I have been so very sick the last day or two it has been impossible for me to write you I am still very much indisposed but intend to proceed to Albany this Evening in the Steam Boat I believe my illness is occasioned by the keeness of the air which has reproduced most of the symptoms of the last Summers complaint The weather is however much warmer to day and I hope I shall soon be better in...
52From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 8 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I know nothing of the facts in this petition, nor of the person on whose behalf they are stated, but I know most of those who subscribe it, and can certify that they are persons of the first degree of respectability in the county in which I reside and of unquestionable credit as to any thing which they affirm. Given under my hand this 8 th of February 1826. To the President of the United...
53From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 9th: Never did I feel so much solemnity as upon this occasion—the multitude of my thoughts and the intensity of my feelings are too much for a mind like mine in its ninetieth year—May the blessing of God Almighty continue to protect you to the end of your life as it has heretofore protected you in so remarkable a manner from your cradle. I offer the same...
54From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 14th. found me deeply immersed in researches, not astromical or mineralogical or metaphisical; but after old Papers, Trunks Boxes Desks Drawers locked up for thirty Years have been broken open because the Keys are lost. Nothing Stands in my Way. Every Scrap Shall be found and preserved for Your Affliction for your good. I am now employed very anxiously and laboriously,...
2 July I must continue journalizing for want of something better to do as the time hangs heavily on our hands and we must do something to guard against that all devouring complaint ennui—While we were riding with Mrs. Brewer we met a Carriage going to the Springs with a fresh supply of company—We went to the Chalebrate Spring about two miles from Bedford and drank some of the Water which is...
56Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 10 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
An absence from home of some length has occasioned your letter of Apr. 24. to remain here unanswered until my return. the operation of sitting for portraits and busts, especially after it has been so often done, and probably as well as it will be done again, and that too before the havoc of age had left nothing but an anatomy to copy, needed the strong motive of my desire to meet any wish...
57From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 19 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Douglass Simms of Virginia is the son of Colo. Charles Simms for many years collector of the port of Alexandria, and wishes to obtain employment under government. You are not unacquainted with the revolutionary services of his father, who was a very brave officer, & distinguished himself at the defence of the fort at mud island. He was the personal friend of Genl. Washington and a...
58James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 22 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 29th. Ult: accompanying the little packet for Mrs. Madison from Mr. Hughes, was duly recd., and she wishes you to be assured of her particular sensibility to your polite attention. The article in question did not, according to any suggestions of her memory, merit the friendly solicitude felt by Mr. Hughes: but the obligations to him are not the less on that account. As you...
59From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have not acknowledged your 5. & 7 Octr. We have had another delightful Family Scene. Madam De Wint her Son your Nice with two of my Great Grand Children and to finish the Picture Mrs Clark all arrived in perfect health. On the 83d 25th Octr. We all drank “All our Friends and Connections of every generation”. “Now lettest thou, thy Servant depart in peace” has been So hackneyed that I will...
60Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 5 September 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
As Rector of the University of Virginia , I have recieved at several times the underwritten volumes of which I make this acknolegement as a proper voucher for your office , and pray you to be assured of my constant sentiments of respect and esteem. State papers of 1818. 8. vols 8 vo Secret journals of Congress . 4. v. 8 vo Journals of the Federal Convention 1. v. 8 vo Census for 1820. 1. v....
61From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the 7th. Vol. of Wheaton’s Reports, the supplemental census of Alabama, and the commission of Tench Ringgold; as Marshall of the Dist. of Columbia, untill the end of the next session of the Senate. With great consideration / I have the honour to be / sir, yr. obed. servt, DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
It is my intention to return to you early next week unless my Dr. forbids; I will therefore beg you to send me some Cash to pay his bill although I fear you will think me very extravagant—. I am so surrounded by company, that I have not been able to continue my journal—Going this Even’ to Mrs. Hopkinson’s and to Mrs. Manego’s—Elopements appear to be the fashion among the medical tribe—Dr...
63From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have seen many of your poetical effusions, from the time when you were at College, to this last Month. And there are so many indisputible proofs of natural and Social affections, and genuine poetical imagery that if you will had cultivate the muses as much as you have politicks you might have made a Shakespear, a Milton or a Pope, for anything that I know, how “How sweet an Ovid, is in...
64From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 8 August 1826 (Adams Papers)
No one has felt more deeply impress’d with the occasion which has drawn you to Quincy, than myself; but I have hesitated in assuring you of my sympathy, lest I should intrude upon your time which is now doubly occupied; and because I am sure you did not doubt my feelings upon that event. The late venerable tenant of your present mansion was the last surviving friend of my father’s youth; and...
29 Rode out to Mr Sergeants about 2 miles and a half from Philadelphia on the Ridge Road. The Place is really beautiful leading down to the Skuyllkyll and laid out with a great deal of taste. It belonged to a Mr. Clifford whose plaything it was until last Summer, when he fell a Martyr to the prevailing fever at the the of age of seventy—and it now belongs to his Widow who in consequence of the...
66From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 19 February 1825 (Adams Papers)
Mr John Douglas Simms of Virginia is the son of Col Charles Simms for many years collector of the Port of Alexandria, and wishes to obtain employment under government. You are not unacquainted with the revolutionary Services of his father, who was a very brave officer & distinguished himself at the defence of the fort at Mud island. He was the personal friend of Genl. Washington and a uniform...
67From John Adams Smith to John Quincy Adams, 24 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
Plots & counterplots spring up like mushrooms in all directions, we shall hear enough of them, before the vista is enlightened ary a ray of hope—Madrid, Paris, Ireland & London, are the scenes of display at the present, of the turbid passions, which engender fears & dangers, for those who feel secure in their power & strength—This is a period, at the accession of a new King, & embarrassing...
Mr. Shaw brought me your letter last night of the 29 and you may be assured I will attend to the confidential injunction it contained— At the same time I will take the liberty of expressing my doubts as to the propriety of shrinking thus for ever from any manifestation of the publick feeling which it is natural to expect (and which with our Institutions which are altogether popular) it is...
Your Letter is this moment brought me my dear John and I confess I was very much disappointed in not seeing you in propria personea as my last epistle was to be considered positive if your father did not go soon to Boston—I trust however that the one I last sent will induce you to start immediately— I had written thus far when it occurred to me that John would probably have left Washington...
August 27. I see by the papers that Mr. Harrisson has lost his daughter Mrs. Mason—This is a severe stroke, but I believe it has been anticipated for some months by her friends—was it in child birth? and did the child live? She was too delicate a Blossom to live through the trials attached to married life, there was no stamina to enable her to support suffering—Mr. Douroughty is likewise...
71James 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 :...
72From 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...
73From 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...
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...
75From 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...
76From 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...
77From 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...
78From 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....
79From 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.
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...
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...
82From 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...
83From 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...
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...
85From 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...
86From 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...
87From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 23 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Adams for the copy of the Ghent Documents which he has been so kind as to send him. so far as concerns mr Adams personally, the respect and esteem of the public for him was too firmly and justly fixed, to need this appeal to them. but the volume is a valuable gift to his fellow citizens generally, and especially to the future historian whom it will enable...
88From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a letter from honest Spafford. I do it with great reluctance but he has so much merit in his New-York Gazetteer that I wish something could be done for him. I know however the difficulty indeed the impossibility that a President should get into any of the offices a single clerk. I tried to get Mr Dalton into an office in the Treasury Department. I proposed it to the Secretary who...
89From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1822 to 31 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 30 It is worth while to be absent a short time from home for the sake of receiving such delightful Letters as yours and Georges of to day, not to mention Mr. Smiths; when you condescend to trifle you trifle so prettily it were almost to be wished that your gaiété de cœur could be more frequently called pretty—Georges short trip to the Clouds was likewise of infinite service, and he...
90James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 24 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. in your kind letter of the 21st. inst: the little pamphlet containing the "correspondence between yourself and several citizens of Massachusetts; with certain additional papers" The subjects, presented to view by the pamphlet, will doubtless not be overlooked in the history of our Country. The documents not previously published are of a very interesting cast. The letter of...
91From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have enclosed to the President a letter from Dr Waterhouse. I wish you would ask to see it. Between you and me I suspect that our friend Eustace has been of no service to Waterhouse. Ancient Jealousies of him among professional men in Boston may have left some traces. But as this is mere conjecture I lay no stress upon it. Whether any thing can be done for him consistent with the public...
92From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
I will write to you again, and untill I learn from you, that you have taken your passage home.—I have now to acknowledge a succession of Letters from you, arriveing nearly all together No 106. No 107 No 108 No 109 No 10010 and No 111 March the 16th which is the late date— I hope you did not think, when I wrote to you pressing your return to America, that my object was the office to which you...
93From William Pinkney to John Quincy Adams, 26 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
Mr Pinkney presents his Complements to Mr. & Mrs. Adams and accepts with great pleasure the honour of their invitation to Dinner on Friday this 2d. March. MHi : Adams Papers.
94From John Quincy Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 October 1826 (Adams Papers)
I enclose an order upon the Cashier of the U.S. Branch Bank Boston, for nine hundred and one dollars ninety–five Cents, to be passed to the credit of the Executors—being a sum received by me at New–York, from Mr Aspinwall, Assignee of Robert Bird and Co. When the Devises to Mr W. S. Smith, to Mrs De Wint, and to Mrs Johnson of Utica shall have been paid, I would propose that the sum remaining...
I intended writing to you yesterday but was prevented by a feverish indisposition which I believe was occasioned by the Water—I am much better to day, and hasten to inform you of our movements with which you have not been able to keep pace because they have been so variable— At Mrs. de Wints I was constantly sick during my stay, and appeared to be growing worse every hour—I found afterwards it...
August 3 After despatching my Letters we received Georges N. 10 with one from Mrs. Porter in London in which she is desirous that you should dispose of 20 copies of some work written by her father which she has just published, the first Vol of which she has sent to Mr. Gracie with an order to send them to you, and she has fixed the price in England at half a pou 18S. 6d a Vol. The poor old...
How it happened that I omitted to say I had received N. 1 I do not know—It was so kind a letter and I felt it so sensibly, it seems wonderful to me that I did not acknowledge it. I remember Mr. Gadsden very well. But how came you to pass the Eveng. at the Secretary’s? I am very glad of it, and hope it is not War in disguise? We are all doing well here, and only want you to join us for a short...
98From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 January 1826 (Adams Papers)
I herewith inclose to you a letter addressed to me from Mr Shaw written at my request. I can only add that I entirely coincide with him in his opinion I am &ca. your affectionate / Father DLC : John Quincy Adams Papers.
99From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 14 May 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have received the Copy of your Report on weights and measures, which you were so good as to inclose to me. Not knowing how long it may be before I shall be able to give it a due perusal, I tender at once my best thanks, anticipating as I certainly do, both pleasure and instruction from your execution of the important task committed to you. Be pleased, Sir, to accept a repetition of my high...
100From John Quincy Adams to John Quincy Adams, December 1826 (Adams Papers)
Received of the Executors of the Will of John Adams, the sum of two hundred and ninety dollars and 20 Cents, by a Check of the said Executors, on the Cashier of the U.S. Branch Bank here, being the amount of an Order of W. S. Smith, one of the Devisees, named in said Will, in favour of Benjamin L. Lear, Attorney to the Baron Hyde de Neuville, and by the said Lear endorsed payable to my Order....