Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 30 May 1817
From: Tudor, William, Sr.
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					Boston 30th. May 1817

				Your finale on Mr. Hutchinson’s Character was duly received. If I rightly remember, the Governor soon after dissolving the Provincial Assembly, retired or rather fled to England to shelter himself from the  approaching Storm, & secure his hard earned Reward. The few Years of the revolutionary War which he lived must have embittered his declining Days marked by Neglect, & Disappointment. Mortified that his Prophesies had turned out Dreams, & his pretended Knowlege of his Countrymen found to be the meer deceptive Efforts of a criminal Ambition.And now for a Word or two concerning Faneuil Hall, & it’s Pictures. There are but two, one is a Portrait of the founder of the Structure, painted & placed there sixty years after his Death. And the other presented to the Town by a usurious Citizen to gratify his own Vanity. If We must have Pictures, I want one, drawn by the historic Muse, of the Man who from his first listening  with Enthusiasm to the Eloquence of Otis, caught the Strain, & cherished the sacred fire of Freedom untill he conducted his County to it’s unqualified Possession: Of the man whom no Menaces could intimidate, nor Corruption divert. Whose Life  has been spent in political Instruction & practical Usefulness; Who could rouse Cowardice, & invigorate Despondency. And whilst he was the first to dare, led the little Senate of his oppressed Country to declare, & undauntedly pursue, the Independence & Sovereignty of the United States: Of the Man, who alone, could persuade Dutchmen to loan Millions, & their wary Government to embark in a War against the vindictive & powerful Enemy of his impoverished & bleeding Country: Of the Statesman who urged & signed the Treaty that conquered Peace & secured the extensive Regions of the new Empire, and after arriving at the Supreme Magistracy of an ennobled & prosperous Government, retreated to his Farm  & his Books, with the first of all consolitary Reflections, the Mens conscia Recti, & having devoted forty years of his Life in the Discharge of the most important Functions that can fall to the Lot of Man.Excuse this Sketch. Your last Letter has provoked it. Canvas & Paint are perishable Articles. History & Truth are immortalI never profoundly admired either Mr. S. A. or Mr. H. The one had too much sterness, & pious Bigotry, & the other a larger Share of Vanity & Caprice than comported with my younger Ideas. Of Mr. T. the present Generation know Nothing. Of the high spirited O. after 1771—We have only to lament his physical, moral & mental Misfortunes. Alass how fallen! fallen, fallen!I am most truly & affectionately / Yours

					Wm Tudor


Title: From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 31 May 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Tudor, William, Sr.

Dear Sir.
Quincy May 31st. 1817

I have this moment received your favour of yesterday. In some future Letter I must write you an Apology for S. Adams and J. Hancock: which your inherent good nature will not reject. Please to give to your Son the inclosed Inquiston, with / Cordial regards of,
John AdamsWe have this Moment the news of J Q A Acceptance, and hopes to embark in all May—


Title: From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 1 June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Tudor, William, Sr.

Quincy June. 1st. 1817

That Mr Hutchinson repented, as sincerely as Mr Hamilton did, I doubt not. I hope the Repentance of both has been accepted and their fault pardoned. And I hope I have repented, do repent and shall ever repent of mine and meet them both in an other World, where there will need no Repentance. Such vicissitudes of Fortune command, compassion; I pitty even Napolion. You never profoundly admired Mr Hancock. “He had Vanity and Caprice.” I can say with Truth, that I profoundly admired him, and more profoundly loved him. If he had Vanity and Caprice; so had I. And if his Vanity and Caprice made me sometimes Sputter, as you know they often did; mine, I well know, had often a similar effect upon him. But these little fleckerings of little passions determine nothing concerning essential Characters.—I knew Mr Hancock from his cradle to his Grave. He was radically generous and benevolent.—He was born in this Town, half way between this House and our Congregational Temple, Son of a Clergiman of this Parish, and Grandson of a Clergiman of Lexington, both of excellent Characters. We were at the Same School together, as soon as we were out of Peticoats. His Father died when he was very young. His Uncle, the most Oppulent Merchant in Boston, who had no children, adopted him, placed him in Mr Lovels School, Educated him at Harvard Colledge, and then took him into his Store. And what a School was this? four large Ships constantly plying between Boston and London, And other Business in proportion. This was in 1755. He became an Example to all the Young Men of the Town. Wholly devoted to Business, he was as regular and punctual at his Store as the Sun in his Course.
His Uncle sent him to London, from whence after a Residence of about a year, he returned to his Store with the Same habits of Business, Unaltered in manners or deportment and pursued his Employments with the same punctuality and Assiduity, till the Death of his Uncle, who left him his Business, his Credit, his Capital, and his Fortune; who did more, he left him the Protector of his Widow. This Lady, though her Husband left her a handsome Independence, would have Sunk into Oblivion, like so many other most excellent Widows, had not the public Attention been fastened upon her by the Fame of her Nephew. Never was a Nephew to an Aunt more affectionate, dutiful, or respectful.—
No alteration appeared in Mr Hancock, either from his Talents Travels in England or from his accession to the fortune of his Uncle. The Same Steady, regular, punctual, industrious, indefatigable Man of B. And to compleat his Character with the Ladies, always genteelly dressed, According to the fashions of those days—
What shall I say of his Fortune? His ships, his Commerce was a great one—Your honoured Father told me at that time that not less than a thousand Families were every day in the Year, dependent on Mr Hancock for their dayly bread—Consider his real Estate in Boston, in the Country, in Connecticut, and the rest of New England—Had Mr Hancock fallen a Sleep to this day, he would now awake one of the richest Men.—Had he persevered in Business as a private Merchant, he might have erected a House of Medicies. Providence, however, did not intend or permit, in this Instance, such a Calamity to Mankind.—Mr Hancock was the delight of the Eyes of the whole Town.—There can be no doubt, that he might have had his choice, and he had his Choice of a Companion; and that Choice was very natural, a grand Daughter of the Great Patron and most revered Friend of his Father. Beauty, Politeness, and every domestic Virtue justified his predilection.—
At the time of this Prosperity I was one day walking in the Mall and accidentally met Samuel Adams. In taking a few turns together, we came in full view of Mr Hancock’s House.—Mr Adams, pointing to the Stone Building, Said, “This town has done a wise Thing to day. What? They have made that young Man’s Fortune their own.” His Prophecy was litterally fulfilled; for no man’s property was ever more entirely devoted to the publick.—The Town had that day Chosen Mr Hancock into the Legislature of the Province. The quivering Anxiety of the Publick under the fearfull Looking for, of the Vengeance of King, Ministry, and Parliament, compelled him to a constant Attendance in the House; his mind was soon engrossed by public Cares, Alarms, and terrors; his Business was left to Subalterns; his private Affairs neglected and continued to be so, to the end of his life.—If his Fortune had not been very large, he must have died as poor as Mr S. Adams or Mr Gerry.—
I am not writing the Life of Mr Hancock; his Biography would fill as many Volumes as Martial’s Washington, and quite as Instructive and entertaining.—Though I never injured or justly offended him, and though I spent much of my time and Suffered unknown Anxiety in defending his property, Reputation, and Liberty from Persecution; I cannot but Reflect upon myself for not paying him more respect than I did in his lifetime.—His Life will, however, not ever be written.—But if Statues, Obelisks, Piramids, or divine honours were ever merited by Men, of Cities or Nations. James Otis, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock deserved these from the Town of Boston and the United States.—Such Adulations, however, are monopolized by profligate Libellers, by cringing Flatterers, by unprincipled Ambition, by sordid Avarice, by griping Usurers, by scheming speculators, by plundering Bankers, by blind Enthusiasts, by Superstitious Bigots, by Puppies and Butterflies, and by every Thing but Honour and Virtue.—
Hence, the Universal Slavery of the human Species.—Hence a commentary on the well known and most expressive figure of Rhetorick—“It grieved The Almighty, at his heart, that he had made Man.” Nevertheless, this is a good World, and I thank the Almighty that he has made Man.—
Mr Hancock had a delicate Constitution. He was very infirme, a great part of his life was passed in acute pain. He inherited from his Father, though one of the most amiable and beloved of Men, a certain Sensibility, a keenness of feeling, or, in more familiar Language, a Peevishness of temper, that sometimes disgusted and afflicted his friends—Yet it was astonishing with what patience, perseverance, and punctuality he attended to Business to the last.—Nor were his talents or attainments inconsiderable. They were far Superiour to many who have been much more Celebrated.—He had a great deal of political Sagacity and penetration into Men—He was by no means a contemptible Scholar or Orator. Compared with Washington, Lincoln, or Knox, he was learned.—so much for the present of Mr Hancock.
When, in the beginning of this letter, I agreed with you in your Opinion of Mr Hutchinsons Repentance, I should have added, he had great Reason for Repentance. Fled in his old age from the detestation of a Country, where he had been beloved, esteemed, admired and applauded with exageration in short, where he had been every thing, from his infancy: to a country where he was nothing, pinched by a Pension, which, though ample in Boston, would barely keep a house in London,—Throwing round his baleful Eyes on the exiled companions of his folly—hearing dayly of the Slaughter of his Countrymen and Conflagration of their Cities, abhored by the greatest Men, and Soundest part of the Nation, and neglected, if not despised, by the rest; hardened as had been my heart against him, I assure you I was melted at the accounts I heard of his Condition.—Lord Townsend told me that he put an End to his own Life.—Though I did not believe this, I know he was ridiculed by the Courtiers. They laughed at his manners at the Levee, at his perpetual quotation of his Brother Foster, searching his Pocketts for Letters to read to the King, and the king turning away from him with his Head up, & &—A few Words concerning S. Adams in my next.
John Adams—


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 4 June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Quincy June 4, 1817

Your pathetic Letter of the 2d. has filled my heart with Sympathy and Grief. Your Son, by all that I know, or have heard of him, would have been an ornament to Society. Your Sorrow at his loss must be exquisite. I can give you no better Advice for your Consolation, than to read your favourite Dr Barrow.
It is the Lot of humanity! You are not alone! If I look back for Sixty years, what a long catalogue do I See of young Men of the brightest Genius and most promising hopes, fallen Victims to excessive Ardour in pursuit of Knowledge? It Seems as if the World was not worthy of Such Lights.
If I may compare my Afflictions with yours, I have lost Grand fathers and Grand Mothers, Fathers and Mothers, Brothers and Sisters, Sons and Daughters, Grand Children and a great Grandchild, and I cannot recollect any of them without a Thrill. I Say nothing of political litterary, or civil Friends. I was once in a Similar Situation with your Son Benjamin An Adjournment of Congress, for a few Weeks, in the Fall of 1775 gave me an Opportunity of visiting my Constituents; and the hopes of Seeing my Family for a few days. Arriving, on horseback, from Philadelphia, within a quarter of a mile of my house, I met an Acquaintance, who informed me that my favourite Brother, who had commanded a Company of Volunteers in the Army at Cambridge from the 19th. of April, and there taken the Camp Dissentary, lay at the Point of death, given over by his Physicians.—Bouyed up with the joyous hope of embracing my Wife and Children in a few minutes, how was I cast down? The next morning brought the fatal News of his death. I attended his funeral, and all the Joy of my Visit home, was turned into mourning! The Calamity of your Friend Jenner affects me very Sensibly.
However, Resign, my Friend! Resign! Not merely because You cannot help these things but because you firmly believe they are intended for your good and mine; and what is of infinite greater Importance, the World.
You have Still Children, Sons and Daughters who do you honour, and will Console your age.
Let me hear none of the Silly Whinings of Tacitus, Cicero and Quintillian. We are not to exist, to vegitate, eternally here.
I am, dear Sir, with deep Sympathetic Feelings with you, and your Family, and with the Widow and Children of my much more ancient Friend Dalton, your assured Friend / and humble Servant
John Adams
   A depression of Spirits, or gloominess, unfitting him for correspondence, or social intercourses.


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 June 1817
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

My Dear and respected Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 8 Jun. 1817.

Since the 7th of Febr—I did not receive a line from my frend—but having been honoured with two Letters of your Ladÿ, without a hint, that your health was not So good, and having read in the N. papers—that you were present at a festival at Boston, I presume, that other more Serious occupations kept you employ’d—or that Letter writing became rather to you a penible task, whenever you could not promote any good purpose with it, in the Latter case—I knew you—would have written—even at the cost of Some pain.
My continued Labours in my garden, compelled by the frost and worms—to renew my exertions for the 3d and 4th time, prevent me, to indulge this gratification as often, as I might wish—and now I foster the hope, that the outlines, which I Send for your perusal—may, as usual, meet with an indulgent reception. It is a legacÿ to my Son, and, as Such, it will be read and considered. If it happened, that it was your opinion—that this Bagatelle can confirm my Boston Frends—in their favorable Sentiment, which have been instilled in them by your Partial frendship—procure—in that case—and in that alone, a Sight of it to mr. Sam. Eliot and Dudley A. Tyng, under condition, to return it directly to you when I Sollecit, to gratify me, by Sending it to my Son—J. J. van der Kemp at Philadelphia—to whom it Shall be acceptable. My good frend Busti renewed this year his urging invitation—to go and visit Him, and—to cut of everÿ pretext, althoug he was persuaded—that it was to me a desirable thing—to See him, and my children—charged him Self with the expences of my journeÿ—either that I resolved—to Start alone, or with one or more of—or even with my whole family. I thus intend to comply with this kind compulsion in the fall,—and continue to live in the hope, that I may yet enjoy the happiness, how feeble it is, to See you and your Lady once more at Quincÿ. It was certainly not more plausible in the beginning of 1813 and yet it happened—and why Should  this fulfilment of my wishes be deemed So impossible—whereas I enjoy it—in Some respect—by anticipation.
I perceive my Letter is as barren, as the Season—but how can I prevent it? I do not possess Such an inexhaustable funds as my frends—To what reason is owing—that the Romans remained So far below the Greek in arts and Sciences—that Scarc a comparison in can be instituted? I know—your Son’s ingenious and masterly paralel between Cicero and Demosthenes—but is this not a Singular case—and could he meet with the Same Success—in other cases: and yet—they possessed all the treasures of these great men—and left us nevertheless Scarce any monument—in which they—equalled—much less Surpassed them—or left behind any discoverÿ in the realm of truth or Philosophy,—which might keep our judgment in Suspence. Should their Politic organisation, and unrelenting Struggles for power have Some Share in this event?
I Shall Sent, when I have time to translate it from the German—to mr Tyng—with the request of communicating it with you—a Short detail of the Christian Religion—of late I. Iselin—the most luminous—I met with yet in any European writer—it is penned with a vast deal of circumspection—but his Whole Philosophical work—die geschichte der menschheid—evinces his extensive views. It was published in 1786—the fifth—ed.
Remember me with your usual kindness to your Ladÿ—while I remain with Sincere and affectionate esteem— / My Dear and respected Sir! / Your most obed. and obliged St.

Fr. Adr. vanderkemp


Title: From John Adams to Henry Colman, 13 June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Colman, Henry

Dear Sir
Quincy June 13. 1817

When I have heard you Say, and you have repeatedly Said it to me, that “you were determined to read, “The Original of all Worships”; I certainly Sympathised with you: but whether that Sympathy, had in it more of congratulation, or of Compassion; I cannot Say.
When you have once read Dupuis You will find yourself, irresistably impelled to read Court de Gebeline Primative World; and then Bryants Analysis of ancient Mythology; and then Sir William Jones’s Works, and then Herodotus and all the Greek Historians, and then over again Your Eustace, and Simondi and last not least Hugh Farmers four Volumes containing all his Works, viz, his Temptation &c, his Worship of human Spirits, his Miracles, and his Demons. To these you will wish to add Sir John Malcoms recent History of Persia, and the millions of Authorities quoted by all these Writers.
And when you Shall have done all this You will find yourself, precisely where you are now, an Adorer of the Christian Religion in its Purity; mourning over the Knavery And Folly of your Species; and above all deploring the Corruptions and heathenish Superstitions and Idolatries introduced into the Religion of Jesus by his professed disciples, and “most holy Priests.”
Were your Life as useless as mine, which I am confident it never can be, You might waste your time as I have done agreably enough, in these enigmatical Amusements.
It is curious, that Gebelin, Bryant, Jones and Dupuis and Farmer Should have composed their Systems without any knowledge of each other. Had they been united in a Counsell they might have been agreed. For it Seems to me that a consistent Plan might be extracted from them all compared together.
That you may be long continued in your benevolent Studies and labours is the Prayer of your / Friend
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from D. Lynch, Jr., 14 June 1817
From: Lynch, D., Jr.
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					New York 14th: June 1817.

				“The American Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Manufactures”, instituted in this city, sensible of the zeal you have uniformly displayed in the promotion of every object; connected with the Welfare and Independence of our Country, had the honor, to elect you a member, at their last meeting, convened on the 13th: Inst. for the purpose of initiating into the Society James Monroe, President of the United States—It would afford me the highest gratification to announce to the Society, your Assent to become one of its members—I have the honor to remain / with respect & consideration / Sir, / Your Obet. Servt:

					D. Lynch Junr:Secretary.


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 18 June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

77
Dear Sir
Quincy June 18th. 1817

I return the letter of JQ, which you lent me. You know his is a painter. And which of Hogarths is more moral or more satirical? Have you adjusted your Bib & Tucker to visit the President? There is no other theme of conversation at present. It is kind in him at this pressing time to give the Nation something to talk about. His plain manners will please in general. Tranquility & prosperity to his Administration. Amen
John Adams
PS. The old Leaven however remains in our Senate! secret malice, which it would be too unpopular to avow.

JA


Title: From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Monroe, James

Sir
Quincy June 19 1817

From the tenderness of Friendship and the Weakness of Compassion and humanity, I have promised two Gentlemen to mention their names to you,  as Candidates for Mr Daltons late Office, Captain Tucker and Mr Deblois. A Friendship of forty Years with the former, and of fifty Six years with Mr Dalton have deeply interested my Feelings in behalf of both these Gentlemen. But what Signify Feelings when I know that even Yours ought to have no Weight in the distribution of public Offices?!
Mr Dalton and Mr Deblois, the circumstances of their Families, and their Services, Sacrifices and Sufferings in the national Metropolis, are certainly well known to you.
Tucker was an active, enterprising, and very Usefull Naval Commander, through the Revolutionary War. To his nautical Skill, Intrepidity and eternal Vigilance and Perseverance, I owe my Life in one of the most perilous Voyages in 1778, Across the Atlantic that ever was made. And what the World in general will think of more importance, the U.S. Frigate The Boston, was withheld from the Bottom of the Ocean in the Gulph Stream, in the British Channel and the Bay of Biscay by the same Means. And what was Still worse, from the Fangs and Jaws of Chasing British Men of War in all those Watery Regions.
The two Families are equally deserving of Compassion No doubt many Candidates, have presented themselves. I pity you more than any of the Candidates, having myself had a Taste of Such Embarrassments from a multiplicity of Such Sollicitations.
I congratulate you, Sir on your Election to the first Office, in the Nation, and on your Visitation of the Eastern States, in which I hope you will find much Satisfaction
I hope also that you will do me the honour with the Gentlemen of your Suite, to dine with me in my Cottage, in Quincy before you take leave of Massachusetts.
With great respect and Esteem, I have the / honour to be, Sir Your Friend

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to D. Lynch, Jr., 23 June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Lynch, D., Jr.

Sir
Quincy June 23rd. 1817

I have received the letter you did me the honour of writing to me on the 14th of this month answering to me my election by the American Society for encouraging domestic manufactures, instituted in New York as a member, an honour made more illustrious by the President of the United States.
Be pleased to present my respects to the Society, and my thanks for the honour they have done me, and to assure them, if the best wishes of a man of Eighty one years of age can promote the wise purposes of their institution, I shall be a usefull member. For according to my superficial view of political Economy in civilized Society, next to Agriculture, which is the first and most essential; manufactures are the second, and navigation the third. With Agriculture, Manufactures & Navigation all the Commerce which can be necessary or useful to the happiness of a Nation will be received.
Accept my thanks for the civility with which you have communicated the vote of the Society to their, and your friend
John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

Dear Sir
Quincy June 23, 1817

Your kind Letter of the 8th. and the enclosed Biography have been read with all the interest inspired by So long a Friendship; though a great part of it was well known to me long ago.
Writing has indeed become extreamly painfull to me: to such a degree, that the numerous imperious demands upon me, often compell me to neglect Some of my dearest and most honoured Friends.
I have lent your Sketch to Mr Quincy, and Shall Send it to Mr Elliot as you desire.
Bad as my Eyes are, they are better than my hands, and I can read better than I can write. Sir William Jones, Beloes Herodotus and Eustaces Tour have convinced me, that Græcia Mendax borrowed her Religion Phylosophy Arts and Sciences, as well as her Art of lying from India and Egypt.
But my hand trembles So that I can hardly / hold it to write
John Adams


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

					Sir
					Quincy June 1817.

				I have received my pamphlet & your Register, with your letter of the 20th. Inclosed are four papers. No 1. A letter from President Washington Aug 27. 1790. No 2 another letter on the same subject on the same day Aug 27. 1790. No. 3 First rough draught of an answer, in my hand writing. 4 a copy of my answer to the President, which was sent to him dated Aug 29th. 1790. & which, if it was not consumed in the vandalism combustion of Washington is probably, now in being among the archives of the President. I have motives of private honour & public duty for which wishing to preserve these papers in point. Y’r Repository is the best: & if you will insert them you may. But whether you print them or not I pray you to return them to me, as I find it is necessary for me to preserve vouchers. It is hard at my age & unassisted as I am, to be call’d upon for papers accumulated for 40 years when a man must examine a hundred trifles to find one sentence worth preserving. You have very civilly invited me to send you papers for publication. This has embarrassed me . . . The task would require a young man—more time than I have to live . . . conclude not from this that my papers are of any great value. In my opinion if they were all preserved they would do no good. For example I have papers, voluminous papers in Spanish French & English, relative to a particular event, I mean, Miranda’s, delicious expedition to the Carraccas papers in which the honour & interest of England Spain France & especially of the UStates is concerned. And if it is not impudence to name myself, after such interest, I must say in which my own public & private character are deeply embarrassed interested. I know you cannot publish them; but if you wish to see them I will send them to you on condition that you promise to return to me all the originals, as you have done very honorably hitherto. For I must as well as I can preserve Vouchers.

					John Adams


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

				“Inclosed are four papers.—No. 1. A letter from President Washington, Aug. 27, 1790; No. 2. Another letter on the same subject, on the same day, Aug. 27, 1790. No. 3. First rough draught of an answer, in my hand writing. 4. A copy of my answer to the president, which was sent to him, dated August 29, 1790, and which, if it was not consumed in the Vandalion combustion of Washington, is probably now in being among the archives of the president.”“I have motives of private honour and public duty for wishing to preserve these papers in print. Your repository is the best: and if you will insert them you may. But, whether you print them or not, I pray you to return them to me, as I find it is necessary for me to preserve vouchers.”


Title: From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 30 June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Niles, Hezekiah

Mr Niles
Quincy June 30th 1817

The oldest Statesman in North America is no more.—Vixit. McKean, for whose services, and indeed for whose patronage, the two States of Pensylvania and Delaware, once contended, is numbered with his fathers.
I cannot express my feelings upon this event in any way better, than by the publication of the enclosed letters.
1st. June 13th. 1812
2nd. August 20th 1813
3rd. August 28th 1813
4th. November 15th. 1813
5th. January — 1814
6th October 15th. 1814
7th. November 20th. 1815
8th. June 17th. 1817.
I pray you to print these Letters in your Register
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, June 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Niles, Hezekiah

Sir
Quincy June 1817.

I have received my Pamphlet and your Register, with your Letter of the 20th.
“Inclosed are four Papers—No. 1. A Letter from President Washington, Aug. 27, 1790. No. 2. Another Letter, on the Same Subject, on the Same day. Aug. 27, 1790. No. 3. First rough draught of an Answer, in my hand Writing. 4. A Copy of my Answer to the President, which was Sent to him dated August 29, 1790, and which, if it was not consumed in the Vandalion Combustion of Washington is probably now in being among the Archives of the President.
I have motives of private honour and public duty, for wishing to preserve these Papers in print. Your Repository is the best: and if you will insert them you may. But whether you print them, or not I pray you to return them to me, as I find it is necessary, for me to preserve Vouchers.”
It is hard at my Age and unasisted as I am, to be called upon for Papers accumulated for forty years: when a Man must examine a hundred Trifles to find one Sentence worth preserving.
You have very civilly invited me to Send you papers for publication. This has embarrassed me. The Task would require a young Man more time than I have to live. conclude not, from this that my papers are of any great Value. (In my Opinion, if they were all printed they would do no good.)
For Example, I have Papers, voluminous Papers, in Spanish French and English, relative to a particular Event. I mean, Mirandas, delirious Expedition to the Carraccas. Papers in which the Honour and Interest of England Spain France and especially, of the United States, is concerned. And if it is not impudence to name myself, after Such interests, I must say in which my own public and private Character are deeply interested
I know you can cannot publish them: but if you wish to See them, I will Send them to you, on condition that you promise to return to me, all the Originals, as you have done very honourably hitherto. For I must as well as I can, preserve Vouchers.

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from James Monroe, 4 July 1817
From: Monroe, James
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir—
					Boston July 4th. 1817

				I regret that I could not have the pleasure of seing you again before you left town, which I found that you had done, when I calld yesterday at your lodgings. I wanted to communicate more fully with you, respecting the part I ought to take, in the ceremonies of this day. It is possible you may be in town to day in which I case I may still enjoy that advantage.my particular object in sending this is, to inform you, that I shall have the pleasure of dining with you on monday. with great respect & esteem I am dear Sir your friend & servant

					James Monroe


Title: From John Adams to James Monroe, 7 July 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Monroe, James

Mr President
7 July 1817

In the good old English Language of your Virginian and my New England Ancestors, I am right glad to See you in the oldest Plantation, in old Massachusetts, next to Salem, where you will be recd with more Splendor and I hope with equal Cordiallity.
John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Quincy July 15. 1817

I am impatient to See your Plan of a University and new System of Education. To assist you in your contemplations, I Send you, a Pamplet, “The Politicks of Connecticut.” By a federal Republican in the name of Hamilton. Was there ever Such a combination? Two Copies were Sent me from the Post on Saturday last: I know not from whence nor by whom.
Now Sir! please to hear a modest Proposal. Let me go back to twenty. Give me a million of Revenue a Library of a Million of Volumes, and as many more as I should want. I would devote my Life to Such an Œvrage as Condercet tells us, that Turgot had in Contemplation, all his Lifetime. I would digest Bryant gebelin, Dupuis, Sir William Jones and above all the Acta Sanctorum of the Bolandists.
I know where this investigation would end. In Montesquieus 12 duodedimo Pages.
Is the Biography of Democratus and Heraclitus a Fable, or History? I cannot contemplate human affairs, without laughing or crying. I choose to laugh. When People talk of the Freedom of Writing Speaking or thinking, I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists: but I hope it will exist, But it must be hundreds of years after you and I Shall write and Speak no more.
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from George Washington Jeffreys, 15 July 1817
From: Jeffreys, George Washington
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir.
					Red House No: C. July 15th 1817.

				A Society has been established at this place for the promotion of agricultural and rural affairs—It consist of the most respectable and intelligent citizens of our county, who convinced of the imperfect state of agriculture among us, are stimulated by the most laudable motives to effect some improvements in it, and not only by examples on their farms, but by every other means which lay in their power—One of these is the establishment of an agricultural library—Knowing you to have been always fond and to have taken a great interest in agricultural pursuits we deem you a proper person to apply to, to aid us in the selection of the books for our library—We should therefore feel ourselves under great obligations to you, if you will make out for us such a catalouge of books on the subject of agriculture and rural affairs as will be useful not only to us, but to our rising generation—Agriculture in the southern states of the union, is at the last lowest state of degradation, its improvement or advancement should therefore be the fervent wish of every patriotic citizen of America the United States. We have the fullest confidence, from the interest which you feel for the prosperity and happiness of your beloved country, that you will give us any assistance which lays within your power. Any agricultural books which you have read or could recommend, we would thank you to set down by way of catalouge and forward thro the medium of the Mail—Also any hints on the subject of agriculture, its improvement or advancement, which your experience or information may enable you to give will also be thankfully received and respectfully attended to—Massachusetts, with the rest of the northern states, is far before us in agricultural improvements, and would our farmers attend, she could give us volumes of  useful information on this subject—I am happy to observe that the poeple about here begin to be convinced of their imperfect and deteriorating state of agriculture and to evince a disposition to make improvements To advance this desirable object, no exertions on our part shall be spared, and to have the cooperations of our fellow citizens will be truly gratifying—A letter addressed to me to this office Viz to Red HouseNo. C via Petersburg Va. will come safe to hand—Be pleased to accept my sincere wishes for / your happiness and the respect  / with which I am yrs &—

					George Washington JeffreysSecy to Red House Agrl. Society.


Title: To John Adams from Hezekiah Niles, 16 July 1817
From: Niles, Hezekiah
To: Adams, John

					Honored Sir,
					Baltimore, July 16. 1817

				I have the pleasure to return to you the letters of Gov McKean, with a copy of them inserted in the Register. My early & good friend Cæsar A  Rodney, of Delaware, nephew of C.R. of the “76 congress, informs me that he has some of deceased patriots’ letters dated in 1777—1799; & says he will furnish them. When they are published, I shall send a copy to you.I am gratified to observe that the president of the U.S. has duly paid his respects to you. There is reason to hope that his term may do much to allay the spirit of party, by making the different sectarians better acquainted with one another.It has often occurred to me, that when you look round you, recollecting the changes brought about in our country, “all which you saw, & part of which you were” you must feel a solid satisfaction & luxuriously enjoy it! May you yet long live to see the advances of your beloved country to the high station she is designed to fill!With great respect

					H Niles


Title: To John Adams from Henry Channing, 21 July 1817
From: Channing, Henry
To: Adams, John

					Sir
					New-London, Connt. July 21st 1817.

				Presuming that, as age advances, it must become irksome to maintain your extensive correspondence, I have long delayed addressing a line to you, hesitating, though I knew the subject would interest.The high respect I entertain for yourself and your son, the honble John Q. Adams, will not permit me longer to hesitate, since the communication, given in a Kentucky Paper, respecting our Commissioners at Ghent, with the remarks in the Centinel of July 2d, which lately came into my hands.I was in the city of Washington, the beginning of last, where I met Mr Woolston, a young gentleman of Wilmington, in the State of Delaware, of respectable character and connexions. The conversation, on a certain day, turned upon the treaty of Ghent, and the comparative talents and influence of the American Commissioners, when he stated to me the sentiments of Mr Bayard, as expressed in his presence, a few days before his death. At my request, he afterwards gave it to me in writing, a copy of which I now enclose—also a copy of a very extraordinary letter, since addressed to me by this gentleman, to which I have not replied, neither have I since heard from him.I  have avoided giving publicity to this affair, having mentioned it only to a few, conceiving that, if the extraordinary procedure, indicated by the letter, arise from political cabal, it may be sufficient, at present, only to watch its movements, which these communications may assist in developing. You will please to consider them confidential at presentMeeting Judge Story, in Washington, to him I communicated the particulars then received; and have since transmitted to him, confidentially, a copy of the letter now enclosed.I recollect with much pleasure, the day spent at your house in Quincy, accompanied by your nephew Wm S. Shaw Esquire, about two years since; and I cherish the hope of again being made happy in visiting one whom I love and reverence as one of the Fathers of our beloved country.My health having, for several years, required that I desist from public speaking—my address is now that of a private citizen. Indulging the hope of receiving a few lines acknowledging the receipt of this; and presenting my respects to Mrs Adams, I am / Very Respectfully / Your Obedt Servt.

					Henry Channing.—


Title: From John Adams to James Reiley, 23 July 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Reiley, James

Sir
Quincy July 23d: 1817-

I have read your narrative, and I cannot scruple to recommend it to the serious, candid and attentive perusal, not only of all who delight in voyages and travels, and all those who love to have their strong passions of pity and terror excited by the artificial means of tragedies and romances, but of all who have leisure, capacity and inclination to read any thing.
I should be glad to see a review of it our North American Review, in Niles’ Register, the Port Folio, or the Edinburg or Quarterly Review.
I should have been happy to have seen you and to have thanked you in person for the handsome copy you have presented to your obliged humble / servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to George Washington Jeffreys, 29 July 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Jeffreys, George Washington

82—88
Dear Sir
Quincy July 29th. 1817

I have received your letter of the 15th: and rejoice in the establishment of your Society for the promotion of Agriculture. Our mother Earth is a kind, tender, affectionate Parent who will abundantly reward every filial and rational attention that is paid to her.
But are you not too modest, in behalf of the Southern States? Your cotton, your Sugar, and your Hemp, are improvements such as the Northern States cannot boast: and the Arator of your own Taylor, has not been equalled by any Northern Individual who has come to my knowledge in the Northern States.
My knowledge and Experience are extremely superficial, reaching no farther than pulverization and manure. Tull and Duhammel, which I read 50 or 60 years ago have been my principal Guides, though not infallible Guides.
A catalogre of books upon Agriculture and Horticulture would be voluminous. I could name from memory a respectable list. But I will communicate your letter to Mr. Quincy the Corresponding Secretary to our Massachusetts Agricultural Society, who I dare say will be glad to communicate Transactions and Experiments with you.—
With the best wishes for the success of your Society and your Individual Happiness, I am Sir / Your Obliged Friend
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Hezekiah Niles, July 1817
From: Niles, Hezekiah
To: Adams, John

					Sir
					Baltimore July 1817

				After revolving upon some suitable apology for intruding myself with the following statement and request, I have thought it most respectful to decline offering any, expect to observe that if ought appears to your better judgement improper in either, that you will attribute it to any thing else than a willingness on my part to act so, in any respect towards you.For six years ending with the next month I shall have published the Weekly Register at Baltimore. The weight of the accumulated debts due to the establishment with the great labor and vexation they give me, added to the general necessity that persons in our line have of now and then “winding up their business,” as the phrase is, combined to make me resolve to give up the publication in reality, or at least apparently. This idea going abroad has caused many, whose good opinion is enough to flatter any one, to urge me to persevere, & keep up the work in its present manner, & spirit, and form, altering only its conditions in any way that might give ease to myself, under an assurance of adequate support from the people of the United States. Thus encouraged, I have determined, as the only possible ground of my continuing it, to attempt to enforce an absolute payment for it in advance, which would not only releive me of a heavy expence and ensure me from great losses, but give me nearly one half more time for editorial duties or needful relaxation from business—of which last I may be said to have none at all, for the period stated.To effect these objects—to realize the fruits of past labors & make those of the future less burthensome, I have determined to make the present, or 12th Vol. conclude a series, to be completed by a very copious and general index of the whole, & commence in September next, as it were, de novo.I am perfectly aware that this arrangement will give a considerable shock to my establishment, but it is the only one on which I can consent to continue it, & it requires I should bolster it up by all fair and honorable means among which is the public opinion of honorable men.I have been flattered with the beleif that the Weekly Register is not only useful as a book of almost universal reference as to past things & facts connected with the history (and circumstances) of nations, and especially those of the United States, but that it has done a good deal to rouse up a National feeling and build up a pride of character, heretofore too much neglected through the contentions of Parties; and that, while it has avoided all sorts of personalities, it has contributed to extend and encourage as much as any other work, the principals of our constitution and to explain those Laws of national right the reason of things on which it is founded. These assurances, I partly, confess, are very agreeable—but I am conscious that they have rather grown out of my habits of thinking & of industry, than of any talents as a writer that belong to me. This explanation and preamble is necessary to my request, offered with diffidence and submitted with entire respect for your decission whether to grant it or not. You have had an opportunity of seeing the Weekly Register from its beginning, & I solicit your opinion of it to spread before the people to extend its circulation through your particular countenance, to enable me to withstand any effects of the change that must be made it ins pecuniary arrangements.A letter exactly similar to this has been addressed to Presidents Jefferson & Madison, to vice President Tompkins; to generals Brown & Jackson, & Com. Rodgers and Capt. Porter; & if it is deemed right by you to give your opinion & for the purposes stated, I will be thankful to receive it by the 20th of August.very respectfully / your obt st

					H Niles


Title: To John Adams from Henry Channing, 9 August 1817
From: Channing, Henry
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					New London, Connt. Augt 9th 1817

				With great pleasure, I, yesterday, received your favour of the 1st Inst. acknowledging the receipt of my letter of July 21st.—I conceive it important always thus early to advise a correspondent of the receipt of important letters, which I offer as my apology for this line.Were it not for the trouble in writing at your time of life, I should be tempted to draw largely upon your benevolence, in this way. As it is, I must wait till my business permit me to visit Boston, when I shall not fail offering my respects in person.The pamphlet to which you refer—“Pol. of Conn.”—exceedingly perplexed high-Fliers. They said “there is something wrong in it, but we do not know what.”—Permit me to ask the omission of the title “revd.” in my address—as I am now the man of business and the citizen. As I have a nephew H.C. in Boston, brother of Wm E. Channing—to distinguish me from him—letters are often addressed to me—H.C. Esqr. This distinction is however unnecessary excepting when I am in Boston.—With great Respect & Affection,

					H. Channing


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 14 August 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

					Dear Sir,
					Quincy August 14. 1817

				I fear I have not answered your letter of 20th of June. That of the 8th: of August, I certainly have not. I have been justly accused of Imbecility & Dotage for twenty years past. Yet I seem to be a Man of more consequence now, than I ever was before in my whole life.What a cloud of Reminiscences, has your last letter, exhailed in my old brain! Several of with whom I gazed through a telescope at the Satelites of Jupiter, from the roof of old Harvard Colledge, sixty two years ago: & Langdon with whom I put the first Flagg of the United States forty two years ago, upon a floating castle.I read Forsnoy again with pleasure. He will te excite reflection & purify Taste. Eustace shuld have read Gibetin, Bryant, Farmer & Decssius before he travelled. It is plain that with all his classical knowledge of the Poets he understood nothing that he saw. He is a ferocius Roman catholic John Bull, with plausible Affectation of Candour Moderation & Toleration. In one word he is a Catholic & I believe a Jesuitical Priest. At the same time a tedious fatigueing writer. I have no better Opinion of Gibbon than of Eustace, Books written for money have no authority with me.I wish our Navy Officers knew what they were about when they visit Rome. Eustace & Gibbon did not.The Massachusetts Register which you put into Mr Munroe’s hand in Manuscrip, will be a clue to New Englands Modern Politicks. American History; wither in Fable, Alegory, Painting, Sculpture Architecture, Statuary, Poetry, Oratory or Romance: which forgets to acknowledge James Otis to have been the Father of the American Revolution; will be nothing but a LieMy Susan is embarked on the Ocean with a modest Sailor, God. prosper their Voyage. We thanfully accept your kind congratulations on the arrival at New York, I remain your friend.

					John Adams


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

Dear Sir
Quincy Aug. 17th. 1817

I fear I have not answered your letter of 20th. of June. That of the 8th. of August I certainly have not. I have been justly accused of Imbecillity and Dotage for Twenty Years past. Yet I Seem to be a Man of more consequence now, than I ever was before, in my whole Life.
What a Cloud of Reminiscences, has your last Letter, exhailed in my old brain! Sewal, with whom I gazed through a Telescope at the Satelites of Jupiter, from the Roof of old Harvard Colledge, Sixty two years ago: and Langdon with whom I put the first Flagg of the United States forty two years ago, upon a floating Castle.
I read Fresnoy again with pleasure. He will excite Reflection and purify Taste.
Eustace, Should have read Gebelin, Bryant, Farmer and Dupuis before he travelled. It is plain, that with all his classical Knowledge of the Poets, he understood nothing that he Saw. He is ferocious Romancatholic John Bull, with plausible Affectation of Candour Moderation and Tolleration. In one Word he is a Catholic and I believe a Jesuitical Priest. At the Same time a tedious fatiguing Writer.
I have no better Opinion of Gibbon than of Eustace. Books written for Money have no Authority with me.
I wish our Navy Officers knew what they were about when they visit Rome. Eustace and Gibbon did not. The Massachusetts Register which you put into Mr Monroe’s hand in Manuscript, will be a clue to New England Modern Politicks.
American History; whether in Fable Alegory, Painting Sculpture Architecture Statuary Poetry Oratory or Romance: which forgets to Acknowledge James Otis to have been The Father of the American Revolution; will be nothing but a Lie.
My Susan is embarked on the Ocean with a modest Sailor. God prosper their Voyage.
We thankfully accept your kind Congratulations on the Arrival at New York. And remain as ever your Friends.
Witness John Adams


Title: From John Adams, 26 August 1817
From: Adams, John
To:

					August 26, 1817

				Dinner to Mr. Adams.—On the 26th ult. a public dinner was given to Mr Adams, by the citizens of Boston, at which most of the distinghed men of both political parties were present, among the number was the honorable John Adams, the second president of the United States, who gave the following volunteer toast : By the Honorable John Adams.—The Temple of Liberty, and the Temple of Concord—in which small things have grown great, and great things are growing greater every moment—may we all worship in it till death.


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 8 September 1817
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Poplar Forest, near Lynchburg.
Sep. 8. 17.
A month’s absence from Monticello has added to the delay of acknoleging your last letters; and indeed for a month before I left it our projected College gave me constant employment; for being the only Visitor in it’s immediate neighborhood, all it’s administrative business falls on me, and that, where building is going on, is not a little. in yours of July 15, you express a wish to see our plan. but the present visitors have sanctioned no plan as yet. our predecessors, the first trustees, had desired me to propose one to them, and it was on that occasion I asked and recieved the benefit of your ideas on the subject. digesting these with such other schemes as I had been able to collect, I made out a Prospectus, the looser & less satisfactory, from the uncertain amount of the funds to which it was to be adapted. this I addressed, in the form of a letter to their President Peter Carr; which going before the legislature, when a change in the constitution of the College was asked, got into the public papers, and, among others, I think you will find it in Niles’s register, in the early part of 1815. this however is to be considered but as a premiere ebauche, for the  consideration & amendment of the present visitors, and to be accomodated to one of two conditions of things. if the institution is to depend on private donations alone, we shall be forced to accumulate on the shoulders of 4. professors a mass of sciences which, if the legislature adopts it, should be distributed among ten. we shall be ready for a professor of languages in April next; for two others the following year, and a 4th a year after. how happy should we be if we could have a Ticknor for our first. a critical classic is scarcely to be found in the US. to this professor a fixed salary of 500.D. with liberal tuition fees from the pupils will probably give 2000.D. a year. we are now on the look-out for a professor, meaning to accept of none but of the very first order.You ask if I have seen Buchanan’s, Mc.Afee’s, or Wilkinson’s books? I have seen none of them; but have lately read with great pleasure, Reid & Eaton’s life of Jackson, if life may be called what is merely a history of his campaign of 1814. Reid’s part is well written: Eaton’s continuation is better for it’s matter than style. the whole however is valuable.I have lately recieved a pamphlet of extreme interest from France. it is De Pradt’s historical recital of the first return of Louis XVIII to Paris. it is precious for the minutiae of the proceedings which it details, and for their authenticity, as from an eye witness. being but a pamphlet, I inclose it for your perusal, assured, if you have not seen it, that it will give you pleasure. I will ask it’s return, because I value it as a morsel of genuine history, a thing so rare as to be always valuable. I have recieved some information, from an eye witness also, of what passed on the occasion of the 2d. return of Louis XVIII. the Emperor Alexander it seems was solidly opposed to this. in the consultation of the allied sovereigns & their representatives, with the Executive council at Paris, he insisted that the Bourbons were too incapable & unworthy of being placed at the head of the nation, declared he would support any other choice, they should freely make, and continued to urge most strenuously that some other choice should be made. the debates run high & warm, & broke off after midnight, every one retaining his own opinion. he lodged, as you know, at Talleyrand’s. when they returned into council the next day, his host had overcome his firmness. Louis XVIII. was accepted, & thro’ the management of Talleyrand, accepted without any capitulation, altho’ the sovereigns would have consented that he should be first required to subscribe & swear to the constitution prepared, before permission to enter the kingdom. it would seem as if Talleyrand has been afraid to admit the smallest interval of time, lest a change of wind should bring back Bonaparte on them. but I observe that the friends of a limited monarchy there consider the popular representation as much improved by the late alteration, and confident it will in the end produce a fixed government in which an elective body, fairly representative of the people will be an efficient element.I congratulate mrs Adams & yourself on the return of your excellent & distinguished son, and our Country still more on such a minister of their foreign affairs, and I renew to both the assurance of my high & friendly respect & esteemTh: Jefferson


Title: From John Adams to Richard Rush, 15 September 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Rush, Richard

Dear Sir
Quincy Sept. 15th. 1817

I will now venture to congratulate you upon your relief from a part of the heavy burthen which has been imposed upon you for So many months. And above all I congratulate you, my son and myself on your future destination. Had Providence permitted me to choose Events my heart would have dictated none other.
Accept my Thanks for your uninterrupted and invariable kindness to me and my Friends, and present the Same Acknowledgemen to Mrs Rush.
If my Life Should continue, Upon which however I have no reason to depend from New moon to New moon, from day to day or hour to hour, I Shall rejoice in an occasional Letter from you wherever you may be.
I could write you a Volume on the Visitation of the President to the Eastern States. The Result has been highly favourable to the Public Cause. Not an indiscretion has escaped from him. And his Patience and Activity have been Such as I could never imitate and Such as I could Scarcely believe feasible.
I am your assured Friend
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 20 September 1817
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

My Dear and respected Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 20 Sept 1817

Having in so long a time not received a word from Quincÿ, although I was freed from all anxiety about your wellfare mrs Guild and her amiable sister Catherine, both having informed me, that you continued to enjoy not only a hum cum dignitate, which would be nothing new—but all possible happiness that can fall to the share of human mind, while your excellent Lady’s gratification must have baffled the attempt—to express it, even had it been tried by John Quincÿ. I fear not that my scribbling shall be construed now as an intrusion, as I would have considered it, a few weeks past.
I see by the N-papers—that the secretary of state has left the paternal home, for Washington—to take possession of his high Station—and I do not hesitate to urge my Prognostics—which fulfillment I so long ago anticipated—now I have seen again from the N.papers, that your late friend Th. McKean had adopted the same opinion—and that you, my frend! So irresistible is the power of truth—have not hesitated—to publish it. Maÿ I not complain, that, for which I am now indebted to my son, you did not deem it proper—to send me these N.papers—more so, as you hêsitated not to bestow on me that favour, when you had received one of these, while I was at Quincy—and at Break-fast These Letters have raised the high opinion I fostered of McKean—and the praises—bestowed by my Daughter on his courtesy—would have induced me, to pay him a visit—when I should arrive at Philadelphia—yes—Sir! within a fortnight I go thither, mÿ Daughter returned in the latter part of Aug—but was after a few days so exhausted by too great mental and bodily exertions, that she alarmed us—but is now—god be praised!—recovered and acquires dayly new vigour. Mr Baste left me no excuse—He insisted—I should come, and see Him and my Children—"He would defray the expences of my journeÿ"—Thus as soon I have “secured our winter provisions and Seeds—” I shall take on the wing unexpected. we received a visit from Mr and mrs Guild—theÿ dined with us—and then returned to their happy N. England—Now three of the sisters have visited my humble cottage—a while after mr Beyerman pressed their steps—that young man may yet be of Service to his countrÿ.
When I receive once more a line from Quincy—I should wish to be informed, if your grandsons, whom I did see—when at your house in 1812—have made the same progress in Gr. Brittain, as they promised then—The appointment of J. A. Smith to the residency at the coûrt of St James by his Uncle is a high recommendation towards further promotion—as the Latter should not have risked his credit, if he has mistrusted his abilities. He has introduced by mr varick in my familÿ—and from that moment—I had conceived a favorable opinion of Him
It is mentioned—any where—in Plato’s writings—which I do not longer possess—that senates did inculcate the love of our enemies—I solicit you—to procure me this passage—Have you seen that edition of Macchiavelli in Milan in 12 vol—I should suppose it must contain more writings—than are found in our editions—that of mine is only of iv vol. 8o small print—yours—and if I am not mistaken, that is cambridge Library too is in 4 vol. in 4o.
Assure your Lady of my high respect—and recommend me with your usual kindness to her remembrance—while I remain / Dear and respected Sir: / your affectionate and obliged frend!

Fr. Adr. vanderkemp

P.S. I received—a few days past—a letter from a Dutch Lady—now at N. York, and returning to her countrÿ—and must send you a copÿ of her Treatise—"Peace Republican’s manual" if she did it not she has been persecuted and twice imprisoned—but her mind remains superior—and unconquerable.—Miss Cath Eliot waits me, the letter to my son is long since returned to Mr. Quincy—may I beg you to send for it?


Title: To John Adams from Henry Channing, 30 September 1817
From: Channing, Henry
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					New London Sept 30th 1817.

				I regret that I had not the pleasure of seeing your son, when he passed through this city. I did not hear of his being here, till the Steam Boat had left the wharf.I now address a line to you, asking your opinion on certain points, on which I want information and your advice.—Our Gen. Assembly meet at N. Haven, on the ninth of October—and I shall leave this on the eighth, being chosen a representative from this place.Govr Wolcott, in his speech recommended many important subjects to the attention of the Assembly, among others, the improvement of the system of taxation. A Committee was appointed to sit after the close of the session in May, and report at the October session.—The Govr had in view his report, when Secy of the Treasury, as the basis of the alterations & improvements. That report I have not seen since first published.—Our present system you will see in 150th page of Connect. Register, which I send by this mail.—You will perceive an oppressive poll tax among the most perminent and oppressive—every poll is put in at sixty dolls. This, on the poor, especially having many sons & apprentices, is most ruinous  & oppressive.—I conceive that, the poll tax ought to be either abolished or reduced one half—and that agriculture and manufactures, with every mechanic employment ought to be releived—I ask your opinion on this subject.—Banks are not taxed as corporations, but stockholders are required to give a list of stock, which is put in at 3 pr Ct—but non residents & residents do not put in one half. Would it not be better to lay a tax upon the capital stock & subject the Banks? On this subject I am at a loss.When the Govr’s Speech is submitted to each house, the custom in this State, is to refer every subject recommended by the Govr.—to joint committees, the Council, generally appoint one of their body, and the house of Repe. generally eight, that is one from each county. The member from the upper house is Chairman, ex officio,—He, consults his convenience, and generally when that house have no business, he sends a messenger to the Speaker, who notifies, the committee, that their presence is requested in the Committee-room. Thus, in the start of business, members are drawn from the . The chairman is the leading man in   and generally manages so as to obtain a report according to the wishes of the upper house.— I ask is a practice similar to this, to be found in any other State? I perceived it amalgamated the two houses, and weakened, if not subverted the independence of the house of repe.—I conceive that joint Committees are to be resorted to, only in case of disagreement of the two houses. Is not this the case in Congress and in other States?I felt a reluctance in troubling you with these inquiries, but knowing your extensive information on these subjects, I have taken the liberty of thus writing. Knowing the labour of writing would forbid your answering me fully, I do not ask it, unless you can do it by a confidential amanuensis. If in this way, you can conveniently give me your views on these or any other points interesting to this State, you will confer an obligation on me, and may render important services to the republick in this advanced period of life.—Very respectfully & Affecty / Yr Obedt Servt

					H. Channing


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 October 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

Dear Sir
Quincy Oct 1. 1817

Mr J. A Smiths appointment was not by J. Q. A but by the President “Sancte Socrate ora pro nobis” Said Erasmus on reading the Doctrine of Socrates so like the christian. My memory does not recollect the place in Plato and my Eyes cannot look it. But as Plato learned all he taught in Egypt and India, I choose “petere fontes.”
I am of Sir William Jones’s Mind that “Our divine Religion, has no need of such Aids, as many are willing to give it, by asserting, that the wisest Men of this world were ignorant of the two great maxims, that We must act, in respect of others, as We Should wish them to act in respect of Ourselves, and that instead of returning Evil for Evil, We should confer benefits even on those who injure Us: but the first rule is implied in a Speech of Lyscias, and expressed in distinct Phrases by Thales and Pittacus, and I have even Seen it Word for Word in the Original of Confucius, which I carefully compared with the Latin translation It has been usual with zealous men, to ridicule and abuse all those who dare on this point, to quote the Chinese Philosopher; but instead of supporting their cause; they would Shake it if it could be shaken by their uncandid Asperity; for they ought to remember, that one great end of Revelation, as it is most expressly declared, was not to instruct the wise and few, but the many and unenlightened. If the Conversion, therefore, of the Pandits and Maulavis in this country Shall ever be attempted by Protestant Missionaries, they must beware of asserting, while they teach the Gospel of Truth, what those Pandits and Maulavis would know to be false: the former would cite the beautiful Arya couplet, which was written at least three Centuries before our Era, and which pronounces the duty of a good man, even in the moment of his destruction to consist not only in forgiving, but even in a desire of benefiting his destroyer, as the Sandal tree, in the instant of its Overthrow, Sheds perfume on the Axe, which fells it; and the latter would  triumph in repeating the Verse of Sadi, who represents a return of Good for Good as a Slight reciprocity, but Says to the virtuous man “Confer benefits on the man who has injured thee,” using an Arabic Sentence and a Maxim apparently of the ancient Arabs. Nor would the Muselmans fail to recite four distichs of Hafiz, who has illustrated that Maxim by fanciful but elegant Allusions
“Learn from yon Orient Shell to love thy Foe,
And Store with Pearls the hand that brings thee Woe
Free, like yon Rock, from base vindictive Pride
In blaze with Gems, the Wrist that rends thy Side
Mark where yon Tree rewards the Stony Shower
With fruit nectarious, or the balmy Flow’r
All Nature calls aloud “Shall Man do less
Than heal the Smiter, and the Railer bless.”?
Now there is not a Shadow of a reason for believing, that the Poet of Shiraz had borrowed this doctrine from the Christians.”
See Sir William Jones Works, Vol. 3, p. 243 & 244.
I have not Seen the Edition of Macchiavel of 12 Volumes, in Milan.
I will return your Letter to your Son as Soon as I can lay hands on it: but the Biography is So interesting that it is difficult to keep it within the reach of the hand or within call.
I am Sir your assured friend though I cannot write so often as I used to do. This Letter which is not worth a Styver to you has cost me a whole day and a great deal of pain to write it
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Alpheus Cary, 9 October 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Cary, Alpheus

Sir,
Quincy Oct 9th 1817.

Will you be so good as to procure for me a piece of white marble four and twenty inches in length and twenty inches in breadth to be inserted in a slab of Quincy granite with the following inscription on it and send it to me and your bill shall be honoured by your friend and humble / servantJohn Adams.

Inscription
Dedicated to the memory of Joseph Adams senior who died December 6. 1694: and of Abigail his wife, whose first name was Baxter, who died August 27. 1694: by a great Grandson in 1817.


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 10 October 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Quincy Oct. 10. 1817

I thank you for your kind congratulations on the return of my little family from Europe. To receive them all in fine health and good Spirits, after so long an absence, was a greater Blessing, than at my time of Life when they went away I had any right to hope or reason to expect. If the Secretary of State can give Satisfaction to his fellow citizens in his new Office it well be a Source of consolation to me while I live: though it is not probable that I shall long be a Witness of his good Success or ill Success. I Shall Soon be obliged to say to him and to you and to your Country and mine, God bless you all! Fare Ye Well. Indeed I need not wait a moment. I can Say all that now with as good a Will and as clear, a conscience as at any time past or future.
I thank you also for the loan of Depradts narration of the Intrigues at the Second restoration of the Bourbons. In this as in many other Instances are is seen the influence of a Single Subtel mind and a trifling Accident in deciding the fate of Mankind for Ages. De Pradt and Talleyrand were well associated. I have ventured to send the Pamphlet to Washington with a charge to return it to you. The French have a King a Chamber of Peers and a Chamber of Deputies Voila! Les Ossemens of a constitution of a limited monarchy; and of a good one, provided the bones are united by good joints and knitted together by Strong tendons. But where does the Souvereignty reside? Are the three branches Sufficiently defined? A fair representation of the body of the People by Elections Sufficiently frequent is essential to a free Government: but if the commons cannot make themselves respected by the Peers and the King, they can do no good nor prevent any evil. Can any organisation of Government Secure public and private liberty without a general or universal freedom without Licence or licentiousness of thinking Speaking and writing. Have the French Such Freedom? Will their Religion, or Policy allow it? When I think of Liberty and a free Government, in an ancient opulent populous and commercial empire I fear I Shall always recollect a Fable of Plato.
Love is a Son of the God of Riches and the Godess of Poverty. He inherits from his father, the intrepidity of his Courage, the Enthusiasm of his thoughts, his Generosity, his prodigality, his confidence in himself, the Opinion of his own merit, his impatience to have always the preference: but he derives from his Mother that indigence which makes him always a begger, that importunity with which he demands every thing, that timidity which Sometimes hinders him from daring to ask any thing, that disposition which he has to Servitude, and that dread of being despised which he can never overcome.
Such is Love according to Plato, who calls him a Demon, and Such is Liberty in France and England and all other great rich old corrupted commercial Nations. The Opposite qualities of the father and mother are perpetually tearing to pices himself and his friends as well as his Enemies.
Mr Monroe has got the universal Character among all our common People of “A very Smart Man” And verily I am of the same Mind. I know not another who could have executed so great a plan So cleverly. I wish him the same happy Success through his whole Administration.
I am, Sir with respect and Friendship / your
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Alpheus Cary, 13 October 1817
From: Cary, Alpheus
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					Boston Oct. 13th. 1817.

				I received on Saturday last, through the medium of the Post-Office, a letter from you dated the 9th. inst. in which you request me to procure you a piece of white marble 24 inches in length, by 20 inches in breadth, with an inscription engraved on it. Your request shall be immediately attended to, and the slab ready for delivery within eight or ten days from the date of this letter. You have said nothing respecting the thickness of the slab, therefore I shall make it of what I consider a proper thickness to insure its permanency, say from 2 to 3 inches.Very respectfully I am Sir, / Your obt. humble servt.

					Alpheus Cary


Title: To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 2 November 1817
From: Watson, Elkanah
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					Albany. 2d. Novr. 1817

				It is now 37 years since I had the pleasure to recieve your first letter at Anconis It was a paternal letter containing advice to a Young Man, which was peculiarly usefull to me. You than said—“I must talk to you like an old man”—I am now 15 years older than you was than. In several of your Subsequent letters you express’d a wish to know precisely, the conversation which pass’d between Judge Oliver and myself in Birmingham 1st Decr. 1782. In a long conversation with him looking over my MSS: I have found the following Note on that Subject—“Decr 1st. 1782—In a long conversation with Judge Oliver this morning in presence of Elisha Hutchenson Dr. Oliver and Several other hott royalists principally on American affairs it turn’d mostly on my respected friend John Adams Esq—altho’ he could not refrain from admitting his firmness & Virtues; yet he said he dreaded him More than any other man in America”—I will now amuse you with an anecdote which happen’d the Sunday preceeding this conversation.Being at the English Church setting by Side of the Judge—in course of the service the congregation vehemently responded to the Priest “Oh Lord turn the hearts of our rebelious Subjects in America”—the Judge Knowing my rebelious sentiments gave me a smart Jog in the elbow—I felt indignant—but the week insueing the 6th. I was in the house of Lords, and directly before his Majesty at the foot of throne—when I had the extream gratification to hear him acknowledge Our Independence—and the insueing spring as you may recollect, I return’d again from France to England, than in full peace.I again repair’d to Birmingham to visit my tory relations—went again to Church with the Judge, was carefull to sit by his side—as we came out, I tap’d him on the arm, triumphantly saying, Judge I rciev’d no Jog in the elbow this day—the service was drop’t—the retort was rather too severe—the Judge rec’d Me at his house with coldness—& I never Saw him after. If consistent with proprity you will gratify my curiosity, to explain a paragraph of a Letter I had the honor to recieve from you 16 Sept. 1812—thus “Let me tell you my Friend, there are no fanatics in religion (&c.) more enthusiastick than the devotees to agriculture. Every  word of this letter must be Kept to yourself upon honor. You will git no aid from Boston, Commerce, literature, science theology are all against you: Nay, medicine history, and university, and universal politicks are against you—I cannot, I will not be more explicit”—You will permit me Sir to add, altho I have always been perfectly persuaded, this terrible denuncation, was hinted to me by pure friendship—yet I must add,—it has always has been perfectly inexplicable to my mind. My only interpretation was that I might at that time be view’d as a medling, Officious, presumptious Man—to attempt innovations, No other man had presum’d to attempt in this country—and thus to have made myself unpopular and rediculous. I trust however, my perserverance has   acquitted me of all improper motives, and that I have given sufficient evidence, that the pure amor patria was my only guide. My zeal was indispensable to accomplish what with the blessing of GOD has been accomplish’d and the effects of that zeal, and that example, is now extending over every Section of the U. States.I will thank you Sir at this late hour in Life—If you will condecend to unravel the mistery, and I pledge myself whatever you may say shall be confidential with the exception, that I wish with my own decendants to wipe off what will otherways appear in my family archives a stain upon my memory—whereas I am concious, If any act of my Life deserves commendation it is my labours in my native State—to which I never Shall return. / I am with great respect / and Sincerity / Yours cordially

					E: Watson


Title: From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 7 November 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Watson, Elkanah

Dear Sir
Quincy Nov. 7. 1817

I thank you for your favour of the 2nd. If, 37 years ago, I wrote to you in the character of an Old Man, I must now write in that of a Superannuated one.
When Chief Justice Oliver Said to you in 1782 that he dreaded “me more than any Man in America” he did not explain his reasons. I will not pretend at Present to conjecture more than one. He knew that I was the first Projector of the Impeachment of the Judges; and he believed that Measure to be the critical Event on which the Revolution turned.
Enthusiasm for Agriculture, I have felt, to my cost, in my own Breast, and I dayly See it in my amiable Neighbours Pomroy & Quincy and many others. Far from reproaching or regretting it, I rejoice in it, because it does good. Yours in particular has been very Usefull
When I said that “So many Interests and respectable Societies were against you” I meant that at that time an Anglomanian and an Antigallican Enthusiasm was prevalent and tryumphant in this Quarter, and that you as well as I had given Offence by our Approbation of the War against England.
Moreover I was myself against Advancing you Money because I thought We had no Right to do it; and because I thought as Soon as our Finances would allow, We ought to institute Cattle Shows Exhibitions of Manufacturs & of our own.
I am Sorry you are not to return to Massachusetts because you have been a meritorious Citizen and possess much of the Esteem of your Friend
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from John Gardiner, 10 November 1817
From: Gardiner, John
To: Adams, John

					Sir
					General Land Office 10th Novemr. 1817

				I take leave to present to you a Map, (of the military bounty Lands in the Illinois Territory) engraved for the use of the Soldiers of the late Army. By means of these Maps every Soldier can, for one dollar, obtain accurate information relative to the soil, Timber, & position of the Tract which falls to his lot, & thereby appreciate the value of his Country’s bounty.I have the honor / to be with high respect / Sir / your obedt servt

					John Gardiner


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 29 November 1817
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

Dear and respected Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 29 Nov. 1817.

As I returned home in safety in the course of this week, the first moments of leisure, after having informed my children and mr Busti of this happy event, shall be devoted, to acknowledge the favour of your’s of the first of Oct. In my former from Philadelphia I mentioned—how I was bruised—wounded—healed—and restored to perfect health—now I can only mention, and this, I am assured is a far more delightful account, than all the news I could gather, that health—and contentment has fallen to my lot without interruption. The courteous and distinguished reception I met with exceeded far my most Sanguine expectation; and my children Shared in their fathers enjoyments. Often it Seemed a dream, and brought the days of a former epoch to my recollection. My frend Busti, who, as you know—charged himself with the expences of my journey, made me a handsome present of Italian writers—old and new. L’Abbe Corea, Dr Whistar—John Vaughan—Dr Collin Vied with another, to render my residence agreable, while mrs Mifflin with her amiable Daughters and Mrs Gibson, formerly miss Bordleÿ—with a few female connections of my children, made me loose Sight of the attention I owed in return to Scientific men. In New-york, this happiness was continued—De Witt Clinton—Dr Hosack and Mitchell filled up Several gaps in my Librarÿ—and even Dr Romain paid a visit to his Father’s friends—while Several of mÿ Utica neighbours—then in the metropolis charged themselves with the burthen, of Seeing me again home in Safety. But I have, in recompense for all the favours—bestowed with Such a liberal hand, be loaden, as the Ass of Jeschurun—with Solicitations—and demands, which I could not decline, but for whose accomplishment one winter Shall Scarce be Sufficient. I am tempted to elaborate a rough Sketch of a theory of our planet, of which in former times I communicated Some outline’s—viz—that our Supposed creation had only been a renovation of this globe, by which the Almighty reanimated this inert mass—whose vivyfing powers had been exhausted—and this globe—with its creatures in consequence of it—reduced to a Chaotic mass—rudis—indigestaque moles—in a Similar manner—as it’s fate once more Shall be—at a certain period—If I Succeed—I Shall Submit it to your inspection—while, in mean time—your hints may be of an egregious Service. It may—in this manner—Spread a Splendid light on the most obscure parts of our geologÿ—and ever place the doctrine of Angels and Demons in a clearer point of view.
I thank you for your Extracts from Sir William Jones and Hafiz By the first I was induced—when in the Phil. Soc.—to examine at intervals the Asiat. Res: When I met with a rich harvest of knowledge. I copied—among other an emblematic figure of Brama, which if Basanistes had been acquainted with it—he certainly would have used as a Vignette for his Quaternity doctrine—It is a fourheaded engraving of that Deity!
It is enough—that you remain my friend—although I can not question it—Now and then only—even a Single line—assuring me of your health and happiness and that of your Ladÿ. Had you Seen—with what eagerness I opened—and perused it, you Would remain persuaded, that I highly value the favour bestowed—But God forbid—that I Should Solicit it, when it Should cost you too high a price. Remember me in kindness to your Lady, and be assured, that I cannot cease to remain with the highest respect and most affectionate regard / My Dear frend! / Your affectionate and Obliged frend!

Fr. Adr. van der Kemp


Title: To John Adams from Hannah Adams, November 1817
From: Adams, Hannah
To: Adams, John

					To the Hon. John Adams, LL. D. Formerly President of the United States.Sir,
					Boston, November, 1817.

				Sensible of the honour I received by your permitting me to prefix your name to the second and third editions of this work, I am desirous that the present should appear under the same respectable and distinguished patronage.

The talents and virtues which you have exhibited, both in public and private life, will, I trust, be duly appreciated by the rising generation; and it is my ardent wish, that your ability and integrity may be perpetuated in your descendants. I am most respectfully, /

Sir, your most obliged /

and very humble servant,

					Hannah Adams.


Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 7 December 1817
From: Tudor, William, Jr.
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Boston December 7th. 1817—

				I take the liberty of sending to you the only copy entire, which I possess of the Discourse I delivered before the Humane Society last Spring. I have promised it to Mr Shaw ultimately, and when you have read it, if you will take that trouble I will thank you to give it to himI do not ask you to read the Discourse itself which is a trifling performance on the trite subject of Charity, but the notes attached to it—These notes I wrote with the conscientious belief that there were many perversions & abuses in our pretended charitable institutions, that these were growing into serious evils, and that the public attention should be directed to their examination. I knew that an attack of this kind would by many be considered as rashness, but I thought that I only was responsable for their contents—The Society however or rather the Trustees thought otherwise, and after a delay of many months in collecting their appendix, they directed these notes, in my absence to be suppressed—This proceeding as I did not intentionally fail in respect towards the Society, or intend to make them in the slightest degree answerable for the sentiments contained in the notes, I might perhaps have considered a harsh one. From what I heard, I am induced to think they would never have met this untimely fate, if it had not been for the mention of the peace society which I thought would only excite a smile—and yet one would think that this very event would have shewn them the impossibility of their design, since even they the zealous advocates of universal peace waged a war of extermination against my friendless unprotected notes—Since the Emperor Alexander has joined the Society! (was ever cajoling equal to this Autocratian absurdity?) they begin to feel their power, when a single one of their members, has a standing army of six hundred thousand men to enforce their designs—the ludicrous condescension of this good natured despot would be well met by the answer of Mr Jay which they will not publish—If you would be willing to ask him for it, I should be much gratified to have it bound up in the N.A. Review with the similar documents from yourself & Mr Jefferson—I am with the highest respect / Your hble Sert

					W. Tudor jr.


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 December 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

Dear Sir
Montezillo. Dec. 10 1817

I rejoice in all your Felicities described in your favour of 29th. Nov. What a Contrast between your Existence and mine! You have travelled to Boston to Philadelphia and to New York, and been the delight and Admiration of all Men of Science, Letters and Taste in Massachusetts Pensilvania and that World of itself the State of New York.
I am “fixed like a plant, to one peculiar Spot
To draw nutrition for a few days and then rot,
I have not been fifty miles from Montezillo, nor Slept out of my own bed more than half a Dozen nights for 16 Years and Nine months. As to Society of Men of Sciene, and litterature I think myself the happiest Man in the World if I can obtain one hour of the Parsons Company on Sunday noon, though, good Soul, he is not always a Chrisostome or a Barrow.
In the name of Humanity!!! a solemn Appeal!!! Do not teaze torment, dupe or divert the World with any new Cosmogonies or Theogonies. If those who delight in such Reveries are not contented with Whiston Burnet and Buffon; let them read Gebelin, Bryant and Dupuis.
The Asiatic Researches are opening a vast Scæne and an immense Congregaation of Gods Heros and Sages to be compared with those of Chaldea Egypt Phenicia Greece & Rome &c &c &c
After all, whatever you may write will infallibly afford Pleasure and Instruction to your Friend
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Josephus Bradner Stuart, 10 December 1817
From: Stuart, Josephus Bradner
To: Adams, John

					Respected Sir.
					Albany December, 10th: 1817.

				I have obtained from Wm. Temple Franklin, Esqr. a selection of the manuscript writings of the late Dr. B. Franklin, which I am now arranging & intend ere long to publish.—It is my intintion in this work to present to the publick a political view of the times from 1770 to 1790. & to transmit to posterity the united fame, of those celebrated worthies to whom we are indebted for the glorious emancipation of this Country! The distinguished part which you took in those scenes, & the many high & important offices which you filled; Justly make you one of the principal characters in the work I am now engaged in.—I therefore, take the liberty, respectfully to solicit from you, the use of such dockuments in your possession, as you may deem usefull to my undertaking. As I do not wish to take from you the originals, I will make any arrangement that shall be agreeable to you, to put me in possession of Copies.—With sentiments of the highest respect & esteem, & best wishes for your welfare & Happiness, I have, the Honor, to be, most respectfully Yours.

					J. B. Stuart.


Title: To John Adams from John Jackson, 11 December 1817
From: Jackson, John
To: Adams, John

					Sir
					Philadelphia Decr. 11th. 1817.

				Who can better explain the character of a patriot of our Revolution, than his copatriots in the field or in the council?With the approbation of Judge McKean I am collecting materials for a life of his late father. Will you, Sir, many of whose nights were consumed, with Thomas McKean, in watchings for your Country’s sake, communicate to me any anecdotes of him, which are reposited in your bureau, or engraved on your memory?It is a pleasing consideration, that the lives of our patriots, are illustrated by each other.I am, with the greatest respect / your fellow-citizen

					John M. Jackson


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 13 December 1817
From: Waterhouse, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Cambridge 13th Decr. 1817.

				I received your letter with pleasure, and read it with high satisfaction. You have paid the highest compliment on the President’s Message or rather, Elogium, that I have yet seen, or have ever heard of—Our proud federalists however are displeased & mortified that he did not tell the whole world, how grand, how rich, how powerful, how gifted & how virtuous they in Boston are above all other mortal men; a few choice spirits in England alone excepted—Jonn. Mason’s election will however show Mr Monroe that rancourous federalism is not dead but sleepth—I hope he will be cautious lest he should experience the verification of the tender hearted countryman who took home to his warm fireside the frozen snake.I should have visited you before this, had I not been engaged in visiting all the military posts from Castine to New London inclusive; and since my return I have been deeply engaged in drawing up, & copying off my confidential reports. It is not many hours since I sent off my last packet to General Brown; & now I am about begining another task of writing for the Department of war, or, perhaps, the President. The subjust is the abolition of Military Dungeons. Howard himself could not tell more shocking tales that I can of men stiffled in their own filth;—“the black hole” of Calcutta over again in the United States of America in 1817!—I shall advocate the restoration of the old fashioned cat ‘o nine tails. Lacerate the skin, but no more of the lingering tortures of stiffling men in stinking Dungeons—They shall exist no longer in the country where I am a citizen—You speak of the “affairs of the heart;” and emphasize that third misery which says—“To wait & not come”—. Now I am curious to know what such old folks as you can feel, & know, & judge of affairs of the heart, or what may be called sexual affection. I am more than 20 years younger besure; but the wise people round about me ridicule all such feelings of the heart in me, and call it folly & dotage: and I begin to expect that I am a fool to mind them.—It is more than 2 years since I have been blundering about alone, heartless—cheerless & comfortless, in direct opposition to the solemn & generous advice of my  late most admirable bosom friend & partner. My children have left me—My youngest Daughter resides almost entirely with her sister. My own maiden sister, with her quaker-habits is my housekeeper. My domestic life is quiet, regular, without a particle of any thing offensive, or absolutely disagreeable, yet am I neither happy or comfortable. My days are gloomy & cheerless, and my nights worse. Excepting my Spaniel-dog, there is now no animal that skips & bounds with joy at my approach; or that stands with a fixed & steady eye at my departure. To a man of my sociable  turn, & cheerful disposition, & affectionate constitution, this is dreadful!—You would naturally ask why do you not change your gloomy darkness to sun shine by taking an agreeable companion?—I answer, because there is but one woman upon earth that I would take; and my children & near connections have some serious objections to her—such as, she is more than 20 years younger than myself; and has, they say, all those qualities, properties, & endowments that are calculated to make a fool of an old man, and of leading him by the nose, such as an handsome face & fine person, pleasing manners, excellent education, spotless character, every body’s favourite, and of course chock full of uxorious influence. Such are the qualities & endowments which fill my prudent relatives with wise sayings & solemn cautions. Being pleased with them is called dotage, and the folly of old age, and I—nay both of us (for there is an attachment on both sides as strong as life) have been fools enough to listen, & to mind it.—I should add that this object of my silly dotage has no money—Her fortune sunk with your old Secretary of War, who used to call her his Angel, from whose tomb I very lately gathered some ever-greens & flowers, & brought them as a present for his adopted daughter—Could I but fix my affection on a person old, like myself, ugly, sickly, but Rich, I should have the credit of a prudent old man, who wisely regarded the main chance; but if I follow the feelings of my own heart, & the dictates of generosity, I am to be considered as lacking prudence, & given up to the folly incident to 60 years of age. In these lectures of wisdom versus nature, I sometimes have mentioned the case in my favourite Grandison, where Sir Charles recommended to his uncle Lord L to marry a Lady of 34; and that match is mentioned again & again through that admirable work to be as happy a one as any in the whole circle of their acquaintance. To this I am answered—Grandison is throughout a fiction. I then have adduced the case of Dr Eustis & wife. This happy case is admitted; but they subjoin “one swallow makes no summer.”—All of which I, (being Prudence personified) have listened to, until my patience is thread-bare at least.—Now what shall I do?—I feel entirely disposed to lay this case of the head & heart before you too almost centum expletis annis:” couple. I wish to know of you & madam if the warm affections of the heart cool at 60; become quite cold at 66; and are frozen up by 70, and at 80 cannot hardly be remembered. Seneca’s wife was almost 40 years younger than himself; but her affection continued so strong that she refused to live after his death. In such cases of disparity of years are the parties to be left to judge for themselves, or is it a prudential duty, for a man of 60 to be guided by the council of his children, and other relatives? I wish my heart Old Franklin was alive to be one of the council of antients on this occasion. I dare say the widow and I would have old pump-thunder’s vote.The plain, naked fact is this—There is a man of 60, & better, and a very amiable, accomplished, & highly respected woman heartily disposed to unite their destinies, and adhere to each other for life. The question is, whether they shall be guided by their own feelings; or by the judgement of others; much younger than themselves? For nearly a year has this question puzzled & tormented two well disposed people, who are proud of their character for prudence. They shudder “at the world’s dread laugh.” They wish to act right; they fear to act wrong; and have not the courage to venture on the embarcation, lest the voyage may prove unfortunate. Which of you will underwrite upon it?I wrote you six months ago on this smoke dried subject; but on looking over my letter the next day, threw it in the fire, as impertinent, & indicative of the folly of age. Should I keep this 24 hours it may share a similar fate.—One thing is certain—I am not happy in my present, lonely, & deserted condition—. I scarcely enjoy the bounties of providence: yet am I not miserable. A man, or woman may think too little; or they may think too much. The line of true wisdom lies somewhere between.—I never untill lately recognized the wisdom of Providence in making young people in love;”—that is, giving them an almost blind impetus that excludes deep reflection.—If I do not seal this letter up directly without reading it I shall burn it. Behold then a new triumph of folly! in your old friend

					B Waterhouse