19551To John Adams from Cyrus Kingsbury, 23 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will excuse me for troubling you with a line relative to the subject on which I called at your house. the remarks which were then made, have left a deep impression on my mind. I say to myself, can it be possible that President Adams is opposed to any exertions, which may tend to enlighten society, & render it virtuous & happy. No, I will not, I cannot indulge the thought. I do...
19552To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 24 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have received you very obliging favour, & thank you for you kindness in promising to sit to Mr. Morse, for your portrait for me. I enclose a letter for him in which I have requested him to wait on you at Your house, and I will pay every expence attending his journey. Do me the favour of sending it to him enclosed in one from yourself, in which be pleased to invite him.— I am extremely...
19553From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 30 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of Decr 24th. I have Settled the Plan with Mr Morse. You ask a Sketch of my Life. I was born Octr 19. 1735 in Quincy then the North Parish in Braintree, my Father was John Adams, born in the same Parish My Grandfather was Joseph Adams Junior born in the same Parish, My great grandfather was Joseph Adams senior, and my Great Great grandfather was Henry Adams who came...
19554From John Adams to James Madison, 1815 (Adams Papers)
Benjamin Wells Esqr and his Lady are very ambitious of paying their respects to President Madison and his Lady. The Gentleman’s Grandfathers were two as respectable Characters as any in Boston. One of them, Chief Justice Pratt of New York was one of my Patrons at the Barr in 1758; and his Memory will forever be held in veneration by me. The Lady is a Daughter of our late Governor Sumner and a...
19555From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 1 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
From 1760 to 1766 was the purest period of patriotism, from 1766 to 1776 was the period of corruption from 1775 to 1783 was the period of war; not a revolutionary war, for the revolution was complete in the minds of the people & the Union of the Colonies before the war commenced, in the Skirmishes of Concord & Lexington on the 19th of April 1775. In 1766 commenced the seperation of parties,...
19556From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 5 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
The trials of the officer & Soldiers, who were indited for the slaughter in King Street were pending, for the greatest part of the year 1770, & when they came on, consumed six, or seven days each; the discussions & Decisions, in those cases, convinced the people that they could depend on no protection, against the Sovereignty of Parliament but Providence, & their own Arms. Accordingly they...
19557To John Adams from David Sewall, 5 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your communication of Novr. 19th. ulto. came to hand a few days before my departure to attend the district Court at Portland, the duties of Which, & other engagements, has hitherto prevented paying that particular attention, which it always affords me pleasure to make on your Letters, which I have found the Copy formerly made from the Original of old Judge Samuel Sewall to his eldest son...
19558To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 9 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your very obliging favour of the 1st. instant, giving me a sketch of your life, which is highly satisfactory, & for which be pleased to accept my sincere thanks. I shall have the pleasure of speaking to young Dr. Rush, with whom I am acquainted respecting the sketch which you have mentioned. I am glad you have settled the plan with Mr: Morse, to whom be pleased to...
19559To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
You Shall indulge me—having been engaged So long in various lucubrations—that I take Some repose, and write a few lines to the man, whom duty and inclination compel me to revere. I do So rather as—how triffling a Letter may be, you are So indulgent as to favour it with a kind reception—and to tell you the truth—I have been a while impatiently desiring to hear Something of your health and that...
19560To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 11 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Of the last five months I have past four at my other domicil, for such it is in a considerable degree. no letters are forwarded to me there, because the cross post to that place is circuitous and uncertain. during my absence therefore they are accumulating here, & awaiting acknolegements. this has been the fate of your favor of Nov. 13. I agree with you in all it’s eulogies on the 18th....
19561From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 17 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
His Excellency Samuel Adams late Governor of Massachusetts was born in Boston in 1722. His first Education was in the celebrated public Latin School in that City where he was prepared for the University at Cambridge to which he was admitted in 1736. He received his degree of Batchellor of Arts in 1740 and his Degree of Master of Arts in 1743. After his first degree, he entered the store of...
19562From John Adams to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 18 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Samuel Tucker Esquire, a Member of our Massachusetts Legislature has a Petition to Government for Justice or customary favour to meritorious Officers which will be explained before the proper Judges. I cannot refuse his request to certify what I know of his Character and History. My Acquaintance with him commenced early in the Year 1776 when he was first appointed to a Command in the Navy in...
19563From John Adams to David Sewall, 19 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the fifth, and Judge Sewalls Letter to his son Samuel, have convinced me that No Parson Hull existed. Doctor and President Hoar, who was the Guest of Hull the Coiner deceived me. This Hoar lies buried within half a Mile of me, under a Monument and a long Inscription much obscured by Age. He was connected with Hulls and Quincys so nearly that they buried him here. But why Should...
19564From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 20 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
In the Order of Time, I have passed over a Tragical Event, which excited much interest, and contributed largely, to render the Sovereignty of Parliament odious, detestable and horrible to the People. And I can consionscously add, accellerated the Catastrophy of the fifth of March 1770. In 1769 a little before the Recall of Governor Bernard, The British Frigate, The Rose Sent a Lieutenant, a...
19565To John Adams from Noah Worcester, 23 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Having for more than a year devoted much of my time to an inquiry relating to war—that terrible scourge of guilty nations—I am desirous of having the fruits of my inquiries examined by men whose talents, situations and prospects will enable them to judge impartially. The Rev. Mr Norton informed me that you had condescended to read my writings on some other Subjects. This has excited a hope...
19566From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 26 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
You request a Service of Some difficulty, and more delicacy. The Number of Revolutionary Patriots in Massachusetts Patriots of the Revolution was not Small; and all have left Posterity and Connections to dispute with me. But if you demand my Opinion upon honour, I will give it, as it lies in my present Recollection. Samuel Adams, James Otis Junior, Major Hawley of North Hampton, Major General...
19567From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I know not what to say of your Letter of the 11th of Jan. but that it is one of the most consolatory, I ever received. To trace the commencement of the Reformation I suspect We must go farther back than Borgia, or even that Huss or Wickliff, and I want the Acta Sanctorum to assist me in this Research. That Stupendous Monument of human Hypocricy and Fanaticism the Church of St. Peter at Rome,...
19568To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 2 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have received several Epistles in prose and verse, written to console me for my heavy loss, but nothing has equalled the three first lines of your last letter.— It is seldom that affliction comes singly & alone. Suppose I should tell you that my professional & political enemies have succeeded in obtaining a decree of banishment against me, and that I am ordered to take my departure tomorrow...
19569From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of November and January have not been acknowledged. The Politiques de Pous les Cabinets, I once had but have lost. Of the other Books I know nothing; and it is too late for me, ever to know any thing, concerning, “An infernal Spirit, which has Evil for its Good,” I can Say Nothing, but advise you to read Beausobres Manicheism, and Hugh Farmers Demons. My Grandsons are at an...
19570From John Adams to Noah Worcester, 6 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of the 23d of January, and I thank you for the pamphlets enclosed with it. It is very true, as my excellent friend, Mr. Norton, has informed you, that I have read many of your publications with pleasure. I have also read, almost all the days of my life, the solemn reasonings and pathetick declamations of Erasmus, of Fenelon, of St. Pierre, and many others...
19571From John Adams to Noah Worcester, 6 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of the 23d of January and I thank you for the Pamphlets enclosed with it. It is very true, as my excellent Friend Mr Norton has informed you that I have read many of your Publications with pleasure. I have also read, almost all the days of my life, the solemn Reasonings and pathetic Declamations of Erasmus, of Fenelon, of St Pierre and many others against War,...
19572To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 10 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I received your last obliging letter, & thank you most sincerely for the information it contains. I beg leave at the same time to tender my acknowledgments for the kind & prompt manner with which you have answered my several letters.— The Revd. Dr. Morse informs me that his son’s portrait of you for me, is acknowledged to be the best likeness ever taken of you. I am very happy to hear it. I...
19573From John Adams to James Madison, 22 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that General Dearborne, Mr Morton and other Gentlemen have recommended Mr Winthop for a Consulate abroad and I am requested to add my testimony to theirs in his favour. My Acquaintanc with him has been only general, but his Father and Grandfather, his Name and Family have been esteemed and Venerated all my Days, his Education was publick, he has travelled in Europe and his moral...
19574To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 27 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
You had done me the honour of answering my letters to you, so fully, that I had supposed I should never again, perhaps, trespass on your time and attention. I am induced, however, once more, to trouble you. I this day received an anonymous letter, under no date, and bearing the Boston Post office mark. It is very well written, and appears disinterested. It is respectful, liberal, and evinces a...
19575From John Adams to James Monroe, 1 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you for the Presidents message, and for a pacquet from our fellow Citizen La Fayette. I have also the honour to enclose a letter from C H Robbins, in favour of his brother. There Robinses, are Sons of our once Lieutenant Governor, now Judge of Probate. They are respectable people & have respectable connections. You probably know mr Forbes. There may be many applications from...
19576From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 2 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
At the hazard of the little Vision that is left me I have read your Travels in the Wilderness with as much Interest Pleasure and Instruction as Coxes or Moores or Crusoe’s or Gullivers. I have Sent the Manuscript to Alexander Bryant Johnson of Utica and requested him to return it to you by a safe hand. My dear Wife has been sick all Winter and is Still very week, tho’ We hope somewhat better....
19577From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I cannot be Serious.! I am about to write you, the most frivolous letter you ever read. Would you go back to your Cradle and live over again your 70 years? I believe you would return me a New England Answer, by asking me another question “Would you live your 80 years over again”? If I am prepared to give you an explicit answer, the question involves So many considerations of Metaphysicks and...
19578From John Adams to Joseph Delaplaine, 5 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
your letter of 27th Feb, has surprised me. Of the writer of the anonymous letter to you I have no knowledge. The portrait taken by mr Stewart is the property of John Quincy Adams my son, taken by his order, often repeated, for six years, from St Petersburg & paid for by his property; I have no right in it, or power over it. Most certainly it will never go from under my roof, with my consent,...
19579To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
Although I dilay’d till now to answer your very gratifying favour of Febr. the 5th, it was not, that I valued it less. But various circumstances imperiously forbid to pay it Sooner my attention—I Shall not plead the necessity of answering European Letters—and yet this would have Some weight by my frend—amongs whom was one of the Children of our deceased de Gyzalaer—requesting me to mention his...
19580To John Adams from Stephen D. Kingston, 29 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
The obligation confered by the letter you did me the honor to write in September last will always be highly estimated, and as the subject on which I took the liberty of troubling you appears to involve important considerations particularly as to our treaties. I beg leave to inclose the printed documents laid before the Legislature of this State. I am sorry to add in vain. With great Respect...