19391From John Adams to John Taylor, 21 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
You remember I have reserved a right of employing twenty years to answer your Book, because you consumed that number in writing it. I have now written you thirty Letters and have not advanced beyond a dozen pages of your Work. At this rate I must ask indulgence for forty or fifty years more. You know that your Amusement and my own are the principal Objects that I have in View. In the fine...
19392From John Adams to John Taylor, 24 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
That the first Want of Man is his Dinner, and the second his Girl, were truths well known to every Democrat and Aristocrat, long before the great Phylosopher Malthus, arose, to think he enlightened the World by the discovery of them. It has been equally well known, that the Second Want is frequently So impetuous as to make Men and Women forget the first; and rush into rash Marriages, leaving...
19393From John Adams to James Lloyd, 28 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
Although I have no recollection, that I ever met you more than once in Society; and that I presume was the instance that you have recorded; Yet I feel as if I was intimately acquainted with you. The Want of familiarity between Us, I regret, not only because I have known esteemed and I may Say, loved your Family from an early Age: but especially, because whatever I have heard or read of your...
19394To John Adams from Timothy Alden, 1 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken in dedicating the first volume of my biographical and historical Collection to you. Taught from my earliest years to cherish an exalted opinion of the distinguished services which, under Providence, you have rendered to our beloved country, I took a peculiar pleasure in prefixing your name to a work, which is the fruit of much patient...
19395To John Adams from Catherine Elizabeth Murray Rush, 1 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 11th. of December to Mr Rush, brought by Mr Gray, I had the pleasure (as sole private secretary to the former) to open, and therefore venture upon the liberty of acknowledging. My husband being in his sick chamber, had not the gratification to see Mr Gray when he was kind enough to call; I saw him but for a moment, but we both anticipate the pleasure of seeing much more of...
19396To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 5 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am duly favored with thy Letter. I did not see that venerable old Man for whom thou enquirest, although I intended to do so. The lateness of the season, bad roads, & too little time for my purposes prevented. I have received a Letter from him, however, a few days since, & am happy to hear of the continuance of his health. I send thee a little trifle, as one among the list of my children ( of...
19397From John Adams to James Lloyd, 6 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
In my first Letter, I requested the favour of you, to recollect and consider the positive and relative state of this Nation at the time when my “Missions to France” were instituted. I now request you to look over the List, of Senators and Representatives in Congress, at that time, and then tell me whether you think that the War Party had influence enough in this Nation to carry on a long War...
19398To John Adams from James Lloyd, 6 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your respected letter.—for the interesting details which it contains be pleased to accept my thanks.—it will afford me some compensation for the repugnance under which I felt myself in a degree constrained to enter into a public political correspondence, that it has produced to me information from a source from whence I might not otherwise have...
19399To John Adams from John Taylor, 10 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I drop you a line to apprise you of an error in numbering your letters. Numbers 23 & 25 have been received, but no number 24.—25 is evidently the successor of 23, and ought to have been numbered 24. These letters give me great pleasure, and if I live, shall be candidly considered. They contain many observations, in which we differ and agree. They are all read under the influence of a wish to...
19400From John Adams to James Lloyd, 11 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
We are ignorant, as you intimate, of one another. We are ignorant of our own Nation; We are ignorant of the Geography, the Laws, Customs and maners and habits of our own Country. Massachusetts, as knowing as any State in the Union, is deplorably ignorant of her Sister States, and what is more to be lamented Still, She is ignorant of herself. She is composed of two Nations, if not three. One...
19401To John Adams from James Lloyd, 13 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
J. Lloyd has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of Mr Adams, numbered 2, under date of the 6th.curt.— The justification of the missions to France noticed in that letter Mr. Lloyd has never read, but will shortly advert to them with equal readiness and impartiality.—In “a field of controversy” with Mr Adams it was not, nor is it now, his design to enter.—When putting on the...
19402From John Adams to James Lloyd, 14 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Quakers, as I said in my last, were in Principle against all Wars, and moreover greatly prejudiced against New England and personally against me. The Irish, who are very numerous and powerful in Pensylvania, had been and Still were Enthusiasts for the French Revolution, extreamly exasperated against old England, bitterly prejudiced against New England, Strongly inclined in favour of the...
19403To John Adams from Henry Channing, 14 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Under the recollection of the very great pleasure I enjoyed, last Friday, in having an opportunity once more to see & hear one of the few surviving Fathers of our country and the glorious revolution of ‘76; I cannot refrain from taking my pen, to congratulate you on the tidings of an honourable treaty of peace with Britain, which are announced by an arrival at N. York. When the tidings with...
19404To John Adams from James Lloyd, 15 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
J. Lloyd has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of Mr Adams, numbered two, under date of the 6th. curt.— —The justification of the missions to France noticed in that letter Mr Lloyd has not read, but will Shortly advert to them with equal readiness and partiality.— —In a “field of controversy” with Mr Adams, it was not, nor is it now his design to enter—when putting on the...
19405From John Adams to James Lloyd, 17 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have never known in any Country the Prejudice in favour of Birth Parentage and Descent more conspicuous than in the Instance of Colonel Burr, That Gentleman was connected by blood with many respectable Families in New England: he was the Son of one President and the grandson of another President of Nassau Hall or Princeton University, the Idol of all the Presbyterians in New York, New...
19406To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Again a few lines from your old friend, who continuallÿ receives fresh proofs of your unabated attachment. I owed to your distinguishing friendship, that I have been honored once more with a valuable Letter of your Ladÿ, which filled my breast with joÿ, and makes me nearly belief, that I must possess Something, worth noticing—to have in So far attracted her notice—I do not longer Suspect that...
19407From John Adams to James Lloyd, 21 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter of the sixth of this Month, No. 2, I asked you “If three, or five Millions could not be borrowed under an Interest of Eight per Cent you may easily conjecture, how soon We should have Seen, as glorious a Bankruptcy, as We now feel.” In your Letter to me of the Same date, February the sixth, you admit that all would have proved “fallacious,” if publick “Credit had become as...
19408From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 22 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Alexander Hill Everett Esquire, a Genteman of the Bar in Boston, who had his Law Education in the Office of my son John Quincy Adams: and accompanied him to Russia, five or Six years ago, and afterwards travelled, in various parts of Europe, is to be Secretary of Legation to our Embassy to Holland. He is elder Brother to the Reverend Mr Edward Everett, and as great a schollar. He wishes me to...
19409From John Adams to Catherine Elizabeth Murray Rush, 23 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
My obligation for your charming Letter of the first of this month is so great that I am ashamed to acknowledge my fault in neglecting so long an Answer to it. The indisposition of my invaluable Friend Mr Rush, has been a severe Affliction to me and to your Friend Mr Adams. We rejoice in the hopes of his recovery, though the progress of it may be slow, as often has been experienced by me and...
19410From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your favr. of Dec. 17. 1814 has lain too long unnoticed. “Votre deuil vous plait.” I have before recommended to you the Precepts and Example of Epictetus: I now Shall refer you to another respctable Authority and bright Pattern. Forty five years ago, living in cold Lane in Boston, and holding my Barristers Office in Kings Street I walked four times a day by an obscure house, in which I...
19411To John Adams from James Lloyd, 23 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor the last evening to receive your obliging letter of the 21st. curt. — With the correspondence with which you have favored me, I should suppress my own sentiments without a motive for concealment, did I not acquaint you that I have been both pleased, and informed.—pleased with the independence of spirit, and vigour of intelligence, and freshness of recollection, which that...
19412From John Adams to John Taylor, 24 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Correction in your favour of the 10th is exact. I pray you to restore No. 24 to its place No. 3 and all the Subsequent ones to their Ranks. In future I will correct the procedure. But it may be Some time before I can go on, for I have So many Irons in the fire, that I cannot bring them at once on the Anvil and hammer them all in the nick of time. I have not numbered this because it is a by...
19413From John Adams to James Lloyd, 28 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I was engaged this Morning in writing a Letter to you No. 7, when I recd your favr of the 23d. inclosing the returned Letter of my son of Decr. 26, I have not numbered this because it belongs not to that Series. I now inclose the original of a Short Letter I have written to my Son in Answer to his which I pray you to return to me, as I must send it by the first Opportunity. I demand all the...
19414To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 1 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Some years ago, you may recollect, I informed you that I had engaged to complete Dr. Trumbull’s Hist. of the U. States, at his request, he feeling himself too far advanced in life to continue that work. I had made some preparations for that purpose, when, for a conscientious act, in opposing the election of Prof. Ware, as a violation of Mr Hollis’ Statutes, a scene of most violent persecution...
19415To John Adams from James Lloyd, 2 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have just had the honor to receive your respected favor of the 28th ulto. with its interesting enclosure, which I return immediately after perusal—by the confidence manifested in its communication you will be pleased to accept my thanks.—I agree with you Sir, most fully, both as to the very important value of the object in discussion, and that it ought not to be, and I hope never will be,...
19416From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 4 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favour of the 1st and the Sermon. I have never Seen Trumbulls History, in print, and know nothing of it, but from the very hasty Perusal of the Manuscript you Sent me. I esteem Dr Morse and Dr Ware. The Vote of the former against the latter never diminished my Esteem for either: because I believed both to be able and conscientious Men. I esteem Dr Morse and Miss Adams and the...
19417From John Adams to John Taylor, 5 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
A few Words more concerning the Characters of litterary Men. What Sort of Men have had the Conduct of the Presses in the United States for the last thirty Years? In Germany, in England in France in Holland, tho Presses even the Newspapers have been under the direction of learned Men. How has it been in America? How many Presses, how many Newspapers have been directed by Vagabonds fugitives...
19418To John Adams from Richard Rush, 6 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
After thanking you, most cordially, for the affectionate interest you have taken in my late indisposition, I must now say that I have happily gotten rid of all my complaints. Daily rides and walks this fine weather, with fish, oysters, and other good things in moderation, are fast giving me my usual strength. I hope soon to be better than ever. The Jesuits bark I hope I shall be able to do...
19419From John Adams to James Lloyd, 6 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
As method is of no importance, in my Letters I will deviate from the course I was in, to Speak of the Project of the Independence of South America in 1798, Since my glances at this Subject, have excited your curiosity, it Shall be gratified. As the Prudence and Necessity of my “Missions to France,” are cogently demonstrated, by this History, I pray you to read it with patience in Detail....
19420To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
The daÿ before I was so unexpectedly favoured with your affectionate Letters of the 22 & 23 of Febr. mr D. Parish with his usual politeness took a package of Letters for our Dutch friends under his charge for the Dutch Minister, who was so obliging—to offer me their conveÿence to Holland. Nevertheless it was a duty to comply with your friend’s demands, more so, as it appeared to me, that it...
19421To John Adams from James Lloyd, 8 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
In a former note returning the letter with which you had obligingly favored me, I had the honor to offer you my congratulations on the termination of the war, without waiting to know what were the grounds of the Treaty which concluded it; because from the tenor of the previous correspondence, and my personal knowledge of nearly all the Commissioners, I felt a reliance, that the arrangement...
19422To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 8 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I enclose this a Right to use this improvement described in this little pamphlet I lately sent thee. Should it not be thy wish to use it, please hand the Certificate to some friend who will do so, & advise Mr Mr of the result. I am anxious to have the principles fully tested, & the best possible method is by actual demonstration. So far, this has succeeded to complete satisfaction. I was in...
19423From John Adams to James Lloyd, 9 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
With Mr Pickerings Letter and the Extract from Mr Kings, I received a huge Packett, of other Letters and Documents, of which, I will endeavour to give you some Account. 1. A Letter from General Miranda, in French, dated London 24th. March 179 8 addressed to me “Mr President. “It is in the name of the Spanish American Colonies, that I have the honour to send to your Excellency, the Propositions...
19424From John Adams to James Lloyd, 12 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am infinitely obliged to you for your Letter of March 8th. From 1758 to 1775 I practiced at the Bar, and Suffering under ill health I rode the Circuits of the Provinc more than any other Lawyer in the State; and this more for exercise and the Recovery of my health, than for any Profit I made by these Excursions; for I could have made more in my Office at home. I practiced considerably in the...
19425To John Adams from James Lloyd, 14 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your respected and highly interesting letters of the 6th. & 9th. of the present month with their enclosures; the latter of which I now return.— While obliged by their communication I feel reluctant at trespassing so largely upon your time and retrospections, and beg leave again to reiterate the request, that you would not call them into exercise...
19426From John Adams to Richard Rush, 17 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Sight of a well known hand, made my heart leap, before I opened your Letter of the 6th. the Contents compleated my delight. May your health be as permanent as I believe your understanding to be Sound and your heart pure. The Pamphlet inclosed to me, ought to be Sent to every foreign Minister and Consul, tho’ it Should be under the Restrictions you prescribe to me I inclose to you Papers...
19427To John Adams from James Lloyd, 17 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your respected, and highly interesting letter of the 6th. & 9th. of the present month with their enclosures, the latter of which I now return.— While obliged by their communication I feel reluctant at trespassing so largely upon your time & retrospections, and beg leave again to reiterate the request, that you would not call them into exercise for...
19428To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Permit me, to congratulate you and your Lady, with the appointment of his Exc: John Quincy Adams to the Embassÿ at the Court of St James. He has now reached the Summit of his Diplomatic career—and will—I ardently hope—ere long bless his country with a treaty of amity and commerce. The Allmighty prolong your days, till you may See Him pressed once more at His Mothers bosom! Now I you may hear...
19429To John Adams from William Plumer, 21 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have for sometime neglected writing to my friend your son at St. Petersburg, because I expected his return early the approaching summer; but I now perceive he is appointed minster plenipotentiary to the court of St. James’s. My object in this Address is to enquire whether he will accept that mission or return to his native country? If he accepts that appointment, the son may terminate his...
19430From John Adams to James Madison, 23 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter supposes more importance, in my judgement, than it deserves. Whatever it is worth however, it is all in favour of the request in it. Waterhouse is another Rush; and for no other reason that I can conjecture, than his respect & able services, to the national Government, for the last 14 years, has been cruelly treated by the worst faction against it. I submit the subject, to...
19431From John Adams to James Lloyd, 26 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
1 I now inclose to you, the original Spanish Letter to me, dated Falmouth 10 May 1798 from D. Pedro Joseph Caro apologizing for his not coming to me in Person. 2 I next inclose a translation of Pedro’s Letter to Pickering dated Falmouth 10th. May 1798. Sir The annexed Letter of the honourable Mr King to you will serve as a Credential in my favour, in presenting myself to you with the important...
19432From John Adams to James Lloyd, 27 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Let me put a case, like a Lawyer, suppose, Samuel Adams John Dickinson, Patrick Henry and Christopher Gadsden, had been enterprising and romantic enough, in 1773 to go to France and propose to the Duke de Choiseul a triple Alliance between the Crowns of France and Spain, and the United, or to be united States of North America. What would the Duke have Said? “Gentlemen! Shew me, your Full...
19433To John Adams from Richard Rush, 27 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your very obliging and gratifying favor of the 17th of this month, with all its accompaniments, was safely received, and I have to return my particular acknowledgments for your goodness in sending them. The letter from Ghent was like all other letters from the same pen, and I have no higher commendation to bestow upon it. It would have increased, beyond measure, the value of your favor to me...
19434To John Adams from Richard Rush, 27 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Since writing to you this morning, I have determined upon doing a bold thing. I do not often write for the newspapers, as other duties and studies give me for the most part, as I would hope, better employment. But, a week or ten days ago, as the first small effort of industry after my recovery, I threw together some loose reflections upon our late war, which are here enclosed in three half...
19435From John Adams to James Lloyd, 29 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
In my last I promised you the result of all my deliberations on this great Subject. It was this: What shall I do with these papers? The Answer was, Lock them up in my desk and there let them be. I did accordingly lock them up, and there they lay, till I had forgotten them; and there they would have remained to this hour if the Edinbough Reviewers first and Breistead after them had not...
19436From John Adams to James Lloyd, 30 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I need not Say any thing about our Constitutions, or the Difficulties that have been experienced to reconcile the People to them, or the dangerous diversities of Opinion, in the Construction of them, or the dissatisfaction with them, the Uneasiness under them, or the perpetual Projects to alter and amend them. Since We began, the career of Constitutions the wisest, most learned and Scientific...
19437From John Adams to James Lloyd, 31 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Before I proceed to St. Domingo, I have a few Words more to say. And after all I expect to forget and omit, more than half that I ought to Say. In my last I hinted at the happy conclusion of the Peace with France in 1801 and its fortunate Effects and Consequences. Here Sir, I must ask indulgence. I cannot repent of my “Strong Character.” Whether I have one or not, I know not, I am not...
19438From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 3 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have written to the President on your Subject. I know not what Weight my opinion has or whether any at all. But this I know, that if such Scoundrels as Skinner, Bidwell Gannet: Such imbeciles as Dearborne, Hall Varnum Seaver are to be made Great men in New England: and such as Gerry Waterhouse Dexter and Grey to be neglected, Old Anarch will resume his Reign Washington has indeed a dreadful...
19439From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, dear Sir for your favours of 7. and 20th. Ult. Messrs Everett and Mr Ticknor will have the benefit of your Introductions. Oh! that I had been So introduced when I entered Holland a forlorn Pilgrim in 1780, without a Single Line of Introduction to any body. What a Knighterrant I have been? There has been too much Said about Franklins Plagiarism. If he was guilty, which I do not...
19440From John Adams to James Lloyd, 5 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Halcyon Days of New England Prosperity, were the first six years of Mr Jeffersons Administration. Was this Felicity owing to the Wisdom, the Virtue or the Energy of Mr Jefferson? Or was it the natural necessary and unavoidable Effect of the universal peace and tranquility abroad and at home, and with Universal Nature, civilized and savage intailed upon him by his Predecessor, in Spight of...