1401To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 28 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Absence from home, & want of Leisure, have prevented me returning an earlier answer to your very kind & friendly letter of the 9th. inst. Should any such intermission occur at any time hereafter I rely upon your goodness to ascribe it to the real cause, my being borne down by the pressure of business. It is highly gratifying to find that notwithstanding the various disadvantageous...
1402To John Adams from Hendrick W. Gordon, 28 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
It has been said by some persons, with a view to make many believe it, “that His Excellency John Quincy Adams our Minister in Russia has written to his Father the late President of the U.S. a letter which came by the way of Halifax & recently received, in which he says “the war in which the U.S. are engaged” is unncessary and unjust. ” For myself I do not beleive that he has written any thing...
1403To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Ἴδαν ἐς πολύδενδρον ἀνὴρ ὑλητόμος ἐλθὼν, Παπταίνει, παρέοντος ἄδην, ποθεν ἄρξεται ἔργου· Τί πρᾶτον καταλεξῶ; ἐπεὶ πάρα μυρία ἐιπῆν. and I too, my dear Sir, like the wood-cutter of Ida, should doubt where to begin, were I to enter the forest of opinions, discussions, & contentions which have occurred in our day. I should exclaim with Theocritus Τί πρᾶτον καταλεξῶ; ἐπεὶ πάρα μυρία ειπῆν. but I...
1404Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Ἴδαν ἐς πολύδενδρον ἀνὴρ ὑλητόμος ἐλθὼν, Παπταίνει, παρέοντος ἄδην, ποθεν ἄρξεται ἔργου· Τί πρᾶτον καταλεξῶ; ἐπεὶ πάρα μυρία ἐιπῆν. and I too, my dear Sir, like the wood-cutter of Ida, should doubt where to begin, were I to enter the forest of opinions, discussions, & contentions which have occurred in our day. I should exclaim with Theocritus Τί πρᾶτον καταλεξῶ; ἐπεὶ πάρα μυρία ειπῆν . but I...
1405To John Adams from James Lloyd, 24 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mr Lloyd has had the honor to receive a highly flattering note from his Excellency Mr Adams, accompanying a copy of “Sketches of the Naval History of the United States.”—for which he offers his grateful acknowledgments, and begs leave to assure Mr Adams, that he shall at all times greatly reverence those, who in the Cabinet, or on the Ocean, have originated, reared, or upheld the Naval Glory...
1406To John Adams from William Cranch, 22 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I received your very kind and flattering letter of 1st. ulto.—On the morning before I received it I settled an account with Mr. Gales who is my tenant, and in doing so ask’d him if anything was due from you to charge it to my account. He look’d at his books and told me that somebody had paid for you in advance and that nothing was due. However, after receiving your letter I wrote him a note...
1407To John Adams from Richard Sullivan, 21 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
A Letter from you of the 25th. ult. expressive of your intention to decline a reelection to the office of President of the Masstts. Society for promoting Agriculture having been read by the Chairman at the annual meeting for the choice of Officers, I was thereupon directed to make known to you the regret of the Society at the loss of a name from the head of their institution, and of counsels,...
1408To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
No, you will not blame me, though I make use of a Sundays afternoon—having the morning employ’d in familÿ worship—in writing to an honoured friend. This too is religion, to remember the favours, which we received, and Shew our gratitude in our good will, though it is not in our power to prove it bÿ more vigorous exertions Freed this daÿ of head-ache I must improve these moments, and...
1409To John Adams from Robert Fulton, 17 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my thanks for the letters which I received from you this morning, those from our minister in Russia are duplicates of letters I had the honor to receive from him about Six weeks past, The success of the useful arts must give real pleasure to every man of mind, and to none more than you whose knowledge of political economy enables you to trace all their happy consequences, there are...
1410To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a letter on the 27th of May, which probably would reach you about the 3d inst. and on the 9th I received yours of the 29th of May. of Lindsay’s Memoirs. I had never before heard, & scarcely indeed of himself. it could not therefore but be unexpected that two letters of mine should have anything to do with his life. the name of his editor was new to me, & certainly presents itself,...
1411Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 15 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a letter on the 27 th of May , which probably would reach you about the 3 d inst. and on the 9 th I recieved yours of the 29 th of May . of Lindsay’s Memoirs I had never before heard, & scarcely indeed of himself. it could not therefore but be unexpected that two letters of mine should have any thing to do with his life. the name of his
1412To John Adams from Richard Rush, 6 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
It was only the day before yesterday that Mr Andrew Eliot handed me your letter dated the 5th of May. Although you do not speak of him as being particularly known to you yet the mere circumstance of his bringing a letter to me from your hand was gratifying, and constitutes the highest claim to my attention to him. As yet I have seen him but once when he delivered it to me; but in whatever way...
1413To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 3 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to Your instructions, I have forwarded three copies of the Naval History. I have likewise taken the liberty to forward you several Copies of a Circular, requesting nautical Communications, which, if you judge it proper, I request you will be have conveyed to suitable persons. I hope the second Edition of the Naval History will be found not unworthy of the public patronage. It will be...
1414To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 1 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your very polite & friendly favour of the 26th. ult. I duly recd. It is before me, & demand my thanks. I enclose the extracts from John Marston’s Communications, which I have had copied for the new Edition. Agreeably to your directions, I send by this day’s Mail, a copy of the Naval History, & shall send two more by the succeeding mails. Accept the assurances of very sincere respect from /...
1415To John Adams from John Mitchell, 1 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
A few Days since in Converseing With His Exclcy. Sir John C. Sherbrooke, He Mentioned to Me Some Letters received at the Admiralty addressed for you, & enquired of Me if I would forward them on His part: As you May presume Sir, I was happy in Offering do so.—And this Morning the Letter here with Was sent by the Provincial Secty. The Letters With My Name on the back is Transmitted here With....
1416To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I can not express you—how warmlÿ I am obliged to you for your your last kind favour of May 20th. It Saÿs—nothing that it pleased and instructed—no—it did much more—It relieved mÿ drooping Spirits it dissipated in part the deep gloom, which has latelÿ taken possession of me—listen—mÿ Dear! I have one friend yet left—he would Soothe mÿ Sorrows—was he in the neighbourhood, altho he participated...
1417To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 29 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have commenced the publication of engraved portraits of the eminent men of our country, by Mr: Edwin and Leney, in their best style. Have the goodness to inform me, whether there is an approved likeness of you, by whom painted, and in whose possession it is. And be pleased also to grant me permission to have it engraved. The portait of Dr. Rush, from a painting by Mr. Sully, is in the hands...
1418To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Another of our friends of 76. is gone, my dear Sir, another of the Co-signers of the independance of our country. and a better man, than Rush, could not have left us, more benevolent, more learned, of finer genius, or more honest. we too must go; and that ere long.. I believe we are under half a dozen at present; I mean the signers of the Declaration. yourself, Gerry, Carroll, and myself are...
1419Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Another of our friends of 76. is gone, my dear Sir, another of the Co-signers of the independance of our country. and a better man, than Rush , could not have left us, more benevolent, more learned, of finer genius, or more honest. we too must go; and that ere long. I believe we are under half a dozen at present; I mean the signers of the Declaration. yourself, Gerry , Carroll , and myself are...
1420To John Adams from American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 26 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to announce to you, that at a meeting of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences May 25th. 1813 it was the unanimous wish of the Members as expressed by ballot, that you would continue their President. Very respectfully / your humble Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
1421To John Adams from James R. Willson, 25 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
An offective son, & one of the children of the church presumes to address you an epistle. I long admired your measures in preparing to expend this nation in time of peace, & thus prevent war from spreding ruin over the land. Now all the nation is convinced of the propriety of your measures respecting the navy & impropriety of the measures of your successors. Our navy has done wonders. God...
1422To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 25 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the satisfaction of receiving your favour of 1. March, after the interval of nearly a year during which I had not enjoyed the same pleasure. I well know how irksome it is to sit down and write, with so many restraints upon the pen, that we must be in perpetual anxiety, not what to say, but what to omit—But one of the comforts that I always derive from your letters, and which...
1423To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 21 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed art is, I find, in the Appendix to the Naval History. I therefore return it, & am, / respectfully, / Your obt. hble Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
1424To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 19 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Dr James Rush, yesterday, put into my hands your letter of the 30th. ult. which came too late to answer the purpose intended. As I propose to publish in one time a new Edition of the Naval History, I shall, if you judge proper, retain this communication; or otherwise return it to you. I remain, with sincere respect, / your obt. hble Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
1425To John Adams from American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 17 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
At the request of several Members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and by the permission of the Vice President Dr. Kirkland I have notified the Member s of the Council to meet at the Academy’s room in Boston on Thursday next at 12 o clock A.M. I am, Sir, with great / respect your hume sert MHi : Adams Papers.
1426To John Adams from John Marston, 12 May 1813 to 15 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Novr 1 1775. A bill passed to establish a Court of Admiralty, & fixing away armed Vessells.— Decemr 16—A resolve to “fit out” ten Vessells, to go to the West Indies for military stores.— Decr 29 John Adams & J Palmer were appointed a Comr to report a plan for “fixing away” armed Vessells for the protection of American liberty. Jany 6 1776—Eight thousand pounds were appropriated for the...
1427To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 15 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I recd from my venerable & respected friend, Dr Rush, sundry communications from you , forwarded by you for the use of the author of the Naval History, which I have just published. I now return them with thanks. A mistake of the post office prevented the first of them coming early enough to answer the purpose. I request your acceptance of a copy of the work, which I send herewith. Any As it...
1428To John Adams from David Humphreys, 8 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mr Frans Coffin, who will have the honour of delivering this letter, & whom I beg leave to recommend to your friendly notice, as a Gentleman desirous of getting a Passage to St Petersburg, by the Cartel–Ship, about to sail from Philadelphia, if practicable. He is a brother to my friend Mrs Darby; and has, also, a brother who has been for some years past in Russia. His principal object in...
1429To John Adams from James Madison, 5 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor on the subject of Docr. Waterhouse, inclosing a letter from him which is now returned. Previous to this communication, the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Excellent friend, & the friend of mankind, had been filled by the appointment of his son Dr. James Rush. Besides the numerous & respectable interpositions in favor of it, I felt a pleasure, in putting this...
1430To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Do not Suppose, that I waited to answer your verÿ interesting letter of March 18—till I received the other promised anecdote of Quaker’s benevolence—no Sir! and I believe, you know me too well—art too well convinced of the high value I place on the distinguished proofs of your regard and frendship with which you continue to honour me, to attrbute mÿ Silence to anÿ Such unbecoming motives. The...
1431From James Madison to John Adams, 5 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor on the subject of Docr. Waterhouse, inclosing a letter from him which is now returned. Previous to this communication, the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Excellent friend, & the friend of mankind, had been filled by the appointment of his son Dr. James Rush. Besides the numerous & respectable interpositions in favor of it, I felt a pleasure, in putting this...
1432To John Adams from James Jervey, 26 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Pursuant to a Resolution of the Seventy Six Association, We have the honor to enclose a Copy of an Oration delivered before that Society on the 4th. of March last. With sentiments of respect, / We remain Yr. Obedt Servants. MHi : Adams Papers.
1433To John Adams from Hendrick W. Gordon, 23 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Having had business lately at Portsmouth I call’d on and spent an afternoon & Evening with the late Governor Langdon, he enquired very particularly after you and your Lady, on parting with him he desired me “to present to his venerable friend & early associate President Adams & his Lady his best respects,” and to say, that he had before the exit of his bosom Companion thots of visiting Quincy...
1434To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 21 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I must apologize my dear Sir, for the troublesome request which I made; & for your ready compliance with it on the 2d of April in your letter which I had the honor of receiving, I must request your acceptance of my cordial Thanks. I recollect the epoch of 1789, & that about that period I gave mortal offence to the Count Mouchet, for declaring in Congress, that the French nation was indebted to...
1435To John Adams from James Rush, 21 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
It is not right that you Should first hear of our loss by a newspaper when your Sympathy will require a less abrupt and Common messenger My father and your friend, from the best health that his years would admit, was on Wednesday evening last seized with a fever attended for a day or two by a pain in the side—his system soon sunk into that typhus state that now so generally marks the diseases...
1436To John Adams from James Monroe, 19 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
The arrangment for the negotiations at St. Petersburg being compleated, I have the pleasure to apprize you of it, as that there will Still be time, to enable you to write to your son, by the vessel which takes his Colleagues there. The occasion was thought to be of that high importance, to require, according to the usage of our government, a special mission of three. Mr Gallatin & Mr Bayard...
1437To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 19 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I intended in my last Letter to have mentioned to you the Circumstances which procured me somewhat unexpectedly the pleasure of an acquaintance with Sir Francis d’Ivernois, when the more singular incident which introduced me to that of Madame de Stael crossed my purpose, and engrossed the latter to itself—I now return to Sir Francis. Lord Cathcart, on his arrival here, sent me the usual Card...
1438To John Adams from William Jones, 13 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 5th. Instant and the President had put into my hands your letter to him on the same subject. Well may you Sir feel a consious pride in recognizing in the hero’s who adorn our Navy, the youthful midshipmen of your own creation. I assure you Sir that nothing but my inability to comply with your wishes in respect to young Marston could for a moment withhold the...
1439To John Adams from James Monroe, 10 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Since writing the letter—inclosd, to Mrs. Adams, I have conferr’d with the President on the subject of your sons return, and am authorised to state to you, that in case of peace with G Britain, the mission to London will be offer’d to him. The conduct of your son, it gives me pleasure to state, has obtaind the entire approbation of the President.—It is hoped that it will suit his convenience...
1440To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 10 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I put the papers you sent me into the hands of Mr Carey. Some of them will be published in an Appendix to his history of the rise, and progress of the American Navy.—They shall all be returned to you in a few days.— I rejoice with you in the 5th: Naval Victory of our Country. The year 1812 will I hope be immortal in the history of this World for having given the first Check to the overgrown...
1441To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 10 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I addressed a line to you yesterday, with a bound collection of Edes’ Gazettes printed in 1775 & 6, to the care of Mr. Marston. I now am honored by yours of the 2d & 9th instant, & am much obliged to you, for their impressive & instruct i ve contents. You are the only friend, & almost the only person of the United States, who is capable of giving full information on the subject of our...
1442To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 8 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received from Benjn Austin Esqr, for your perusal, a collection of News papers, printed by Benjn Edes of Watertown, between the 5th June 1775 & the 9th of Decr 1776; & have committed them to the care of Mr Marston. The privateering act which I formerly mentioned, is printed in the Gazette of the 13th of Novr 1775. I shall probably be absent at the time you may wish to return this book...
1443From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 5 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago I received letters from your Grandmama, and your Uncle, which rejoyced me very much, for I had not before heard from them nor you for many Months; and now these letters which were dated in December last, informed us that they and you were well, which is the most delightful news we can receive—But I looked among the letters for one from your brother George or you, and was...
1444To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed are two letters marked A,B, & four documents numbered from 1 to 4 inclusively, which Capt Selman agreably to my request, on the subject of our first naval enterprizes, has transmitted to me for your perusal. They are intended as records for your files of application. I have also received & included in this packet, a letter from B Austin Esq in regard to the same subject. I shall be...
1445To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 22 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
Towards the close of the last summer arrived here as a sort of a semi official appendage to the British embassy an old acquaintance of yours Sir Francis D’Ivernois who as you know has been for many years a distinguishd political writer in the French language and in the Interest of the British Government. He came not I believe with but very soon after the Embassador Lord Cathcart Just at the...
1446To John Adams from John Lathrop, 19 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
As I know you had an acquaintance with the late Dr Eliot, and I believe an affection for him, I take the liberty to Send you a discourse occasioned by his death. May we indulge any hope of peace, through a reported mediation, or an offered mediation of Russia? I should leave the world with more Satisfaction, were peace restored to my Country on honourable terms, such as those obtained in...
1447To John Adams from William Plumer, 19 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed of having so long delayed acknowledging the receipt of your most excellent & truly innstinctive letter of the 10th of January. The pressure of official business, company, & partial, but necessary attention to my private concerns have so entirely engrossed my time for two months past, as to afford me no leisure to write a friend. In speaking of our Country you state a serious fact,...
1448To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 17 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for you favour of the 11th Instant although my object in writing appears to have failed. The Letter I alluded to was written by John Paul Jones and was addressed to yourself alone, he shewed it to me and asked my advice whether to forward it or not: I did advise him not to forward it, but I did not think that he would agree with me in that opinion: As the case may amuse you I will...
1449To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 16 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter to Dr Waterhouse contains the Welcome intelligence that his son has passed his examinations for a degree in our University with great honor, and that he will in a few weeks be created Doctor of Medicine. The documents you sent me relative to the Origins of the American Navy are now in the hands of Mr Carey who is heartily disposed to do ample justice to the early, uniform &...
1450To John Adams from Henry Colman, 12 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have a brother, who wishes to obtain a commission in the army of the United States. He has forwarded to me an application to the War-Office, which I wished to accompany with a letter of my own in his behalf to the President; but as I am wholly unknown to the government, I take the liberty to ask from you a line to them, stating merely your belief in my veracity. If you should find it in your...