15661From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Since writing my last, I have received your Letters of the 10th. and 15th. with the papers enclosed in them. The obituary notice of our dear and excellent Mother, which I mentioned to you as having been published in the Baltimore Newspapers was as I had supposed, written by Mr Colman—You have doubtless seen it. A short notice has also appeared in the Alexandria Gazette, written by Judge...
15662From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 14 January 1825 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 1st. instt. (dated by mistake 1824) with the quarterly account enclosed, which I suppose is correct, and all the particulars of which I approve—It should have been signed with your name at bottom, with the addition of the words “Errors excepted” and dated—You will remember this, in the rendition to me of your next account, and remember it also, in all your...
156633d. (Adams Papers)
I attended meeting twice this day. Mr. Shaw as usual had company in the evening. I conversed with Madam. Charles and Tom went out in the evening.
1566431st. (Adams Papers)
This day I dined at a tavern in town with the French Consul and several other Gentlemen: in the evening I went to the Play, which is certainly nothing extraordinary, but is as much as can be expected from such a Place as this.
15665[January 1785] (Adams Papers)
Compliments to the Royal family at Versailles. My father carried twenty Guineas to distribute among the servants of the great folks, a tribute every minister is obliged to pay annually. Paris. Varietés ; at the palais Royal . Small Théatre, built in three weeks time. Le nouveau parvenu. Le palais du bon gout. L’lntendant Comédien malgré lui. Le mensonge excusable . Volange , an excellent actor...
1566624th. Mond. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went to pay a visit to the Baron de la Houze. When I return’d to the Hotel at about 12 o’clock I found the Count and Mr. Schiebe packing up, as the Captain has sent word that the wind is Good and that he intends to set sail this afternoon. (8. o’clock P.M.) We dined at about twelve o’clock and came on board soon after dinner. Since we are on board the wind has chang’d and is at...
1566730. (Adams Papers)
Départ de M. Barclay.
15668From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
As the week comes round, the Sunday Newspaper reminds me of the despatch to be made up for Quincy; but the pressure of business and of dissipation equally indispensable has not for many weeks left me an hour, for writing to you. I have now scarcely a moment to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of 5. and of 20. May. which I have had more than a Month; and to which I hope to be at some...
1566925th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Andrews came to town last night, and called to see us at the office this forenoon. They have engaged him to preach here at Mr. Carey’s for six Sundays and will probably employ him longer still. I returned this day to Bacon’s pleas and pleading, which I left when I went to Braintree. But could not proceed with great advantage, as I left my extract book, in a small trunk which was to come...
15670Thursday 23d [–Friday. Octr. 24th.]. (Adams Papers)
This morning at 10 o’clock we went on board the Packet Boat; for Dover. We got out of the harbour with a great deal of difficulty as the wind was quite Contrary, but as soon as we were out a Calm came on which lasted till about 11. o’clock at night. Some wind then arose which brought us near the Port of Dover: at about 2 in the morning; but the wind being very strong; we were obliged to go on...
15671From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 18 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
I direct this Letter to Quincy, concluding that you will be there during the Vacation which commenced last Friday—My last Letter to you, was dated the first of March, since which I have received only one from you—dated the 26th. of April. It would have given me pleasure to have received that which you wrote me on your birth-day; and if instead of giving it to Mrs: Gilman’s boy, you had taken...
1567228th. (Adams Papers)
Finished the third volume of Blackstone, and began upon the fourth, which is upon public wrongs. Took something of a long walk with Thompson. He, and Little and Putnam passed the evening with me. Mr. and Mrs. Smith came into Town this evening, and brought me a bundle. Mr. Parsons after making much difficulty has finally consented, that we should pass the evenings till 8 o’clock at the office,...
15673From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 June 1824 (Adams Papers)
The day after your departure, Johnson Hellen came down from Rockville, and has been a pleasant companion to me till now. I rejoiced to learn from him that you had not suffered by the heavy rain that came on before you reached Rockville; and that you had proceeded to next Morning in health and good Spirits towards Frederick. But nine days have since passed away, and I have not a line either...
1567415th. (Adams Papers)
I called in at Mr. Tufts’s to see Mrs. Shaw this morning. I found old Mr. Carter there. Geneological as usual. I dined at his house, with my friends from Haverhill. He asked me to return to tea: I excused myself. He said that tippling business would be going on, every afternoon at six o’clock; if I would call there, I should be welcome. I returned to the Office but felt so much dis sipated,...
1567518th. (Adams Papers)
Passed the day at the office; Townsend and Thompson were there in the evening. The question, what am I to do in this world recurs to me, very frequently; and never without causing great anxiety, and a depression of spirits: my prospects appear darker to me, every day, and I am obliged sometimes to drive the subject from my mind, and to assume some more agreeable train of thoughts. I do not...
15676Friday September 5th. (Adams Papers)
The assembly at the anniversary of the Ф.B.K. was more numerous than I have known it. There were near forty members present, among whom were two from Dartmouth college. Lincoln, who was to have been one of the speakers obtained leave to be excused on account of ill health. The governor, happening to be here with the admiral, and some other officers of the french squadron, now in Boston...
1567725th. (Adams Papers)
Rain’d all day; but cleared up in the evening. We had last night a class meeting, to determine, concerning the printing of our theses; and notwithstanding the vociferous clamour of certain characters, who always glory in creating confusion, it was finally determined, that Mr. Freeman should print 2000, and a Committee was chosen, to make the agreement with him: it was then voted, that the sum...
1567822d. (Adams Papers)
I pass’d the day as usual at the office; but there was scarce a half an hour at a Time, without some visitor who entered into conversation with Mr. Parsons, and prevented us from paying any attention to our books. This is too frequently the case, and much of our Time is lost in that manner, luckily this was to me a leisure day, and I only made a few extracts from Blackstone. Little pass’d the...
1567928th. (Adams Papers)
The weather very cold. No appearance of rioters as yet, tho’ it is this evening reported that there are 1500, within four miles of Cambridge. We dansed this evening at Chandler ists. Last night the ΦBK met at Burge’s chamber. Little and Cranch read disser tations. Freeman and Packard, a disputation upon the Question, whether good order is promoted more by the rewarding of virtue, than by the...
1568015th. (Adams Papers)
A warm day, but the air has been much more pure, than for several days past. Yesterday Mr. Dana set off for Newport where he proposes tarrying till after Commencement. Drank tea with Bradbury, and my Chum, at Mr. Williams’s. After tea, we walk’d with the young ladies. Jenny has been handsome, but at the age of nineteen she has lost all her beauty, and must henceforth charm only by the...
15681From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
There is a news boy’s new year’s address, in vulgar doggerel Flemish verse, circulating with many others, but which it seems some of the printers declined publishing. It alludes to the Bon-mot of the Prince de Ligne about the Congress at Vienna—“Le Congrés danse , mais il ne marche pas”—and then recommends to the Sovereigns and great Ministers assembled at the Austrian Capital to turn their...
15682From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 28 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you last, which was on the 23d: of June, we have received your letter to your mother, dated 2. March, in which you express the wish that we should come home: that you might have the pleasure of knowing, and loving, and paying every attention of an affectionate brother to your little Sister—These were good and laudable wishes, but it has pleased God, to determine that they should...
1568318th. (Adams Papers)
The young Ladies at Mr. Wigglesworth’s, dined at Judge Danas, I went down there with Bridge; to tea, and pass’d the evening, very sociably. The conversation turn’d upon diverse topics, and among the rest upon love which is almost always the case when there are Ladies present. Peggy came away at about 10, but Miss Jones, concluded to stay there, to-night.
15684From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 17 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
We were a long time without hearing from your brother George or you, at all, and when at last we did hear it was with pain that you had been unwell, though happily mingled with the comfort of learning that your health was restored. My own occupations deprive me of the satisfaction of writing to you so often as I would, but you have other Correspondents here who have more leisure to be...
15685From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 14 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
The fourth and last point of view, in which I proposed to offer you some general observations upon the sacred Scriptures, was with reference to Literature . And the first remark which presents itself here is that the five Books of Moses, are the most antient monument of written language, now extant in the World—The Book of Job is nearly of the same date, and by many of the Christian and Jewish...
156865th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cranch and Miss Betsey, went to Boston this morning, and propose not to return till Saturday. I read partly through, Wraxall’s tour into the northern parts of Europe which is much inferior to Moore and Brydone. These letters are full of incidents which however interesting they may have been to the author, are not so in the least, to the public. His observations appear very superficial,...
15687John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 8 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
All this day has been employ’d in answering Questions respecting you, and all is not over yet. I must mention one Circumstance, although it may appear too trifling. You may Remember, that in your Letters by me, you gave an Account of the Ceremony at Nôtre Dame. All the family, were very much entertained, by your Relation, but there was a Question arose to day, what, the Ring was. One supposed...
15688From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 6 November 1822 (Adams Papers)
I enclose under cover to you a Packet, addressed to R. H. Crewe Eqr. etct, etct, etct, Office of Ordnance—Pall Mall—London—And a Letter directed to Mr William A Beckett—Solicitor N. 20 Golden Square London—I will thank you to cause them to be delivered at their respective destinations, requesting receipts for them, which I beg you further to transmit to me Yours faithfully. MHi : Adams Family...
1568918th. (Adams Papers)
In the morning I went to pay a visit to Mr. Platt, and found my old friend Brush there. He introduced me to Mr. Broome, for whom I had Letters from his son in law Mr. Jarvis. He immediately went up with me to our lodgings and I introduced Mr. de Chaumont to him. He insisted upon our going, both of us and staying at his house while we remain here. I was in great hopes of seeing Mrs. Jarvis, but...
1569029th (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Rimbert’s; changed Lodgings. Or Raimbert, French vice-consul in St. Petersburg ( Almanach royal, 1783 Almanach royal, année M.DCCLXXVHI [8cc.]. Présenté à sa majesté pour la première fois en 1699 , Paris, no date. , p. 262).