13761[Titlepage] (Adams Papers)
Titlepage A Journal by John Quincy Adams Continuation From The Xth Of December To The Last Of The Same Month MDCCLXXIX
13762From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 11 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Opportunities for writing to you are now so frequent, that it is impossible, to avail ourselves of them all—They are indeed principally from Liverpool, through which place, I have for the last two Months and upwards sent Letters or despatches almost every week—There are however occasionally Vessels going from the Port of London, and by one of them I now write—I have determined to forward...
13763From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 10 June 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have just this morning received your kind favour of the 2d: instt: which at once confirmed my apprehensions, and in some degree relieved my anxiety—From the time that the Saturday pass’d over untill now I have had an aching heart, and although I learn from your letter that you had been very ill, yet to know you were on the recovery, and had pass’d what I had long looked forward to as a very...
137645th. (Adams Papers)
A Snowy day. Two Sermons from Hebrews XI. 1. Now faith is the Substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I should not conceive how one Sermon could be made out of this text, much less two. However, what with faith, and the immortality of the Soul they were made out. That ancient and celebrated Poet Homer, had taken notice of a place, which he called αδης and supposed it to...
1376517th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This day I dined at Mr. Rimberts with Mr. D. Return’d directly after dinner. Mr. Artaud stay’d There. Cloudy weather.
13766John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
My two Brothers, Leonard and Charles, will leave us tomorrow for Cambridge, and you would perhaps strike me from your books, was I to let them go without writing something: and as my inclination and my interest, are in this case, both on one side of the Question, I will say some thing, though it may not be worth your reading. You know not how often I have thought of you, and wish’d for you,...
1376728. (Adams Papers)
Diné chés Mr. W. Willink. Wilhem Willink of Wilhem and Jan Willink, one of the three Amsterdam banking houses which raised the first Dutch loan for the United States in 1782 ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 3:125 ; 2:451 ).
13768[Back Cover] (Adams Papers)
Mamma | | Letters to America Sister | Mamma | Brother | Sister | | Mr. Thaxter | | | | | | | | | | | | Tommy | Uncle Smith | Harry Warren | Pappa | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Josh Green | Charles | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cousin Billy | Col. Jonno | | Cousin Lucy Sammy | | | | | | | | | | | | George Warren
13769From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 9 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
Under the present circumstances of affairs in this Country, I did not think it prudent to make any unnecessary delay in England, and accordingly left London on the 28 th: of last month. Our passage to Helvoet was short though not agreeable; the packet being very much crowded with passengers. We were only three days from London to this place. I had been told in England, that I should perceive...
13770From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 3 December 1805 (Adams Papers)
This morning I had the satisfaction of receiving your kind letter of the 21st: ulto: which partly relieved me from the anxiety occasioned by the letter of a previous date from my brother, mentioning your illness and confinement—The weather has of late been so remarkably fine and mild in this quarter that I hope its benign influence has been extended to your regions, and has restored you...
1377126th. (Adams Papers)
I did not attend meeting this day—Employ’d myself chiefly in reading and writing. Mr. Weld preach’d for Mr. Wibird, and dined here. Miss Street and one of Captn. Beale’s sons, with Mr. J. Warren dined with us likewise. In the evening Mrs. Cranch and Dr. Tufts return’d from Boston. My uncle Smith has been for some time very ill of a complication of disorders. The Doctor thinks he is at present...
13772John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 23 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I hope you have duly received the letter which I wrote you, from New-York, giving you a regular account of my proceedings untill I reached that city.— T[he] packet on board of which I took passage was detained by adverse winds untill Friday , the 18 th: when we sailed at about 5 in the afternoon— Of all the passages by water that I ever made, this I think was the most perfectly pleasant; and...
137737th Thursday [–8th Friday]. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon at about 4 o’clock we passed thro’ Borgo Borga which is a small fortified town. We rode all night and arrived at about 7 o’clock in the morning on the 8th. at Helsingfors, a small town not very strongly fortified, but remarkable for the fortress of Sweaborg Sveaborg an island situated at about ¼ of a Swedish mile from Helsingfors and which they say is as strong as Gibraltar. At...
13774From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 31 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
By the last Post I sent you the Journal of my Voyage from Reval to this place, and at the close of it, had just time to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favour, and my dear Charles’s Letter of the 8th:—Mr Peyron arrived here only one day after me, and brought a Post-Office of Dispatches and letters for me, among which one and the most precious of all, was your’s of the 15th:—which with the...
1377524th Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Finished the 8th. and last volume of Hume’s history of England 327. pages. Mr. D. went to Mr Wolff’s in the forenoon, and dined at Mr. Rimberts. Mr. Artaud dined out also. Mr. D. receiv’d a letter from England in the afternoon. Cloudy weather. Stay’d at Home all day.
13776John Quincy Adams, Memorandum of Deeds of John Adams’s Estate, September 1826 (Adams Papers)
Deeds. Dates 1/3 1 Cotton Tufts—to John Adams 1802 February 18th. Book 17 page 42 April 1st. 1803 1/9 Richard Cranch & wife do. 1802 Book 18. p—14 March 29th 1802 1/9 Stephen Peabody & wife do. do. Book 18 page 100—August 7th 1802. 1/18
1377721st. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This day Count Greco, My travelling companion to Stockholm dined here. In the evening I went with Mr. Artaud to the Concert. An Italian gentleman of dubious reputation. Facts supplied by a Mr. W olff and later confirmed compelled Dana to write to JQA shortly after his departure from St. Petersburg. He asked JQA to leave the Count at the earliest opportunity, but until that time warned him to...
1377817th. (Adams Papers)
Three of us in the office were employ’d the whole day, in taking copies of the writs which are to be entered at the next Court; which will sit in this town next week. General Freeman pass’d through Town this day, and came to visit Mr. Parsons. In the afternoon I took a walk with Little. At home all the evening. Weather very cold.
1377919th. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Wibird, preach all day from Romans VIII. 1st. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The Ladies complain’d that it was an old one, which, had been delivered so many Times, that, they had it, almost by heart: indeed it is said Mr. Wibird has written but very few Sermons; and preaches them over and...
13780John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 6 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
“Our difficulties ended”!— Be it so.— But Faith is not one of the articles of which I possess a remarkable store.— I wish you may never have reason to consider as the commencement of difficulties, what you now regard as their termination. We shall have the means of conveyance to Lisbon.— Such as will perfectly well suit me; and such as you are willing to take up with.— But I do not like [to...
1378130th. (Adams Papers)
Staid at home the whole day. Doctor Tufts was here in the morning, on his road to Boston, and in the evening on his return. I took a nap in the afternoon, and had a strange dream. I cannot conceive where my imagination ransack’d the ideas, which prevailed at that time in my mind. This part of the action of the human soul, is yet to be accounted for: and perhaps has not been scrutinized with so...
1378214th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This morning when we got up we found our Thermometer stolen. In the forenoon Mr. D. and Mr. Artaud went to take a ride; we dined at Mr. Rimbert’s; Mr. Artaud supp’d out. In the evening Mr. Hoogwerst came to pay us a visit.
1378312th. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
We went only 3. swedish miles. Stay’d at the country house of Captain Anrinoff son in law to Mr. Hising, at Åmine.
13784From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday afternoon at four, we performed the last sad offices of mortality to the remains of Mr. Josiah Meigs—It was but the Sunday week before, that happening accidentally to attend the Morning worship at the second Presbyterian Church I had seen him there ordained a Ruling Elder —He was suddenly seized yesterday was a week, immediately after returning early in the morning from Alexandria,...
1378521st. (Adams Papers)
Quite still in the office this day. I read a good deal. This afternoon Amory arrived; and thus we are all five here. I called at Mr. Carter’s and desired him to take charge of a letter to W. Cranch. I pass’d an hour or two with Mr. Tufts. A very beautiful evening. William Amory, who briefly practiced law in Boston and Salem after leaving Parsons’ office the following spring ( Fleet’s Pocket...
13786John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your letters of May 20. and 25. have both reached me forwarded from London. The latter was brought by M r: Gore, who sent me at the same time the speech of M r: Ames which one of your letters mentions in terms of applause which I think it well deserves. After the apprehensions and anxiety, which the preceding accounts from America had excited, I was not a little gratified at the intelligence...
137874th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon Mr. Gonset came to pay us a visit. Mr. D and Mr. Artaud went to the shops, and bought some things. Mr. Artaud dined out. In the afternoon I went with Mr. Artaud to the Shops and bought some things. Fine weather.
13788December 31. 1782. (Adams Papers)
This morning I left Stockholm at about 9 o’clock A M. in company with the Count Greco and Mr. Fyrbergs a Swedish gentleman who intends to go as far as Norrkiöping. We arrived at Nykiöping at about 12. o’clock at Night, we stay’d there a couple of hours and then set out and arrived at Norrkiöping at about 2. o’clock P.M. First entry of D/JQA/6, which has no titlepage and consists of two 4¾″ ×...
13789John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 1 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here on Monday the 16/27 instant having left Amsterdam the N.S. 7th of July And rode the greatest part of the way day and night. The distance is about 2400 English Miles. The first place of any consequence we stopp’d at was Berlin the capital of the king of Prussia’s Dominions; this is a very pretty town, much more so than Paris, or London as Mr. Dana says; but it will be still more...
1379027th. (Adams Papers)
I perceive Charles has been guilty of a trick which I thought he would despise; that of prying into, and meddling with things which are nothing to him: and ungenerously looking into Papers, (which he knew I wished to keep private,) because I could not keep them under lock and key. If he looks here, he will feel how contemptible a spy is to himself, and to others. I visited Mr. Thaxter and Mr....
13791To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 8 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your indifference, as to the result of the Elections to the Presidency of the United States, and to the office of Governor of your own Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which I find avoided in your favour of 7. February is the best of all possible political symptoms—It proves, first that you consider all the Candidates as men likely to fill the respective Stations, if elected to them, with credit...
1379224th. (Adams Papers)
Thanksgiving day in the State of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw spent it in the upper Parish: the meeting house of which, being, one half in this State, and one half in the other they keep both. Ours will be three weeks from this day. I spent the whole evening at Mr. White’s. Miss Priscilla McKinstry was there, a very pretty, agreeable young Lady. I read to them 2 or three of Mrs. Aikin’s...
1379317th. (Adams Papers)
The Scholars are coming in very fast, and are almost all of them busy, in putting their new chambers in order, and moving. Very busy all day in papering Charles’s study, and part of mine, but before we finish’d the Paper fail’d us. Drank tea with Mead in his Chamber which is contiguous to mine. The Club are quite in a Dilemma, how to do since the boys are sent off. They are unwilling to send...
1379431st. (Adams Papers)
I paid a few visits in the morning. Dined with a pretty large Company at Mr. Duncan’s. After Dinner I went with Mr. W. White, and Leonard, and paid a visit to Mrs. Stoughton. Miss N. Sheaffe, was there, a celebrated Belle. Her appearance does not strike me; as extraordinary; she has a fine eye which gives her countenance a degree of animation. But her complexion is not clear, and she has no...
1379523d. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon I went into Paris. Saw Mr. West and Dr. Ruston who propose going to England, next week. I afterwards went to see for a Cabriolet; I saw several, but they ask 120 livres for the hire of one, from this place to L’Orient. Spent the evening with Mr. Jefferson, who is a great admirer of Ossian’s poems: which he thinks are indisputably genuine. The Poems of Ossian, Edinburgh, 1762,...
13796Saturday July the 14th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning at 6 o’clock we set off from Cologne for Coblentz where we arrived at about 6 o’clock P.M. As we could not get horses to go any farther, we stopp’d here, the distance is about 66. English miles. The roads this day were the best we have had since we left Utrecht. Our road, some part of the way was cut through the mountains on the banks of the Rhine; On these mountains we saw the...
13797John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 20 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
RC (Privately owned); addressed: “Mr: Bob Longer. In the paradise of fools.” Probably an abbreviation for “Robert Shorter” (that is, Bob Shorter), a comment on JQA ’s and Cranch’s relative heights.
1379814th. (Adams Papers)
Remained at home all day. Just at dusk Eliza came, up, and Leonard White with her. He brought me a Couple of Letters from my Cousin and brother. He came, only to keep Thanksgiving, for the winter Vacation, will not begin, before the first Wednesday in January. Letters not found.
137997th. (Adams Papers)
No reciting. Cranch went to Boston. The Commonwealth is in a State of considerable fermentation. Last week at Northampton, in the County of Hampshire, a body of armed men to the number of three or four hundred, pre vented the Court of common Pleas from sitting, and bruised the high-sheriff dangerously, as it is reported. The same Court was likewise stopp’d the day before yesterday, at...
13800John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Nov r: 26. Was not quite five months in reaching me. I received it about a week since, and as the first direct communication from you, since we sailed it was peculiarly acceptable, though it had been so long on the way. You have received before this time I presume, my letter of Feb y: 12. at least you are informed of the great changes which have taken place in the Government of...
1380121st. (Adams Papers)
We recite this week, and the next to Mr. Read; The juniors have now a leisure week; Mr. Hale having resign’d, and no other tutor being chosen in his stead. Every tutor when he resigns his office, has a right to nominate a person, for his successor; Mr. Hale nominated Mr. Paine the former Butler but they say he is too Popular among the scholars, to be chosen, there are four other gentlemen in...
138027th. (Adams Papers)
Went into Paris early in the morning. Called at the Hôtel d’Orleans, Rue St. Anne . Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Warburton, were going for England at Noon. Hotel d’Orleans, Palais Royal : Dr. Ruston found West there, and accompanied him, to the Diligence, Rue Montmartre; at 12 o’clock they all went off. I walk’d with Mr. Jarvis in the Palais Royal, and afterwards went and dined with him, at the hotel...
13803Monday August 27th. 1781. (Adams Papers)
This day at about 10 o’clock A.M. we arriv’d at St. Petersburg having left Narva yesterday morning at about 9 ½ o’clock. The roads in general are very good, the country in some part is sandy; but there it is almost all paved, the distance is about 145 Wersts.
13804From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 17 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
The proposal contained in your Letter of the 12th. instt. does equal honour to your head and to your heart—It shall be carried into effect; but I shall take upon myself a suitable portion of the expense necessary to that purpose—I shall immediately write to your uncle concerning it. The sum received for the Claim given you by your Grandfather, was three hundred and seventy dollars and forty...
13805From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 5 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this Letter, M r: D’Hauteval, is a french Gentleman from the Island of S t: Domingo, where he had lately the misfortune to lose a plantation of great value, by the devastation of the insurgent negroes. He has been about two months in this town, where I have frequently had the pleasure of meeting him in Company, and where his amiable manners have entitled him to as much esteem, as...
1380627th. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon I went into Paris with the Ladies; left them before the Jardin des Tuileries. Walk’d to the Hotel de Bretagne; West was out. Walk’d some time in the Palais Royal; and met Mr. Ruston, and soon after Mr. West. His arm is much better but still swolen.
13807John Quincy Adams to James Madison, 1 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
Your friendly Letter of the 24th. ulto is received, and the remark which you make in it respecting General Hamilton, as well as your own position, in the affairs of this Union from 1804 to 1814, induce me to request an appeal to your own recollections with regard to some of the facts involved in this controversy. And first let me premise that Mr Plumer’s testimony in the pamphlet which you...
13808From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 February 1805 (Adams Papers)
I have two or three letters from you which I am afraid will never be answered in the manner all your letters deserve to be answered; but I know you will make all the proper allowances for my situation, and the shortness of my Time.—There is however a question or two which I can no longer delay to answer.—And first; respecting the enlargement of the Meeting-House, I have to say that I cannot...
1380911th. (Adams Papers)
We recite again to Mr. Read this week, and shall probably the whole of this Quarter. I finished the first part of my forensic. We had in the Evening, a meeting of the A. B. We had no Oration, Abbot 2d. being necessarily detained. Little and Cranch gave us a Forensic. I read my N: 3. (p: 38.) Several other Pieces were read, after which we determined to admit Abbot, Gordon, and Dodge, of the...
13810To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 25 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the satisfaction of receiving your favour of 1. March, after the interval of nearly a year during which I had not enjoyed the same pleasure. I well know how irksome it is to sit down and write, with so many restraints upon the pen, that we must be in perpetual anxiety, not what to say, but what to omit—But one of the comforts that I always derive from your letters, and which...