11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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....
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, 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...
17To 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...