1From John Adams to Jonathan Mason Jr., 18 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable Letter from Boston the 9th. July, was handed me, on Tuesday last by the Post. The Confusions in America, inseparable from So great a Revolution in affairs, are Sufficient to excite Anxieties in the Minds of young Gentlemen just stepping into Life. Your Concern for the Event of those Commotions, is not to your dishonour. But let it not affect your Mind too much. These Clouds will...
2From John Adams to Jonathan Mason Jr., 21 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had by Yesterdays Post, the Pleasure of your Letter of the 12. instant. The Account you give me of the Books you have read and Studied is very agreable to me. Let me request you, to pursue my Lord Coke. The first Institute You Say you have diligently Studied. Let me Advise you to study the second, third and fourth Institutes with equal Diligence. My Lord Coke is justly Styled the oracle of...
3Abigail Adams to Jonathan Mason?, August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Tho I cannot stile you a plant of my Hand, in some measure I own you as a child of my care, and as such feel anxious for your Glory and welfare. It was with pleasure I found you determined to enter the Feild against our cruel and Barberous foes and should you be calld to action I dout not but you with the rest of your Brethren would Signilize yourselves, and gain immortal Honour to the Arms of...
4From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 26 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
The public papers have announced some sentiments of yours which have induced me to beleive that the volume of sketches which accompanies this letter will not be unacceptable to you. I pray you to accept it not only as a token of remembrance, but as an opportunity to encourage and promote, the extension and completion of a work, so necessary to our Commerce, our Union & our Independence. I am...
5From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 13 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 10th. has given me great pleasure I conjectured and concluded you were absent on one of your Summer Excursions, which in your Circumstances I very much applaud; and therefore felt no Uneasiness at not hearing from you sooner. Another Edition of the Sketches will soon be out; and will exhibit, such Examples of Navel Intrepidity, as the World has no Idea of; such as have been...
6From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 31 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
Long before the death of Mr Tudor I had a design to address to you a few Letters upon Subjects which I knew he could not keep from the knowledge of the numerous inquistive People who Surrounded him.— You, I know can keep Papers to yourself, Whatever I may write to you, I pray may not be published in my Life-time; After my death, I leave them to your discretion.— I neither expect or desire any...
7From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 31 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
Some time ago I requested permission, to write to you certain facts in Confidence which I wish to be preserved some where after I shall be no more here.—But they are facts in which my personal Character is interested—And it is so awkard a thing to write of ones self—And it is so certain, to be suspected of partiality, and accused of Vanity—And it is so difficult for a Man to Satisfy his own...
8From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 4 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind letter—And will proceed with my abrupt narrative.— The practice of the British Government by their Instrument the Governour, and his Friends and subordinate Agents in this little Parish of Quincy—Was as Arbitrary and disgusting as their professed Religious and Political principles and Theory’s—You know the general History of Governour Shirley—but perhaps you may not...
9From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 27 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
When the enterprise against Cape-breton was planed and adopted by the Legislature of Masschusetts I was ten years old—My Father took the Newspapers and gave them to me to read—so that I became some what attentive to publick affairs—But my attention was more forcibly attracted by the din of Arms The Militia where frequently called to-gether, And the Ensigns with their Colours—and the Sergeants...
10From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 7 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you most sincerely for your very kind and friendly letter— The general approbation which has been expressed of my resurrection to public view has been a sincere gratification to me—though I very much fear I shall disgrace myself and my Constituents; But if I do, it will be for want of Understanding, and not of integrity— The Prayers of Winslow and Cleverly, and Veazey are no suprize to...