151To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
Long before I read your Excell̃: defence of the Constitutions &c I saw their Criticism bÿ the Reviewers, which enlarged my desire of perusing itself, flattering mÿ with the idea, that I should acquire a fair opportunity of Sending Some Strictures upon it to Mr. Adams; because the first announcing a fear of a to ardent Love for Democracÿ, and the following declaration, that those fears were...
152To 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...
153To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Indeed you are very kind towards me: I can not reciprocate these proofs of your frendship as by assuring you of my most cordial thankfulness—that may be called, filling the measure—till it runs over—I know, I should receive some tiding from Montzillo—but a Letter—in your own handwriting, I could not expect indeed. Although I do not publish your Letter—this to me—deservedly might be placed next...
154To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 17 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
After your Excellency’s advice, for which I am much obliged, I wrote, by this Sloop to his Excellencÿ the President, State the affair, and requested his interference, so far, as He maÿ think proper, and I flatter mÿself, that it wil be promoted bÿ you in the Same manner. But this occasion Sir! is to favourable, not to make use of it in enlarging—for a moment upon a particular article of your...
155To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
Yes, I did See from your note of thanks to your neighbours the disaster, which has fall’n to your lot—tho’ I could not learn its full extent—and yet it was not in my power to inform you of my feelings. That note directly relieved my anxiety—I knew—your mind enabled you, to elevate yourself above Such a loss—great as it may have been—and the gratification of receiving Such a fresh proof of the...
156To John Adams from François Adriaan van der Kemp, 29 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
L’année passé j’avois l’honneur de communiquer a votre l’Excellence mon desir de passer en Amerique avec ma famille pour m’etablir dans l’etat de New-york: vous aviez la bonté de me donner des informations sur ce projet, joignant a cela la flatteuse promesse, de vouloir bien, dans un tel cas m’honorer de vos recommandations. Dans ce tems mon Epouse ne pouvoit prendre la resolution de chercher...
157To 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...
158To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
After the renewed marks of distinction, which your Excellency’s favour bestowed on me, I maÿ be so bold, without fear of incurring any blame, to appeal to you under this familiar epitheton—there you, calling yourself my real friend, contributes so much to that serenety of mind and comfort, which I enjoy in my retirement, notwithstanding so many toils and disappointments which would have...
159To 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...
160To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
Although the manifold proofs, which I received from your affectionate regards can never be obliterated—no—not even weakened by lenght of time—yet I presume—it may be become a difficult task to you to recollect, when the last line to inform me of your wellfare—from Montezillo was written—You know me too well, that I could wish to extort from you one Single line, which Should cause you the least...
161To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I hope not, that I shall be importune in writing again; it is my anxious concern for America’s prosperity which prompts me to it—though I flatter myself, that the wisdom and Integritÿ of the majority of Both houses maÿ preserve us be the blessings of Peace, however I cannot set aside a Suspicion, that too manÿ are entangled bÿ the intrigues of European Emissaries, whose boasted love for the...
162To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
Being now pretty free from headache, I will indulge myself in the pleasure, to cheer mÿ depressed spirits, in answering your favour of the 4th. inst; not that I can promise myself the Satisfaction, of sending you any thing much interesting, but to convince you, if it could be wanted, how highlÿ I value everÿ line from your hand. Theÿ are the onlÿ remaining marks of affectionate esteem of a...
163François Adriaan Van der Kemp to John Adams: A Translation, 5 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Having received several expressions of your Excellency’s friendship and esteem during your stay in Leyden, I flatter myself now that it will not be disagreeable for you to receive proof of my confidence in our friendship. It is a solicitation sir! I hope that it will not appear to you to be rash, because it is made by a friend; a man of talent, with profound and erudite judgment, and with the...
164To 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...
165To 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...
166To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
As I returned home in safety in the course of this week, the first moments of leisure, after having informed my children and mr Busti of this happy event, shall be devoted, to acknowledge the favour of your’s of the first of Oct. In my former from Philadelphia I mentioned—how I was bruised—wounded—healed—and restored to perfect health—now I can only mention, and this, I am assured is a far...
167To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
It Shall be a part of my Sundays devotion to give you my Sincerest thanks for your kindnesses which I received in your Letters of the 3d and 8th of April I feel Sensibly I cannot be grateful enough for these as theÿ contribute always So efficaciously to dispell the gloom, which hovers ov er me now and cheer up my depressed Spirits, and why then Should I not apply to this remedy whose Salutary...
168To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
I read again your excellent, Lectures, and have now bÿ them be pleased and instructed much more, than with the cursorÿ perusal of them in their former State—It is the historÿ of Nations—resolved in Problems—of which the Solution is to be Search’d for in the Annals of everÿ countrÿ—while the events of more modern times maÿ be considered as So manÿ Corallaries, deducible from the Same data. To a...
169To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Once more I Shall enjoÿ the Sensation in addressing you as the President of the U.S. but your leaving the chair will not bereave you of a more exalted title, that of being the Father and Benefactor of your Countrÿ. To your indefatigable cares America owes her continuallÿ increasing prosperity—to you we owe—that our peace had been undisturbed—our independencÿ consolidated—and our Friendship...
170To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Althoug I am not So happÿ to be the first in making mÿ Compliments to your Excellencÿ; I am however persuaded that not one of mÿ countrÿmen is more addicted to the cause of America and more attached to your Excellencÿ than I am. I congratulate mÿself with the favour of your Excellency’s acquaintance—with a part of the friendship of your Excellencÿ, and I flatter mÿself, that the aknowledgment...
171To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
Musing on Molière, the last precious gift of de Gyzelaer, which I received this summer, I was as usual diverted from him to you, recollecting your kindness. My own health is improved, my old enemy raps only now and then a lady’s knock at the door; though I am not always permitted to say not at home, our pour parler does not last long. I shall go to-night to make a party of Quadrille with my...
172To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 November 1818 to 2 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
If my delaying to answer ÿour favour of the 2 of oct was a just measure of my valuing your condescending kindnesses then—no doubt—I ought to be deemed not to deserve your So distinguished attention—but I am happy indeed, that you cannot foster Such an idea—and I Should rather be prompted to make an apologÿ for an insignificant Letter, was I not fully persuaded—that—imperfect as it may be, it...
173To 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...
174To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is not before now, that I can answer your favour of the 18 last—My daughter, who fully Sympathises with my feelings, and knows, how highly I value every line, with which you continue to honour me, Send it to Albany, and last week it was returned here. I was there to examine the Dutch Records of last cent—and finally engaged to try, if I could translate—them—I declined the first proposal of...
175To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
It was my intention to have delay’d writing to you—till the great die was cast—but perusing Dr Morse’s—Revolution I was So Struck and delighted by your interesting Letters—to him mr. Niles and Judge Tudor, that I could not longer bereave me Self of the pleasure of giving you my cordial thanks for these valuable Records. How deeply I regret, that your avocations did not permit you twenty years...
176To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
Fill the glass to the brim—and empty it till the last drop—now you rejoice with your friend on the reëstablished ancient Dutch Government—My friends rule once more—The Almighty make them prosper, and confound their enemies, and humble them in the dust. was John Adams now America’s President I would beg him, how ungracefully I may beg, to send me immediately on an extraordinary mission—to...
177To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
I make no apologÿ in not answering your gratifying favour of the 26th of may Sooner, nor do I Suppose, you required it. My avocations having been So manÿ—mÿ work So crowding—having no help but my Son, daÿ after daÿ planting and replanting, and Sowing again—what had been killed by the frost in my garden, that I really was no Sooner at leisure—and yet—often I took your letter in hand—but only to...
178To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
A letter of mÿ frind Mr. Mifflin induces me to address you again few lines. Mr. Dobson returned him the Mss of the Achaic Republick, after many protestations of regard for the author the purchasers would not be sufficiently numerous to purchase an edition of this work It would answer extremely well in Europe—but he was under the necessity of declining the printing. Mr S. Bradford regretted...
179To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 13 November 1825 (Adams Papers)
You will not be displeased, I am confident, if I address you again a few lines—perhaps—one or other of your family may consider it proper, to favour me at a proper period with Some information—with respect to your continued health—of which the N. papers assure us, you enjoy a considerable Share—What a blessing at Such an advanced age! My family was with me highly gratified—in Seing in these...
180To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Since long I received not a more Sensible pleasure, as when I Saw me favoured with your approbation on my lucubrations I desire no more, and prepare it immediately for the press—The difficulty Shall be to find a Printer. I perused many years ago Ubbo Emmius—and read it again with attention before I brought my matereals in order. if I have Succeeding in Spreading Some new light on Some parts of...