7601John Adams to Charles Adams, 10 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved with pleasure your letter of the 22d. of octr. and agree with you that the times are such as to make it difficult for a young Gentleman, to determine upon a Profession, yet there is no reason to be discouraged, The Prospect will brighten. I have so well grounded a Veneration for the Law, that I shall never discourage any of my sons from pursuing the study of it, if their Genius...
7602From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 21 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have read over and over again your letter of the 13th. I regret extreamly another blunder, of the post office, by which it has been sent to the Southward, & returned to me only last night. You needed not to have apologized for its length. There is not a word in it to spare. You may not write me any more letters, which are to reach Quincy or Boston, after the 29th of Sept. I will be at...
7603From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 27 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am this moment honoured with your Letter of Yesterdays date and I thank you for your kind Congratulations, on the News from America. May Great Britain ever Send to America, while she continues to send any, only such brave, able, active and enterprizing Generals as Cornwallis and Burgoine. Every Such General will consume them an Army of Ten or Fifteen Thousand Men, every Campain, without...
7604From John Adams to Timothy Todd, 25 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank You for this Address, which has been presented to me by Mr Chipman one of your Representatives Senators in Congress. Sentiments like yours, which have been entertained for years, it would at this time be inexcuseable to Suppress. If, you have long seen, foreign Influence prevailing, and endangering the Peace and Independence of our Country, So have I. If you have long seen, with...
7605Feb. 1. (Adams Papers)
I intend a Journey to Worcester to morrow. How many observations shall I make on the People at West Town, and Worcester, and how many new Ideas, Hints, Rules of Law, and Eloquence, shall I acquire before I return? Let my Journal answer this Question, after my Return.
7606[In Congress, January–June 1776] (Adams Papers)
I returned to my daily routine of Service in the Board of War, and a punctual Attendance on Congress, every day, in all their hours. I returned also to my almost dayley exhortations to the Institutions of Governments in the States and a declaration of Independence. I soon found there was a Whispering among the Partisans in Opposition to Independence, that I was interested, that I held an...
7607From John Adams to Dr. Samuel Hollen, 15 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 17th of July never reached me till since my return home. inclosd is an answer to the Address, which is very kind and handsome, and the more agreable as the Representative of the Town, seems by your account to entertain different sentiments. We cannot all think alike in this World. I rejoice to find you in so good health and spirits.—I am Dear Sir.— / Your old Friend Dr....
7608I. To William Hooper, 27 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Subject, on which you was pleased to request my Sentiments, is of infinite Importance to Mankind. Politicks is the Science of human Happiness—and the Felicity of Societies depends entirely on the Constitutions of Government under which they live. That puerile famous Couplet of a very great Poet, “For Forms of Government let Fools contest That’s best administered, is best,” Shows him to...
7609From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in the information that the reports propagated of Indian depredations in the North Western territory are destitute of foundation.—The letters from Christopher McPherson I return to you inclosed. It would not perhaps be proper for you or me to answer him. But a man of his stamp may be of more consequence than we may apprehend. If you think it worth while to communicate the letter to...
7610From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 9 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Since there is nothing in human life but Brimborians, that is maginificent nothings, pompous Bubbles, Sounding Brass, tinkling Cymbals, fantastic Non Entities, airy Gossamers, idle dreams delirious visions &c &c. &c. I am desirous of assisting your studied and learned investigations into this Essence of sublumary things. Le grande Dictionaire Royal Francaise latine et allemande by Pomay....