501To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much indisposed it has been almost impossible for me to keep my journal and my family has been too large to admit of sufficient quiet to do any thing but partake of the amusements of the place which however have been but few comparatively speaking. It has been remarked frequently that there has never been so gloomy a session as the present and I doubt if there ever was one which...
502To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I was quite rejoiced, dear Sir, to see that you had health & spirits enough to take part in the late convention of your state for revising it’s constitution, and to bear your share in it’s debates and labors. the amendments of which we have as yet heard prove the advance of liberalism in the intervening period; and encourage a hope that the human mind will some day get back to the freedom it...
503Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 22 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I was quite rejoiced, dear Sir, to see that you had health & spirits enough to take part in the late convention of your state for revising it’s constitution, and to bear your share in it’s debates and labors. the amendments of which we have as yet heard prove the advance of liberalism in the intervening period; and encourage a hope that the human mind will some day get back to the freedom it...
504To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 19 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have sent my Sleigh with Bear skins, & Furs, and as the day is fine and the sleighing never better I hope you will find yourself better for a change of air, and as our Rooms are well air’d, you will find yourself as comfortably warm as you will be, in your own Room—we shall be at home to you & your own Family alone—and every thing done to make you comfortable & at your ease I have procured a...
505To John Adams from Richard Ward, 15 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
If it is not too great an intrusion upon your retirement I wish to enquire of you as to the character standing & services of my Grandfather Samuel Ward one of the Members of Congress for Rh. Island from the first organization of that body till his death on the 26th March 1776. From the Journals of Congress and casual reports I am inclined to believe that my Ancestor was a firm man a sound...
506To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 15 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I call’d this morning upon The Treasurer of the Commonwealth—and rec’d of him Eight Dollars— to your pay as Elector—your pay as delegate he said required your order—Which I enclose for your signature & to be returnd to me, wch. I will immediately apply for payment, wch. is 70 Dollars—added to the Eight Dollars already rec’d I will pay to Mr Foster or send to you by post if he is not able to...
507To John Adams from William S. Cardell, 11 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
The literary institution on which I before had the honor to address you has become organized with very encouraging prospects. The enclosed circular which is in part an amplification of my former letter explains the outlines as far as it was thought proper to form them by anticipation. The officers elected are His Ex. J. Q. Adams President–Judge Livingston, Judge Story and Hon. William Loundes...
508To John Adams from George Sullivan, 11 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
As you take a deep interest in our College and the conduct of its affairs, I enclose you Mr Websters report made on that subject to the convention. Its object is to confirm by constitutional provision the law of Judge Parsons’ contrivance in 1810, re-enacted by an additional act in 1814.—laws admitted by the amendment itself to be invalid without this confirmation! This devise, to say the...
509To John Adams from Benjamin Guild, 7 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed paper was sent to me, to procure subscribers, and though it is not probable the work will contain much that will add to your information on the Subjects, to which it will be devoted, Yet I thought the patronage of your name would be a great gratification to its excellent editor Mr Sparks, and might encrease its the number of his subscribers & extend the usefulness of his work....
510To John Adams from George Alexander Otis, 4 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
In the letter which I had the honour to address to you with the 2nd Volume of my translation of Botta, I omitted to observe that I had intimated to Mr. Jefferson your objection to the liberty taken by that Historian of composing speeches for Richard Henry Lee, and John Dickinson, at the same time informing him that you were a promoter and generous patron of my enterprise. He has had the...
511To John Adams from Daniel Corry, 25 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
“Union Society” in this Town, composed of our most respectable Young Men. Incorporated by An Act of the Legislature; have Established an Atheneum which promises to be of great public Utility,—by their own exertions, & the Assistance of their friends. the Society have already a considerable Collection of Valuable Books, Journals, pamphlets & Maps,—strong hopes are indulged, that this Atheneum...
512To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
This answer to your letter of the 18th I consider indeed as an essential part of my religious worship on this day—I cannot indeed be Sufficiently thankful to my God for So many undeserved blessings, among which I place it in a high rank, that I continue to preserve your honoured frendship unabated, and I cannot reciprocate in a better manner, as in fostering the deep Sense I feel of the many...
513To John Adams from David Sewall, 20 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
It gives me real pleasure to see the tribute of esteem and respect, offered you from the convention of Massachusetts.—A collection of Persons, I really believe, as Wise learned and patriotick as ever convened in New England.—A tribute, as rare a Phenomenon in Politicks; as the Transit of ♀ over the ☉ in Astronomy. I sincerely congratulate you and Society at large, that your health permits you...
514To John Adams from J. Loring Child, 18 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
In this town on the 1st of October 1819 an “Athenaeum” was established with a view to extend the means of useful knowledge in this section of our Country. It being the first of the kind in the new state, a laudable zeal has been manifested on the part of its friends and patrons, which encourages the belief that ere long it will hold a respectable rank with other similar institutions. The...
515To John Adams from Benjamin Russell, 14 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
The public, and none more than the Editor of the Centinel, will be delighted and edified, in reading, at full length, the remarks you made this day in the Convention, and in making application for the favor of one copy, I embrace the occasion to repeat the respect and consideration, with which I / am, yr obedient servant MHi : Adams Papers.
516To John Adams from Samuel Davis, 13 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor and the pleasure to make the subjoined communication— “At a meeting of the Trustees of the Pilgrim Society , holden at Plymouth Decr. 12th. 1820—it was unanimously voted—That the Hon: John Adams be admitted an Honorary Member of the Pilgrim Society —and that the Corresponding Secretary duly communicate a copy of the vote— “It was also voted, that Mr Adams be invited to attend...
517To John Adams from Henry Warren, 13 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
You having been chosen an honorary member of the Pilgrim Society of the Old Colony, & requested to attend the ensuing celebration of the Landing of the Fathers , I take liberty to address you a line on this occasion. The visits you formerly made here in professional character—in political views—& in private friendships, can never be forgotten: & could they be renewed, would recall many ancient...
518To John Adams from Daniel Corry, 9 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
In your Obliging Letter to me, under date of the 24th. January 1820, you wisely observed that Maine “had avoided Several Errors in the Constitution of Massts:, and that it might have avoided Some others” I sincerely hope & expect that Massts: will avail herself of the present favorable opp’y to repair her constitution, The convention now in Session will, no doubt make an able Report to their...
519To John Adams from John D. Winslow, 6 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to have the honor of tendering my services to the Electors of President and Vice President of the United States.—for the purpose of carrying on the Votes of thier board to the seat of Government. very respectfully / I have the honor to be / Your Most humble Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
520To John Adams from George Alexander Otis, 5 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
The assurances you were so good as to grant me, in your very kind letter of August 3d., relieved my mind from all solicitude respecting the success of the Enterprise in which I am engaged. The addition of your authority to that of the Honorable Secretary of State & of Mr. Jefferson. Mr Madison, Mr. Monroe, Mr. Jay. Gov. Wolcott &c will be all-sufficient to secure the confidence of the public...
521To John Adams from David Bolles, 4 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
Will you please to excuse my presumption, in sending to you a copy of my plea before the Hon. Gen. Assembly of Connecticut in May 1818 for religious liberty. Perhaps, it may not be unacceptable to you to know, what many of the Baptists think, on this important subject. New England people have, for years past, been too much divided for their own advantage; and a slight view of the line between...
522To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
The last tiding of your welfare, with which I was gratified—was by Judge Peter Smith. I had made an excursion to Albany and N. york, to See the Governour, and endeavour to obtain in the last place Some relief to my Sight—but it was fruitless. I met Judge Smith—whom I had not Seen during Several years—between Schenectady and Cagnarrage, where he took the Stage—we were pleased with this...
523To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
Decbr. 3d Did not attend at Church Mr Ryland was to preach and his last sermon was such a strange medley of scraps and ends miserably put together I did not feel tempted to go again—remained at home all day. 4th The day was stormy and disagreeable—In the Eveng went into George Town to fetch Fanny Johnson. The Stage had not arrived and we drove to Mrs. Frye’s where we took Tea—She mentioned...
524To John Adams from Samuel Dana, November 1820 (Adams Papers)
Should you perform the duties of Elector of President &c. I request you, to consider Caleb Butler Esqr of Groton an applicant to carry the Votes to the Department of State. With considerations of high esteem / & the greatest respect / I am yr. Obed Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
525To John Adams from Lebbeus Chapman, 30 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed herewith you will receive My Work on interest which I have taken the liberty to Send for your perusal When at leisure. I am preparing a Work on interest which will Consist of near 400 quarto pages with the calculations made at 6 pr ct pr Annum on all Sums from One dollar to Four hundred, then by Fifties to Two thousand, then by One hundreds to Three thousand, & then by One Thousands...
526To John Adams from Samuel Sewall, 30 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
About a month ago I had the honour of a line from you, requesting transcripts of all such paragraphs in the Journal of the “ most antient Cheif Justice Sewall”, as related to “any persons or events in the antient Town of Braintree”. Since the receipt of that letter I have been examining, as I had opportunity, that Journal, with a view to making such transcripts. The result you have below. It...
527To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
29th Rode out and called on my patient who is fast recovering and able to raise his broken arm—In the Evening went to the Drawing Room it was well attended though not crowded—I was teazed in the course of the evening with questions concerning how I should conduct myself in that House as mistress of it for a time for it was likely I should be there in four years I laughed and said that I...
528To John Adams from Samuel D. Harris, 27 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform you that it is my intention to apply to the College of Electors for President & Vice President for the appointment of Messenger to carry to Washington the result of the Election & to ask of you, Sir your friendly influence in promoting my wishes—My application will be supported by claims arising out of services perform’d during the late War on our northern...
529To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 27 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank my God, that I enjoy the high gratification in congratulating you with the tribute, paid, so handsomely, by your enlightened fellow-citizens—to your talents virtues and Character;—to render my bliss perfect, and this may not be expected here—I ought to have been at your side, at Montezillo, and seen you, which crowns the Splendid Eulogÿ of New-England—possessing yet—firmness enough, to...
530From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I last evening received your Letter of the 20h with great delight and assure you I require nothing but your word to satisfy me regarding your conduct having always had full reliance on your respect to truth—When I wrote I had heard a terrible account of the rebellion and was excessively alarmed at the consequences for you under this impression and trembling with lest George in his desire to...
531To John Adams from John Sanderson, 24 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have addressed to you, by the Post office, the first no. of the “Biography &c. ” —of which I have now hazarded the publication; & which I beg the favour of you to accept, with my grateful acknowledgements, at the same time, for your kind attention to my former letter. This vol. has been hurried into the world but “half made up”, to meet the conveniences of printers & publishers. It has been...
532To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
Novbr. 22 Spent the day at home excepting about an hour in which I paid a number of visits—Dr. Thornton called in late last Evening and chatted some time His conversation is indeed a thing of threads and patches certainly amusing from its perpetual variety—He is altogether the most excentric being I ever met with possessing the extremes of literary information and the levity and trifling of...
533To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 18 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
18th Received a number of visits and returned a few.—Mr Poletica passed the Evening with us—Talked much of his tour thro’ the Western States and appeared much pleased with his visit to Boston He informed us he had seen a gentleman lately from England who mentioned that the Queen had twice been seen drunk in Parliament before he left that Country— 19 Visitors came so early and staid so long I...
534To John Adams from Massachusetts State Convention, 15 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
Whereas the Honorable John Adams, a member of this convention, and elected President thereof, has, for more than half a century, devoted the great powers of his mind, and his profound wisdom and learning, to the service of his country and mankind; In fearlessly vindicating the rights of the North American provinces against the usurpations and encroachments of the superintending Government;— In...
535To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 15 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
Language fails me in attempting to express to you my Gratitude for your kind and favourable expressions towards me, and your Sense of my Character and merits as stated in your letter 7th: october 1818, but when I contemplate your early and long continued exertion to an unusual advanced period, I the more admire & adore that beneficence which Still preserves your invaluable life a blessing to...
536To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I do not know if I ought to congratulate you or not on your acceptance of the trouble and anxiety attending you as a Member of the Convention my dear Sir but I hope it will yield you amusement and vary your occupations we rely on your making it as easy as little laborious to yourself as possible— Congress has convened again and as you will perceive by the papers of the day they have assembled...
537From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 14 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
How grieved I am my dear John at the news we have just received you may concieve who knew what an effect the same circumstance produced on me on a former occasion—Your father and I are in a state of great anxiety for the consequences of your fault and impatiently wait for the result which must fix your future destiny—Write me immediately and let me know how the Government feel towards you so...
538To John Adams from Henry Channing, 10 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I was honoured by your favour of the 2d Inst: in answer to my letter of 26th ult. I cannot refrain from expressing my very great pleasure, in perusing this renewed proof of the wonderful retention of mental powers at this advanced period of life. I should be happy, could I justly think that, though nearly thirty years younger than yourself, I now possessed the memory and powers of mental...
539To John Adams from Jonathan Mason, 6 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have been highly gratified with the manner, in which your State in particular & the Continent of America at large I may Add, have received the news of your election to the approaching convention—It has been marked with the approbation of every individual & affords an unequivocal proof of the gratitude of the Town of Quincy—Tho’ you have lived into Posterity, they have not been unmindful of...
540To John Adams from Nathaniel Bowditch, 30 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to forward to you a pamphlet containing a few papers prepared for the 4th vol. of the Academy’s Trans with a request that you would do me the honor to accept it— It gives me great pleasure to find that the situation of your health permits you to accept a seat in the convention, where your advice & influence will be extremely important in preserving a constitution,...
541From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
An indisposition which confined me to my bed in the first instance and moving in the next into our house in F Street has prevented my answering your Letter earlier and my papers are all in such confusion that I cannot pretend to find it now so as to answer it correctly— Our House will hardly be well fixed before you come on and at present Charles is obliged to sleep in the Drawing room which...
542To John Adams from Henry Channing, 26 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
I cannot refrain from expressing my high gratification in perceiving that the Convention for amending the Constitution of Massts is to be honoured by your presence as a member. It must be gratifying to yourself to have this renewed proof of the undiminished confidence of your fellow-citizens, at this advanced period of life. I perceive, with some surprize, in the Boston papers several writers...
543To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I was highly gratified with your affectionate Letter, and answer it directly, not to renew my thanks, as I can no more express these as lively, as I See it impossible to reciprocate these—and then you dare to ask me, if my residence at Montezillo had been tolerable—did not then my friend read my contentment—in every gesture, in every feature of my visage—then certainly my countenance...
544To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I have written I feel that it is difficult to offer an apology for my silence or rather such an one as would prove satisfactory: it however proceeded from the extreme dullness of the City and the excessive heat of the Summer in the first place; a journey to visit my relations in Frederick in the second; and a severe indisposition in the third which confined me to my bed...
545To John Adams from Joseph E. Worcester, 4 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
Having observed that you condescend to take an interest in various literary objects, and particularly such as are intended to promote the improvement of the rising generation, I take the liberty to forward to you a small Geography and Atlas, and to beg your acceptance of them as a token of my high respect. Though they are little worthy of your notice, you may perhaps deign to cast your eye...
546To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
Although I have nothing at present to communicate deserving your attention, but the continuance of our health and contentment with my Sincerest wishes, that you may enjoy the Same happiness—I wil not delay of presenting You the promised Salade Seeds—of which the excellent Franckforter is offered to you, with his respectful compliments by my frend Col. Mappa—I Shall write for the Brussel...
547To John Adams from Wilkes Allen, 1 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind & obliging letter acknowledging the reception of the History of Chelmsford. The history of Rev. Mr Fiske’s posterity in the female line, is a valuable addition to the minutes I had taken of that Good & Great man. I feel very much obliged to you for this additional information. I have lately had access to Judge Sewall’s journal, now in the hands of Rev. Mr. Sewall of...
548To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
I can not express my feelings for the affectionate reception, which I met with at Montezillo—you honour me not only with your distinguished and partial regards, to which I am indebted for all the attentions, which I received—but you treated me as a Brother—as a friend—with cordiality—which was followed by each member of your family—It is not in my power to reciprocate it, but I thank my God...
549To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 19 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 9th. I have only recd. & Feel gratified that the note in the Olive Branch is satisfactory. It was an amende honorable, called for not only by justice to you & the valuable work it refers to, but a Regard to my own feelings. I have always regarded the acknowledgment of error as more honourable than the defence of truth. For one person capable of the former virtue, there are...
550To John Adams from Edward Everett, 16 September 1820 (Adams Papers)
It would be making a poor return for Your Kindness in Communicating to me Mr. Jefferson’s remarkably interesting letter, to enter into a Criticism of it: the rather as I ought to be grateful for his doing me the honor of expressing his general assent to the remarks in the Review of the Report of the Virginia University. Without therefore entering into a disrespectful discussion of the...