Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1817
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

My Dear and respected Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 24 Febr. 1817.

What a gratification again have you bestowed upon me in your Letter of Febr. 7th. not never to mentioning the cadeau of which I disposed directly with the next mail, as you intended—and which Shall I doubt not, be highly acceptable to Monticello’s Philosopher.
It Seems—I see you in all your grandeur in your Superb castle—and yet the most admirable part was its owner—I Should Saÿ so, as once the Doge of Genoa Said in the Same neighbourhood, but will not tell you So—as I am your friend and can not flatter—but this I dare Saÿ—without fearing a frown—you were at Auteuil the Same New England Republican Statesman—as at the Hage. It is not a Splendid palace—a brilliant equipage—or Sumptuous apparel on a birthdaÿ which are the characteristic of a crouching courtier—but baseness of heart and an unprincipled conduct—a Fabritius may remain, Fabritius in the Palace of Circe. I will not Say—I dare not—that I Should resist and conquer the temptation but I hope—the strenght of my Conquerors might palliate Some what my feeble resistance—and too ready Submission.
I Should have been delighted—in roving through its avenues—and examining its gardens—and gazing on its belles vues—and admiring its Superb apartments—but—although I even had been priviledged to take a peep in the remotest Boudoir—yet I am confident I Should not have enjoy’d upon the whole as much exquisite pleasure—as fell to my Share in 1813 at Quincy—I Should not have been free—I Should have been fettered by odious ceremonies—and prevented—to approach you and your Lady, and listen to your conversations by a crowd of giddy—hopping—flattering petits–maitres—paying their court to L’Embassadeur des Etats unis D’Amérique. Once more in my life—before I close my eyes—I hope I Shall be blessed with the Same Share of happiness—and—as it was then unexpected—So I continue to live in hope of it.
You have not disappointed me—I guessed Zeti were Boudoirs—as I wrote in fronti Libri—“Lino nova architectura mubasse  videtur Les Boudoirs” but I could not recollect the word—although—I was not uninformed of the Diætæ and their Diætorii—my frend Adams must know it and will Explain it. I Sincerly thank you for it So too for the passage of Plinÿ—whose Letters I do not possess—neither can I obtain them here.
I was not entirely a Stranger to the modern abuse of these apartments in France—and should conjecture—that the Romans—in that corrupt age—were Scarce more Scrupulous.
I had my knowledge from a curious Italian treatise of Du Cheul di bagni et essercitio antichi 1559—I Shall copy the passage
I Zeti, come Si vedrà per Plinio giovane, che li ha havuti tra le cose piu care, erano luoghi edificati nelle case per ricreamento dal l’animo, e piacere del corpo, onde L’uno era quadro, l’altro di Sei angoli, e l’altro d’otto: di sorte che il sole vi percoteva temperamente dalla matina alla Sera, quantun que i Romani per causa pel troppo calore facessino mettere finestre doppie verso mezo giorno, lequali levavano poi che il sole cominciava a calore. In cosi fatto modo il luogo bene edificato era ornatissimo, chiaro, e pieno di benissimo odori, come una stanza divina, e quivi segretamente pigliavano i Romani tutti i loro diletti: come in luochi secreti e separati dal rumore della casa, e accompagnati da piacevoli e grazisi giardini, portici, e logie per ispassegiare. L’entrata di questi tali luochi non era permessa se non a gran signori, o il padrone medisimo della casa, accompagnato della sua Donna—o da suoi amici—Gentil huomini dotti per ragionare delle Lettere—del la pittura, architettura, e altri arte excellenti—e cosi i Romani si godevano la felicità di questo mondo.
The month. Rep—which you Sent—and their Sollicitations for information induced me to examine once more the Subject of witch–craft—Sorcory &—and to wade thro the clumsy and voluminous work of B. Becker. I regret that H. Farmer did not See it—if all the exuberances of this learned and ingenious work were lopped of—So that it was reduced from a high Quarto to a modest Oct. it would yet be read and Sold—He actually Succeeded in divesting the Devil of all his power—not leaving him existence—but he maintained the damnable heresy of free enquiry—he was a zealous cartesian—for all this—a Deist—a Naturalist—an Atheist—I think He was a man of Superior worth and talents. I must prepare a Short Extract of the Contents of his works for the British press—The Devil’s empire is here yet too well established—to hazard the undertaking. I wish—you could by one of your amanuenses give me a compass view—of the argts of Everard Home Philos. Trans. 1799 part. 2 “that the mamma are formed in the foetus, before the Sex is determined.
And none having endeavoured once more ut sto veni cum Domino suo Priore facior officium saliter, qualiter et Sinam aquam Dei currere Super livram Dei You, I know—will remain—as long as you breathe—notwithstanding my blunders—the obliging frend and Patron of

Fr Adr. vanderkemp.

P.S. Did any of your Clergy look into Basanistes without Shuddering? I have So perused a dissert: of a Prof: in Divinity—de lana caprina “if a man, after a wife’s death may marrÿ her Sister”—I expected arguments—which might convince—I did Search for these but—oleum et operam perdidi—!


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 26 February 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Quincy Feb. 26. 1817

Where the Fine Arts are Studied or practiced there Should be a Trybunal of Criticism always in Session, before which every new production Should be arraigned and tried; by no other laws however than Truth or Nature, and no other penalty than Reputation in the public Opinion.
“Are We not in too great a hurry, in our Zeal for the fine Arts”? This is as noble and beautiful a question, as that of the Accademy of Dijon in 1750. It is not probable that it will soon be discussed in America with larger Views, with more learning or more perfect Eloquence, than it was by J. J. Rousseau and his Antagonists more than half a Century ago.
I am not however of Rousseaux’ Opinion. His Notions of the purity of Morals in Savage Nations and the earliest Ages of civilised Nations are mere Chimeras.
My humble Opinion is that Sciences and Arts have vastly and immensely ameliorated the condition of Man, and even improved his Morals. The progress however has been awfully Slow.
Is it possible to inlist the “Fine Arts,” on the Side of Truth, of Virtue, of Piety or even of Honour? From the dawn of History they have been prostituted to the Service of Superstition and despotism. Read Herodotus, Pausanias, Plutarch, Lucian and twenty others, not forgetting Several of the Christian Fathers and Seen how the fine Arts have been employed. Read Eustace’s classical Tour in Italy.
See there the Fine Arts in perfection. See there the Church of St. Peter! See there the Massacre of St. Bartholomews day in Paris exhibited as an Example!
See there The King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, painted by Raphael, as plunging into a Chaos of matter, and boxing it about with his Fists and kicking it about with his Feet, till he buffets it into an orderly world.
Timæus of Locris ΠEρι ΨΥΧaΣ ΚΟΣΜου. C.1. Ss. 7. is much more rational. His System is “There are three Principles eternal, God, Matter, and Form. God only had Ideas, Reason Logos. And this Logos arranged Matter into Form. It did not hop into Chaos, or Matter and kick and cuff it into order. But the Goodness of God and the eternal Energies of his Logos made the best World he could out of inert Stupid matter.
History and Epic Poetry are worse than Architecture Sculpture Painting, because they are more lasting deceptions.
It is in vain to think of restraining The Fine Arts. Luxury will follow Riches and The Fine Arts will come with Luxury in Spight of all that Wisdom can do.
I know nothing of “The Mysterious Chief.”
I hope the Slaying will soon be good enough for you to visit, Old
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 27 February 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Niles, Hezekiah

Sir
Quincy Feb. 27. 1817

I have been So much gratified with the Specimen of your Register, which you were So kind as to Send me and I recollect So many Extracts from it, that I had Seen in the Newspapers, that I wish to possess the whole.
If you will get the thirteen Volumes, including the Index, decently and Solidly bound, without Elegance and transmitted to me, I will find means to transmit You your own Price.
There are now Communications between Boston and Baltimore, frequent enough, to negotiate this little Business. There is a young Gentleman by the name of Dawes in Baltimore, who I dare Say, would take this Business upon himself.
I will thank you for one Line, containing Yea or nay. Meantime I am with much esteem your / Wellwisher
John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 27 February 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Quincy Feb 27th 1817

Are the works of Apuileus in Harvard College Library or in any other collection in America Have you read his Metamorphosis which he calls his Ass of Gold, his Assinus Aureus, or Asinus Runi.” Among these novels, fables, tales or whatever you please to call them, is his Amours of Cupid and Psyche. Have you read Molier’s Psyche? Have read La Fontaines Psyche? Have you seen a splendid translation of Apuileus’s Psyche into french with thirty drawings of Raphael With all the exquisite Scenes of the Loves of Cupid and Psyche? The immortal Raphael could paint Cupid and Psyche, in the very Act of Love, much better than he did, the Creation; more phylosophically, more physically, more Theologically, more piously, more politically; nay even more graphically.
This Apuleus was a might Character. It was pretended that he wrought Miracles; and his Pagan Disciples had the impudence to compare them to those of Jesus and the Apostles.
Have you read the Commentaries of Beroaldus, of Steweehius, of Colvius, of Elmenhorsius, of Woverius, and of Pricæius, on the Writings of Apuleus?
God is a Spirit, and those who worship him, Should worship him in Spirit: not in Homer, Virgil, Milton, Raphael or Michael Angelo, Tassa, Arisosto or Dante,

John Adams.


Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 28 February 1817
From: Tudor, William, Sr.
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					February 28th. 1817

				My son was particularly gratified with your account of Governor Pownal. His Impressions towards his Character from reading his Work on the Administration of the colonies, were favourable, though vague. He remarked to me, strongly, how valuable  your Letters were, as in this Instance you had given several facts which probably no other Person now living was acquainted with, and which at some future Period might be referred to as an Authority in Support of the Character who had wide, liberal & honest Views, & who was naturally enough overthrown by those who possessed neither.The article on the Jesuits he has also requested me to return his Acknowlegements for, after copying the Manuscript for public Use he has returned me the original, & will do so with all future favours for his American Miscellany, which you shall confide to me. I have placed them on my precious file, & promise to be their faithful Custos.Your introductory account of Loyola compells one to ask—What has not Fanaticism & clerical Ambition effected in all Ages, on that strange Prodigy Man “the Jest & Riddle of the World”? Different Periods have had their different Miracles, Vissions, Prophesies, Witchcrafts and Anathemas, for Credulity, whether learned or ignorant, to believe & tremble at. But I confess I have no Apprehensions about Theological, metaphysical, or ecclesiastical Leagues. Religious Sects are become too numerous and too heterogenious, for pious Phrenzy & idiot Extasies to make any lasting Impressions on civil Communities.Allow me to express a Concern lest you Should have found me neglectful, but a most severe & harrassing Cold & Cough has confined me so many Days to the House that it has incapacitated me from attempting any Thing beyond a little official mechanical Writing.Accept my truest Regards

					Wm Tudor


Title: To John Adams from Gerry Fairbanks, February 1817
From: Fairbanks, Gerry
To: Adams, John

					February 1817

				The undersigned a Committee of Arrangements for a dinner to be given on the fourth of March next, in honor of the election of James Monroe Esqr. to the Presidency of the United States, beg leave to wait on your Excellency—With the day approaching are associated recollections most dear to the heart of the patriot; recollections which bring to our view, what this Country once was, the hours of gloom, of peril & of want she has seen, and the days of prosperity, glory & happiness that have made her great among the nations of the earth. In these recollections and in these scenes, no name is more respected, none stands more conspicuous than that of John Adams. With the sufferings and glory of America that name is connected and will brighten her history as long as her name is remembered.To this national celebration, Your Excellency is the only invited Guest, and the undersigned for the honour of the occasion and to give to the friends of our Country, who will then be assembled, another opportunity of seeing & paying their respects to your excellency, most respectfully invite you to the dinner

					Gerry FairbanksSaml D HarrisWilliam IngallsWilliam A FalesSherman LelandHenry ArneSaml. P GrosvenorNathl. Tracy} Committee of Arrangements


Title: To John Adams from John Trumbull, 3 March 1817
From: Trumbull, John
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					Washington 3d. March 1817

				You will forgive my having so long delay’d to reply to your very kind letter of January 1st., when you know that I have waited until I could write with certainty: and I did not feel that I could do this, until I knew the decision of the house of Representatives on the agreement made with me by the President:—the passing of the Appropriation bill by that house, including a Sum on account of that agreement, sanctions & concludes the transaction.I have now the Satisfaction therefore to acquaint you that unexpected Success has crowned my wishes (to which your cordial approbation contributed not a little.)—and that I am authorized to paint the Declaration of Independance:—the Surrender of Burgoyne:—the Surrender of Cornwallis:—& the resignation of Washington:You will be gratified to See that this Nation has thus departed from the general System, & has given a preference to two great Political & moral Events.—I hope that the Example thus set, will hereafter be followed, in employing the Arts in the Service of Religion Morality & Freedom:These pictures are to be 12 feet high, by 18 feet long, which will admit the principal figures to be large as life:—I shall begin with the Declaration of Independance, & shall exert all the Talent which I possess to produce a Work worthy of the scene, & of the high patronage under which I act:—It is late,—yet I hope that time & health will be allowed me to complete a work which will bind my name to those great Events, & which in its progress will constantly renew the Scenes of my youth, in the society of the greatest and best Men of my Country.May you, my dear Sir, long enjoy health & the veneration of mankind:—in the Memory of Posterity you must always live—With the most sincere Respect & Gratitude / I am Dear Sir / Your obliged & faithful friend & servant

					Jno. Trumbull


Title: To John Adams from Hezekiah Niles, 5 March 1817
From: Niles, Hezekiah
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					Baltimore, March 5. 1817

				I am, indeed, gratified by the receipt of your letter of the 27th ulto. The approbation of those we ourselves reverence for their virtues, is, perhaps, the sweetest reward for our efforts to be useful.Only eleven volumes of the Weekly Register are yet finished. These may be forwarded, if you please, immediately to Boston, & can be easily sent to you, through Mr. Dawes; or by my agent there, Mr. Ballard, editor of the Patriot. The other subsequent volumes & the index may be transmitted through the same channel, when finished; bound to match.Each volume has a copious index already attached to it—but a general index, for the whole, is designed to be published—& to that I presume you allude.We generally understand it here that your great & good son is to return home to take an exalted place in the administration of the government of his country. So far as I know the public sentiment, it would be very agreeable to the people that he should.On this occasion, which, perhaps may be the only one in which opportunity may serve me for the purpose,—I thank you, most honestly, in my own name & in that of my children for that ardent zeal & steady fidelity that distinguished you in the times emphatically said “to have tried men’s souls”—& to express my hope that in the prosperity of a country so beloved & so served you have a satisfaction in your own mind “more precious than rubies.” I am, venerable & respected, Sir, / Sincerely, but with due deference, / your friend
				H Niles


Title: To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 5 March 1817
From: Otis, Harrison Gray
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Georgetown 5 March 1817

				I have the satisfaction to inform you that John Quincy Adams Esq. was this morning nominated Secretary of State, and forthwith agreed to, in Senate, with only one dissenting vote—Mr Crawford continues in the Treasury and Gov Shelby is appointed Secy of War;—Mrs: Otis unites with me in respects to Mrs. Adams and yourself, and hope you have experienced no material inconvenience from the rigour of the Season—I have the honor to be / with great consideration / yr most obedt Servt

					H G Otis


Title: To John Adams from Charles Cushing, 10 March 1817
From: Cushing, Charles
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					Roxbury March 10th: 1817

				To my very great surprise and mortification, I saw in the daily Advertizer a week or ten days since, letters written by you in early life to my Father, and how they ever got abroad or published is wholly a mystery to me, and to our Family; I recollect to have seen them some twelve or fifteen years since, & then they were in a trunk of my father’s, with other private papers, that trunk was in the possession of my Sisters after my Father’s death till July last, when our furniture was sold at Auction, and the trunk then taken into my possession and has ever since been under lock & key; whether it was rifled at the time of the auction, or while in their possession is entirely an enigma to me, & to them, I have made diligent enquiry & cannot get any clue to this atrocity. These epistles, however well founded & well written, and which exhibit the early germ of reputation, that afterwards displayed itself in your high & exalted character, ought not now to be brought forth, to set the yest of Calvinism to work, to interrupt the repose and happiness of your declining life. I regret this publication the more, because I know, if my Father were alive, it would cause him a great deal of pain and anxiety; To you Sir who was the early friend and acquaintance of my Father and of our family, I regret extremely that any thing should have arrisen that has the appearance of a breach of that friendship which ought always to be inviolate; If any other epistles should come to light, rest assured, that they shall be better taken care of.  Present my respects to Mrs: Adams, and with the highest consideration & respect / Your Obt.  / Hume. Sert.

					Chas: Cushing


Title: From John Adams to Charles Cushing, 13 March 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Cushing, Charles

Dear Sir
Quincy March 13 1817

Though the publication of my juvenile Letters to your Father, especially in a Nantucket Gazette is a riddle, a mystery beyond all comprehension; yet as it was impossible for me to Suspect any unkindness in your Family, the friendly Apology in your Letter of the eleventh of this month was unnecessary, though highly gratifying to me
The Letters, while they have afforded some amusement to my Friends, have excited many tender recollections as well as Serious reflections in me, I was like a Boy in a Carrefour in a Wilderness in a Strange Country, with half a dozen roads before him groping in a dark night to find which he ought to take. Had I been obliged to tell your Father the whole Truth, I Should have mentioned Several other pursuits, Farming, Merchandize, Seas, and above all War. Nothing but want of Interest and Patronage prevented me from enlisting in the Army. Could I have obtained a Troop of Horse or a company of Foot I Should infallibility have been a Soldier. It is a problem in my Mind to this day whether I Should have been a Coward or a Hero. However that question may be decided. I am a Friend to you and your Family
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 14 March 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Niles, Hezekiah

Sir
Quincy March 14th 1817

I am obliged to you for your favour of the 5th. the eleven volumes of your Register, shall be paid to your order in Boston or Baltimore as you please, as soon as I receive, or know where they are in Boston. The 12th & 13th shall be paid for in the same manner
Of the destination of my Son I know nothing but by rumour, Whatever may be the determination of government I shall acquire. it is the wish of my heart to see him and his children in America—Your sentiment is correct. My terrestrial existence, can most certainly be, but of momentary duration.
If my  of mind and body were not much decayed, though they were never very smart, or very bright, I would give you some hints to convince you, that my opinion, that the true history of the revolution was lost, was not without probability
I wish to make as little noise as possible, and therefore request that this letter & all that I may write in future may not be published, but considered confidential at least during the life of
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 17 March 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Quincy Mar. 17. 1817

Have you read certain Strictures upon Painters and Paintings in the Newspapers? What do you think of them?
I am pleased with his gratitude to Copeley, but I believe he was not perfect Master of Copeleys Merit.
There is a Portrait of Justice Dana in his Robebands and Tie Wigg of a Barrister at Law, now no doubt in possesion of his Descendants. There is a full Length Portrait of Governor Adams, probably in possession of his Daughter. The Hon. Mr Quincy has a Portrait of his Grandfather. And there are many others. In these Portraits there is Truth Nature and Fact. You can Scarcely help discoursing with them, asking them questions and receiving Answers.
I wish I could See you oftener, but as I know this is impossible I can only express the regard of
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Trumbull, 18 March 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Trumbull, John

Dear Sir
Quincy, March 18th. 1817.

I thank you for your favour of the 3d. and congratulate you on your success; which I hope and believe will be an honourable and a noble Establishment, though it may not be so lucrative as I wish it, for Life
There is a coincidence of circumstances which affects me very sensibly. A son of Governor Trumbull so meritorious and so conspicuous a character in the Revolution; an Officer of Rank and merit in the Revolutionary Army; a Painter of Warren and Montgomery: is now destined to transmit to Posterity some of its most celebrated military Events; one only merely political.—The dimensions, 18 by 12 appear vast—Though I never past through Antwerp, without gazing at all the Paintings of Reubens, I cannot depend upon my memory to say that even his descent from the Cross, or his Apotheosis of the Virgin exceed these measures.
I have been informed that one of greatest talents of a Painter, is a capacity to comprehend a large space, and to proportion all his figures to it.
Truth, Nature, Fact, should be your sole guide. Let not our Posterity be deluded by fictions under pretence of poetical or graphical Licenses.
Now, Sir, as I have taken the liberty of Friendship to preach to you; I ask your indulgence for a few question or two. Who, of your profession will undertake to paint a Debate or an Argument? Discussions in the Legislature we call Debates; the disputes in the Tribunals of Justice we call Arguments. Who will paint the Arguments, in the Counsell Chamber in Boston in the Month of February 1761 between Mr Gridley and Mr Otis, upon the question of Writts of Assistants? I dare not draw the Characters of Gridley or Otis. The latter, as if he had been inspired with a spirit of Prophecy, laid open to the view of a crouded Audience all that has since happened in America. Here the Revolution commensed. Then and there, the Child was born.
Who will paint Samuel Adams at the head of ten thousand Freemen and Volunteers, with his quivering paralytic hands in the Counsel Chamber shaking the souls of Hutchinson and Dalrymple and driving down to the Castle the two offending Regiments, which Lord North ever afterwards called “Sam. Adamses two Regiments”?
I have known enough of your discretion to believe it unnecessary to  caution you to consider this Letter as confidential from your Friend
John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 19 March 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Dear
Quincy March 19th. 1817

Can you prescribe rules for painting, a perception? A reminiscens,? a judgment? a ratiocination?
Do you think there will ever arise an original Genius who will invent an Art of painting a debate in a Boston Town Meeting, or an Argument at the Bar? It would not be a Wonder, equal to your Jennerian Inoculation!
If Such a Phenominon Should appear, I have a Subject to propose to him.
The local Scene is the Council Chamber in the old State House, commonly called The Townhouse in Boston; an Appartment as respectable as the Scæne of the declaration of American Independence. The Chronology is February Term A.D. 1761.
Then and there was argued the great Question. Mr Gridley and his Pupil, Mr Otis were the disputants. Then and there the “Non Sine Diis animosus Infans” was born. No question ever argued by Demosthenes or Cicero ever had Such Effects upon this Globe. Their oratory was unsuccessfull. James Otis’s tryumphant. What Effects has it produced? I Shudder as the recollection of them; and if I Should give the reins of to my Imagination, in a rapture into futurity, I Should tremble Still more at the prospect.
But to the Picture. Five Judges, with the great Hutchinson at their head as Chief Justice, all arrayed in their Splendid Scarlet Robes, with their broad Bands and immense Judicial Wiggs. Mr Gridley and Mr Otis in their Costume of Barristers, that is to say in their black Gowns, their broad Bands, and Tie Wiggs as Barristers at Law To add to the Magnificence of the Scene, there were too Pictures hung up in the most conspicuous part of the Room, of King Charles the Second and King James the Second, at more than full Length, I believe of Vandyke, in all the Glory of their most Splendid Royal Robes.
Now can a Painter of real Genius wish for a better Subject. All the Coullours of the Rainbow, will be in requistion. The Character of the Age,—or rather of the moment will be precisely ascertained. Bernard and Hutchison had produced this Scenery, Otis was the Soul of the day and the Soul of this Country for ten Years following.
Do you think Such a Picture would be admired endured or tollerated, at this day? I could write you a Volume of Commentaries upon this Letter, historical, political phylosophical and moral: but the forces fail of
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 25 March 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Dr Sir
Quincy March 25. 1817

The great question was “Whether Writs of Assistants, were legal, or illegal; constitutional or unconstitutional”?
“Writs of Assistants”! You will indignantly say. “What are Writs of Assistants”? “I understand no more about Writs of Assistants, than about ‘The great question’.” I believe you; and will endeavour to give you Some hints.
When the British Ministry received from general Amherst his dispatches announcing his conquest of Montreal, and the consequent annihilation of the French Government and Power in America in 1759; they immediately Conceived the design and took the resolution of conquering the English Colonies, and Subjecting them to the unlimited Authority of Parliament. With the intension they Sent orders to the Collector of the Customs in Boston Mr Charles Paxton, to apply to the civil Authority for Writs of Assistants to enable them to command all Sherifs and Constables to attend and aid them in breaking open Houses Stores Shops Cellars, Ships, Bales Trunks, Casks Packages, to search for Merchandises Goods and Wares which had been imported, against the prohibitions, or without paying the Taxes imposed by the Acts of Trade, i.e. by certain Acts of Parliament, which had been procured to be passed by a combination of Selfish Intrigues between North American Governors and West India Planters. These Acts never had been executed, and there never had been a time, when they would have been or could have been obeyed.
Mr Paxton, no doubt consulting with Governor Bernard, Mr Hutchinson and all the principal Crown Officers, thought it not prudent to begin his Operations in Boston. He instructed his Deputy Mr Cockle, in Salem to apply by petition to the Superiour Court, then Sitting in that Town, i.e. in November 1760. Stephen Sewall was Chief Justice. Sewal was a Friend of Liberty civil and religious. He had doubts of the Legality of the Writ; and of the Authority of the Court to grant it. Not one of his Brother Judges uttered Word in favour of it. But as it was an Application on the Part of the Crown, it must be heard and determined. After consultation the Court ordered the question, (“the great question”) to be argued in Boston, at the next february Term. In the mean time Chief Justice Sewall died, and Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson was appointed Chief Justice in his Stead. Every observing and thinking Man know, that it was for the direct purpose of managing “The great question.”
An Alarm was Spred far and wide. The Merchants of Salem and Boston applied to Mr Otis and offered him great Fees to defend them against this terrible menacing Monster. Otis engaged in the cause; but would take no Fees. They engaged also Mr Oxenbridge Thatcher. They applied to Mr Pratt, but he had been Solicited by Mr Paxton, and refused to engage on either Side; but he was present and must have a corner in your Picture. Witt, Sense Imagination, Genius, Pathos Reason Prudence, Eloquence Learning Scienc and immense Reading, hanging bye by the Shoulders on two Crutches covered with a drab great Coat. You must also paint all the Boston Bar Sitting at the Tables in Gowns Bands and Wiggs: and even I, have an ambition of a Seat at that Table looking like a short, thick Arcbishop of Canterbury with a Pen in my hand carefully noting those miserable minutes that Judge Minot has printed in his History with one or two fantastical Expressions interpolated by Jonathan Williams Austin. Would not Copely have made a great Painting of that Counsell Chamber and its Contents? What was the death of Chatham? What was the death of Pearson, to this days exhibition and Exertions? mere baubles.!
Mr Gridley was engaged one Side of the Crown and Supported his Cause with his usual, Learning Ingenuity and dignity. Mr Thatcher argued with usual Sobriety Ingenuity and fluency. But Otis was a flaming Fire. With a promptitude of classical allusians, a depth of reasearch, a profusion of legal Authorities, a prophetic glance of his Eyes in futurity, and a torrent of impetuous overbearing Eloquence, he carried all before him. The Seeds of Independence were Sown. Every Man, of a crouded Audience appeared to me to go away ready to take Arms against Writts of Assistants.
The animosus Infans was American Independence, which was born on that day. You  no doubt know Sir William Jones’s Motto upon Franklins Medal. James Otis was Gridleys Pupil.
Has not the cause of Liberty civil and religious under imprudent management Since 1761 produced Events to make one Shudder? The Reformation of Religion and Government is not yet compleat. It must go on; it will go on; and it ought to go on. But is there not reason to fear, that it will be rashly conducted.? And even conducted with all the discretion of which human Nature is capable; can such powerfull Interests be overcome, and prejudices So deeply rooted be eradicated without great Struggles?
Suzan will comment on your Tons Butts &c
The inclosed Extract will Show how the Refomation is commencing in Cannada, after our glorious Example
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 25 March 1817
From: Tudor, William, Jr.
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Boston March 25th 1817.

				I set out the first of next week on the journey to the South in execution of a State commission to examine the various penitentiaries. I have a desire to visit Washington if time will permit, and will certainly attempt to get there if my brother in law Captain Stewart will accompany me from Philadelphia as he has proposed—I knew Mr Monroe in England, and I may perhaps say he honored me with a degree of intimacy; but Some years have intervened, in which he has been occupied with very important concerns, and any recollection of me may have nearly escaped him. Now if I could be the bearer of a few lines from you, it would be more certain of assuring me a kind reception than any recollection of me even if it existed in its full force—Perhaps I ought to explain with frankness all my views in asking this favor. I have no intention of requesting any thing of the President, because I have not the slightest claim or pretence for doing it—At the same time I must add that an offer of honorable employment, would be one, which neither my circumstances or inclination would allow me to refuse—You will therefore perceive to what extent I am what is called an “office seeker” Should you look over the article of American Books in the next Number of the North American Review, you will readily perceiv see how much I am indebted to your interesting letter to my Father on the subject of Governor Pownal—I wanted honestly to give credit for the information I had received, but I considered your letters as sacred for the present, though I hope they may be the means of giving at a future period correct information to posterity of the true nature & origin of many events that have had such all important bearing on human affairs—It will therefore be in your power to strip me of my borrowed plume, if you please, and I promise to bear the operation from your hand without a murmur—If you have any commands to the South, I shall be happy to be charged with them.With the highest respect, / I am Sir Your hble sert

					W. Tudor jr.


Title: From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 29 March 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Tudor, William, Sr.

Dear Sir
Quincy March 29th. 1817.

Is your daughter, Mrs Stewart, who I am credibly informed is one of the most accomplished Ladies, a Painter? Are you acquainted with Miss Lydia Smith, who I am also credibly informed is one of he most accomplished Ladies and a Painter? Do you know Mr. Sargent? Do you correspond with your old companion in Arms Colo. John Trumbull? Do you think Fisher will be an historical Painter?
Whenever you shall find a Painter male or female, I pray you to suggest a scene and subject
The  Scene is the Council Chamber of the Old Townhouse in Boston. The date is the month of February 1761, nine years before you came to me in Cole lane. As this was five years before you entered Colledge you must have been in the second form of Master Lovells school.
That Council Chamber was as respectable an Appartment and more so too in proposition, than the House of Lords or House of Commons in Great Britain, or that in Philadelphia in which the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
In this Chamber near the fire were seated five Judges with Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson at their head as Cheif Justice, all in their new fresh Robes of Searles English cloth in their broad bands and immense Judicial Wiggs. In this Chamber was seated at a long Table all the Baristers of Boston and its neighbouring County of Middlesex in their Gowns bands & Tye wiggs. They were not seated on Ivory chairs, but their dress was more solemn & more pompous than that of the Roman Senate, when the Gauls broke in upon them. In a corner of the Room must be placed Wit, sense, Imagination, Genius, Pathos, Reason, Prudence, Eloquence, Learning, science and immense Reading, hung by the shoulders on two crutches covered with a cloth great coat, in the person of Mr. Pratt who had been solicited on both sides but would engage on neither, being about to leave Boston forever as Chief Justice of New York.
Two Portraits at more than full length of King Charles the second, and King James the second, in splendid golden frames were hung up in the most conspicuous side of the apartment. If my young eyes or old memory have not deceived me, these were the finest Pictures I have seen. The colours of their long flowing Robes and their Royal Ermines were the most glowing, the figures the most noble & graceful, the features the most distinct & characteristic far superior to those of the King & Queen of France in the Senate Chamber of Congress. I believe they were Vandykes. Sure I am there was no Painter in England capable of them at that time, they had been sent over without frames in Governor Pownals time, but as he was no admirer of Charles’ or James’ they were stowed away in a Garrett among rubbish, till Governor Bernard came, had them cleaned, superbly framed, and placed in Council for the admiration and imitation of all men, no doubt with the concurrence of Hutchinson and all the Junto; for there has always been a Junto. One circumstance more. Samuel Quincy and John Adams had been admitted Barristers at that Term. John was the youngest he should be painted looking like a short thick fat Archbishop of Canterbury seated at the table, with a pen in his hand, lost in admiration, now & then minuting those despicable notes which you know that Jonathan Williams Austin, your fellow student in my Office, stole from my desk and printed in the Massachusetts Spy, with two or three bombastic expressions interpolated by himself; and which your Pupil, Judge Minot has printed in his history.
You now have the stage and the scenery. Next follows a narration of the subject. I rather think that we Lawyers ought to call it a Brief of the cause.
When the British Ministry, received from General received from General Amherst, his dispatches announcing his conquest of Montreal and he consequent annihilation of the French Government and Power in America in 1759. they immediately conceived this design and took the Resolution of conquering the English Colonies, and subjecting them to the unlimited Authority of Parliament. With this view and intention, they send orders and Instructions to the Collector of the Customs in Boston. Mr. Charles Paxton, to apply to the civil Authority for writs of assistants, to enable the Custom house Officers, Tide waiters, Land waiters & all, to command all Sheriffs & Constables, to attend and aid them, in breaking open houses, stores, Shops, Cellars, Ships Bales, trunks, chests, casks, packages of all sorts, to search for goods wares and Merchandizes, which had been imposted against the prohibitions, or without paying the taxes imposed by certain Acts of Parliament called “The Acts of Trade” i.e. by certain Parliamentary Statutes, which had been procured to be passed from time to time for a Century before by a combination of selfish intrigues between West India Planters and North American Royal Governors. These Acts never had been executed, and there never had been a time when they would have been or could have been obeyed.
Mr Paxton, no doubt consulting with Governor Bernard Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson, and all the principal Crown Officers and all the rest of the Junto, thought it not prudent to commence his operations in Boston. For obvious reasons he instructed his deputy Collector in Salem, Mr. Cockle, to apply by petition to the Superior Court in November 1760, then selling in that Town for Writs of Assistants. Stephen Sewall was then Chief Justice of that Court, an able Man, an uncorrupted American and a sound Whig, a sincere friend of Liberty, civil and religious. He expressed great doubts of the legality of such a writ and of the Authority of the Court to grant it. Not one of his brother Judges uttered a word in favour of it, but as it was an application on the part of the Crown, it must be heard and determined—After consultation, the Court Ordered the Question to be argued at the next February Term in Boston, i.e. in 1761.
In the mean time Chief Justice Sewall died, and Lieut. Governor Hutchinson was appointed Chief Justice of that Court in his stead. Every observing and thinking man knew that this appointment was made for the direct purpose of deciding the question, in favour of the Crown, and all others in which it should be interested.
An alarm was spread far and wide. Merchants of Salem & Boston, applied to Mr. Pratt who refused, and to Mr. Otis & Mr. Thacher who accepted, to defend them, against the sensible menacing Monster, the Writ of Assistants. Great fees were offered, but Otis & I believe Thacher, would accept of none. “In such a Cause,” said Otis, “I despise all fees.”
I have given you a sketch of the Stage & the scenery; and a Brief of the cause, or if you like the phrase better, of the Tragedy, Comedy or Farce.
Now for the Actors & Performers. Mr. Gridley argued with his Characteristic, Learning, Ingenuity & Dignity, and said every thing that could he said in favour of Cockle’s Petition, all depending, however on the “If the Parliament of Great Britain is the sovereign Legislator of all the British Empire.”
Mr. Thacher followed him on the other side, and argued with the softness of manners, the Ingenuity, the cool reasoning which were peculiar to his amiable character.
But Otis was a flame of fire! With a promptitude of Classical Allusions, a depth of research, a rapid summary of historical events & dates, a profusion of Legal Authorities, a prophetic glance of his eyes into futurity, and a rapid torrent of impetuous Eloquence he hurried away all before him. American Independence was then & there born. The seeds of Patriots & Heroes to defend the Non sine Diis Animosus Infans; to defend the Vigorous Youth were then & there sown. Every Man of an immense crouded Audience appeared to me to go away, as I did, ready to take Arms against Writs of Assistants. Then and there was the first scene of the first Act of opposition to the Arbitrary claims of Great Britain. Then and there the Child Independence was born. In fifteen years i.e. in 1776. he grew up to Manhood, & declared himself free.
The Court adjourned for Consideration, and after some days at the close of the Term, Hutchinson Cheif Justice arose & said, “The Court has considered the subject of Writs of Assistants, and can see no foundation for such a Writ, but as the practice in England is not known, it has been thought best, to continue the Question to next Term, that in the mean time Opportunity may be given to write to England for Information concerning the subject.” In six months the next Term arrived, but no Judgment was pronounced, nothing was said about Writs of Assitants, no letters from England, and nothing more ever said in Court concerning them. But it was generally reported & understood that the Court clandestinely granted them, and the Custom house Officers had them in their pockets, though I never knew that they dared to produce and execute them in any one instance.
Mr. Otis’s popularity was without bounds. In May 1761. he was elected into the House of Representatives, by an almost Unanimous vote. On that week I happened to be at Worcester attending a Court of Common Pleas of which Brigadier Ruggles was Chief Justice. When the news arrived from Boston, you can have no idea of the consternation among the Government people. Chief Justice Ruggles at dinner at Col. Chandlers on that day, said, “Out of this Election will arise a damn’d Faction, which will shake the Province to its foundation.”
For ten years afterwards Mr. Otis at the head of his Countrys cause, conducted the Town of Boston & the people of the Province with a prudence & fortitude, at every sacrifice of personal interest, & amidst unceasing persecution; which would have done honour to the most virtuous Patriot or Mastyr of Antiquity.
I fear I shall make your refusal of bringing out, the / Old Gentleman.

John Adams.


Title: To John Adams from Joseph Delaplaine, 3 April 1817
From: Delaplaine, Joseph
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Philadelphia April 3d: 1817.

				I have received, within a few days, your portrait, painted by Mr. Morse for me.—I have already informed you that I received an anonymous letter from a lady without date or place of residence, but bearing the Boston postmark, requesting me in urgent terms not to use the portrait for an engraving. Before the portrait arrived, I heard, through various channels, from persons of Boston, that the portrait would not justify me in having an engraving executed from it.—Since the portrait has arrived, a number of respectable gentlemen of Boston have seen it who concur in one opinion, & that is that I ought not to have an engraving from it.—I had some little time since spoken to Mr Greenwood, who was here, on the subject of painting your portrait by himself. Since that period, several gentlemen have suggested the propriety of my writing to Mr. Morse, informing him of the general opinion against his picture & to assure him that my purpose, for I was engaged for the publick, would be much better answered by requesting him to give me a Copy of your portrait which is at your house, or the other that Stuart painted. To be brief, I have written to Mr. Morse on the subject, and also to Mr. Greenwood to whom I have mentioned to  suspend going to your house, till I hear from Mr. Morse. I enclosd my letters to these gentlemen, to your kind care, & beg you to have the goodness to forward them. I understand from his father, that Mr Morse is in Portsmouth N. Hampshire.With the highest respect & regard / I am Dr. Sir, / Your obed. & most hume. servt.

					Joseph Delaplaine


Title: From John Adams to Anne-Louise-Germaine Necker, Baronne [de] Staël-Holstein, 8 April 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Staël-Holstein, Anne-Louise-Germaine Necker, Baronne [de]

Madam
Quincy April 8th 1817

Like other Sinners about to commit an indiscretion I study excuses to quiet my own conscience.
My constant veneration for the characters of your father & mother—The respect I feel for the memory of the Baron de Stael who favoured me, my, consort and daughter—with particular marks of his friendly attention, your obliging politeness to my son in Petersburg and Paris—And above all the delight I have taken received from many of your Writings must be my apology—for introducing—, thought I am wholly unknown to you, Mr. Theodore Lyman Junior—a young gentleman of amiable character, of respectable connections in this country, who is ambitious of paying his respects to you a lady so illustrious in the literary world
With great respect I have the honour to be / Madam your most obedient humble servant
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Leslie Combs, 8 April 1817
From: Combs, Leslie
To: Adams, John

					Dr. Sir.
					Lexington Ky: 8th: April 1817

				I have taken the liberty to send you by mail two books—Kentucky Productions, for your perusal and thro you to be presented to the “Boston Atheneum”—“The philosophy of the human mind,” is thought by some to possessess merit—“The History of the late war in the North West” contains a correct detail of facts & may give some idea of the true Indian character & manners—The distinction which it draws between the Northern & Southern Indians is not sufficiently strong—The former are brave, hardy & enterprising—The latter equally brave, but weak, effeminate & ignorant—The comments of the author evince a contractedness of feeling not so praise worthy as the correctness of his details—If you will have the goodness to hand them to Mr Shale, & tell him to permit Mrs Quincy to see them before he deposits them finally in his rooms, you will confer a favour on sir yours with / high consideration of respect

					Leslie Combs


Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 8 April 1817
From: Tudor, William, Sr.
To: Adams, John

					My dear Sir
					Boston 8th. April 1817

				I do rejoice that “I have brought  out the old gentleman”, & the Public would rejoice with me were they in Possession of all my Letters from Quincy since the 4th. of November last, especially of the two last.There are in the Details of this confidential Correspondence such Traits & Detections of Character, as could not have found their Way into the public Papers of the Day they refer to, & which might furnish important Aids to the Historian who should undertake to give an impartial and true Account of the men, the Rise, & Causes of our extraordinary Revolution. You have truly fixed the Birth of American Independence, & you might have added that you stood one of its most active Sponsors; & faithfully redeemed the sacred Pledge.I well remember that the Answer, given to Mr. Hutchinson’s elaborate Argument to justify the supreme, absolute & uncontroulable Authority of the British Parliament over the Colonies in all Cases whatsoever—what was ascribed to your Pen, although not a member of the provincial Legislature at the time it was drafted, adopted & sent to the Man who had occasioned it. This Opinion was at first whispered, but was afterwards confirmed by every Man  who was a Judge of legal Lore, & energetic Language. The Pamphlets & the Gazettes of that Period are to be found in the Historical Library in Boston.The Letter of the 8th. of March which describes in such nervous Language your Feelings on the subject of it, forestall’d one of my Inquiries, which I had intended to have sent you. That interesting Letter, with the one proposing a Subject for an American historical Picture, have determined me to cease from fatiguing you with Questions, but to pray you to indulge me only with such Details as best comport with your own Reflections, & which remain wholly with yourself, for who else among your early contemporary Patriots is left!Will you allow me one Sentence on the Politicks of the Day? What think you of President Munroe’s new Secretary of State? Such an Appointment on entering into his elevated Office certainly augurs well to the Country. Old Massachusetts may again stand on exalted Ground in Despight of Self created Juntos, or vulgar Faction.

					Wm Tudor


Title: From John Adams to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 11 April 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

No. 7
My dear Sir
Quincy April 11. 1817

Mr Paudlin, transmitted your kind introductory Letter to me from New York, and I presume went to the Southward. Whenever he comes to the Northward I Shall be very glad to receive him. An Architect I am Sure is wanted at Washington.
Mr Theodore Lyman junior, Son of a Gentleman of Fortune and Consideration in Boston, will have the Honour to bear this Letter. His Manners are as modest as his Character is excellent. I Should be greatly obliged to you, if you will communicate to me a List of the Writings of Mr Tracy and inform me whether He Still lives. I also have a Strong Curiosity to know the Rank Station and Character of Mr Dupuis who has written a work of immense Learning upon Universal Religion, and whether Mr Dupuis Still lives, and where the Works of these great Writers can be purchased.
France I hope will soon be restored to her usual happiness and Dignity, and that the friendly Sentiments and Intercourse between your two Countries will be perpetual is the ardent Wish of your Friend
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Eliv Ripley, 14 April 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Ripley, Eliv

Dear Sir
Quincy April 14th 1817

I am greatly obliged to you for your kind letter of the 10th. of Feb’y, & you cannot be more sensible deeply impressed, than I am with a sense of the great importance of its contents.
New England could never be said to have a commanding influence in the counsels of the Union. In times when she has been constantly obliged to make many concessions beyond the bounds of justice to herself, to the southern & middle States, in order to get along with the public. But the unequal progress of population arising partly from accessions of foreigners & partly from emigrations from New England have given such a decisive majority of numbers against her that she now lies at the mercy. To this unfortunate result, several causes have conspired. Although, from the annihilation of the French power in America in 1759 to 1775—the principal opposition to the British design of enslaving us was in Boston at the head of New-England, there was a very powerful party fanatically attached to Great Britain & that Party has been constantly though covertly animated with an inveterate hatred against every man who was conspicuous in the revolution—They have had the address while they have enriched themselves with enormous wealth, to impoverish & ruin the families of all the whigs & what is worse, with infernal malice, they have belied & blackened their characters with posterity. “If,” the strong points of party in “the East appear” they do but appear, “in a measure to be abandoned” in a measure to be abandoned Incedis per ignes Supposites cineri doloso. Since the date of your letter Mr. Monroe has called J Q A—to his counsels. All I can say is, I hope you will all watch over him & assist him in doing his duty in the office to which he is appointed, leaving the future to Providence & the people. I will hazard an opinion, & that is that he will have enemies more in number & more insidious in character in New-England than in any other section of the nation. I may be too jealous for I must acknowledge. I have not heard or read of any opposition or complaint in any part of New-England. I perfectly agree with you, that the contrast between the Policy of Virginia & that of Massachusetts is very striking, Virginians I have seen for more than 40 years, supporting each other; and Massachusitensians tearing one-another to pieces. The national Government has gained one advantage in Connecticut, & it is no small humiliation, for the disaffected, to be compelled to have recourse to such a character as Gen Brooks, who is not the man of their dear delight, 17 or 18 years ago I nominated him to be a national General, when they would not approve him.
Sympathizing with you in the loss of a learned & excellent Grandfather & my very good friend President Wheelock, I am, Sir with great esteem your obliged servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 15 April 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Tudor, William, Sr.

Dear Sir—
Quincy April 15th 1817—

I have received your obliging favour of the 8th. but cannot consent to your resolution to ask no more questions. Your questions revive my sluggish memory—. Since our national Legislature have established a national Painter, a wise measure for which I thank them, my imagination runs upon the art & has already painted I know not how many historical pictures. I have sent you one give me leave to send you another. The bloody rencounter between the citizens & the soldiers on the 5th  March 1770, produced a tremendous sensation throughout the town & country. The people assembled first at Fanieul Hall & adjourned to the old South church to the number, as was conjectured, of ten or 12 thousand men among whom were the most virtuous, substantial, independent, disinterested, & intelligent citizens. They formed themselves into a regular deliberative body, chose their moderator & Secretary, entered into discussions, deliberations & debates, adopted resolutions appointed committees. What has become of these records, Mr. Tudor? Where are they? Their resolutions in public were conformable to those of every man in private, who dared to express his thoughts or his feelings “that the regular soldiers sh’d be banish’d from the town at all hazards.” Jonathan Williams, a very pious, inoffensive & conscientious gentleman was their moderator. A Remonstrance to the Gov— or the Gov— & council was ordain’d, & a demand that the regular troops should be removed from the town. A committee was appointed to present this remonstrance, of which Samuel Adams was the chairman.
Now for the picture. The theatre & the scenery are the same with those at the discussion of writs of assistants. The same glorious portraits of king Charles the 2d the & king James the 2d; to which might & sh’d be added little, miserable likenesses of Gov Winthrop, Gov Broadstreet, Gov Endicott & Gov Belcher, hung up, in obscure corners of the room. Lieut Gov— Hutchinson, Commander in chief in the absence of the Gov—must be  placed at the head of the council table. Lieut Col— Dalrymple, commanderin chief of his majesty’s military forces taking rank of all his majesties military forces counsellors must be seated by the side of the Lieut Gov— & commander in chief of the province. Eight & twenty counsellors must be painted, all seated at the council board. Let me see! what costume? What was the fashion of that day? In the month of March? Large white wigs; English, Scarlet cloth cloaks, some of them with gold laced hats, not on their heads indeed in so august a presence, but on the table before them, or under the table beneath them. Before these illustrious personages, appeared Samuel Adams a member of the House of Representatives and their clerk now at the head of the committee of the great Assembly at the Old South. Thucidides, Livy or Sallust would make a speech for him. Or perhaps the Italian Botta, if he had known any thing of this transaction, one of the most important of the revolution but I am wholly incapable of it; & if I had vanity enough to think myself capable of it should not dare attempt it. He represented the state of the town & the country, the dangerous, ruinous & fatal effects of standing armies in populous cities in time of peace, & the determined resolution of the public, that the regular troops at all events should be removed from the town. Lieut Gov— Hutchinson, then commander in chief at the head of a trembling council said “He had no authority over the kings troops” that “they had their separate commander & separate orders & instructions & that he could not interfere with them.” Mr. Adams instantly appealed to the charter of the province, by which the Gov—, & in his absence the Lieut Gov— was constituted commander in chief of all military & naval power within its jurisdiction.” So obviously true & so irrefragible was the reply, that it is astonishing that Mr. Hutchinson should have so grossly betrayed the constitution & so obviously attrociously have violated the duties of his office by asserting the contrary. But either the fears or the ambition of this Gentleman, upon this & many other occasions, especially in his controversy with the two houses, three years afterwards on the supremacy of parliament; appear to have totally disarranged his understanding. He certainly asserted in public, in the most solemn manner, a multitude of the roundest falshoods, which he must have known to be such & which he must have known could be easily & would certainly be detected, if he had not wholly lost his Memory, even of his own public writings. You Mr. Tudor, knew Mr. Adams from your childhood to his death. In his common appearance, he was a plain simple decent citizen of middling stature dress & manners. He had an exquisite ear for music & a charming voice when he pleased to exert it. Yet his ordinary speeches in town meeting in the house of representatives & in congress, exhibited nothing extraordinary, yet, upon great occasions, when his deeper feelings were excited, he erected himself or rather nature seem’d to erect him, without the smallest symptom of affectation into an upright dignity of figure & gesture & gave a harmony to his voice which made a strong impression on spectators & auditors, the more lasting for the purity correctness & nervous elegance of his style. This was a delicate, & a dangerous crisis. The question in the last resort was, whether the town of Boston should become a scene of carnage & desolation or not? Humanity to the soldiers conspired with a regard for the safety of the town, in suggesting the wise measure of calling the town together to deliberate. For nothing short of the most Solemn promises to the people that the soldiers should at all hazards be driven from the town had preserved its peace. Not only, the immense assemblies of the people from day to day: but military arrangements from night to night were necessary to keep the people & the soldiers from getting together by the ears. The life of a red coat would not have been safe in any street or corner of the town. Nor would the lives of the inhabitants have been much more secure. The whole militia of the city was in requisition, & military watches & guards were every where placed. We were all upon a level: No man was eximpted, our military officers were our only superiors. I had the honour to be summoned, in my turn, & attended at the state-house, with my musquet & bayonet, my broad sword & cartridge box, under the command of the famous Paddock. I know you will laugh at my military figure, but I believe there was not a more obedient soldier in the Regiment, nor one more impartial between the people & the regulars. In this character I was upon duty all night in my turn. No man appeared more anxious or more deeply impressed with a sense of danger on all sides than ever, frequently & us  our commander Paddock. He called me, common soldier as I was, frequently to both to his councils. I had a great deal of conversation with him; & no man appeared more apprehensive of a fatal calamity to the town or more zealous, by every prudent measure to prevent it.
Such was the situation of affairs when Samuel Adams was reasoning with Lt Gov Hutchinson & Lt Col Dalrimple. He had fairly driven them from all their outworks breastworks & entrenchments, to their citadel. There they paused & considered & deliberated. The heads of Hutchinson & Dalrimple were laid together in whispers for a long time. When the whispering ceas’d a long & solemn pause ensued, extremely painful to an impatient expecting audience. Hutchinson in time broke silence & He had consulted with Col Dalrymple, & the Col had authorized him to say that he might order one regiment down to the Castle, if that would satisfy the people. With a self recollection a self possession a self command a presence of mind, that was admired by every man present—Samuel Adams arose with an air of dignity and majesty of which he was sometimes capable stretched forth his arm though even then quivering with palsy, &—with an harmonious voice & decisive tone, said “If the Lieut Gov. or Col Dalrimple or both together have authority to remove two & nothing one regiment, they have authority to remove two,—& nothing short of the total evacuation of the town by all the regular troops, will satisfy the public mind or preserve the peace of the province.” These few words thrilled through the veins of every man in the audience & produced the great result, After a little awkward hesitation it was agreed that the town sh’d be evacuated & both regiments sent to the castle. After all this gravity it is merry enough to relate that William Molineaux was obliged to march side by side with the commander of some of these troops: to protect them from the indignation of the people, in their progress to the wharf of embarkation for the castle—Nor is it less amusing that lord north, as I was repeatedly & credibly informed in England, with his characteristic mixture of good humour & sarcasm ever afterwards call’d these troops by the title of “Sam Adams’s two regiments.”
The painter should seize upon the critical moment, when Samuel Adams stretched out his arm, & made his last speech.
It will be as difficult to do him justice as to paint an Apollo, & the transaction deserves to be painted as much as the Surrender of Burgoine. Whether any artist will ever attempt it I know not—
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 19 April 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Quincy April 19 1817

My loving and beloved Friend, Pickering, has been pleased to inform the World that I have “few Friends.” I wanted to whip the rogue, and I had it in my Power, if it had been in my Will to do it, till the blood came. But all my real Friends as I thought them, with Dexter and Gray at their Head insisted “that I Should not Say a Word.” “That nothing that Such a Person could write would do me the least Injury.” That it “would betray the Constitution and the Government, if a President Out or in Should enter into a Newspaper controversy, with one of his Ministers whom he had removed from his Office, in Justification of himself for that removal or any thing else.” And they talked a great deal about “The Dignity” of the Office of President, which I do not find that any other Persons, public or private regard very much.
Nevertheless, I fear that Mr Pickering’s Information is too true. It is impossible that any Man Should run Such a Gauntlet as I have been driven through, and have many Friends at last. This “all who know me know” though I cannot Say “who love me tell.”
I have, however, either Friends who wish to amuse and Solace my old age; or Ennimies who mean to heap coals of fire on my head and kill me with kindness: for they Overwhelm me with Books from all quarters, enough to offuscate all Eyes, and Smother and Stifle all human Understanding. Chateaubriand, Grim, Tucker, Dupuis, La Harpe, Simondi, Eustace A new Translation of Herodotus by Belloe with more Notes than Text.
What Should I do, with all this lumber? I make my “Woman kind” as the Antiquary expresses it, read to me, All the English: but as they will not read the French, I am obliged to excruciate my Eyes to read it myself. And all to what purpose? I verily believe I was as wise and good, Seventy Years ago, as I am now.
At that Period Lemuel Bryant was my Parish Priest; and Joseph Cleverly my Latin School Master. Lemuel was a jolly jocular and liberal Schollar and Divine. Joseph a Scollar and Gentleman; but a biggoted episcopalian of the School of Bishop Saunders and Dr Hicks, a down right conscientious passive Obedience Man in Church and State The Parson and the Pedagogue lived much together, but were eternally disputing about Government and Religion. One day, when the Schoolmaster had been more than commonly fanatical, and declared “if he were a Monark, He would have but one Religion in his Dominion” The Parson coolly replied “Cleverly! You would be the best Man in the World, if You had no Religion.”
Twenty times, in the course of my late Reading, have I been upon the point of breaking out, “This would be the best of all possible Worlds, if there were no Religion in it”!!! But in this exclamation I Should have been as fanatical as Bryant or Cleverly. Without Religion this World would be Something not fit to be mentioned in polite Company, I mean Hell. So far from believing in the total and universal depravity on human Nature; I believe there is no Individual totally depraved. The most abandoned Scoundrel that ever existed, never yet Wholly extinguished his Conscience, and while Conscience remains there is Some Religion. Popes, Jesuits and Sorbonists and Inquistors have Some Conscience and Some Religion. So had Marius and Sylla, Cæsar Cataline and Anthony, and Augustus had not much more, let Virgil and Horace Say what they will.
What Shall We think of Virgil and Horace, Sallust Quintillian, Pliny and even Tacitus? and even Cicero, Brutus and Seneca? Pompey I leave out of the question, as a mere politician and Soldier. Every One of these great Creature has left indelible marks of Conscience and consequently of Religion, tho’ every one of them has left abundant proofs of profligate violations of their Consciences by their little and great Passions and paltry Interests.
The vast prospect of Mankind, which these Books have passed in Review before me, from the most ancient records, histories, traditions and Fables that remain to Us, to the present day, has Sickened my very Soul; and almost reconciled me to Swifts Travels among The Yahoo’s. Yet I never can be a Misanthrope. Homo Sum. I must hate myself before I can hate my Fellow Men: and that I cannot and will not do. No! I will not hate any of them, base, brutal and devilish as Some of them have been to me.
From the bottom of my Soul, I pitty my Fellow Men. Fears and Terrors appear to have produced an universal Credulity. Fears of Calamities in Life and punishments after death, Seem to have possessed the Souls of all Men. But fear of Pain and death, here, do not Seem to have been so unconquerable as fear of what is to come hereafter. Priests, Hierophants, Popes, Despots Emperors, Kings, Princes Nobles, have been as credulous as Shoeblacks, Boots, and Kitchen Scullions. The former Seem to have believed in their divine Rights as Sincerely as the latter. Auto de fee’s in Spain and Portugal have been celebrated with as good Faith as Excommunications have been practiced in Connecticut or as Baptisms have been refused in Phyladelphia.
How it is possible than Mankind Should Submit to be governed as they have been is to me an inscrutable Mistery. How they could bear to be taxed to build the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, the Pyramids of Egypt, Saint Peters at Rome, Notre Dame at Paris, St. Paul’s in London, with a million Etceteras; when my Navy Yards, and my quasi Army made Such a popular Clamour, I know not. Yet all my Peccadillos, never said excited Such a rage as the late Compensation Law!!!
I congratulate you, on the late Election in Connecticutt. It is a kind of Epocha. Several causes have conspired. One which you would not Suspect. Some one, no doubt instigated by the Devil, has taken it into his head to print a new Edition of “The Independent Whig” even in Connecticut, an has Scattered the Volumes through the State. These Volumes it is Said, have produced a Burst of Indignation against Priestcraft Bigotry and Intollerance and in conjunction with other causes have produced the late Election.
When writing to you I never know when to / Subscribe
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Price Greenleaf, 26 April 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Greenleaf, Price

Dear Sir
Quincy April 26th 1817

I thank you for your kind Letter which is received; and for the delicious present which is arrived, and will soon be received.—
As every Specimen of improvement in Agriculture and Manufactures, gives me pleasure, the Cultivation of the Cane, is peculiarly delightfull to me.— You Southern Gentlemen have so many advantages over us, that I fear, our good old Mother, New England will be totally eclipsed. We must make up, in hard labour and daring Enterprize, what we wanted in Gifts of Nature.—
As to the Jocularity upon Us for our love of Sweets; President Washington has completely revenged Us, by declaring freely upon all Occasions that the Southern People loved Molasses as well as the Northern. He delighted in telling an Anecdote; I have heard him more than once; of one of own Virginia Regiments which he had ordered to escort a large quantity of Stores to the Army. A Hogshead of Molasses, broke loose, rolled overboard, burst open; when the Regiment lost all discipline, disbanded themselves, rushed to the ruined Hogshead, Scraped the Molasses from the Ground into their hats and Shoes, to preserve the prescious Nector—
The House of Representatives have adopted Molasses as an Article of Expenditure. Gallons of it are always ready for their Cooling and refreshment, in their glowing Ardours of Patriotism. Members from New Orleans and Tennessee quaff the Beverage as often as those from Connectiicutt or Vermont.— Happy! thrice happy it is for Us, the People! The Lord knows what would be the Consequence of Wine and Water or Brandy and Water!
I hope, my dear Price, you have not forgotten or neglected your French— I assure you it is a principal Amusement Occupation and consolation of my Old Age— If you meet any of my Acquaintance, in the olden time present my Compliments, and receive Assurances of the / Esteem and Affection of
J.A
PS For Heaven sake let the Witts have Molasses for their diversion, rather than Virginian Armories or Hartford Conventions for their Serious deliberations.

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 28 April 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Niles, Hezekiah

Sir
Quincy April 28th 1817

I have received eleven Volumes of your Register, well bound and in good order, for which I have paid 41.D 75C to Mr Ballard, (according to your order,) and I thank you for the promptitude with which you have obliged me.
“Vive la bagatelle”
The light Sketch inclosed, is at this day of no value: not even an object of Curiosity, except on account of the critical moment in which it was crayoned, Six months before the declaration of Independence; and as it was the first printed Essay towards a form of Government in this Country.
As Mr Taylor of Hazel Grove, Portroyal, Virginia, has in his late Work honoured with Several pages of remarks, an imperfect Copy of it; it Seems right that the Public Should possess an authentic one.
If you think it worth a place in your Register you may give it one. If not I pray you to return it to me by the Post. Indeed in any case I wish to have it restored to me as I know of no other Copy of Dunlaps Edition.
You may make what Use You please of this Letter and all its Contents, upon condition you return me my Marble coloured Bagatelle.
I am respectfully your Servant
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 28 April 1817
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Adams, John

					My dear Sir
					Lagrange April 28h 1817

				I Most affectionately partake in the Gratification You are going to derive from the Arrival of Mr and Mrs Quincy Adams with your grand children to the Satisfaction of a father you will join that of a patriot, the Appointment of Your Son to the place of Secretary of State being a great public Advantage. I Refer Myself to Him for European News, in this Extensive Question in Betwen Rights and privileges, their is no doubt but that the former shall Ultimately Succeed. You will Have So Much to Say, to Hear, and to feel when this Reaches You that I must Content Myself with these few words from / Your old affectionate friend

					Lafayette


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Alden, 29 April 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Alden, Timothy

Dear Sir
Quincy April 29th. 1817

You have been kind enough to send me five Numbers of your Allegany Magazine, for which I can only return you my Thanks.
It must be a very useful Publication in your Neighbourhood, and there are curious papers preserved in it. I should willingly become one of your Subscribers, but I am already bound by so many Subscriptions and have so many demands for the Subsistence of my Family, that I can go no farther.— As it must be an expence to you, which,  can never be repaid by me, I pray you to Spare yourself the Trouble and the cost for the future.—
In your Number for April you have inserted a “Genealogical Notice.” Have you considered, Sir the Jealousy, which such Things excite, as yet, in our Nation? The Cry of Aristocracy and monarchy is instantly excited by the Slightest trace of Geneology—
There is yet one Error. The Rev’d Joseph Adams my oldest Uncle died at 96. not 93. He was born in 1688 the Year of the  Revolution in England. He died in 1784. He must then have been 96. at his death. My Father his first Brother, was born in February 1691 and died in May, 25th 1761 aged Seventy and a few months. Two years or perhaps a little more, younger than his oldest Brother.—I wish the most perfect success, to your virtuous and laudable Labours,— / being with great Regard / your Servant

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to William Temple Franklin, 5 May 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, William Temple

Dear Sir
Quincy May 5. 1817

The Volume of Dr Franklins Correspondence has Seemed to make me live over again my Life at Passy
I rejoice that the Public are to have a compleat Edition of his Works, for there is Scarce a Scratch of his Pen that is not worth preserving.
I am pleased to See you, at length appearing on the Stage of human Affairs.
I presume, upon the Virtue of old Acquaintance to introduce to you Mr Theodore Lyman junior of Boston who will not disgrace Your Country, and you will not regret to know or to have known him.
As I am within a year or two of the Age of Dr Franklin at his Decease I cannot expect to See the Sequel of his Works: but if ever you visit your native Country, a visit from you will greatly oblige your old and Sincere / Friend
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to William Vaughan, 5 May 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Vaughan, William

Dear Sir
Quincy May 5th 1817

A Reminiscence, as the French phrase it, of Civilities received from you and your Brothers, whenever I have met them in France England or America, emboldens, me to introduce to you a Gentleman of Virtuous Character and Worthy Connections. Mr Theodore Lyman Junr of Boston. He is modest, Studious and inquisitive.—
I have had this Winter the pleasure of a Visit from your Brother and his Lady, and of meeting them once with their Daughter at Mr Boylstons.—I wish we were nearer together. The Family is, and ought to be an Example in this Country.—When I look back upon my past life in America, France and Spain Holland and England, and miss almost all my Acquaintance: I cannot help Sometimes, exclaming “Why? and for what purpose am I preserved? Yet I am not unhappy or discontented. I am not only willing to bear the burthens of Life as long as my Master shall please to impose it: but I thank him for continuing for as long as can enjoy it.—And when I cannot, I shall humble beseech him to conclude it.—I am, Sir, with grateful Sentiments and pleasing Recollections / your Friend
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1817
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Monticello.
May 5. 17.
Absences and avocations  had prevented my acknoleging your favor of Feb. 2. when that of Apr. 19. arrived. I had not the pleasure of recieving the former by the hands of mr Lyman. his business probably carried him in another direction; for I am far inland, & distant from the great line of communication between the trading cities. your recommendations are always welcome, for indeed the subjects of them always merit that welcome, and some of them in an extraordinary degree. they make us acquainted with what there is of excellent in our ancient sister state of Massachusets, once venerated and beloved, and still hanging on our hopes, for what need we despair of after the resurrection of Connecticut to light and liberality. I had believed that, the last retreat of Monkish darkness, bigotry, and abhorrence of those advances of the mind which had carried the other states a century ahead of them. they seemed still to be exactly where their forefathers were when they schismatised from the Covenant of works, and to consider, as dangerous heresies, all innovations good or bad. I join you therefore in sincere congratulations that this den of the priesthood is at length broken up, and that a protestant popedom is no longer to disgrace the American history and character. if, by religion, we are to understand Sectarian dogmas, in which no two of them agree, then your exclamation on that hypothesis is just, that this would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it: but if the moral precepts, innate in man, and made a part of his physical constitution, as necessary for a social being, if the sublime doctrines of philanthropism; and deism taught us by Jesus of Nazareth in which all agree, constitute true religion, then, without it, this would be, as you again say, “something not fit to be named, even indeed a Hell.You certainly acted wisely in taking no notice of what the malice of Pickering could say of you. were such things to be answered, our lives would be wasted in the filth of findings and provings, instead of being employed in promoting the happiness and prosperity of our fellow citizens. the tenor of your life is the proper and sufficient answer. it is fortunate for those in public trust that posterity will judge them by their works, and not by the malignant vituperations and invectives of the Pickerings and Gardeniers of their age. after all, men of energy of character must have enemies: because there are two sides to every question, and taking one with decision, and acting on it with effect, those who take the other will of course be hostile in proportion as they feel that effect. thus in the revolution, Hancock and the Adamses were the raw-head and bloody bones of tories, and traitors; who yet knew nothing of you personally but what was good.—I do not entertain your apprehensions for the happiness of our brother Madison in a state of retirement. such a mind as his, fraught with information, and with matter for reflection, can never know ennui. besides, there will always be work enough cut out for him to continue his active usefulness to his country. for example, he and Monroe (the president,) are now here on the work of a collegiate institution to be established in our neighborhood, of which they and myself are three of six Visitors. this, if it succeeds, will raise up children for mr Madison to employ his attentions thro’ life. I say, if it succeeds; for we have two very essential wants in our way 1. means to compass our views & 2dly. men qualified to fulfill them. and these you will agree are essential wants indeed.I am glad to find you have a copy of Sismondi, because his is a field familiar to you, and on which you can judge him. his work is highly praised, but I have not yet read it. I have been occupied and delighted with reading another work, the title of which did not promise much useful information or amusement, l’Italia avanti il dominio dei Romani dal Micali. it has often you know been a subject of regret that Carthage had no writer to give her side of her own history, while her wealth, power, and splendor prove she must have had a very distinguished policy and government. Micali has given the counterpart of the Roman history for all the nations over which they extended their domination. for this he has gleaned up matter from every quarter, and furnished materials for reflection, and digestion to those who, thinking as they read have percieved there was a great deal of matter behind the curtain, could that be fully withdrawn. he certainly gives new views of a nation whose splendor has masked and palliated their barbarous ambition. I am now reading Botta’s history of our own revolution. bating the antient practice, which he has adopted, of putting speeches into mouths which never made them, and fancying motives of action which we never felt, he has given that history with more detail, precision and candor than any writer I have yet met with. it is to be sure compiled from those writers; but it is a good secretion of their matter, the pure from the impure, and presented in a just sense of right in opposition to usurpation.—Accept assurances for mrs Adams and yourself of my affectionate esteem and respect.Th: Jefferson


Title: From John Adams to Leslie Combs, 12 May 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Combs, Leslie

Sir
Quincy May 12th. 1817

I have received “the history of the late war in the western country by Mr Robert B McAffe” and “the philosophy of human nature by Mr Joseph Buchanan; both of the growth, production, & manufacture of Kentucky.”
I rejoice to see literature following the steps of patriotism & heroism, in a region, which since my memory, was a simple wilderness, inhabited only by the children of nature
I have shewn these volumes to Mr Shaw, and Mr Quincy and will transmit them to the Atheneum channel you have prescribed. Would it not be well to send a few copies of these works to Boston for sale. I should like to purchase a copy of each, because it has been one of the maxims of my life, for more than sixty years, Never to be afraid of a book. I am Sir though a stranger, with much respect your obliged Servant

John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 May 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Quincy May 18. 1817

Lyman was mortified that he could not visit Monticello. He is gone to Europe a Second time. I regret that he did not See you, He would have executed any commission for you in the litterary line, at any pain or any expence. I have many Apprehensions for his health, which is very delicate and precarious. But he is Seized with the Mania of all our young etherial Spirits, for foreign travel. I fear they will loose more than they will acquire. They will loose that unadulterated Enthusiasm for their native Country which has produced the greatest Characters among Us.
Oh! Lord! Do you think that a Protestant Popedom is annihilated in America.? Do you recollect, or have you ever attended to the ecclesiastical Strifes in Maryland Pensilvania, New York, and every part of New England? What a mercy it is, that these People cannot whip and crop, and pillory and roast, as yet in the U.S.? If they could they would.
Do you know that The General of the Jesuits and consequently all his Host have their Eyes on this Country? Do you know that the Church of England is employing more means and more Art, to propagate their demipopery among Us, than ever? Quakers, Anabaptists Moravians, Swedenborgians, Methodists, Unitarians, Nothingarians in all Europe are employing underhand means to propagate their Sectarian System in these States.
The multitude and diversity of them, you will Say, is our Security against them all. God grant it. But if We consider that the Presbyterians and Methodists are far the most numerous; and the most likely to unite let a George Whitefield arise, with a military cast, like Mahomet, or Loyola, and what will become of all the other Sects who can never unite.?
My Friends or Enemies continue to overwhelm we with Books. Whatever may be their intension, charitable or otherwise, they certainly contribute, to continue me to vegetate, much as I have done for the Sixteen Years last past.
Sir John Malcoms History of Persia, and Sir William Jones’s Works are  now poured out upon me and a little cargo is coming from Europe. What can I do with all this learned lumber? Is it necessary to Salvation to investigate all the Cosmogonies and Mythologies? Is Bryan Gebelin, Dupuis, or Sir William Jones, right.?
What a frown upon Mankind, was the premature death of Sir William Jones? Why could not Jones and Dupuis have conversed or corresponded with each other? Had Jones read Dupuis, or Dupuis Jones, the Works of both would be immensely improved though each would probably have adhered to his System.
I Should admire to See a Counsel, composed of Gebelin, Bryant Jones and Dupuis. Let them live together and compare Notes. The human race ought to contribute to furnish them with all the Books in the Universe, and the means of Subsistence.
I am not expert enough in Italien to read Botta, and I know not that he has been translated. Indeed I have been so little Satisfied with Histories of the American Revolution, that I have long Since, ceased to read them. The Truth is lost, in adulatory Panegyricks, and in vituperary Insolence.
I wish you, Mr Madison and Mr Monroe Success, in your Collegiate institution. And I wish that Superstition in Religion exciting Superstition in Politicks, and both united in directing military Force, alias glory may never blow up all your benevolent and phylanthropic Lucubrations. But the History of all Ages is against you.
It is said, that no Effort in favour of Virtue, is ever lost. I doubt whether it was ever true; whether it is now true; but hope it will be true. In the moral Government of the World, no doubt it was, is, and ever will be true: but it has not yet appeared to be true on this Earth.
I am Sir, Sincerely your friend
John Adams
P.S. Have you Seen the Phylosophy of human Nature, and the History of the War, in the Western States, from Kentucky: How vigorously Science and Litterature Spring up, as well as Patriotism and Heroism in transalleganian Regions? Have You Seen Wilkensons History? &c. &c. &c.

J.A.


Title: From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 18 May 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Tudor, William, Sr.

Quincy May 18th. 1817

I pretend not to preserve any order, in my Letters to you. I give you hints, as they accidently occur to me, which, an hundred years hence, may be considered as Memoires pour Servir a l’histoire des Etas Unis.—I am about to write to you the most melancholly Letter, I ever wrote in my Life. One, which the most deeply touches my Soul with Greif.—And now, I know not where to begin, nor how to end. Volumes would be necessary to explain my meaning, and express my feelings. But Volumes are out of the question with a man in his Seventeenth Lustre, at least, if he has not the Copyists and the revenues of Voltaire at Fernay.—I must be brief. Let the Biography of James Otis, of Samuel Adams of Oxenbridge Thatcher, of John Hancock of Thomas Cushing be honestly, Candidly and impartially drawn. You and I could descend to many less conspicuous, tho less perhaps not less essential Characters.—
Let the History of these Men be detailed, Struggling against the real power, and usurped, and pretended Authority of the British Empire, and the whole Influence of the Government of this Province of Massachusetts Bay, Executive Legislative and Judiciary, from 1761. to 1775, insulted, calumniated Slandered, belied, thwarted oppressed in every possible Way which jesuitical and Machiavillian Subtilty could contrive or unprincipled arbitrary power execute. Let their patience their perseverance, and the result of these Virtues be remembered.—Let the prosecutions they suffered and the Assassinations they escaped be recorded. Let the Biography of Otis Samuel Adams and John Hancock—from 1761 to 1776. be written.—
Then Let an History of the treatment of their Characters and Memories, since and even during the Revolution be written—Now for the reverse of the Medal.—
When I was President and Vice President, and since, I have been invited, repeatedly, to Festivals in Phanuel Hall. I have there seen the Portrait of Hamilton exalted to the most conspicuious station, and the Second at least in dignity: and after long and eager gazing I found a pitiful Picture of Governor Adams in one obscure Corner, and another of Governor Hancock in another, Washington, to be sure, blazed in the first place.—
What were my feelings? Can you imagin them? I did not wish the Building, and all its contents burnt: But I recollected the time when I had seen it in flames in one of our Coldest nights and fiercest Winds, and had almost frozen myself to death by handing Buckets to extinguish them. Thought I to myself, if all the Company was safe, and the Apartment empty of all but the Pictures an the house on fire, I could not with much  Alacrity hazard my Life to save it—They manage these matters very differently in Virginia. They neither Stone their Prospects nor disgrace them. However they differ in Opinion they do not revile each other Massachusetts by her Injustice to her Saviour, has lost her Weight, and never will recover it, till she is more honest, more wise and more Consistent—
But what are these things to your Friend who is interested in them only as simply “Homo”
John Adams—


Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 18 May 1817
From: Tudor, William, Jr.
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Boston May 18th 1817

				I was going to trouble you with a letter on the subject of a continuation of the remarks on the Jesuits, which it would I presume be desireable for the Editor to receive by the first of next month, as the number for July will then go to press, when my Father gave me your letter of the 15th inst. to read. The pamphlet you mention of Hutchinson’s I have never seen. I am going to prepare an article in continuation on the subject of “American Books”, would you be willing to make yourself some comments on this pamphlet, and have it go as part of the article—In this case it would be necessary to what the painters call the keeping of the communication, that you should endeavour to reduce yourself in some degree to the level of my style, so that the superiority of your portion should not be so immediately obvious, as to form an accusation against me—I have recently delivered a discourse before the Humane Society, which is now publishing, with some notes in which I have ventured to attack the lamentable misdirection of many of our charities as they are called, though in reality they are any thing else but charity—I shall have the honor of sending you a copy, and if I should be subject to some pious illwill, on this account, it would be a consolation to know that you thought me right; as your mind is not confined to the present, but embraces the future as well as the past, its opinions are of vastly greatly value, than those of fanatics however pure their motives, who are wholly intent on temporary objects.I have given up the North America Review, which is however continued, and I think improved. I shall contribute to it so long as it avoids lending itself to either religious or political faction—I conducted it two years gratis, which was my share of gratuitous labour. Most of the publishers of books in the United States are the enemies of American literature; if they encouraged that, they would be obliged to share the profits with the American author. The English books they get for nothing, and therefore publish any trash they can lay their hands on, if it only bears the name of some favorite author. The taste of the public, or rather its prejudices support this system, though I think there are symptoms of their being gradually weaned from this folly—With the highest respect, I remain Sir, / Your Mo hble sevt

					W. Tudor Jr.


Title: To John Adams from James Madison, 22 May 1817
From: Madison, James
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					Montpellier 22 May 1817.

				I have recd. your favor of the 22d Ult: with the two vols. bearing the name of Condorcet. If the length of time they remained in your hands, had been in the least inconvenient to me, which was not the case, the debt would have been greatly overpaid, by the interesting observations into which you were led by the return of them.The idea of a Government “in one center” as explained and espoused by that Philosopher, and his theoretic associates, seems now to be every where exploded. And the views which you have given of its fallacy, will be a powerful obstacle to its revival any where. It is remarkable that in each of our States, which approached nearest to the Theory, changes were soon made, assimilating their constitutions to the examples of other States, which had placed the powers of Government in different depositories, as means of controuling the impulse and sympathy of the passions, and affording to reason, better opportunities for asserting its prerogatives.The great question now to be decided, and it is one in which humanity is more deeply interested than in any political experiment yet made, is, whether checks and balances sufficient for the purposes of order, justice, and the general good, may not be created by a proper division and distribution of power, among different bodies, differently constituted, but all deriving their existence from the elective principle, and bound to fidelity by the responsibility of their Trusts. The experiment is favored by the extent of our Country which prevents the sudden contagions of evil passions; and by the combination of the federal with local systems of Government, which multiplies the divisions of power, and the mutual checks by which it is to be kept within its proper limits and direction. In aid of these considerations, much is to be hoped from the force of opinion and habit as these ally themselves with our political Institutions. I am running however into reflections, without recollecting that all such must have fallen within the comprehensive reviews which your mind has taken of the principles of our Government and the prospects of our Country.I have been always much gratified by the favorable opinion you have been pleased occasionally to express of the public course pursued, whilst the Executive trust was in my hands, and I am very thankful for the kind wishes you have added to a repetition of it. I pray you to be assured of the sincerity with which I offer mine, that a life may be prolonged, which continues to afford proofs of your capacity to enjoy and make it valuable.

					James Madison