20501To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Indeed you are very kind towards me: I can not reciprocate these proofs of your frendship as by assuring you of my most cordial thankfulness—that may be called, filling the measure—till it runs over—I know, I should receive some tiding from Montzillo—but a Letter—in your own handwriting, I could not expect indeed. Although I do not publish your Letter—this to me—deservedly might be placed next...
20502To John Adams from John Jay, 11 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 7th. Ult. I have recieved your’s of the 30th. of April, and 13th. of May. As in the latter (which came to hand on the 19 May) you approved of an application to Mr. Duane for copies of what he calls our Journals, I did apply to him accordingly, by a Letter of which the following is a copy—vizt. “Bedford—Westchester County—N. York—22d. May 1821—” “Sir On the 24th. of...
20503From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Our dear Shaw, who ransacks his Atheneum and the litterary World to afford me Amusements and Instruction, two evenings and one day in a Week, brought me on Saturday your Welcome letter of the 22d of May. The true cause of the infrequency of letters between You and me is a conscientious principle on my part. I know that you would answer every Scratch of a pen from me; but I k n ow the...
20504From John Adams to Thomas Mussey, 12 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have received from my merutorious firend and Nephew Mr Shaw, your polite letter of the ninth of this month; together with an ingenious and valuable implement in domestic economy. This invention appears to me an improvement in our culinary œconomy which perhaps wants reformation and amelioration as much in proportion as any other interest. I thank you, sir, both for your letter and /...
20505To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 13 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
I cannot sufficiently thank you for the fresh instance of your friendship in writting to Prest. Monroe in my behalf. If it may not effect the expressed object, it cannot but have a good operation. My worthy friend Dr John Jebb adopted the favourite motto of the immortal Milton viz—“ No effort is lost .” General Miller Govr. of Arkansaw, called upon me last week, direct from Washington, and...
20506To John Adams from David Sewall, 18 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
your Letter of the 30th. Ulto. has been recieved, and once and again perused with pleasure and satisfaction; as is every of your Communications.—To humanize, or Civilize, I doubt not, is doing something essential to ameliorate the Condition of Mankind, as Well as, to Christanize, And attempts at the former ought to precede the latter—But the uncommon exertions of the latter; at the present Day...
20507From John Adams to John Jay, 19 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind favour of the 11th. which I have this moment received, and Soon determined that an acknowledgement of it should not be So long delayed. You have done, with dignity and propriety all that can be done. A publication of your letters to Mr Duane and his Answers would place him in a ridiculous light. But Duane Cobbet and Calender are Such excentric Characters that it Seems...
20508To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 26 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Hearing that your rheumatism was no better, I hasten to say that instead of the Volatile Tincture of Guaicum , I would advise you to apply the flesh–brush, or that coarse cloth which the Russians call Krash to the limb that is affected and to the region of the hip & loins, begining at the leg & so rubbing upwards. This should be done by some prudent man, who will be carefull not to rub off the...
20509To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 2 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I hate the idea of teazing men in high office with letters of individual import, when they are necessarily occupied with generals; but when speaking of my labours in vaccination, and of the point of view in which it was considered by President Jefferson & Madison, it did not occur to me to send you a summary of that business which was extracted from my Treatise on Exterminating the “Smallpox”...
20510To John Adams from Thomas Dawes, 5 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I hope and trust that I shall not offend you by any thing in this communication. What is every body’s business is nobody’s: and therefore I meddle with a subject above my talents, lest it should be touched by hands inferior to my own. Notwithstanding the disparity of years between you and me, it is very probable that you may survive me, as your constitution is better than mine: yet, according...
20511To John Adams from Charles Greely Loring, 7 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Emboldened by a remark contained in one of your letters to the late Hon. Judge Tudor, I have taken the liberty to send a copy of the oration delivered on the fourth inst.; and should the perusal of it afford you the slightest pleasure; it will be to me a very great gratification, that I have had an opportunity of paying this humble tribute of my respect, to one to whom I, as a citizen of this...
20512From John Adams to Gerry Fairbanks, 16 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for an ingenious and pleasing Oration, pronounced by you on the fourth of July—The spirit of moderation, and impartiality, which runs through it, is very amiable and keeps pace with the spirit of Liberty & patriotism which adorns it. It is not in my power, to point out particularly the beauties or the faults in this composition; but I beg leave to suggest a query—whether it is...
20513From John Adams to Charles Greely Loring, 18 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind and friendly letter of the 7th. for which I thank you—and much more for the oration which accompanied it—which I have read with great pleasure the composition is very eloquent though very neat and simple without the least affectation—The sentiments are such as good give offence to no honest American—and the glow of Patriotism with which the f elicity of our Country is...
20514To John Adams from Henry Ware, 18 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Mr Ware is induced by the request of Dr Waterhouse, to take the liberty of offering to the Honorable Mr Adams the enclosed historical pamphlet; and would avail himself of the opportunity of expressing the sentiments of high respect with which he views his life & character. MHi : Adams Papers.
20515From John Adams to Peter Stephen Duponceau, 24 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I had I not been poison’d almost to the loss of my sight, by a rare fever or a blossom cold, I should have long since thanked you for, your discourse, and to have acknowledged to have read it with all that delight—which I always receive from the productions of your pen—The History of Pensylvania is an interesting subject not only to her Citizens but to all America and to all the World—The...
20516From John Adams to Caleb Cushing, 26 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Although unfortunately my eyes have been so ill that I could not read, yet I have had the pleasure of hearing read, your Oration on the fourth of July; and never have read or heard a better. To point at its merits would be to copy the book. When Voltaire was asked why he had not written criticisms upon Racine as well as upon Corneille, he answered, “because there is no criticism to be made.” I...
20517From John Adams to Thomas Dawes, 28 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I am informed by your Brother G, that you wish to know from me some Account of my Education! The first part of it was under Mr Joseph Cleverly in the public latin School in Braintree, the last part under Mr Joseph Marsh who kept a private Accademy the next door but one to my fathers house. From him I was Sent to Colledge in 1751. Had my first degree of course in 1755. kept th: Latin School in...
20518From John Adams to Joseph E. Sprague, 30 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I owe you many thanks for the present of an ingenious entertaining & valuable oration pronounced by you on the 4 July before the Salem charitable Mechanic association. I have read it with great pleasure as I have all the orations which have been sent me this year. I have been much affected with the remarkable uniformity of principles & sentiments & coincidence of topics which pervades them...
20519From John Adams to Wiley & Halstead, 30 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved a letter under this signature dated 22 July 1821 but it must surely be a supposition for the genuine master of the trident which is the sceptre of the ocean never indulged himself in so much flattery nevertheless the institution he recommends has my most cordial approbation. Every institution calculated to alleviate the sufferings & promote the comforts of that brave, generous...
20520From John Adams to James Monroe, 31 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been poisoned by the mephytic iffluvia of blossoms and roses to such a degree as to deprive me of the right of letters and the feeling of a pen: I should have long since acknowledged the honour of your obliging letter of the 13th of the month. it is perfectly satisfactory to me and it ought to be so and I presume will be so to Dr Waterhouse. I am happy to hear that your health is...
20521To John Adams from Mrs. Derby, 31 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Derby presents her respects to Mr. Adams, and altho’ he gave her leave in presence of many witnesses, to put his name to the Subscription paper for Mr. Freeman’s Book; She cannot deny herself & others, the pleasure of seeing so honored a name written by his own hand. She is join’d by her Mother & Mr. Derby in presenting their respects to Mr Adams & the Ladies of his family—. MHi : Adams...
20522To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., July 1821 (Adams Papers)
After waiting nearly in vain to obtain further documents for the biography of James Otis, I have resolved to begin to make the most of the materials, I now possess—I hope in the course of a few days to have completed, the first part of his life, embracing his youth, & what may be called the private part of his professional career—It will all be comprized in a few pages, so few are the...
20523From John Adams to Joseph E. Sprague, 4 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
I owe you many thanks for the present of an ingenious, entertaining and valuable oration, pronounced by you on the 4th of July, before the Salem Charitable Mechanic Association. I have read it with great pleasure, as 1 have all the orations which have been sent me this year. I have been much affected with the remarkable uniformity of principles and sentiments, and coincidence of topics, which...
20524To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 13 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
It is a gratification, that I have it in my power, to cause you Some pleasurable emotions—by the commu ni cations, that an increase of enjoyment has fallen to our Share—although Some what moderated by our Daughter’s indisposition, which however—we have much reason to hope, that is only a passing cloud which Soon Shall pass by. Mr and mrs Busti—in returning from Batavia renewed their visit to...
20525From John Adams to U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 14 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that I live to see so fine a collection of the future defenders of their country in pursuit of honor under the auspices of the national government. A desire of distinction is implanted by nature, in every human bosom, and the general sense of mankind in all ages and countries cultivated and uncultivated, has excited, encouraged and applauded this passion in military men more than in...
20526From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
There are on the Journals of Congress some early resolutions for establishing a Nursery for the Education of young men in military Science discipline and tactics; but paper money was so scarce that they never could afford to carry them into execution. When the idea was revived I do not remember; but it has been cherished under Jefferson Madison and Monroe and is now brought to a considerable...
20527To John Adams from Thomas J. Gantt, 23 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
By a resolve of the 76 Association, made in consequence of their high regard for your republican Principles, and gratitude for the Service, you have rendered the nation, I Send you a Copy of Mr: Elliotts Oration, delivered before that Society on the last 4th of July. I also Send you a copy of Mr: Ramsay’s, delivered the year previous. I am aware that you Should have received the latter long...
20528To John Adams from John Thornton Kirkland, 24 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of Sending you a Card requesting your presence at Commencement.—I beg leave to remind you of your being one of the Judges of the speaking for Boylston prizes the day after Commencement, & to ask you, if you should attend, to do me the favor to dine with me on that day at half after two oC.— With high consideration / & affectionate regard, / I am, Dear Sir, / Your ob. Servt MHi...
20529To John Adams from Nathaniel A. Haven, 27 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
A belief that nothing is uninteresting to you that is connected with the history or character of our country, has given me confidence to address you, upon a subject in which both are concerned. Although the fact, to which I wish to call your attention, was not within your personal knowledge, you may probably recollect some explanation that may have been given of it, at the time it occurred. At...
20530To John Adams from Rebecca de Molitor, 29 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
Your being a relation of My Fathers Induces me to take the liberty of making my Situation known to you—Confident from your known Benevolence of character that you will not turn a deaf Ear to the voice of Misfortune—My Fathers Name was William Engs—Son of Maddet Engs his Mothers Maiden name was Ann Adams, and bore near affinity to your Father—he had two Sisters—Avis & Ann, Avis Married Captn...