1From John Adams to Robert J. Evans, 8 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I respect the Sentiments and motives which have prompted you to engage in your present occupation so much that I feel an Esteem and affection for your person, as I do a Veneration for your assumed Signature of Benjamin Rush—the terpitude the inhumanity the Cruelty and the Infamy of the Affrican Commerce in Slaves have been so impressively represented to the publick—by the Highest powers of...
2From James Madison to Robert J. Evans, 15 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 3d. instant, requesting such hints as may have occurred to me on the subject of an eventual extinguishment of slavery in the U. S. Not doubting the purity of your views, and relying on the discretion by which they will be regulated, I can not refuse such a compliance as will at least manifest my respect for the object of your undertaking. A general emancipation...
3From John Adams to Robert J. Evans, 12 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your New-Years letter of Benjamin Rush—As Agriculture is the Nursing Mother of us all - It cannot be too assidously cultivated - nor is it likely to be too much honored—while Mercantile profits are so much greater—and military glory is esteemed the highest glory The American is an Able writter—but I wish he had avoided so many appearances of endeavouring to Justify—or at least...
4From John Adams to Robert J. Evans, 14 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
As the Anecdote of Mr Paine seemes to be have given you some amusement, I will give you another which affords me no Satisfaction upon reflection I was the first person who brought that Wild Man into Notice public notice—his Pamphlet called Common Sense, I thought proved him to be a Smart fellow—and I was informed he was totally distitute of the means of support—and as he had the pen of a ready...
5From John Adams to Robert J. Evans, 8 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 21st. of Febuary I have no scruples of conscience, and no reproaches to make to myself, for my conduct for first introducing Paine into public service—The abandoned viciousness and Proflagacy of his Character, was then totally unknown to me—and in truth—I did not give credit to Dr. Witherspoons accusation of Intemperance—because it was contradicted by...