14601From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Welsh, 6 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
We have just learnt the afflicting dispensation which has befallen you, and while forwarding the enclosed Letter to your daughter I cannot forbear adding the assurance of the deep sympathy which I feel with you on this melancholy occasion—May you, and all your children, be comforted under this bereavement with all the consolations, that earth can afford, or Heaven bestow—Prays / Your...
14602To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 10 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received at once your letters 11. and 13. March—and 22. and 23. April—They were brought by Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard, who arrived here on the 21st: of July. I am always grateful for your advice, which I know proceeds from the kindest affection, and combines the wisdom of this World, with that which comes from a higher source—You have offered me all the Consolations of Religion and of...
146038th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Artaud went out on hunting. Mr. D. went in the forenoon and took a ride. In the afternoon went to Mr. Colombi’s but found he was not at home. Took a walk upon the quay. Fine clear weather.
1460413th. (Adams Papers)
Went down and staid part of the forenoon, at the Office. Drank tea at Mr. Apthorp’s. A man of a strange character. I intended when I came from Cambridge to have written, a great deal during this Vacation, but I find there is continually something or other happens to prevent me; so that I begin to fear, I shall do but very little.
14605From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
I persist in writing to you by every Post, because I flatter myself that it will give you pleasure to hear from me as often as possible—I continue to write you long Letters, because one of the greatest enjoyments I have is that of writing to you, and because I trust that whatever they might be to any one else, I trust they will not be dull to you . In this respect, I judge of your feelings by...
1460610th. (Adams Papers)
We had a Lecture at 10 this forenoon from Mr. Williams, explaining the theory of the motion of the Earth and Moon. The astronomical lectures that we have already received, do not entirely answer my expectations; I have as yet got from them very little more than I knew before.
14607From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 26 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Upon your return to Cambridge at the beginning of your Senior year, I wish to remind you of your father’s hopes and wishes by a word of encouragement and advice—Although upon the half-yearly list in June last your standing in your Class was not so high as you had expected, and I had flattered myself it would be, yet the testimonial of President Kirkland, both with regard to your conduct, and...
1460822d. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went with Mr. Artaud to the English Library and took out Watson’s history of Phillip the second and the life of Garrick. We went to the shops. In the afternoon we went and bought a pair of buckles for me. Went to Mr. Rimbert’s for the Gazette but it was not there. Mr. Artaud went in the evening to the concert. Snowy weather all day. Begun Vol. I. of the history of Phillip II....
14609From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 20 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Our interval of leisure still continues—The British Messenger who took our last Note to England has not yet returned, but may now be expected from day to day. The policy of protracting, and avoiding a conclusion of any kind cannot be much longer continued—If as we have too much reason to apprehend there has been no sincerity in the late advances from that government towards conciliation we...
14610John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 31 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received at once, and with the utmost pleasure your two Letters of the 7 th: and 14 th: of this month. The tenderness and affection with which you assure me that you participate in my anxieties, sheds among them a gleam of the purest consolation The American Election is decided, and has been declared in the manner which I have mentioned to you in former Letters. All my friends here...
14611[December 1787] (Adams Papers)
I dined at Mr. White’s; after dinner I went to Mr. Shaw’s, stay’d about an hour, and just before Sun-set, departed for Newbury-Port. I got into the town just as the clock struck seven. Pass’d the evening with Putnam; and came home at about 9. I found Dr. Kilham, at home: he return’d from Boston on Thursday; and although his conduct during the late session of the general court, upon the subject...
14612John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am afraid you will think I was negligent in not writing more than I did by so good an opportunity as my brother Charles, but I hope you will excuse me as a journey of two thousand of our miles of which I had not the least thought a week before I set out was the only reason for it, so that I had not time to write before I left Holland, as all my time was employed in getting ready to go. We...
14613John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
You will receive enclosed with this, a duplicate of my letter, relative to your annual account, and a literary letter of this date, containing an account of an interview between Frederic 2. and the poet Gellert, which I hope will amuse you.— If you chuse, it may be published as one of the letters on various topics of foreign literature. At the same time with your accounts, I received a couple...
146143d. (Adams Papers)
Wednesday, and Monday, are our two busiest days in the Week. Every minute is employ’d. This morning at 6. We went into Prayers after which we immediately recited. This took us till 7 ¼. At 7 ½ we breakfasted, at 10, we had a Lecture on Divinity from Mr. Wigglesworth. It was upon the Wisdom of all God’s actions, and justifying those parts of Scripture which some, have reproached, as contrary to...
14615From John Quincy Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 11 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
I regret much that an usage, which has been uniformly observed since the existence of our Government, interdicts me the pleasure which I should take in complying with your request to furnish a Letter of Introduction, for Mr Greig to some person in London. Praying to be remembered affectionately to my Niece, I remain / Dear Sir, your friend and humble Servt MHi : Alexander B. Johnson Letters.
1461628th. (Adams Papers)
The sharpest day we have had, this Season. Dined at Mr. Duncan’s, in Company, with Miss P. White, E. Cranch, and Nancy, Mr. Moores, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Thaxter, Mr. Tyler and his brother. Spent the afternoon and part of the Evening there. I wonder, how it happens, that almost every kind of Conversation, that may be of any use to persons, is excluded from polite Companies every where; is it...
14617From John Quincy Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 5 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 30th: ulto. informing me of my having been elected President of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Under the encouragement of your obliging promise, to supply in the discharge of the duties of this Office, the deficiencies, unavoidable, from the Circumstances of my present situation, I accept it with a grateful sense of the favour by which it has been...
1461812th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon Mr. Peyron came to see us. Mr. D. went to Mr. Wolff’s. Mr. Colombi came here. Dined at Mr. Rimbert’s. After dinner we went and took a ride to Catharinen hoff. This is the same holiday here, as long-champs at Paris. Catarinenhoff or Katarinenhof, a palace, located south and west of St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland, built in 1703 by Peter the Great and named after his wife the...
14619John Quincy Adams, Mount Wollaston farm minutes, 6 August 1826 (Adams Papers)
Mount Wollaston farm Minutes William Coddington conveyed to William Tynge from 1639 to 1643. Anna Tynge, daughter of William, Married Ths. Shepard Anna, their daughter, married Daniel Quincy. Anna Shepard, by Will in 1709. devised the Estate, to John Quincy, her grandson—Son of Daniel Quincy, and Anna his wife. MHi : Adams Papers.
14620[March 1788] (Adams Papers)
The weather is very severe: The month comes in like a Lion, and according to the farmer’s proverb it must go out like a Lamb. I passed my evening in contemplation, and in writing at home; and have very Little to say for this day. We had no meeting at Parson Carey’s. I was employ’d in writing all the forenoon; but after dinner, went to hear Mr. Spring. The speculative sentiments of this...
14621From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
A long interval without the receipt of letters from you, I have always found too sure an indication that when they come they would bring sorrows with them—I had been upwards of three months without receiving a line from Quincy when, on the 29th: of last Month I received together with several other letters and dispatches from Washington, but no others from Quincy your afflicting, but most kind...
146222d. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Artaud out all day. In the afternoon the youngest Mr. Montréal came here, went and took a walk in the Jardin d’été, where I found Mr. Gonset, very fine weather.
14623From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 27 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
My Nephew and Secretary of Legation Mr J. A. Smith, upon his arrival here on the 10th. Instant, delivered to me your kind favours of the 30th. Septbr. and 23d October, the latter enclosing copies of two Letters of recommendation upon which you suppose he obtained the appointment. My sentiments upon this subject have not been concealed from you, but as the President has thought proper to place...
1462425th. (Adams Papers)
Almost all this Day was employ’d in preparing for the exhibition. The musical Parts take up some time. We had in the afternoon a Lecture from Mr. Pearson, upon Philosophical Grammar.
14625To John Jay from John Quincy Adams, 14 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
Mr. Vall-travers informs me that he intends going to London, where he purposes paying his respects to you. I have therefore requested him to take charge of a packet for the Secretary of State, which I have taken the Liberty of enclosing to your care, according to the permission, you were pleased to give me on the day of my departure from London. The opportunities of sending to America from...
1462631st. (Adams Papers)
High Wind, directly contrary. The Vessel roll’d so much that most of the passengers were sick. We saw yesterday a great number of Porpoises, which according to the opinion of Seamen in general, is always a certain sign of much wind. We have made very little progress as yet. Mr. Halley our second Lieutenant is a young man, under 20. He has pass’d a great part of his time at Sea, and is much of...
1462715th. (Adams Papers)
Was excused from attending meeting this day: being somewhat unwell. Finished the first volume of Burlamaqui in the forenoon. Bridge was at my chamber after dinner.
14628From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 11 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday enclosed you a letter from Adelaide, under a blank cover, because I was all the morning writing to my brother, and when I came to enclose the letter to you, it was so late that I had not time to add a line with it—I now send a letter from Kitty for Caroline, and must tell you that we are well; excepting Mrs: Boyd’s child which continues in the same State of illness from time to...
146299. (Adams Papers)
Charles and Otis were here. Got up shelves.
14630To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 19 April 1811 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing you last on the 8th February I have been informed that a commission has been sent to Count Pahlen for a temporary mission to the court of Brazil and that an optional authority is given him to go there immediately if he thinks proper. He is not however recalled from his mission to the United States and during his absence he is to leave Mr. Politico as chargé des...
14631John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 17 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Our winds are now contrary, and as they changed with the moon they may be three weeks as they are; which would by no means be mon compte . I am not sorry however that they have come round, because, I shall not lose my Letters from Paris, which I should have regretted extremely, if I had been obliged to leave them. When I went to see Mr. Barclay yesterday, he told me to have my baggage carried...
14632From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 16 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I received this morning your Letter from Wilmington, delighted to learn that you had got well on thus far—I send this to catch you at New-York—We are all as comfortably well as we can be without you—Antoine seems pretty well recovered. I got a Letter from W. S. Smith off Cape Henry, dated the 8th. Catherine had had a spice of Sea Sickness and got over it—W. D. Robinson by missing time had...
14633Tuesday 18th. (Adams Papers)
Felt better to day. We all dined at home to day. We expect to set out for Bayonne on Thursday. Nothing remarkable to day.
14634John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 27 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I should have answered your last favour, ere this [but in?] [conse]quence of the information you gave me, I went to Haverhill [last?] Thursday and returned but the day before yesterday. Regularly the Sunday is my scribbling day, but as there are several opportunities for sending at present, I [can]not suffer the week to pass over without noticing you, and must there fore [steal?] an hour or...
1463526th. (Adams Papers)
At home as usual all the evening. Read a little in Gibbon; wrote in the same slavish way as I have done now for more than three years. But I feel dull, and low spirited. I have neither, that insatiable ambition, nor that ardor for pursuing the means to gratify it, which not long ago, was an argument which my vanity offered my mind, to prove, that if life should be given me, it would not be, to...
1463611th. (Adams Papers)
A fresh breeze, and good wind, at about 11 o’clock, we spy’d a sail, and at ¾ after 12 we spoke to her. Found her to be an English Schooner from New York, bound to Jamaica. She left New York five days ago, and they suppose her at 69d. 40m. Longitude meridian of London which is two degrees, thirty minutes, west from Paris. Our Captain supposes us, at 72d. 55m. from Paris: which makes 45...
14637From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Nichols who gave the promissary note of which I now enclose the duplicate saild in the Chauncy from Ostend for Newyork on the first of this month—By the same Vessel I wrote you a Letter of which the within is a copy, and conformably to which I wish you to obtain payment and so dispose of the money. I retain the triplicate in my own hand, of the note, and request you to give me notice as...
1463816th. (Adams Papers)
The most violent snow storm, that has appeared in the course of the winter, it began in the night, and continued, all this day. In the evening it cleared up. Townsend was not out. Amory and I dined with Mr. Parsons. Captain Hodge likewise was of the company. I wrote a Letter in the afternoon; or rather part of a Letter to W. Cranch. From the office, we went, and pass’d an hour with Mrs....
1463913. (Adams Papers)
Went to Milton. Put up books.
14640To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 2 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
The last Letters I have had the pleasure of receiving from you are those of 1. and 2. July, and excepting them and others of the same period, from my Mother and Brother, I have nothing from America dated later than June—The Communications are now nearly annihilated, and but for the return of the Gentlemen who came out here on the extraordinary Mission, and that of their companions I should be...
14641From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 July 1826 (Adams Papers)
We arrived on Wednesday Evening at Boston, and yesterday Morning came out here. The weather until last Evening was the very extremity of the Season, but has now turned cool—All here are well—George came out with us from Boston—You have doubtless received the Letters from Mr Quincy and from George, written after my fathers decease, and have seen the copy of my father’s will—I propose to accept...
14642From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Your two Letters of Journal from New-York were duly received and afforded me much amusement—The illness of the Coachman came so mal àpropos, that I believe you determined upon the best thing that could be done, including to go in a Packet to Providence—I hope you have long before this safely arrived at Quincy, and that the health of all has been recruited by the Journey. Among the Strangers...
14643Tuesday 25th. (Adams Papers)
Set away at about 9 o clock. At about half after 9 began to Snow. Snow’d 2 hours. Went 45 miles to day.
1464430th. (Adams Papers)
I went up to the office, in the morning, and sat a couple of hours; but I felt restless and dissipated: I could not study, and therefore walk’d down in town and saunter’d about. Dined with G. Bradbury and Charles at Mr. Hooper’s. He is very sanguine in his hopes for the adoption of the Constitution. Pass’d the evening at Mr. Bradbury’s. Dr. Smith and all his family were there. We had some...
14645From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
Although since I last wrote to my brother, on the 6th: instt: we have neither received a line from America, nor had an opportunity of transmitting a letter to any place from which it could be dispatched to you; yet remembering my engagement never to suffer a month to pass without writing at least once to you, and once to him, and perceiving that as it applies to you, I am within one day of a...
146466th. (Adams Papers)
We met in the evening at Putnam’s chamber. I did not pass my time so agreeably as I usually do these evenings. Townsend and Amory were there, and instead of devoting our hours to free and unrestrained conversation, we lost them in playing on the violin, and flute. Between 9 and 10 we retired.
14647To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 3 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few lines from New-York, enclosing a copy of Commodore Morris’s Defence, for Mr: Shaw—The day after which I left that City and came on multum jactatus mare et terris—to Philadelphia in the Land Stage, and thence to Baltimore by the way of Newcastle and Frenchtown; chiefly by water—a mode of conveyance to me much more agreeable than that of a Stage Coach over the chaotic roads on...
146483. (Adams Papers)
Cicero de Senectute. Getting well. Cicero’s Cato Major de Senectute , or Essay on Old Age.
14649From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
Another month is drawing to a close, since I last wrote you, and I remain without a line from you or form any of my friends in America—The last Letters from you that I have received are dated in April of the last year. But as opportunities for writing to you, still occur, and at least as frequently as they did during the Winter Season before the War; and as the Americans who are returning home...
14650To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 27 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I received two or three days since your favours of March 26. April 21. and 26. all together, and I know not how to express the pleasure they gave me. The first and dearest of all my wishes is personally to give satisfaction and obtain the approbation of my parents, and in a public capacity to justify the confidence placed in me by the appointment I now hold. This wish is in both parts so...