1535114th. (Adams Papers)
Thanksgiving day. Mr. Hilliard, preached a very long sermon, but none of the best. He appeared to have laboured much, and I thought quite without success. Indeed he thought perhaps there was no reason for giving thanks considering the Situation of the Country, and this makes him the more excusable. Bridge and I went down after meeting to Judge Dana’s; dined, and passed the afternoon and...
15352From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 10 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
In looking over my file of Letters received, I find that the latest date I have from you is of 10. November 1819—I am not sure that I have written since then to you—so let this pass for N. 1. of the year 1820—I have lately had at least the satisfaction of hearing from you indirectly, by your Correspondence with your Mother and your brother; but shall be glad to hear from you more immediately....
15353Sunday July 1st. 1787. (Adams Papers)
Attended Mr. Wibird all day: in the afternoon, four children were baptised. We remain’d after meeting to hear the singing. Read some of Bolingbroke’s metaphysical speculation in the evening. Dull times.
1535426th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. D. unwell. Pentecost day. Mr. Artaud went out in the afternoon. Stay’d at home all day. Cloudy weather in the forenoon but clear’d up after dinner.
15355From John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 17 August 1826 (Adams Papers)
Your affectionate letter of the 9th. instt. came to hand two days since, and on the same evening I delivered to your sister Greenleaf the one for her which it enclosed— The loss of fathers such at least as were yours and mine, is and must be irreparable. Yet it is “Nature’s commonest theme,” and speaking from my own experience it is one of the choicest, as it is among the rarest ingredients of...
15356From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 26 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the12th. instt. In the Letter to which it was the answer, it was not my intention either to grieve you, or to threaten you with the loss of your visit to Washington, during the next vacation—It was only to encourage you by the success of your former exertions and to exhort you, by my own anxious wish for your own credit and reputation, to persevering and...
1535714th. (Adams Papers)
After several attempts to see Mr. van Berkel, he was at length found at home, and declined taking back the horse, though he de clared he had never discovered any fault in him. The son said he was sorry his father persisted in refusing. At about 4 afternoon I again mounted the horse, and rode him ten miles as far as Mr. Hall’s tavern, which is a very elegant one; and where I found Mr. de...
153587th. (Adams Papers)
We had this morning a continuation of Mr. Williams’s System; by which, he pretends to account for the aurora borealis, in a manner different from any that has yet been started. His Hypothesis appears to be very plausible, and I hope, that if it is not wholly true, it may lead on to further discoveries concerning a Phenomenon, which has not yet been well accounted for. I declaim’d in the Chapel...
15359John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
For I suppose you must have an explanation to keep you current with the vieux stile , now-a-days.— I have received your pleasant account from Brussels of your travels thus far. Continue to write me as often as you can, and sur tout return as speedily as possible. I have read something in Adam Smith about the wonders performed by division of labour. I know very well the effects of its...
15360From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have not forgotten the engagement which I voluntarily undertook, at the beginning of the last year, not to suffer any month to pass over without writing at least once to you, and once to my Mother, and I am sufficiently sensible that in regard to yourself I have failed in the fulfillment of this promise; inasmuch as my last Letter to you bears date the 25th: of January—the last opportunity...
1536116th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Stay’d at home all day. Very bad weather. Strong wind, and rain.
1536221st. (Adams Papers)
We had to day a Doctor Haven, from Portsmouth to preach; to day: he took his text from Psalm XXIII. 1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want: in the forenoon, and in the afternoon, from I Corinthians. I: 18. For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish; foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. I did not by any means like him so well, as I did Mr. Thatcher...
15363From John Quincy Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 17 July 1825 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 2d. Instt. has remained some days unanswered, more from a repugnance in me to think at all upon the subject, than from any other cause. If as you say, you have destroyed the prospect of having any part assigned to you for Commencement, I agree with you in the opinion that it will be most comfortable for you, to be as far distant from Cambridge, on that day as you can—Under...
1536417th. (Adams Papers)
Paris. Italian Theatre. 1st. Representation of Alexis et Justine . Went before 5. o’clock. Could not find one place high nor low. Went to the Grands Danseurs du Roi, in a fiacre, for neither Servants nor carriage were to be found. Le trousseau d’Agnes . Le Qui-pro-quo de l’hotellerie . Rope dancing. Sophie de Brabant, Pantomime . Just such another Théatre as the Varietés. Plays just calculated...
153654th. (Adams Papers)
Attended the meeting; forenoon, and afternoon. I went after meeting and drank tea, and spent a couple of hours with my uncle Adams. Past 6 o’clock before I got home. If the weather should be good I shall set out to-morrow with my aunt, to go to Haverhill.
1536630th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went to the shops with Mr. Artaud and bought some things. Mr. Artaud dined at Mr. Rimberts. In the afternoon Mr. Hoogwerst came to see us. Pretty good weather.
15367From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a Letter from Mrs Frye—upon whom I called last Evening—Mr Frye doubts whether he will have it in his power to make his Northern excursion this year—I conclude that even if you go to Quincy, you will not leave Philadelphia, so soon as Thursday and accordingly continue writing to you at that place— I did suffer much for some time from excessive heat—But the cool weather has...
153686th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Stay’d at home all day. Mr. Wolff came here in the forenoon. Mr. D. went and took a walk in the afternoon.
1536911th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Howard a Minister from Boston, preach’d in the forenoon from, Proverbs I. 20. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth, her voice, in the Streets. 21. She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the City she uttereth her words saying. 22. How long ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?, and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? And...
1537029th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Wibird preach’d all day from John I, 47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile! Mr. W. is said to be so fond of his ease, that he seldom writes new Sermons, but preaches his old ones over and over, frequently. But this was new, and one of the best that I ever heard him deliver, full of judicious reflections, and wise...
1537120th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Artaud dined at Mr. Rimbert’s. Mr. D. went and took a walk in the forenoon, and went to Mr. Wolff’s after dinner. Stay’d at home all day. Cloudy weather.
1537221st. (Adams Papers)
Paris. Dined at Mr. Jeffersons. Captn. Paul Jones told us the Marquis de la Fayette was arrived. Vrais Principes de la Langue Française, Synonimes François de M: l’Abbe Girard. Abdir , a new piece was announced for to day at the French Théatre, but is put off to next Wednesday. Mr. Blanchard cross’d from Dover to Calais in an air balloon, the 7th of the month, accompanied by Dr. Jefferies....
15373Finis. (Adams Papers)
This Latin proverb originally appeared at the beginning of JQA ’s first discourse before the A.B. Club (entry for 12 June , above).
1537410th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
St. Peter and St. Paul’s day. Grand Duke’s fête. Mascarade ball and illumination at Peterhoff. At about 1. o’clock P.M. set out for that place with Mr. Artaud and Mr. D. and arriv’d there at about half past 5. Walk’d in the Garden till seven, and then went to the ball. On this day, according to Henry Storch, “every being susceptible of pleasure left the town,” to go to Peterhof, the imperial...
153753d. (Adams Papers)
Paris. In the afternoon with Mr. A. went for the books arrived from London. Not to be found. Bought other books. Weather somewhat cold. The whole month of January very mild. JQA began this month with the date “Tuesday February 1st. 1785.,” but his first entry is on the third. Neither set of books has been identified.
1537627th. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted with Mr. Gerry in Company, with Mr. Söderström the Sweedish Consul at Boston who arrived here lately. Went with Mr. Mölich and visited Mr. van Berkel, and Mr. Le Roi; Dined at Mr. Ramsay’s in Company with Mr. Gardoqui, Mr. Randon, General Howe, General Knox, Miss Susan Livingston for whom I had a Letter, and several other persons. Miss L. appears to me to be a great talker, but...
15377From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
My letter of Friday last informed you of the arrival of the Fingal at Havre, and of the dispatches from the Government, brought by her that we had received—I should at the same time have told you that the Ajax, the Dutch vessel in which Mr. Changuion went to America, arrived on the 21st: instt: at the Texel, after a passage of 34 days from Boston. I now add, by way of episode that the Dutch...
15378From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Russian People pass their lives in a continual and alternate succession of feasting and fasting. Every individual whether of high or low degree celebrates two days in every year; one for his birth and the other for his baptism, which is called his name day, and is kept on the day marked in the Calendar, as devoted to the Saint of the same name; for it is a religious principle that every...
15379John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 2 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
You will doubtless hear before this reaches you, the event of a Town-meeting which was called here lately for the purpose of helping forward M r: Madison’s resolutions, and of intimidating our respresentatives who opposed them. After great [exertion] had been made to raise a Committee ready for every thing, [and the?] Committee had reported a number of resolves to answer [their purpo]ses, a...
15380Sunday August 15th. 1784. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Barclay’s.
1538127. (Adams Papers)
Splendid parade. Much company. Several regiments of troops from Boston were reviewed by Gov. Hancock and other dignitaries at Braintree (Massachusetts Centinel , 29 Oct.).
1538231st. (Adams Papers)
At about 10 in the morning I cross’d the river with Mr. B. Jarvis and found his brother Charles at Brooklyn. We went from thence to Jamaica which is 12 miles from the ferry. It is a beautiful island though the soil is very sandy. After dining at the Tavern we went to Church, where we saw Mr. Harrison, Miss S. Sears. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Bordieu. After Church we went to a Mr....
15383From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Shaw, an American Gentleman, belonging to New-York has just called upon me, and informs me that he shall proceed in the course of this day for St: Petersburg. He has a Courier’s Passport from Count Lieven, and has obligingly offered to take anything I have to forward—I therefore send the packet for Mrs. Krehmer, which I sometime since received from Miss du Roveray, and two letters from...
1538417. (Adams Papers)
Went to Milton. Chilly weather looks like snow.
15385[19th.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday went into Paris shopping.
15386[July 1781] (Adams Papers)
This morning Pappa and brother Charles and I went to church; din’d at home, Mr. Cook, Mr. Jennings, and another Gentleman din’d with us; brother Charles and I went again to church. After Church Mr. Sigourney, Mr. Ingraham, Mr. Bromfield and Mr. Merrick came here but did not stay here long. From Dr Garths’ works. Epilogue to the Tragedy of Cato. Chapter 9th. The forty-line Epilogue, containing...
15387John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 16 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I received last evening with much pleasure your favour of the 5 th: inst t: — I had been so long without any intelligence from home that I began to be uneasy— And even now, I cannot but wish you had said something about the family at Quincy— I believe it is more than a month since I have heard from thence, at-all— I am anxious particularly to know the state of health of my dear mother. I am...
1538831. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A. returned. Company at dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Storer. C. Storer &c.
15389To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
General Pinckney and his family have arrived at Amsterdam; but as I have not seen him I presume he did not pass through this place. On the other hand Mr: Monroe has arrived in Paris, upon his return from his tour through this Country.—What was the cause of Mr. Pinckney’s being ordered to leave France is yet unknown.—But the conduct of the french Government and its dependents, at the same time...
15390From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 January 1809 (Adams Papers)
I write you a line from the Stage–Office: having just this moment arrived, and intending in half an hour to start in the Mail–Stage for Philadelphia—The weather is so fine, and the roads are so good, that I am afraid of losing the advantages they offer, and recollect the admonition to take time by the forelock—I hope to be in Philadelphia, to–morrow morning before day light; and shall pass the...
153917. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Cranch’s after meeting. Mr. C. quite unwell.
15392Wednesday September 1st. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Dr. Franklin’s.
15393From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 23 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
I did succeed in filling my four pages for you last Tuesday in time to dispatch them by that Evenings Post, under cover to Amsterdam. Before the British Plenipotiaries came, I bespoke your indulgence in case I should after their arrival remit in the frequency, or abridge the length of my subsequent Letters to you. Since they have been here, we have at different times had a great pressure of...
1539424th. (Adams Papers)
I attended at Mr. Atkins’s Court; and appeared to the actions. Mr. Marquand who had been summoned there, appeared, and somewhat diverted us by his impetuosity. I met young Thomas in the street who gave me some information from Cambridge. This being the last day of service, we have been uncommonly busy in the office in copying the writs and making out records, according to the Justice’s act,...
1539521. (Adams Papers)
Letter from Mamma. Hartford. Fed. Senators. Probably AA to JA , 16 Nov. ( Adams Papers ). In this letter, written from Hartford, AA makes reference to the elections of federal senators in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
15396From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 6 November 1806 (Adams Papers)
We lost a basket with Caroline’s Clothes in it, from the Chaise as we were coming out of Boston this Evening—I will thank you to have the enclosed advertisement inserted in the Centinel on Saturday Morning—And call at Whitcomb’s, and request him to pay the reward offered, if the basket should be brought there; and charge it to me. Mrs: Adams has concluded to take Mr: Gulliver’s Apartments—I...
15397From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
George says that his writing master has forbidden him to write letters for the present, because it will retard the improvement of his hand writing. I do not understand this theory, and suspect it will not meet the approbation of George’s correspondents at home. The consequence of it is, that I am called to write the weekly letter that is to go with the newspaper almost every week myself. The...
15398Sunday 6th 1780 (Adams Papers)
At about 8 o clock got up and at about half after nine Pappa brother Charles and myself went to a Protestant Church where they spoke English . We heard a very good sermon. At about twelve o clock we got home. We dined at our lodgings and at about 5 o clock we drank tea there. After tea we went to take a walk. We walked all about the town and got back at about half after six. I will now give a...
1539914th. (Adams Papers)
I met with several impediments in the morning so that it was eleven o’clock before I cross’d the river: the weather was very good, but growing Cloudy. I got to Doctor Kitteridge’s house at Andover, before one. I stop’d to see my Class-mate W. Abbot and dined there. Bowman and Wyeth were likewise there. I would say something of Mrs. Kitteridge, but it would be now a very improper time to give...
1540011. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Tufts. Not very bright. Dr. Swett’s.