cashier of the Branch here or Order, for one thousand Dollars—You will on receiving this Letter, take care that it shall be duly paid—I have drawn it directly on...
76From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 16 June 1824 (Adams Papers)
Mr Frink Roberts wrote me that General Jackson’s had made present to all his Sons; and I wrote him that I would instruct you to match them for me—If I understood him right, it was a silver half-dollar to each of them, and if so you must give them the same to match them—But you had better enquire of himself, and whatever the presents were, you must match them— You will take Mr W. Foster’s...
As Congress have has adjourned I have literally not a word to write as we have nothing stirring here whatever either to interest or amuse—We are preparing to brave the Summer heats which bid fair to be as great though not so lengthened as usual the weather until yesterday having been unusually cool— John Randolph has again sailed for England as mad as ever and perhaps more malignant than ever...
78From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 May 1824 (Adams Papers)
Abby S. Adams returns home in company with Mr Fuller. I have requested him to pay her expenses on the road, and upon his arrival, to give you a minute of them, informing him that you will discharge it—I now write merely to request you to do so, and to charge the same, in account, to me. your affectionate father MHi : Adams Papers.
Abby left us this morning my Dear George on her way to Boston under the protection of Mr Fuller who intends going on without stopping on the road. She is in fine health and has enjoyed her visit apparently very much— I am really sorry for the loss Mr. Welsh has sustained in the death of his amiable Wife whose poor babes are at an age to want all her care and tenderness— I have read your lines...
80From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 April 1824 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received your Letters N.7, 8 and 9. with their enclosures; accounts and vouchers—When in my last Letter; I observed that the account which you had previously sent me, did not inform me for what , the expenditures which you had charged against me were made, it was not my intention to require of you a full settlement, and a delivery of vouchers, at the close of every quarter—It was a...
Although my Dear George I fear that my last Letter was not very palatable to your high spirit being in better health and spirits than I have been for sometime I must seize the opportunity of writing least they should again sink and I should be compelled by dire necessity to abandon once more an occupation more delightful to my heart than all the pleasures this gay world can offer that of free...
82From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 4 March 1824 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your Letter of 15. January, with a Statement of your Account of Agency to the close of last year, upon which I have one remark to make, to which I wish you to pay the most pointed attention—It is that in charging yourself in the Account B. with $1139..29 for Cash received, you do not shew on the credit side, in what manner or for what purposes it has been expended—You only...
I received your Letter of the 7th yesterday Evening and was very happy to learn that you sustained the rigours of the Climate so well as I have involuntarily felt some apprehensions lest you should have suffered in consequence of your residence for so long a time in one so much warmer and milder—Poor Charles left us two days ago and I think with deeper regret even than usual—under an...
84From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 February 1824 (Adams Papers)
On the 5th. of last month I received your Letter dated on the first and have been in expectation of receiving the statement of your account promised in it, which has not yet arrived—It gives me great pleasure to learn that you are persevering by elevating your attention to the art of regular account keeping, and I cannot cease to exhorting you to master it throughly and to apply it...
85From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 February 1824 (Adams Papers)
On the 5th. of last month I received your letter dated on the first & have been in expectation of receiving the statement of your account promised in it which has not yet arrived. It gives me great pleasure to learn that you are perseveringly devoting your attention to the art of regular account-keeping & I can not erase exhorting you to master it thoroughly & to apply it unintermittingly to...
God Bless you my Dear Son and send you many many happy years to enjoy life and do honour to your Parents and Society is the fervent wish offered by your Mother whose prayers for your welfare are so pure they will be received and granted at the throne of mercy as long as you continue to merit them— We have entered on probably the most stormy year of our lives on which hang great and momentous...
I send you a sheet of journal my Dear George which you can read to your Grandfather if you please or such parts of it as you think fit—I shall address it to you thro’ the winter which I think will be more prudent and I wish that you could coax y. Grandfather to give you all that I have written as I think it would be safer in your possession in case of accidents— Journal 30 Novbr. 1823 In a...
88From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 9 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 14th. ulto. N. 4. came duly to hand, but I have not before found time for replying to it—The House in Hancock Street must wait its appointed time; that is for the expiration of the lease. I have invited your brother Charles to come and spend the winter vacation with us, and have informed him that I should direct you to furnish him with the money necessary for the journey—You...
3rd: December. My whole morning was occupied with visits and writing cards of invitation—we have had 40 or more Members of Congress already here and all who call I invite to my Evengs. if I can help it I will invite only those who call lest it should be said I am courting them to further any particular purpose—We dined alone and Mary being sick I denied myself to company—Mr Petry called and...
With the utmost pleasure I would write to you as often as you wish were my health perfectly and entirely restored. This unfortunately is not the case as I am still subject to chills and fear I shall continue to be so throughout the winter—This has induced me to fix my Tuesdays once a fortnight instead of once a week which is more than I am able to undertake— You would laugh could you see Mary...
I wrote you a hurried Letter the other day my dear George in answer to your last as I was fearful you might purchase me another Shawl. As I am now much better than I was I will enter more fully into my winter plans and of our present life. As yet we have but little company excepting occasional morning visits—I have been papering and painting one or two of my rooms and that with the bad state...
92From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 31 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
I wish you to keep the enclosed Letter for my father, till the next time that you shall after receiving it, go out to Quincy to spend the Sunday with him—You will then after breakfast deliver it to himself in his Chamber, no other person being present; and tell him that I have requested you to read its contents to him, and afterwards, with his approbation, to burn the copy of Verses on his...
93From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 25 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have this day received your Letter of the 20th. instt. with the copy of the lease to Joseph Baxter—The substance of the proposition of Mr. Balch is that I should give him or Mr Baxter five hundred and fifty Dollars to induce them to return my house to me—To this proposition I cannot consent—I will say now nothing of the terms upon which Mr Baxter originally obtained the lease—The rent which...
94From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 21 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your Letter N 1. dated the 15th. instt. with its enclosure, and am much pleased with the attention you are paying to my Affairs and your own—In entering upon a new Scene of life, it is important to begin well; to commence the formation of good habits, and to form a system for the employment of time which will obviate the formation of bad ones. At your Season of life, it is...
95From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 5 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
I now enclose you a Letter for George Davis, which you will deliver to him—The subscription as I told you is conditional to be paid only, unless a sum of (I think 50000) Dollars should be subscribed before the first of January next and deposited in Bank—If you are admitted to attend the Meetings, I shall expect you will give me an account of the proceedings and of the progress of the object,...
96From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 4 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
I leave with you one thousand Dollars to be deposited in the Bank, and applied to the payment of a subscription which I have promised, for the Establishment of a Professorship of Astronomy, and the erection of an observatory at Cambridge—I authorize you to make the subscription in my name as my Agent, and to pay the money for me in such manner as may be directed by the subscribers. You will...
97From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 1 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have constituted and appointed you my Agent and Attorney, for the management of my property in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excepting that in the town of Quincy, and for the transaction of my private business; for which I hereby give you full authority, subject to the instructions herein contained. The following is the specific property, which I commit to your care. 1. House in Court...
98From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
yours of the 26th. January is received. I pray you to attend as much as possible, to every Court, and every scene in which law questions are discussed or mooted. Observe patiently and critically the conduct of Judges Counsellors, Jurors parties, Witnesses and spectators. And by no means fail to provide yourself with an ample apparatus for writing, a pocket ink horn, plenty of ink, good pens...
99From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 5th. instant full of wise reflections philosophical and moral. I am glad you think so much and so prudently. You must be very happy all of you together I wish I could be one of your family circle during the vacations notwithstanding all the silly trécasseries of the times. Your Fathers notice of General Smyth was brought to me last night and read to me by Mr....
100From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
yours of the 9th. is received, you do not give me any account of your Studies as formerly—Mr. Smith and your Aunt have been very fortunate in escaping the Plague at Pensacola, please to give my love to them. I hope the Mexican Ambassador and his eight Gentlemen companions have brought with them plenty of Milled dollars, and Mexican Bullion, and after teaching our Merchants and Manufacturers...