Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 16 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Quincy July 16. 1813

Your Letters to Priestley, have encreased my Grief if that were possible, for the loss of Rush. Had he lived, I would have Stimulated him to insist on your promise to him to write him on the Subject of Religion. Your Plan, I admire.
In your Letter to Priestley of March 21. 1801, dated at Washington you call “The Christian Philosophy, the most Sublime and benevolent, but the most perverted System that ever Shone on Man.” That it is the most Sublime and benevolent, I agree. But whether it has been more perverted than that of Moses, of Confucius, of Zoroaster, of Sanchoniathan of Numa, of Mahomet of the Druids, of the Hindoos &c &c &c I cannot as yet determine; because I am not Sufficiently acquainted with those Systems or the History of their Effects to form a decisive Opinion of the result of the Comparison.
In your Letter dated Washington April 9. 1803, You Say “In consequence of some conversations with Dr Rush in the Years 1798-99, I had promised some day to write him a Letter giving him my View of the Christian System. I have reflected often on it Since, and even Sketched the outlines in my own mind. I Should first take a general View of the moral doctrines of the most remarkable of the ancient Philosophers, of whose Ethicks We have Sufficient information to make an estimate; say of Pythagoras, Epicurus, Epictetus Socrates, Cicero, Seneca, Antoninus. I Should do justice to the branches of Morality they have treated well, but point out the importance of those in which they are deficient. I Should then take a view of the Deism and Ethicks of the Jews, and Shew in what a degraded State they were, and the necessity they presented of a reformation. I Should proceed to a view of the Life, Character, and doctrines of Jesus, who, Sensible of the incorrectness of their Ideas of the Deity, and of morality, endeavoured to bring them to the Principles of a pure Deism, and juster Notions of the Attributes of God; to reform their moral doctrines to the Standard of reason, justice, and Philanthropy and to inculcate the belief of a future State. This View would purposely omit the question of his Divinity, and even of his Inspiration. To do him Justice, it would be necessary to remark the disadvantages his doctrines have to encounter, not having been committed to Writing by himself, but by the most unlettered of Men, by memory, long after they had heard them from him, when much was forgotten, much misunderstood, and presented in very paradoxical Shapes. Yet such are the fragments remaining, as to show a master workman, and that his System of Morality was the most benevolent and Sublime, probably that has been ever taught, and more perfect than those of any of the ancient Philosophers. His Character and Doctrines, have received Still greater injury from those who pretend to be his Special Disciples, and who have disfigured and Sophisticated his Actions and precepts from views of personal interest, so as to induce the unthinking part of Mankind, to throw off the whole System in disgust, and to pass Sentence, as an Imposter, on the most innocent, the most benevolent, the most eloquent and Sublime Character, that ever has been exhibited to Man. This is the Outline.” !
“Sancte Socrate! Ora pro nobis”! Erasmus.
Priestley in his Letter to Lindssey inclosing a Copy of your letter to him Says “He is generally considered as an Unbeliever: if so, however, he cannot be far from Us, and I hope in the Way to be not only almost, but altogether what We are. He now attends publick worship very regularly, and his moral Conduct was never impeached.”
Now, I See not, but you are as good a Christian as Priestley and Lindsey. Piety and Morality were the End and Object of the Christian System according to them, and according to You. They believed in the Resurrection of Jesus, in his Miracles, and in his inspiration: but what inspiration? Not all that is recorded in the New Testament, nor the old. They have not Yet told Us, how much they believe, nor how much, they doubt or disbelieve. They have not told Us, how much Allegory how much Parable, they find, nor how they explain them all, in the old Testament or the new.
John Quincy Adams, has written for Years, to his two Sons, Boys of 10 and 12, a Series of Letters, in which he pursues a plan more extensive than yours, but agreeing in most of the essential points. I wish these Letters could be preserved in the Bosoms of his Boys: but Women and Priests will get them: and I expect, if he makes a peace he will be obliged to retire like, a Jay to Study Prophecies to the End of his Life.
I have more to Say, upon this Subject of Religion.
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 21 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Carey, Mathew

Quincy July 21 1813

I have been highly gratified by your obliging letter recd Yesterday.
You need not give yourself any concern about my Name in your future Edition. I desire no more than Neighboursfare. A memoir from me, would amount to little more, than the Soliloqui of the Fly upon the Chariot Wheel “What a Dust We raise”? And would excite many little Strong Passions, that we might injure rather than Serve the cause. Your maxim “Stet evique Sua Gloria” is a Precept of high importance in morality and religion too, as well as Sound Policy: but I have not heard or read of any nation among whom it has been much regarded.
There are in the Greek and Roman Historians many great Characters: but I Suspect they are all exaggerated: And many black and base ones, painted in too dark colours. Were even Cataline and Clodius worse Characters than Cæsar? Yet Cataline has been doomed to perpetual infamy: while Cæsar has given his name to an empire, which lasted, till another Emperor, Napoleon, as good and great as himself, dissolved it.
The Systems of Banks and Funds, to which Washington gave the Sanction of his name; though they were none of his; were worse in my Opinion, than the Paper Money System of the old continental Congress; and have introduced Luxury, Avarice and insecurity of property. But the Character of the Nation is not changed
I live out of the World, too much to know “the public Passions” to feel the febrile Ictus of the pulse. But do they Strike oftener in a Second now, than they did in Shaises Rebellion? In the Western insurrection in Pensilvania? In Fries’s outrageous Riot and Rescue? In the time of Genet, when my old Friend Jonathan Dickinson Sargent and Dr Huchinson at the head of the Congregation of Philadelphia, threatened to drag Washington from his Chair? Or When ten thousand People, paraded the Streets of Philadelphia; and Markett Street before my door, was as full as one man could Stand by another, in the Evening of my Fast day; menacing what?
The Federalists are now retaliating upon the Republicans their Conduct from 1789 to 1800. I am Sorry to See them Such Servile Imitators. But I apprehend Explosions now, no more than I have done for four and twenty Years.
I am Sir, with great and increasing Esteem, your / obliged Servant

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Quincy July 22 1813

Dr Priestley, in a letter to Mr Lindsey Northumberland Nov. 4. 1803 Says
“As you were pleased with my comparison of Socrates and Jesus, I have begun to carry the same comparison to all the heathen Moralists, and I have all the books that I want for the purpose, except Simplicius and Arrian on Epictetus, and them I hope to get from a Library in Philadelphia: lest however I should fail there, I wish you or Mr Belsham would procure and send them from London. While I am capable of any thing I cannot be idle, and I do not know that I can do any thing better. This too is an Undertaking that Mr Jefferson recommends to me.”
In another Letter dated Northumberland Jan. 16. 1804 Dr Priestley Says to Mr Lindsey “I have now finished and transcribed for the Press, my comparison of the Grecian Philosophers, with those of Revelation, and with more ease and more to my own Satisfaction, than I expected. They who liked my pamphlet entitled ‘Socrates and Jesus compared’ will not, I flatter myself dislike this work. It has the same Object and completes the Scheme. It has increased my own Sense of the unspeakable value of Revelation, and must, I think, that of every person, who will give due attention to the Subject.” I have now given You all that relates to yourself in Priestleys Letters.
This was possibly and not improbably, the last Letter this great, this learned, indefatigable, most excellent and extraordinary Man, ever wrote, for on the fourth of February 1804, he was released from his labours and Sufferings. Peace, Rest, Joy and Glory to his Soul! For I believe he had one: and one of the greatest.
I regret; oh how, I lament, that he did not live, to publish this Work! It must exist in Manuscript. Cooper must know Something of it. Can you learn from him where it is, and get it printed? I hope you will Still perform your promise to Dr Rush.
If Priestley had lived, I Should certainly have corresponded with him. His Friend, Cooper, who unfortunately for him and me, and you, had as fatal an influence over him as Hamilton had over Washington; and whose rash hot head led Priestley into all his Misfortunes and most his Errors in Conduct, could not have prevented explanations between Priestley and me.
I Should propose to him a thousand, a million Questions. And no Man was more capable or better disposed to answer them candidly than Dr Priestley. Scarcely any thing that has happened to me, in my curious Life has made a deeper Impression upon me, than that Such a learned ingenious Scientific and talented Madcap as Cooper, could have had influence enough to make Priestley my Enemy.
I will not yet, communicate to you, more than a Specimen, of the Questions I would have asked Priestley.One is, learned and Scientific Sir! You have written largely about matter and Spirit, and have concluded, there is no human Soul. Will you please to inform me, what matter is? and what Spirit is? Unless We know the meaning of Words, We cannot reason in, or about Words. I Shall never Send you all my Questions that I would put to Priestley; because they are innumerable: but I may hereafter Send you two or three. I am in perfect / Charity your old Friend
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from John Fothergill Waterhouse, 22 July 1813
From: Waterhouse, John Fothergill
To: Adams, John

Respected Sir
Philadelphia July 22d. 1813

Knowing the friendship which existed between you & our Late Illustrious Prof. Rush & the exalted opinion which you mutually entertained of each other’s worth, social political & professional, I take the liberty of presenting you this tribute of respect our respect, as Students & Graduate of Med. to your excellent departed friend.
I am sensible of the lively interest you take in his Memory, who, in the exercise of the most benevolent of Professions, made the nearest approach to Deity, which man can make, and whose name, with yours, lives on the Sacred Charter of American Liberty.—
My best respects to Mrs. Adams—With my most sincere wishes for your happiness, accept Sir, / the expressions of reverence, for your / character, so long cherished by / Your young friend & most humble / Servant

John Fothergill Waterhouse


Title: From John Adams to William Plumer, 25 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Plumer, William

Dear Sir
Quincy July 25 1813

I have lately turned over our Historians, Ramsay Gordon, Mrs Warren, Marshall, to search for a Statistical devellopement of that most powerful Instrument and most efficacious cause of Success, in our revolutionary War; a maritime and naval Force.
I beg of you to do the same, and see, what a miserable lame meagre appearance it makes.
As you are writing a History of the same period I wish you would compare those Historians, with the inclosed Volume of “Sketches,” of which I beg your Acceptance, which will furnish you with many materials for your Work.
Inclosed also is a Letter from Mr Isaac Prince, a Stranger to me, with his Prospectus of a Splendid Naval Chronicle. By these Things We see, that a naval Establishment is becoming the great Wheel, as it ought to be and must be. I begin to think that an American Navy will first grow upon the Lakes. Whoever commands the Lakes will govern North America.
We have Letters in April from St Petersburg longing expecting and determined to come home this Season: but Gallatin and Bayard, before this time must have dashed all these hopes in the Son and the father. Shall I ever See him? God knows and his Will be done
The Letter from Mr Prince and prospectus I pray you to return me by the Post. With much respect and Esteem &c
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 25 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Quincy July. 25th. 1813

Mine Eyes are better. I am angry with you for calling our Navy little. It is the greatest Navy in the World. Far greater than the Brittish. I rejoice in the Glory of the Essex, and her Captain Porter: but he ought not to have  threatened to revenge himself upon Lima. What is himself, and myself and yourself? He should have vindicated the honour of his Country.
I am glad that Mr Gray applauds this Enterprize of Captain Porter. But where can he carry his Prizes? Must he burn or Scuttle all? What will he do with his Prisoners? Not burn Sink or destroy them, I hope. Putting them on Shore will be no better, and crowding them into a Single Ship to Seek their fortunes will not be much better. It must be confessed that War, in one point of view is a Savage, tho in another just and necessary.
This World is a Church militant, a State militant, a Land militant, a Sea militant, an Animal militant, a Beast militant a Fish militant, a Bird militant, an insect  militant, and a vegetable militant; for Rivalries between Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, Roses,  and Weeds are as obvious and atrocious as those between Men and Nations.
Α Δiοs δ’eνελεατο βουλεy." I doubt not I have mis-spelt the Greek.
Our Country is in a deplorable Situation. We have not the Foresight of a Tumble Bug. Has your Science reached in natural History to the Tumble Bug? If not I am, in one Species, a greater natural Historian than you. And if you will acknowledge your inferiority in this important Science in this humble Article, I will explain it. Go to your Hospital and mind it, and mind nothing else: but from necessity. I hope however you will find it necessary to write as often as you can to your Old Friend

John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 26 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Carey, Mathew

Quincy July 26th. 1813

Our old Commodores & Captains, are not so ardent for glory as they were 35 years ago. One of the bravest of them sends me word, that his wife has covered  with his journal: but he will send me what he can recollect, as soon as he can prepare it, with proper deliberation. As soon as it comes I will enclose it to you.
Commodore John Foster Williams, who at his advanced age still condescends to command a revenue Cutter, has written me a Letter, July 12th. which I now enclose to you for your new edition. I shall soon send you a narration from Captain Waters. I submit all that is sent me to you, & leave it to you & Mr Clark to arrange it at your discretion.
A Prophet of ill, is generally an odious Character. But I will not flinch. Your Enterprize will not be encouraged as it ought to be. I have witnessed for 24 years, a studied, deliberate, & systematical exertion to bury in oblivion, all our naval & maratime, Enterprizes, in the revolutionary war. Whatever there is of British influence & French influence in this Country, has been uniformly exerted to this end. Refugees, Tories, &c whenever they have pretended to be friendly to Navy, have meant it against France. If it is to be employed, against England they are in their hearts as hostile to it, as any shoe string democratical Yeoman ever was.  and much more so.
Your works however will triumph. It will sell. it will be good stock, lucrative stock forever. A naval chronicle is an excellent project. But it ought to have been yours &  not a Rivals: & I cannot help suspecting, an Enemy has done it

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 30 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

Dear Sir
Quincy July 30. 1813

To be Sure, you can cutt out Work, like a Master Tayler, or Shoemaker for a Thousand hands to work up.
Was there ever Such a Letter as yours of July 19th.?
The Name of De Gyzelaer, like the Name of D’Ivernois which I recd on the same day from St. Petersburg, excites recollections that would fill a volume.
You are preparing the negotiations of John Adams at the Courts “of St. James’s, Versailles and The Hague”; In the name of Goodness and truth, what do you know of those negotiations? They are Scattered through half a dozen Volumes of mean Manuscript and through an hundred dozen of public and private Letters; which I would not collect together, digest and arrange, if I were only thirty Years of Age for a greater Salary than the Dutchess of Marlborough bequeathed for the Biography of her Husband.
You want “political Memoirs from 1750 to 1800.” Why did you not write to the Bones of Washington in the Vault at Mount Vernon “venerable adorable Bones, please to rise and write an History of your Battles, Sieges and Campains!”
Within a few minutes of 78, non “Sum qualis,” (talis quates) “eram.” Macchiavel, and Voltaire, and Priestley and Bonaparte! When Shall We See an end of these Men of “great Souls and vast Views?”
I disclaim all pretensions to criticism, classical, Greek, Roman, Hebrew, French, English, and biblical.
I have an Assembly of Ladies in my Family, to a Committee of whom I have referred your quotations and Commentaries upon Shakespeare. I rather incline to Johnson. The “Hand” was a Punn. My Friend Whiteford the Cross reader was not more addicted to Punns, quibbles, points and conceits than Shakespeare.
Be not Surprised, if you Should hear that I am advanced to the Rank and honour of Homer and Milton in blindness.
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Richard Rush, 2 August 1813
From: Rush, Richard
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir.
Washington August 2. 1813

It is no interference with my publick employments to write to you. I can command some portion of almost every day, and the priviledge of using it in this way is most gratifying to me.
Michiavel says war ought to be the only study of a prince. We shall indeed, Sir, be taught, by terrible experience, that it must henceforth be more the study of our republick. One of our Colonels told me not long since that, on the lines last fall, under the proclamation general Smythe, out of broken parts of three regiments conjoined into one, amounting in the whole to about seven hundred, there was not a man fit to make a sergeant or corporal; not one who could serve as fugleman; not a single one who had ever served as a soldier before, or had the least notion of the business; and every officer, he added, from the Colonel (himself) downwards—without a single exception—was as ignorant, and unable to give any just instruction. In no country in the world, perhaps, could a similar fact occur. It was not so at the commencement of our glorious little revolution. At least I imagine it was not. Then, there had been but an interval of about 15 years since the French war, and soldiers I presume, as well as officers, foreign and native who knew something of the business of fighting, were to be found scattered about the colonies, as stragglers if no more. But now there are none of any sort. With the heartiest desire, I believe, and with every practicable effort, to wage the war with effect, it would seem as if the present government could not. The country has been searched all over, throughout all classes and parties, with the mere view, I am sure, to get the best officers it affords to command our troops. Omissions there may have been in this respect, but I fancy from ignorance only, if any. General North, of New York, was offered a command; Governor Ogden, of New Jersey; Governor Davy, of North Carolina: these all refused: Major Pinckney; of South Carolina, has accepted. Winder was the first federal lawyer of Baltimore, or as good as the first. He had genius, military ambition, had been addicted to military studies, and the best hopes were formed of him. I could name others. Yet, under all, disgrace seems to be our portion; defeat certainly. The troops have now been well recruited; are well fed, well clothed, well paid, and led one after another sometimes too in sight of a beaten enemy, under the yoke of capitulation! The hint in your letter seems to resolve it all, and I know no other way. By the thirty years of indolent, improvident, peace the art of war has gone from among us. Even now we are the plovers, the pidgeons, the very brants, you describe. The error seems to me less a present one, than the total neglect heretofore of all military knowledge and affairs in our country.
Mr Madison rides out, and attends to business again. His long sickness has pulled him down a good deal, but I hope he is permanently recovered from this attack.
The publick always sieze with avidity every thing that is supposed to come from the pen of Mr J. Q. Adams now that he is abroad. His communications to you at present must be of peculiar interest. I heard Mr Gallatin drop a hint before he went away (derived, possibly, through Mr Daschkoff, though I know not) that the violent friendship between England and Russia was not to last long. The present events in Europe do not take from the probability of this. The French minister, in whose company I was yesterday, thinks a peace will follow the armistice. But, like the rest of us, I suppose he can only guess as yet.
With respectful and constant devotion; I am yours,

Richard Rush.


Title: From John Adams to John Fothergill Waterhouse, 5 August 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, John Fothergill

Dear Sir
Quincy August 5. 1813

I thank you for Dr Slaughtons Eulogium on Dr Rush.—It is indeed “appropriate, learned and eloquent.”
But I know not what to think of Eulogiums, Pictures, Statues, or Monuments.—If they could be  consecrated by Truth to Virtue or to Honour, they would be venerable.
My Feelings have  been more affected by the words “In memoriam ingenii, Boerhaaviani  Salutifori,” which I have sSeen read on a Stone in Holland, than with all I have read of the Pyramids of Egypt.
Monuments to the Professors of desolation and death, are more honored than any others. And I know not, whether it is not necessary it should be So: for perhaps nothing Short of this, would animate Men in defence of their Countries.
I rejoice that Dr Rush has left his his own Life in writing; for, from an Acquaintance of nine and thirty years, I believe him to have been one of the best of Men. The Kingdom of virtue is not of this World. Yet Virtue, I firmly believe, is its own reward.—My heart is too full to Say more.
One of my first thoughts on the News of Dr Rush’s death; which came from you, through your worthy Father; who resembles him in Character, and too nearly in Fortune: was, that I would pronounce his Eulogium, at the head of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, of which he was an Honorary Member and I had then the  honour to be President. But Eyes worn out with the Use, hands trembing with Age and palsy; and above all, consciousness of incapacity to do Justice to his Life, his Works and his Character; Soon dissipated the fond illusion.
I hope Dr Rush’s Life, as written by himself will be printe, and his Works collected in a body. They will do honour to this youthful and inconsiderate  Nation.
Politicks and War, are transient as the Waves of the Sea. Health and Nature, and Science, and Morals and Religion are permanent, and will be perpetually interesting. So believes and So feels, your hearty Well wisher
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Richard Rush, 5 August 1813
From: Rush, Richard
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
Washington August 5. 1813.

I have taken the liberty to copy for your eye the enclosed lines, written by St George Tucker of Virginia, on being asked why he had ceased to court the inspirations of the muse. They struck me as very touching and beautiful both as to sentiment and manner. If you have not seen them before, perhaps they may afford you a few minutes  pleasure; and the hope that they may do so has induced me to copy and send them. I preserved a newspaper of last winter containing them, and laid my hands upon it yesterday. I intended them originally for my father, who I knew who would have been pleased with them; but alas. he never saw them. May I also, with my respectful compliments, ask of Mrs Adams to read them.
I hope, Sir, your health keeps good and that all the faculties of your body continue to serve you as do those of your mind. Often have I heard my father express a wish that, while in retirement, you would not forget your country, although your country may perhaps in some things, and for the mere moment, have forgotten you; that you might find leisure to give her some other work upon her publick affairs in addition to those she already has, and which she will prize at a remote age, charged with the further treasures of your knowledge and the still riper reflections of your wisdom. Our country, relative to a nations age, is still a mere infant requiring all its steps to be guided; and although the voice of an oracle itself might chance to be unheeded at the moment is spoke yet wisdom is not of a day. It might be a seed to flourish with good fruit in future times.
But I forbear to say any more, begging only that you will allow me to tender to you my unchangeable devotion and respect.

Richard Rush


Title: To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 6 August 1813
From: Carey, Mathew
To: Adams, John

His Excellency John Adams,
Sir,
Philada Aug. 6. 1813.

I enclose a letter for Mr Marston, by his request—& likewise some papers, recd. some months since, under an injunction that they should not leave my house. I return them, in order to ascertain whether it be agreeable to you to have them delivered to Mr Clarke, which, without your permission, it wd. be improper to do.
I remain, very respectfully, / your obt. hble. servt

Mathew Carey


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 6 August 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Quincy Aug. 6. 13

The Talents and qualities of the Tumble Bugg, are Strength Industry, Patience, Foresight of Futurity, care to provide for Posterity and for individual Wants, at a future day.
Now, which of these mental Faculties or bodily qualities, has this “the most enlightened, the best informed, the most Sagacious, and the most virtuous Nation on the Globe” discovered during the last 13 Years?
A tumble Bugg would not have repealed the Taxes, 12 Years ago. A tumble Bugg would have built Frigates annually. A tumble Bugg would have fortified the Frontiers on the Ocean and the Lakes. A tumble Bugg would have Seen the two Scientific, warlike, enterprising Nations of Europe, enflamed in a War of extermination and Setting our little globe in a flame. A tumble Bugg would have foreseen the impossibility of avoiding the Scorching, without Engines and Enginemen, to throw Water. A tumble Bugg would not have repealed the Judicial Law. To go farther back, a tumble Bugg would not have repealed the Judicial Law. And further Still a tumble Bugg would not have established Such a System of Funds and Banks. A tumble Bugg would not have invaded Canada, without the command of the Lakes. A tumble Bugg would not have projected Shaises Rebellion, Gallatins Insurrection, or Fries’s mad Riot and rescue. A tumble Bugg would not have dictated the Resolutions of Virginia and Kentucky in the last Century nor those of Boston and Massachusetts, in this. I could record a million other, particulars, from 1761 to 1813 in which the Tumble Bugg appears wiser than Our Nation. You See, I cannot write Seriously about our Policy or War: Yet no Man feels more Serious or more apprehensive than
John Adams
P.S. and N.B. A tumble Bugg would have Seen farther than Rochefaucault and Condorcet, or even Turgot or Franklin or Jefferson, or Priestley or Price, in the last Century. Or than Bolingbroke, Voltaire or Raynal, or Gibbon, or Diderot, or Helvetius or Rousseau or De La Lande. So much may Suffice, for this time. If you should ever receive a more curious Letter, let me See it. But I cannot yet leave off. “An undevout Astronomer is mad” Said Dr Young. But is not a Sordid Adulator of Wharton as mad? Is not a Machiavel celebrating the “great Soul and vast Views” of Cæsar Borgia as mad? Would a Tumble Bugg, have been guilty of this meanness?


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 August 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

My Friend
Quincy Aug 9. 13

My Philosophy and my Religion, Such as they are, are brought to a Tryal.
My dear, my only daughter lies in the next Chamber consuming with a Schirrous Cancer; my Daughter in Law, Charles’s Widow lies in the next Chamber, extreamly weak, and low with one of the most dangerous diseases to which We are liable. My Wife a valetudinarian through an whole Life of 69 Years, is worn down with care, exertion and anxiety. In the midst of all this, my own Eyes are attacked by a venom that threatens to put them out.
The State of the World at large, and of our own Country in particular, has been such that I have been able to do, say, write nothing but trifles, for several Years past.
You inquire about Machiavel.—I have an English translation of “His Works in 4 Volumes, printed in London in 1775. But I suppose it is a Booksellers Speculation, adapted to the fashionable taste and the momentary markett. France and England, and all other Countries in All Ages have taken Liberties, with Works, which have left Us in Ignorance and darkness. Translators Substract, and add what they please.
It is an Observation, that Garrick and all other Performers on the Stage were disagreable Companions; because you never could know whether they were in earnest, or acting a Part.
I have been Somewhat of a Student in Machiavel. But he has always been disagreable to me; because I never could know whether he was in Jest or in earnest. I cannot discern one Trait of Sincerity in all his Writings. Pharasees, Jesuits, never mixed Wisdom with Folly, Virtue with Vice, Truth with Falshood Religion with Knavery, with deeper Skill, or more Solemn Mockery than Machiavel.
Yet, read Fredericks, and Voltaires “Examon of his Prince, and then determine whether Frederick and Voltaire, were more Sincere than Machiavel. I trow not.
Was Tom Paine more Sincere than either.? I know he was not.
My English Machiavel contains his Florence, Art of War, Discourses on Livy, Prince, and Fredericks and Voltaires Examon du Prince, and his Marriage of Belphegor. Nothing more, except a few Letters &c.
His Dramatic Piece, whether Tragedy or Comedy, I do not find. I thought I had read it. If So, it must have been in a French Translation. It lies on my memory as the first Attack on Monkish illumery, even long before Molieres Tartuffe.
The Theatrical Machinery of Popery, is ridiculed in the Marriage of Melphegor, more strikingly, than the Infelicities of Matrimony. They are truly represented, as capable of imposing on the Arch Devil himself, as they really are. Human Nature cannot Stand against this imposing Pomp, Splendor and Magnificence, profoundly Studied to touch and overbear the finest feelings of the heart. The Gratitude, the Tenderness, the Compassion, the Sympathy. Who can ascend the Mountain of Calvare in the Neighbourhood of Paris as I have often done: and See the Seven Stages of the Persecution of Jesus, without running away like Melphegor? Or running mad? My Friend, when I wander in the Wilderness, with Philosophers or Divines, I am often disposed to think that all human Understanding, is one of my Friend Rush’es, distempers of Intellect.
Priestley and Voltaire, Hume and Gibbon: my Friend De Mably, and my Friend Raynall, my Friend Jefferson and my Friend Rush, all appear to have been bewildered. Every one of them, I doubt not, would pronounce me mad; and a proper candidate for Rush’s tranquillizing Chair. So bet it. As there is a pleasure, in being mad that none but madmen know I have an equal right to this pleasure, with any other Man.
Last night I was informed, that Mr Samuel Elliot had written to you to come to Boston to see his son Charles in the last stages of a Consumption. I hope he has promised to bear your Expences. Banks and Funds have made him rich. But you have had rich Friends and Parishioners before now.
If you come this Way, no Man will be more glad to See You than the Hermit of Quincy, though amidst all the Afflictions of his Household. You will be Shewn about, in Boston, like Prince Eugene in London; I dare not Say like the Cossack in 1813 or the Sachem, whom I Saw at the Queens drawing Room, with his Plumes his Hatchet and Tomahawk, reaking from the blood of Wyoming in 1787 or 1788.
I can only add the name of
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Jonathan Mason, Jr., 10 August 1813
From: Mason, Jonathan, Jr.
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
Boston August 10. 1813

Your friendly letter, with the Volume of Naval sketches, were left at my house, during my absence on a Journey to Washington, or I should have immediately expressed my acknowledgments and gratitude for the receipt of them. The above volume contains a record of facts & brilliant actions, which ought to be the delight & pride of every man who loves his country, & the sentiments contained therein, must be adopted & cherished by the American people to ensure, either their prosperity or union—Even your enemies, Sir, & you seem to have, not a few, are disposed to ascribe to you, wisdom & correct thinking upon an American naval establishment.—I must sincerely wish, they did you the same justice, upon all other topics—But the devotion of forty years of your Life, & your successful labours in originating, promoting, & finally securing the freedom & independance of your Country are forgotten, & you have outlived their gratitude—Be pleased, Sir, to express, my respectful compliments to Mrs Adams—One Year of my Life, was assuredly made happy by her countenance and approbation—To discharge past obligations, the best wishes of my heart are due from me, for the future happiness & tranquility of yourself & Family to the close of an honourable & an extraordinary useful life.—With great respect—I am Sir / Yr Most Obedt Servt.

Jona Mason


Title: From John Adams to Richard Rush, 11 August 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Rush, Richard

Dear Sir
Quincy Aug. 11. 1813

Thanks for your favour of the 2d. The “Portion of time that you can command every day” affords me very pleasing hopes.
Reading Machiavel, is like conversing with a professed Actor on the Theatre: you can never know when he is in Jest, or when in earnest: whether he lies or Says the Truth. In his Art of War he inculcates a different doctrine, from that which you quote: namely that Princes, and Rulers of Republicks, ought to Study Laws and Politick as well as War. And this is orthodox.
When? Where? And how? did the opinion get into this Country that the Spirit of Republicks is peaceable? that the Interest of Republicks is perpetual Peace? All History Shews, if I have not read history, upside down, that Republicks have been the most Warlike, of all Governments. Witness Sparta, Rome, Athens, Carthage, Switzerland, Holland. And that as Soon as they ceased to be warlike, they ceased to be free, began to decline, and Soon became an easy Conquest of foreign Power, or domestic Usurpation. How many hours, was the Temple of Janus Shutt, in the immense period of Seven hundred years?
I have no difficulty in believing, the Account your Colonel gave you. His Facts are the natural and inevitable Result of the Policy this Nation has pursued for thirteen Years. I charge it all to the Nation; for the Government has only been its true Representative and trusty Servant. We must obey the Nation and its Government. We must Sink or Swim, with them, or without them: and it is more benevolent, more Social, more Philanthropic to die, with our Country than in Opposition to it, though, in Some imaginable Cases, it might be less glorious.
We had, as you justly observe, in 1775, Some Louisburg Officers, and Soldiers, and Some of the Ticonderoga, and Fort William Henry Officers and Soldiers, and one or two of the Monongahela Officers and Soldiers taught by dismal Experience under Braddoc. But the most of the Officers and Soldiers taught in those Schools deserted Us, and went over to the British. The greatest, the best, the most capable and the most celebrated left Us. I could descend to names.
I cannot agree, with you, that “the Country has been Searched all over, throughout all Classes and Parties.” There are in this State Three Generals, Heath, Brooks and Cobb, who have been totally overlooked and neglected, the two former of whom, have more military Science and Practice, than the whole American Army at this Moment. I have reason to believe, that every one of these would have accepted an Appointment: for the Injustice of the War, was not believed at that time by either. Heath has been uniformly a Republican. I nominated Brooks for a Major General, and a Federal Senate refused to approve him.
Your enumeration Shews, an impartiality, or Something like it, in the Southern and middle States: but a Jealousy of the Northern. This will not do.
There has not been So total a neglect of military knowledge. The Error has been Party Spirit and private Interest. But these are incurable diseases. Chronic, obstinate, invincible obstructions. Neither Mercury nor Bark nor Laudanum can remove them.
I am, I know, a Singular Being. No Body will agree with me. When I had an Army to create, I would have called for the List of revolutionary Officers, and would have nominated every Survivor according to the Rank he held at the conclusion of the War. Gates, Schuyler, Lincoln Knox, Clintons Pinkneys Sumpters, Muhlemburgs; who you will. But not one of my Ministers, not one Senator, not one Representative, and what was more than all Washington who was Vice Roy over me, nor Hamilton who was Vice Roy over all, would have heard the proposition with Patience. Old Men with Knowledge and Experience are more worthy of Trust that Boys with their Ignorance and Vanity.
I am anxious for Mr Madisons Health, because, much depends upon it. In his Intensions Zeal and Industry I have much confidence: But in Truth I know not on whom much depends. Time and Nature, i.e Providence must and will determine. A disgraceful Peace will ruin the Men who make it, and last but a very little while.
J. Q. Adams earnestly requested his Friends, before his Embarkation, for Russia to be extreamly cautious of publishing any Thing from his Letters. I enjoined it upon him to write nothing to me, that he was not willing Should be printed at the Same time in the London and Paris Newspapers. Our Letters have allmost all been opened and read in French or English Courts, and afterwards Sent to Us. You may conclude there has been no Secrets or Treason in them. I have been determined to have no Secrets entrusted to me. I know not a Sentence or a Line that he has written to Government. None of his dispatches have ever been called, for, or communicated to the Legislature or the Public.
Every Line from you will oblige your Friend
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, 11 August 1813
From: Murray, Judith Sargent Stevens
To: Adams, John

Boston Franklin Place August 11th. 1813

Mrs. Murray takes leave, respectfully to represent to President Adams, that owing to the deranged state of the Printer’s affairs, a very large part of Mr Murray’s publication is attached by the Sheriff to answer demands made upon him (the Printer) and that the agreement entered into, by the Author, is so worded, as to subject the whole impression to the control of Mr Belcher’s Creditors. If a certain sum of money cannot be raised to redeem this jeopardised property, the volumes must be brought to the  of the   (Those volumes which remained with the printer) to the hammer of the auctioneer, and, thus sacrificed, while they have been looked too, in these very hard times, as a support during the approaching winter, they may not command sufficient to answer the demands of the Printer.
Such is Mrs M’s apology for pressing books upon subscribers, and for becoming what in other circumstances might be considered reprehensibly importunate. Mrs M forwards, with this letter, the copy for which President Adams subscribed, he will no doubt recollect he request the books might be bound, and that volumes thus finished are charged two dollars and twenty five cents for volume (viz) six dollar and three quarters per copy.
The idea of President Adams never rises to the recollection of Mrs M unaccompanied by filial veneration, filial gratitude, and she most devoutly wishes him, during his sojourn upon this globe, all that earth can bestow, and in a better world, all that heaven can give.
Mrs Murray tenders to Mrs Adams most respectful compliments.


Title: From John Adams to Richard Rush, 11 August 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Rush, Richard

Quincy, Aug. 11, 1813.

“When I had an army to create, I would have called for the list of Revolutionary officers and would have nominated every Survivor according to the rank he held at the conclusion of the war—Yates, Schuyler, Lincoln, Knox, Clintons, Pinckneys, Sumters, Muhlenbergs; who you will. But not one of my Ministers, not one Senator, not one Representative, and what was more than all, Washington who was Vice roy over me, nor Hamilton who was Vice Roy over all, would have heard the proposition with patience.”


Title: From John Adams to Richard Rush, 13 August 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Rush, Richard

Dear Sir
Quincy August. 13th. 1813.

You must live to be 77 years and 9 months old, before you can know how much I am obliged to you for your favour of the 5th. Pray tell me Something of the Biography of Mr St. George Tucker of Virginia. I cannot Speak of the political morsell of his, without extravagance. I know not which to admire most, its Simplicity, its Beauty its Pathos, its Philosophy, its Morality, its Religion, or its Sublimity.
Is there in Homer, in Virgil, in Milton, in Shakespeare, or in Pope, an equal number of Lines, which deserves to be engraved on the Memory of Youth and Age, in more indelible Characters? If there is, pray Extract it for me. It will soon be recorded in the Books of Extracts of all my Lads and Lasses: and your friend Mrs A. admires it as much as her Husband and her Children and Grand Children.
I had rather be the Author of it, than of Joel Barlow’s Columbiad, or his intended History of the Revolution. Nay than the Life of Washington, Gordons, Ramsays and Warrens Histories. Why, Oh Why, must Penury and Faction, poisen all the fountains of truth? your Father could answer this question: but there is not another, left on Earth, who could answer it, more truly or so well. Macte Virtue Esto.
John Adams.—


Title: To John Adams from William Plumer, 17 August 1813
From: Plumer, William
To: Adams, John

My dear Sir,
Epping (NH) August 17. 1813

A few days since I received your obliging letter of the 25th of July with “Clark’s Sketches of the Naval history of the United States”; for which be pleased to accept my grateful acknowledgment. The letters from Prince & Clark & the prospectus are herewith inclosed.
I have read the sketches with attention, & think they contain much useful information.
In the compilation of my history of the United States, I have made but little progress--the second chapter is not compleated. The last year my official duties, with other avocations, engrossed my whole time. This summer I have had more leisure, & that I have devoted, not to writing the history, but to making a volume of references to State & other papers in chronological order. This preparatory work, which I have deemed necessary, is laborious, but will I think eventually prove useful to me. The references extend only to the books of my own library, beginning prior to the discovery of America, these I have brought up to the year 1790, & already contain more than six thousand articles. This book of References embraces every subject to which our subject history ought to extend. The most difficult task relates to the Gazettes; of these I have bound about forty large volumes, commencing with the year 1774. Though I do not consider newspapers as good authority, yet they contain many important State papers, letters, essays & facts, not to be obtained from any other sourse—they shew the spirit, feelings & manners of the people—& I think no man can write a full and correct history of the United States without a knowledge of them. When I shall have compleated my references, & a general index to them, if I can then command leisure I will review those articles which relate to our naval history, & if I find any of importance omitted by Clark I will communicate them to him or Prince or perhaps both.
With you I fully agree that the Naval establishment is of vast importance to this country. Our commercial rights can never obtain permanent security without a competent naval force to protect them. I regret that on the Lakes it is not more numerous & formidable! Tis all important we should have the entire command of those waters. But against a Navy that prejudice that has too long insensibly but fatally influenced a portion of our people & rulers, has rendered them grosly inattentive to this highly interesting subject. And I still fear we are yet doomed to suffer further losses on those waters before the necessary measures are taken to secure our command of them.
It is a long time since I have received a letter from your son at St Petersburg; but I rejoice to hear he was well in April. The Russian mediation must before this have given him considerable trouble & anxiety. Have you reason to expect it will produce peace to our country? Have we done enough, by our navy & army, to command the respect of our enemies? But perhaps the great events that are passing in the north of Europe, will determine in the British Councils the question whether the United States shall remain in war or return to a state of peace. I presume the present, like the former coalitions against France, will be dissolved—& that the late armistice has perhaps before this, terminated in peace between some of the belligerents. If Britain should not be included in the compromise, she must be very much embarrassed & perplexed. Indeed in every point of view, I consider the great changes that are taking place in Europe highly interesting to us—& that they may produce more important effects upon our beloved country than we either hope or fear.
Excuse my prolixity—tis a fault I am too often guilty of when I write you—but beleive me to be with much respect & esteem, / Sir / Your most obedient / humble servant

William Plumer


Title: To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 20 August 1813
From: McKean, Thomas
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia. Aug. 20th. 1813.

I can at length furnish you with a copy of the proceedings of the Congress held at New-York in 1765; it is inclosed herewith. After diligent enquiry, I had not been able to procure a single copy either in manuscript or print, done in the United States, but fortunately met one, published by J. Almon in London, in 1767, with a collection of American tracts in four octavo volums, from which I caused the present one to be printed: it may be of some use to the historian at least.
The Marquis de casa Yrujo, with my daughter, their children & servants, made me a visit on his return from an embassy to the Prince Regent of Portugal at Rio Janeiro in Brasil, last June was a year, & remained here until a few weeks ago, owing to the Embargo, War, Blockades &c. when they sailed for Cadiz. The above circumstances, with others, will, I trust, be some apology for my long delay in answering your last esteemed letter.
In the congress of 1765 there were several conspicuous characters: Mr; James Otis appeared to me to be the boldest and best speaker.—I voted for him as our President, but Brigadier Ruggles succeeded by one vote, owing to the number of the committee from New-York, as we voted individually: when the business was finished, our President would not sign the petitions, and peremptorily refused to assign any reasons, until I pressed him so hard that he at last said, “it was against his conscience,” on which word I rung the charge so loud, that a plain challenge was given by him and accepted, in the presence of the whole corps; but he departed the next morning before day without an adieu to any of his brethren. He seemed to accord with what was done during the session so fully and heartily, that Mr; Otis told me frequently it gave him surprize, as he confessed he suspected his sincerity.
There was less fortitude in that Body than in the succeeding congress of 1774: indeed some of the members appeared as timmid as if engaged in a traitorous conspiracy. Mr; Ogden, then Speaker of the New-Jersey Assembly, following the example of the President, declined to sign the petitions, tho’ warmly sollicited by myself in private and also by my father-in-law Colo: Borden, his colleague: the consequence of my mentioning this fact, as I returned to Newcastle thro’ New-Jersey was to Mr; Ogden a burning in effigy in several of the counties and his removal from the office of Speaker at the next meeting of the General Assembly; and to me, menaces of another challenge. The great mass of the people were at that time zealous in the cause of America. Other incidents of that day are recollected, but they are of trivial import.
In the year of 1778 and afterwards until the preliminaries of peace were signed, the members of Congress varied yearly in point of talents and exertions in favor of the Revolution: they seemed to be considerably governed by the prospects before them, as they were promising or the contrary: however a great majority were staunch Whigs at all times.
Whatever may be the fate of our own government in the U.S. I decidedly think with you, for the reason you assign, that a democratic form in France, in the present age, was preposterous: I entertain the same opinion of the spanish provinces in South America. The form established last year by the Cortez of Spain is admirably adapted to the state of civilization in the Peninsula: it is a capital performance, but will be attacked & resisted by the Inquisitors, Jesuits, Monks, and all the Bigots & Petty Tyrants.
It does not seem to me, that either of your successors enjoy more ease than your predecessor. Mr; Madison has paid too great a deference to the recommendations to office by low & designing men, who stood very much in need of recommendations themselves, tho’ excellent democrats if they were to be credited; Mr; Jefferson split on the same rock, many of their appointments have been exceedingly improper: tho’ General Washington conferred office on some tories, yet they were capable, and only undeserving.
My paper is drawing to a close, so is my life; I am now in my eightieth year, therefore more than a year older than you. Had you not noticed the quiveration  (an expressive word, tho’ newly used) of your hand, I should not have discovered it—mine quivers very much, when feverish or agitated by severe exercise; my eyes grow dimmer, my hearing duller, and I have other symptoms of age: but why repeat grievances, that cannot be redressed? May you not only continue to enjoy, but increase your health and otium cum dignitate with every other blessing. Dear Sir, Your

Thos M:Kean


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 22 August 1813
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Monticello Aug. 22. 13.

Since my letter of June 27. I am in your debt for many; all of which I have read with infinite delight. they open a wide field for reflection; and offer subjects enough to occupy the mind and the pen indefinitely. I must follow the good example you have set; and when I have not time to take up every subject, take up a single one. Your approbation of my outline to Dr. Priestley is a great gratification to me; and I very much suspect that if thinking men would have the courage to think for themselves, and to speak what they think, it would be found they do not differ in religious opinions, as much as is supposed. I remember to have heard Dr. Priestley say that if all England would candidly examine themselves, & confess, they would find that Unitarianism was really the religion of all: and I observe a bill is now depending in parliament for the relief of Anti-Trinitarians. it is too late in the day for men of sincerity to pretend they believe in the Platonic mysticisms that three are one, & one is three; & yet the one is not three, and the three are not one: to divide mankind by a single letter into ὁμοουςιans, and ὁμοιουςιans. but this constitutes the craft, the power and the profit of the priests. sweep away their gossamer fabrics of factitious religion, and they would catch no more flies. we should all then, like the quakers, live without an order of priests, moralise for ourselves, follow the oracle of conscience, and say nothing about what no man can understand, nor therefore believe; for I suppose belief to be the assent of the mind to an intelligible proposition.
It is with great pleasure I can inform you that Priestly finished the comparative view of the doctrines of the Philosophers of antiquity, and of Jesus, before his death; and that it was printed soon after, and, with still greater pleasure, that I can have a copy of his work forwarded from Philadelphia, by a correspondent there, and presented for your acceptance, by the same mail which carries you this, or very soon after. the branch of the work which the title announces is executed with learning and candor, as was every thing Priestley wrote: but perhaps a little hastily; for he felt himself pressed by the hand of death. the Abbé Batteux had in fact laid the foundation of this part, in his Causes premieres; with which he has given us the originals of Ocellus, and Timaeus, who first committed the doctrines of Pythagoras to writing; and Enfield, to whom the Doctor refers, had done it more copiously. but he has omitted the important branch, which in your letter of Aug. 9 you say you have never seen executed, a comparison of the morality of the old testament and with that of the new. and yet no two things were ever more unlike. I ought not to have asked him to give it. he dared not. he would have been eaten alive by his intolerant brethren, the Cannibal priests. and yet this was really the most interesting branch of the work.
Very soon after my letter to Doctr. Priestley, the subject being still in my mind, I had lesiure, during an abstraction from business, for a day or two while on the road, to think a little more on it, and to sketch more fully than I had done to him, a Syllabus of the matter which I thought should enter into the work. I wrote it to Dr. Rush; and there ended all my labor on the subject; himself & Dr. Priestley being the only depositories of my secret. the fate of my letter to Priestley, after his death, was a warning to me on that of Dr. Rush; and at my request his family was so kind as to quiet me by returning my original letter & Syllabus. by this you will be sensible how much interest I take in keeping myself clear of religious disputes before the public; and especially of seeing my Syllabus disembowelled by the Aruspices of the modern Paganism; yet I inclose it to you with entire confidence, free to be perused by yourself and Mrs Adams, but by no one else; and to be returned to me.
You are right in supposing, in one of yours, that I had not read much of Priestley’s Predestination, his No-soul system, or his controversy with Horsley. but I have read his Corruptions of Christianity, & Early opinions of Jesus, over and over again; and I rest on  them, and on Middleton’s writings, especially his letters from Rome, and to Waterland, as the basis of my own faith. these writings have never been answered, nor can be answered by quoting historical proofs, as they have done. for these facts therefore I cling to their learning, so much superior to my own.
I now fly off in a tangent to another subject. Marshal, in the 1st. vol. of his history, c.3.pa.180. ascribes the petition of to the king of 1774. (Journ. Congr. 67.) to the pen of Richard Henry Lee. I think myself certain it was not written by him, as well from what I recollect to have heard, as from the internal evidence of style. his was loose, vague, frothy, rhetorical. he was a poorer writer than his brother Arthur; and Arthur’s standing may be seen in his Monitor’s letters, to ensure the sale of which they took the precaution of tacking to them a new edition of the Farmer’s letters; like Mezentius who ‘mortua jungebat corpora vivis.’ you were of the committee, and can tell me who wrote this petition: and who wrote the Address to the inhabitants of the colonies ib.45 of the paper of July 1775 I recollect well that Mr Dickinson drew the petition to the king, ib 149. I think Robt. R. Livingston drew the address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain. ib.152. am I right in this? and who drew the Address to the people of Ireland, ib.180.? on these questions, I ask of your memory to help mine. ever and affectionately your’s
Th. Jefferson
P.S. Miss Lomax, daughter of one of our friends of 1776. lately dead, now here on a visit, asks permission to consign to you a memorial of the family respect to you not done with the pencil; the burine or the chissel, but with the only instrument habitual to her, the humble scissars. you will find it inclosed.


Title: To John Adams from Richard Rush, 24 August 1813
From: Rush, Richard
To: Adams, John

Dear and Respected Sir.
Washington August 24. 1813.

Mr St George Tucker is, I believe, a native of one of the West India islands. He was brought to Virginia quite a boy before the revolution, fought with reputation at Camden as a militia major, was next a lawyer, and has held several civil stations in Virginia, where, as I understand, he has always been greatly esteemed for his virtues and learning. He is now, on the late appointment of President Madison, United States Judge for that district. He was once Professor of law in the college of William and Mary, and has published an edition of Blackstone’s commentaries with notes and a full appendix expounding our American constitutions and jurisprudence. Whatever may be thought of this work in other respects, it proves his research and talents as a fine writer. His “Days of my youth” is, indeed, a most beautiful little thing. I thought so when first I read it, and that I had never seen any thing of the same extent so fine. This opinion I will now dare express since your letter, which establishes its correctness. Whenever, Sir, I may have the good fortune to meet with its equal in any antient or modern poet I will again know the pleasure of affording you half an hour’s entertainment.
I am quite gratified in having two of your favours by me; that about the poet St George, (a copy of which by the bye I mean some day to use the freedom of sending him), and that of the 11th of this month.
The mortifications and the sufferings we have experienced this war, may indeed be of ultimate service, by forcing some truths upon us in government that perhaps nothing else would. Burke, in his vindication of natural society, says that reasons are like liquors, and there are some that only strong heads will bear. This war may strengthen the heads of our people. In corroboration of your remark, even this remote and infant republick of ours has been at war the half of its short career, and panting for it the other half. Taking in the Indians, with France and Tripoli (and why should we not), how many years of the thirty we are in the habit of speaking of as our reign of peace, would our Janus appear to have been shut? Scarcely any.
The accounts are that Mr Madisons health continues to improve by exercise, and a partial intermission of his toils. The evening before he set out on his ride I had the pleasure to spend with him. Although he spoke from no authentick information, yet I found, him under the belief that England did not mean to accede to the Russian Mediation.
As to peace, I do not believe the government will lend itself to a disgraceful one happen what will. If one must be made upon terms other than such as have been held out both before and since the present war, I think it will only be by the people first choosing to put the power of the country in other hands than where it now is.
As to jealousy of the North, and northern generals; shall I say, that the cry here, but especially where I belong, is the reverse! While Pennsylvania, old strong-back’d forgotten Pennsylvania, with all her population and wealth, with all the men and money which she has, and will continue I hope, to contribute to the war—cannot, with all her pushing and striving, get a single general of any description, Massachusetts gets three, Gen: Dearborn, Gen: Chandler and Gen: Boyd! the first a Major general, and for the first year of the war, too, commander in chief! Thus do we talk, Sir, in that quarter. And even the antient dominion, strange to tell, has but one as yet that I recollect! But, for my own part, I would gladly see three more from Massachusetts if they would fight our battles well.
Since writing the preceding last evening, I have observed in a newspaper that you have had the affliction to lose by death a member of your family, an only daughter. I have lately had occasion to know how families feel under these dispensations; and for this recent affliction in yours I beg you will permit me to offer to Mrs Adams and yourself, my respectful sympathy, with my sincere and ardent wishes for your happiness, and health, and tranquility.

Richard Rush.


Title: To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 26 August 1813
From: Gerry, Elbridge
To: Adams, John

Cambridge  26th  Aug. 1813

By the request of Mr Wyer, lately appointed a Consul of the U States to Riga, I have the pleasure of introducing you to this Gentleman, who proposes soon to embark for Russia. Mr Wyer is governed by those principles of integrity & honor, & is possessed of such liberality & candor as cannot fail to meet your approbation & friendship.
Permit me, With Mrs Gerry & my family, to express, in terms of the sincerest sympathy, our deep regret for the loss sustained by yourself, Lady & family. These are events beyond our controul, & under the sole direction of that Supreme Being, whose acts in every instance are right. Implicit submission is therefore our duty & interest. I Shall improve the earliest opportunity for paying my personal respects, & in the interim with the Sincerest attachment to Yourself, & family remain my dear Sir, your / unfeigned friend—

E Gerryplease to present me in the most friendly terms to Colo Smith if at Quincy.


Title: To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 28 August 1813
From: McKean, Thomas
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia. August 28th. 1813.

With sincerity I condole with you on the death of your daughter; I had five children who have died, three of whom have been married & left a numerous offspring. By these events we have sustained the deprivation of great comforts; but our loss is their ineffable gain, they are in the bosom of their father and their God. These are among the common calamities of life: resignation to the dispensations of Providence, and gratitude for all the blessings left us are indispensible duties.
Your favor of the 31st. last month would have been acknowledged before now, but from a hope I entertained of giving you some account of the Congress at Albany in 1754: however, after considerable enquiry, I have been disappointed. I have a feint recollection, that it was appointed by the British Ministry for the ostensible purpose of ascertaining the bounderies of the several Colonies to the Eastward of Delaware; but in reality to propose the least offensive plan for raising  a revenue in America. In 1739, Sir William Keith, a Scotch Gentleman, who had been a Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, proposed such an Assembly to the Ministry, he also proposed the extension of the British stamp-duties to the Colonies. He was then (I believe) in the Fleet-prison. The hints he gave were embraced, the 1st. in 1754, the 2d. in 1764.
It has been long a matter of surprize to me, that no Gentleman of talents and character has undertaken to write a history of the former British colonies, now United States of America, at least from 1756 to 1806, a period of 50 very important years. Such a work would not only be of great benefit to posterity but also to the author: it would sell well.
To form an opinion, that a majority of the people of Pennsylvania were against the American revolution at its commencement, was not uncommon, especially by strangers: the mistake arose from the circumstance of a large majority of their Representatives and civil officers being in the opposition. This State was first settled by a colony of Quakers, their Proprietor & Governor William Penn, being at the head of the Sect; they had the entire government or rule of Pennsylvania from 1682 until 1776, by the following means; the province was in the beginning divided into three counties, Philadelphia, Chester & Bucks, and when the Three Lower counties on Delaware (now state of Delaware) seperated from them in 1700, each county, had eight members in the Legislature, and the city having been incorporated & inhabited chiefly by that sect, was allowed two. Eight other counties were erected prior to the revolution, and were allowed, some 2, some but one representative, so that in all they had but ten; altho’, if they had founded the representation according to the number of human beings in each district or county, the Quakers would have been greatly overruled, even adding all the Tories or Enemies of the revolution to their number. The voice of the Representatives was not the voice of the people, as is the case with the British Parliament: the three Quakers counties, having 24 members in Assembly, made all the laws. They gave great trouble to the whigs, but they were kept under by fear as well as  by superior numbers: from that day the people called Friends have ceased to rule Pennsylvania; they foresaw the consequences of an equal representation, as it would affect themselves, and this was a principal cause of their aversion to a change in the form of our government as a Body, tho’ many individuals of their society differed with them, and became active & good citizens.
In the marriage of our children, their, not our happiness is to be chiefly consulted; I confess, my wish is, to have them established in their native country.
On reflection, I cannot refer to a single instance of disinterested or evident friendship of Great Britain towards this country during the period you mention; every act, which might bear such an aspect, has been performed for the interest of the Administration alone, altho’ coupled in some cases with that of their own Island.
I shall be always pleased with your correspondence, and happy in contributing to your amusement. Your able talent for writing history, and your eminent public stations, induced a hope that we should be favored with an account of the transactions in America, for at least the last sixty years from your pen.

Thos M:Kean


Title: To John Adams from N. G. Dufret, 30 August 1813
From: Dufret, N. G.
To: Adams, John

Monsieur,A Philadelphie ce 30 Août, 1813
J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer par le Courrier d’Aujourd’hui & d’après les ordres de Mr. Jefferson un Ouvrage du Dr Priestly, intitulé: “Doctrines of heathen Philosophy compared with those of revelation” c’est le seul exemplaire que j’ai pu trouver à Philadelphie. Vous l’auriez reçu relié, si Mr. Jefferson n’eût pas souhaité qu’il vous parvînt, without delay. Je profite avec empressement de la présente occasion pour vous prier d’agréer l’homage de mon respectueux dévouement / Votre très-humble ServiteurN. G. Dufret


Title: To John Adams from Horatio Gates Spafford, 31 August 1813
From: Spafford, Horatio Gates
To: Adams, John

Respected Friend—
Albany, 8 Mo. 31, 1813.—

Although I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance, yet as an Author, I claim the privilege of one, & address to thee a copy of my Gazetterr of the State of New York. Be pleased to accept, with it, assurances of my high veneration & esteem. Few, very few of the Fathers of our Republic remain to this day, a trying & eventful one to our Country.—That thou, with all these, may survive the storm that so angrily threatens us, & live to enjoy the sunshine for which we hope, is my ardent prayer.—Within a few days I have been favored with Setting from the late President Jefferson, from Mr. Madison, & that venerable good old Man Gov. Jay; & to this catalogue, so dear to my recollections, I hope to add one from thee. With every sentiment of esteem, thy / friend,

H. G. Spafford.


Title: From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 1 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Carey, Mathew

Mr Carey
Quincy September 1st 1813

Afflictions in my family of the most serious nature have delayed my answer to your letter of the 6th of August.
I knew not that my friend Dr Rush had communicated the papers inclosed in yours to anyone His confidence however was not misplaced. My letter to him was written, as I should have talked to him Tete a tete. He understood me & knew that every line & every word in that letter was true. The seeming Rhodomontade, conveyed undoubted truth. Truth which has produced dreadful consequences in this Country. As far as I am personally concerned I should not care if the whole were printed in every Gazette in America or Europe. But you will easily perceive it would do no good to the public. The substance has been published in the sketches.
“Who builds a Church to God and not to fame
Will never mark the marble with his name.” I do not believe this Many a noble donation to pious, charitable, and public uses has been made by very serious and sincere men who were willing to have their names remembered as the Benefactors.
My name is however of so little weight in the world that in the naval history, I desire that nothing may be inserted which is not warranted by public records.
Jonathan Jones Esquire writes to my Son that he has received the money due to me, and will pay your account. I should be glad to know that He has done it.
I hope by this time, this nation is convinced that naval force is necessary on the Lakes as well as on the Atlantic. If it is not, we have still greater disgraces, disasters,  and misfortunes, if not confusions to endure. I am Sir your obliged Servant

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 1 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

Madam
Quincy September 1. 1813

Permit one to enclose to you a Packet from my old Friend Governor M Kean: and a dialogue of the dead. The latter was the effusion of a musing moment of an evening at Richmond Hill when Congress sat at N York in 1789 immediately after the arrival of the news of Dr Franklins death. Searching last Sunday among a heap of forgotten rubbish for another paper, It struck my eye. After you shall have minuted or extracted what you please, I pray you to return me all these Papers by the mail. I am madam most / respectfully your obedient humble Servant

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 2 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Quincy Sept. 2. 1813

Οὐδὲ γυνὴ κακοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἀναίνεται εἶναι ἄκοιτις
πλουσίου· ἀλλ’ ἀφνεὸν βούλεται ἀντ’ ἀγαθοῦ.
Χρήματὰ γὰρ τιμῶσι, καὶ ἐκ κακοῦ ἐσθλὸς ἔγημε,
καὶ κακὸς ἐξ ἀγαθοῦ. πλοῦτος ἔμιξε γένος.
Grotius renders this into latin, thus.
Nec dedignatur ditemque malumque maritum femina: divitiæ præ probitate placent.
In pretio pretium est: genus et prænobile, vili, obscurum claro, miscet avaritia.
I Should render the Greek into English thus.
Nor does a Woman disdain to be the Wife of a bad rich Man. But She prefers a Man of Property before a good Man. For Riches are honoured; and a good Man marries from a bad Family, and a bad Man from a good one. Wealth mingles all races.
Now please to tell me, whether my translation has not hit the Sense of Theognis, as exactly as that of Grotius.
Tell me also, whether Poet, Orator, Historian or Philosopher can paint the Picture of every City, County or State in our pure, uncorrupted, unadulterated, uncontaminated federal Republick; or in France England Holland, and all the rest of Chritendom or Mahometanism, in more precise Lines or Colures.?
Another translation of the whole Passage of Theognis.
Arietes quidem et Asinos quærimus, Cyrne, et Equos Generosos, et quisque vult ex bonis, admittere:
Admittere: ducere autem malam (filiam) mali, non renuit:
Generosus Vir, Si ei pecunias multas dederit.
Nulla (femina) mali viri recusat esse Uxor
Divitis; Sed divitem vult pro bono.
Opes quidem æstimant, et ex malo (natam) bonus ducet
Et malus ex bono ortam. Divitiæ mixent genus.
Now, my Friend, who are the αρiςτοι.? Philosophy may Answer “The Wise and Good.” But the World, Mankind, have by their practice always answered, “the rich the beautiful and well born.” And Philosophers themselves in marrying their Childen prefer the rich the handsome and the well descended to the wise and good.
What chance have Talents and Virtues in competition, with Wealth and Birth? and Beauty?
Haud facile emergunt, quorum Virtutibus obstant
Res Angusta Domi.
One truth is clear,; by all the World confess’d
Slow rises worth, by Poverty oppress’d.
The five Pillars of Aristocracy, are Beauty Wealth, Birth, Genius and Virtues. Any one of the three first, can at any time over bear any one or both of the two last.
Let me ask again, what a Wave of publick opinion, in favour of Birth has been Spread over the Globe, by Abraham, by Hercules, by Mahomet, by Guelphs, Ghibellines, Bourbons, and a miserable Scottish Chief Steuart? By Zingis by, by, by, a million others? And what a Wave will be Spread by Napoleon and by Washington? Their remotest Cousins will be Sought and will be proud, and will avail themselves of their descent. Call this Principle, Prejudice, Folly Ignorance, Baseness, Slavery, Stupidity, Adulation, Superstition or what you will. I will not contradict you. But the Fact, in natural, moral, political and domestic History I cannot deny or dispute or question.
And is this great Fact in the natural History of Man? This unalterable Principle of Morals, Philosophy, Policy domestic felicity, and dayly Experience from the Creation; to be overlooked, forgotten neglected, or hypocritically waived out of Sight; by a Legislator? By a professed Writer upon civil Government, and upon Constitutions of civil Government?
Thus far I had written, when your favour of Aug. 22 was laid on my table, from the Post Office. I can only say at present that I can pursue this idle Speculation no farther, at least till I have replied to this fresh proof of your friendship and Confidence. Mrs A. joins in cordial Thanks, with
John AdamsYou may laugh at the introduction of Beauty, among the Pillars of Aristocracy. But Madame Barry Says Le veritable Royauté est la Bautee, and there is not a more certain Truth. Beauty, Grace, Figure, Attitude, Movement have in innumerable Instances prevailed over Wealth, Birth, Talents Virtues and every thing else, in Men of the highest rank, greatest Power, and Sometimes, the most exalted Genius, greatest Fame, & highest Merit:


Title: From John Adams to Horatio Gates Spafford, 6 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Spafford, Horatio Gates

Worthy Friend.
Quincy Sep 6 1813

I have received by the Mail your Friendly Letter of L.M. 31. with your Gazetteer of the State of New York.
Although I have not the pleasure of a personal Acquaintance: my thanks are not the less but the more due to you for your kind Attention and valuable present.
Your Work, as it is a moment monument of industrious research and indefatigable labour in Collecting information concerning the important State of New york, has great merit.
This War, whatever may be its  temporary termination, will ultimately aggrandize that State and all others that border on the Lakes.—
I thank you for your kind regards. and ardent Prayers, which must be Suggested by benevolence, and philanthropy: but I hope I am enough of a disciplinarian to be ready to obey the Orders of my Commander in Chief.
Jefferson and Madison are great names and respectable Characters in the History of our Country: and Jay is not the less respectable for having been an injured Man, and a neglected friend of his Country. Your Letters from them will be worth preserving.—
I wish, Sir, that your Life, health Activity and Perseverance may be preserved, for farther Investigations as Usefull to the Publick.
So prays your Friend

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Horatio Gates Spafford, 7 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Spafford, Horatio Gates

Worthy Friend
Quincy Septr. 7. 1813

I have received by the Mail your friendly Letter of 8 Mo. 31. with your Gazetteer of the State of New York.
Although I have not the pleasure of a personal Acquaintance; my thanks are not the less but the more due to You for your kind Attention and valuable present.
Your Work, as it is a monument of industrious research and indefatigable labour in collecting information concerning the important State of New York, has great merit.
This War, whatever may be its temporary termination, will ultimately aggrandize that State and all others that border on the Lakes
I thank you for your kind regards and ardent Prayers; which must be Suggested by benevolence, and philanthropy: but I hope I am enough of a disciplinarian to be ready to obey the Orders of my Commander in Chief.
Jefferson and Madison are great names and respectable Characters in the History of our Country: and Jay is not the less respectable for having been an injured Man and a dneglected friend of his Country. Your Letters from them will be worth preserving.
I wish, Sir, that your Life Health Activity and Perseverance may be preserved for farther Investigations as usefull to the Publick. So prays your Friend

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Hendrick W. Gordon, 10 September 1813
From: Gordon, Hendrick W.
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
Boston  10th  Sept  1813.

I have the honor to enclose you a hand bill containing a more particular account of the late engagement between the U.S. Brig Enterprize (built during your Administration,) and H. B. M. Brig Boxer, which ended in the capture of the latter—
While I congratulate you Sir, on an event so honourable to the character & skill of the American Tars, I have the pleasure of assuring you, that the worth & value of this class of citizens, begin to be appretiated. The hundred hands of the “British Briareus", is no security, against a brave people, fighting for “free trade & sailors Rights.”—
I am very respectfully / Dear Sir, your faithfull

H W Gordon.


Title: To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 10 September 1813
From: Williams, Jonathan
To: Adams, John

[Circular.]
Sir,
Philadelphia,  September 10, 1813.

The annual meeting of the United States’ Military Philosophical Society will be held in the City of New York on Monday the first day of November next: The time of the day and place of meeting will be made known through the daily papers of the preceding week.
The business which will then come before the Society will be
1. To receive Reports relative to the affairs of the Society since the last annual meeting.
2. To take order respecting the Funds.
3. To elect new Members.
4. To elect Officers for the ensuing year.
5. To take into consideration the past, and to devise the best means of promoting the future usefulness of the Institution.
I am, respectfully, / Sir, your most obedient servant,

Jonathan Williams,President.


Title: To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 12 September 1813
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Plymouth.  Septr  12th.  1813

I was much gratified by seeing your signature affixed to a Letter address’d to Mrs. Warren.—I am also gratified and obliged by the marks of your attention manifest in the interesting inclosures of yours under date September 1st.—one of which deeply affected me as a Sister.—I have for many years known your respect and regard for a brother so justly esteemed by his connections, his friends, and his country.—No American knew him better than the author of the dialogue:—nor is any one more capable of pourtraying his character and handing it down to posterity than yourself.—
The sketch in my hand in connection with some of the greatest actors who have exhibited their parts in this narrow stage of human action, is a proof of your correct knowledge of history and your capacity for comparing the ages of Chalemgne Frederick the Great, Rousseau, and Otis, though in times so remote from each other, and drawing the results of their sentiments and transactions and the operation thereof on the moral conduct of mankind in our own age and in that of Posterity.
I have Sir, availed myself of the liberty you gave me of extracting or copying any part of your communications.—Depend upon it I shall make no improper use thereof, though I have copied the Dialogue and taken a few sentences from Govr. McKean’s Letter.—I should as you enjoined have return’d the Packet earlier, had not my own Optics been too weak and my other eyes so occupied, especially in the last six days, while so engaged and delighted by a visit from a part of your family.—Lovely Girls! lent by Providence to support the pillow of age, while nightly recollecting the tomb that incloses the most amiable of daughters.—
I am, respected Sir, / with all due regard, / Your Friend,

Mercy Warren


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Quincy Sept. 14. 1813

I owe you a thousand thanks for your favour of Aug. 22 and its Enclosures, and for Dr Priestley’s “Doctrines of heathen Philosophy compared with those of Revelation.” Your Letter to Dr Rush, and the Sillabus, I return inclosed with this, according to your Injunction; though with great reluctance. May I beg a copy of both? They will do you no harm: me and others much good. I hope you will pursue your plan; for I am confident you will produce a Work much more valuable than Priestleys; tho’ that is curious and considering the expiring powers with which it was written, admirable.
The Bill in Parliament for the relief of Antitrinitarians is a great Event; and will form an Epoch in Ecclesiastical History. The Motion was made by my Friend Smith of Clapham, a Friend of the Belshams. I Should be very happy to hear, that the Bill is passed.
The human Understanding is a revelation from its Maker which can never be disputed or doubted. There can be no Scepticism, Pyrrhonism or Incredulity or Infidelity here. No Prophecies, no Miracles are necessary to prove this celestial communication. This revelation has made it certain that two and one make three; and that one is not three; nor can three be one. We can never be so certain of any Prophecy, or the fullfillment of any Prophecy; or of any miracle, or the design of any miracle as We are, from the revelation of nature i.e. natures God that two and two are equal to four. Miracles or Prophecies might frighten Us out of our Witts; might Scare us to death; might induce Us to lie; to Say that We believe that 2 and 2 makes 5. But We Should not believe it. We Should know the contrary.
Had you and I been forty days with Moses on Mount Sinai, and admitted to behold, the divine Shekinah, and there told that one was three and three, one: We might not have had courage to deny it, but We could not have believed it. The thunders and Lightenings and Earthques and the transcendant Splendors and Glories, might have overwhelmed Us with terror and Amazement: but We could not have believed the doctrine. We Should be more likely to Say in our hearts, whatever We might Say with our Lips. This is Chance. There is no God! No Truth. This is all delusion, fiction and a lie or it is all Chance. But what is Chance? It is motion; it is Action; it is Event; it is Phenomenon, without cause. Chance is no cause att all. it is nothing. And Nothing has produced all this Pomp and Splendor; and Nothing may produce Our eternal damnation in the flames of Hell fire and Brimstone for what We know, as well as this tremendous Exhibition of Terror and Falshood.
God has infinite Wisdom, goodness and power. He created the Universe. His duration is eternal, a parte Ante, and a parte post. His presence is as extensive as Space. What is Space? An infinite, Spherical Vaccuum. He created this Speck of Dirt and the human Species for his glory: and with the deliberate design of making, nine tenths of our Species miserable forever, for his glory. This is the doctrine of Christian Theologians in general: ten to one.
Now, my Friend, can Prophecies, or miracles convince You, or me, that infinite Benevolence, Wisdom and Power, created and preserves, for a time, innumerable millions to make them miserable, forever, for his own Glory? Wretch! What is his Glory? Is he ambitious? does he want promotion? Is he vain? tickled with Adulation? Exulting and tryumphing in his Power and the Sweetness of his Vengeance? Pardon me, my Maker, for these Aweful Questions. My Answer to them is always ready: I believe no such Things. My Adoration of the Author of the Universe is too profound and too Sincere. The Love of God and his Creation; delight, Joy, tryumph, Exultation in my own existence, ‘tho but an Atom, a Molecule organique, in the Universe; are my religion. Howl, Snarl, bite, Ye Calvinistick! Ye Athanasian Divines, if You will. Ye will Say, I am no Christian: I Say Ye are no Christians: and there the Account is ballanced. Yet I believe all the honest men among you, are Christians in my Sense of the Word.
When I was at Colledge I was a mighty Metaphisian. At least I thought myself Such: and Such Men as Lock, Hemenway, and West thought me So too: for We were forever disputing, though in great good humour.
When I was Sworn as an Attorney in 1758, in Boston, ‘tho I lived in Braintree; I was in a low State of Health; thought in great danger of a Consumption; living on Milk, Vegetable Pudding and Water. Not an Atom of Meat or a drop of Spirit. My next Neighbour, my Cousin my Friend Dr Savil was my Physician. He was anxious for me, and did not like to take upon himself the Sole Responsability of my recovery. He invited me to a ride. I mounted my Horse and rode with him to Hingham, on a visit to Dr Ezekiel Hersey, a Physician of great fame: who felt my pulse, looked in my Eyes, heard Savil describe my regimen and course of Medicine; and then pronounced his oracle “Persevere, and as Sure as there is a God in Heaven you will recover.” He was an everlasting Talker and ran out into History, Philosophy, Metaphysicks, &c and frequently put questions to me, as if he wanted to sound me, and See if there was any thing in me, besides Hectic fever. I was young, and then very bashful: however Saucy I may have Sometimes been Since. I gave him very modest and very diffident Answers. But when he got upon Metaphysicks, I Seemed to feel a little bolder, and ventured into Some thing like Argument with him. I drove him up, as I thought, into a Corner, from which he could not escape. Sir, it will follow from what you have now advanced, that the Universe, as distinct from God is both infinite and eternal. “Very true, Said Dr Hearsey: Your inference is just; the Consequence is inevitable; and I believe the Universe to be, both eternal and infinite”. Here I was brought up! I was defeated. I was not prepared for this Answer. This was 55 Years ago.
When I was in England from 1785, to 1788 I may Say I was intimate with Dr Price. I had much conversation with him at his own House, at my houses, and at the houses and Tables of many Friends. In some of our most unreserved Conversations, when We have been alone, he has repeatedly Said to me “I am inclined to believe that the Universe, is eternal and infinite”. It Seems to me that an eternal and infinite Effect must necessarily flow from an eternal and infinite Cause: and an infinite Wisdom Goodness and Power, that could have been induced to produce a Universe in time, must have produced it from eternity.” “It Seems to me, the Effect must flow from the Cause.”
Now, my Friend Jefferson, Suppose an eternal Self existent Being existing from Eternity, possessed of infinite Wisdom, Goodness and Power, in absolute total Solitude, Six thousand Years ago, conceiving the benevolent project of creating a Universe! I have no more to Say, at present.
It has been long, very long, a Settled opinion in my Mind that there is now, never will be, and never was but one being who can Understand the Universe. And that it is not only vain but wicked for insects to pretend to comprehend it.
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Miss Lomax, 14 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Lomax, Miss

Quincy Septr. 14. 1813

My antient Friend, Mr Jefferson has presented me in your name, with a compliment more grateful to my heart, than the most costly monument of Art and Adulation could be. It  is admired by all the ladies of my Family old and young, as the most exquisite production of the kind they have ever seen. It will be preserved with care by my Grand daughters and I hope, very soon by my great grand daughters: but by none will it be more highly esteemed, than by your obliged Friend and Servant

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Quincy September 17, 1813

I receive with pleasure, the News of your removal to Cambridge and establishment in Office, in which may you, and your amiable Lady Sons and daughters, continue to do honour, and administor medicine, to this Country, diseased in Body and mind
There is not a more melancholly contemplation, to a mind that Soberly thinks, than the honours that are done to military Charactors by Sea and Land: unless We except those to Spiritual heros in the Church militant. What has not been done, by military discipline and ecclesiastical discipline, in this World of War, of Words and Swords?
As I have long Seen that this Nation must become warlike and a maritime Power; I cannot but rejoice in the honours bestowed on our Defenders: but I rejoice with as much trembling as a Philosopher ought to feel. Rapt into future times, methinks I see—no dangers, however, from the Service by Sea; comparable to those on Land.
The naval Spirit rises, on the Lakes as well as on the Ocean. And it must rise, or We Shall be  hewers of Wood, and in the Condition of the Wood Cutter on mount Ida, who according to Theocratus, could not find Wood for Trees.
The Conduct of Varnum and Seaver, and others, has never been comprehensible to me; nor has that of General Heath. Well meaning men, as far as I know: but Secret, concealed and cunning. But Massachusetts will not be governed by Such Men. We are too proud. We must have Gentlemen. We must have men of Education. We never Stooped So low, as in the choice of Sullivan. But Sullivan was far above Heath Varnum or Seaver. Yet I would have made Heath Commander in Chief, Enough of Paradoxes.
I Have been repairing or rather rebuilding a Tomb for my Daughter. It is done. I am now replacing a Stone to my Father, instead of one erected by me fifty two years ago, which Men Women, Boys Girls or Cattle had long Since demolished. Whether I Shall raise one for myself, where it will be raised, by whom, and how soon, I, as yet, neither know, nor much, care.
Δίοσ δ᾽ετελίετο βουλη. I know not whether the Greek is correct in Grammar, or Orthography, or Application.
I own I have not the Foresight of the Tumble Bug: Yet in my Conscience, I believe, I had more and clearer, than this Nation or its Government for 14 years past.
I am not yet weary of Life, nor do I wait with impatience for an obscure death, or a Splendid one. The former must Soon be my Lott. May I be prepared. Fame Fortune Power! I have always despized Ye all. Mens conscia recti, is and always has been, all in all,
To thee, Supream Power, who knowest all my weakness is Imperfections and Follies, I appeal.

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 18 September 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Carey, Mathew

Sir
Quincy Sep 18th 1813

Your favour of the 6th. has given me much pleasure; had I lived with Dr Johnson I would have given him a guinea a piece his usual price for two sermons; one upon “Let your light shine before men” the other upon Let not your left hand know what your right hand performs.” They are perfectly reconciliable though it may be somewhat difficult in practice to comply with both precepts in sincerity.
There have been some examples of generous donations in this country Harvard founded a college at Cambridge, Coddington a school at mount Wollaston, Dummer an Academy at Byfield Phanuel a famous Hall in Boston, Stoughton a College at Cambridge. Phillips an accademy at Exeter, Phillips an accademy at Andover, Bowdoins a university in Maine, Bartlet a large additional donation to the Andover Institution  &c, I write currente calamo the few instances near me, what others there may be in other States I have not enquired.
Several causes have probably damped this ardor 1 Lotteries 2 Corporations 3 an apprehension of the accusation of an aspiring ambition to celebrate family names and establish families, &c.
Many libraries have been begun Private subscriptions and donations have been more numerous and abundant. I wish you could have informed me that Mr Jones had paid you rather than promised to pay you the money is in his hands if he does not pay you I pray you to let me know it I know not why he did not pay instead of promising.
I have received no communications concerning our naval history; but those I have sent to you. There is a damper. I know the cause. send out your second edition as soon as possible and promise a third. there must be no fooling on this march. If the President and Congress do not exert every nerve in naval operations on the Lakes and on the Ocean; the vengeance of Heaven and Earth will soon be visible and palpable on this country. Is this country inhabited by rational creatures or by Idiots? to this question I very seriously subscribe / the name of

John Adams