2101From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith, 18 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I cannot refrain from addressing a few lines to you, to intreat of you, to calm your agitated mind, and to quiet your distressed Heart, for the Sake of Your Surviveing Friends—and turn your thoughts upon those blessings you still possess. You have So repeatedly been called to endure these Heartrending trials, that all the consolations which Religion affords, and the Scripture offers, are...
2102From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have wanted to be writing these two days, but an incessant succession of company which the fine sleighing has tempted out, has prevented, and this Evening after tea I have taken my pen to thank you, for your kindness to George, and to say mr Adams will Send you a check upon the Bank on Saturday if he does not come to Town before—I have a Letter from Caroline which altho it does not contain...
2103From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Never mind it, my dear Sir, if I write four Letters to your one: your one is worth more than my four. It is true that I can Say and have Said nothing new on the Subject of Government. Yet I did Say in my Defence and in my Discourses on Davila, though in an uncouth Style, what was new to Lock, to Harrington, to Milton, to Hume, to Montesquieu to Roauseau, to Turgot, Condorcet, to Rochefaucault,...
2104To John Adams from Alexander Adams, 15 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will pardon the Trouble I give you in thus Adressing you: But a Reliance on your good Nature, from your exalted Situation in Life and publick Caractar, with the Nature of this Address, will: I hope plead my Excuse— I have been informed that my Wifes Brother Samuel Miller, a Cabinet maker or House Carpenter; Died in Philadelphia sometime past; And whether he made a will or not I...
2105From Ann Frances Harrod Adams to John Adams, 20 June 1810 (Adams Papers)
When I take a retrospective view of the innumerable obligations which I owe you, not only as the revered Parents of my husband but as the kindest and best of friends, my heart expands with filial gratitude yet I know not how to attempt an expression of my feelings. After a residence of five years under your roof which has been endeared to me by some of the most interesting events of my life,...
2106To John Adams from Ann Frances Harrod Adams, 8 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have heard, with some surprize, your proposition to Mr Adams that we should once more take up our residence with you. It is not unnatural that you should wish to have your Children with you, but with so numerous a family as ours it cannot be expected that we should at all times promote your enjoyment, and there may be many times when the necessary wants and recreations of Children would be a...
2107To John Adams from Benjamin Adams, 30 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
With Humble Permission I Approach to Address your Great Personage In your Great and Exalted Station where in you are raised by the free Choise and Suffrages of a Free and Independant People: where in I rejoice and Congratulate you: I would Use the words of King Solomon and Say that It is my Hearts Desire and Prayers to Almighty God for You that you may have an understanding Heart to Judg thy...
2108Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1792 (Adams Papers)
After a very fatiguing and a very anxious jaunt, I have returned from Albany with my Certificate of admittance to pratice the law I suffered much anxiety from the hesitation which the Court made at the certificate given me by M r Lawrance who had not exactly pursued the form which is required in such cases. The great stumbling block was that he had expressed That “I entered his office” at a...
2109Charles Adams to John Adams, 9 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
Suppose that for a few moments we should indulge in the regions of fancy and imagine a nation about to form into civil society Suppose their fundamental law to be that no member of the community should possess more land than he could actually cultivate Suppose them determined to be an agrest people without commerce without communication with foreigners. Could not thier exist in such a...
2110Charles Adams to William Cranch, 14 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
NB This is not performing the promise of writing to one another every week. I know you can write if you have a mind to for you have as much enough time to write. I have just done getting my mornings lesson, began at the verbs in ao eo oo at the indicative mood have got the active voice out. Have I not been spry. Had I began Virgil when you went away. Oh yes well I have got the second Georgic...
2111Charles Adams to John Adams, 20 August 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have this day opened an office in Hanover square. The situation is as eligible as any in the City. There is but one objection, which is the high rents which are demanded for rooms in so public a situation. I have however been advised to take it, rather than go into a more retired seat. I wrote a few days since to my Mama, I then mentioned that forty pounds was the rent required for a small...
2112Charles Adams to John Adams, 28 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your very kind letter of the 13 instant was very grateful to me. We have indeed suffered a double anxiety both for ourselves and our friends it is so natural for the latter absent from the City to be more apprehensive than we have been that I have been very much pained at their remonstrances against remaining in town Nor should I have remained had I not conceived it an indispensible duty. I...
2113Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 19 th instant I have received I thank you for your congratulations upon an event which has united me to the woman of my affections Your kind invitation shall be accepted as soon as I can leave my business for a few weeks how soon this may happen I cannot tell, nor can I flatter myself it can be in a short time. Since our marriage we have been at a house the Colonel has bought...
2114Charles Adams to Joseph Dennie Jr., 9 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the month of March last deserved an earlier answer. but my absence from this City must be my excuse. The Lay Preacher has not escaped the notice of any one who has a taste for fine writing and you may be assured it has afforded me great pleasure to hear my friend Dennie mentioned as one of the most charming writers of The age. Unfortunately I have mislaid The proposals you...
2115Charles Adams to John Adams, 10 May 1793 (Adams Papers)
It is sometime since I have written to you but still longer since I have had a line from my dear father. I do not repine for while you are happy in your feilds I will willingly give up that share of pleasure and instruction which I constantly received from your kind communications. It appears as if this City was fated to be the scene of constant disquietude and jarring cabal no sooner have the...
2116Charles Adams to John Adams, 13 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the eleventh yesterday. M rs Smith has quite recovered from her illness and is doing very well Our electioneering campaign was opened in due form last monday that is to say that The Freeholders of this City were called together to hear who were the men whom Ric d Harrison Rob t Troup and Josiah Ogden Hoffman would chuse to have made Gov r and L t Gov r of the State....
2117Charles Adams to John Adams, 31 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
M r Francis Baretto has as he informs me applied for the Consulate at Madeira and has requested me to mention you to him as an acquaintance. He is a Native of that Island though for many years a Citizen of this Nation He has been known to me for more than ten years and his misfortunes of various kinds have excited my compassion and esteem as I beleive he did not merit them. If I should err...
2118Charles Adams to John Adams, 4 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 20 th Ult o I received, and most cordially thank you for the parental wishes expressed for me and my amiable companion. In a season of joy your mark of affectionate regard added greatly to my happiness. From a hint which M r Jay dropped to you one day in conversation I supposed it probable that my brother would be sent to England upon important business. I have written...
2119Charles Adams to John Adams, 4 June 1796 (Adams Papers)
The canvass of the votes for Senators for this district and for Members of Assembly to Represent the City of New York was finished yesterday by the Statement I send you herewith you will perceive that the politics of this State have begun to run in a vigorous stream in the proper channel. M r Burr is by this time pretty well convinced that his popularity is much less than he had fondly...
2120Charles Adams to John Adams, 29 May 1793 (Adams Papers)
It is with great pleasure I hear that my brother is appointed to speak the town Oration, on the fourth of July next. It would give me infinite satisfaction to hear him, but as I cannot, I request a few copies if they can be procured, as soon as they appear in print. Confined as he must be, by the shackles which are, I think erroniously, imposed upon those who have this duty to perform; I have...
2121Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 September 1794 (Adams Papers)
My books arrived in good order and well conditioned the day after I last wrote to my father. By some mistake the 28 th volume of The Dictionaire Diplomatique was left behind. Though I have not seen an account of the departure of my brothers I suppose from my father’s last letter that e’er this they must have sailed One half of your children are called away from you and though seas do not...
2122Charles Adams to John Adams, 5 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your affectionate letter of the first instant. In return for your kind wishes, I present my respects, with an ardent hope, that you may yet many years be spared to your children, your friends and your Country; and that each returning season may still, as they ever have, find you happy, in that greatest of blessings to the just, an applauding conscience. Many are the...
2123Charles Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 July 1793 (Adams Papers)
I received the copies of your Oration by M r Atkinson for which I give you my own and the thanks of my friends Unwilling to trust my own partial judgment upon the performance I have endeavored to collect the opinions of those of my friends here who are most remarkable for their taste and my own ideas have been justified by the universal applause which has been bestowed upon your Oration. I...
2124Charles Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the 18 ult o inclosing the money you was so kind as to procure for me. I laughed for half an hour at the witticism upon Orator Adams’ occupation. At the second Townmeeting I am informed you came forward and acquired much honor, as the business eventually redounded to the honor of the town of Boston I was pleased that you had signalized yourself I see very plainly...
2125Charles Adams to John Adams, 25 August 1793 (Adams Papers)
By Colonel Smith who setts out for Boston tomorrow I have the pleasure of addressing a few lines to you. If you procure the Newspapers from New York you will observe by them that events of some importance have passed lately in this City with an almost incredible rapidity. Though much has been feared, from the turbulence of some and much apprehended from the inactivity of others yet happily for...
2126Charles Adams to John Adams, 17 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
Delighted and instructed as I have been by your two letters containing the strictures upon M r Kent’s Lectures I was sorry at the injunction to keep them perfectly to myself, more so perhaps because I consider myself under some obligations to communicate to the members of our Society whatever may fall under my observation which can tend to the instruction of man kind and to the advancement of...
2127Charles Adams to John Adams, 8 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your letter inclosing the Pamphlet, came very safe to hand. I thank you, for your kindness. The Mails between this City and Philadelphia are very safe and secure. I have never heard of any accident happening to anything sent by this conveyance. Many of the communications published in this pamphlet have already appeared in our papers You know Sir that it is an idea cherished by many that a...
2128Charles Adams to John Adams, 18 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
M r Van Persyn the bearer of this; is a Dutch gentleman the brother in law of M r Jean Luzac by whom he has been recommended to me He proposes to settle in this Country and to lay out his Capital in a farm M r Luzac and my brother Thomas have requested my advice and assistance for him. He has also letters for you. We are exceedingly anxious to know what will be the result of the disposition of...
2129Charles Adams to John Adams, 5 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your letters to the third instant. In answer to the queries respecting The meeting of the Citizens on thursday last I can say that for about a week before the day proposed for the assemblage a Card was inserted in our newspapers inviting the inhabitants to convene on that day to consider the impediments which had been thrown in the way of our Commerce by Great...
2130Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Since I left the Baron which was about three weeks ago I have had the melancholy account of his being attacked with the numb palsy. I never expect to see him again his total neglect of exercise has rendered it almost impossible he should ever recover. Thus strikes the hand of disease—and we are no more. To me he has been a friend indeed and I may never expect [ “ ]to look upon his like...
2131Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two last letters that by M r Bracket accompanied by the presents you were so kind to make us. The fruit though it had a very long passage is very fine there not being more than thirty unsound pairs in the whole barrel the cheese is also remarkably good and I think would deceive the most experienced Englishman— The anxiety respecting the event of the election is very great...
2132Charles Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
The last letter I received from you was dated the 16 th of April and contained not only the latest but by far the most satisfactory intelligence, we had received. I thought that is was proper to give the most of it to the public, especially, as the accounts from England of the same date were very unfavorable. The conduct of the French toward the Batavians, since the conquest of Holland, has...
2133Charles Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letters of Dec r 30 th from London and of Nov r 4 th from Helvoetsluys have been both received. that of the latest date reached me about six weeks before the other. I am balancing in my mind whether or not to draw bills they are now four pr Cent below par but objects of speculation are also low. six pr Cents at seventeen shillings and the rest of the funds in proportion. All kinds of...
2134Charles Adams to John Adams, 9 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I had the following conversation with a gentleman on thursday last How comes it that you vary so much in your political opinions from Col Smith and your father? I do not know that I differ in sentiment with My father but there are many principles which Col Smith has lately adopted that by no means accord with my ideas. This is strange it has been given out that Your father and Col Smith...
2135Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
My Sister informs me that you have not lately heard from your sons in Holland and that you were anxious respecting them. I am happy to have it in my power to relieve your mind and to relate the cause of your not receiving intelligence from them. I have within these six weeks received a half a dozen letters from them some of a date as late as the 7 th of October They are in good health and...
2136Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 April 1792 (Adams Papers)
The pamphlet you have been so kind as to send me has met with much approbation here. The boldness of the diction receives accumulated vigor from the too serious truths which it conveys. I think however something better might have been written upon those subjects. There is most certainly too much local partiality in the administration of our Government. People in this part of the world begin to...
2137Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
This morning about one o’clock My Sally presented me with a charming daughter They are both remarkably well I must insist on your naming the Child which will perhaps be christened at Quincy Yours with the sincerest affection NB. My Respects to my father— RC (private owner, 1957); addressed: “M rs A Adams / Quincy”; endorsed: “C Adams aug / 8th / 1796.” Susanna Boylston Adams (1796–1884) was...
2138Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 June 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have put off writing to you from post to post in hopes of hearing from some of the family that my father and yourself were well arrived and settled at Braintree, till at last I am quite tired of going to the Post office in fruitless search of letters. I have several times written to Pappa and in part informed him of the important struggle at present existing in this State. I have intended to...
2139Charles Adams to John Adams, 12 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Samaneens were a sect of Philosophers of India They embraced the doctrine of Butta or Budda whom the Indians have placed among their Gods and beleive him born of a Virgin One peculiar difference between this sect and that of the Brachmans was that originally the Brachmans were all of one tribe or Cast The Samaneens did not exclude any class from their body The were much respected and...
2140Charles Adams to John Adams, 19–20 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your kind favor of the 17 th. I am not ignorant that dayly abuse is poured upon not only the officers of Government, but even upon the President himself who heretofore has been exempted from public attacks of this nature. I console myself by reflecting that the authors of these libels are a few hirelings of Antifederalism in the City of Philadelphia. The...
2141Charles Adams to John Adams, 6 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
The very interesting situation of our Country at present cannot fail to call forth the serious reflections of those who are anxious for its wellfare What we are destined to can only with certainty be divulged by the operation of time. Individuals reason from the experience of past ages and often draw different conclusions from the same premises. We are as yet but a young Country. Yet we have...
2142Charles Adams to John Adams, 7 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
Our Legislature have been some time occupied in debating upon what are called The Virginia resolutions which you have doubtless seen and which have been so industriously forwarded to the different States for their concurrence though our good Sister has not been treated quite so cavalierly by New York as she was by Massachusetts yet I beleive they both concur in thinking her a very whimsical...
2143Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 September 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th instant came to hand yesterday. I can give you no certain information respecting Col Smiths affairs He has a vast property in his hands but is very much embarrased for want of money to make his regular payments as they become due Whether on the winding up he will have anything left is what I believe neither he or anyone else knows. He acted on a very large scale and...
2144Charles Adams to John Adams, 21 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
I am clearly of opinion with you that we stand in need of some magic equally powerful as the Lyre of Amphion to quell the rage of the political elements and yet I have my doubts whether the power of music or eloquence could instil sentiments of Justice or integrity into the minds of some of our Legislators. My dictionaire Historique tells me that Amphion was the son of Jupiter and Antiope that...
2145Charles Adams to John Adams, 30 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letters accompanying the trials of Gerrald Muir and Margarot. I am perfectly of your opinion that Gerrald’s is worth all the rest, his defence is able eloquent and pathetic. Muir also discovers marks of a great mind Posterity will give very little praise to the independence or candour of Scotch Judges. In a former letter you ask why I suppose M r Jay...
2146Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have been sometime expecting to hear from you upon a subject the most interesting to my heart. It appears to be the wish of those concerned and a wish that perfectly coincides with mine that the connection between Sally and myself should take place as early in the fall as possible. I request you to consent to the proposal and to bestow your parental blessing upon your affectionate son RC (...
2147Charles Adams to John Adams, 19 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of the 16 th yesterday. I am sorry that from what I said in my last to you it should be inferred that I wished to advocate the cause of infamy or that I had partially related circumstances. All I meant by there being no evidence was that was not such evidence as would warrant a jury to find the prisoner guilty of the charge laid against him. I most earnestly request that...
2148Charles Adams to John Adams, 26 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
I am very sorry that M r Bull has been so very dilatory that I received the horses but a day or two since He I find can make good promises. I am now looking out for a purchaser and hope to find one soon The horses do not look so well as I expected they would. We have accounts from Europe of the retreat of the combined armies from France. In this event I am only able to see a state of Anarchy...
2149Charles Adams to John Adams, 26 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 13 th and 24 th I have received the latter containing the Post note for Dol s 100 and I return you my thanks for it. The Vindication of M r Randolph’s Resignation is read with the greatest avidity. I think there are many things contained in it quite foreign to the subject and which it was unnecessary to disclose. That good will come of it I do not doubt, not to him but to...
2150Charles Adams to William Cranch, 9 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I receiv’d your letter of the 27th. of April sometime last week, and as your Chum is going to Cambridge next Wednesday I here see fit without more ceremony to give you a small scroll; and you will please to think that you have been at College allmost a year and an half and that between us both four letters have been the production of our Correspondence; now as to your thought’s about this...