Title: To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 February 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					27 Feb—4 Mar. 1819

				Feby. 27 Remained at home all the morning—Mr. Adams dined with Mr. Lowndes—In the evening went to the French Ministers where Mr. A accompanied me it being their last public night—God save the King produced a great effect I understand last night, and the papers are to ring with it tomorrow—The managers—Those of whom were Members of Congress had determined it should not be played, and Mrs. Peter in direct contradiction to their wishes, sent a private order from the supper table to the Band, and they supposing it the desire of the managers played it immediately—The managers are outrageous, and I should not be surprised if something disagreeable occurred in consequence of this foolish circumstance; but Mrs. S. is so notorious for her political follies, her name affords sufficient excuse. I mean only in this sense for her private character is every way amiable and unexceptionable—The Commissioners are much enraged at the affair of the Tickets of invitations which were issued for the launch as they declare they had nothing to do with the arrangement—Com R. who is not the mildest man in the world, seems inclined to take his revenge of one of the Editors of the papers here, with that delightful weapon so well known to Virginians, and Slave holders, the Cow hide—We endeavoured to laugh him out of it, but he says “this is the only true restriction of the Press.” Thus you see my Dear Sir we have a wonderful mixture of great and little events to keep us in agitation—But I assure you that Genl Jackson, and the Spanish Treaty, cannot compare in interest with the Bagot Ball, and the unfortunate launch, and you could scarcely believe the two former were of vital importance to the interests of the Country and Nation at large—Com R—upon somebody’s asking why Vessels were always called after females, said, that it reminded him of the same question having been put to him one evening at Mr. Madison’s—he was at a loss to answer, but Mr M. immediately said, it was “because her hull was not worth more than her rigging”—You will laugh at this bon mot therefore I have written it—I believe I have already asked in one of my Letters for your opinion on Jacksons affair and the Spanish Treaty, and were I not afraid of being troublesome I should re-urge my petition—I much fear my journal which you are so good as to desire so much, will sink into mere stupidity, for dulness will resume her reign as soon as Congress is gone, and nothing less than Hope could draw amusement from her sleepy atmosphere, or the genius of wit which inspired him—There will be nothing to excite a momentary interest—The party was very crowded and every body appeared desirous to shew a marked respect for their amiable entertainers—He is a firm friend to the Country and I hope will be duly appreciated by it—Mr. A. says he is sure I am very indirect in my journal—I fear it is true, but I am sure you will undertake my defence—If twenty years of experience has not taught me prudence what will?28 Returned a number of visits—went through the ordinary services of the day, and in the evening received social visits from Mr. Forbes, and Mr. Hopkinson, who sat with till eleven o’clock—Mr. A quizzed the latter him a little about the “Mariners Congress” which he had introduced in his speech on Jacksons affairs, and told him the charge ought to have been made against both, as for instance the “Mariners Congress and Genl Jackson &c &c”—he took it very good humouredly—It is his last Session—1 March The morning was excessively unpleasant and it began to rain at about 9 o clock the time appointed for the launch—We however sat out and I got into one of the work shops affording a very fine view of the Ship—The issuing of Tickets which had given such mortal offence had nearly produced a very disagreeable scene—One of the Members of Congress assured me that the Mechanics had intended to march in procession as to a funeral with the cap of liberty hoisted on a pole, and bury it at the gate of the Navy Yard—After waiting about three hours she glided most majestically into the Stream, and seemed proudly to anounce that she was destined to confer honour and glory on the Country for whose defence she was built, and to add fresh Laurels to the wreath, which already encircle the brows of our brave commanders—Mr. Adams was launched in her and she was called the Columbus—In returning I stopped at the room in which the cold collation was set out, to ask Mrs. Tingey how she was; the crowd was immense I did not sit down but walked round the tables and soon left the group—Made an attempt to get into the Supreme Court but without success—In the Eveng went to a Ball at Mrs. Bagot’s it was not very full but tolerably agreeable—There is a stiffness which pervades all Mrs. B.’s parties impossible to shake off, which always appears to convey an idea of superiority; and there is an apparent effect of condescention about her, which though blended with great sweetness, and ease, forces on her guest’s the recollection that they are there to be entertained, a thing which if possible must be forgotten—and in that forgetfulness alone consists the art of entertaining well—but this like most other difficult things is easier in the theory than in the practice—as I daily experience—2d Accompanied Mr B. Vaughan and Mrs. Pleasanton to hear Mr. Pinkney—I cannot retract what I said in a former Letter but tho’ I dislike his manner, his gestures, and his tones as much as ever, the force of his reasoning the beauty variety and elegance of his language, charm and fascinate the attention, and when the charm has ceased you look upon the man with astonishment, and wonder how so much solidy  can be blended with so much frivolity, how such superior sense with so much absurdity—laborious, industrious, and with a degree of application to his business almost amounting to excess, at the same time vain trifling and ridiculous in his dress, as in conversation, and amusements—This is one of the constant’s which will puzzle the most reflecting being to account for satisfactorily—The Austrian Prince Kaunitz is said to have been much such a character—he was the prime minister of Maria Theresa—Such striking contrarieties in one human being bewilders the sense of man, and are as unfathomable as many of the great mysteries which the bounded reason of man are ever seeking to explore—In the midst of the gay and giddy throng which surrounds me, gay as the gayest, careless and indifferent, I still find lessons great and important before me, from which I trust I may reap essential benefit in my course through life, and learn to skim the rocks and quick sands as thickly strewn in my path—and I trust in providence to support me thro’ the duties I have to perform, and to strengthen me in the hope of a happy existence in a future state, without which hope life would be despair—Mr. P.—spoke from eleven till three, and then requested the indulgences of the Court as he was too much exhausted to proceed—The Court granted it unwillingly, and he is to conclude tomorrow—Returned home and dressed for a dinner at Mrs. Middleton’s—Met there a charming Woman by the name of Heather Lady of one of the Virginia Members with whom I had a great deal of conversation She gave me a most friendly invitation to visit her in Virginia and I am sure such a visit would afford me much real pleasure—her health is weak, but her mind is strong and well improvedMr. Garnett and Mr. Barbour also dined there the one an odd compound of liberality and Virginia prejudice the other served only to breathe the atmosphere of his own State possessing a mind incapable of expansion beyond the limit of his own State narrow circle in which according to his account in which all of excellence is to be found and beyond which every thing is in a state of perfect chaos—To hear him America has derived all her advantages from that state alone and even now every thing that is done well  is done so through her influence—He is enraptured at the prospect of having a University in Virginia and hopes that from this time forward no Virginian will suffer his Son’s to be tainted by receiving an education in any other State whatever; and we are for the future I suppose to expect a degree of perfection far surpassing any thing the world ere saw or in fact can imagine—These narrow prejudices are a poor foundation for such a brilliant expectation—Mrs. Middleton was to have a dance at in the evening but all the company failed and we returned home at ten o clock the night bitter cold—Had some very good music—3 Received visits part of the morning and paid visits part after which returned to dinner and spent a quiet eveng. at home—Mr. A. went to the Capitol to read bills for the President to sign it being the last day of the Session and Congress adjourned after a most tedious and not very profitable Session—which has been a great cause of complaint to a number of the Members—Much time has been wasted in noisy turbulent and trifling debate upon questions calculated only to serve party purposes ostensibly aimed at individuals but really against the Administration—I am often told that the object of all this effort is of no consequence to the Nation and that he is too insignificant to be an object of apprehension to any party whatever—If this is the case why these extraordinary measures? Why this desire to detract from all that is done in one particular Department? and why this total silence upon improprieties or follies committed by any other?—These are question’s not proper for me to ask perhaps though easy for you to answer—I will therefore close my Letter—The Treaty has approved generally throughout the Country but the English one which is of equal importance has passed by unnoticed—So goes the World—March 4 I must conclude although I have not finished my day, requesting you to remember me kindly to all the family, and to believe me as ever your dutiful daughter—You must read after conversation—She gave me


Title: From John Adams to Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway, 1 March 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Treadway, Susanna Boylston Adams Clark

My dear Mrs. Clark
Quincy March 1st. 1819

I have requested your Uncle to advance the money for your Bible on my account;
Have you heard Mr. Clay speak in the house? I wish there might be as many spectators of the launching of the 74; as there were of the execution of the four pirates lately in Boston.
Kiss little Susan and congratulate her on her recovery My love to Mr. Clark and all the family; I hope you will not fall in love with fashions or fashionable society from your neighbourhood to Washington; For if you should ever be condemned to it you will find it as painful a slavery as that of your cousin’s domesticks upon her plantation and I believe more so. I have taken sufficient doses of it to make me sick; study therefore Philosophy and rural felicity bear the calamities of life with fortitude and submission Such is the advice of your affectionate Grand father
John Adams


Title: From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 1 March 1819
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Dear Sir,
					Alexandria March 1st. 1819.

				I enclose the sermon of Mr. Whitney which you was so kind as to lend me. My daughter Nancy has copied that part which speaks of the character of thate venerable friend whose loss we deplore. I was in hopes that my elder daughters would have had an opportunity of being personally acquainted with her; but as that is now impossible, I shall endeavour to impress upon their hearts the virtues which were in her so conspicuous.Permit me to congratulate you upon the successful termination of the long and unpleasant negotiation with Spain. It will form a memorable epoch in your diplomatic history; and will add more glory to the American name than a conquest purchased with the blood of thousands.With most sincere attachment & respect, / I am Dr. Sir, yours

					W. Cranch:


Title: To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 March 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					March 4–9, 1819

				March 4th. Took a long walk the weather being beautiful—returned home to dress for dinner at having a company of 20 to Dine with us—Some of the Ladies who have declined visiting me the whole winter have thought proper to leave cards to take leave—I understand that many of them do not return as their husbands are not re–elected and after the adjournment of Congress they dropt their rank—Our company assembled at five o’clock and 6 person’s disappointed us—The party consisted of Genl Jackson, two of his aids, Genl Talmadge, Mr. Fromentin, Mr. Easton, Mr. Mason & Son, Genl. Bernard, Capt Poussin, Mr. Coles, & Mr. Middleton—We were as social as circumstances would admit, but our hero looked depressed and dejected, and appears to be more deeply wounded than from his character we should expect, more especially after the public expression of the people, which has been so strongly manifested on his recent journey—It is said he made some mistakes, and has in consequence lost some of his popularity, and this is not to be wondered at; his feelings having been kept in a state of perpetual irritation, and his mind labouring under the suspicion of unjust or unfair conduct, from person’s in whom he had placed the highest confidence—Men of ardent disposition’s and character, are often led into errors of this description, and under such impressions, through their power into the strongest opposing party—It is true the conduct of the Senate has been base and ungenerous, and calculated to wound very deeply any man of honour and principle; and old Hickory seems to be very sensitive—The Report which was read in the Senate, was brought forward purposely at this late Season of the year period of the Session, that it  should not be acted upon, and that it might leave him in such a state, as to allay the present enthusiasm in his favour, and produce such a change in the sentiment of the people, as to admit of their renewing the attack next Session, under more favourable circumstances, to insure their political intrigues—It is singular that after the decided manner in which a large part of the Community have declared their disapprobation of the measures of the house, and after the defeat of the party by his acquital, that the Senate should resume a subject apparently so odious; but time only can unravel the  dessous des Coutes, and exhibit to the public the mechanist who moves and works all these puppets—Old Hickory is the nominal object, but through him they will strike much deeper to obtain the stake which they are playing for, to reward their toils—but I ardently pray that the shaft they have so rudely aimed at him, will recoil with redoubled force, and strike them to the dust from which they spring—I have no partiality for Jackson and know him only as a public man, but I hate persecution and shrink with horror from such an abuse of power—5th. Rose with a sore throat and Cold—Received visits all the morning, and in the evening went to hear Mr. Artiguenave whose performances were very good—he had more company than I expected although his room was thin—We are left in sober sadness to reflect upon past events, and trust that benefit will result from the labours of those occupied in the duties and for the welfare of the public and the Nation—It is said as much usual that half the work is left undone, and much time has no doubt been wasted in deliberation’s which were evidently not essential to the real welfare of the Nation—I write what I pick up; subjects I confess a little beyond my depth: but your experience and knowledge will enable you to draw some correct conclusions from the general mass—I have always thought weakness of character infinitely more pernicious and dangerous in its consequences than actual vice—The one excites the crafty passion’s of all who surround it, and by this means propagates an abundance of mischief, while the evil of the other is in a great measure concentrated, therefore comparatively partially ruinous—And here end all my political observations for the winter which I hope have proved more laughable than tedious as I am conscious that in rising so far beyond my proper sphere, I often border on the ridiculous—Were I ever admitted behind the curtain I should avoid writing on the subject, but as this is not the case, I feel the right to take what latitude I please—Many odd questions are put to me on this point, and among the rest if I do not write Mr. A. papers. I laugh and say certainly and that my talents are so well know it is not worth while to deny it; and such question’s afford Mr. A and myself a good deal of diversion for he has too much sense to be affronted by them—Received a visit from Mr. Dana the Senator from Connecticut, who arrived to take his Seat the last day of the Session, which has occasioned some animadversion. He is as pleasant as ever but quite a Cripple—We had much conversation but mostly of the quizzing kind6 Arose quite ill and not able to speak above a whisper—Mr. A. recommended to me to keep home which advice I followed. At about four oclock Mr. Smith came and finding me so unwell stayed and passed the remainder of the day with me—After dinner Mr. Forbes came in and we had some pleasant chat—Poor William has been buoyed up with false hopes all the Winter as it regards his promotion; and just as he had flattered himself with success, he was informed by one of his patrons, that an application that he could do nothing for him, as he was answered when he made the recommendation, that “nothing could be done without  appearing to act in direct contradiction to his Uncles principles—Is it fair or is it generous thus to pervert a good and proper principle—and can any one pretend to understand it as a total exclusion to those who were in the service of the Government before he arrived? I can never admire what appears to me to be a mean prevarication in any situation however exalted—My two Sisters and their husbands have been the only two families who have been totally neglected this winter at the Chateau; and I was asked if every body had not been invited who had any right to expect it?—This is mortifying to me because it makes them unhappy—7 Still continued quite sick my lungs being much affected—Read prayers—After dinner Mr. Ingersoll came and passed the evening with us—Mr A received an invitation to dine with Genl Jackson—the old Gentleman is very busy answering the Report of the Senate which deeply affects him—It is said that Mr. Lacock’s Son had a quarrel with the Genl who Removed him for misconduct—March 9 Mr. A. is not quite well and the weather is very disagreeable—have not heard from Susan some time nor from Boston—Dutifully your daughter

					March 9 I return you many thanks for your kind invitation my dear Sir which I fully meant to accept but the State of my lungs is such at present it is not thought prudent for me to go to the northward at present—but I hope when the warm weather set’s in I shall be able to express to you in person my grateful sense of your kindness which has made the deepest impression on the heart of your affectionate and dutiful DaughterI forgot to say that Mr A has got the Bill for Susan’s bible which is already settled and begs you will make use of him whenever you may occasion for such services—He still has much to do and cannot spare me—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 11 March 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					My Dear John
					Washington 11 March 1819

				My Lecture was intended to warn you against imprudently expressing your feelings even in a good cause, and to guard you against misconstruction. I know your heart, and how utterly incapable you are of so selfish a feeling as that I mentioned in my last; but every body has not the same acquaintance with you, and are therefore liable to misjudge you—Your reason for making your visits less frequent to your Grandfather is excellent, and does you honour, and shows reflection and a proper interest in your Grandfather’s welfare and proves loudly, that far from having any motive but his interest, you are ready to sacrifice one of your dearest pleasures—You mention in your Letter having passed your examination, but you do not say with what success: of this I am anxious to hear and from yourself, as I am sure that I can fully trust your own account of the subject—and whether Mr. Gould thinks you can enter College next Commencement—I thank you much for the interest you express in my health of which I have said but little formerly, having nothing favourable to announce—It has been particularly bad this Winter, and the last week I have have been suffering from a sore throat and cold which is likely to terminate in a bad cough, which is generally a standing friend—Apropos as to Seals! what has become of mine? I have no doubt Mr Gould was diverted with your journals, and I expect to be amused by them when I come on, and to gain much information concerning both the occupation’s, and amusements of the last year—I have also read Birkbecks Letters and have seen Mr. E. Coles who you were acquainted with in England, who has lately come from Illinois and left Mr. Birkbeck in good health. I suspect he will marry the eldest daughter as he has now got a very good place in the Territory—Some of these days I expect you will be turning your attention to that part of the Country, which holds out fine prospects to a young man of talent and activity—A number of English farmers are ready to join Birkbeck this Spring, and the settlement will go on very fast—I shall probably visit you in warm weather—I had intended going on very early, but your father says he cannot spare me as there is still much to do—The President leaves town the 25th. and almost all the Foreign Ministers are going home, so that shall be as dull as possible—Mary is well and disires to be remembered—She has learnt to sing since you saw her and is grown much taller—Give my love to Harriet and tell her I got her little Letter and that I have likewise got Mr. Whitney’s Sermon as she expected—I sent to know how Mr Clark and Susan did yesterday and the answer was that he was very ill—I am much obliged to Mr Boilston for his kindness to you, and shall be happy to return my thanks to him personally when I go to the Northward; in the mean time you must be my Agent, and say every thing for your father & myself that can be acceptable—It is a great relief to my mind that Charles is so much better, but the Spring is yet before him, and will require all his prudence and care; and you must cautiously avoid exposing him to temptation, because his very life may depend on it—love to all from your most affectionate mother

					L. C. A.

					G. Books have arrived safe at N. O.Will you permit me to say that I do not approve of smoking it is a pernicious and a disagreeable habit and alway’s particularly disgusting to our Sex—attend to this caution early my Son—I shall write you frequently perhaps on manners generally!


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 March 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear son
Quincy March 13th. 1819

Your comprehensive letter of the 14th Feb’y has given me great entertainment & delight, I hope you will not mistake my employment in collecting my papers as intended to prepare materials for you to write my life for upon a serious retrospection of it—I find I am ashamed of it. I have had so great opportunities to do good and have done so little, and that little so awkwardly that I should blush to see it commited to writing;—your future leisure if you ever should have any may employ your talents in studies & labors more beneficial to mankind than in recording my feeble exertions however conscientiously well intended they have been.
Ambrister is but the second edition of Jonathan Robbins—I understand the subject pretty well. You have fought a good fight & have come off victorious—which gave me great hopes that I should have the pleasure to see you and your family soon after the rising of Congress but the Presidents intended visitation of the Southern parts of the Empire attended by the Secretary at War has damp’d my hopes for the present—but I still think that you ought to have some relaxation & I confidently expect that you will make me a visit in the course of the summer—I am with love to Louisa your affectionate father

John Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 March 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

					Dear Brother
					Washington 15 March 1819

				Your Letter of the 6th was brought to me yesterday and made me laugh heartily—I congratulate you on having so happily terminated a day so laborious as the 24 Feby. which however appears to have been productive of considerable pleasure to you.—But am sorry that my epistle should have added to your burthen—I am most thankful to you for what you did in regard to my Shares—I had taken a fancy to this Republican Institution without knowing any thing concerning it and had been desirous that Mr. A. should know nothing about the matter. As the thing now stands I feel a sort of difficulty in gratifying my wish as it would grieve me to do any thing indelicate or that should have the most distant appearance of conniving at any political scheme which could implicate my family—I therefore leave it to your judgement to do that which is most prudent—The Sum is so small I never anticipated that its growth would be of much benefit and I did it merely by way of sharing the kindness of their Grandmother who seemed to me to have a better title to it than I could boast—and they would esteem the motive by which I was actuated and feel at least that their Mother gave all she had to give—Are you laughing at me when you speak of my diary? were it worth your perusal I Dare say you could see it—but I am astonished at your fathers patience in reading with pleasure the nonsensical ravings of a wild and often frequently frequently foolishly extravagant imagination—which has often been checked but never corrected—My head is full of subjects of every various kind, crude, undigested, and often ill understood; and I write at random without stopping to admit a doubt of propriety—he kindly bears with my follies, and as it is a novelty to him, it affords him some degree of amusement—From him I do not fear the eye of criticism, or the lash of scorn, because he will duly appreciate the desire I have felt and still feel to contribute a little, towards lightening the solitary hours he is still doomed to pass on this little Ball of Earth—Your knowledge of your Brothers character is great, very great, yet even you misjudge him sometimes; he is not “a faultless monster that the world ne’er saw,” but take him all in all” few equal and none surpass him: errors fall to the lot of human nature, and those are the greatest who have the fewest and the smallest share—Those he possesses are more really injurious to himself as a public man, than hurtful to any human being, and are fully balanced by countless worth, which an intimacy like yours must have felt, appreciated, and acknowledged—I write you this because I know your affection for him to be sincere, and capable of withstanding the rudest shocks—On the subject of Mrs. Morton I can only say, that I have heard her admired as an accomplished, and lovely woman but her or his application would be better addressed to any other quarter, as no interference is admissible on such questions—Present me most affectionately to your family, and tell your daughter her copy would have been welcome, and dare say I should have thought better of it than her modestly led her to do—I will return you the original next week, which is a proud proof of your patriotism, and your delight in the real welfare and propriety of your Country—In which feeling I accord more sincerely than in that of your Resentment to your affectionate Sister

					L. C. Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 19 March 1819
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: De Windt, Caroline Amelia Smith

					My Dear Niece
					Washington 19 March 1819

				I gave the Portrait of my beloved and lamented Sister your dear Mother, to mine, without reserve and to be disposed of at her pleasure—And however gratifying it would be to me, to be the possessor of it myself, I acknowledge your still stronger claim to it, and were it mine to give away again, would ask your acceptance of it—I have no such powers for it is yours, by the donation of her to whom it alone belonged—Yet the truly delicate and affectionate doubt of my ever honord father, which induced you to make the enquiries in your Letter deserves all my gratitude and excites in my breast emotions of a soothing though melancholy pleasure—From the occurrence of the incident I cherish the hope that while the picture shall habitually present you the faithful image of her whom it represents and the blessed memory of her from whom you will have received it, with those deep and tender recollections will be sometimes congenially mingled the thought of him among the purest joys of whose life is the happiness of having been the brother  and the Son of such unsurpassed excellence upon Earth—of your affectionate friend and Uncle—


Title: From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 April 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Daughter
Quincy April 2d. 1819.

Your three last journals are three Pearls—I have not been able to thank you for either—untill now, they bear the form and impression of the age—they let me into the Characters of Statesmen, Politicians, Orators, Pacts, Courtiers, Convivialists, dancers Dandy’s and above all, of Ladies of whom I should no Nothing, without your kind assistance—I am a little surprised at the depth of your Speculations—upon Oratory, Phylosophy, and Policy—But I need not be, when I recollect—who you are, where you have been, and who is your Husband—The Cell of my Hermitage affords me no materials to send you in return—
I pray you to come and see me as soon as you can Possibly can—and let the Secretary of State follow you as soon as he can—pray Continue your favours by Letter, untill you can favour me with your Presence in Person—
I am your Affectionate Father—
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 April 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

my dear daughter
Quincy April 4th 1819

your journals grow more and more entertaining and instructive—you ask my Opinion of General Jackson—and you shall have it—Hero and a Conqueror I cannot say that he has transgressed the Law of Nations in any one point—certainly neither Spain nor England has any right to complain; if he has transgressed any punctilios of the Constitution neither Spain nor England have anything to do with that.—they are not guardians of our Laws and we have a right to pardon the trespass if we please—the Earl of Chatham once advised that King to issue a Proclamation against Law—or at least without law; he was of course attacked for it in both Houses of Parliament; and a long debate ensued when his Lordship arose and said “I advised the King is issue this Proclamation because I thought it necessary for the publick safety I believe it illegal—and I come to parliament for a Pardon”—after all I do not believe any part of Jacksons Conduct to have been unconstitutional—I should not have executed Arbuthnot and Ambrister—but I believe Jackson had a right to do it by the Laws of War—and that the example is and will be salutary—
I should be suspected of partiality were I to express one half of my admiration of the Conduct of our administration in their negotiations with Spain and England—but it is a fixed rule with the People of this Country never to give Credit to their real Benefactors but to shower down their blessings and applauses upon those who deserve them not and even upon those who deserve their execration—I am my dear Child your / affectionate Father
John Adams


Title: From Josiah, III Quincy to John Quincy Adams, 4 April 1819
From: Quincy, Josiah, III
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Ship Hibernia. fm. Waldoboro to Jama.—Porto Rico in decr. 1800—my dear Sir.
					Boston. 4. April. 1819

				I am requested by Mess Kavanagh and Cottril late owners of the Ship Hibernia to make some inquiries of your department, which they think may possibly result in some information, which may be useful to them.That Ship was taken, when bound in December 1800, on a voyage from Waldoborough to Jamaica, with a cargo of lumber, by a French Privateer, (Le Jeune Creole) fitted out of a Spanish port (Porto Rico) by Frenchmen.Her crew was taken out, excepting one person and the supercargo, the Ship ordered to Porto Rico, where she was sold at public auction, without process of Law, the agents or officers of the Spanish government there, being purchasers of part of the cargo, on account of His Spanish Majesty.The claim was regularly prosecuted before the Council of prizes at Paris, where restitution was ordered to be made of Ship and Cargo to the owners. On seeking them at Porto privateersmen and their bondsmen at Porto Rico and in the West Indies, generally, they were found dead, or bankrupt, or absconded. Mr. Madison Secretary of State, in March 1805, in a letter to James Sullivan Esqr. Says that “if not obtained of the owners of the privateers nor of their bondsmen, it will  ressemble some other cases, which, in due time will call for the attention of the Executive”.The inquiries, which Mess Kavanagh and Cottril wish me to make are:1. Whether claims against Spain for captures made by French Privateers, fitted out in Spanish ports, and there Selling their prizes, are, in the view of your department, a class of cases, which the provisions of the late Spanish Treaty were expected to comprehend?2d. Whether any rules or principles have been adopted by your department, in relation to such claims, either in relation to their nature, or to the mode of authenticating the evidence of them, which it may be useful for the claimants to know; and to observe, so as to facilitate their pursuit of indemnity before the Commissioners, under that Treaty.The general state of their papers are sufficiently exact for substantiating all the facts, I have recited. But they are anxious to be apprized of the general views of the American government in relation to classes of claims of this nature to the end that they may lose no time, in bringing themselves into a condition effectually to prosecute their claim.Very respectfully / I am your hble. Servt.

					Josiah Quincy


Title: From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 April 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

my dear daughter
Quincy April 8th 1819

your Journal interesting to me like all the former, has been received up to the 29th of March.—
The people of this Country when they are prejudiced against a Man, or a Name,—will not suffer him to take the least notice of any of his relations, however distant—tho their merits and service’s may have been ever so great—but when they are prejudiced in favour of a Man, or a Name they will applaud him for that very Conduct which they condemned in the other—A Quaker in Philadelphia at one of the Elections for President when I was a Candidate Say’d to a Whig who recommended me to his Vote.—“Thee must know that we do not affect the Name of Adams” and this Quaker spoke the feelings of the fashionable people in America; who do not affect the Names of Lee, Henry, Gadsden, Rush, Jay, Clinton, and some others more than they do that of Adams.—nor would they affect that of Washington more than either, if he had not been the Patron of Hamilton the founder of their Banking Systems and the supporter of their Anglomania.—
The acquisition of the Florida’s is a blessing to the United States beyond all Calculation or foresight—the Commerce and the naval power—the peace and security of the United States—and their Union too—are so much interested in it, that it would be in vain for me to estimate its value—but the Name of Adams will derive no honour from it.
The Settlement of the Boundaries between us and Spain is an-other Blessing beyond all estimation and value—and the Treaty with Great Britain is an other—but none of these great events will be allowed by the fashionable World in America—to do any honour to the Name of Adams—
You my dear daughter must Study Philosophy Ancient and Modern—you must Acquire the Energies, not of fatalism—but of Stoicism and Christianity; and learn to bear everything with a greatful heart and mind—for you may depend upon it, there are humiliations sown in your path to try your utmost patience to the end of your Life.—
Altho it is say’d that the heart of Hickory cannot be broken, yet I am grieved for General Jackson—because I think that injustice has been done him, by the Senate—whose Conduct appears to me to be more unconstitutional than any of his—The Senate is the Supreme judicature of the Nation—as the House of Representatives is—of the Grand Inquest of the Nation—the Senate therefore had no Authority of Acquisation—there jurisdiction was to hear, try and determin—had the House of Representatives impeached the General the Senate must have summoned him before them—given him a hearing by himself and His Council, before they could resolve—But when the grand Inquest had found Ignoramus on the Bill—for the Senate to try and Condemn him, without a hearing—would be a proceeding unexampled in any Tribunal of Law or Equity— had the house of Commons Acquitted Warren-Hastings, would the house of Lords have Voted him guilty, with, or with-out, a Tryal—?
Your Children are well—I expect the pleasure of their Company here on Saturday—to Celebrate their Brothers Birthday— Mrs De Wint, is still in Boston—I live in hopes of a Visit from you—which I hope will be a long one—and the sooner it Commences the more agreeable to your / affectionate Father— John Adams

PS If they say that Military Officers are not Subject to impeachment by the Constitution—then I say that neither have had any jurisdiction over Jackson in this affair—and that they House of Representatives ought to have impeached the President himself for ordering and approving the transaction, if they thought it Culpable—at least the Utmost they could have done with propriety would have been—to have requested the President to order a Court Martial upon Jackson—or to direct the Attorney General to prefer an Indictment against him before the Judges—in every supposition that could be make the noise that has been made about the affair in Congress has been bien mal placee— J. A


Title: To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 April 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					My Dear Sir
					12 April 1819

				Two of your very kind Letters were brought me on Friday and Saturday and I should have written immediately but we have been under such perpetual alarms on account of fires that it has been difficult to sit down to any regular occupation—On Wednesday there were two frame houses and two Brick one destroyed on Thursday 2 Brick and 2 frame houses on Friday a Brick house at the Navy Yard 1 at the lower Bridge leading to George Town and 4 or 5 Brick and frame houses in F Street on Saturday another alarm 3 times one stable fired and after being twice put out was nearly destroyed on Sunday an attempt made in George Town and two persons taken in the act—much alarm is excited among the inhabitants and every precaution taken—Mr. A—and myself went yesterday to see Susan and Mr. Clark—we found when we arrived that he was so low he was not expected to live many hours and they had sent for Mr. Smith who went out immediately—Susan looks much fatigued—I shall go out and fetch her and her little one to come and stay a little while to recruit her strength and we shall probably travel eastward together I am sorry to hear you have been indisposed but hope to find you much better when I come on—Mr. A. is much better Yours

					—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 13 April 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					My dear John
					Washington 13 April 1819

				Yesterday brought me your Letter of the 7th which I was sorry announced a mishap which gave me some concern—I recommend you for the future on a rainy day to put your Seals in your pocket before you set out to school as a sure guard against such accidents—If your father will permit me I will lend you the American Revolution with pleasure as I am sure you will read it carefully and not injure it. It would be very beneficial to you on many accounts as being in French you would much improve yourself in that Language and it is so interesting that you would be urged by your desire to study the events of that memorable epocha to master all difficulties—In a Country like this where the Institutions are so liberal, and the excitement to ambition are so great, it must be very advantageous to a good citizen, to be well acquainted with the origin, the progress, and the termination of an a war, replete with so many vital interests, and which have laid the foundation of a great Nation; whose prosperity (in the short period of its existence) has been altogether unequaled in any former age—The examples of heroism, of unshaken firmness, in the midst of the severest sufferings, of endurance, of resistence to the most shameless oppression, of forbearance in the height of our success; all will yield models perfect in their kind, and produce that great and dignified emulation, which leads to greatness and to virtue, and which will maintain and support the honour of the Country, whose Independence was so dearly acquired, and so nobly atchieved—There are events which should live in the memory of men as themes of glory and like the fabled Homer should be sung in the ears of Children until each action had impressed their minds with the glorious deeds of their forefathers and inspired them with the love of National honour and National fame and with the proud determination to maintain the rights inviolate for which their ancestors had bledYou will see that in my last Letter I had counselled you to read Johnson’s lives of the Poets—I am pleased to hear that you have begun them, and am very sure you will be interested in them—Johnson was a partial writer, and in many instances did not do full justice to the individuals whose lives he wrote—He suffered his political opinions to obscure his judgement, and narrow prejudices to cloud and sway the powers of his mighty mind—This work my dear John will shew you how fallible poor mortals are, and strengthen your conviction of the existence of a wise and Almighty Ruler of the Universe, who in such a variety of forms can check the arrogance of his creatures, and humble them even in their towering strength—Man without this conviction, without this all powerful shield, is an atom a being worse than brute, made only to grovel in the dust from which he is sprung—May your faith be strong and may your life be spent in good and virtuous deeds, then shall the light of heaven shine on you my Son, and Lead you to Salvation.—Charles, and George, have only forgotten me for a  They will speedily renew their intercourse with the Mother they so dearly love, and whose happiness they so delight to promote. George has numerous avocations to attend to, which demand all his care and all his thoughts tell him his father and I, drank his health yesterday with tears in our eyes they were the tears of overflowing  affection, which accompanied our ardent wishes for his future happiness and prosperity, and they were blended with the cheering smiles of hope—Present me kindly to all your friends, and believe me in every circumstance and situation your affectt. Mother

					L C Adams

					Your father wishes you and George would learn Spanish he say’s with a dictionary you would be able to teach yourselves—I think John Welsh knows it—I am going to learn it and will lend you Gil Blas in Spanish as soon as you can read it


Title: To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 April 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					My Dear Sir
					Washington 14 April 1815

				It is always painful to be the bearer of bad tidings and yet it is a duty from which we cannot fly.—I have occasionally mentioned the dreadful state in which Lieut’ Clark has laid; that you might be prepared for that change, which was to release him from a world of suffering to a state of bliss—He terminated his life at eight o clock this morning after the most dreadful sufferings, but retained his senses to the last—Susan has borne the shock with as much fortitude as could possibly be expected and I hope will come to me in a few days—The funeral will take place tomorrow.—The weather is intensely hot for the Season the thermometer above eighty.—and we are all in a state of debility and exhaustion in consequence of the sudden change you will therefore excuse my writing a very short Letter and subscribing myself as usual your dutiful and affectonate daughter

					L. C Adams


Title: To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 16 April 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

Washington 16 April 1819

Yes! my Dear Sir, was my mind sufficiently strong, or capacious, to understand, or even to comprehend, the study of antient and modern philosophy I am certain I should derive very great advantage from that study—but you certainly forgot when you recommended it, that you were addressing one of the weaker Sex, to whom Stoicism would be both unamiable and unnatural, and who would be very liable in avoiding Sylla, to strike upon Charybdis—or to speak without metaphor, to rush into Skepticism—have you perceived any thing like fatalism in my letters? I am unconscious of it, tho’ I fear their may sometimes be a little inclination towards it. The Woman you selected for your Wife was so highly gifted in mind, with powers so vast, and such quick and clear perception, altogether so superior to the general run of females, that you have perhaps formed a too enlarged opinion of the capabilities capacities of our Sex, and having never witnessed their frailties, are not aware of the dangers to which they are exposed by acquirements above their strength—The systems of the Antients has been have been quite out of my reach, excepting the Dialogues of Plato which Mr. A— recommended to me last year, and which I read attentively. I cannot say I am entirely unacquainted with their different theories, but that acquaintance has been too superficial, to be make them well understood, and I have been too much inclined to view them as difficult of practice, and not tending much to the real benefit of mankind—With the modern Philosophers, I have become more intimate, if I may make use of such a word, speaking of works which I have read, but which I could not understand, or digest—Lock has puzzled me, Berkley amused me, Reid astonished me, Hume disgusted me, and Tucker either diverted me or set me to sleep—This is a very limitted sort of reading, and you will laugh at my catalogue of names which who have at best I believe but little title to the rank of Philosophers, or at least they must come in at the fag end—I have dipped into others, and thrown them aside but I have never seen any thing that could satisfy my mind, or that could compare with the chaste and exquisitevely simple doctrines of Christianity—I fear you will find this Letter more extravagant than any you have ever received from me—but I have made it a rule to follow where the current of my dear carried me, and to give them to you in a perfect undress. My reading has been too general and too diffuse to be very beneficial and—French authors have occupied my attention the largest portion of my life, and but their venom was destroyed, by the events which were continually passing, almost before my eyes, and which shewed how wretched the was the practice resulting from such theories!—You my Dear Sir have ever possessed a nature too ardent, too full of benevolent feelings to all your race; with a mind too noble, and a capacity too enlarged, to sink into the cold and thankless state of Stoicism—Your heart is too full of all the generous and kindly affections, for you ever to acquire such a cold and selfish doctrine. No! my Dear Sir it was, it is impossible!—look at your past life, retrace all the eminent services you have rendered to your Country, and to mankind; and if you you by unforseen and uncontroulable events, have been prevented your from doing all you wished, all you desired, towards promoting their felicity, let their unequaled prosperity (in producing which you had so large a share) soothe your latest hours, and cheer your heart with the conviction, that to you in a great measure they owe it, and this sentiment alone will be sufficient reward—I sat out in life with the most elevated notions of honour and principle; ere I had entered it fairly my hopes were blasted, and my ideas of mankind, that is all the favourable ones almost, were suddenly chilled, and I was very near forming the horrid, and erronious opinion, that no such thing no virtue existed—This was a dreadful doctrine at the age of little more than twenty—but it taught me to reflect and not to “build my house in the Sand” my life has been a life of changes, and I have early accustomed myself to the idea of retirement. The nature of our Institutions, the various turns of policy to which an elective government is ever liable, has long occupied my thoughts, and I trust I may find strength to sustain any of the changes, which may be in store for me, with fortitude dignity and I trust cheerfulness—To these changes I can never attach the idea of disgrace, popular governments are peculiarly liable to factions, to cabals, to intrigue, to the juggling tricks of party, and the people may often be deceived for a time, by some fair speaking demagogue—but they will never be deceiv’d long, and though they may in a moment of excitement, sanction an injustice towards an old and faithful Servant they apprecate his worth and hand his name down with honour to their posterity, even though that “name may not be agreeable to the fashionables” It is one which I take a pride in bearing, and one that I hope and pray my children may never dishonour—
What you say concerning the Florida’s is I believe universally allowed, and as to the effect upon the name, why it is of little importance, provided the substance is left and the act undeniable—There is the Land, let the land speak. I can safely swear as an individual I never set my heart on what the world deem a great reward—I am too well assured “that uneasy lies the head that wears a Crown” and the Station is too full of thorns to render it very desirable—I have no relish for being absolutely crucified for the sake of a short pre-eminence—You have I suppose seen the correspondence between Genl Scott and old Hickory? How do you like the Epistle’s of the former?—What do you think of De Wit Clinton’s reply to the charge insinuated against him?—We hear of nothing but complaints of the times and our Commercial world are in great distress—In Baltimore that piratical City where the South American privateers owned and fitted out by native Citizens in the  face of the public and committing depredations on the property of their fellow Citizens) their are failures every day and it is said the mischief will extend to all parts of the Union—
In Virginia Mr. Bailey a man who broke out of the Jail in this City has offered himself to as a candidate for Congress telling the electors telling that he would take only six dollars a day as he thinks eight too much because if he found his pay insufficient he would play and by this means insure himself a living—That he had often played with their late Member and with many of the most distinguished Members of Congress who used to send for him to play with them—Such things are—
Adieu my dear Sir Susan is as well as in her melancholy situation we could wish. I attended the funeral yesterday and she is coming to stay with me—
I will perhaps be better to burn my journal?—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 22 April 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, George Washington

My dear George
Washington 22 April 1819

Your Letter of the 15 which I received yesterday has caused me the greatest alarm, and anxiety—Mr. Appleton when he returned from Cambridge told me he thought you looked pale, and thin but he believed it was only the effect of hard study—and some time since they wrote me from Quincy that in consequence of having been to Serenade Dr Kirkland on his return home you had taken a very bad cold which had much affected your Lungs—Now my Son permit me to request you will make the sacrifice of that flute to your father whose anxiety on your account added to His excess of business under which he his labouring will I fear occasion him a fit of sickness—You are aware that for years this same flute has been a source of extreme uneasiness to both your father and myself and I am sure your heart is too good to suffer you to indulge a gratification in itself so insignificant and which cost’s so dearly to them so deeply interested in you—As I know how difficult it is to resist a strong temptation and as I likewise know that your love of that instrument almost amounts to a passion, I request you will put it up in your box and send it to Miss Welsh that it may not occasion you to swerve from the promise which I feel I am extorting and which I hope you will now make me nothing could induce me to do it but the conviction that your life depends upon it—and your fathers health and peace of mind—
I do not know if you followed my prescription in the winter? if not, I recommend you to put on one of, Olivers plaisters, and to take once or twice a day some of Lee’s Elixer—If you can procure it take some milk warm from the Cow every morning—I dare say you might make an agreement with some woman to supply you—Eat freely of fresh vegetables, and avoid meat, taking as much milk as your stomach will bear, and leave off smoking Segars—Your fathers particular desire is that you should take exercise and avoid any excess of application—from which you certainly will benefit very little if by it you sacrifice your health—We are both much pleased with the improvement evident both in your style and your hand writing
Vanity is a weakness to which youth is particularly liable and requires a strong curb lest it should become a vice it is a silly failing tho’s  often found in very wise people, once we are aware of the fault it is easy to keep it in check. There is a sort of pride which I deem actually essential to one welfare and which excites us to good and noble actions; of this pride you cannot have too much—It purifies the soul and cleanses the heart—Have you not a vacation in May?—Do you pass it at Quincy? What do you think of your grand father’s health? If there is a vacation you must put yourself under the care of L—— Smith, and I shall order you  and gentle exercise taken moderately—This is a strange Letter but I am half crazy—wanting to go to you and afraid to leave your father—We propose if possible to visit you in July and stay a couple of months with you—Between this and then God knows what may happen—Present my best respects to Dr. Kirkland, and as you take care of your to me precious self so will you find me either happy or miserable—

L. C. Adams.

I do not care about your being first in your class. Mr. T B A. will give you money to procure what I have ordered if you ask him for it—


Title: From John Adams to Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway, 23 April 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Treadway, Susanna Boylston Adams Clark

Dear Mrs Clarke
Quincy April 23. 1819

Tho the loss of Mr Clark has long been foreseen by your friends, and cannot have escaped your own anticipation, yet the melancholy event when it arrived may not have been much less afflictive to you or to them—than if it had happened more suddenly. collect yourself, place your Confidence where alone it can rest Securely. your are not unacquainted with your Bible not with the writings of Philosophers and Christians—you have been Educated under a Grand mother—and too great Aunts—more than under your own Mother—and her Natural relations—you have had examples before you—who have been Models of female Character—recollect all your reading and all the Councils you have received in your education and fortify your mind by deep and serious reflection—and above all, thank your God for your Sharpest afflictions, for whom he loves he Chastens look back upon your past life—and consider whether it has always been discreet and judicious—Contemplate your future prospects and lay them to heart—I am my dear Child your/ affectionate Grand F
J. Adamsyou have one Consolation—in the reflection that your departed dearest friend was a man of principle—of honor, sense, taste, information, and humanity. not only in the opinion of all his Brother Naval Officers Superior and inferior but of all other persons who had the pleasure of his acquaintance—
I am you Affectionate G F


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 23 April 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

My Dear John
Washington 23 April 1819

By some means or other it would seem that one of my Letters to you have been lost—perhaps you had better enquire at the Post Office—I answered you immediately after you wrote about the desk and recommended you to take the one offered by Louisa Smith—I send you the dates of my Letters that you may ascertain whether any of them are missing 11th. 22d 29th March 18th and 23d April 24th. & 25th of Feby.—In the same Letter I requested you to ask Miss Welsh to write me very particularly concerning your grandfather and every thing at Quincy—You did not mention to me your Brother Georges ill state of health which gives me great uneasiness—I have requested him to send his flute to Miss Welsh and beg she will take care of it for him and not let him have it again until I give him permission to take it. I know it is a great sacrifice for him to make but his father is so anxious about it I am sure he will not only make it but I am sure make it with pleasure—Your father is not in good health the pressure of business and anxiety on account of George and your Grandfather hangs upon his spirits and I tremble lest it should end in a fit of sickness when the summer heats commence and which are now near at hand—We propose to come on if possible early in July and to stay with you a couple of months, this will only include a small part of your vacation but I hope you will pass the winter vacation with us as we intend that you shall pass it in Washington if nothing occurs to prevent it—
I have been reading Riley’s narrative—it is interesting to a certain degree full of “hair breadth ’scapes” almost impossible to credit—As a history of the wild Arabs it may afford some information but their is too much affectation about it and something like a stretch of possibilities rather above my faith or comprehension—We are aware that human nature will bear sufferings almost incalculable but for what length of time is doubtful especially under such a combination of dreadful misery and if it can sustain itself I should a little doubt the probability of so total and entire a recovery as appears in Capt. Riley with whom I have the honour to be acquainted—
I am now reading the letters of Madame du Deffands letters to Horace Walpole they are very amusing—and in some measure instructive as they shew the strongest point of view how disgusting a female is who has no sentiment of religion and whose whole existence is wrapt in herself—It is a melancholy picture of the human mind at the age of seventy having no confidence in the future and unsusceptible of present enjoyment—tired of life yet afraid to die—and seeking a perpetual round of amusements to fly from the fiend ennui who yet pursue, her every step and banishes repose—May you my beloved Son avoid this dreadful rock, and live and die in peace with God, and with all mankind, is the ardent prayer of your affectionate Mother

L. C. Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear Son
Quincy May 3d. 1819

I have particular reasons—for asking the favour of you to inform me—in what year you wrote those three Essays—pray inform me in what Year—they were written—and under what Signature, in the Boston Centinal recommending a System of Neutrallity to the United States—I believe they were written in the year. 90. 91. or 92.—I believe they were printed together in a small Pamphlet—I must, and I will if possible get a Copy of them—If you can point point out to me where I can procure them—you will much oblige me.—
I learn by a letter from your Lady to one of your Sons—that you propose to be here the first of July—I rejoice at this information—and hope you will remain here till after Commencement—it will al’most tempt me to go to Independence—and to Commencement—and P. B. K—your three Sons are all well—two of them—J. C. have Spent Yesterday with me—They are good Lads—and I pray for their and your Prosperity
I am your affectionate Father
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 7 May 1819
From: Boylston, Ward Nicholas
To: Adams, John

					My Dear & kind Friend.
					Princeton May 7th 1819

				your truely affectionate Letter of the 27th ultimo met me at this place by last mail, and I use the return of the same, to make my acknowledgemts of gratitude, with reciprocations of Sentiment for the tender and flattering Interest you express for the recovery of my health, which has been very seriously deteriorated by the last inroad made upon it—I do assure you my Dear Friend, I feel most sensibly, your tender concern for me, and have the satisfaction to say, that I have anticipated your kind advice, by restricting myself to the rules you prescribed, by Avoidance of all exposure to fatigue, Bussiness, or any concern that might increase any irritation of the System—I use the open air, only, when the weather is fine—and united with the unremitting attention of Mrs Boylston’s nursing care; I feel as if I shall be able by the end of the month, to reiterate in person the sentiments of regard and affection I can but feebly express with my pen.—I condole with Mrs Clark in her misfortune wch. under her peculiar Circumstances must be very distressingMrs Boylston desires her affectionate respects and regards to you, and kind remembrances united with more to Judge & Mrs Adams, Miss Smith & the family—I am my Dear Cousin / affectionately yours

					Ward Nichs Boylston


Title: From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Daughter
Quincy May 8th. 1819

Your last journal has so much Philosophy, and Religion, in it—that I am convinced you are a sincere inquirer after truth—God bless and Prosper you in the pursuit.—
I am Informed by your Son—my dear Name Sake—that you propose to be here by the first of July—I pray you to be sure—that you arrive hear before that day.—bring your Husband with you—If the President can wander round the Universe and leave all the business of the Public to two or three Of his ministers—I am sure your Husband can take upon himself to come to Quincy, and to Boston, for a couple of month’s—his business can be done by the Post Office, better than the Presidents—what a Precedent is Monroe establishing for future Presidents? he will make the Office the most perfect Slavery that ever existed—the next President must go to Callifornia—
I hope your Husband and yourself will be here the 4th of July—and on the Commencement day at Cambridge, and then if not before, I presume I must take leave of you.—
I hear not a word from Susan—I know nothing of the circumstances in which Mr Clarke has left her—She has Carved her owne fortune and must take the Consequence of it.—If she expects any-thing from me, she must let me know what it is.—
I am my dear daughter—your affectionate Father—
John Adams
P.S. your Children are well


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 9 May 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

My Dear John
Washington 9h May 1819

Your Letter contained news which grieved me sincerely and for which I much fear there is but little remedy; and the only consolation possibly to offer, is the most respectful and constantly affectionate attentions, towards your venerable Grandfather, whose every moment must be severely embittered by the unfortunate circumstance which you informed me of, and which we flattered ourselves was entirely removed—Oh my Son, let the painful circumstances which you now witness, operate as a warning, as a fearful example, of how the best disposed and most amiable dispositions, and characters, may by pernicious example and the indulgence of improper society, fall into errors and from errors to vices which overwhelm a family with shame, and sink the grey hairs of a parent (whose life is every way untainted) with with sorrow to the grave.—at the same time let us view with pity and compassion a man, whose means of happiness have been thus perverted; and tho’ we must condemn, let us be merciful in our judgments, and reflect how frail is human nature, and how liable we are without an incessant and strict guard over ourselves, and a continued and firm reliance on the support of our heavenly father (without whose existance we can do little to sustain ourselves) we are enabled to  rush into the temptations which hourly assail us, and through our passions shake degrade us to the lowest and most disgusting of human beings—It is Religion alone which can teach us to controul these Passions, and that reliance on a future State where virtue will meet its just reward, that can safely carry us through a world where vice has so extensive a sway; and I trust my beloved Son, that it will prove an adamantine shield by you, in the moment of danger, and in the hour of trial allotted for you in your passage through life, and that when the time arrives in which you must resign your Soul to your great Creator, it will be pure and worthy of his acceptance—Vice is so loathsome in its nature, its gratifications are so inefficient to promote happiness, its enjoyments (if it has any) are so gross, and its consequences so degrading, and so palpably shameful—that could we for a moment admit the possibility of the theory of what are termed free thinkers, a reflecting mind must immediately perceive that even according to their limited and dreadful doctrines, it is our interest to practice virtue, as in virtue only we find pure and unadulterated peace and joy—
Surely it was very cruel in any one to inform my father of William Shaws excesses? what motive can they have unless to embitter still more the last few years perhaps days allowed him to pass with us? It will be returned to them ten fold for heaping sorrow on an already afflicted heart—I have not a wish beyond his happiness and it would give me the sincerest pleasure if I could by any means promote it—On this account whatever may be your feelings I pray you to exert yourself to do every thing which may be agreeable to him and to be assured that the feelings resulting from the conviction of having well performed our duties will amply reward you although in the performance you may be liable to suffer some little mortifications. be mild, be patient, soothe but do not irritate and you may do much good on all sides—You will perhaps think I moralize too often and too much whenever this idea crosses your mind say to yourself did she not love me, and respect me, she would not thus labour to instill into my mind the necessity of virtue to ensure happinness and that it is only my welfare which occupies her thoughts—It proceeds only from that abundance  of affection which would lead me to perfection could we attain it in this life, and which will  it in the next. and thus my son will plead my excuse—
I agree with you as to the Writing School and recommend that Charles should be sent to another. I see by the Boston paper that there is a new one under the auspices of Mr. Gould, I suppose this is the one you allude to—As to the desk you may purchase one immediately—Remember me affectionately to the family of the Dr. and tell Harriet I rely upon her for your summer arrangements as to clothes &c. We shall if possible come on in July but things look a little suspicious—Susan and her baby are with me and desire to be remembered—this is a long Letter Mr Jalfrey never called so I could not pay him any attention your next recommendation will I hope be more fortunate—

L. C. A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 11 May 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Charles Francis

					Washington 11 May 1819

				Well, Charles, how comes on the file? is yours as big as John’s? are your walks so delightful you cannot get one moment of time to write me? or are you so busy in giving your french Lessons to your friend Dawes that you are obliged to decline my correspondence?—I am so perfectly sure that you have some very good reason for your silence I by no means wish to reproach you—But as it is long time since I wrote you, I wish now to recall myself to your remembrance, and to enquire what books you have been reading? how you get on with your Class, and if Md. Gould still continues to be satisfied with you—I have been reading a variety of things which have both amused and improved me, and am now reading a book which I wish you could see, as it is very curious, and full of marvellous events that would delight you—It was sent from England the other day by Mr. B. Vaughan to your father, to forward to a Gentleman in Virginia, and is entitled The Travel and Adventures of Capt John Smith with the continuation of his history of Virginia. it is a very old and valuable book which is not to be procured now.You have never written to inform me if you received the Poems of Burns which I sent you? I hope it is not lost.Which do you like best the house you now live in or the one you left?—I hope when you go to Quincy you do not quarrel with your Cousins? You must remember that you have had many advantages, which have occasioned your being forwarder in your education; and you are much older—These circumstances will teach you to avoid all difficulties of this description which would be very unpleasant to your Grandfather and I am sure you are too desirous to promote his happiness to do any thing that would make him uncomfortable.We are all very dull here and the weather has been remarkably hot till within a day or two—My Garden comes on very badly but you must tell Harriet that I have got several Horse Chestnuts up and that I look after them as if they were babies and 30 Peach Trees from the Stones I brought last year—I intend to get some more when I come on this Summer and if any thing should happen when to prevent my journey you must ask her to save me some—and some Apricots and Nectarines—and likewise some Plum Stones.Adieu Mrs. Clark left me this morning she is going to Prince Georges County to make a visit to her husbands brother—His relations all appear to be very fond of her and she means to stay a year with them—She desires to be remembered to you all—She is very thin and has a bad cough. Her little Susan is a beautiful little creature and talks a great deal and very plain.Ever affectionately your Mother

					L. C. Adams.

					Make my compliments to Mr. Gould.


Title: From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 13 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Johnson, Alexander Bryan

dear Sir.
Quincy May 13th 1819.

I thank you for the information contained in your letter of the 6th. I congratulate you and Mrs Johnson—your Father, and Mother, your Ladies Mother—and your two Elder Sons—on the Birth of your third Son—Altho it is always a pleasure to be informed of the Multiplication of my Posterity—that pleasure is always attended with a degree of anxiety for their future fortunes—this anxiety however I constanly alleviate with a hope that they will all be good for something—good Soldiers good Sailors, good Carpenters, good Farmers, good Tailors, good Clothiers, good Shoe-makers, good Wood-Cutters—or good some-thing or-other—the World is wide enough for them all—let them labour and be Virtuous—
It is an Heroick enterprise at your Age with a Wife and three Children—to enter on the Study of the Law—the most Crabbed of the whole circle of the sciences—but I heartily wish you success—as I wish Health Competence and happiness to all your Connections.—
I have heard nothing from Mrs Clarke directly—tho I have written to her, Since the Death of her Husband
I am Sir with much Esteem and Regard— / your humble Servant—

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Alexander Bryan Johnson, 14 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Johnson, Alexander Bryan

my dear Sir
Quincy May 14th. 1819

Will you be so good as to inform me what is the plan of Study in the Law, which Mr Counsellor Williams has proscribed to you—has he advised you to read Horns Mirror of Justice’s—to Study Bracton-Britton, Fleta, and Glanvill? has he advised you to read Reeves History of the Common Law? or that of Lord Hales? has he advised you to turn over the Statutes at large and the Gross Volumes of the State Trials? has he advised you to read Plandens Commentarys upon and Lord Cooks four Institutes especially his Commentary upon Littleton? Blackstons Commentarys I doubt not you he has recommended—has he put into your hands Grotious? Puffendorph? Barbeyrac? Vattell Heineccius Burlamaqui?
If you will be so good as to tell me what is your plan of Study—I will here-after tell you if I live–what more than Sixty Years ago was that of your Affectionate / Grand-father in Law–
John Adams


Title: From Ward Nicholas Boylston to John Quincy Adams, 15 May 1819
From: Boylston, Ward Nicholas
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My Dear Sir—
					Princeton May 15th 1819

				I have long meditated writeing you; but have always been reminded that I was either robbing you of your moments of leisure, or instrusively interrupting the important, and incessant employment which the duties of your high station has imposed on you—I was also kept back by the hope of seeing you and Mrs Adams in Boston sometime last month, but in this I found my self as much dissappointed, as I was last year, when you was there; on hearing thro’ the medium of the Newspapers (which I do not often see here,) I went from this place, for that purpose, but found myself too late, you haveing left Town a few days previous to our arrival in BostonI wish much, to consult you on a successor to the proffessorship of Rhetorick and Oratory at Cambridge—I never approved of Mr: McKean, or am I more satisfied with the appointment of Mr Norton, tho’ as to his talents as a writter there can be no Objection, but he combines no other requisite to give either Interest, effect, or popularity to his appointment; or am I altogether satisfied with the Line adopted by the Corporation of giveing it, to a Theological Character, yet I admit it is one of the most difficult & important stations in the University to fill with a suitable CandidateI have fully expressed this Opinion to the members of the Corporation, individually and I believe they will be induced to attend to this, and several other Intimations I have given themI wish my Dear Sir for your advice and assistance, in the nomination of such a one, as would from your views, may be adequate, as possessing the requisite talents for that office.—I care little of which State of the Union he is from, if he be but a Native Citizen—Mr Norton must, & will resign, the public opinion is not with him, and a consiousness of his own defects must convince him he ought to give place to another. Your sons Masters John & Charles, gratified us by passing their spring Holidays on Jamaica plain—If ever parents had cause to be vain of their children theirs are excuseable for any excess—I am in hopes of geting them here, the next vacation if the President will consentI have now to present my petition to you & Mrs Adams, that either on your way to, or from Quincey if you pass thro’ Worcester, you wou’d make us a visit, at this place, you know not how sincerely happy you will make Mrs. Bolyston & myself by such a favor—It is with great regret we have heard of Mrs Adams, being out of Health she may be assured, that no climate in the United States, dureing the Summer Months, wou’d be more favorable to her reganing it, than at this place—Mrs Boylston requests me, to say that every attention on her part, shall be exerted, to make the séjour agreable to you both—I had a very affectionate Letter from the President by the last mail, he speaks his own health, & those of the family being uninterrupted, by any indisposition—Mrs Boylston, unites in best regards to Mrs Adams and respects to you—With the assurances of my best wishes / I am / My Dear Sir / Your faithfull & Obedt Servt

					Ward Nichs Boylston

					PS—It is probable you may have previouly heard some account, of an Institution I establish’d last year at Harvard Colege giveing prizes for Elocution to such Students as shoul’d be intitled to receive them according to the Instrument, which I take leave now to Inclose a Copy, and to ask your perusal, with such hints as you judge wou’d improve it—which has met with a very encourageing Reception from the Public, and promises, to be important to the University—The day mentiond in the Institution was changed to the day after Commencement and was attended by a much larger assembly of polish’d society than the day before—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 16 May 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, George Washington

					My Dear George
					Washington 16 May 1819

				I mentioned to you that I had been amusing myself in translating the Dialogue of Plato. I now send you the first sheet and shall continue to send one every week until I have completed the first—You will find it miserably done but your father says the sense is preserved and that is all that is necessary as I do not pique myself upon my translating powers—You I know can study them to more advantage in french but as it served to fill some hours which hung heavy on my hand, I undertook the task under the idea that my boys would read my attempt with pleasure and that we should by this means be occupied in some measure in the same studies.We hope to come on to Boston in the middle of July and then we shall probably be able to stay some Time—until we meet let me hear from you frequently from you and believe me ever your affectionate Mother

					L. C A.

					You are to let John read the Dialogue.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 17 May 1819
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, John Adams

					17. May 1819.

				The enclosed Card has two very coarse drawings of a device, of which I wish to have a Seal engraved—A Ship, under full Sail, or if the Artist can represent her labouring with reefed topsails, under heavier weather than either of those on the Card, it will suit me better. The Motto is “Fortiter occupa Portum”. and I think it will have the best effect, if placed between two concentric circles surrounding the Ship, like the “Respublica esto perpetua”, on your Seal. I do not mean that the Seal itself should be circular: but either oval, or cushion-formed; the last by preference. It must not be larger than the Seal upon this Letter—A Cornelian set in gold, Strong enough to last a Century: and the whole Cost of the Seal and engraving must not exceed five Guineas. It would be well done at Silvester’s, N. 26. Strand.—The initials J.A. must be under the Ship.


Title: From John Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 19 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: De Windt, Caroline Amelia Smith

my dear Caroline
Montezillo May 19th. 1819

Thank Mr De Wint for his Box of New york Cider Grove champaigne—Accept my thanks for the two Newspapers—my Introduction or rather presentations to the King and Queen of England have been heretofore published in broken scraps, mutilated and misrepresented. They have never before appeared with Official Authenticity Who has now brought them to light I cannot conceive. I cannot Suspect Mr Jay—for it is not probable he has any Copies of them—After all a dozen conjectures I have fastened on a Suspicion of your and my Friend Guilion. His inquisitive Searching Genius is the only key that I can find to this Mystery.— yet if you Should tell this to him it is very probable be would stare and think the Old Man out of this Witts.—Tell Gulian that he knows not his own Geneology—He belongs to the noble Family of the Searches if he wishes to know his Pedigree, let him read Tuckers half a dozen Volumes of “Light of Nature pursued”—
I wonder whether somebody—some inquisitive Body will not find out my Speeches to the Prince and Princess of Orange—and especially my Presentation to the King of France in 1778 which was the most curious and ridiculous of all?
Kiss my babes, and give them all I have to give, my Blessing—Compliments, affection to all— / from your Grandfather,
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 20 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Boylston, Ward Nicholas

dear Sir,
Quincy May 20th 1819

your favour of the 7th from Princeton has given me Comfort by giving me good hopes and full assurance of the Continuence of your Life for Some time—for you must know I have lately become a Convert to your benevolent System of your beneficenceyou remember that I have sometimes laughed at you—for your Bounty’s and Premium’s and Medals, and told you that nobody would thank you for theirs—but the
But I have lately received a Visit from a Man of Science and of letters—a Dr Sewall of York who presented to me one of your Gold Medals awarded to him I think in 1810. for some medical or Chirurgical dissertation presented to him by your   your Committee—I now therefore hope that you will continue your public Charities as long as you live—and that you will live as long as you can enjoy life. I feel an ambition to do some little matter for the public good myself—but fourteen Grand Children—and half a dozen—or half a score of Great Grand Children require of me every farthing and ten times more than I possess— farewell Cousin / I am your Affectionate friend and / obliged humble Servant
John Adams—


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear Son—
Quincy May 21st 1819

The Revnd. Mr Greenwood the successor of Mr Thatcher and Dr Kirkland in the Church in Summer Street Boston; will deliver you this letter—and altho he is a more liberal Christian than you are—I hope you will receive him with Politeness and Cordial Civility as I have no doubt you will—
George came to us last night and brought me joy and Literature—John & Charles will be here to night or to morrow—and will bring with them gaiety and Gravity, with great pleasure to their decrepit / Grand. Father—
John Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 23 May 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

My Dear John
Washington 23d May 1819

Your letter of the 16 was received yesterday & I hasten to answer it that you may not have reason to complain of my silence—I mark all you say and sincerely pray that no circumstance may ever occur in your course through life which may lead to habits which will either cause misery to yourself or disgrace to your parents and friends—There all persons in the world who are weak enough to imagine that the faults which are practiced by others plead in excuse for their own it has always appeared to me to be most preposterous doctrine and I have always ever thought on the contrary that they should operate as warnings to prevent our sinking into the same errors; and if this was the motive which actuated the person you name to disclose a circumstance so unpleasant in its nature, with a view to lesson the vice or depravity of a nearer and dearer object, we must pity her want of judgment which has led her to add an add impose an additional burthen on a mind and heart already heavily oppressed and from which no advantage can result in the mitigation she perhaps anticipated towards another whose habits she must naturally deplore and whom she must be desirous of saving by every means in her power from the wrath of an offended father.—Do not write much on the subject as your father reads all your Letters and it is one of too painful a nature to dwell on.
I hope you will enjoy your vacation at Quincy during the ten or fifteen days you are to spend there—I am going to pass a week in Virginia with your Aunt Boyd who has been sometime settled there where I expect to pass my time very quietly—
I send another page or two of the dialogue and shall continue to do so until it is finished. George will I hope take care of it that you and Charles may be able to study it—It is very indifferently translated but when you can read Darius Bibliotheque des Philosophe you will find more pleasure and this will serve as a preparation.
I shall not take Mary to Boston with me this Summer she is going to School and it would be a great disadvantage to her to be so long away from it added to which she is too ready at all times to adopt idle practices. She is grown very tall and bids fair to make a very large woman—It is probable I shall place her at School at Philadelphia if her fortune which is not half the amount it was stated at will admit of it. Susan is gone to Prince Georges I suppose for I have nothing from her since she left me.
Adieu present me affectionately to your Grandfather and to the family and be assured that such sentiments as you express in your last will ever afford the highest gratification to your Mother and if you act up to them they will confer the greatest honour on yourself—Be watchful and keep from temptation and pray to heaven to guard you when that assails you and you will ever secure the esteem respect and affection of your Mother

L.C. Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 23 May 1819
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Charles Francis

Washington 23d May 1819

Why what is the matter my Son? surely when you wrote your last Letter you must have been suffering from a billious attack and saw every thing with a jaundiced eye? yet the Roast Beef and Plum Pudding seemed to produce such excellent effects I hope it was only a little qualm and does not require any very violent remedies—As to the Shirts I left some linen at Quincy which may be made for you and if you will no more give way to these starts of impatience which are quite unsuitable to the dignity of philosophy I will with pleasure allow you to have them made as you please. Young persons are not always proper judges of propriety you must therefore excuse me if  I a little doubt your account of your present situation—your father and I have thought proper to place you where you are because we are assured that it would be very difficult to find a situation more eligible or one in which you would have more real enjoyment and a little reflection will I am sure prove to you how childish and imprudent it is for you to make yourself unhappy about trifles where you have received so many proofs of real kindness from those who surround you and who have hitherto spoken of you with the utmost affection—I will not say any more on this subject as your own strong sense of propriety and gratitude must have already inspired feelings of regret for the little ebullition which your last Letter betrayed.
I am very glad you liked Burns the Cotters Saturday night. I have mentioned to you already and I can see you must have found it beautiful—
We are much rejoiced to hear of your rapid progress in your education. and were flattered by the handsome manner in which Judge Dawes mentioned you both when he was on here more especially as he told us Mr. Gould was satisfied—We shall come on to Boston in the course of the Month of July and perhaps pass a couple of months among you which will give me the greatest pleasure—
I will thank you to tell Harriet that I sent the Vertical Jack to Mr T. Welsh by the Midas and the Bill of six Dollars and a half and I wish you to tell your Uncle Thomas I will be glad to have  it this money put with the other money in the Saving Bank between you and John to make up as far as it will go for the ten dollars which were taken for George. the rest I will give when I come.
Adieu write me again soon and take care that your pens ink and lines are in order, as my file does not look handsome if my Letters are not well written Your new writing master will I hope give you all needful assistance and enable you so to improve so as to delight your affectionate Mother

L C Adams

My Compliments to Mr. Gould and to all the Quincy family.


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 May 1819
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

					My dear and honoured father.
					Washington 24 May 1819.

				I answer without delay your Letter of the 18th: instt. concerning Mrs. Clark—My wife has already written you very particularly the Circumstances in which she was left by the death of her husband—There is no provision made by the Public, for widows of the Officers who have died since the Peace—There is I believe no prospect of her having any more family.We invited her to come and spend some time with us—She came, only for a few days, but promised to come again—She is now with some of Mr Clark’s relations. The property left her by her husband, with some expectations which are contingent, and with what was left her by my dear Mother, would with severe economy, and undeviating discretion make her independent, with a very little additional assistance—But whether the economy or the discretion are with her, I have not seen enough of her to form an opinion.With regard to the other persons mentioned in your Letter, I hope to communicate with you fully and without reserve, in person; and expect to be with you, about the last week in July—I am, dear Sir, ever faithfully and affectionately, your Son.

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 May 1819
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Boylston, Ward Nicholas

					My Dear Sir
					Washington 24 May 1819

				Your kind Letter of the 15th. inst. has just come to hand—It was quite a disappointment to me upon my return from Europe the year before last, and again when I visited Boston and my fathers house the last Autumn is, that the distance at which you then were prevented me from having the pleasure of meeting you. I hope to be more fortunate the ensuing Summer; it being my intention and that of Mrs. Adams to pass a few weeks with our friends at home as soon as I can obtain a short release from this place.—And if we can, make our arrangements to travel by the way of Worcester, we shall take great pleasure in paying Mrs. Boylston and you a visit at Princeton—We expect to leave this early in July towards the end of July, and to be upon our return early in September when if practicable we shall avail ourselves of your friendly invitation.I have observed with pleasure and gratitude your persevering efforts of beneficence to the University at Cambridge and had heard of the Institution of your prizes for Eloquence Elocution which cannot but be attended with good effects—Its operation by experience may perhaps suggest some rules for the Distribution of the prizes, which if you should conclude to make the Institution permanent; you may think it advisable to prescribe. Would it not for instance be advisable useful to direct, that if one of the undergraduates should obtain one of the first prizes, he should not upon a second year be permitted admitted as a competitor to speak in the same language? And would it not be proper to enlarge the circle of the languages in which the pieces may be spoken—at least by admitting the French. From the experience which I have had of the defects most common among young Orators, I think it should be prescribed as an inflexible rule that no prompting should be allowed; and that whatever merit any speakers might display, no prize should be given in any case where a failure of memory should be perceptible.With regard to the Professorship of Rhetoric and Oratory, I do most sincerely wish it could be given to a person capable of understandings its duties, and of performing them—To Mr. McKean it was a sinecure, given him for his wants and his vices, and not for any quality required by the place.—I speak the whole truth to you, because nothing less can do any good. But the Corporation of Harvard University, though including some of the best men in the world, is and for many years has been more of a Caucus Club, than of a Literary and Scientific Society.—Bigoted to Religious liberality, and illiberal in political principle—When they have a place to fill their question is not who is fit for the place, but who is to be provided for? and their whole range of Candidates is a parson or a Partizan or both.—From what I have seen of Mr. Morton and all that I have heard of him, I have great respect for his character and abilities, but to him Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory; could be equalled by nothing, but by the appointment of a man born blind to lecture upon Optics, and make Astronomical observations with the telescope.I have been so long absent from this Country that I have no knowledge of the young men, whose talents would be their real recommendation to such an Office, but I have no hesitation in saying that I think the clerical Profession not well suited to it; and it would as reasonable to take a Professor of Theology or of Anatomy from the practicing lawyers, as a Professor of Eloquence from the Pulpit.—The Pulpit is indeed one of the scenes of practical Oratory—but it is Oratory of the lowest class.—The Pulpit Orator has no antagonist—There may be triumph without a victory; but there can be no victory without a battle.—Now as in the days of Cicero, the great struggle and the most splendid theatre of eloquence is at the Bar.It cannot, be expected that any man very eminent as a public speaker will accept of the appointment to this Professorship—The talent commands a market of a higher order. Neither does this Office require the exercise of the abilities necessary to a very distinguished Orator; for a man may be excellent as a judge and instructor of eloquence without possessing its highest faculties himself—But an impediment of Speech, is a disqualification, the exhibition of which in that Professorship, reflects disgrace upon those who made the appointment, and is an insult upon the founder of the Institution—They would have done better to send to Hartford, and to have offered the vacancy made by the death of Mr. McKean to Mr. Laurent Clerk. He at least would have palsied no precept by his example.Mrs. Adams joins me in requesting you to present our best Respects to Mrs. Boylston, and our joint thanks for her and your kind invitation—And believe me to be ever faithfully yours.


Title: From John Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 25 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

my dear Daughter
Quincy May 25th. 1819

Human Life has been to me a State of trial from my Cradle to this seventh month of my Eaighty fourth year.—
I believe enough of the Apocalypse to be perfectly convinced—“that “be thou faithful unto the death, and thou shalt receive a Crown of Life.”—
Susan may depend upon it that her Mother, her Sister, her Brother in Law, her Female Associates in Quincy, and its neighbourhood, have been more severe upon her than her Grandfather has been—the truth is, Susan has been a Giddy thoughtless Capricious Obstinate Girl—She married in direct opposition to the remonstrance and Advice of her Grand-father, and Grand mother, Oral and written—and if she will not humble herself—I care not what becomes of her—Her Babe is deeply imprinted on my heart a pretty’er Bud I never Saw— Inclosed is the letter I wrote to Susan, which it seemes her umbrageous Soul has taken offence at.—judge you between the Grand-daughter—and the Grand-father—I am sometimes almost reconciled to the Letter decatchet of France—and of the power of life and death of Parents over their Children amongst the Greek’s and Romans.—
In hopes of seeing you and your dear Husband—as soon as your public duties will permit—
I am your affectionate Father
John Adams
P. S. your Children are here—and all well—John is regale’ing himself with a ride this morning—and Gallanting a pretty young Lady on Horseback—L. S.