1To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 28 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Nearly One third of a Century has elapsed, Since I first did myself the honor to write you from & I shall always recollect with gratitude the kindness I have uniformly experienced from you in all situations. By a coincidence of singular Vicissitude, (on my part) you are at the head of the respectable Massts Agricultural Society & I am undeservedly I admit placed at the head of the Berkshire A....
2To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 9 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
I consider Your opinion on the Subject of War—as expressed to me in the Letter you did me the honor to write of the 6th Inst—So just—& So decisive—that I am confident of it was published as an extract of a Letter from you—to A.B—in this County—it would do great good, in bringg. back many deluded by the farci c al Washn. benovolents—whereas I consider them the real Jacobins—& Tories of Our...
3To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 4 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice to notice by the public papers that you not only live, but that it is evident from yr. interesting letter to Ar. Coffin—that Providence Continues to bless you with an unimpaird intelect. I rejoice Sir to find a motive to address you once more. We have corresponded upwards of 40 years on various Subjects. The object of the present letter is to inclose to you a letter from Mr A...
4To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 2 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
It is now 37 years since I had the pleasure to recieve your first letter at Anconis It was a paternal letter containing advice to a Young Man, which was peculiarly usefull to me. You than said—“ I must talk to you like an old man ”—I am now 15 years older than you was than. In several of your Subsequent letters you express’d a wish to know precisely, the conversation which pass’d between Judge...
5To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 7 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
On my return to this pleasant Village from a peregrination in the West, I rec’d Your favor of the 22d June— The ground my friends have assumed as to my projecting—& in co’operation with Genl. Schuyler—my efficient & successful efforts in establishing the Canal policy in this State, & vigorously prosecuting the incipient Step which has led to their present gigantic State—has call’d forth all...
6To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 7 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
On my return from a Journey I rec’d your two favours of the 11th & 12th. Ulto.—On the Subject of Siberian wheat—as respects its culture on the Seabord your remarks are doubtless correct—I yet console myself it will be found congenial with the Interior Soil & Climate As proof off which I am promised a bushel from Collo. Whipple Collector of Portsmouth, the only person who retains of that wheat...
7To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 17 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your friendly favr. of the 10th. Inst. I took the liberty to shew your letter to Secy. Yates the Great Orator & permitted him to take a copy to transmit to his friend Mr. Van Der Kemp. I hope I have not transgressed. By last mail I transmitted to you in conformity to your request, Robt. Troup’s pam Letter on New York Canals addressed to Brockholn Livingston. I presume you know the...
8To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 19 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your respected favr of the 15th Inst—permit ted me to Say—You are greatly mistaken—Altho’ the Spirit of party has cruelly exposed you, to the rancorous Venom of party Malignity—Your friends are consoled, with the full belief, that these angry wa t ers beat against you, as against a rock in the Midst of the Ocean—& that each Succeeding wave falls broken at your feet—they also Know...
9To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 5 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
As I feel sensible of the honor of your correspondence, I cannot permit myself to be in your debt on that Score, especially as my Letters are attended with no expence. I find Sir—I am highly hon’d in making the Tour of the United States in your company, and It is the fin I trust I hope our travels, & our example will not be without its salutary influence on at least a portion of Our fellow...
10To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 26 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
It was Not my intention to have troubled you again very soon—but an incident has occured which has made it necessary. The day after I wrote my last letter to you, requesting permission to publish yr. letter The Honbl Secy. Yates called on me & requested I wou’d submit yr. letter to immediate publication, inasmuch as he had taken the liberty to publish yours (to appear the insuing day) to him....
11To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 14 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Holding an occasional correspondence with you for upwards of 40 years on various subjects, it is peculiarly proper and I desire to bless GOD, that I have it in my power in the Evening of your useful days to offer to you my sincere, and hearty congratulations on the recent elevation of your distinguished Son to the first Office in the power of a grateful Nation to bestow upon him. I am the more...
12To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 15 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Holding a correspondence with you for the on various subjects for upwards of 45 years; it is peculiarly proper, and I desire to bless GOD that I have it in my power in the Evng. of your useful days to offer to you my sincere and hearty congratulations on the recent elevation of your Son to the first Office in the gift of a republican Nation. I am the more gratified that this great State has...
13To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 5 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is Now 17 Years since I was first hon’d with your Paternal Letter at Nantes. Since which in Various situations, & On Various occasions in your Important Life, I have presumed to address you; and have never Ceased to Venerate the Independance of your Mind, & your “stern Republican Virtues”—I cannot now forbare Congratulating you on your recent elevation to the first station in the Power of...
14To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 1 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am hon’d with your Obliging Letter of the 17th. Inst. After the departure of My Letter of the 5th. Ulto. I Regretted that I had touched on a delicate Subject Since however it is So, I feel impressed with the propriety of unveiling the Mistery, which I Request May be considered as Confidential —I had Spent the Evening of writing you in Company with Chancellor Livingston who in the Most...
15To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Charitable belief, as expressed in your late Answer to the Providence Address,—that Many of your Countrymen had adhered to the French from a blind Infatuation; So exactly Meets My Case, that & is so liberal, & Conciliating that I feel it a duty incumbent on Me Instead of Mingling with the Mass in Signing an address to you (however laudable the Measure) to hazard the Liberty of a More...
16To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 10 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
In the summer of 1783 being at your quarters I think it was in Oxford Street an elderly Lady came in with a book for sale—It was at the period when you was ambasador at the Court of St. James. When she retired—you informed Me it was the Widow of Carver with her husband’s book of travels in the interior of America. You added—“It is extraordinary altho’ he has wrote so much & so well on the...
17To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 3 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have often regretted I had Not inserted in my Tour in Holland—a Meml. in the original Mss:—dated 20 June 1784. as follows—“Mr. Adam’s mind appeared Settled and intent upon an American Navy—in Our pleasant rides about the Hague—he appeard at times absorb’d in a reverie and at last length wou’d brake silence by exclaiming yes it must be So—12 Sail of the Line would place us in some respects on...