Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-03-03
From the Boston Mercantile Journal.
John Quincy Adams.

Il is said that superior men always have SUI
nrrior mothers. and il certainly seems 20 be the
Csc in genera if not always. Psychologists
may moi be able 10 account for it, though The
philosopher, familiar with the operations oimlnd,
NAV. 1t seems to be owing 10 the susceptible
ty of The infant mind 10 Impressions, and the al
most unlimited power the mother has, 10 mould
it for goodor i'll.
Whatever way be the views entertained to-
wards Mr.. Adams as politician, 1t is conceded
by all Familiarity acquainted with his private
character, that he is and ever has been man
of heightened morals, and of the s,rictest integ-
ritv. The following letter is key to this ex-
cep,ion to the generality OF public men. 1t Is
taken from volume Of letters of Mrs. Adams,
mother of John Quincy Adams, just published,
and compiled by her grandson, e. F. Adams,
ESQ, of this city. The letter was written TO
her son, then eleven years of age, who was re-
siding with his, father at Paris:
JUNE, 1878
My DEAR SoN:--'Tisua almost four months
since YOU left your nativeTland, and embarked
upon the mighty waters, in quest of foreign
country. Although have not particularly writ
ten to you since, yet you may be assured you
have constantly been upon my heart and mind.
Ii is very difficult task, my dear son, for a
tender parent to bring her mind to part with a
child of your years. going TO a distant land nor
could have acquesced in such a separation
under any other care than tha, of the most ex-
celent parent and guardian who accompanied
YOU. You have arrived al years capable of i'm
proving under the advantages YOU will be likely
10 have, il you do but properly attend 10 them
They are talents put into your hands. of which
an account will be required hereafter; and being
possessed of one two, or four, see TO it that you
double your number.
The most amiahle and most useful disposition
in young mlnd is diffidence of itself; and this
should lead you TO seek advice and instruction
from him who is your natural guardian, and will
always counsel and direct you in the best man.
ner, both for your present and future happiness.
You are in possession of good natural under
standing, and of spirits unbroken by adversely,
and untamed with care Improve your under
standing by acquiring useful knowledge-and
virtue, such as will render you an ornament 10
society, an honour to your country, and bles-
sing 10 your parents. Great learning and supe
rior abilities, should you ever possess them, will
be of little value and small estimation. unless
virtue, honor, truth and integrity are added to
them Adhere to those religious sentiments
and principles which were early insilled into
your mind, and remember that YOU are account
able to your Maker for your words and actions.
Let me enloin it upon you to attend constant
ly and steadlasly TO the precepts and instruc-
lions of your father, as you value the happiness
of your mother and your own welfare. His
care and attention TO you render many things
for me TO write which | might 9TH
erwise do; but the inadvertency and needless
ness Of youth require line upon line and precepl
upon precepl, and hen enforced by the joint
efforts of beth parents. will, hope. have a due
influence upon your conduct; for dear as YOU are
to me, would much rather you should have
found your grave in the ocean you have crossed,
or that any unlimey death crop you in your in
fant years, than see you an immora, proflIgate,
or oraceless child.
You have entered. early in life, upon the
great theatre ofthe world. which is full Of temp
tations and vice of every kind You are not
wholly unacquainted with history, in which YOU
have read of crimes which your inexperienced
mind could scarcely believe incredible. You
have been taught 10 think of them with horror,
and 10 view vice as
ia monster Of so frightful mien,
That, 10 be hated, needs but TO be SEEN"