251James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 23 September 1831 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison, with his best respects to Mr. Adams, thanks him for the copy of his "Eulogy on the Life & Character of James Monroe" Not only must the friends of Mr Monroe be gratified by the just & happy tribute paid to his memory: The Historian also will be a debtor for the interesting materials and the eloquent samples of the use to be made of them, which will be found in its pages. RC (MHi :...
252John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Old Debtors to British subjects, united with the over Zealous Friends of France and the Democratical societies of our principal Cities, are urging a sequestration of Things in Action: and as I know you are not inattentive to any question of public Law, I have inclosed you some minutes of Authorities and I wish you to look into all others relative to this subject. I have not Grotius here,...
253Charles Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 July 1793 (Adams Papers)
I received the copies of your Oration by M r Atkinson for which I give you my own and the thanks of my friends Unwilling to trust my own partial judgment upon the performance I have endeavored to collect the opinions of those of my friends here who are most remarkable for their taste and my own ideas have been justified by the universal applause which has been bestowed upon your Oration. I...
254From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
This Letter my dear son, is to introduce to you, and mrs Adams, the Lady of Major Manners, whose mother has written to me to request it. as the daughter of our much Loved, and highly respected Friend, the late Dr Rush, You will receive her with kindness. Ever since the death, of that friend of your Fathers, and of the family, I have had an occasional correspondence with mrs Rush—and your...
255From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
Twelve days of in cessant Snows have obscured from our Sight Sun Moon and Stars till this Morning, till this Moment when I am gazing at it as it rises, in the Chamber where your Mother has been confined during the whole Storm. I brought her home Sick, from The Meeting of The Accademy in Boston on the 30th. Jan. and She has not been out of her Chamber Since. She is now pretty well again...
256From George Washington to John Quincy Adams, 12 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 12 September 1796. In a letter marked private, GW asked Adams to look into the history of a sword that had come into his possession in an enigmatic manner. ALS , MHi : Adams Papers. For a full transcription and other information related to the sword, see GW to Adams, 25 June 1797 , in Papers, Retirement Series , W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement...
257From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
To offer you, the kindest wishes of the season, my best friend, is almost unnecessary; my happiness, & felicity, in this world, is so interwoven with yours, that I fondly believe, the one cannot be sensible of a joy, or a pain, which is not sincerely participated by the other. To say that I hope each revolving year, may produce additional felicity, is poorly to express describe my feelings;...
258John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have but lately received your kind Letter from Amsterdam of the 17 th of November and another from the Hague much longer and of an earlier date. The last I have Sent to M r Randolph to be laid before the President, as it contains ample and important Information. These are the only Letters I have as yet rec d from you. Your Mother has received others. Your Letters both public and private, I...
259From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
Please to deliver the inclosed three sheets to the Boston Patriot. MHi : Adams Papers.
260From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, in the afternoon, was committed to the Tomb, the earthly remains of our dearly beloved and venerable Mother. She died about One oClock, PM, of Wednesday the 28th: ult: after an illness of three weeks and three days; but we did not think her case dangerous until the last week. but Her decline from this day week was very rapid, and she sunk into the arms of the great destroyer without...
261From Ward Nicholas Boylston to John Quincy Adams, 29 May 1826 (Adams Papers)
As you are now relieved from congressional claims upon your time, & attentions, I venture to intrude on your leisure, by incloseing a Book containing some additional information respecting the first Introduction of Innoculation into North America by our ancestor Dr Zabdial Boylston, which may be usefull should you, at any future period be disposed to give more light upon the subject, than the...
262John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just received a Letter from Mr. Thaxter and another from your Brother, and should have been equally pleased with one from you. Write me as often as you can, and let me know what Professors you Attend and what Instructors attend you, whether you understand the Lectures &c. The Lectures upon the Greek of the New Testament, I would have you all attend, and those upon Euripides, Sophocles,...
263From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of Nov’br 23d No 66. came by way of England and reachd me on the 12th of this Month. at the Same time we received the News that a Treaty of peace between America and Great Britain was signed upon the 24th of December. A Blessing I hope. altho ardently desired, was not so soon expected, from the Hostile attitude which Britain had taken, and the nature of her demands, as exhibited in...
264From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
This will be presented by my grandson and namesake, and your Nephew John Adams Smith, Esqr who is Secretary of Legation to your Commission. I have merited nothing from you or from him in this Appointment because I never approved it. I thought he had better follow his Profession in New York. But he appears to have had more Interest at Court than You or I both together. He procured...
265From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 October 1826 (Adams Papers)
Having received a very elegant Lace Cap from the Ladies of the Lace school at Newport I write to request that you will do what you think proper while there as to the expression of thanks and the real admiration which the extreme beauty of the work deserves—as it is really equal to the finest European Lace—We leave Boston tomorrow morning and expect to be at New York on Friday night— Give my...
266From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 9 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
I begin my Letter by announcing the Health of your Children, that your mind and that of their Mothers may be at ease & “they cannot speak for themselves it is true,” but there are Mothers who are not less anxious for those who can speak for themselves; and it is with much pain that I learn from your Friends that your Health does not appear to have been mended by your journey, or change of...
267John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
We Suppose, that you had your Degree last Wednesday, and upon that Supposition, I congratulate you upon it. it is hinted that you think of studying Law with Judge Dana till next Spring. if you can have the Honour and the Priviledge of studying under, two such great Masters as Judge Trowbridge and Judge Dana, I approve very much of the design. You cannot be in so good hands. but will the...
268From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I write you a few lines in addition to what I have already written, and inclose you the Copy of a Letter from mr Otis to your Father, by which you will learn that your Nomination as Secretary of State, was confirmd, with one only dissenting vote, just sufficient to save you from the war. whose it was I neither know or care for no president since Washington, has been chosen by the people, with...
269From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 March 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have had frequent opportunities to address you, by letters of recommendation for Gentlemen who are embarking for Russia, and who make it a point of importance to be introduced to you. In general, I have had the leisure and inclination to comply with the solicitations of Gentlemen who have besought this favour; but it has not always been in my power to comp gratify their wishes. A few days...
270From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I write but seldom to you, least you should feel as tho’ you were obliged to replie, when you must be much occupied with public Business and as I am now engaged to address you in that line, You will feel obliged to listen. My present design is to name to you a Gentleman for office conditionally. It is reported that Major Warren of plymouth is about to resign, or be removed from the office of...
271From John Adams Smith to John Quincy Adams, 17 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Mr Walker has just been here, to submit to you the enclosed letter, & for the purpose of requesting your intervention on the subject of the Nanina. your very obedient MHi : Adams Papers.
272From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I will teise you no more, at present, with Metaphysicks or Books. I expect with Something very like impatience, once more to embrace You and the dear Creatures about you, meaning your Wife and Children. One Star Sitts with brilliancy, and another rises with brilliancy, notwithstanding certain Spots, which you and I have had opportunities to observe. Mr Monroe has certainly had the good Fortune...
273From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the present of your Book and your kind letter of the 24th. September. It was wisely done to collect all those papers together and arrange them in order that posterity might see them in one view without ransacking twenty libraries for the newspapers and the pamphlets of the day. Without this prudent precaution they would probably have never been all read by any one individual....
274Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 11 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
Do not imagine my friend, that I am so weak as to indulge the hope of meeting you in this Country, ardently as I desire it, I am too well convinced our seperation for a time is inevitable to suffer myself to encourage such delusive ideas, and I now endeavor as much as possible to acquire that fortitude, you so much admire, and which I really find so essential— You tell me my friend that it is...
275From Daniel Webster to John Quincy Adams, 10 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
Mr Webster accepts with great pleasure Mr and Mrs Adams invitation to dine on the 18th. MHi : Adams Papers.
276From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
July 31 Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Fisher, and Mr Saul from New Orleans, called on us, and I returned all my visits excepting the one to Mrs. Markov—My Brother is again better—Poor Mrs. Lee—We were told on our arrival that Dr Physick seldom ordered his patients into the Country if he could do any thing for them; and this circumstance has been a proof of his practice—I believe she remained but a few...
277Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I received a line from you, or any other of my Friends, nor have we learnt with certainty whether your Brother Tommy was admitted Colledge. By captain Folger I wrote to you, and hope it went Safe to your hand, as the Letter containd Something more than words. As I know you will not wish to Spend any time Idle it may not be too early to consult you respecting the...
278From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 2 We last night paid our intended visit to the Masonic Hall and were received by the Grand Master with great politeness—We found the gas lights burning which I am informed was a special favour—The Grand Lodge is very handsome, the decorations showy and the Seat of the Grand Master placed on a sort of throne supported by pillowsand an arched dome—Having had the honour of being seated in...
We return’d to Town yesterday morning which was one of the most bitter Cold I ever experienced but fortunately were not frozen The Children bore the ride better than I expected though George could not refrain from tears nothing contributed so much towards producing a free circulation as the sight of Mr. Shaw with a letter from you my beloved friend written apparently in great spirits and...
280Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 13 ult. came to hand the 31 st: and that of the 24 th: on the 3 d: cur t: I have to thank you kindly for your prompt execution of my Several Commissions, all the articles of which have been received. It is certainly an erroneous idea, which some of our American friends have expressed, that I am to be charged with a Commission rather than you. I have been long convinced of the...
281William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 10 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
Phillips has this moment handed me yours of the 5 th. and I now throw by a Qui tam in which I have been drudging this ½ hour, to thank you for your letter.— Whence comes this Listlessness—this depression of Spirits? What can relax the Elasticity of your Mind? I have often found myself in the same Situation. I felt it yesterday without being able to trace the least Cause. The Connection between...
282From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of december No 6—/17 came Safe to hand yesterday, the last No was 8. So that two others must be upon their way. I thank you for your punctuality in writing, and have only to regret, that from july, untill october: I did not write, as there were not any vessels up for the North of Europe, and the impediments were so multiplied as to discourage me, but from that time to the present,...
283Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Writing is not A la mode de Paris, I fancy or sure I should have heard from my son; or have you wrote and have I been so unfortunate as to lose all the Letters which have been written to me for this five months. I have sufferd great anxiety in not hearing from your pappa, or you. I hope you have not been so unlucky in those Letters sent to you. I want to know your situation, what proficiency...
284From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 2 November 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22 ult: and enclose such extracts from my notes relating to the two last days of the Convention, as may fill the chasm in the Journals, according to the mode in which the proceedings are recorded. Col. Hamilton did not propose in the Convention any plan of a Constitution. He had sketched an outline which he read as part of a speech; observing that he did not...
Your charming letter only reached me last night the roads being very bad but it came time enough to put me in high spirits and I went immediately after to a little Ball at Miss Focks were I amased myself very much and did not return untill 3 o’clock this Morning Thank God for all the good news you gave me may he still grant us his protection and as you say turn the hearts of our enemies all my...
286From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I am desirious of writing you a few lines just to assure you that I am able to hold a pen, and that I hope my Health is not in a more declining state than when you left me, altho I have not been able to leave my chamber since; except to ride a little way a few times; I think I have gained a little strength the last week tho I have not got the better of the most debilitating of my complaints—a...
287Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
As the vessel by which I have already written to you, did not sail yesterday, I can now inform you that the Bill for the protection of our commerce past yesterday in the House of Rep’s 50 to 40— it impowers our vessels of war to capture, and bring in all French cruizers and Privateers which shall be found hovering upon our Coast.— it will pass into a Law tomorrow. We are still in the dark why...
288From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
enclosed is a Letter which you will see contains a request to me; and through me to you. the ploughing with the Hiffer is not yet out of date. were the object an office, I should refuse to medle with it, but as it is only a simple renewal of a midshipman from one ship & station to an other, I would hope no great interest necessary; particularly as his Health has sufferd severely in this...
289From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
11 July. This day we celebrated and drank the health of my best friend accompanied by every good wish for his future happiness Dr Watson and several Gentlemen dined with us but I did not mention your name to them or give publicity to the occasion—Our company encreases fast we have a Mrs. Dawson Mrs. Lyons an old Lady who came ninety Miles on horseback and a Mr. Baily from Newington Pensylvania...
290From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 August 1806 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here yesterday after a very fatiguing journey but find my health tolerably good Your Sister is in charming health and spirits and I think looks better than I ever saw her Capt Hull on his arrival here recieved new orders and is uncertain about going on to Newport however as Mrs Smith insists on our staying here untill after Commencement I hope we shall if he should not proceed be...
291From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter inclosing the letters from Mr Basset and Mr. Custis Congress had resolved, but I believe not passed int o a law, to erect a monument to President Washington; but they passed resolutions requesting the then President to write a letter to Mrs. Washington soliciting her consent to have her remains removed, to be entombed with those of her Husband in the City of...
292Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I did not expect a very frequent correspondence with you when You left me; however interested we each of us feel in the happiness and prosperity of our Country, there is little hope that observation, upon the measures pursued, or anxiety for the event of them: would alter or amend them: The Group Which compose the National Counsels is certainly Such an one, as has not heretofore been collected...
293Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
This evening as I was Setting, with only your sister by my side, who was scribling at the table to some of her correspondents, my Neighbour Feild enterd, with “I have a letter for you Madam”; my immagination was wandering to Paris, ruminating upon the long, long absence of my dear son, and his parent; that I was rather inattentive to what he said, untill he repeated; I have Letters for you...
294Abigail Adams Smith to John Quincy Adams, 8 June 1788 (Adams Papers)
to your Candour my Dear Brother—I must appeal for Pardon that I have thus long delayed to inform you of our safe arrival in this City— I have presumed that we were People of such importance that the news of such an event must have reached you through the Chanell of the news Papers as soon as it would have done, had I have written you immediately upon Landing— and realy my time has been so...
295From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 May 1806 (Adams Papers)
When Mr. Hall was here your Father told him that he would leave to you the adjustment of the shares in the cannal. the Sale of them was undoubtedly a great Sacrifice of property at their present valueSo was the payment of the assesments. but I hope it will prove for the best. Your Father says that he would have you take as of his Shares in the New England Insurence as will repay you what you...
296From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
In your favour of March 25th. you express a hope that nothing like a distribution of Money, among the Principal Leaders of our Parties, has occurred or will occur, among Us. I agree with you in this hope and I will add that I Still entertain this belief. At least there is no one, on whom I can fasten even a Suspicion. But that foreign Money has been received by Sebastian, has been adjudged:...
297From Charles Francis Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
I recieved your kind Letter, of the 22 July, and was very glad you were so much pleased with my Letter. I still keep my Journal, and Copy my Letters in my Letter Book. Mama had some Cucumbers planted in her Garden, first there came green leaves, afterwards yellow Blossoms, and when the flowers dropped off, I found a number of little Cucumbers. We had also a great many Strawberries and...
I am sure you must have thought me mad from the date of my last letter I was so teazed with Muziks of every discription that I found it utterly impossible to write any thing like sense I however thought it better to send my letter bad as it was than suffer the Post to leave Petersburg without a few lines which would at any rate prove that we were well and preparing to join you as soon as...
299John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure of yours of July 30. and advise you to purchase the Coach and prepare every Thing to set off with me to Dover in a Week from this Day. I will not loose a Moment, of the agreable Company, that I can avoid. Indeed I have repented 20 times that I did not go with you. The Pas of Calais and the Pas of Harwich will make me sick, but do me no harm. Purchase Johnsons Lives of the...
300From John Peter De Windt to John Quincy Adams, 23 September 1826 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of proposing to you as a candidate for the office of District Judge for the Southern District become vacant by the death of Judge Van Ness. Saml. R. Betts one of the circuit Judges, in this State. Mr. Betts is well known, as a professional man, I am told to Mr Webster & Judge Storys in his politics he has always been of the party opposed to Mr. Clinton; on the Bench he is...