Title: From John Adams to Ma., Citizens of Quincy, 30 October 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Quincy, Ma., Citizens of

Gentlemen
Quincy October 30th 1802

I should rejoice in the prolongation of my life for another year, were it only for the pleasure of seeing and embracing so many of my Friends.—
As every Gentleman here is at least as independent of me, as I can pretend to be of him; as there is no imaginable motive of hope Apprehension or any Sinister or private Interest, which could have prompted you, to such a manifestation of your friendly Sentiments: I am fully assured that this Visit is the Result of Feeling and not of Ceremony.—
The Performance of the Parts which were cast to me, in the Course of the Revolution, though the Scenes were in the Secret Conclave of a Congress with out Galleries and with closed doors, or at a thousand League distance beyond Seas, and the few Spectators and Witnesses are almost all dead, I shall leave to the Candor of the public and the Judgment of Posterity with Such traditionary Sight as they may possess.—
After as carefull a Review as I am capable of taking of the civil Administration, during the Period when I was President of the United States, I see nothing of any Consequence to repent or regrett. Some measures were the Effect of imperious neccessity, much against my Inclinations. Others were the Measures of the Legislature, which altho approved when passed, were never previously proposed or reccommended by me. Some of them, left to my discretion were never executed, because no neccessity for them, in my Judgment ever occured. I shall say no more, upon this Subject at present, but this; we were emancipated from two burthensom yokes, the French Treaty and consular Convention which were grevious to us, and would have been intollerable to our Children. The Nation in future, unshackled with positive Stipulation, would have only to consider, her Duties to foreign Powers by the Law of Nations, and to estimate her Interest by an honest and impartial Policy—
Let me add one observation more; Under the Continual provocations, breaking and pouring in upon me from unexpected as well as expected quarters, during the two last years of my Administration, he must have been more of a modern Epicurean Phylosopher, than I ever was or ever will be, to have born them all, without some incautious expressions at times of an inutterable Indignation. I have no other Apology to make to Individuals or the Public.—
The Prospect of National Greatness is as Sure and certain as that of National Existance. The Union is our Rock of Safety as well as our Pledge of Grandeur. And for this reason I hesitate not to recommend to you as a Sentiment—"A Union of honest Men."
I wish you Gentlemen, for the day and for your Lives all the honest Joys and Felicities, which you can possibly wish for yourselves—
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Bernard Hubley, Jr., 30 October 1802
From: Hubley, Bernard, Jr.
To: Adams, John

Respected Sir
Pennsyla. Northumberland Octr. 30th, 1802

Having undertaken to publish a Journal, during the period I was an Officer in the Army, upon condition of Eight hundred subscribers to proposals made; I take the liberty of Writing to you a few lines, and enclosing one of the Hand Bills, wishing that you may do me the honor, that your Name may be placed at the head of the list of Subscribers Names.—Should the Book be dedicated to any particular Person, I should beg your assent, that it may be to you.—
My Youngest Son, named for or after you, being now a little past Twenty One Months old, is allowed to be by every body that sees him, one of the most active and liveliest child of his Age ever beheld, something uncommon quick in all his Actions, he requires almost constant the Eyes of three or four Persons to watch his motions to prevent getting hurt and the like, there is an aparent blessing of Providence in my Family, my little Girls learn very well, and my eldest son George Washington, not quite four Years old, is a fine thriving promising Boy.—My Dear Wife desires her best love and respects to Mrss: Adams, although she having never seen her.—
I have the Honor to subscribe myself / Your Most Obdt. / & / Most Huml. Friend & Servt.
Berd. Hubley Jur.


Title: To John Adams from Ma., Citizens of Quincy, 30 October 1802
From: Quincy, Ma., Citizens of
To: Adams, John

To the Honorable John Adams Esqr.
Sir
October 30 1802.

The return of this anniversary cannot fail to awaken in our breasts the warmest sentiments of gratitude and esteem. It recalls to view the many important events of your public life, events intimately connected with those principles and proceedings which constitute the greatest glory of our country, and will form some of the most valuable pages in the history of nations.
We hope the liberty we have taken in personally waiting upon you on this occasion, will not be deemed an intrusion. And while we offer you our reasons respects and respectful congratulations, we must beg you to be assured that this visit is the result of feeling and not of ceremony.
The early and decided part which you took in support of the liberties of America. The series of patriotic and successful exertions which distinguished you the firm, unwavering and able friend of these States—The many stations of high responsibility which you filled so much to the advantage of your fellow citizens throughout our revolution, gave you an honorable title to their veneration, and love.—But your services to your country did not end with the accomplishment of our Independence. Since that period, it has required, and you have devoted to its cause the energies of your comprehensive mind. to its cause. Your civil administration as President of the United States, at a crisis of peculiar difficulty and danger, warded off evils which seemed inevitable, and secured blessings that appeared unattainable. It vindicated the national honour, accomodated serious differences with two of the most powerful nations of Europe, and left the United States with the means of a speedy extinction of the public debt, a full treasury, and a flourishing commerce, to cultivate the arts of peace.
May these things, Sir, be ever held in suitable remembrance. May no untoward circumstances wholly take away the fair prospect we have had, of national prosperity and greatness. For you Sir, we offer our supplications to the Soverign of the Universe, that your invaluable life may be long preserved. In any critical conjuncture of affairs, may your countrymen yet have the benefit of that foresight, wisdom and experience which have so often availed and suported them—And when you shall finally be called to bid adieu to this world and its concerns, may the cheering words promised to the good and the faithful, hail you to the mansions of blessedness.


Title: To John Adams from John Davis, 11 November 1802
From: Davis, John
To: Adams, John

Sir.
Boston. Novemr. 11. 1802.

It had been impressed on my mind, that the next meeting of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences would be on the third Wednesday of the present month, and I did not discover my errer until it was too late to give the usual notice. It ought, by statute, to have been held yesterday (the 2d. Wednesday) at Cambridge. I request this in advertence, and would wish to know whether you will authorize and direct a meeting to be notified for Wednesday next. Those Gentlemen, whom I have seen, belonging to the Academy, seem disposed to have this plan adopted. I had an interview yesterday with President Willard and he concurs. If it should meet your approbation, I will thank you for a line by the Mail, which will come in the morrow 8p.m. and by advertising in different papers sufficient notice may be given.
I ask the exercise  of your benignity for this trouble, occasioned by my mistake, and am, /  Sir, /  with the highest respects / & Esteem Your obdt. Servt.
Jm. Davis


Title: For the Port Folio., 27 November 1802
From: Adams, John
To:

MISCELLANEOUS PARAGRAPHS. For the Port Folio.November 27, 1802

In this Port Folio we have deposited some papers, illustrating the plan and criticising the execution of the celebrated "Lyceum" of La Harpe. We now present an extract of a literary letter from an ancient scholar, in our own country, and are delighted to discover, that men of learning and genius, at home and abroad, are unanimous in favour of a learned and virtuous Frenchman, who, disdaining and abjuring the visionary theories of his modern countrymen, has carefully applied himself to the study of the ancients, and with equal taste and judgment has appreciated their incomparable value. The collateral remarks of the letter writer will not fail to give pleasure to all the disciples of the oldschool. They have long since learned to detest such illustrious scoundrels as Voltaire and the king of Prussia.
"I have read the six volumes of Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History, and was well paid for my time. I have perused also four volumes of Memoirs of the chevalier Ravannes, in the Bibliotheque Amusante, which, if it should fall in your way, I advise you to read, not only for diversion, but to learn the character of the school, in which Voltaire and Richelieu were formed; the court of the Regent Duke of Orleans, and his minister, the infamous Cardinal Du Bois. Voltaire could have been bred in no region more infernal, on this side the bottomless pit, nor in any more proper to inspire his philosophy. I have read of nothing more odious, except the court of Alexander the sixth, and his son, Caesar Borgia. Even that produced nothing, so fatal to human happiness, as Voltaire. I wonder not that he said to mareshal Richelieu, in his last moments, "Eh! Frere Kain, tu m’avez tué." I have read the life of Lorenzo de Medici, by Roscoe. This is useful to students in Italian Literature, next in taste to the Greek, and shews the causes of the resurrection of letters, that most transcendent blessing to mankind, provided Voltaire and his brother Cains are not permitted to convert it into a curse.
"The three volumes of the Studies of Nature, by St. Pierre, are amiable and ingenious, but full of superficial whimsies.
"But the greatest work of all is in fourteen volumes under the title of Lycéé; ou cours de Literature, ancienne et moderne par I. F. La Harpe. I have read nothing with so much pleasure, except The Pursuits of Literature. Vast as his plan is I would advise every young man of letters to go through the whole catalogue of authors La Harpe criticizes. Indocti discant, et ament meminisse periti is his motto, and never was any one better chosen. Most of all to excite our surprize is the style in which he speaks in Public lectures, delivered before twelve hundred hearers of the French Revolution, in the midst of it in 1794, and since. There is scarcely any spot in America, where he could have read the same discourses to an equal number of hearers, without raising an uproar and a mutiny. He does ample justice to Voltaire’s genius, talents, taste, and eloquence. But he spares not his immorality, his impiety, his mendacity, his perfidy, his brutality, his universal rascality. I do not believe there was ever any man, to whom were more applicable, his own words, or those of the king of Prussia, in their partnership commentaries upon Machiavel—"The most infernal monster, that hell ever vomited upon this earth." This comet has shaken from his horrid hair, pestilence, war, and death to the human race."
J A.


Title: From John Adams to Bernard Hubley, Jr., 30 November 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Hubley, Bernard, Jr.

Sir
Quincy 30 Nove 1802

I have received our favor of 30 October & return the subscription paper for Hubly’s journal with my name to it. The journals of officers who served with reputation in the revolutionary war must be valuable and authentic original documents for history. I rejoice in the prosperity of your family and pray for blessings on your promising and deserving children—As to the dedication you may do as you please
I am Sir with due esteem your most obedient & hum Ser


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Truxtun, 30 November 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Truxtun, Thomas

Dear Sir
Nov 30. 1802

I have many apologies to make for omitting so long to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favour of the 10 of July— The copy you have done me the honor to present to me, of the medal voted by Congress, and executed according to my directions, to the Secretary of the Navy, I accept with great pleasure, not only from a personal regard to the giver, but because I esteem every laurel bestowed upon you for the glorious actions of the first of March 1800 as an honor done to our beloved country—From both of those motives, I have been highly gratified, with the honor the Gentlemen of Sloydas coffee house have done themselves, in the handsome acknowledgement they have made of their obligations to you. I regret that the artist had not completed the medal in season, that I might have had the satisfaction of presenting it to an officer, who had so greatly deserved it. And I lament still more that I had not the power of promoting merit to its just  in the Navy, that of an Admiral—The Council which Themisticles gave to Athens, Pompey to Rome, Cromwell to England, De Witt to Holland, and Colbert to France, I have always given, and shall continue to give to my Countrymen—That as the great questions of Commerce and power between Nations and Empires, must be decided by a military marine, and war and peace are determined at Sea, all reasonable encouragement should be given to a navy—The trident of Neptune is the sceptre of the world—
With sincere esteem and / Affection I have to honor/  to be sir, your friend / and Servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to David Humphreys, 1 December 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Humphreys, David

Dear Sir
Quincy 1 December 1802

Your favor of Aug. 28 from Boston has remained through a multiplicity of agricultural occupations unacknowledged to this hour and notwithstanding the lively sensibility it excited both in Mrs. Adams & myself, we sincerely regretted that we were not to have the pleasure of receiving you and Mrs Humphreys at Quincy as we had hoped & expected. If in the course of your affairs you should again visit this part of our Country we hope we shall not fail of enjoying that honor. The reputation of Mrs Humphreys as a lady as accomplished as amiable had excited a wish to have an opportunity of wishing her in person on every felicity in this Country. I fear she will be disappointed in her expectations in many respects. Corruption has made large strides—one would think that nothing but a similitude of tastes could have effected the appointment of a character to represent our virgin innocence & republican purity at the court of Madrid—But to turn from this odious & disgusting spectacle of public affairs give me leave to enquire after your manuscript poems which you prepared to publish—I sett such a value upon all the effusions of your elegant muse that I should be very happy to see as many as you think proper to communicate to the public and I pray you to put down in the list of your subscribers the name of your / friend & very humble Servant


Title: From John Adams to David Ramsay, 2 December 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Ramsay, David

Dear Sir
Quincy 2 December 1802

You may very justly be surprised to receive under this date my acknowledgment & thanks for your review of the improvements, progress & state of medicine in the eighteenth century. The truth is I could never find time to read it till yesterday when I had much pleasure in the perusal of it & I sincerely think it a very valuable acquisition to American Literature. Medicine anatomy chemistry & various branches of natural history have received great improvements in the eighteenth century but the first philosophy and the second philosophy I fear have had a retrograde motion. La Harpe has promised us a volume of history of the philosophy of the eighteenth century which I wait with impatience to receive. Instead of advancement we shall see a restoration of the drunken reveries of Epicurus and the mad ravings, however beautiful the verse, of Lucretius
In relating the institutions for the benefits of the deaf and dumb, you have omitted the Abbe l’Epee, who was the first inventor & the most influential propagator of these benevolent improvements. I often visited his academy at Paris and had great delight in the happiness of fifty or an hundred of these unfortunate fellow creatures. I sent to America before me & brought home with me a copy of his book, entitled "La veritable maniere d’instruire les sourds & muets" in which the science as I believe was first taught
There is another inaccuracy of so little importance as scarcely to merit notice—but as it relates to me I may be allowed to mention it. Dr Zabdiel Boylston the first practitioner of inoculation for the small pox in all the British empire was not my ancestor but a younger brother of my grand father Peter Boylston of Brooklyne
I am Sir with great esteem your obliged hum Serv


Title: To John Adams from Rev. Manasseh Cutler, 15 December 1802
From: Cutler, Rev. Manasseh
To: Adams, John

Sir
Washington 15h. Decr. 1802.

The members of the house had arrived in sufficient numbers to form a House on Tuesday, the 7h. instant, but the Senate had not a quarum untill monday—(13h.). On that day they attempted to elect a President pro-tem. in the absence of the Vice President, who has not yet arrived but did not come to a choice. Mr. Tracy had 7 votes—Mr. Bradley—7—there were 2 featuring & 2 won blanks. Yesterday Mr. Bradley was elected, but I have not heard how the votes stood. A joint committee, as usual was sent to the President, & this day his Message was delivered, by his Secretary, to both Houses. Presuming it might be agreeable to you to see this document, & it being printed in Smiths paper of this day, I embrace this early opportunity to enclose it. Any interesting documents which may be communicated to the House, in the course of the session, & such as you would wish to See, when I can procure duplicates, I shall forward with pleasure
I am, with considerations of the highest / respect / Sir, / your most humble Servt:
M Cutler


Title: From John Adams to Joshua Thomas, 20 December 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Thomas, Joshua,Jackson, William

Gentlemen
Quincy December 20th 1802

Nothing could afford me, more pleasure than to visit my Friends in Plymouth (where I formerly so much delighted to reside) on the 22d instant, according to your polite and obliging Invitation: but various circumstances will oblige me to denay myself that gratification.
I feel a well grounded conviction that the best principles of sure great and glorious Ancestors, are inherited by a large portion of the American People: And if the Talents, the Policy, the Address, the Power, the Bigotry and Tyranny, of Archbishop Land and the Court of Charles the first, were not able to destroy or discredit them in 1630 or 1635, there is little cause of apprehension for them, from the feeble Efforts of the frivolous Libertines, who are combining, conspiring and intriguing against them in 1802.—These Principles are a file, that has broken the teeth of many a Viper,—Or to borrow a figure from one of the Reformers, they are an Anvil which has broken to pieces or worn out, a long succession of hammers, of firmer metal, and more formidable weight, than any that have been or can be weilded by the present effeminate and profligate race of their Ennemies.—
While I concur in your Opinion, that sure free Constitution, and elective Government, can exist no longer than these principles, and must be destroyed in their fall; and although I have sometimes been Staggered in my faith for a moment by the license of Calumny, I still intertain a pleasing hope, that this Nation will long enjoy a continuance of felicity and prosperity under their pure principles and Representative Governments—
Your benevolent Wishes for my happiness, I with great Sincerity reciprocate to you, to the Town of Plymouth to the old Colony and to all who rejoice in the Day and Event, you So wisely celebrate.
John Adams—


Title: To John Adams from David Sewall, 6 January 1803
From: Sewall, David
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
York January 6th. 1803

I was considerably amused by a News paper publication some few Weeks since, Which Paper I have lost or mislaid.—It was a description of something that tended to the great and long desideration of ascertaining Longitude. A Gent. was said to have departed on a Voyage from Philadelphia for some Port on the Eastern Continent, and during the Voyage, told the precise Longitude the Vessell was in from time to time; by means of a small Globe bourn up in a Vessel of Quicksilver—This small Globe had meridian lines drawn upon it, and was supposed to turn upon its equatorial Diameter in the same proportion as the Ship made its Eastern departure from Philadelphia.—
What the Globe contained, which was thus buoyed up, by the liquid Quicksilver had not been ascertained, but was conjectured to be a magnet, or loadstone. The Information further said, that the Gent. who had made use of this small Globe Died on the Voyage, and had left no Writing respecting it.
I have been expecting some further Information, or reflections on the Subject, but have seen none—The Papers in Which this Communication was made was in the Massachst. Palladium in the Boston Commercial Gazette or Jenks Portland Gazette.—The directive powers of the load stone are among the Arcana of Nature as Well, as the its Variation in different parts of the Earth and Seas—May not this variation of its direction from the true Pole, be something in its nature & formation that may ascertaine Longitude, in case it is suspended, in such a manner as to permit its freely turning on its axis, upon its changing its Eastern or Western position, I can concieve that a load Stone, or Artificial magnet may be placed in a Wooden sperical body & suspended in such a manner, as to permit its, changing it Equatorial parts, as well as it Polar ones, with the greatest Ease—Such an Experiment would Ascertain this Conjuncture.
I am yours Respectfully
David SewallYour Letter of Decemr. 22d. 1802 has been recieved for which I thank you—Dor. Hemmengway lately spent an Evening and Night with me—altho’ on a melancholy Occasion—The Funeral of Madam Langdon, Mrs. Sewall Mother—We Conversed of you & others of our quondam Acquaintance. I told him what you once observed to me at Quincy respecting him—That He was naturally a poet, but that He suppressed his early inclination—He says you are mistaken in that particular, For that He once strove hard to make some jingling verses—but it was a force on Nature.—If We are at such distances as easily to have personal Interviews—An occasional Correspondence will be an Approximation, which I presume your retirement from the important Concerns of the American Nation, will now & then permit.


Title: From John Adams to David Sewall, 12 January 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Sewall, David

Dr Sir
Quincy January 12. 1803.

I recd last night yours of the 6th.—I read the Account of the Small Globe rolling in a little Pool of Mercury: but have heard no more of it.
The Powers of the Magnet are indeed among the Arcana of Nature: and what is not? Nature itself is all arcanum: and I believe will remain So. It was not intended that Men with their Strong Passions, and weak Principles, Should know much. Without a more decisive and magisterial moral discernment much knowledge would make them too enterprising and impudent. The human Species will always be, only of yesterday and know nothing.
A Mr Churchman has taken great pains to form a Chart of the Variations of the magnetic Needle, over the whole Globe for the purpose of ascertaining the Longitude; and I believe many navigators have used them at Sea. Some of the Scientific People in France and England, have expressed this approbation of the Idea and encouraged its pursuit. But if Mr Sewalls Observations at Cambridge are correct the variations change So often, in every day, that there is room to doubt of the Utility of this thought.—Yet upon the whole, I think in general, that it may be of some Use: and that very often, in the hands of a Skillfull and attentive Navigator. Churchman is a Native of America.
Another of our Countrymen, Jonathan Williams, born in Boston, has projected uses for the Thermometer in Navigation. If you have not Seen it, you will receive Some Amusement from it. Pray return it to me by the Post, when you have perused it to your Satisfaction; because it is a present and the only copy, I have. The discovery of Banks and Soundings by Mercury in a glass, is not an obvious thought, but it may be well founded.
The Pitchings and rollings of the Ship have no effect on the magnetic needle, at Sea. The Swiftness and Slowness of her motions have no more.—What then may not a little wooden Globe inclosing a Loadstone and Wallowing in Mercury, Shew the Variation of the Needle? But I Suspect that this machinery, was used in connection with Churchmans Variation Chart. If there is any thing Solid in the Story, We Shall hear more of it: probably however in some Patent for the exclusive Sale of the machine.
There was a Fairy, who carried on, a manufactory, with his little Mill, in Hemmenways brain, in his Sleep when he was at College, and furnished him with a quantity of Verses, which he could repeat, in the morning from his dream, which Seemed very much like the Inspiration of the Muses. Most Poets would have said, with Eve or Adam, when they Saw themselves in the Water "This, fair Creature, is thyself."—But Dr Hemmenway has perused Studies more Satisfactory to himself, and useful to others.
An occasional correspondence, will be very agreable to me.—I am nevetheless as busy as ever I was.—My private affairs, neglected for eight and twenty years, now call for my constant attention. I Shall never be So busy as not to receive pleasure from your Letters.—
Yours with great esteem
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 17 January 1803
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 17 Jan. 1803.

I must answer your favours of Dec. 14 ult. and Jan the 3th. Want of time will once have the happy effect, to emportune you not with a Long Letter. How can you insinuate, that your correspondence is of no value? Is not every line of you then an act of kindness towards me? Not to saÿ, that I never received one, without some kind of instruction. But why Should I use any motif—to entreat you to the continuance of your Correspondence, as you Sir! are persuaded of mÿ affectionate attachment as a frend and knows that it is dignified by my revering you with a filial awe as a father. Your esteem—your frendship had contributed to make my retirement in the woods—under many troublesome cares and unrelenting hard Labor—comfortable.
You promise to explain once the anecdote of Count—Sarsefield—and are yet indebted to me for your endeavours to procure me Capt. Ingraham Journal—I Should have no objection if Graÿ’s was joined to it—The Anecdote of Deodati paints my friend with fidelity—Deodati would not have acted in the Same line and indeed—if we listened to an inward voice, what people on earth merits the Sacrifice of one Single virtuous man. I swore, when I was Sacrificed in Holland, that I never, if my life was preserved, again would Step forward never without anÿ exception, but am not persuaded—that I would have been able to keep my resolution—if I had stay’d in that countrÿ—to you the consequence Shall be, that when no man on earth Shall know that there existed once Deodati a Saxon Ambassador, thousand Shall be acquainted with the name and character and merits of John Adams—
This instant I receive Filangieri 5 vol in 8o. You have quenched nearly my thirst for this performance—however—the moment I have done with my philosophical remarks if theÿ deserve that title, I shall peruse it—with attention.
I have been busy in Copying of some useless branches and trimming Some meretricious tinsel—and now in a more Simple garb it will deserve better your adprobation I Shall Send it you for the acd: the instant it is finished—I flatter me that it has received few valuable additions. If your judgment—after a Second Lecture, is equally favourable—I Shall rejoÿ at my Success.
To morrow I write to your Son—may I recommend it to you—to mention it favourably—in writing to him—as my name must be that of a Stranger to Him?
Your not denying my request for your picture makes me confident—that your intention is, to favour me with it—one or other time.
Accept my kind wishes for your health—that your life maÿ be long preserved—is the most ardent wish of him who remains with the highest respect and consideration / Dear Sir / Your most ob. and Obliged frend / and Servant

Fr. Adr. vanderkemp


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 7 February 1803
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 7 Febr. 1803.

In returning you my remarks—I hope to enjoy ere long the satisfaction, that, after a Second perusal, you may find them worthÿ a place among the Mem. of your Academÿ: if So, my debt towards you will be increased, as you may claim their additional value. However this may be, I am preparing a Memoir on the use of copper by the Greeks, addressed to John Luzac—to pay a part of the Intrest—if I can not, as I fore See, liquidate the capital. If you deem it deserving a place—it must increase my obligation.
In the European Acad. and Societies often a few copies are printed, of particulars diss:—If Such a custom was adopted in America—I Should rejoice— in being favoured—with one for Mr. Boon—one for Prof. Pallas and one for my Self—tho’ I am not vain enough to expect or request an exception in mÿ favour—You know I can not purchase them. will you exhilarate me, when you have obtained the Imprimatur? I did not yet receive anÿ answer from Philadelphia. Permit me, to recommend me Self and mÿ familÿ to your honoured remembrance while I remain with an affectionate esteem and the highest considerations of respect / Dear Sir! / Your most Obe’d. and Oblig. Sert:

Fr. Adr. van der kemp.
P.S. Should you deem it desirable, that my Lett. to Chase. L. Should undergowent a revision—and think it worthy thÿ trouble—with a view of having it published—then I Shall ask his leave—to join his Letter—which would be a requisite to understand it. I have yet new materials.


Title: From John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 15 March 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Tufts, Cotton

15 March 1803
KNOW ALL MEN by these Presents, That I John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire do make, constitute and appoint Cotton Tufts of Weymouth in the County aforesaid Esquire my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my Name to sell, assign and transfer the whole or any Part of the Six Pr. Cent Stock of T whatever Description standing in my Name in the books of the Loan Officer of the United States for the State of Massachusetts with Power also an Attorney or Attornies under him for that Purpose to make and substitute; and to do all lawful Acts requisite for effecting the Premises; hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or his Substitute or Substitutes shall do therein by Virtue hereof.In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, the Fifteenth Day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven Eight hundred and ninety Three
John Adams

Sealed and delivered in the Presence of
Susan AdamsLouisa Catherine SmithCOMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.Norfolk ss.Be it Known, That on the fifteenth Day of March, One thousand seven Eight hundred and ninety Three before me, John Adams above named, acknowledged the above Letter of attorney to be his Act and Deed Ebenr Miller Justice Peace came John Adams Esq and acknowledged the above Letter of Attorney to be his Act and Deed.IN Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal the Day and Year last mentioned.Ebenr MillerJustice Peace


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 16 March 1803
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 16. March. 1803.

I send you mÿ Lett. on the use of copper among the Greeks—I can not flatter me, that it Shall procure you either much information, or amusement, but I maÿ have opened a new road for investigation, and then mÿ endeavours will have Some merit—at least in your eÿe. If it happened, that it deserved your approbation, that you deemed it worth a Public view, I Should intend it for the Pennsylvanian Philosophical Society, as apprehensive “that bÿ its pure Philological nature it is excluded from the verge of your academÿ"—and it would not be considered as a Corollarÿ on my Remarks on Jefferson and Buffon—as it is indeed. I should beg from you a particular favour, if you can grant it with propriety, that you would—in case you deemed it worthÿ an insertion in any Transactions—to envelop it to mr. j. B. Boardleÿ or J. F Mifflin—when I Shall request them to present it. By sending it from here—the postage, came so high, that I Should dare to importune either of them with it—and I cannot paid the postage. Have the Remarks received your imprimatur? I have no answer from Philadelphia about the Fate of the Achaic Sketch I wrote directly, after receiving your lett. to your Son.
How did you like that ebauche of the French Revolutions? I made a beginning with Filangieri—I could wish—you have given to him a few lines in your defence—principally—of what I have placed in his Lib. i. cap. xi—d’una Specie di governo, che chiamasi misto—He has not Seen de L’olme, and Seems to me, if I am not mistaken, to consider governments onlÿ—in regard—to the real—or imaginary Security Which Individuals might enjoÿ under it—But however this may be I will Suspend my judgment, till I have arrived at the end—and never expected a Similar production from the Neapolitan Soil—Where is that Edition, bearing on the title Filadelfia 1799 printed? I could wish you favoured me with your Diss. on Feudal Law—what was the incentive of your Historia Succincta Hospitalis S. Elisabethæ which I received—with an ode in imitation of Alceus—from you, as I Suppose—when you was at St James Court—who was that Elegant Poet & what constitutes a State?
I was always in the opinion—erroneous I believe now—that Sam. Adams was your Brother—in what relation Stands that Gentleman to you? Having now kept my room during five mounths—without an excursion of one Single daÿ—I am longing for the returning Spring, to replace the pen with the Spade. I cultivated two years after another Cauliflower—equal—to the bigest I ever Saw in Holland—I received Selast fall a new assortment of Seeds, and must try to Succeed once more, to obtain the applause not of vile populace, but of my family and my friend Mappa, and feed them with a delicate dish—
Hail—Massachusetts—Hail! What a couple of Senators! How will you rejoÿ, when the Nation is awaked bÿ their united voice when Surprised at her own, credulitÿ She returns to her good Sense—vendicates her Sullied glorÿ once more and clears the Mississipi from European infection—
Continue to me a Share in your esteem in your affection—and I Shall consider me happÿ—while then you will accept with pleasure my assurences, that I am with the highest respect / Dear Sir! / Your most humble and Obedient St

Fr. Adr. vanderkemp


Title: To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, Jr., 1 April 1803
From: Tufts, Cotton, Jr.,Tufts, Mercy Brooks
To: Adams, John

April 1, 1803Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Cotton Tufts Junior of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gentleman in Consideration of Seven Thousand Dollars lawful Money, paid by John Adams of Quincy in the County aforesaid Esquire the Receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said John Adams, his Heirs and assigns one undivided Third Part, being all my Right Title and Interest in the Real Estate of Norton Quincy Esquire of Quincy aforesaid, and given me by his last Will and Testament, excepting my individual third part in the Woodlott in the Six hundred Acres so called, and also excepting my undivided third part in the Piece of Cedar Swamp in Hobarts Swamp so called in Braintree in Said County, which the Said Norton Quincy Esquire purchased in his Life time of Ephraim Thayer, Christopher Thayer and Shadrach Thayer,To Have and to Hold the afore-granted Premises to the said John Adams his Heirs and Assigns, to his and their Use and Behoof forever. And I do covenant with the said John Adams his Heirs and Assigns, That I am lawfully seized in Fee of the afore-granted Premises; That they are free of all Incumbrances; that I have good Right to sell and convey the same to the said John Adams And that I will warrant and defend the same Premises to the said John Adams his Heirs and Assigns, forever, against the lawful Claims and Demands of all Persons.In Witness Whereof, I the said Cotton Tufts and Mercy my Wife, in Testimony of her free Consent and voluntary Surrender of her Right of Dower and Power of Thirds in the Premises have hereunto set our Hands and Seals this first Day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety eight hundred and three
Signed, sealed and delivered / in Presence of us,

Asa WhiteCotton Tufts JunrHannah PorterMercy TuftsNorfolk ss. Weymouth April first 1803. Then the above Named Cotton Tufts Junr. & Mercy Tufts acknowledged the above Instrument to be their free Act and Deed—before me,Asa WhiteJustice of the Peace


Title: To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, 20 April 1803
From: Tufts, Cotton
To: Adams, John

Hingham April 20th. 1803

Receieved by Cotton Tufts of the Honble John Adams Esq. Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents in full for one years Interest on his Note of hand given to me April 1802—Quincy Thaxter and endorsed by him to us Said Note bearing Date March 29. 1802Elizabeth ThaxterHannah ThaxterCelia Thaxter
Hingham April 20th. 1803
Received by Cotton Tufts of the Honbl. John Adams Esq. Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents being in full for one years Interest on said Adams’s Note given to me April March 29th 1802—
Celia ThaxterHingham April 20th. 1803
Received by Cotton Tufts of Honble John Adams, Esq. Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents being in full for one years Interest on his Note of hand given to me April March 29th 1802—
Elizabeth ThaxterHingham April 20 1803
Received by Cotton Turts of the Honble. John Adams Esq. Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents being in full for one Years Interest on his Note given to me April March 29th 1802—tab
Hannah Thaxter


Title: From John Adams to John Beale Bordley, 25 April 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Bordley, John Beale

Dear Sir.
Quincy April 25. 1803

At the request of our mutual Friend Mr van der Kemp, I have inclosed to you his learned Memoir, on the Use of Copper among the Greeks. I hope you have got the better of that painfull disorder which once afflicted you, and that your Friends are all prosperous and happy. With great Esteem and regard / your most obedient
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Rufus King, 22 June 1803
From: King, Rufus
To: Adams, John

Sir—
At Sea, 22 June 1803.

On the 16th of last month the King of Great Britain sent a message to Parliament announcing the termination of the discussions with France, and calling on them to support him in his determination to employ the power & resources of the nation in opposing the spirit of ambition and encroachments of the Government of France. Letters of marque had been issued against France, and I conjecture that orders have likewise been given to detain the Ships of Spain & Holland, until it be ascertained whether these powers would be able to maintain their neutrality. The King’s Message was ordered to be taken into consideration on the 23d. We sailed from Cowes on the 21st so that I can give no account of the sense of Parliament. I take the liberty to send you the English declaration and a copy of the correspondence which was laid before Parliament.
With great respect I remain &c
Rufus King.
P. S. The English Ambassador had returned to London from Paris, & the French Ambassador had left England before we did


Title: From John Adams to Rufus King, 10 July 1803
From: Adams, John
To: King, Rufus

Dear Sir
Quincy July 10. 1803

I duly received, his Britannic Majestys Declaration and the List of Papers presented to Parliament with the kind Letter you did me the Honor to write me on the twenty Second of June. With great Sincerity I thank you, Sir for this instance of your polite Attention to me, and for a great number of others of a like kind, during your Embassy in England. I was then So Situated that I could not acknowledge the Receipt of many Pamphlets, of an interesting nature which you were so good as to Send me.
Your Conduct during your whole Residence in England, so far as it ever came to my knowledge was so entirely Satisfactory to me, and So highly honourable and beneficial to your Country, that I cannot but regret the Necessity you found yourself under to return. This however does not prevent Mrs Adams from joining with me in most cordial Congratulations with you and Mrs King on your fortunate Voyage and perfect health.
I ought not to conclude this Letter with out expressing to you my most hearty Thanks for your Friendship to my Son.
With great Esteem I am / Dear Sir your obliged Friend and / very humble Servant
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 14 July 1803
From: Malcom, Samuel B.
To: Adams, John

dr Sir
Albany. July. 14. 1803—

Although a considerable period has elapsed since I have had the honor to address you, I have notwithstanding continued to entertain an uniform recollection of your former civilities, and an anxious Solicitude for your health and happiness.
Flattering myself that the friendly concern which you were pleased hitherto to manifest towards me, has undergone no abatement. a sense of duty mingled with much gratification has induced me to acquaint you that I have lately attached my affections and hand to the youngest daughter of Genl Schuyler of this City—In this new and anxious Situation I consider myself as embarked in a responsible career; it will be my endeavor to mark its course by the observance of Virtue and Such practices as I trust will ensure a reasonable expectation of felicity—
Having been prevailed upon to leave my native place and unwilling to abandon my profession I have opened an office in this city where I am promised a proportion of patronage; I am not desirous of more than will enable me to retain my acquaintance with the Practice, and to be at liberty to prosecute my Studies undisturbed—
From this quarter I cannot entertain you with news of a public nature—I continue to regard the politics of my Country with anxiety, and permit me to assure you that my impressions in relation to certain men and certain Principles will remain unchanged notwithstanding the influence that may be supposed to exist from the circumstance of my new relations—
Be pleased to present my best regards to your Lady and Miss Smith, and accept the assurance of my wishes for your health & comfort
Respectfully your Ob. Hble Sert
Sam. B. Malcom:


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 July 1803
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 15 July 1803.

Since I Send you, at your for me So highlÿ gratifying—demand mÿ Lucubrations on Jefferson’s and Buffon’s theories—I have the honor to Submit to your criticism a Short essay on the use of copper and brass during the trojan War, addressed to our mutual frend John Luzac. I had the pleasure to send you, as you desired, his historÿ of the French Revolut. Could I imagine—that you would construe these lines as an importune urging for answer I Should have bereaved me Self of the pleasure, of assuring you of my respect—knowing, that your precious time is always engaged, and considering it as a Sacrifice for you, when, indulging your feelings you condescend to honour an Old Client with your instructing Lines. But, I Should not deserve Sir! your distinction, if I was longer Silent;—permit me then again a few lines, and I shall consider it as a new favour, if theÿ have been acceptable—
My Sketch of the Achaic Republick has been Send to my frend Lindseÿ—London—who—Shall—After having perused it—communicate to my frend Luzac—Your Son told mr Huÿdekoper to whom I Send the ms "that Mr. Dennie had no time to make an Extract of it—that he could not place the whole—peace-meal—it Seemed to mr Adams that it was a work of Some erudition—and that he was Sorry, that the author did not write it in Dutch—"
Tho’ your good wishes have been frustrated—I nevertheless, feel me Self indebted for your advice and kind wishes—and am convinced, if its real worth can equalise your affectionate judgment, it Shall place me yet higher on the Scale of esteem of my European friends—
I am apprehensive, that, notwithstanding your inclination to favour me, a Second lecture of my Letters on Jefferson’s Theorÿ, made a less favourable impression, and tho’ you discern’d, and allow’d me credit, for, the real value of Scattered reflections, the whole notwithstanding can not bear the Severe Scrutinÿ of your enlightened Academÿ: This, I concieve, might be the case, if there was nothing against it—besides the untaught language—in which it is delivered.—But let this not Dear Sir! prevent you to declare me the issue; I am not craving of public applause, if proved by you—it will be a Spurr to continue my researches, and, by chance, I maÿ communicate to my frends a hint—to have an useful truth developed by them.
If you consider the performance valuable enough, I Shall again devote this winter to them—make advantage of your remarks and Send them to my frend Lindseÿ—
You remember Otto’s Memoir on the discovery of America in the American Phil. Trans. Tom. ii Since I wrote my Last I was favoured again with a valuable present of Italian Literature—among which, Magliachochi’s Letters—and the Proze Fiorentine in which I find a corroborating evidence of Martin Boëhm’s nautical merits—It is an oration of  delle lode di Filippo Sassetti di Luigi Alemanni. Part ii. vol. iv. orat. 5 pag. 4i—“Märtino Boëms, allievo del Monteregio, che insegnò a Portughesi conoscere la larghezza delle Lontananze in mare tra l’un pole all’ altro, con oprar L’astrolabio in navigando” I expect every daÿ—Some interesting lucubrations of Luzac—via Boston—which I Shall Submit to your inspection—to favour him with your criticism but the unhappy Situation of his devoted countrÿ maÿ prevent this excellent man in dispatching it—as he intended.
Continue to favour me with your remembrance, and permit me to assure you, that no American can be with more zeal and attachment and higher respected / Your most Obed. and / Obliged sert.
Fr. Adr. vanderkemp


Title: From John Adams to Samuel B. Malcom, 22 July 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Malcom, Samuel B.

Dear Malcom
Quincy July 22. 1803

I acknowledge with Sincere pleasure, the Receipt of a handsome and a friendly letter from you, of the 14th. of this month: and congratulate you on your marriage into a connection, abounding in oppulence, Influence and Talents. The news of this Event gave me more pleasure, than I should have received from hearing of your, election into any legislature, or appointment, to any office under any Executive. If your Experience Should resemble mine, you will find that a Union with a fine Girl, will be more Sproductive of Satisfaction, than any public Situation you can imagine.
General Schuyler is a Sagacious Man, with much greater qualification for the Character of a Man of Science, than most Men in this Country who are more trumpetted, if not more known. To render his days as comfortable as his Age will admit, I advice you to exert yourself with out affectation in every fillial respect and Attention, in your power. If you have not persued Mathematical Studies beyond the ordinary course of a public Education, you will find yourself rich, if you can procure a Leaf out of this book. You were undoubtedly right to open an office and pursue your Profession, which is an honourable and usefull Employment, the most independent in my opinion of any in Society.
Respecting your "Impressions in relation to certain Men and certain Principles," I have nothing to Say, more than this, that I hope you will make Truth Virtue and the Public good, your infallible Guides and regard all Men of all Parties, who would seduce you from the Path they point out, as false Prophets.
Mrs Adams and Miss Smith have both been very ill, but are better and desire me to present their Congratulations to you and Mrs Malcolm on your marriage, and to wish you both a long and happy Life.
With much Esteem and affection, I am your Friend /  and humble Servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 August 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

Dear Sir
Quincy August 1. 1803

I received your favour of July 17th. on Saturday. I received and read with pleasure your Essay on the use of Copper among the Greeks and inclosed it immediately by the Post, to Mr Bordley of Philadelphia as you directed. The Remarks on Jefferson and Buffon I presented with my own hand to the Accademy at their last Meeting, which was in May. It was referred to the Committee, to whose Consideration Such Communications are commonly Submitted. What their report will be, I cannot Say: but it will probably be made at the next meeting, the latter End of this month. My own opinion of it the manuscript is not altered. I think it a learned and ingenious Performance and the compliments to Jefferson and Buffon, have no weight with me, but I am apprehensive will form an objection to the publication in the Minds of the Committee and the Accademy: Neither of these illustrious Personages is held in much Veneration among our New England Philosophers. In plain English Buffons Theory of the Earth his Molecules organiques and Some others of his profound Discoveries are classed with the most Stupid Things that ever were committed to the Press. I am afraid too that the extraordinary lenth of your manuscript and the numerous complimentary Episodes, together with the Difficulty of reading the handwriting, and Still greater difficulty in conforming the Style to the Taste of American Readers, will operate too powerfully against the publication. My vote however will certainly be in its favour.
The Essay on the Revolution in France, by a Society of Gentlemen of Letters, is a happy thought, and as well executed as could be expected from the greatest Schollar in Europe. I return it with many thanks.
With usual Esteem and regard, I am / &c
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 August 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

					  August 8,  1803

Know all Men, by these Presents, that I John Adams of Quincy, in the County of Norfolk, in the State of Massachusetts, Esquire, in Consideration of Twelve thousand Eight hundred and Twelve dollars paid me by John Quincy Adams of Boston in the County of Suffolk, and State aforesaid, the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give grant Sell and convey unto the Said John Quincy Adams and his Heirs, the following Parcells of Real Estate, to Witt, A certain Track of Land, Situated on the Plain below Pennshill, in Quincy aforesaid containing by Estimation, about one hundred and Eight Acres be the same more or less, with the three Houses, three Barns and other Buildings upon it, and bounded Easterly on the Country Road to Plymouth, North Easterly partly on a Houselott of Mr Heath, partly on another Houselott of Mr Pratt and partly on Land of Mr James Brackett, then Land Northerly by Land of the late Dr Elisha Savill, then Easterly by Land of the late Dr Savill, now Captain Joseph Brackett, then Northerly partly on Land of the said Joseph Brackett where the Line runs below the Fence as it now Stands, and within the Border of the Millpond, and partly on Land of the Nightengales then Westerly by Land of Ebenezer and Josiah Adams, then Northerly again by Land of the Said Ebenezer and Josiah Adams, then Westerly again by the Land of the Same, then Northerly again by the Same then Easterly by the Same, then Northerly by the Same and by the middle Pasture So called, being part of the Dower of the late Deacon Ebenezer Adams’s  Widow; then Westerly by Land formerly of Moses Adams; now of Ebenezer and Josiah Adams, then Southerly by fresh Meadow of the Heirs of the late Deacon Ebenezer Adams, and by the Lands of Joseph Field; till you come to the Eastern Boundary on Plymouth Road first mentioned, or however the Premisses are bounded or reputed to be boundedAlso another Tract of Land, in Quincy aforesaid on the Opposite Side of the road, containing twenty four Acres more or less, bounded Westerly  on Plymouth Road, Southerly partly on Land of Mr Hardwick, partly on the narrow Lane, and partly on Land of Thomas Pratt, formerly common Land, Easterly partly on Thomas Pratt And partly on Land of Deacon Jonathan Bass, and Northerly on Dr Phipps, or however otherwise bounded or reputed to be boundedAlso Six Acres of Land more or less in said Quincy, bounded Westerly by Plymouth Road Southerly by Land of Deacon Jonathan Bass, Easterly partly by Land of Thomas Pratt, and Partly by Land in Possession of Judge Crane and Northerly by Land lately of Mr Joseph Cleverly deceasedAlso nine Acres of Land, more or less in Braintree, near Top of Penns hill, bounded northerly by the Line, between Quincy and Braintree, Westerly and South Westerly on Plymouth Road, Southerly on Land of Samuel and Adams Curtis, Easterly partly on Land of the said Samuel and Adam Curtis and partly on Land of Thomas Pratt, or however otherwise bounded.Also three Woodlotts, vizt. The Lott Number Six, in the third Division of the most Southerly part of the North Commons so called, of the ancient Town of Braintree, containing fourteen Acres, more or less, and bounded Northerly partly on the Lott Number one in the fifth Division, and partly on the Lott Number two; Westerly partly on the Lot Number one, and partly on the Lott Number Two, in the Second Division of the Said most Souther part, Southerly on the Lott Number five, in Said third Division, and Easterly on the aforesaid Lott Number 3 in the aforesaid fifth Division. This Lott was conveyed to me, by the Committee of the Town of Braintree in 1765.Also another Lott of Woodland being the fifth Lott in the third Division, containing fifteen Acres more or less, bounded Easterly on the Second Lott in the fourth Division and partly on the third Lott in Said Division, Northerly on the Sixth Lott in the aforesaid third division, Westerly, on the Central Line So called, Southerly on the fourth Lott in the aforesaid third Division This Lott I purchased of Joseph Crosby EsqrAlso another Lott of Woodland containing fifteen Acres, more or less in the third Lott in the third Division, bounded Southerly on Caleb Hobarts Lott Number two, Easterly on Land lately of Silas Veazie, Northerly on James Brackett Lott Number four, and Westerly on a Line dividing the Second and third Divisions. This Lott I purchased of Elkanah Thayer in 1793.Also two Lotts of Pasture now lying together, vizt. the Lott Number three in the fourth Division of the most Southerly Part of the North Common So called, containg Twenty three Acres, two Quarters and twenty one Rods more or less and bounded Northerly partly on Land of the Widow of the late Deacon Ebenezer Adams, and partly on Land lately of Moses Adams now of Ebenezer and Josiah Adams, Southerly on the Lott Number two in the same Division, Easterly on the Lott Number four in the same Division and Westerly partly on the Lott Number one in the fifth Division, partly on the Lott Number Six in the third Division and partly on the Lott number five in the same division, reserving a Drift Way through said Lott Number three to the Lott Number One in the fifth Division; which Drift Way is to be Secured only by Gates or Barrs. This Lott was conveyed to me, by the Committee of the Town of Braintree in 1765.Also another Lott of Pasture, now lying with the former, containing Twenty Acres more or less, bounded Southerly on Land of Lemuel Veasie Westerly on Land lately of Caleb and Adam Hubbart, Northerly on the afore Said Lott Number three in the fourth Division Easterly on Land of the Said John Adams, or however otherwise bounded being the Pasture I bought of James Thayer Junr and Mary Wales Thayer his Wife in 1785. Also that Part of the Eight Acres of fresh Meadow given me by my Father  which is now fenced in with the two Pastures before described for the sake of Supplying them with Water, being four Acres more or less. Also Three Pieces of Salt-Marsh, vizt. one containing about five of six acres more or less, which I bought of Leonard Vassall Borland, situated in Said Quincy and bounded by the Town River, by Jonathan Baxters Land and by Land lately in Possession of Joshua Hubbart deceased.Also another Piece of Salt Marsh in Quincy containing about five acres more or less, part of which belonged heretofore to James Faxon, and the other Part to David Bass, and is bounded Northerly on Upland of the said David Bass, Easterly partly on Upland and partly on Salt Marsh of the Said David Bass, Southerly on Upland of Vose, or lately of the said David Bass Westerly on Salt MarshAlso another Piece of Salt Marsh, at a Place called Penny Ferry, in Milton in said County of Norfolk, containing two acres and three Quarters, more or less bounded Easterly partly on the Creek and partly on Marsh formerly of William Penniman, Southerly on Marsh belonging to Dorchester Church or School, Westerly on Marsh formerly of Samuel Fenno, and Northerly on Marsh formerly belonging to a Mr Sumner and partly on Marsh formerly belonging to Samuel Fenno, or however otherwise bounded being the Marsh given by my Father in his Will to my Brother Elihu Adams and purchased of him by me, on the 29th. of April 1769To Have and to hold all the afore described Lands Tenements and Hereditaments to the said John Quincy Adams, and his Heirs, to his and their Use and Behoof forever; And I do covenant with the said John Quincy Adams his Heirs and Assigns, that I am lawfully Seized in Fee of the Premisses, that they are free of all Encumbrances, Excepting the Flowing of the Millpond in Quincy for Six months in the year, and the Leases for the present year of Parts of the Premisses to The Reverend Mr Whitney, to Mr Brisler and Mr Thomas Adams, that I have good Right to Sell and convey the same to the said John Quincy Adams, and that I will warrant and defend the same to the said John Quincy Adams and his Heirs and Assigns forever, against the Lawfull Claims and demands of all Persons. And Abigail the Wife of me the said John Adams, in Acknowledgement of her free consent to these Presents, and voluntary Surrender, of all her Right of Dower and power of Thirds in the Premisses, hath hereunto Sett her hand and Seal this Eighth Day of August Anno Domini 1803
					John AdamsAbigail Adams
				Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of UsBenjn. BealeGeo W Beale

					Norfolk, s.s. Quincy Aug: 13 1803Then the above named John Adams and Abigail Adams acknowledged the above Instrument by them subscribed, to be their free Act and Deed. Before me

					John Gardner Justice Peace—

				Norfolk ss. Dedham September 24th. 1803.Received and recorded. Livo. 21. folo. 32. and examd. By Elipht. PondRegr.


Title: To John Adams from James Ash, 25 August 1803
From: Ash, James
To: Adams, John

Sir
Baltimore 25th. August 1803

Suffer me to inclose you, short proposals, for some matter, collected with both toil and perseverence. It is now ready for publication; and whatever encouragement you are disposed to give, to enable the printer to execute it, you will be pleased to transmit with Convenient expedition.
There are a number of characters, with whom you have been connected in political life, who have been vilified with disaffected principles, and charged with having assumed tory views, hostile to the present safety, and future welfare of the United States, whose past patriotism has been demonstrated to the World. It is wrong to Condemn unheard, when moderate examination, may conquer improper impressions, hastily taken up, and relieve deserving fame, from the pain of unjust accusation, and future reproach. In this matter, there is some evidence of quiet, against a few; but when it is candidly unfolded, characters of higher responsibility, may be seen in the lights, which innocent reputation deserves, while those against whom the testimony appears, may have an opportunity to justify.
I have the honor to be / Sir, your mo: ob: Hble st:

James Ash


Title: From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 30 August 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

Dear Madam
Quincy August 30th. 1803

I received, with much pleasure, late, the last evening your kind Letter of the 28th. of the month, and Should have answered it Sooner if it had come earlier to my hand
We have been in great affliction in this Family for more than three months, on account of the dangerous illness of your Friend my Companion, on whose preservation all my hopes of Comfort in this World, Seem to be Suspended. An unfortunate Fall, first threw her into a fever, a return of that obstinate Intermittent, which has distressed her at times for So many years, and brought again that chronic Diarrhea, which a few years ago threatened her Life for a long time. This was followed by a Carbuncle, which is Still in operation. She has Suffered, through the whole extream pains, and has been reduced So low, that it has often seemed impossible to Support her Strength in a degree Sufficient to Sustain her.
She desires me to present you her best Thanks for your kind Enquiries and friendly Sentiments, and Authorises me to Say that She thinks herself better this morning than She has been for many days past, having rested more quietly than She has done for a long time.
Although her own opinion has been that She Should not Survive this Disorder, She has been in a very happy State of Mind,  calmly resigned to her Destiny and the Will of the Supream Ruler.
The Day is far Spent with Us all. It can not be long before We must exchange this Theatre for Some other. I hope it will be one, in which there are no Politicks
With great Esteem and regard to / you and Mr Warren, I am, Madam / your Friend and humble Servant
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 September 1803
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir!
Oldenbarneveld. Sept. 3. 1803

How Shall it be in my power, to paÿ you mÿ Sincere thanks for the favours with which you continue to honour me—even above mÿ warmest expectation. I was not vain enough to attend at So much condescendence from your part, to offer mÿ Inset—with your own hand—to your illustrious Academÿ—by which I received the most unequivocal pledge of your high approbation—a more than equivalent reward for my exertions.
By anticipation I expect its rejection, as—what intrinsic value it might possess—not Sufficiently adorned—to deserve a place among the records of that Assemblÿ. May I request your advice—if you think it proper, when I could find a friend (mr Platt) to correct the idiom—to have it published here? If not—I intended to Send it to mÿ respected friend—Dr Lindseÿ, London—Submitting its fate to his decision—If his judgment was as favourable as yours—He will—I am confident Smooth the roughness of mÿ diction—
This winter—I Shall devote in Studying over again your Defence and de Lolme—It Seems to me bÿ the varied attacks on a well formed Goverment—and the various illusory Essays to open a Safer road to arrive at a permanant Political happiness—that it might be useful to place the Same objects in a new point of view to refute cavils to answer objections, and display the advantages inherent to this form of Constitution.
If you Should judge Such a task not above my Strenght, provided you would favour me with your ideas on this Subject—I Should be inclined, as long no mere valiant Champion came forward to defend the cause of this fair one to enter the list of the combattants. I communicated my ideas to J. Luzac:—and expect his answer—How does that amiable man mourn, that he Survives his countrÿ! The blood boiled in mÿ veins, when I See that once happÿ Land—trampled upon by an insolent corsican at the head of his perfidious gallie Slaves—Would the Americans learn wisdom from the doom of that devoted People! They would Soon banish all foreign influence from their councils—and expiate their wanton foolishness by an active repentence—without aiming to repose, as long the Smallest jacobinical blot remained unattoned.
Permit me to assure you, that I am, with the highest respect and consideration / Dear Sir! / Your most obed. & obliged Servant

Fr. Adr. vanderkempP.S. If mÿ demand is not to presumtuous—you maÿ find—in the course of next winter, now and then, a moment to correct and enrich the inclosed lineaments—by which it might be enabled to produce an useful essaÿ—


Title: To John Adams from William Cunningham, 21 November 1803
From: Cunningham, William
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Fitchburg Nov. 21. 1803

I sent you, from Dedham, a copy of my Oration.
Since my return home I have made diligent but fruitless enquiries for Mr Adams’s Sermon. Among a number of his sermons in the hands of two of his children it could not be found. It is strongly impressed upon me that I have seen it either in manuscript or print; and I have not quit the hopes of finding it, as soon as I can find it I shall certainly send it to you.
Permit me to avail myself of this occasion to assure you of my grateful sense of your patriotic public services, and to wish you longcontinued happiness in your own conciousness of their purity.
With cordial remembrances to your Family / I am, Dear Sir, / your most respectful / Friend & hume. Servt.
Wm. Cunningham Jr.


Title: From John Adams to William Cunningham, 28 November 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Cunningham, William

Dear Sir
Quincy 28 Nov 1803

I received on Saturday your favor of the 25—had before received the copy of your oration, which you mention in it and since that have received the other that you sent first—for all these favors I thank you.
The brochure which contains much valuable matter I have read with a lively interest and high pleasure—I wish I had patience and leisure however to make a few friendly remarks—But as I have not I shall confine myself to one or two questions. The first is have you not fallen too deeply in love with Mr. Ames style? The second is where you found your authority for your quotation in (n. p 10) page 31 and 32 which you say is from Mr Jefferson’s letter to Judge Wythe 1776—I never knew nor heard of any letter to Judge Wythe from Jefferson. The words quoted viz the dignity and stability of government in all its branches &c are taken from my letter to Judge Wythe in 1776.—Sometime in January or february I believe in 1776 or if I am mistaken in the recollection of the month certainly very early in that year I wrote the pamphlet in question which Richard Henry Lee procured to be printed by Dunlap in Philadelphia under the title of thoughts on government in a letter from a gentleman to his friend—Being applied to by a printer many years after I gave permission to reprint it with my name, who wrote it and Mr Wythes to whom it was written. By the quotation you make I suspect that some rascal has reprinted it and imputed it to the name of Mr Jefferson
I wish you success Sir in your litterary pursuits & all others & am with kind regards to your family your most obedient servant


Title: To John Adams from William Cunningham, 2 December 1803
From: Cunningham, William
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir.
Fitchburg Dec. 2. 1803.

I duly received your esteemed favor of the 28 ult.
More valuably as I know your time is employed, yet I cannot restrain the wish that you would have "Patience and leisure to make the friendly remarks" which arose on the perusal of my performance. I am sufficiently sensible of inaccuracies to be admonished, for the future, against too much confidence in my own information—a friendly eye to discover faults, and a friendly hand to correct them, are benefits which a just precaution recommends to writers of more accuracy, and of better advantages than myself. My library, which was extensive, has been yielded to the demands of justice, and I am left to a reliance on my memory with such aids as I can gather from periodical publications, and a few small collections of books to which I have access.
In answer to the two questions proposed in your letter, I say—That if my style is like Mr Ames’s, I may truly assert that I am not a copist. I think that I am tolerably well acquainted with the merits of Mr Ames: while I admire the strength of his imagination, I must say that I think it greater than the solidity of his judgment: I am impressed with a deep sense of obligation for your friendly hint.
My authority for the quotation (n.p.10.) is the Federal Prints. If my memory is faithful, the Letter to Judge Wythe has been imputed to Jefferson in a number of them. I found the extract I used in Thomas’s Spy, which is generally considered as very correct—I herewith forward the paper for your inspection. I cannot conceal my mortification at now knowing the real Author of the Letter; nor can I suppress my indignation at the intention and notwithstanding the implication of myself I will add—incautiousness, which steals from one and cheats another. The errour I have been unguardedly led into I will most readily correct.
Permit me to new remembrances to your Family, and to assure you of my being, with profound respect, / Dear Sir, / Your most huml. Servt.
W. Cunningham Jr.


Title: From John Adams to William Cunningham, 16 January 1804
From: Adams, John
To: Cunningham, William

Dear Sir
Quincy January 16th: 1804.

I ought to acknowledge my fault in having two of your kind letters to answer at once. I return you with thanks, Mr: Thomas’s Spy in which my poor "Thoughts on government," are wickedly and libellously imputed to "the greatest man in America." This was received in your letter of Dec 2d:
I thank you for the trouble you have taken to ascertain that Mr: Zabdiel Adams’s Sermon on the validity of Presbyterian Ordination, was not printed.
I would not advise you to relinquish the project you have in hand because another has the same. If the two persons you name are engaged in such a work, you may depend upon it, no good will come of it. There will be so many little passions and weak prejudices, so little candor and sincerity in it, that the dullest reader will see through it. The Cincinnati and the essex juntos, and there is one of these in every state will cry it up, but the louder they extoll it, the less influence it will have in the Nation. The jealousy of the people will be excited and not without reason, when they see the President of the Cincinnati, arranging his forces in Battle array, though it be a war of the quill against the President of the US. one after another.
You are much mistaken when you say, that “no man living has so much knowledge of Mr: Jefferson’s transactions as  myself." In truth, I know but little concerning him. You will see by the journals, that he came first into Congress in Autumn 1775, but he never stayed long in that Assembly. During the short visit he made us, he and I agreed very well in sentiments and votes and were very good friends, but he never took any share in public debates. In November 1777, I left Congress and was appointed to go to Europe. During my absence I had no correspondence with him nor information concerning him, till in 1784 he came to Europe united with me and Dr: Franklin in fifteen Commissions and full powers to treat with all or nearly all the powers of Europe. In these Commissions we acted together for one year; but as he lived at Paris and I at Auteuil, three or four miles asunder we met together seldom, but on business. Although we agreed always very well there was no very close intimacy between us. In 1785 I was sent to England where he made me a visit, as he afterwards did in Holland; but there was never any sparring between us, nor much communication but by letters of no great interest. After his return from Europe, he was Secretary of State for a short time, and afterwards Vice President for four years, but I had little intercourse with him except in common civilities. He always professed great friendship for me, even when, as it now appears, he was countenancing Freneau, Baske, Duane & Callender.
No information could be abtained from me, sufficient to compensate you for a journey, but if you should be in Boston on other affairs, a visit from you will be always agreeable.
The outline you mention I never saw. The Editors in Rhode Island Seldom sent me their papers. I should like to see it very well.
Anecdotes from my memory would certainly be known. There are some there known only to him and me; but they would not be believed, and would be imputed to envy revenge or vanity. I wish him no ill. I envy him not. I shudder at the calamities, which I fear his conduct is preparing for his Country, from a mean thirst for popularity, an inordinate ambition and a want of sincerity.
I write in confidence of in your honor as well as your discretion being your hearty well-wisher.


Title: To John Adams from William Cunningham, 15 February 1804
From: Cunningham, William
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
Fitchburg, Feby. 15th. 1804.

I duly received your esteemed favor of the 16th Ult. I assure you, without reserve, that I shall not misuse nor abuse the confidence you may be pleased to repose in me.
By the first opportunity I had after the receipt of your Letter, I sent to Mr Russell of Boston for a paper contained the outline that you have so flatteringly expressed a wish to see. Expecting, post after post, to receive the paper, I have delayed an answer to your oblijing Letter. Either he has not forwarded me a paper, or it has miscarried. I have now transcribed, and have enclosed, a copy from the manuscript. I notice a few marks in the M.S. which indicate that when it was transcribed for publication a few trifling variations were made—an incorrectness in one of the dates was rectified. I wrote it under very considerable disadvantages, and its publication was hastened for the purpose mentioned in my last respects. I am very sensible of its insufficiency to do you justice, but of its adequacy to the proof of my high esteem I feel the strongest confidence, and on that consideration I allow myself hopes of your favourable reception of it.
I give you my warmest thanks for cautioning me against the two powerful and dangerous factions that beset us in our political course—the middle way of safety I well know, but delicacy forbids me to mention it.
I have taken leave to send you herewith a copy of my Eulogy upon the Death of your illustrious predecessor in the Presidency.
Permit me to use this occasion to present my most cordial regards to your Family.
I am, with the highest respect, / Dear Sir, / Your obliged & obedt. Servt.
Wm. Cunningham Jr.


Title: From John Adams to William Cunningham, 24 February 1804
From: Adams, John
To: Cunningham, William

Dear Sir.
Quincy February 24th: 1804.

I have received your favour of the 15th: with its inclosures. I thank you for the outline as well as the eulogy. I am sorry you had the trouble of transcribing the former, which I see was written as the Italians speak con amore. Speaking of the classification of Scholars in our Colledge, before the Revolution, you consider rank & wealth as anti-republican principles of precedence; Is this correct? About five & forty years ago, I was in company with the oldest Colonel John Gardner Chandler of Worcester; when a newspaper was brought in, containing an account of the last elections in Rhode Island. All the principal Magistrates were of ancient families. The old gentleman’s comment upon it was this. “I have always been of opinion, that in popular governments, the people will always chuse their officers from the most ancient & respectable families.” This had been the case generally, in Connecticutt & Rhode Island, and in every Republican government in Greece & Rome and modern Italy, in Switzerland & Geneva. The more Democratical the government the more universal has been the practice. If a family, which has been high in office and Splendid in wealth falls into decay, from profligacy, folly, vice or misfortune, they generally turn Democrats and Court the lowest of the people with an ardor and art and a skill and consequently with a success, which no vulgar Democrat can attain. If such families are numerous they commonly divide. Some adhere to one party some to another, so that whichever prevails, the Country still finds itself governed by them. Consider the conduct of the Winthrop’s in this State, the Livingstons in New York, the Madison’s in Virginia &ca: The whole power and popularity of Virginia I am told, is now in the family connections of Mr: Madison. You are young, and have much time to observe and to reflect. In theory, all governments profess to regard merit alone, but in practice, democratical governments certainly regard it as little as any. You see I have reason to repeat my intimations of confidence.
It certainly never was any “humiliation” to me to see thirteen of my classmates preceeding me. I never thought much on that subject.
Have you seen Mr: Barnabus Bidwell’s Manifesto proposing Mr: Sullivan for Governor and Mr: Heath for Lieutenant Governor? With what inimitable power of face it is written? These people talk with as much gravity and Solemnity as if they thought they spoke the truth. Do you know the character of Mr: Bidwell? I have had some experience of his intrigues. Talents he has; but candour and sincerity belong to other people. Cool, dispassionate and deliberate insidiousness never arrived at greater perfection.
With kind regard I am &ca:


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 March 1804
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

Dear Sir
Quincy March 3. 1804

Last night I recd your favor of 15 of Feb. At the two last Meetings of our Academy I made Inquiry concerning your Manuscript, and found that the committee had referred it to a Sub committee who were not then present and had not reported. I will endeavour to get this matter settled at the next meeting, in May.
Buffon, I presume from all that I have heard or read of him believed in nothing but matter which he thought was eternal and self Existant. The Universe has been from eternity as it is now, with all its good and Evil, Intelligence and Accident, Beauty and Deformity, Harmony and Dissonance, order and Confusion, Virtue and Vice, Wisdom and Folly, Equity and Iniquity, Truth and Lies. That Planets and Suns Systems, and Systems of Systems, are born and die, like Animals and Vegetables, and that this Progress will go on to all eternity. Something like this was the creed of the K. of Prussia, and D’Alembert Diderot and De la Lande. All this I think is no more or less than the Creed of Epicurus as Set to music by Lucretius.
"The Movements of Nature" mean the Movements of matter. But can matter move itself? "The Renovating Power" of matter, what does this mean? Can matter if annihilated, recreate itself? Matter, if at rest, can it Sett itself in motion?
A German Ambassador once told me, "he could not bear St. Paul he was So Severe against Fornication"—On the Same Principle, these Philosophers cannot bear a God, because he is just. You could not apply more unfortunately than to me, for any Knowledge of natural History. A little Law, a little Ethicks, and a little History, constitute all the Circle of my Knowledge and I am too old to acquire any Thing new.
Sensible as I am of the honor and gratefull as I am to you for the offer I beg leave to decline the dedication. I wish to pass off, as little talk’d of and thought of as possible.
I can hear nothing of Ingrahams Journal. It might, for what I know have gone to the Bottom of the Sea, with him in the Insurgente.
In the wisdom Power and Goodness of our maker, is all the Security we have against roasting in volcanos, writhing with the Tortures of grief,  Stone Cholicks and Cancers, Sinking under the burthens of Dray Horses andHackney Coach Horses to all Eternity. Nature produces all these Evils, and if she does it by Chance, She may assign them all to us, whether we behave well or ill. And She, poor hag, will not know what she does.
Almost forty years ago, i.e. in 1765 I wrote a few thoughts in Edes & Gills Gazette. Mr Hollis of London printed them in a Pamphlet and imputed them to Mr Gridley. He gave them the Tittle of a Dissertation on the Common and Feudal laws. A lamentable Bagatell it is. I have no Copy of it and know not where to get one.
I know noting of Steuarts Success. I Sat to him, at the request of our Massachusetts Legislature. But have never Seen any Thing of the Picture but the first Sketch.
There are no more than two volumes of the Memoirs of the Academy. Count Sarssfield Solicited me very earnestly in London to let him import Some French Mirrors under my Priviledge. I told him I considered my Priviledge as Sacred. He then answered, Il ne vaut pas un Sou d’etre votre ami.—Don’t let Hamilton know this. If you do, he will record it in his next pamphlet as an Instance of my Vanity.
Your letters always give pleasure to your old friend

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from John Davis, 9 April 1804
From: Davis, John
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Boston April 9th. 1804

You may probably recollect a paper communicated to the Academy, some years since, demonstrating the falsity of a mathematical Problem by Mr Winthrop, which was published in the 1st. part of the IId. Volume of the Memoirs. The communication referred to was by Mr. George Baron, an Englishman  then residing at Hallowell, now at  New-York. It was committed to President Willard and Professor Webber who made a report in writing, that Mr. Winthrop’s paper was erroneous and that Mr. Baron’s communication ought to be published in the 2d. part of the IId. Volume. Their report was accepted by the Academy, and Mr Baron’s paper is accordingly printed.
Being lately at Salem, I conversed with Mr. Bowditch, an able mathematician and a Member of the Academy, on this subject. He expressed great regret, that any communication from  Mr Baron should appear in our memoirs, and mentioned some gross improprieties in his behaviour, which would render him unworthy the Notice, of any literary Society. I observed to Mr Bowdotch, that we had no other paper on the Subject, and that a detection of the error by some of our own members or by some of our own citizens, was certainly desireable. He replied, that he had formerly drawn up a demonstration of Mr. Winthrop’s mistake which he had exhibited to some gentleman, but was, at that time, diffident of presenting it to the Academy. I encouraged him to prepare a paper on the Subject, and promised to consult the publishing Committee about substituting it for Mr Baron’s communication. This he has done, and has transmitted his demonstration to me. I put it into the hands of Mr Webber, who is of opinion that it is best to publish it in the Memoirs and suppress the halfsheet, that contains Mr. Baron’s paper. President Willard is of the same opinion; so also are the publishing Committee. The Committee, however, feel a difficulty in directing the measure, without the concurrence of the Council, especially as the communication of Mr. Bowditch has not been  before the Academy. To wait until the next meeting would delay the publication of the Volume. It has therefore been thought adviseable, by those Gentlemen whom I have consulted, that a meeting of the Council should be convened to deliberate and decide on this matter, if it should appear to you  of sufficient importance—Should you direct a meeting of the Council, I will notify the members accordingly. An early day is desireable, that all practicable despatch may be made in the publication. Friday or Saturday of the present week would be  convenient, if agreeable to you. Should you decide on either of those days, I should wish to have your determination communicated by the next mail.
I am, Sir, /  very respectfully /  & with high Esteem /  Your obedt Servt
John Davis


Title: From John Adams to John Davis, 11 April 1804
From: Adams, John
To: Davis, John

Sir
Quincy April 11. 1804

I received Yesterday your favour of the ninth. Of Mr Baron I know neither the Person nor the Character: but it Seems to me that a demonstration will not be the less mathematical for the Nation or the Morals of the Author. The Accademy can not know the Manners of all their correspondents, and if the Cause of Truth and Science is really promoted by a bad Man even whom they know to be Such, I cannot See reason to reject his Labours. I am clearly for publishing Mr Bowditch’s Demonstration too. For Error cannot be too fully disproved, nor the Truth too Solidly established. I therefore Should make no difficulty to advise the Committee to publish both, or even Mr Bowditch’s alone, if they are averse to Mr Baron’s; because I think that neither the Council or the Accademy would disapprove of the Conduct of the Committee, in Such a Case.
As the Committee however have a delicacy, if you will be So good as to notify the Counsellors, to meet in the Hall of the Accademy at twelve o Clock on Saturday, I will do myself the Honor to attend them, if my health will permit me. I mention Saturday and twelve o Clock, because I believe that day and Hour will be most convenient for the Gentlemen: any other hour of that day or friday would have been equally agreable to me / who am with great Esteem, your very humble / Servant
J. Adams


Title: To John Adams from Hannah Thaxter, 12 April 1804
From: Thaxter, Hannah
To: Adams, John

Hingham April 12th. 1804

Received of the Honorable John Adams Esq. by Cotton Tufts Sixty Seven Dollars and Fifty Three Cents in full for one years Interest on said Adams’s Note of hand given to me March 29th. 1802.
Hannah Thaxter


Title: To John Adams from Richard Cranch, 14 April 1804
From: Cranch, Richard
To: Adams, John

Quincy April 14. 1804

Received of Hone John Adams Esq. by Cotton-Tufts one Hundred Thirty five Dollars Six Cents in full for one years Interest on his said Adams’s promissory Note to me bearing Date March 29th 1802.
Richard Cranch


Title: Deed to Penn’s Hill and "Atherton’s Pasture", 23 April 1804
From:
To: Adams, John

                            April 23, 1804

                        KNOW all Men by these Presents, That I John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk Esquire in Consideration of The natural Love and affection I bear to my Son John paid by Quincy Adams of Quincy aforesaid Esquire the Receipt whereof do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said John Quincy Adams of Tract of Land Situated on the Rise of Penns hill in Said Quincy containing Sixteen Acres more or less and bounded Northerly on Land of Joseph Field, Easterly on Plymouth Road, Southerly on the Country Road of Bridgwater, then Westerly on Verchilds Pasture So called, then again Southerly on Verchilds Pasture and Swamp, then Westerly on Land that is fresh Meadow of the Heirs of the late Deacon Ebenezer Adams, or however otherwise bounded—Also a Tract of Pasture and Swamp Land, called Athertons Pasture containing Seventeen Acres more or less, bounded Easterly on Bridgewater Road, Southerly on Land of Thomas Boylston Adams Esquire, Westerly on Land or fresh Meadow of the Heirs of the late Deacon Ebenezer Adams, Northerly on Verchilds Pasture and Swamp aforesaid or however otherwise bounded or reputed to be boundedTo have and to hold the afore–granted Premises to the said John Quincy Adams his Heirs and Assigns, to his And their Use and Behoof forever.And I do covenant with the said John Quincy Adams his Heirs and Assigns, That I am lawfully seized in Fee of the afore–granted Premises; That they are free of all Incumbrances; That I have good Right to sell and convey the same to the said John Quincy AdamsAnd that I will warrant and defend the same Premises to the said John Quincy Adams his Heirs and Assigns forever, against the lawful Claims and Demands of all Persons.In Witness whereof, I the said John Adams have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Twenty third Day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and four

                            John Adams

                            Signed, sealed, and delivered in Presence of us,
                        Richard DexterCyrus  Thomas April 23d: 1804.Norfolk ss.Then the above–named John Adams acknowledged the above Instrument to be his free Act and Deed—before me,Thomas B Adams.Just. of Peace.


Title: To John Adams from Esther Barrette Adams, 30 June 1804
From: Adams, Esther Barrette
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Jersey Isle St Heliers 30th June 1804

I hope you’ll be so good as to excuse the liberty of my troubling you with a Letter on a Subject which concerns me in the most Particular manner. I was Married in the Year 1780 to a Mr: Summer Adams, a Native of America (Who’s Father was a Merchant in Boston Named Jno. Adams) by whom I had three Sons who are all liveing the Eldest is in Labrador. My Husband was taken about Eleven Years Since by the French and was near Eleven Months a Prisoner, he then got released and returned to this place, where he was taken ill three days after of the Small Pox and died in a few days. Now as my Situation is not at present the most Elegaible. I am to request you would be so good as to inform he if my Husband had the honor of being related to you, & if so, hope you’ll be so kind as to take my and Children’s Situation into consideration, there is nothing would give me greater happiness than that my Eldest Son David Should be with you, therefore if you were so condescending as to Write for to him to Labrador at Foretown (where he has been these five Years) to that purpose, as I here he is now Preparing to go on board a English Man of War.
I Received a letter from Mr: Atkins Adams Son of Mr: Thoms: Adams about three years since which I have Answered. Two or three times but the receipt of them was never acknowledged. this I hope will in some measure exercise the liberty I have taken in addressing myself to you. The Names of the other two boys are Summer & John Adams, the latter was but 12 months old at the time of his Fathers descease they are both Fine boys but I am sorry its not in my Power to give them the Education I would wish.
I remn: / with highest Respect / Your obt: Hum. Sert:
Esther Adams


Title: To John Adams from George Churchman, 13 July 1804
From: Churchman, George
To: Adams, John

Esteemed Friend
Providence the 13th. of the 7th. mo. 1804.

Having taken a Journey this summer to New-England to meet with my friends at their Yearly meeting held at Newport on Rh., Island (which is lately over), I rememberd the kind attention thou paid whilst in the station of Chief Magistrate of the United States, to a letter & transcript therein enclosed, which I, in conjunction with my frd. Jacob Lindley, sent thee, on the subject therein mention’d; and thought it not improper thus to acknowledge, on behalf of myself & my sd. friend, that thy letter in return for our freedom came acceptably to hand soon after its’ date,—It was received and taken as a token of kind regard, not expected by us whose Stations were so much inferior; and our sentiments were in measure similar to what thou mention’d in that letter, if I remember its’ contents, concerning the unhappy prevalence in our country of party Spirit, and of principles incautiously and boldly acknowledged & propagated by those whose fruits & conduct manifest to their brethren of serious minds, that they are shamefully ignorant of the Nobility & dignity of the Religion of the Blessed Jesus: Which he by his unspotted Example, & doctrine, recommended & established for the benefit of fallen man.—
I confess with a degree of serious sadness I believe it to be a matter sufficient to alarm all the wellwishers to religion & Christian Piety, that so much of the debasing Spirit of Infidelity, Irreligion, and cruel Oppression appears to be still so apparently predominant amongst our fellow man in the highly favoured continent: And have believed it safest for me (now pretty far advanced in Age,) yet as one feeble individual & wellwisher to my Country’s good, to become more and more willing to be secretly abased in the presence of the Great-Searcher of hearts, that in awful Stillness I might be favoured to clearly understand what is my own condition, as it stands in his sight, and to intercede for his further favour in shewing me what I lack of coming up in a greater degree of faithfulness according to the Knowledge received: Such an humbling exercise & Concern, I have in my measure experienced very profitable; and at times have earnestly desird, that tho’ the Divine blessing, a sense of the benefit thereof might spread and increase among my brethren the Professors of Christianity in General.
I expect it will not be disagreeable, and therefore am willing to enclose for thy acceptance & Perusal a small pamphlet, or Speech delivered to the Convention of Kentucky, containing sound, and very pertinent Sentiments of a Clergyman, On the impolicy &c. of the degrading Practice of Slave-holding: Also a brief manuscript or extract taken from the London monthly review, on the importance of Silent heartfelt worship and adoration to the Supreme Being.
If on perusal thou shouldst approve of that Clergyman’s forcible way of reasoning concerning enslaving fellow-Creatures, I submit to thy consideration, how far it might be proper, to "Open thy mouth for the dumb" &c as Solomon recommended, perhaps in ecclesiastics. Or how far the influence & interest might reach, of one of thy Age, experience and Character among men, towards checking & discouraging the odious practice, in which it appears by credible accounts too many have been, lately concerned in, both in Rhode-Island State and Massechusetts, Namely, That of trading, in defiance of law, in this enlightened Age, to Africa, in order to procure the unhappy natives of that Country, for slaves, to dispose of for filthy lucre’s Sake, to Slave-holders in another quarter of the Globe; Which being a heinous Crime in the view of many of their tender hearted Fellow Citizens, they look upon it, as tho’ such Actors of Antichristian cruelty, dared wantonly to add to the pondrous weight of Guilt already incurred on our Land, through the iniquity attending that detestable Traffick. Please to excuse the freedom I have taken, & believe me to be very respectfully thy friend.
George Churchman