121To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
Although I have so lately written, I will not, as mÿ restored health can be no pretext, delaÿ for one single daÿ, to send you a few lines more; now I have seen the confirmation of the good news from Washington—and, certainlÿ, if we maÿ claim a friend’s comfort in distress, then he too must be entitled to share our joys. I do so indeed, and congratulate you and your Excellent consort most...
122To John Adams from Munroe & French, 23 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
We have taken the liberty to enclose to you a Quebec paper. Whatever may have been the Motive of the writer, against whose paragra p h we have put a mark, its perusal cannot excite other than a pleasant emotion. It may serve to b r ing to your recollection, Sir, circumstances in your life, that cannot be thought of with but pleasure, because however distorted by your enemies, they still tell...
123To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
Unexpectedlÿ I was favoured with your obliging Letter of the 20th Febr—tho’ I did receive it only the 21 of March—having been through carelessness of our Postmaster first Send to the black River-countrÿ. The unfavorable weather domesticating me again—and old habits too rapidlÿ adopted again—occasion, that I am Since a few days not quite So well however—I Seriously intend to prevent a...
124To John Adams from Richard Rush, 8 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
A day or two before I had the pleasure to receive your last valued favor of the 3rd of February, the governor of this state was pleased to honor me with the commission of Attorney general. It so happened that, at that moment our criminal courts here were upon the eve of sitting, which suddenly threw upon me a good deal of publick business. This is the chief cause to which I owe the loss, until...
125To John Adams from William Cunningham, 18 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
So much time has elapsed since the date of my letter in February, that I have dismissed all expectations of an answer. Of the destruction of Babylon, and the birth of Cyrus, considering how much the evidence of a system of Religion is depending on that event and on that character, I may have spoken more at random than a due regard to prevailing sentiments will allow. The whoredoms of Babylon...
126To John Adams from David Sewall, 24 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
The great the meek the learned & pious Docr. Hemmengway, has at length left us. He died on Friday last—And such of his particular Friends and Acquaintance, as knew his situation, have reason to congratulate that his immortal Spirit is released, from its earthly tenement—The disagreable and distressing disorder (Cancer) that had been making rapid Strides on his mortal part rendred him an object...
127To John Adams from Caleb Loring, 26 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
Having our Ship the Hugh Johnston, William Johnston Master, now bound for St. Petersburgh with a Cargo of considerable value, we take the liberty of requesting of You the Honor of a letter to Your Son the Honble John Quincy Adams, stating to Him Your confidence of the Neutrality of said Ship & Cargo; this vessel is consigned to Mr Joseph Austen a Citizen of Boston as Super Cargo, He has...
128To John Adams from Samuel Denny, Jr., 27 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
As the object of that Society over which you have the honor of presiding is for the promotion of the Agricultural interest in this Commonwealth, I am much gratified in seeing useful knowledge diffused, and shall esteem the privilege of contributing, throu’ your assistance, an honor and happiness, of which I am anxious to partake. If a proposal should be made, apparently extravagant, the...
129To John Adams from Samuel Miller, 6 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favour, of April 12th. & 13th. as well as the Copy of Mr Hancock’s Sermon, sent by a preceding Mail, reached me in safety. An absence of several days from the City, together with an unusual pressure of professional avocations since my return, have prevented my making this acknowledgment at an earlier period. I feel myself much honoured by this testimony of kind and respectful...
130To John Adams from James Monroe, 3 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 25. ulto. in which you are so good as to express a wish for my success in the discharge of the duties of the important & difficult office, to which I have been lately appointed by the President. For this obliging communication I beg you to accept my sincere acknowledgment. Permit me to reciprocate this friendly sentiment in your favor, & to...
131To John Adams from Aaron Black, 4 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I trouble you at this time hearing that my Brother Moses Black of Quincy near Bosten is Dead. And being Very Uneasy to know how he Seteled his tempral affairs and what is become of his & my Daughter to Sister Jane. Understanding that he my late Brother lived Conveniant to you, I humbly beg that you may take the trouble of Writing a few Lines in Answer to this Wish all Conveniant Speed Which...
132To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I Shall now make an experiment, if I can dispell a malignant Spirit of gloom, which hovers about me, without any other incantation besides acknowledging your both Favours of the 4th and the 9th of april with which I was So kindly honoured by you. Indeed—Sir! this intercourse is nearly the only pastime left me in my deep retreat and then mÿ Situation imperiously often forbids me to indulge...
133To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
Act I. Scene I. Mr: Adams’s Study Mr A: Who is there? Dr: R—a friend— A—Walk in.—Ah! Rush is that you? Where have been these two Months—? You seem to have forgotten your old friend Adams. R. Forgotten my Old friend Adams!—No Sir—that is impossible. I owe more to your friendship than I ever owed to any human Being, except to my excellent mother, and to my beloved and faithful Wife. A. What is...
134To John Adams from Richard Sharp, 25 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
Few letters have ever given me so much pleasure as that which you did me the honor to write in February last. The gratification which I felt in the receipt of it arose not only from meeting with a fresh mark of your attention, but from the singular importance of the remarks, which it contained, on the real æra & true spirit of your great Revolution I am fully sensible of the justness, or...
135To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 28 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
Act 1. Scene 2nd. Mr Adams alone in his Study. Enter B Rush. A: Aye Rush is that you? What is that paper you hold in your hand? R A Summary view of the physical, moral and immoral effects of certain hymns upon the body & mind of man & upon his Condition in Society. Permit me Sir to request your Acceptance of it. A What must I do with it? R: Send it to the parson of your parish, but if he “too...
136To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 6 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
Yrs. of June 21st. came safe to hand. I shall reply to it give you the echo of it in a few days. Not knowing to whom it is proper to send the enclosed packet from Lord Bircham, I have taken the liberty to address it to you. It contains (I suppose) a curious, heterogeneous oration by his Lordship delivered before some Americans in Edingh: on the Anniverrsary of General Washington’s birth day.—...
137To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 8 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I recvd. your letter of the 5th, with pleasure & read it with satisfaction, as I always do, because I understand your politics, and because I see in them one uniform & everlasting principle that does not bend to the fashions & caprices of the day—Foolish people have cried out—“Mr Adams has changed his politics; he is no longer a federalist, but is changed to a republican.” I have as constantly...
138To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 20 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
The 4th of July has been celebrated in Philada: in the manner I expected. The military men, and particularly one of them, ran away with all the glory of the day. Scarcely a word was said of the solicitude and labors, and fears, and sorrows and sleepless nights of the men who projected, proposed, defended, and Subscribed the declaration of independance. Do you recollect your memorable speech...
139To John Adams from David Everett, 22 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have perused the pamphlet you did me the honor to submit to my perusal last Saturday. It furnishes one of those items which prove in detail the general position that has been established in my mind for more than twelve years— That its author was the father of American Independence . In this conviction there is no merit and nothing strange—But to have predicted, while the Patriarch of the new...
140To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
Tu m’aduli, ma tu mi piace says anÿ where Chesterfield—but so you do in a most egregious manner—but you make your Physic so highly palatable, that it is swallowed, before reason can with sufficient coolness examine, if the encomium—so kindly bestowed is really deserved. You want not to be informed—that I am highlÿ pleased, when I am favoured with your encouraging approbation—and whÿ should I...
141To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 6 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
You may tell your friend Mr Cranch that I included my Correspondent among the men who were so prominent in madness as to undertake the Cure of the madness of mankind by Appeals to their Reason. I have been a fellow labourer with you in this irrational business. But we will console ourselves with the comfortable reflection that we have aimed well. Were we to live our lives over again, and...
142To John Adams from Richard Sullivan, 6 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
Under an apprehension that sickness may still prevail in your family the Gentlemen, Trustees of the Agricultural Society, desirous of meeting your convenience, have directed me to propose that their next meeting should be held at the house of some other Gentleman of the Board. They have also expressed a hope that, as there has been no established order of succession as to the place of meeting,...
143To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
My Son in Law Doctr. Thomas Ewell & my Daughter are making a Visit to Boston, and I have charged them not to leave that Neighbourhood without paying their respects to you & Mrs. Adams— I rejoice to hear as I have lately done, that you continue to enjoy health & I hope happiness—and am with the / most perfect respect & esteem / Dr sir Yr Obed Servt. MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
144To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
It is possible Dr Franklins estate, when sold, in Order to be divided, may not produce the Sum mentioned in my last letter. It consists chiefly of real property, purchased in same the early part of his life. The improvements in our City have given it its present immense Value. It is said the million of livres committed to him to be employed in secret Services to his Country, were divided...
145To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 20 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
The time cannot be very distant when you and I must both sleep with our fathers. The distinguished figure you have made in life, and the high offices you have filled, will render your removal from the world, an object of universal Attention. Suppose you avail yourself while in health, of the sensibility of which awaits the public mind to your character soon after your death, by leaving behind...
146To John Adams from Kilborn Whitman, 2 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
Understanding from good authority, that you have been pleased to interest yourself in my favour, respecting the appointments about to be made by the Executive of this Commonwealth, my feelings of gratitude for your friendship, with the late expressions of it, at a time of all others the most desireable, compel this acknowledgment, the expression of which you will please to accept, as coming...
147To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 4 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I am two letters in your debt. To the last I shall reply first. I am not satisfied with any one of your objections to my proposal of a posthumous Address from you to the Citizens of the United States. The “good that men do lives after them” the evil they have done or the evil that has been unjustly imputed to them generally perishes in descends into the grave with them. I have lately met with...
148To John Adams from William Plumer, 5 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
It is sometime since I have had any information from my much esteemed friend, your worthy son, the minister of the United States at St. Petersburg. There is a report that he has not accepted the office of Judge, but will still remain at that court in the character of minister—permit me therefore to ask the favor of informing me per mail when you last heard from him—when you expect his return...
149To John Adams from Joseph Dougherty, 17 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
A vacant place occasioned by the death of Mr. Mathers, the doorkeeper for the Senate, is now trying for by several: perhaps one hundred: I am one of the number, but it will require the greatest interest in the Country to get the place May I make so free sir, as to ask you for a few lines, by way of recommendation: Mrs Johnson made mention of me in a recent letter to you: I will here subjoin a...
150To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 20 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I shall begin my letter by replying to your daughters. I prefer giving my Opinion & Advice in you her Case in this way. You and Mrs Adams may communicate it gradually and in such a manner as will be least apt to distress and alarm her. After the experience of more than 50 years in cases similar to hers, I must protest agst: all local applications, and internal medicines for her relief. They...