13561From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 10 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
We have an interesting question whether by the “middle of the week” which in your Journal of last Saturday you mentioned as the time when you expected to reach home, you intended the middle of this week or of the next—If of the present it is already here; but then your last Journal which is of Tuesday, was written in expectation of hearing from one, which you doubtless did the next Morning. I...
135629th. (Adams Papers)
Dr. Witherspoon visited the President in the morning. I went with Mr. Söderström out of town about a mile, to Mr. Bayard’s, who has two fine Daughters, the eldest, to whom I was introduced last evening by Miss Livingston, was gone to Town; the other was there. I see with much pain that the connections of almost all the finest girls in and about N. York, were of the british party during the...
1356310th. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. Mr. Burr, preach’d two very good sermons. Dined at Mr. Dana’s, in Company with Mr. Parsons of Newbury-Port: a man of great wit, as well as of sound judgment and deep learning. I was at Mr. Wiggles worth’s in the evening with Beale; but Peggy was not at home. The weather has been very warm this day. The thermometer was at 83. After graduation, JQA studied law with...
13564From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 17 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letters of 20 May and 4 June have been received together with others to my wife and the children which they have answered and will answer for themselves. Hitherto since our arrival in London, I have been obliged to rely upon their punctuality in answering your Letters, as an apology for the temporary deficiency of mine. Besides the multitude of trifling but indispensable avocations...
1356516th. (Adams Papers)
We had this morning, a forensic dispute, upon the Question, Whether the immortality of the human Soul be probable from natural Reason. My Inclination coincided, with my duty, and I read the following piece in the affirmative. “That there is in Man, an interior Power, far different, and vastly superior, to that possess’d by any other being, of the animal Creation, no one I believe will deny to...
1356613th. (Adams Papers)
This morning, immediately after prayers, the president informed us that the vacation would begin at present, and be for 8 weeks, and hinted that the spring vacation, might on that account be omitted. As I thought I should be able to study much more conveniently here than any where else; I obtained leave to remain in town. Bridge proposes staying likewise, and we shall live together. In the...
1356725th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. D took a ride in the forenoon. Finished the second and last volume of Watson’s history of Phillip the II. 437. pages. Cloudy weather.
13568From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 17 August 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Letter from Ballston, with the greater pleasure, as it gives a better account of your health, than that of the 7th. instt. from Cedar Grove. I am also glad to perceive that you had met Dr Hurtt, and no doubt received from him the Letter which I wrote you by him, from Boston—I have since written twice to you, and once to Charles, and addressed the Letters to Lebanon,...
1356930th. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Hilliard all day upon Acts. VII. 9. And the patriarchs moved with envy sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him. The Sermons were good, but there is such, a sameness in almost all the Sermons, I hear preach’d, that they are Seldom very entertaining to me. Dined at Mr. Dana’s, with his brother in Law Mr. Hastings, Captn. Hobby, and two Seniors, Dwight, and Harris. Mrs. Dana,...
1357013th. (Adams Papers)
This morning the President intended to take a sail down to Sandy-Hook, for the recovery of his Health, but found himself so unwell, that he could not go; the Virginia Delegates went, and Mr. Harrison went down also with his uncle, who came from England in the last British Packet, but finding his Estate here confiscated, sails for England this day. I went early in the morning to Mr. de...
135716th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams gave us another Lecture upon heat; and introduced a new System of his own. But the heat being increased in the Chamber, by a small fire, which was necessary for making the experiments, and by the breath of an hundred Persons, as sembled in it, became almost insupportable, Thompson fainted completely, and was carried away to his chamber.
1357215th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon Mr. D. went and took a walk. In the afternoon he rode out. Walked in the garden in the evening. Cloudy weather.
1357320th. (Adams Papers)
Cranch went to Boston this day, and brought me back, another large packet from my Sister, inclosing a Poem written, by Coll. Humphreys, on the happiness of America, addressed to the Citizens of the States. There is a great brilliancy of Imagination, I think display’d in it, and he is somewhat poetical, in describing the happiness, that reigns in this Country; but the poem I take to be a very...
1357414th. (Adams Papers)
Paris. At the post; paid 235. livres for a parcel of packets. Walk’d in the Palais Royal. Large Company. Few Ladies.
135753d. (Adams Papers)
Visited the Consul in the morning, and spent an hour with him. At about noon I left Boston, and went before dinner as far as Milton. When I got there, I found Mrs. Warren had just left it with her son Charles for Boston where he is now gone to embark; the vessel is to sail on monday or Tuesday. I dined with the genl., and his three remaining sons, James, Harry, and George. The genl. bought...
13576From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 5 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your Journal of 31st. July and 1st. instt. is received. I enclose you another Check for 100 Dollars, that you may be payable want of funds, if you should finally conclude to go on to Quincy—But besides the doubts which are mentioned in your Letter, arising from the situation of your brother, I have others since I have this day learnt that the yellow fever is in New-York—my fathers invitation...
135775th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
Stay’d at home all day. Mr. D. walk’d out in the forenoon. Changeable weather.
1357810th. (Adams Papers)
The Course of Philosophical Lectures was closed, with one, giving an explanation of the Orrery, and as an Introduction, to the astronomical Course, which we shall have next Quarter. I went also, and heard a Lecture from Dr. Waterhouse, upon digestion. I have nearly Lost this day; strol’d about with White in the afternoon. Cranch went to Boston. After Tea, we walk’d, half, an hour and then...
1357928th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Read set out in the afternoon to return to Cambridge. In the Evening Mr. Cranch returned from Boston, and Lucy and her brother from Haverhill.
1358020th. (Adams Papers)
Mlle: Remaldi, appeared last night at the Italian Comedy, for the first time, in the part of Lyse , in le jugement de Midas , and succeeded very well. By Thomas Hales, known as d’Hèle, Paris, 1778, with music by André Grétry ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ).
13581John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received at Töplitz, on the 3 d: of last month, your kind favour of 12. June, which I did not immediately answer, because I was then in bed, with a fever, which however confined me, only for about ten days, and since then my health has again been very good.— The principal motive of our Journey to Töplitz, I wrote you before I left Berlin. It was on account of my wife’s health, and with the...
13582From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 December 1809 (Adams Papers)
The messages from the Governor of the island of Bornholm, which I mentioned in my last were sent and received, in the midst of a brisk gale of wind, while we were stretching to and from the shore of the island, under close reefed top-sails—Close under the high lands of the Coast, the boats were able to come out to the ship, but she could not lay to there without drifting beyond the length of...
1358326th. (Adams Papers)
I stroll’d about the town almost all the forenoon; dined with Coll. Monroe, and Mr. Hardy, from Virginia. Mr. A. Lee left town in the afternoon. I walk’d with Mr. Gerry and Mr. King till 7 o’clock, when I went and called on Mr. Mölich who returned last evening from his trip into the Country. Sat with him till about 9.
13584[13th.] (Adams Papers)
Friday, visited the curiosities at Chantilly. Arrived at Paris. The Adamses visited the seat of the Prince of Condé and saw his kennel, stables, theater, and gardens ( same Journal and Correspondence of Miss Adams, Daughter of John Adams,... edited by Her Daughter [Caroline Amelia (Smith) de Windt], New York and London, 1841-[1849]; 3 vols. , p. 11–14).
1358529th. (Adams Papers)
A number of us spent the evening at Dr. Swett’s. I play’d on the flute, an hour or so. I have heretofore mentioned Mrs. Swett. The Doctor perhaps may come under the denomination of a reformed rake: in his youth he was wild; but he has become quite a useful man: Such instances are rare!
1358626. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Shaw. Cranch and Phillips.
13587From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 24 July 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received your kind Letters of 11. 12 and 16 instt—I wrote to you at New–York and on the 14th. and 16th. from this place—the last by Thomas Hellen—Since then I have been so much occupied in making the arrangements for the disposal of my father’s Estate, but three fourths of my time has been absorbed by Company—Not a day passes without visitors, and after nine O’Clock in the Morning...
1358830th. (Adams Papers)
Called upon the Massachusetts delegates in the morning, and afterwards upon those of Virginia. Dined with a large Company, at the president’s. He entertains three times a week, and has commonly about 25 persons at his table; all men. I was introduced to Captain Kortright who it is said has two fine Sisters. I went and spent the evening with Mr. Mölich who leaves this place to morrow for...
13589From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
More than four months have again passed away, since I have received a line from you, and nearly seven since the date of your last Letter—I should feel this less severely, if that and your other most recent letters had not left a source of uneasiness upon my mind, which nothing but more agreeable information can remove—Although the communication direct from this Country to the United States was...
1359019th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was dull, gloomy, and part of the day rainy. Amory invited me to dine with him and Stacey and Azor Orne at Davenport’s, but I did not feel inclined that way. I call’d at Mrs. Hooper’s in the evening and spent a couple of hours with Townsend. The lads who dined at Davenport’s warm’d themselves so well with Madeira, that at about seven o’clock this evening, they all set out upon an...
13591From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 26 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 14th: came to hand Saturday Evening—24th: I suppose you were not inconsolable at the loss of your election, and that your expectations had not been raised very high of a different issue—As to the electoral Ticket, I am certainly not one of those who can say I told you so—Nor am I one of those who can say I am not sorry for it—But I do not think crimination against any body can be...
1359216. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Norton. He dined with us.
13593Wednesday [18th.] (Adams Papers)
Coll. Humphreys arrived. David Humphreys , a former aide-decamp to Washington, was appointed on 12 May secretary to the Commission (which included JA , Franklin, and Jefferson) to negotiate treaties of amity and commerce with foreign powers ( DAB Allen Johnson and Dumas Malone, eds., Dictionary of American Biography , New York, 1928-1936; 20 vols, plus index and supplements. ; JCC Worthington...
13594[June 1781] (Adams Papers)
Got up in the morning at about 6 o’clock, and set myself to work; breakfasted at half past seven on tea. At about 1 o’clock Pappa came from the Hague; and ask’d me if I wou’d go to Amsterdam with him; I told him I would, with all my heart. He then told me, that I must put up some clothes and get ready before dinner, and come to dine with him at the Sign of the Golden Lion, all which I did....
1359530. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A. went to Boston. Charles to Cambridge.
135969th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Pickman and Thompson, at Mr. Parsons’s upon Salmon, which begin now to be caught in the river. We did not do much business in the afternoon. I called upon Putnam, after taking a walk with Thompson, but Putnam was engaged for the evening; so that I soon came home to my lodgings.
13597From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 10 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
Receiving on Sunday your rebuke for the blank covers I had forwarded to you, I should have it more severely had I not concluded that about the same hour you would be receiving from me the proof that I had not been altogether so remiss as you had supposed. We have had since the beginning of the month such a succession of roasters, day and night that I have felt myself almost reduced to the...
13598From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
List of Keys, left at Quincy by J. Q. Adams—with T. B. A. 1. Padlock large French trunk— marked J. Q. A. 2. Chest—not painted do 3. Chest do do 4. Mahogany box— 5. Small black trunk 6. Trunk de la Volaille 7. Large Hair Trunk. MHi : Adams Papers.
135996. (Adams Papers)
Went to Milton with Wm. Cranch. He dined with us.
1360023d. (Adams Papers)
Pickman had agreed to go with me, and hear Parson Tucker preach this forenoon; but some circumstance prevented him; so I went alone. The Dr. gave us a very good sermon upon the education of children. I went home with Mr. Tracey to dinner, and Pickman soon came in. We dined and pass’d the afternoon with Mr. Tracey. This gentleman, was in the course of the war, peculiarly fortunate and...
1360120. (Adams Papers)
Went to Mr. Cranch’s. Mrs. C. gone to Boston.
13602Saturday 5th of August 1780 (Adams Papers)
This morning Pappa brother Charles and myself went to see a Gentleman for whom Pappa had Letters: he invited us to dine with him. After that we went to see the city. We saw the statue of Erasmus, he is in the Grande Place, he holds a book in his hand, there are four inscriptions under it, two in Latin and two in dutch: we walk’d about the town, and came back at about twelve o clock, we went...
1360313th. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. Dined at Mr. Thaxter’s with Mr. J. Duncan. And in the afternoon, after service: we took a long walk. When we return’d to Mr. Thaxter’s we found Mr. Bartlett and his wife and Leonard White there. Mr. Parsons came in soon after. He is going to attend the Supreme Court, who will sit this week at Concord. The conversation soon turned upon political subjects; I knew we...
1360410. (Adams Papers)
Got to Newbury-Port. Ordination. Dancing. John Andrews, JQA ’s frequent companion, was ordained associate minister of the First Religious Society of Newburyport, to assist the ailing Rev. Thomas Cary ( Currier, Newburyport John J. Currier, History of Newburyport, Massachusetts, 1764-1905 , Newburyport, 1906-1909; 2 vols. , 1:253).
1360519th. (Adams Papers)
The troops from this Town, went this afternoon to Waltham, from whence, they are to proceed to-morrow towards Worcester. After tea, I went with Bridge, Williams and Learned to Mystic, and had a very good dance. There were several very fine girls; but being entirely unacquainted with them all, I could not be very sociable with them. A Miss Dixey struck me, as being uncommonly beautiful; but...
13606John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 7 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 20 th: of last month, which I received a few days ago has taken from my bosom one of its heaviest weights. The imputation of unkindness to you, was one of those which it was least able to bear with fortitude, and to be relieved from which would alone have been equivalent to the most delicious gratification. Besides which it is full of the tenderness which I love and the...
136073d. (Adams Papers)
I this day got through the 4th. volume of Blackstone’s Commentaries a second time, and I imagine I have derived no less benefit from a second perusal, than I did from the first. I have been longer about it than I wish’d, but the interruption of an whole fortnight by a Journey prolonged the time which I took for reading this book, greatly. In the evening I took a long walk with Pickman and...
13608John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry that we are again obliged to postpone our visit to you at Quincy, as George is this day breaking out with the meazles— His symptoms however are favourable, and we hope he will have the disorder lightly.— I send out by William the two turkies and a fish. There is no Cod at market, for which reason I send a haddock— You will also receive a Rochefort cheese enclosed in a leaden cover—...
13609Sunday. Novr. 30th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Bingham’s.
13610From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 30 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received from President Kirkland, his answer to my enquires respecting your standing as a Scholar in your Class, and it confirms the Statement made by yourself—Your number upon the general scale, at the close of the last term was 24—In the course of one half year, you had risen from 45. This result has opened my heart to the cheering hope, that you will yet redeem a standing worthy of...