1451To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
My Sending the wreath unaccompanied bÿ a Single line was occasioned bÿ a Short excursion to Sacket’s Harbour—to take a view of the boasted powerful defence of our frontiers, after the Surprise of Ogdensburg, courted So long bÿ the iterated incursions on the defenceless and peaceble Canadiens. It was indeed a Severe retaliation from which the Inhabitants Shall not recover in manÿ years—although...
1452To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 6 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
As I believe there is no man in America who was more intimately acquainted with the late Capt John Paul Jones while he was in Europe than myself, I have thoughts of doing justice to the injured Character of that gallant Officer. There are two papers which would be of great use to my object, one of which is a letter written to you from Nantes by Capt Jones, stating the circumstances of an...
1453To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 6 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your letters of the 11th of February has given me great pleasure. I regretted exceedingly that the incidents of the day, at our last interview, deprived me of the pleasure you then proposed, of conversing fully & freely on the subject of the Navy. I have this day written to Captain Selman (Commodore Broughton being no more) & have requested of him every information, & a copy of every document...
1454To John Adams from William Turner, 3 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
this Ans is a true statement of my prosidins under the Volinteer acts of Congress of the 6th of February and the 6th of July 1812 Outhersing the President to accept sending Volinteer militarey corps, and I have cept a randevous from january 5th untill this day, for the purpos of raising the Seckond Companey of volinteers in Boston. as I am belated On account of the voluntier law not bein in a...
1455To John Adams from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 20 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honor of Receiving your Letter of the 4th. Instant, for which and many other valuable & Instructive Communications from you, I tender you my most cordial and grateful acknowledgements. I am in hopes, that our next Campaign will be more prosperous than the last great Exertions are making to open it, by Land, with Vigour. The late Success of the Frigate Constitution, the news of...
1456To John Adams from David Adams, 18 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Having a disposition and inclination to Join the Army—if I could by the influence of friends obtain an appointment—and trusting in your candor and friendship—I have thought proper to communicate my wishes to you on the subject—I wish you would assist me in obtaining an appointment as Surgeon or Surgeons Mate to a Regiment—By lending me your assistance you will confer a peculiar favor on Sir...
1457To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am again favoured with your kind letter of Jan. 23. It bears with it the usual Stamp of Serenity and health of bodÿ and mind. Maÿ both be continued as long you become not entirely dissatisfied with your abode here—and maÿ everÿ occurrence, which might distress either be long time averted! I presume—neither I think, that I presume too much, that if you visited once Smith’s valleÿ—you would...
1458To John Adams from James Monroe, 15 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose to you a report of a the com: of the. 7th. on our for: relations with govts. in which the communications wh took place between the Ex: of the US. & the Br. govt., are review’d, & the a project of an act of congress, relative to seamen submitted to considerations—The object of the report seems to be and as it undoubtdly is, to place the controversy between the two...
1459To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 15 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I am now Attending a daughter of Mr Mathew Careys. In One of my Visits to her, I mentioned your Opinions to him upon the Subjects of a Navy, and your documents upon the Subject of its Origin in the United States. He requested a Sight and Copies of your letters containing those Opinions & documents for a publication which he expects Shortly to issue from his press. I said I could not comply...
1460To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 15 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Although the Wars, which broke out in the course of one Week, last Summer, both in Europe and America, appear to have deprived our friends in the United States, totally of the few opportunities which they had before, of writing to us, so that we still remain without a line from any of them bearing a later date than last April, we have hitherto had the means of Communication to them,...
1461To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 9 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have deferred an answer to the letter, which you did me the honor of addressing on the 28th of Jany, ’till I could see Capt John Delman of Marblehead; who has refreshed my memory with the following statement, which he made in a short interview, as the facts then were presented to his recollection. “That in the fall of the year 1775, General Washington commissioned Nicolas Broughton &...
1462To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 8 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
It was wholly unnecessary to bring forward the respectable testimony of Mr Langdon in order to rectify the mistake into which Capt Barrys communication & Capt P Jones, journal had led me. You do me great injustice in supposing I possess a single Pennsylvania, or anti new England prejudice.—I know my native state too well. It is a great exchange filled with men of all nations who feel no...
1463To John Adams from A. Wrifford, 28 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have had the misfortune to lose the certificate which you had the goodness to give me last summer, recommending my mode of teaching the Art of Penmanship—As I am about going to the southward, to the cities of N York & Phila. if you would be so indulgent as to grant me a copy, or another of general purport and introduction, in those quarters, you will greatly facilitate my progress, and...
1464To John Adams from John Langdon, 27 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of receiving, by the last Mail, your letter of the 24th. instant, by which I see your time, is taken up, and your mind continually on the Stretch, for the support and honor of our beloved Country. you request me to call to mind “the circumstances of a particular Transaction in the History of this Country”, to which I answer; That upon reading your correct statement, of the...
1465To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 26 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I return you Col Smiths & Dr Waterhouse’s letters The former is replete with good Sense. Alas! the evils of party Spirit! It is a greater Curse to our country than our War with Great Britain. It sacrifices every to itself . Unless appointements are made hereafter with a more wise and impartial hand, our Union cannot last. I am afraid the app situation in the medical department of the Army...
1466To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
Having at length finished mÿ Researches on Several points in Nat. Hist. in the theories of Mess. Buffon and Daubenton—which have been extended to 270 Pag. in 4th. and a are readÿ for the press, if I can find a printer and a corrector of the Language, of which I have little prospect—and being free of head-ache—I must again address you with a few lines, in the flattering hope, that they Shall as...
1467From Abigail Smith Adams to George Washington Adams, 25 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I received this day a Letter from your father dated 21 Sep’br. it was a Letter different from any which I have before received from him.—it communicated to me, and to you the sorrowfull intelligence of the Death of your dear and only Sister. She was taken Sick in August, and died the 15th of Seb’br with a nervous fever which brought on convulsions your parents are in great affliction as you...
1468To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
The letter from Col: Smith to which you have alluded was not received with yours of this day. Was it withheld,? or was it lost by the way?—I was much pleased in seeing his Name upon record among the Successful Candidates for a Seat in Congress from the state of New York. The Air, the Society, and the great Objects which will occupy his mind in Washington will recussitate him, and Show his...
1469To John Adams from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 22 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 5th. Instant, and I feel a Great degree of Consolation in learning, that you are Gratified with the late proceedings of Congress, in their decision for Building Ships of War. However a System of that kind might be considered impolitic in time of peace, and while Our Country were determined to Suffer the most Egregious wrongs, reather than repel them by force,...
1470To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 12 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
In enclosing to you a letter for my Mother, and one for my Son George, I feel the duty of adding at least a few lines to yourself; to wish you joy in the course of the new year, and to offer my prayers to the giver of all Good, that you may have in store for you this and many more years of comfort, and of happiness, such as earth can bestow In one of your last Letters you observed to me that I...
1471To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 8 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
Having just now gotten my task, that is, revised my lecture, and added to it the results of my reading, and Observations during the last year, I now sit down to acknowledge the receipt of your three last very pleasant and entertaining letters. I shall begin my Answer to them by wishing you a happy new year!— I was much gratified with your Account of your Conversations at two late public...
1472To John Adams from William Plumer, 2 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I received by the last mail your obliging letter of the 16th December; & be assured I am highly gratified by the information that my late speech merited your approbation. You observe that you are unable to account for the change in the sentiments of the New England states, & New York & New Jersey, as exprest in their recent elections; & request my opinion thereon. I regret that I have not the...
1473To John Adams from William G. Smith, 1 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of 30th: ulto. was duly handed me by my Sister and I have since, seriously reflected on its contents. You require a categorical answer to the Question.—Do I believe the present War against Great Britain to be just.—I cannot answer directly to that Question.—As I have never taken an active part in Politics, and am not in any manner pledged to any Party, I consider that I can with...
1474To John Adams from William D. Williamson, 1812 (Adams Papers)
About a year since, I received from under your hand, a very obliging letter, which was full of information as to the several inquiries I had previously taken the liberty to propose. While I would express my grateful acknowledgements, for that valuable communication; I have to regret my necessity of troubling you again with Still further enquiries. I would here promiss an assurance, that,...
1475To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 1812 (Adams Papers)
We the subscribers take the liberty of recommending to your notice and through you to the President of the United States, Colonel William S. Smith of the County of Madison, as a proper Character for filling some important office in the Army of the United States. When we reflect for a moment on the Military talents of Colonel Smith (one of the few remaining heroes of the Revolution) we cannot...
1476To John Adams from John Marston, 29 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is the pamphlet you were so kind as to lend me, for which I beg you to receive my thanks. I hope you will not think me reprehensible for lending it to our worthy friend Mr G. When I perceived there were marginal memoranda written by yourself, I instantly determined not to permit the pamphlet to go out of my hands, or to be seen by any person whatever. But having met Mr Gerry, and the...
1477To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
An absence of 5. or 6. weeks, on a journey I take three or four times a year, must apologize for my late acknolegement of your favor of Oct. 12. after getting thro the mass of business which generally accumulates during my absence, my first attention has been bestowed on the subject of your letter. I turned to the passages you refer to the subject of your letter. I turned to the passages you...
1478Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 December 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence of 5. or 6. weeks, on a journey I take three or four times a year, must apologize for my late acknolegement of your favor of Oct. 12. after getting thro the mass of business which generally accumulates during my absence, my first attention has been bestowed on the subject of your letter. I turned to the passages you refer to in Hutchinson & Winthrop , and with the aid of their...
1479To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
Better and better! Dream on my venerable friend!—In one of the King of Prussias political letters to Voltaire written immediately after reading his Henriade, he tells him that he had dreamed that he had visited Elysium where he saw Homer and Virgil walking with dejected countenances. They were on their Way, they said, upon asking them what was the matter, to Minos, to ask permission to return...
1480From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you since I wrote you last; but having an opportunity, which now seldom happens, of sending letters to America, I will not let it pass, without writing you to inform you that your Mamma, and brother Charles, with myself are in as good health as the excessive cold weather of this Country and Season will admit—But I shall not have time at present to...
1481To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 14 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
You have so far outdreamed me in your last letter, that I shall be afraid hereafter to let my imagination loose in that Mode of exposing folly and Vice.—My whole family was delighted in contemplating you upon your rostrum in the Garden of Versailles, and in witnessing the effects of your Speech upon your hairy, featherd and scaly Audience. Let it not be said “De republica America fabula...
1482To John Adams from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 12 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have this day Received your Letter of the 7th. Instant, and am, and always shall be thankful for a Line from you. I will try if any thing can be done for our good friend Dr. Warterhouse. A bill has this day passed the Senate 23. to 7 to a third Reading, and will ultimately pass that House by about the same Majority, for Building four 74 Gun Ships and Six forty fours, in addition to the four...
1483To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
Although I know not, if I Shall be able to finish this Letter—being not free from head-ache—I dare not longer delaÿ the answer of your favour of 28 oct. Tho no visitants steal mÿ moments—devoted to labour or leasure, the avocations in a Similar Situation of mine are So various, that I often must Sacrifice to these, what I intended for correspondence or mÿ own amusement. Now I have again been...
1484To John Adams from William Branch Giles, 5 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
The highly valued, and very flattering favor, which you did me the honor to address to me on the 17th Ultimo found me laboring under considerable indisposition attended with a rheumatic affection in my right arm.— This indisposition incapacitated me from writing altogether for some days, and is not yet entirely removed.— The interesting contents of your letter, however, have in the mean time,...
1485To John Adams from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 23 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
With much pleasure I have this day received your communication of the 15th Instance, and I shall always be happy in Receiving Any Communication from, so Eminant a Statesman of the Revolution who in common with thousands of Others, both in the Cabinet and in the field, have put danger at defiance, and as it were, with Halters about their necks, did boldly contend for, and thro the Aid of divine...
1486To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 17 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Gibbon tells us in his life, that he studied Anatomy & Chemistry on purpose to furnish himself with new Allusions for the Stile of his history. You seem to have studied natural history for the more important purpose of furnishing your memory with new precedents for industry and foresight in human Affairs, and particularly for the Conduct of Governments—But what avail reading, reflexion,...
1487To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 9 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the intimation you were so kind as to make I now suggest that it would be gratifying to the claimants of Georgia land that you should say by letter as much as you think proper on the following points. 1st. That it is your opinion & that of the best informed men here that there title is good & valid. 2d. That they have also a strong equity, on these grounds, that the purchasers...
1488To John Adams from William Keteltas, 5 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
though I never had the honor of a personal Acquaintance, I take the Liberty believing You a real American and firmly attatched to its freedom and independance, to send You the enclosed production the Merit of Which, if any, is the sincerity with which it is written, regardless of all parties or Sectaries. Your liberal and Enlightened Mind will bestow that Charity upon its frailty its poverty...
1489To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 5 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Having not received directly from you, or from any of my friends at Quincy, a line later than the 10th: of April, it was with no small pleasure, that a few days since, I met in an English Newspaper, an extract of a letter from you to Mr E. Watson, dated the 6th: of July—It relates to the War, and expenses your opinion that this was both just and necessary—Although I am unable to maintain by...
1490To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 4 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Herewith you will receive a copy of my medical Inquiries and Observations upon the diseases of the mind. PS My bookseller has disappointed me in not sending me a Copy of my book which I intended for you. It shall follow this letter in a day or two.—I shall wait with solitude to receive your Opinion of them. They are in general accommodated the to the “Common Science” of Gentlemen of all...
1491To John Adams from Anonymous, 1 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Having got a few seeds from Europe that appear deserving attention, and as some of ‘em may be adapted to a more northern climate than this, I have taken the liberty of sending some of them to Your care—if attending to them will not be convenient for yourself I have no doubt you will put them into the hands of some friend who takes an interest in improving the productions of the country— It is...
1492To John Adams from Seth Sprague, 23 October 1812 (Adams Papers)
The undersigned have the honor of being appointed a Committee by a large convention of Representative Senators, Representatives, and other Citizens of the Southern Electorial District of this Commonwealth, to Solicit permission to place your name at the head of the list of Candidates for Electors of President and Vice President of the United States. In this period of public anxiety, when our...
1493To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 October 1812 (Adams Papers)
My printer and my patients have kept me So busy for some Weeks past that I have fallen in Arrears to all my Correspondents. I Sit down with pleasure to discharge the first debt of that kind to my old friend of 1774. In my publication upon the diseases of the mind I have carefully avoided the Subject of the possessions in the New testament, also the Controversy about the nature of the mind. I...
1494To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 4 October 1812 (Adams Papers)
“Why was that fair flower blasted so soon”?—The last letter which I have had the consolation of receiving from you, in mentioning to me the misfortune which had befallen my brother in the loss of his Child, forewarned me that this is a question that we are not permitted to ask—I knew not when that letter came, how shortly my own trial of bereavement was to take place, how deeply my own heart...
1495From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 28 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you last, which was on the 23d: of June, we have received your letter to your mother, dated 2. March, in which you express the wish that we should come home: that you might have the pleasure of knowing, and loving, and paying every attention of an affectionate brother to your little Sister—These were good and laudable wishes, but it has pleased God, to determine that they should...
1496To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 26 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
He published—his opinions on Jus Eccles. Protest . in the Ses—which were—under his presidium—defended publicly by his most eminent Students. This could not be performed without awakening the intolerant zeal of the clergy—Their rage—increased when manÿ of their Brethren Strengthened him with their open Support—then the Church became in danger. Spies—under pious pretexts were Send to him for...
1497To John Adams from Hendrick W. Gordon, 22 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
Capt Nyers who went from here in a Brig belonging to Mr Gray, & was captured on her way to France & carried into England, has this moment arrived in town from N. Bedford, where he arrived in a cartel 40 days from London, he states that Commodore Rodgers in the Frigate President had been off the North of Scotland & had captured a gun Brig of the Enemy, mounting 18 Guns, distroyed several...
1498To John Adams from Josiah Quincy Guild, 12 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
Some few months since, you were kind enough, at the intercession of my mother, to give me a letter of introduction to his honor William Gray from which, I fondly anticipated receiving some employment but I presume owing to the unsettle state of the country, Mr. Gray engaged in no mercantile speculations, by which circumstance, I lost the benefit which would otherwise have arizen from your...
1499To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 11 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
I will say of the Wine which you have done me the favor to accept, What you said to me when I called to thank you for the Appointment you gave me in the Mint. “You have not more pleasure in receiving it, than I had in giving it to a faithful Old revolutionary Whig.” I hope the wine is of a good quality, and that it will assist the influence of the present times invigorating your body and Mind...
1500To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 10 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
You would long since have received my acknowledgement of your very obliging favor of 8th. Ult. had it not been my intention to pay my respects to you in person. Various unexpected calls of business have successively disappointed this hope. It is strong proof that I was not in error in resisting the late proceedings at town meeting that my conduct meets your approbation. For the very Kind...