15601John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you together with the last sheet of the Journals of the House of Representatives, a Report from the Secretary of the Treasury, shewing the receipts and expenditures, upon the Seamen’s fund— You will see from this how much is collected in New-England, and how much expended elsewhere— Look particularly at the port of Norfolk. The Louisiana Government bill goes on prospering and to...
15602Tuesday 8th of August 1780 (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. Dumas came and we went with him about the town. The description is in the same book and I will take it down also. The Hague is justly esteemed one of the finest Towns in Europe. Those who have either seen, or occassionaly wrote of it, seem at a Loss for Words to express thier Admiration. An ingenious Gentleman, Fellow of the Royal Society, speaking of this Place when it was...
1560316th. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Judge Dana’s. Doctor Waterhouse came, in and entertained us for some time with his quaint wit. I paid several visits in the course of the forenoon: pass’d a couple of hours very agreeably with Miss Wigglesworth and Miss Jones. The latter of these two Ladies, in former times, was not with me upon so good terms as at present. I thought her capricious, and ill-natured: but of late...
1560413. (Adams Papers)
Put my horse at Tappan’s. Eve with Dr. Kilham.
15605From John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 26 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
I cannot forbear to offer you my thanks for your kind and affectionate Letter of the day before yesterday, and to assure you how much I feel myself affected by the expression in it of that Sentiment of which as you remark, even friendship is inadequate to convey the idea. Next to brothers as we are by the ties of blood; brothers as we were by the habits and intimacies of childhood and of...
15606From John Quincy Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 12 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
It is but a few days since I received your favour of 1. March, though I had two months earlier learnt from Mr Hellen the heavy misfortune that had befallen him. I have deferred answering your letter untill this day, with the hope, which is that this moment realized, of announcing to you my Lousia’s deliverance— She has this day at seven in the Evening, after a severe labour of about twelve...
15607John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have been wanting to write to you this sometime but there has been nothing worth writing, and even now I know not what to write. We have not long since, heard of the taking of St. Eustatia, it cast a great damp upon the spirits of the dutchmen here; however the latest news from America make up for it for in the English news papers there is paragraph which makes mention that by the latest...
1560830th. (Adams Papers)
Parson Toppan of Newtown preach’d at our meeting this day. I attended all day and was very much pleased with his ingenuity: he is quite orthodox enough, although he has contended with Mr. Spring upon some very knotty points. His delivery is not graceful, nor even agreeable; but the sound sense, and ingenuity, which appear in his sermons, more than compensate for defects which are so common. I...
15609To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 21 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I hear of a vessel to sail in two or three days from the Texel, and cannot lose any opportunity to write you directly from hence at this time; as the severity of the season will in all probability soon close the rivers and suspend the expedition of any more vessels for a month or two. But I have nothing very material to say. In my letters as well to the Secretary of State (which I am afraid...
15610From John Quincy Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 30 August 1824 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this letter the Count de Medem is attached to the Legation of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia & visits our City as one of the objects of interesting curiosity in his travels through the United States for the purpose of contributing to his gratification I take the liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance & of recommending him to your obliging attentions I am, with great...
156116th. (Adams Papers)
In the beginning of the evening, I took a walk with Pickman, up to Mrs. Atkins’s. We found only the old Lady at home; and she was so unwell, that we supposed Company would not be very agreeable to her; and soon came away: we met Thompson just as we were coming out; he turn’d about and came back with us. I have little to say. That part of my Time which is best improved is productive of nothing,...
15612From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 March 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 1st. instt. numbered 1. and written in execution of your promise when I was last with you—I trust you will continue to write me from time to time, and will answer your Letters whenever time shall be indulged me for the purpose. We have had the Influenza here as prevalent as it has been with you, though not in general so severely—I was anxious to hear from you...
15613Saturday 12th 1780. (Adams Papers)
This morning a Gentleman whose name is du Bois came here to see Pappa. He stay’d some time and then went away. Pappa went out to dinner but Brother Charles and myself dined at our lodgings. At about 5 o clock Pappa came back with Commodore Gillon and two other Gentlemen and Captn. Joyner. Mr. Holdenpyl who is brother in law to Commodore Gillon went with my brother Charles and I to his lodgings...
1561420th. (Adams Papers)
I pass’d the forenoon at home in writing. In the afternoon, I attended meeting and heard Mr. Wibird. After meeting, I went down to view the house, which they are repairing for my father: I was not perfectly pleased with it; but it now appears in a very unfavourable light: they are obliged to make the most necessary repairs very hastily expecting my father in a few weeks. I am in hopes, that...
156159th. (Adams Papers)
I received a short letter from W. Cranch. I make a pretty rapid progress with my book of forms, and if I am not interrupted, I hope to finish it by the latter end of next week which will take one heavy load from my shoulders: Putnam came to our office this afternoon; he and Little pass’d the evening with me. I intended to walk with Little but found it was raining hard. I proceed very slowly...
15616To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 20 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
Part of the enclosed press-copy of my last Letter to you, is so faint, that unless you should have received the original, before it comes to hand, I am afraid you will be obliged to call for the assistance of younger eyes to make it out. Since it was written I have had the pleasure of receiving letters from my brother, and my wife has had one from my mother, but none from you—I remain however...
15617Mon 29th. (Adams Papers)
The ship is very leaky. The passengers are all called to the Pump four times per day. 8 o clock AM, 12 o clock, 4 o clock PM, and 8 o clock PM.
1561826th. (Adams Papers)
General Lincoln, it seems, finds more difficulties in the affair he has undertaken, than were expected. He has sent for a reinforcement of troops: there are about 2000 men assembled to oppose him. They have the start of him, and it is supposed they intend first to attack, Genl. Shepard, who is at Springfield, with about 1200 men. Part of the militia are going from this town. I pass’d the...
15619Saturday September the 2d 1780. (Adams Papers)
Half holiday. After School went to Pappa’s house. We dined there. After dinner we went to buy the spectators. At about six o clock Mr. Guile came to Pappa’s and stay’d there a little while. They say that an American Frigate has fell in with sixteen sail of merchant vessels and had taken twelve of them. At about 8 o clock Mr. Guile went away. Brother Charles and I are to lodge here this night...
1562010th. (Adams Papers)
The storm continued all this day, and rather with increasing violence. Thompson and I again dined with Mr. Parsons. I passed the evening with Putnam at his lodgings: I this day got through Foster, and have been more pleased than with any professional book I have hitherto read; not even Blackstone excepted. The subject indeed being the pleas of the Crown, is not so immediately connected with a...
15621John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 8 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
Our Electors met in this town on Wednesday last, and their Votes for President and Vice-President were unanimous this was generally expected here, and the event is supposed to have been nearly if not wholly the same in all the New-England States— New-York it is imagined was unanimous for M r: Clinton as V.P. their Electors are chosen by their legislature, where their Governor has a bare...
15622Wednes 8th. (Adams Papers)
This morning about half after four o clock we saw a sail. At about seven o clock we could see her very plain. She hoisted spanish coulours and we french ones and fir’d a Gun: she goes before to Pilot us. We lay to all last night. 9 o clock. We just fir’d a gun for a signal for a Pilot to come on board but none comes yet. 11 o clock. There’s a pilot on board. 1 o clock P M. We have just now...
15623To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 12 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 May 1801, Berlin. No. 193. Encloses original letter of recredence. Speculates on European diplomatic developments: new Russian czar probably will seek peace with both France and Britain before end of summer; partition of Turkey likely to be postponed; Malta may be returned to the Knights of Malta, with recognition of Russian protection. Believes that “the principles promulgated by the...
1562416th. (Adams Papers)
I rose just before the commons bell rung for dinner, quite refreshed, and not more fatigued, than I commonly am. The other lads were all up, in the morning, and had been to my chamber though I knew nothing of it. After dinner we were an hour at White’s chamber. Several of the gentlemen were nodding, and most of them appeared quite worn out. I went with White to Mr. Mason’s and to Mr....
1562513th. (Adams Papers)
Captain Wyer was in the office this afternoon, a couple of hours; very zealous for the new Constitution. Was desirous of having a town-meeting, to instruct their representatives upon the occasion. Quite enthusiastic, and so are many other people. This afternoon I went, and requested the favor of waiting upon Miss Jones, to the ball next monday; she will go if her health will permit. Little...
1562630th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cranch, Miss Betsey, and her brother, came from Braintree this morning, dined at Mr. Gannett’s and returned after dinner. Bridge, and I were quite alone at tea this evening: the Ladies were at Mrs. Forbes’s, and the professor was gone to Judge Dana’s. The Ladies returned however immediately after tea, and Miss Ellery came, and pass’d the evening there: These verses were later included in...
1562716th. (Adams Papers)
The gentlemen left us this morning for Portsmouth. The weather very cold. At home all day. Began the book of Epodes in Horace in the Evening. Between 1. and 2 in the morning before I retired. 9 10 in the Evening, is the professed bed hour, here: but there are Circumstances, which 19 times out of 20 delay it, till after 11. and it is a disagreeable reflection to me, that from an useless,...
156286th. (Adams Papers)
Engaged an horse, to go to Haverhill to-morrow; White went to Boston for the same purpose. Mr. Burr gave out for our next forensic, the following question. “Whether Christianity has been promotive of the temporal interests of mankind.” It is to be read the week before the close of the vacation, and will be the last exercice of this kind, for our Class. John Chandler of Petersham, County of...
1562928th. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon two of the young gentlemen from Mr. Rimbert’s came here. Mr. D went and took a ride. Rainy weather All day.
15630Friday 10th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I took a walk about the town but saw nothing worth remarking. At about half after twelve o clock Pappa and Mr. Dana went on board one of the french ships to dine with the Captain and a number of other Gentlemen. At four o’clock Sammy Cooper and Charles went on board the frigate. Nothing more remarkable to day. Dana records having dined with Hippolyte, Comte de Sade, Chef...
15631From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 June 1806 (Adams Papers)
I pass’d the day yesterday, in anxious expectation of having a letter from you again, but it did not come—The fear that your illness should have continued or returned to prevent your writing, heavily weighs upon me; and the only probable contingency that my Imagination offers me to account for your omission again to write at the usual time is that you received my letter enclosing the deed on...
1563220th. (Adams Papers)
Was part of the afternoon at Bridge’s chamber. Had tea at Little’s. Charles and Cranch, pass’d the evening at Mr. Hilliard’s. I was with Mr. Andrews at White’s chamber. William Amherst Barron of Petersham was 18. the 10th. of January. By the death of his father, which happened since he entered the university, he has been involved in some difficulties, and has been able to spend but a small...
156336th. (Adams Papers)
Finished the 4th. Book of the Cyropaedia; I shall have no more to do with this author while I remain here, and am heartily glad of it. It is not now, as in the first book. The Conquest of Empires is related, but in the same manner, that the trifles of the hero’s childhood were. Gobryas appears to me to tell his story, just as a crabberly boy complains to his mother, that he has been beat, not...
15634John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
My last letter to you, was from Dresden, and dated the 17 th: of last month, since which I have not had the pleasure to receive any thing from you. We spent a month at that place very agreably, & as long as the picture gallery remained open, I did not fail to visit it almost every day. We likewise went to Königstein, & saw also at Dresden the electoral jewels, the library, the old porcellain,...
1563518th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon I went with Mr. Artaud to the shops and bought some things.
15636John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 6 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday evening your kind favour of the day preceding, and although I was then far, very far from being in a pleasant State of mind: yet I could not help smiling at your geometrical proof that if you shared my sorrows with me, they would not be so great. I had been much affected the day before, when Mr. Thaxter returning from Salem inform’d us of our aunt’s Death. I had read the...
15637From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 26 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
It is vain to attempt accounting for the irregularities of the Post-Office—Yesterday I received your N. 18 (which should have been numbered 19) of 28. July; and a Letter from Mr Harris, dated the day before—These Letters have been four entire weeks on the way—But Messrs: Gallatin, Bayard and Hughes, all received at the same time, Letters from Harris, dated 2. August—six days later than his...
15638From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 17 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jones arrived here from Gothenburg & Stockholm a few days since, and brought me your kind favour of 11. July—in two months time from its date—Indeed we Since our arrival here, you have been the most frequent and most constant of my Correspondents–I have no Letter from my brother later than Febuary; though I know that he has written at least one that I have not received.—Captain Bainbridge,...
1563920th. (Adams Papers)
A Number of Ladies, drank tea here, and Judge Sargeant also. I went with Mr. Thaxter and my brother Charles, and spent the Evening at Mr. Osgood’s. This is a very ingenious Sensible man, well versed in English Literature, and has had what here is called a liberal Education; which means, he has been through the University. We conversed upon subjects, which please me more than cards, or dress or...
1564029. (Adams Papers)
Diné chés Mr. Ingraham.
15641To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 14 May 1819 (Madison Papers)
A Roman Sculptor, named Cardelli, an artist of distinguished talent, reduced by political vicissitudes, and hard necessity to make eggs and leaves on the Cornices and Friezes of the Capitol at this place, but panting for posthumous glory as if he were a Roman of the age of Fabius or of Scipio, has conceived the project of making his way to immortality by taking from the life, the Busts of the...
15642From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 10 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your dear Mother has this day received your Letter of the 3d: instant, which gave us both much pleasure; for various reasons—First because it gave us the gratifying intelligence of what you call Charles’s promotion—Secondly because it is a proof of your brotherly kindness to him, that you take the opportunity of writing to let us know of his success, which you know we have as well as your own...
1564310th. (Adams Papers)
We had not obtained leave to be absent from College, and were therefore obliged to be at meeting, in Cambridge, to-morrow, or to submit to the fine. This morning therefore, between 9 and ten, we left Haverhill, with beautiful weather, but sloppy riding, as a great deal of snow, was melted by the rain last night: we got to the half way tavern by twelve, we stop’d and dined there, after which we...
1564427th. (Adams Papers)
I employ’d myself in the forenoon with making some necessary preparations before my final departure for Newbury-port. In the afternoon I accompanied the ladies to Mrs. Quincy’s. Miss Nancy has been very ill, and is much thinner than when I saw her last. She is however recovering. Pass’d an agreeable afternoon, and return’d home just after dark.
15645John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here in three days from New-York, last Monday Evening, the 21 st: inst t: — I found my father in good health and spirits— My mother has been very unwell, but I am happy to tell you is upon the recovery. Whitcomb got here two days ago, and brought me, your facetious letter of the 18 th: —with the Port-Folio, for which I give you my thanks— But it is still incomplete for the prospectus...
156469th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This morning we went to see the fortress of Sweaborg. Dined with the General Posse. Prince Galitzin arrived here this evening. Possibly a brother or son of Prince Dmitri A. Gallitzin (1734–1803) , a man of letters and Russian ambassador at Paris, 1763–1768, and at The Hague, 1770–1782 ( Repertorium der diplomatischen Vertreter aller Länder Repertorium der diplomatischen Vertreter aller Lander...
1564710th. (Adams Papers)
Thaw’d all day. The winter seems in some measure, to be gone; very little snow remaining on the ground, and the weather much like Spring. Finished the Ars Poëtica of Horace, with which his works conclude. Thus I have of late dismissed several books, but shall be obliged, rather to increase my diligence, than otherwise; as Mr. Shaw received this Evening, from Mr. Williams the Professor of...
1564825th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Went in the morning to the English Library and took out the three first volumes of Mrs. Macauley’s History of England begun the first. Went to the Hotel of the French Minister. Went to the shops with Mr. Artaud and Mr. Montréal, and to a booksellers. In the afternoon Mr. Artaud went to the concert. Cloudy weather all day, and it is so warm that it does not freeze at present. Catharine...
15649John Quincy Adams, Penalty of the Bond for Mount Wollaston Farm, September 1826 (Adams Papers)
Whereas the said John Adams has this day, by his deed duly executed and acknowledged, conveyed all the Estate in belonging to him Quincy, known by the name of the Mount Wollaston Farm, to the said John Quincy Adams, his Heirs, and Assigns, in fee simple; now the Condition of this Obligation is such that if the said John Quincy Adams, his Executors or Administrators, shall from and after the...
1565022d. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went to the shops with Mr. Artaud. Went to the exchange. Mr. Peyron and Mr. Montréal dined here.