14651To 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...
1465220th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons went yesterday to Boston, to attend the supreme Judicial Court. This evening I past with Thompson, at Mrs. Emery’s. Miss Smith and Miss Putnam were there. We play’d cards about an hour; after which Miss Emery play’d us a number of tunes very agreeably upon the harpsichord. I had another match with Miss Putnam at complimenting, and succeeded tolerably well.
14653From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 9 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr Smith and his family have arrived at Amsterdam; I have received a Letter from him dated on the 5th: instt: and have written to him, requesting him to come with them, immediately here. They got into the Texel on the very day that the John Adams sailed, and by the account which he writes me, were entering at one passage, while she was going out at the other—He did not however go on shore at...
14654Wednesday 26th. (Adams Papers)
Prepared everything for the journey. In the afternoon pappa went to Dr. Franklin’s for a Passport. At this time American ministers were empowered to issue passports to Americans traveling in the country to which they were accredited ( Adams Family Correspondence Adams Family Correspondence , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1963- . , 4:xv ).
14655John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 3 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your’s of the 31st of Jany. in whic you desir’d me to write you a few lines now and then to inform you of my progress in Literature. I have just finish’d Copying a Treatise upon Greek by Mr. Hemsterhuis which our master has been so good as to lend me. It is very rare and there are but very few exemples of it here, and I believe that you would be very much pleas’d with it....
1465610th. (Adams Papers)
Pass’d the evening and supped with Thompson at Dr. Sawyer’s. Mr. Russell was there: he came from Portsmouth this morning and returns to Boston with Mrs. Hay, to’morrow. We play’d Quadrill. Mr. Farnham took an hand; and is skilled, in all the trifling conversation of a card-table. Every one, it is said possesses his peculiar excellence. Mr. Farnham’s talent lies in the science of politeness. He...
1465727. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons went to Boston. Wrote. Mr. Cabot &c.
14658Sunday [9th.] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Dr. Jebbs. John Jebb , doctor of medicine, encyclopedic scholar, and a thoroughgoing supporter of America from the outset of the quarrel between England and her colonies. JA described him as a man “for whom I have the highest Esteem; as one of the best Citizens of the little Commonwealth of the just upon Earth” (Caroline Robbins, The Eighteenth-Century Commonwealthman ..., Cambridge,...
14659John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
By the present opportunity, I send you a few pamphets which may give you some entertainment in the perusal, and newspapers from which you will collect the current intelligence. For my own part I have been here so long in idleness that I have almost entirely doff’d the world aside and bad it pass.— You will observe in the papers a pretended preliminary convention for a pacification between...
1466018. (Adams Papers)
Training. Unwell out of spirits. Foster.
146616th. (Adams Papers)
Very cold this morning, Freeman went for Ipswich. Mr. Andrews called upon us in the afternoon. I got through Montesquieu’s spirit Laws; and I much admire the author’s penetration, in discovering the origin, and causes of diverse Laws in diverse Countries, and in the same Country, at different periods. His ideas of the principles, upon which the different forms of government are founded, appear...
14662John Quincy Adams to Elizabeth Cranch, 23 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I came yesterday as far as Boston with Sister Lucy, who is employ’d in fixing me off: I came here in the afternoon finally to settle. Your Brother goe to Boston this morning, and I have but a few minutes to write. All at Braintree are well, Mr. Tyler’s Windmill is to be raised this day. There’s another thing, that you would never let me know. I have got a number of articles of impeachment,...
1466331. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Prince. Mr. Marquand’s. Mr. Jackson’s. Religious tattoo. At the bottom of the page of line-a-day entries for Aug. 1788, but not necessarily referring to the date of 31 Aug., appears the following note: “Memorandum: Stacey borrow’d book, for Ipswich.”
14664Thursday Novr. 13th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. J. Johnson. In the evening we went to see the Transactions of the Royal Society; but unluckily we happened to come on a very barren Night: nothing was read, except a dry, unphilosophical account of the late Earthquake in Calabria: after which we went and supp’d with the Club at the London Coffee House. Joshua Johnson (1742–1802) , Maryland merchant, who undertook various...
14665To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 9 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 May 1801, Berlin. No. 192. Reports having had audience with king on 5 May, when he delivered his letter of recall and took leave. “I assured him according to my instructions of the sincere wishes of the American government that the friendship and harmony subsisting between the two Nations might be continued; and he directed me to transmit the assurances of the same disposition on his part,...
1466622. (Adams Papers)
H. Lincoln. Dined with Mr. T. Mr. B’s.
14667[Revised Titlepage] (Adams Papers)
Revised titlepage located on the inside front cover of D/JQA/1. This titlepage and the first page of entries in the Diary are reproduced in this volume (see the Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 1).
14668Tuesday Decr. 2d. (Adams Papers)
This day my father dined out; in the evening I went to the Drury Lane Theatre, had the Beaux Stratagem with the Ladies Frolick. George Farquhar’s The Beaux’ Strategem , London, 1707; The Ladies’ Frolick , London, 1770, by James Love, pseudonym for James Dance ( Biographia Dramatica David Erskine Baker and others, eds., Biographia Dramatica; Or, A Companion to the Play House ... , London,...
1466910th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Paine was ordained, minister of Charlestown, but as it snow’d all the fore part of the day, I did not attend. Cabot, the junior was here: I am still pursuing the study of algebra; which is as entertaining as it is useful. I could wish I had time for pro ceeding in all the mathematical branches of Science: but the time will soon come, when I shall be called to studies of a very different...
1467028th. (Adams Papers)
Took a long walk in the morning with my Cousin and the Ladies. When we return’d we found, my brother Charles, with Mrs. Hillard and her daughter; who dined here, and return’d to Cambridge in the afternoon. We all drank tea, at Mr. Apthorp’s, and pass’d the evening there: this man is certainly a little crack-brain’d; his conversation, is ingenious, but he flies from one topic to another, with...
146718th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon Mr. D went to Mr. Wolff’s. Mr. Artaud dined out. Fine weather.
14672John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
I apprehend that your information respecting the time when we are to be ready to depart was not altogether accurate; for although the wind at present would serve us very well, and the weather is remarkably fine, the Pilot will not venture to carry us out, and two of the passengers, have just been dispatched to the Hague to procure passports. The Captain however is so very anxious to get away,...
14673From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have just this moment returned from attending the funeral obsequies of the late general Moreau; which have been solemnized with suitable splendour at the Roman Catholic Church of this City. He died at Töplitz on the 2d. of September, of the wounds he had received before Dresden, the 17th. of August.—His Body was sent here by order of the Emperor Alexander, and has been buried with all the...
14674Wednesday July 18th. Commencement Day. (Adams Papers)
At about 11 o’clock the procession began from the door of Harvard. The succeeding Classes went before us; and we preceded the President and fellows of the University, who, were follow’d by the governor and council of the Commonwealth: the company of light horse, headed by Coll. Swan, were drawn up before the meeting house. As soon as we all got placed, the president opened the Ceremony by...
14675John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
As I have bespoke your company, upon our journey into Silesia, I begin this letter at our first resting station from Berlin— Hitherto we have indeed seen little more than the usual Brandenburg sands, & perhaps you will find our tour as tiresome as we have found it ourselves— I cannot promise you an amusing journey, though I hope it will prove so to us; & if at the sight of this my first letter...
14676From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 29 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 11th. and your mother has that of the 16th. from Paris. I wrote you by Mr Boyle, and have not written since, supposing a Letter could not reach Paris before you would have left it.—We shall from this day be constantly expecting your return, and I write this merely with the chance of its finding you at Bruxelles. We are preparing with all possible despatch to...
14677John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 1 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am now settled down for the Winter, and shall be obliged to pay an unremitting attention to my Studies. I am told I have much more to do, than I had any Idea of; in order to gain an admittance with honour, next Spring in the junior Class at the University. In the Greek I have to go from the beginning to learn the Grammar, which is by no means an agreeable task; to study the new Testament...
14678From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 5 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
Oh! for the Patience of Job, to bear the tricks played upon us by or at the Post-Offices!—The day before yesterday they brought me together your numbers 14 and 15, dated 6 and 12 July—the second of which has I believe come in proper time—22 days. but the other should have been here last week, and why did it not come?—Again—why were you on the 12th: of July still expecting my letter from...
1467912th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This day I din’d with Mr. D and Mr. Artaud at Mr. Rimbert’s. Borrow’d of Mr. Peyron two volumes of Piron’s works. In the evening Mr. Artaud went to the Clubb. Mr. D went and took a ride in the afternoon. Took a walk upon the quay after supper. Pretty good weather all day. Mr. D receiv’d a letter from Holland. Alexis Piron, French playwright and poet, whose nine-volume Oeuvres complettes . . ....
146807th. (Adams Papers)
My Cousin went to Boston in the morning, and did not return till night. I had an opportunity by the law of retaliation to discover one of his secrets: but as a secret it shall remain. This evening Emerson arrived here with Polly Smith from Lincoln, who is going to pass sometime here, and Betsey, will return in a day or two to her mamma.
14681To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 31 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter to you I am ashamed to say was written on the 19th: of June—I have however since then written three Letters to my Mother, and in the last of them have given her a detailed account of my occupations, which will I hope serve as some excuse for the long intermission between my between my last and present number, to yourself—In the meantime I have enjoined it upon George to write...
1468222d. (Adams Papers)
Staid at home from meeting the whole day, and was busily employ’d in writing; and yet have not been able to get letters ready to sail by Captain Folgier, who proposes sailing very soon for London.
146835th. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Went with Mr. Artaud to the shops and bought some things. Fine weather. The Thermometer at night was. 15 degrees below.0. which is the degree of freezing. On the 20th. of December last and on the 25th. of the same month our Thermometer was at 25. below 0. and at that of the academy it was at 28, which is colder than it has been here since the year 1776. In 1759 it was as low as 33. The...
146842d. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This day I went to the Comedy where the French troop represented, Le Pere de Famille. with a Ballet. Denis Diderot, Le Père de famille, Amsterdam, 1758 ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ).
14685From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 9 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
The Saloon, which we visited in company with the Mayor of the City, the day after the Ceremonies at the distribution of the prizes, is an exhibition of Pictures, Sculpture, and Designs of Architecture, much like that which takes place about this time every year at the Academy of Arts at St: Petersburg. But it shews a much higher state of perfection in the Cultivation of the Arts—The Paintings...
1468628th. (Adams Papers)
I received a letter from Mr. W. Smith, informing me of my aunt Smith’s Death. She was here this Day week. Coll. Thatcher, the representative, for this Town, fell instantaneously dead, yesterday in Boston Streets. I went to Mr. Wigglesworth, to Mr. Sewall, and to Mr. Pierson, in the afternoon. Almost all the Class met at Amory’s chamber this morning. Letter not found; Mrs. Elizabeth Storer...
14687John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 9 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Mess rs: Moliere, will this day extend your credit with their correspondent at Paris, to the amount of 4000 livres more. This I presume will amply suffice for your occasions. I requested you by my last letter, to be here not later than the 25 th: of this month. There is to be a Ball on that day at the Hotel de Suéde. The Count desires me to tell you, that you will be very much wanted as a...
14688From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 15 April 1824 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure of introducing to your acquaintance, Colo. Henry H. Bacot of Charleston S.C. who visits England for the recovery of his health— From the warm recommendation of him by a common friend, I present him to you as a Gentleman of the most amiable and respectable Character; and solicit for him your kind & friendly attentions. I am with the highest regard and / Esteem, Dear Sir,...
1468911th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon, I took a ride with Mr. Shaw, to see my classmate Welch, who lives about four miles from hence. After I return’d, I called in, at Mr. Bartlett’s, where I found Mr. and Mrs. Dalton, with their two eldest daughters, and Miss Hazen. They all dined at Mr. White’s, and in the afternoon all returned to Mr. Dalton’s seat at Newtown. The eldest daughter is very much as she was two years...
14690John Quincy Adams to Elizabeth Cranch, 17 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Some days agone I received a letter from you dated May last. The true reason why I have not written to you since I have been in Europe, is, that as you expect that my letters would be very entertaining, by the variety of the subjects, that I have had to write upon, I do not wish to disappoint you by writing letters that would give you no pleasure. But as you have begun, I can no longer excuse...
14691From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 23 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
The whole system of Christian morality appears to have been set forth, by its divine author in the sermon upon the mount, recorded in the 5th: 6th: and 7th: Chapters of St: Matthew. I intend hereafter to make them the subject of remarks, much more at large.—For the present I confine myself merely to general views. What I would impress upon your mind as infinitely important to the happiness and...
1469225th. (Adams Papers)
It continued raining all night, and in the morning so that I could not go out of town. We went to the Chapel, and heard Mr. Freeman preach. This gentleman has adopted the antetrinitarian System, which has of late appear’d in this Country. Such religious freedom, as America, enjoys, must always have a tendency to increase the number of religious sects: but if this be a disadvantage, it is more...
14693John Quincy Adams, Notice of Sale of Part of JA’s Estate at Quincy, 19 September 1826 (Adams Papers)
It is proper to apprize persons attending the Sale, that there is some uncertainty with regard both to the quantity of the Land, and to the boundaries, of all the Lots of Wood Lands to be sold—They have all been surveyed by Mr Withington, and the plats of survey will be exhibited at the Sale, and delivered with the Deeds of Conveyance—But each Lot will be sold separately, and the Executors...
146942d. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. Mr. Hilliard preach’d; much in the old way. The meeting house however did not look as it was wont. The same deficiency I found there, that I had perceiv’d, in the colleges, and every where in this Town. All my classmates gone. I dined at Mr. Wigglesworth’s with Packard. Peggy appears as amiable as ever. I pass’d the evening with my brothers, and lodg’d with Tom.
1469527th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Stay’d at home all day. In the forenoon Mr. Wolff came to see Mr. D. In the afternoon Mr. D went and took a ride. Pretty good weather.
1469626th. (Adams Papers)
M: de St: Olympe: Mr. Franklin and Mr. Williams dined with us. The first is a west Indian; who is going in a short time to America: Mr. Franklin has been so long in France, that he is more a Frenchman than an American: I doubt whether he will enjoy himself perfectly if he returns to America.
14697From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed is a copy of a letter, which was written near a Month, before an opportunity occurred of sending it, on its way to you—I am afraid that the delay will entirely defeat its object, and that it will be found impracticable to send out my two Sons to me the next Summer.—The river Neva is now again open, and I trust that in about six weeks or two Months opportunities for writing to you...
1469816th. (Adams Papers)
We had no minister to day, at our meeting house. Nancy went to the other in the forenoon, and Tommy in the afternoon. I stayd at home all day. Miss Hazen, has been very unwell, for some days past, and had this afternoon, one of her teeth drawn. I wish she could be persuaded to take care of them: The want of proper attention to the teeth, is an universal failing in this Country, and is very...
146998th. (Adams Papers)
At length we have some rain, the fruits of the Earth, have long been drooping for the want of it. There were two or three showers, in the morning after which it cleared up; but at about 5 in the afternoon, there arose some of the blackest Thunder clouds that I ever saw. Mr. Ware, who read a dissertation after prayers could scarcely distinguish, his own writing, it was so dark. There was no...
1470017th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This day her Majesty dined with all the officers of the regiment of Preobragensky. In the afternoon I walk’d with Mr. Artaud in the Garden. Went to the play, and saw an Italian piece, with a ballet. Went to the English Library and took out some books.