111John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 30 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The Seconds of Life, that remain to me, are So few and So Short; (and they Seem to me Shorter and Shorter every minute) that I cannot Stand upon Epistolary Ettiquette: And though I have written two Letters , yet unnoticed I must write a third. Because I am not acquainted with any Man on this Side of Montecello , who can give me any Information upon Subjects that I am now analysing and...
112From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
Dr James Freeman, is a learned, ingenious, honest and benevolent Man, who wishes to see President Jefferson, and request me to introduce him. If you would introduce Some of your Friends to me, I could with more confidence introduce mine to you. He is a Christian, but not a Pythagorean a Platonick or a Philonick Christian. You will ken him and he will ken you: but you may depend, he will never...
113John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
D r James Freeman , is a learned, ingenious, honest and benevolent Man, who wishes to See President Jefferson , and requests me to introduce him. If you would introduce Some of your Friends to me, I could with more confidence introduce mine to You. He is a Christian, but not a Pythagorian a Platonick or a Philonick Christian. You will ken him and he will ken You: but you may depend, he will...
114From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 9 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
The Biography of Mr Vander Kemp would require a Volume which I could not write if a Milion were offered me as a Reward for the Work. After a learned and Scientific Education he entered the Army in Holland and served as a Captain, with Reputation: but loving Books more than Arms he resigned his Commission and became a Preacher. My acquaintance with him commenced at Leyden in 1780. He was then...
115John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 9 August 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The Biography of M r Vander Kemp would require a Volume which I could not write if a Mil l ion were offered me as a Reward for the Work. After a learned and Scientific Education he entered the Army in Holland and Served as a Captain, with Reputation: but loving Books more than Arms he resigned his Commission and became a Preacher. My Acquaintance with him commenced at Leyden in 1780. He was...
116From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Neither Eyes Fingers or Paper held out, to dispatch all the Trifles I wished to write in my last Letter. In your favour of April 8th, You “wonder for what good End the Sensations of Grief could be intended”? You wish the Pathologists would tell Us, what the Use of Grief, in our Œconomy, and of what good it is the Cause proximate or remote.” When I approach Such questions as this, I consider...
117John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Neither Eyes Fingers or Paper held out, to dispatch all the Trifles I wished to write in my last Letter . In your favour of April 8 th You “wonder for what good End the Sensations of Grief could be intended”? You “ wish the Pathologists would tell Us, what the Use of Grief, in Our Œconomy, and of what good it is the Cause proximate or remote.” When I appro a ch Such questions as this, I...
118From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Yours Ap. 8 has long Since been recd. J. “Would you agree to live your 80 years over again”? A. Aye! And Sanse Phrases.” J. “Would you agree to live your Eighty-Years over again forever”? A. I once heard our Acquaintance, Chew, of Philadelphia Say, “He Should like to go back to 25, to all Eternity”: but I own my Soul would Start and Shrink back on itself, at the Prospect of an endless...
119John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours Ap. 8 has long Since been rec d J. “Would you agree to live your 80 Years over again”? A. “ Aye! And Sanse Phrases .” J. “Would you agree to live your Eighty Years over again forever”? A. I once heard our Acquaintance, Chew , of Philadelphia Say, “He Should like to go back to 25, to all Eternity”: but I own my Soul would Start and Shrink back on itself, at the Prospect of an endless...
120From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I cannot be Serious.! I am about to write you, the most frivolous letter you ever read. Would you go back to your Cradle and live over again your 70 years? I believe you would return me a New England Answer, by asking me another question “Would you live your 80 years over again”? If I am prepared to give you an explicit answer, the question involves So many considerations of Metaphysicks and...