11From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 14 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 7th. instant. If I agree with you that human knowledge ceases, where Metaphysics commence I must acknowledge that I am indebted to Metaphysics for the knowledge of this Truth after reading Lock and Malbranche Clark & Leibnitz Berckley & Hume, Condilac & Baxter Stuart & Brown have produced a pretty clear conviction of it—Your propensity to writing perhaps...
12From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 30 November 1822 (Adams Papers)
A paroxism of ill health, which has confined me to my Chamber for several days, has prevented me from sooner acknowledging your favour of the 11th Instant. I sincerely wish it were in my power to comply with your request, by sending you copies of all my writings, which have been printed—They have been so dull that they have fallen abortive from the press and have never made much fortune in the...
13From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 6 February 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of January 23d. And am very glad to learn, you have persevered to the end of your course in the study of the law, and particularly that Abigail was wise enough to encourage you in your pursuit; This I esteem in her a great merit and a proof of prudence deserving imitation by all her sex, in incouraging their Husbands in all manly Studies and business, and there is...
14From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 4 February 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of Jan’y 23d. & am very glad to learn you have persevered to the end of your course in the study of the law & particularly that Abigail was wise enough to encourage you in your pursuit. This I esteem in her a great merit & a proof of prudence deserving of imitation by all her sex in encouraging their husbands in all manly studies & business, & there is none more so...
15From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 10 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter this morning of March 1st. and congratulate you on the birth of another Son, and condole with you on the illness of your father; we must sing of mercy & judgement together from the cradle to the grave, and we must bend our minds to a perfect resignation; nothing short of this, will procure us the happiness of which our nature is capable in this world. The name you have...
16From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 17 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 30th of November has filled me with grief, The untimely death of my dear Great Grand Son cast over my mind a sorrowful gloom—There has not been one of my Posterity who has excited fonder hopes that he would be a comfort to his Parents and a Blessing to Society—But Providence destroys the hope of Man—I sincerely condole with you and my Grand daughter her Mother, and your...
17From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 5 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I received with pleasure your favour of October 26th. A Seat in the Convention as it is the Spontanious evidence of the kindness of my fellow Citizens—is indeed a gratifications to my feelings—If I should make my exit in the service it will be EUTHANA—but whether my attendance will be any assistance to the deliberations of that great Assembly who are to revise the Constitution, I know...
Your favour of the 19th: instant I duly received with Mr: Whitelaw’s letter I have opened a correspondence with Mr Baxter an Ally of Brownington to whom Mr Whitelaw referred me, relative to the future disposal of my own and the lands under my care in Salem, and as you may wish to know the whole truth, however discouraging in relation to the property in which you have some interest, I send you...
As I am now favoured with a little leisure, I have been looking over my Agency Accounts for the last twelve years, in connection with our family interest in certain Lands, situate in the Town of Salem in the State of Vermont. I am desirous of exonerating myself from the charge of future Agency so far as it is susceptible of being transferred to those who are immediately interested, and I now...
20From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 20 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
Cares, Sorrows, Misfortunes, and Infirmities have prevented an earlier Acknowledgment of your favour of June 10th. There are no better Maxims for a Student or a man of Business than “ Festine lente ” and “ One thing at a time .” “Six or Seven hours” are quite enough. According to Lord Coke, “ Sex horas Somno, totidem des legibus equis ” Six are enough for Study but not enough for Sleep....