251Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter after your return in october to the city. I had written to you as soon as I supposed it probable You had returnd. the Letter I presume reachd you, soon after you wrote to me; I am glad to find your Health improved by your excursion I cannot however but repeat my apprehensions that you are not planted in a soil to flourish, to obtain reputation honour or profit; I regreet...
252John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
As I have wrote to Mamma and Sister I have but very little to write to you but I cannot let an opportunity slip without writing to you. I have wrote an account of my Voyage And of this city to Mamma and also all the news I have heard since I have been here excepting a report that the ardent an English 64 Gun brig was taken by the French, and that two Spanish frigates have been taken by the...
253From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 2d. instt: enclosing a copy of the judiciary Bill which was before you for consideration came to hand some days since—As your legislative occupations employ you only three hours a day, I can readily conceive that you can find little time for private correspondence; for as an Antient Orator was wont to say that he had not time to make his speech short, so I have often found...
254From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 28 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Received Quincy December 28th., 1814 of Thomas B Adams Esqr., the sum of Twenty-one Dollars and seventy-five Cents, for one quarter’s interest due November 1st: on JQ Adams’s Note. $21.75 MHi : Adams Papers.
255From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I have sent you under another cover, a copy of the President’s Message, with the documents, and the Journals of both Houses—We have hitherto done nothing, and this week being destined to horse-racing, will of course be passed in doing more nothing. This morning came a Message, with nominations for appointments; consisting only of those which have been made during the recess—The only one...
256From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 19 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
Under another cover, I enclose to you the documents laid on our table this morning— I have not yet had a line from you; but received a letter a few days since from your father, and one since from Shaw—The issue of your elections for the electoral Ticket, appears to be ascertained—and shows that the federalists will be relieved from the embarrassment of fixing upon their Candidate—It is...
257From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have placed to your credit as my Agent the sum of ten thousand Dollars, in the United States Branch Bank, which you are to employ as follows, and in no other manner without express authority from me hereafter. I have authorized Messers: Payne and Co. to purchase for me, Middlesex Canal Shares at 330 Dollars a share, all assessments paid—or at 250 dollars with the last Assessment to pay—If...
258John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
The shortness of my paper, & of my time yesterday abridged my discription of the natural ruins at Adersback, one of the most curious objects we have yet viewed upon this journey. As I was closing my letter, the king & queen passed under our windows, on their way to Furstenstein. There, a double entertainment combining the fashionable amusements of antient & modern times, a carousel & a...
259John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 April 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your favour of the 22 d: inst t : thanks you know are “the exchequer of the poor.” upon that exchequer of mine you are entitled to bills to a large amount. I assure you I feel the obligation of your attention to my trunk, which has not yet arrived, but which will be very acceptable when it comes. But your Letter has excited my curiosity, and I find myself very much...
260John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
M r: Newcomb has executed a power of Attorney, authorising you to receive his interest due. I herewith enclose it.— You mention in your Letter to your mother, that you expect to leave Philadelphia the 28 th: of this month. But not where you purpose to go. I should be glad to hear from you once in a while. I think you are now in my debt upon the score of our correspondence. War—seems to be now...
261From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 5 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
On new year’s day I received your very agreeable Letter of Decr: 21st: which I should have answered immediately; but it was not sitting day; and I find no time for my correspondence but while we are in Session—The reason of which is that having become a Jack of so many trades, I employ all the time I have to spare at home , in preparing for my bussiness at Cambridge next Spring—I have...
262John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have had your favour of the 30 th: ult o: several days; and have taken time to deliberate upon its contents— And first as to the chemical apparatus—If you have not already procured one, we shall spare you any further trouble about it, as we have succeeded in obtaining a large one here, which will quite supersede the want of D r: Woodhouse’s oeconomical preparations— If however you have...
263Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter inclosing the one from Your Brother— I do not find the extract you mention in Wayne Paper. I would have had it inserted in J Russels before I leave here, but that I know not how it may be introduced in the U S Gazet, and it would not be proper they should clash but if there is any hesitation upon the subject in Philadelphia, there will not be any here. I well remember...
264From John A. Shaw to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
I wish you would have the goodness to speak to your Brother concerning my tending the Light on Owlshead in Thomaston as it is near don & as I live near By & can tend it cheaper than any other Person if you will attend to this you will, Obb / Yours With Respect. NB if your Brother is not at Quincy I wish you would Wright him MHi : Adams Papers.
265John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As my thoughts are Principally busied upon the French tongue, & as I wish you to turn yours the same way, earlier than I did, I cannot think of a Subject to write to you upon more agreable & useful both to you & me than this: Pappa who has an opportunity of Conversing with many men of Learning in this Kingdom, among the phisiciens & Lawyers, as well as eclesiasticks, of various orders,...
266Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I Embrace the opportunity by the British packet of writing you a few lines, tho I have not any thing very material to communicate to you. I have already informd your Brother and sister of the safe arrival of her Parents and sisters at George Town after a passage of 60 days. Since which, I have received Letters both from mr and Mrs Johnson both of whom with the young Ladies were well. young mr...
267Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 16 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
Tis expectation that make a Blessing sweet, says the poet. how sincerely sweet would it be to me to fold my dear Thomas to my Maternal Bosom in his own Native Land. I hope and wish, wish & hope that the Day may not be far distant.— This Day, the 14 of July I received by way of N york your kind Letter of April 7 th , more than 3 months Since it was written, from your Brother no one of a later...
268John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
I rec d. last night, your Letter of the 3 d.— It was far from my thoughts to assign you a task. I meant only to turn your mind to a Subject, which must necessaryly engage much of your contemplations, as long as you live. The Folc Right, the Peoples Right, the common law, is the natural, Inheritance of Us all. It is our Birth Right. But precious as it is, and dear as it ought to be to all our...
269John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 November 1795 (Adams Papers)
You were doubtless informed by our friends who favoured me with a visit at Helvoet of my sailing from thence at last. I landed the next day at Margate, and the morning after reached the place from whence I now write you. I found nothing to do; or rather all done. But I still find my self detained here to wait for further orders which I expect daily to arrive M r: Pinckney is expected back in...
270Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 November 1795 (Adams Papers)
I Love to receive a Letter from both Brothers at once, and I suppose each of You like to have a Seperate Letter. I write all my politicks to the Minister and then am as much at a loss, what to write to you, as I Sometimes am, to find conversation for a company of Ladies. I go but little from Home, and many interesting events, pass unnoticed. of Domestick occurrences I believe I wrote you, that...
271From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, for giving the necessary Bonds for the entrance of my Son George at the University and am very glad he is there—Market Projects, have lost most of their attractions for me—I desire to have nothing to do with that which is in contemplation, till something comes in the shape of returns from the other. I yesterday received a Letter from Messrs: R. P. & C. Williams of Boston,...
272From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
Just one month ago, arrived here Captain Haskell, in the Ship Lucia, belonging to Mr. Gray, who sailed from Boston about the 15th: of June.—He brought me letters of the 13th. of that month, from him and your favour of the 20th: of Febuary—I was indeed almost as much rejoiced as if your letter had been dated four months later; but I could hardly keep the thoughts out of my mind how agreable it...
273John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Brother is appointed to Berlin, but you I presume will soon return to America; perhaps you may be upon your passage, and this Letter may not reach you, before You Sail I long to see you, but yet I am Very sensible it must be a cruel separation to your Brother— Who he can obtain for a Secretary I know not. The family is all here, and are as happy as the absence of all our Children, and the...
274From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your N 19/10 dated 10 Septr: 7. Decr: 1811. and 3. Jany: 1812 was forwarded to me from Gothenburg, and received by me the 8th: of this present Month—And this day I received from Captain Henry, a letter dated Paris 12. April, enclosing yours N. 22/13 of 29. Feby—Your N 20/11 it seems had fallen into the hands of the Halifax Admiralty-Court, and is not to be expected—18/9 and 21/12 are therefore...
275From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 November 1805 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to my mother from Providence & New-York, giving her an Account of our progress thus far; but the moment one sets one’s foot into Philadelphia, the Squire becomes such a standing topic of enquiry from all quarters, that it never fails to remind me of the duty of remembrance to him. We left New-York in the Diligence Stage on Monday Morning, and arrived here the next day just at...
276Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I presume this will find you at Philadelphia, fix’d in your Lodgings; and in possession of your office, where I wish you much of the Good things of the world, tho purchased by toil & trouble, they may serve to enhance their value; above all worldly Goods. I wish you Health, for destitute of that great blessing, few others can be enjoyed. The few Hot days which we had in May, brought upon me...
277From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days since your favour of the 28th. ulto: with the very interesting account of Selfridge’s trial—A subject upon which there has been much curiosity here; though we had heard nothing of the trial except the short paragraphs in the newspapers.—It has confirmed me in an opinion which I have long since entertained, that for our real security, in the protection of person, property,...
278John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
I have now received the Port-Folio, to number 48 inclusive; excepting N: 47 which yet remains in arrear— They have come to me lately, two and three at a time; but other subscribers have not been so well served— At Quincy N: 48 has been received but six or seven numbers immediately preceding it are missing— This procedure must be corrected The ode to Xanthias Phoceus, has produced some...
279From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
The original of the enclosed did not go, as I had expected by the Cordelia; for she sailed on the very day that it was written, and before I could send it down to Cronstadt. But it was dispatched by the Hector, Captain Hetherington, which sailed, only three days later, for Providence—All the vessels which had arrived here during the regular season, are now gone—The last, or last but one that...
280John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I believe there have been two or three opportunities of writing to the Hague since I received your favour of the 23 d: ult o: which have escaped me. This circumstance is not to be attributed entirely to indolence or inattention on my part: in fact I have been very unwell, and for the last three weeks have scarcely taken a pen in hand. My previous correspondence from hence I think will bear no...
281Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening received Yours of 30 December and would have You close the bargain with him Feilding for the carriage provided the carriage has not been much used. he must put the cypher A upon it and pray attend to the steps. they must be Strong & come low down. I cannot mount high— my day is over for that, and My infirmitys require particuliar attention to that part of the carriage. a coach...
282From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have already drawn for three hundred pounds Sterling, of the credit, for which Mr: Gray gave me a letter upon his correspondents here. He will call upon you for the money; which does not quite amount to the balance I left in your hands for the purpose—I have written to you that I shall in all probability be compelled to draw upon you for more, but as by the course of exchange I draw at great...
283John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
For I suppose you must have an explanation to keep you current with the vieux stile , now-a-days.— I have received your pleasant account from Brussels of your travels thus far. Continue to write me as often as you can, and sur tout return as speedily as possible. I have read something in Adam Smith about the wonders performed by division of labour. I know very well the effects of its...
284From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have not forgotten the engagement which I voluntarily undertook, at the beginning of the last year, not to suffer any month to pass over without writing at least once to you, and once to my Mother, and I am sufficiently sensible that in regard to yourself I have failed in the fulfillment of this promise; inasmuch as my last Letter to you bears date the 25th: of January—the last opportunity...
Accept my sincere thanks for your very kind Letter, and your still more kind wishes on the return of the Season of congratulation, which are reciprocated by us all with the utmost pleasure—Many, many years of unmixed felicity I trust are yet in store for you, to be enjoyed in the bosom of your family—I am sorry my Sister has been so long unwell; but these colds attended with Sore Throats have...
286John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
The only Reason why I omitted to write you when I wrote to your Brothers, was because I thought you was as yet too young to be able to read Writing, not because I had less Affection for you than for them: for you may rely upon it, you have as great a share in your Fathers Esteem and Affection as any of his Children. I hope you will be good and learn to read and write well, and then I shall...
287William Smith Shaw to Thomas Boylston Adams, 19 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I gave you the earliest information of Mr. Jeffersons election. Last night a mob of about fifty collected about the houses near to the capitol and compelled the inhabitants to illuminate them in honor to Mr. J. This passive submission of the federalists to the will of a rascally mob is in my opinion degrading in the lowest degree. I never would have submitted I would have died first. No...
288Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have received two Barrels of flower but no account of the price either from the Baker or You. be so kind so to forward one to me. also let me know as soon as possible whether my Letters of the 28 of Febry got safe to Hand. the Roads were so bad at that time, and the Mails so irregular that I had feard for the letters. I would not Suppose that there is less responsibility in the Post masters...
289John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favour of the 15 th , the Sentiments and expressions of which are Such as cannot fail to render your Character Prosperity and Happiness more dear to me than ever. An Office must be procured, and the Price or Rent must not be an Obstacle. I had rather pay for you a high Rent than you should not have an Office in Market or Chesnut Street. Your Brothers Observations...
290John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
We received your short Letter of 19. November written just as the pilot from the mouth of the Elbe was about to leave you. Since that time untill this day, we have had almost incessantly Easterly winds blowing, and we hope that you enjoyed the benefit of them, and long before this, find yourself restored to the bosom of our Country and friends. Since your departure several circumstances have...
291From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have not received from you any letter of later date than that of 29. Feby. but I learn from a Boston Newspaper of 12. March that your fears for you youngest child were unhappily too well founded—Most sincerely and deeply do I sympathize with you upon this afflicting bereavement; and I pray that it may be made instrumental to you, and to your partner, and to us all in the only way by which...
292From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 19 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of congratulation with the very appropriate passage from Machiavel’s an author, with whose works I have never been familiar, and whose reputation as a political writer is problematical—The Sentiment which you have quoted from him is perhaps correct in its first part—certainly in its second. The congratulations of all my friends are entitled to my gratitude....
293From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
To acknowledge in their order the Letters that I have received from you, since my last of 22. January, I am first to mention a short one of 1. December, which was delivered to me, by Mr Tarbell—And I mention it particularly, because it contains an erroneous position, that the Aliens and Post–Office Laws of this Country, do not allow the conveyance of Letters by private hands—There have been...
294John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your N: 16. dated the 11 th: of May. which you gave to M r: Treat, with injunctions to take special care of it— Now, mark how specially this recommendation was observed— In order to secure your letter from all accident, which might happen to the bag, M r: Treat put it into his own trunk.— But being boarded by the officer of a french privateer, he was obliged to submit...
295From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
We are in the midst of the bustle of a removal—I wrote you some time since that we were in the predicament of having the house in which we live sold over our heads—afterwards I told you, as I was told by my land l ord that the bargain was broken off, and we should remain in the house—About ten days ago my Landlord came and informed me that it was sold, and that if I could go out on the first...
296Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive any Letters from You when your Brother wrote last to me the 11 of Nov br . I suppose you felt quite out of Sorts at not having received any Letters from Your Friends here. you must not however judge that your Friends have not written to you this is the fourth Letter which I have written, and your Friend Quincy I trust has written to you. I know he has received several Letters...
297John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The daily Duties of my office require so much Writing that my hand and head are fatigued & exhausted before I have half done: and this must be my Apology for not writing you till now. I hope you are now well settled in your office and pursuing your studies. Practice will come in time, but the most certainly from an incessant Attendance upon the Courts and taking minutes & making Reports of...
298From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the first instant did not come to hand until last Monday, that of the 9th: enclosing Mr Whitney’s funeral sermon, upon the decease of our dear & ever-to-be lamented Mother, (for which I beg you to thank him in my name,) reached me yesterday, together with a letter from my son George. I am yet almost without any account of the particulars of her illness. A line from Hariet Welsh,...
299John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your charming narration of your Tour to Paris, both to me and your mother, and am happy to find you were so civilly treated and so well pleased. I shall never forget the kindness of my Friend Arnoux to myself or to you. I congratulate you, on your new Acquisition of a Sister. I Suppose this match grew out of a Spark that was kindled at Nantes in 1779 when your Brother was with me...
300John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have not written to you before, since I left you, because my Studies and European Letters have engrossed all my Time. But as you will probably soon enter this University, I wish to give you a few hints which you may improve as you please. You will consider them, not as the commands or instructions of a Preceptor, but as the advice of a friend, and a Brother. Your intimate acquaintances will...