Title: From John Adams to Robert Walsh, Jr., 25 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Walsh, Robert, Jr.

dear Sir
Quincy May 25th 1819

For every Man of letters and reputation is dear to me—altho an entire Stranger in Person—your Name and writings have not been unknown to me for Serveral years—
Your favour of April 27th does me honour—your prospectus of Avindiciæ Americaniæ—is not only Comprehensive but Vast and requires talents information and application equal to yours—I heartly wish you Success in the execution of it.—
Advanced more than half way through the 84th year of my Age—my Eyes dim—my hands Palsied destitute of all assistance—but the good Females of my Family—who are most of them little Children—you can expect no assistance from me—I am Sir with much Respect and Esteem your obliged humble Servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Russell, 29 May 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Russell, Benjamin

Mr Russell
Quincy May 29th 1819

I thank you Sir for your kind letter of the 17th and am much obliged by your attention to my request’s—I now remember that the three Essays—were signed Marcellus and I well know they were written by John Quincy Adams—and I know that posterity will deem them—documents of importance—in the History of the United States of America—if you or my friend Mr Shaw will procure them to be copied for me in a fair hand I will cheerfully pay for them by the line, and the word—according to the fees established by law—
I am Sir your friend, and the friend of all Men
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, 1 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company

Gentlemen,
Quincy June 1st. 1819

accept my thanks for your polite Invitation, to your Anniversary Dinner at Faneuil Hall on the 7th. of this Month—nothing would give me greater pleasure than to meet a Society which I have held in veneration from my earliest youth, and to whom I Attribute—in a great Degree that Valour Military Skill Science and discipline which has contributed much to the present and prosperity and glory of the United States—But if I should not appear at your Festival—which I ardently desire—My uncommon Age and Various infirmities must be the Opology— / of your most Respectful humble Servant / and  fellow Citizen
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 1 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Tiffany, J. H.

dear Sir—
Quincy May June 1st. 1819

you are engaged in an inquiry which I think the most important—which can occupy the human mind next to the first Philosophy— I wish I could attend you to the end of your Career but as age forbids it—I can only furnish you with such feeble helps as were the productions of former years I have sent you the first Volume of the “the Defence & which I again pray you to return—as I cannot replace it—
please to accept the second Volume as a present for that I have duplicates—
I am Sir your Obliged humble Servant—
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from J. H. Tiffany, 1 June 1819
From: Tiffany, J. H.
To: Adams, John

					Venerable Sir—
					Schoharie Bridge—1 June 1819

				I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 24 ult. & of the Volume—which will be punctually returned when read. I have progressed about 100 pages in it, & it will be some days before it is finished, as I make extracts & shall be occasionally interrupted—The writers of the “Federalist” may have been materially aided by your labour which preceeded that production, & which, I  perceive, tend to the same conclusions—You all agree that Americans were better acquainted with the principles which ought to compose the thing, & the practise, which should illustrate the excellence of government, than Europeans. Americans search into political history, with a view an attention, penetration, circumspection, interest & feeling which cannot be awakened in foreign statesmen whose researches result in no practical & permanent benefit to themselves or country. I hope our republic may illustrate all that has been expected & predicted by the founders & friends—Most respectfully Sir— / Your most Obt Sert.

					J.H. Tiffany—


Title: To John Adams from Robert J. Evans, 3 June 1819
From: Evans, Robert J.
To: Adams, John

					Honoured Sir,
					Philadal. June 3. 1819

				Profoundly impressed with the conviction, that the time has arrived when some plan should be adopted for the eventual total extirpation of Slavery from the United States; I am endeavouring through the medium of the National Intelligencer, under the assumed signature of “Benjamin Rush,” to call the attention of the American People to the subject.Knowing your devotedness to the best interests of your country I solicit the favour of such practical hints on the subject, as may have occurred to you in the course of your reflectionsUnknown to you and to the world, I should certainly consider this as a most unwarrantable liberty, were it not for the importance of the object, and the weight which the opinions of such a man, must necessarily have with his fellow citizens; and likewise beleiving them to be the property of his countryIf this request should be considered impertinent, I beg you to find my excuse in the character of the motive and consign it to oblivion.With gratitude for your important services to your country. / I am with profound respect / your fellow citizen

					Robert J. Evans


Title: From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 9 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Tiffany, J. H.

Dear Sir
Quincy June 9th 1819

Please to accept the third Voloum of the “Defence” the first you will please to return when you have made all the use of it you wish for—the second I hope you have received—a fourth I may here–after lend you on the same condition I have the first—As you are the only Man now living who studies the Science of Government as far as I know—I should be willing if I had many days to live—to become your Pupil and Disciple, but as it is I can only furnish you with the results of the imperfect inquiry’s of my former days—but I hope you will adopt the sentiment and the resolution, “nullius addictus Iurare inverba magistri”
When I hear you have received the Second and third Volume I will lend you a fourth—
But I fear that so much lumber will incumber you and make you repent of having Commenced a Correspondence / with your most obidient humble Servant

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 June 1819
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

My Dear and respected Sir!
Olden barneveld—9 June 1819.

As I know not where mrs de Wint resides—I must address my Lett to your care—I could not indulge my Self of adopting this ignorance for an apology in not writing—as I have been So peculiarly gratified by their kind and courteous present of Verplank’s Oration—which I had not yet Seen—except in the Rev. of the N. Amer. It proves indeed that I am not forgotten, and that the Spirt of the Grand mother has fallen on her Grand-daughter—as the gratification was unexpected—So it was yet more welcome—This too—my respected Frend! muneris id tui est! My health is pretty good—the eyes remain weak—but grow not worse—at least I believe So—Blistering would not avail—now Since a fortnight—the Sublimate of Mercury is applied—externally and internally—and I hope yet—we Shall conquer that enemy—and—if not—it Shall not break my heart—determined to hold out—as long I can—I divide now my time between my labour in the garden, and the Records—and—what is a powerful aid—I got through the worst—Augis Stabulum purgavi—I have now a clean vol—an very Interesting of Law-Reports—thus—if any persecution occurs, and the Clergy was possessed by that infernal Spirt—I Shall communicate the result—
I have not yet met with Simonalis, but Shall now try to obtain a view of it—with Shall not be Soon
I ardently hope, you may enjoy the pleasure—of Seeing once more your Son and Daughter—I doubt not my Dear and respected frend, or you wait undaunted the Summons—At our age it ought to be So—I too—thanks I give to God have  debarassed my Self of all earthly cares—and grow more and more indifferent about the closing Scene—from time to time a bolt, with which our heart was rivetted is loosened—and it is natural—that we look unndismay’d at the instant, when the last Shall be removed—I am Some what younger—but have an apprehension that my departure may be Sudden—unexpected—and therefore I endeavours to be ready at the word of command—But which I am on my post, I will not Sleep—nil peractum ratus, donec aliquid peragendum remaneat. I accomplished Since Jan. nearly 1100—
I am confident, and it is among my numerous blessings—a highly valuable one—I can not—I Shall not be forgetten by John Adams—I Shall be remembered by him in his expiring moments—as I was honoured by that distinguished frend of your bosom—God bless you—my Dear and respected friend—I can not See to write more— / I am your Sincere and obliged frend

Fr. Adr. vander Kemp—


Title: To John Adams from John Farmer, 12 June 1819
From: Farmer, John
To: Adams, John

					Respected Sir,
					Billerica, 12 June, 1819.

				Permit an humble individual to present you a memoir of one of the ancient towns of Massachusetts, which claims some affinity with Braintree, as it derived from thence some of its early and most respectable inhabitants. The Brackett and Tompson families might be mentioned among those which emigrated from Braintree, some of whose descendants were persons of influence & wealth. Both families have now become extinct.In looking over the MSS. of Capt. Jonathan Danforth, one of the first inhabitants of this place, and brother of Deputy Gov. Danforth of Cambridge, I found a Plan of the “Farme of Capt. Adams,” one of the early inhabitants of Chelmsford. As I have been informed that there existed a relationship between those of Chelmsford and Braintree, I intended to send it to you, but I find it has got mislaid.Should I however find it, and if it would be acceptable, I will send it.With the highest respect, / your most Obt. and very / humble servt.

					John Farmer.


Title: To John Adams from J. H. Tiffany, 14 June 1819
From: Tiffany, J. H.
To: Adams, John

					Most Venerable Sir.
					Schoherie Bridge 14 June 1819.

				The 2d. & 3d. Vols. of the “Defence” with the accompanying notes are duly recieved.Deeply Sensible to those considerations which accompany presents of such distinguished intrinsic worth, bestowed with so impressive manner, the acknowledgement of my gratitude & great respects seems but a poor and inadequate return. In truth, when I preview these pages, & reflect upon the thoughts & deeds of the projectors & accomplishers of American liberty & governments, exhibiting the utmost force of human faculties in the Successful assertion & establishment of the dignity of human nature, there reigns a reverential awe!Considering all things, it Seems very difficult to equal, & totally impossible to surpass what has been done, yet you kindly encourage us to proceed.The machinery of government is contrived for us, constructed & in motion. It may require occasionally Some little improvements & regulation of the balances or of the action of the powers, all which is duly provided for in each constitution, but the great principles in their present positions, will probably endure to exert, unimpaired, their influences over a dense population of the whole expanse of our territories.If Such be the contemplations now, with what admiration will posterity look back through the vista of time to the colossal figures of the revolution!I shall by no means omit to return the 1st. Vol. when finished read & also the 4th. which you kindly engage to forward—With assurances of my highest regards / I am Sir—Your very Obliged & humb. Sert.

					J.H. Tiffany.


Title: From John Adams to William Plumer, 16 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Plumer, William

Dear Sir
Quincy June 16th. 1819

I thank you for your favour of the 8th and for your Valedictory Address—I have read it with pleasure it appears to be an honest account of his Stewardship by a faithful Steward to his Master—I have but one remark to make upon it and that is relative to the subject of Pardons in this important Article I have sometimes considered myself at Liberty to revise and to question the propriety of the opinion of the jury who presented the Verdict and of the Court who rendered the judgement, I pardoned Fries and his three associates  Opposition to the judgement of the Court and jury by my five heads of Departments and the then apparant Popular opinion and it is now, one of the purest Consolations of my life that I did so—my reasons for that judgement are too numerous and too delicate to be hear explaned at full length—one decisive one, in star omnium, I will hear avow—and that is, I was clearly of opinion that their Crime was not Treason, by our Constitution by the Laws of England or the laws of God—the law Officers ought to have indicted them for their highhanded Atrocious riot and Rescue and not for Treason—
I wish you Sir as much tranquillity and felicity in your retirement, as has been injoyed, and is still enjoyed / by your friend and humble Servant
John Adams—


Title: From John Adams to Samuel Adams Wells, 19 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Wells, Samuel Adams

dear Sir
Quincy June 19—1819

I return you the papers relative to the Gaspee—I long to see them in print you ought to publish them in the first News paper they are among the most Significant Documents of the Revolution—I inclose you also a letter to the President—I wish I could see you every day—for a multitude of thoughts occour to me which I cannot write—
I am Sir with Esteem and affection your friend

John Adamsmy letter to your G—F. relating to the Conference with Lord Howe on Staten Island is to me a great curiosity I regret that the only two circumstances worth remembrance in that foolish transaction was to were two repartus—first—Lord Howe cantid a great deal about his regard for America—he should feel her fall—like the fall of a Brother—Massachusets in particular had erected a Monument to his Elder Brother in Westminster Abby which if America fell—he should feel as he did the fall of that Brother—Frankline with his cool Archness replied we will endeavour my Lord to save your Lordship from that affliction—secondly his Lordship was extremely anxious to explain to us minutely that he was not Authorized to treat with us in any Character but as British Subjects—John Adams attended to all this with profound patience at last observed that he was Authorised to treat with his Lord-ship only as a Member of Congress and a Representative of a Soverign State—I was willing his Lord-ship should Consider me in any Character he pleased—accept that of a British Subject—his Lordship after a profound pause with a very significant look, replied Mr Adams is a decided Character—which I understood very well—that I was accepted from pardon by his positive instructions—as this was afterwards confermed to me in England—and was publickly asserted in the Newspapers—that I was by Name excluded from pardon by a Resolution of the King in Council—do you therefore if you write the Life of your G F—call aloud on the English nation to produce their record of the Resolutions of their King and Councel upon that occation.John Adams


Title: From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Monroe, James

dear Sir
Quincy June 19 1819

For the last twenty years I have made it a rule to interfere as little as possible with public affairs. but an occation now presents in which I think it my duty to make a frank, a Candid, a Submissive representation to you—if the Treaty with Spain returns ratifyed there will be commissioners appointed to adjust the claims for Spoilations on our Commerce—there is a Gentleman who I recommend to your consideration a Gentleman whose name is Samuel Adams Wells—he is a Grand Son of Samuel Adams the late Governour of Massachusetts whose name is extinct in his line—he left but one Child and that a daughter it is for the Son of that daughter, I now solicit your attention examination, and enquiry. he is a Gentleman who has a turn for business and a Taste for Literature—he has traveled in many parts of Europe—he was breed a Merchant and is well skilled in the profession—he is particularly acquainted with the Spoilations—his Moral Civil and political Character is without a Stain—
The Merits and  services, and Sacrifices, and Sufferings of his G. F. are beyond all Calculation—a Systematic course has been pursued for thirty Years to run him down—If the American Revolution therefore was a blessing and not a curse—the name and Character of Samuel Adams ought to be preserved. it will bear a Strict and Critical examination—even the inveterate malice of his Enemies—I therefor recommend Samuel Adams Wells to you as a Commissioner to adjust these Claims—the appointment will be highly gratifying to the Whigs though it will be extremely mortifying to the Anglomanian Tory’s through out New England—and all through out all the other States in North Americ—
Thus Sir I have discharged my duty according to my Conscientious Sense of it—and I shall submit to your decision whose right it is—with perfect acquiescence—
I am Sir notwithstanding former difference’s of opinion with sincere Esteem and great Respect your / most obident and most humble Servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 22 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

my dear Sir.
Quincy June 22d. 1819—

May I inclose you one of the greatest curiositys and one of the deepest Mysterys that ever occoured to me—It is in the Essex Register of June the 5th. 1819.—it is entitled from the Raleigh Register Declaration of Independence—How is it possible that this paper should have been concealed from me to this day—had it been communicated to me in the time of it—I know, if you do not know that it would have been printed in every Whig News-paper upon this Continent—you know if I had possessed it I would have made the Hall of Congress Echo—and re-echo, with it fifteen Mongths before your Declaration of Independence—.
What a poor ignorant, malicious, short-sighted, Crapulous Mass, is Tom Pains Common Sense; in Comparision with this paper—had I known it I would have Commented upon it—from the day you entered Congress till the fourth of July 1776.—The Genuine sense of America at that time moment was never so well expressed before nor since.—Richard Caswell, William Hooper, and Joseph Hugh’s the then Representatives of North Carolina in Congress you knew as well as I do—and you know that the Unanimity of the States finally depended on the Vote of Joseph Hughes—and was finally determined by him—and yet History is to ascribe the American Revolution to Thomas Pain—Sat verbum sapient—
I am my dear Sir your invariable friend—
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Peter Stephen Duponceau, 23 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Duponceau, Peter Stephen

dear Sir
Quincy June 23d. 1819

Moriturus te Salutat! this pathetick Saluation I am sure will engage your humanity to pardon a question which I acknowledge to be impertinent and might be Offensive from any-other than a dying Man—
Have you examined Bryants Annalysis of Ancient Mythology Court De Gebelin’s Monde Primitif—in nine ponderous Volum’s—and Dupuis’s Culte Universal—the two former of these appear to be Christian Philosophers—the last a determined Scorner—But all three contain  an immensity of Erudition which may be of use to you, in your enquiry’s concerning Universal Languages—
I feel myself under great obligations to you and Mr Heckewelder for your profound researches concerning our Country-men the Indians—and still more to that society of which I am ashamed to acknowledge myself an unworthy member—this great Work has increased my Esteem and Veneration for human Nature and deminished in some measure certain prejudice’s I had conceived especially against the Indians of north America—I find that even their revenge has been inculcated upon them as a moral and Religious duty—I beseech you Sir to persevere in your Researches which I have strong hopes will terminate in something greatly beneficial to mankind.—
I am Sir with great profound respect and sincere / Esteem your obliged and obedient humble Servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 23 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Tiffany, J. H.

dear Sir—
Quincy June 23d. 1819

I have received your favour of the 14th.—as Religion and Government and the Literature and the Sciences Subservient to them are the only objects worth the Study of a wise Man—I love every sincere enquirer after truth relative to either of these Subjects—
I cearch for principles petits fontes nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri jurare in verba magistri—is the only precept that can guid us to Solid conclutions—
I fear I have made you a promis that I am unable to perform I thought I had a Copy of the Discourses on Davila which I call the fourth Volum of the Defence but I cannot find it whether it has been lent—or borrowed without lending I cannot find out—
I am Sir your obliged humble Servant
John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 23 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

					dear Sir
					Quincy June 23d 1819

				Pray tell me how you apply the sublimate murcury for the cure external’y and internally of weak weeping inflamatory and dim sighted Eye—I am interested in this inquiry—have you seen duponceau and Heckevelder on the Indians—which is the worst! the Revenge of Indians or the inquisition? I admire your maxim Nil Peractum do nec aliquid peragendum—but I have scarcely written eleven hundred words, while you have written eleven hundred pages—I have sent your letter to Caroline—and will send any other—I am glad she has sense enough to Court your Correspondence moriturus te salutat—

					John Adams


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

My Dear Sir
Quincy June 24th. 1819.

Pray tell me how you apply the sublimate Murcury for the cure of externally and internally of weak weeping inflammatory and dim sighted Eyes—I am very much interested in this inquiry—
Have you seen Duponceau and Heckevelder on the Indians—which is the worst! The Revenge of Indians or the Inquisition—I admire your maxim—Nil peractum donec aliquid peragendum—but I have scarcely written eleven hundred words, while you have written eleven hundred pages—
I have sent your letter to Caroline, and will send any other—I am glad she has sense enough to court your Correspondence—moriturus to salutat—

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Farmer, 25 June 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Farmer, John

					Sir I thank
					Quincy June 25th 1819

				I thank you for your favour of the 12th but I have not received the memoir.The Brackets and Thompsons were amongst the earlier settellers of Mount Walliston—out of which the town of Braintree was fabracated Tompson after Wheelright was one of the first ministers, but his name is here extinct—the Brackets are still numerous and wealthy; that either of those families Emigrated to Billerica I know not and am obliged to you for the information—the plan of the farm of Captain Adams of Chelmsford is a great Curiosity—two Brothers of my Great Grand F Emigrated from Braintree or wrather from Mount Walliston—and settled in Chensford if you should ever find it I should be glad to see it—the name of Danforth at least would give it importance—I am Sir your Obliged and Obedient Servant

					John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Alexander Anderson, 28 June 1819
From: Anderson, Alexander
To: Adams, John

					Honored Sir
					Washington City June 28th 1819.

				Without the claims of an acquaintance, I take the liberty of presenting you a Copy of the Oration I had the honor to deliver, in this place, on the last Anniversary of our Independence. Be pleased, Sir, to accept it, as a mark of the high respect I entertain for your Character And your distinguished Services to our Republic.I regret I have not had the opportunity of knowing you personally, and this feeling is the entire consequence of my knowledge of your History, and my Sincere Regard and reverence for the patriotic principles Which governed you throughout our Revolutionary Struggle.I hope You will pardon the freedom of this letter—and accept my best wishes for the continuance of all Your blessings—I have the honor to be, Sir, / With Sentiments of the highest / Respect Your Obt hmbl Servt

					A Anderson


Title: To John Adams from Peter Stephen Duponceau, 28 June 1819
From: Duponceau, Peter Stephen
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					Philadelphia, 28th. June 1819

				I feel exceedingly honored as well as gratified by your kind notice of my humble labours. Your Letter, which I shall preserve with Care, will be a proud Testimony to my descendents, that their Ancestor enjoyed the esteem of one of the most illustrious among the illustrious founders of this great Empire.I have not read either Bryant’s Analysis nor Dupuis’ Culte Universal, but Shall read them both on your recommendation. The Monde Primitif I have in my library, the gift of its inestimable Author, who was one of my earliest friends & whose pupil I may with propriety call myself. He honored me with his Correspondence to the moment of his lamented death. Never Shall I forget that great & good man, who first instilled into me a taste for the Science of language, philosophically considered; a taste which remained long dormant, being Superseded by the severer studies of an active & laborious profession, but which I have lately felt considerably revived. Little did I expect that it would one day procure me the honor of your high approbation.I have taken the liberty to communicate to my friend Mr Heckewelder, the part of your letter which relates to him. It will cheer his Spirits & stimulates him to fresh exertions. He is now going to publish an Account of his Apostolic labours as a Missionary among the Indians. I have read the work & can assure you that it is very interesting.Of all the works of the Almighty Creator, Man is the least known. It seems that Mankind are doomed to view each other thro’ thick clouds of prejudice & passion. We are therefore obliged to those who lay before us new & interesting Sketches of human nature in its various forms, particularly when they confine themselves to facts & abstain from theories. Such is the course which Mr Heckewelder has pursued, & he will be happy to find that his object has been attained by “encreasing your esteem & veneration for our Species.” The Same effect, I have no doubt, will be produced on all correct minds. Accept my thanks, Sir, for your kind encouragement to continue my Studies & labours. There is none that can work So powerfully upon me, and morituri as we both are, & as all are, Sed non moribundi;  I hope your precious life & my insignificant existence will be preserved long enough that I may again many times endeavour to deserve, & perhaps again receive your flattering approbation. As I mean to devote much time & study to this object, I earnestly beg that you will keep yourself in health and Spirits, for the benefit of your Country, in the first place, and next, for the important object of preserving the Indian languages from oblivion.I have the honor to be, / With the highest Veneration & respect / Sir / Your most obedient / humble servant—

					Peter S. Du Ponceau


Title: From John Adams to Jeremiah Greenleaf, 5 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Greenleaf, Jeremiah

Sir
Quincy July 5th 1819

I have received your favour of June 24th. but not your “New System of English Grammar”—I therefore cannot make any remarks upon it—the title promises well, every effort to felicitate Education deserves encouragement I therefore wish you abundant success—and am your / most humble and obidient Servant
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 6 July 1819
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

My Dear and respected Sir!
Olden barneveld—6 July, 1819.

I will not delay to Send you a few lines—in answer to your favour of June 24th—with which I was gratified—at my return from a Short excursion to the Oneyda Lake—when I went to bid a last farewell to a friend, decaying in mind and body—He can not be long here, neither is it desirable either for him or his Children—It is mr J. Bernhard—who followed my Steps from Europe; and whose worthy Son owes—under Gods blessing—to his unrelenting industry—his Independence, on a noble farm on the Oneyda Lake—I had not Seen him in four years—and now I visited too my worthy frend G. Sirba, who, tho in reduced circumstances from his former wealth—is yet happy and content—enjoying the respect of all who know him, and receiving, and thanking me cordially for this visit—What a blessing! to possess frends—and how few are there, who can boast, that among them is a John Adams. Since my return I renew the course with the Sublimate of Mercurÿ—althoug my eyes are yet dim—I flatter my Self they grow not worse—Sometimes I think—the obstruction dissipates Slowly—but—be that as it is, I do not despair—
I consulted with three medical frends—L. Guiteau Dr. Willoughby from New-port—and A. Coventry—all agreed—all had more or less apprehension of an approaching cataract—they agreed in the application of blistering—when that was in vain—recourse was had to Mercury—a Solution of 4 or five grains in an ounce of Brandy—Some proposed 4 or 5 drops—in the morning and evening—Dr Warren’s opinion, communicated to me by thy amiable frend Cato’ Eliot—coincided with their. Consulting with my constitution—my Physician dissolved Six grams in an ounce of brandy—of this I took—during three weeks—ten drops in the morning and evening without the least inconvenience—
The Same preparation, diluted with water, So as to be easily born on the eye, I use externally—as often I can think on it—If it has not Success—then electricity must be tried—if finally a Cataract fall to my Share, it must be removed by an operation—I hope—that—consulting with your Physician, as you have only weak eyes—You Shall find relief, by a Similar dilution—but not So Strong—as that was allotted for me—The Chief object is, to remove, if possible, any obstructions in the coats or glondular System of the eye, and to encrease the tone of action in the vessels
I have not Seen Daponceau or Heckewelder—except in the N. American Rev. The Inquisition is in my opinion infinitely worse than the Revenge of the Indians: by the Latter is it—the Lex talionis—by the first—a tissu of unmanly falshood—
You owe me yet—the fourth vol. of the Mem. of the Academy—Mrs. Adams Send me vol. iii p. 1 & 2.—Perhaps—these triffles may cost you Some trouble—I will thus propose to S. Eliot by one of his Daughters, if he will be your Successor—and whenever he hesitates—I will again apply to you.
I am highly gratified with Caroline’s unsolicited Letters—If it is in my power—to See once mor Philadelphia—I Shall certainly pay her a visit—if I am informed of her abode. She maÿ indeed press the Steps of her grand mother—She may—if possible, resemble once that accomplished Lady—Had I been in the neighbourhood of Montizillo, I doubt not, or I Should have obtained a Souvenir from her own hand—are you not Her Executor?
Was Pres. Kirckland’s funeral Sermon—or Eulogy published? Did J. Quincy, your Son, pay Her his Last tribut of praise—How cheering is the remembrance—”I possessed this invaluable treasure, during So many years—In this I was blessed above Millions”—This was your happy Lot—my Dear and respected friends—in which all took a Share, who were honoured with your acquaintance—I was gratified these days with an Extr. from Henry Fearon’s journey in 1817—and could not Suppress the wish—oh! had I too been there.
Pardon me in Scribbling So much—I write but every time a few lines—and it is now early in the morning my garden demands at present—all my time, and then I hope to return to my Records—Be happy—be blessed—I am persuaded—you continue to honour with your affectionate esteem—your frend—

Fr. Adr. vander Kemp


Title: To John Adams from J. H. Tiffany, 7 July 1819
From: Tiffany, J. H.
To: Adams, John

					Sir
					Schoharie Bridge 7. July, 1819.

				This morning’s mail brought me the new & valuable vol. of Novanglus & Massachutensis, for which I pray you to accept my profoundest thanks. The topics & the times to which these essays belong, are interesting beyond all others historical or political, unless we except the revolution itself, to which they furnish the prologue. It is a cruel alternative to oppose one’s bosom friend, or country; but magnanimity could not hesitate to suspend the enjoyments of friendship for the paramount rights & offices of patriotism. Had Novanglus yielded to the persuasions of the former, America might long, perhaps forever, have bewailed the consequences. I shall endeavor to bestow on these letters, the consideration they claim—Be asured, Sir, of my sense of your / kind & condescending attention, & of / my highest respect & veneration—

					J. H. Tiffany


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 9 July 1819
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Monticello July 9. 19.

				I am in debt to you for your letters of May 21. 27. & June 22. the first delivered me by mr Greenwood gave me the gratification of his acquaintance; and a gratification it always is to be made acquainted with gentlemen of candor, worth and information, as I found mr Greenwood to be. that on the subject of mr Samuel Adams Wells shall not be forgotten in time and place, when it can be used to his advantage. but what has attracted my peculiar notice is the paper from Mecklenburg county of N. Carolina, published in the Essex Register which you were so kind as to inclose in your last of June 22. and you seem to think it genuine. I believe it spurious. I deem it to be a very unjustifiable quiz, like that of the Volcano, so minutely related to us as having broken out in N. Carolina, some half dozen years ago, in that part of the country, and perhaps in that very county of Mecklenburg, for I do not remember it’s precise locality. if this paper be really taken from the Raleigh Register, as quoted, I wonder it should have escaped Ritchie, who culls what is good from every paper, as the bee from every flower; and the National Intelligencer too, which is edited by a N. Carolinian. and that the fire should blaze out all at once in Essex, 1000. miles from where the spark is said to have fallen. but if really taken from the Raleigh Register, who is the Narrator, and is the name subscribed real, or is it as fictitious as the paper itself? it appeals too to an original book, which is burnt, to mr Alexander who is dead, to a joint letter from Caswell, Hughes and Hooper, all dead, to a copy sent to the dead Caswell, and another sent to Doctr. Williamson, whose memory, now probably dead, did not recollect, in the history he has written of N. Carolina, this Gigantic step of it’s county of Mecklenburg. Horry too is silent in his history of Marion, whose scene of action was the country bordering on Mecklenburg. Ramsay, Marshal, Jones, Girardin, Wirt, historians of the adjacent states, all silent. when mr Henry’s resolutions, far short of independance, flew like lightning thro’ every paper, and kindled both sides of the Atlantic, this flaming declaration, of the same date, of the independance of Mecklenburg county of N. Carolina, absolving it from British allegiance, and abjuring all political connection with that nation, altho’ sent to Congress too, is never heard of. it is not known even a twelve month after when a similar proposition is first made in that body. armed with this bold example, would not you have addressed our timid brethren in peals of thunder, on their tardy fears? would not every advocate of independance have rung the glories of Mecklenburg county in N. Carolina in the ears of the doubting Dickinson and others, who hung so heavily on us? yet the example of independant Mecklenburg county in N. Carolina, was never once quoted. the paper speaks too of the continued exertions of their delegation, (Caswell, Hooper, Hughes) “in the cause of liberty and independance.” now you remember as well as I do, that we had not a greater tory in Congress than Hooper; that Hughes was very wavering, sometimes firm, sometimes feeble, according as the day was clear or cloudy; that Caswell indeed was a good whig, and kept these gentlemen to the notch, while he was present; but that he left us soon, and their line of conduct became then uncertain until Penn came, who fixed Hughes and the vote of the state. I must not be understood as suggesting any doubtfulness in the state of N. Carolina. no state was more fixed or forward. nor do I affirm positively that this paper is a fabrication: because the proof of a negative can only be presumptive. but I shall believe it such until positive and solemn proof of it’s authenticity shall be produced, and if the name of M’Knitt be real, and not a part of the fabrication, it needs a vindication by the production of such proof. for the present I must be an unbeliever in this apocryphal gospel.I am glad to learn that mr Tickner is safely returned to his friends. but should have been much gladder had he accepted the Professorship in our University, which we should have offered him in form. mr Bowditch too refuses us. so fascinating is the vinculum of the dulce Natale solum. our wish is to procure natives where they can be found, like these gentlemen, of the first order of acquirement in their respective lines; but, preferring foreigners of the 1st order to natives of the 2d. we shall certainly have to go, for several of our Professors, to countries more advanced in science than we are.I set out within 3. or 4. days for my other home, the distance of which and it’s cross mails, are great impediments to epistolary communications. I shall remain there about 2. months: and there, here and every where, I am and shall always be affectionately & respectfully your’s.

					Th: Jefferson


Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 11 July 1819
From: Tudor, William, Jr.
To: Adams, John

					Dear and Most venerable Sir,
					Sunday Afternoon July 11th. 1819.

				You will have been informed before this letter reaches you of the bereavement that has happened to my family. My Father had only complained of indisposition, for two or three days, and had been out every day previous to his death. This took place last Thursday morning at 7 o’clock—it was sudden & without pain as he had always desired. He was buried on Friday evening. Cheif Justice Parker walked with me, followed by a few gentlemen who kindly accepted an invitation to this private funeral.To you I might dwell on his character, without fear that you would think the partiality of filial affection carried me too far—but it is unnecessary.—He was your pupil and derived a lustre from your friendship—and it is not for me to tell you of the high respect and affection he bore to you, which commenced before I was born and continued through his whole life—I have lost the kindest and most affectionate Father, and the loss of a Father brings with it emotions  I had never before realized. My Mother & my sister Mrs Stewart all of his family who are now present join with me in the most affectionate respects, and a soothing confidence in your sympathy for our affliction.

					W. Tudor


Title: To John Adams from William Bentley, 12 July 1819
From: Bentley, William
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					Salem 12. July. 1819.

				Your letters on the day of our nation’s birth are in consent with the wonderful character you have supported in the best services to your country. Our young orator, Mr Andrew Dunlap, has expressed our gratitude & hopes. He is a son of Harvard, on his mother’s side from our primitive families, a gentleman of the bar, a man of talents & of the best prospects. Permit me to accompany his oration with these assurances, & allow me the opportunity to express the highest respect to the man, the statesman & the patriot, who has & deserves the first honours of his Country With the highest respect,  / Your devoted Servant

					William Bentley.


Title: To John Adams from Peter Stephen Duponceau, 12 July 1819
From: Duponceau, Peter Stephen
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					Philadelphia, 12th. July 1819

				I am honoured with your letter of the 5th. inst. If you have felt pleasure in recognizing in me the friend & pupil of a Man whom you knew & esteemed; you may judge of my Satisfaction, in discovering that his modest mind had not escaped your just discernment. He was all that you describe; to all Mankind he was an enlightened instructor; to me he was almost a father, for he loved me with filial affection. We parted from each other with regret; he tried to detain me near him; but I was predestined to be the ancestor of an American race. Who knows but another “Adams”, may Some lustres have trace his pedigree from my humble stock? It is Said, indeed, that “Fortes creantur à fortibus”, but the rule is not So general, but that it has Sometimes been reversed.I have received a letter to day from the excellent Professor Vater, one of the Authors of the Mithridates, a work that no Scholar Should name without a bow, or some other marker of respect. He regrets that it is not his fate to live in this Country, which he both loves & admires. The Germans are making great advances for a literary alliance with America, while the English treat our literature & Science with Supercilious haughtiness. I humbly think that much will be gained, by meeting these good Germans half way; & indulging them with the literary Connection which they so much desire. I am glad to hear that the University of Cambridge has taken steps towards it & have sent Mr  Everett as their Plenipotentiary to strengthen the bonds of amity & friendship between the two nations.As you have had the goodness to take some interest in my little productions, I take the liberty of enclosing a rapid Sketch which I have made of the general System of federal as well as State Jurisprudence of this Union. It is a “bird’s eye view” of the whole, & might be interesting as well as useful, if filled up by an abler hand. My professional brethren think it correct in point of fact. If you have leisure to cast your eye over it, I beg leave to Submit it to your better judgment.I have the honor to be / With the highest veneration & respect / Sir / Your most obedient / humble servant

					Peter S. DuPonceau


Title: To John Adams from Ann Frances Bulkeley Humphreys, 12 July 1819
From: Humphreys, Ann Frances Bulkeley
To: Adams, John

					My dear Sir
					Boston July 12th. 1819

				Deign to forgive the liberty which I take, in compliance to the earnest request of Mr: Coffin’s friends, in asking you, if you should judge it proper, to sign your name to the enclosed paper in recommendation of Mr Francis Coffin, a brother of my friend Mrs: Derby.—we shall consider the honour of your name as of the highest importance to him: he is a very excellent young man & would be worthy of the appointment he solicits, as Consul at Lima—I take this same occasion to offer my gratitude for the very precious Letter you had the condescension to write to me regarding the “Yankee in England” & above all for the friendship you therein express for our departed friend. Be assured, my dear Sir, that I feel most sincerely & deeply, all the value of the expressions contained in your letter.I have long wished to pay my respects to you,  & should long since have availed myself of your permission & kind invitation, had I not been much indisposed & confined to the house, owing to the extensive heat of the Weather. But I propose very soon to do myself the honour & gratification of seeing you at Quincy.I pray you will present my best regards to your Son & daughter Mr & Mrs. T. B. Adams & to accept yourself the assurances of my high veneration & respect, & to believe me My dear Sir / Your faithful friend / & Mo: obt Servant—

					Ann Frances Humphreys


Title: From John Adams to Ann Frances Bulkeley Humphreys, 14 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Humphreys, Ann Frances Bulkeley

dear Madam
Quincy July 14th 1819

your reccommendation alone would have been surficient apology for me Authority for me to sign my name to the recommendation of Mr Frances Coffin a Brother of our friend Mrs Derby to be Consul at Lima—tho the other names already signed to that reccommendation we being among the most respectable in the state, would have been amply surficient without mine—when the extreme heat of the weather is over—I hope to have the honor of a Visit from you, I should have long since have had the pleasure of paying my respects to you at Mount Vernon—but indisposition has  therto prevented it—
Our friend Tudor, has followed so many of our other friends that the number of mine is reduced very low—
I am Madam with the sincerest respect and / affection, your obliged and affectionate / friend,
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to William Bentley, 15 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Bentley, William

Dear Sir,
Quincy July 15th. 1819

I thank you for your kind favour of the 12th. Mr Dunlaps Oration is well written and discovers talents, dispositions and views, which will secure him success at the Bar, in publick and private Society; it is conformable to the general sense and public opinion of the World. Thank him for it, for me, and wish him all possible prosperity
A few weeks ago I received an Essex Register Containing Resolutions of Independence, by a County in North Carolina, fifteen months before the Resolution of Independence was in Congress.—I was struck with so much astonishment on reading the Document, that I could not help enclosing it immediately to Mr Jefferson, who must have seen it, in the time of it—for he has Copied the spirit, the Sense, and the expressions of it—Verbatim into his Declaration of the fourth of July 1776.—had I seen the Declaration, at that time of it, it should have been printed in every Whig Newspaper on this Continent.—Its total concealment from me is a mystery, which can be unrivalled only, by the timidity of the Delegates in Congress from North Carolina, by the influence of Quakers and proprietary Gentlemen in Pennsylvania, the remaining Art and Power of Toryism throughout the Continent; at that time.—That Declaration would have had more effect than Tom Pain’s Common Sense, which appeared so long after it—
I pray you to interced with the Printers to transmit me half a dozen Copies of that Register which contains it—and I will immediately transmit the money for them whatever they may Cost.— That Paper must be more Universally made known to the present and future Generation—
I am, Sir, with the profoundest respect for you, who are, and ought to be acknowledged, a Dr in Physics, Law, Philosophy and Divinity—
your devoted friend / and most humble Servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Manners, 15 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Manners, John

Dear Sir
Quincy July 15th. 1819

As every Candid inquirer after truth whether personally known, or unknown to me, is very dear to me; I cannot forbear to acknowledge my obligations to you for your kind favour of June 30th.—
The field before you is very intensive; it would be arrogance and presumption in me, to pretend tantas Componere lites, when such names as Ellsworth Washington, Peters, and Cooper, are arrayed on one sid, and a Chase Tucker and Jefferson and Madison on the other.—
The questions concerning Constructions by implication, are not without their difficulty’s for some things are so strongly and clearly implyed in others that it is impossible to embrace addopt the latter without embracing the former every moral rule contained in the common Law is undoubtedly obligatory upon us, every political Law that is applicable to us, and evediently beneficial to us; we should be unwise not to adapt, why Should we not Consider the Common law as we Consider the legal reports of adjudged Cases as Illustrative Presidents Corroboratory of reason and Sound judgement—I should certainly never Adopt the Common Law any further than I should see the reason Equitty and Utility of it—surely the hereditary descent of the Crown, the Hereditry Estates in their Offices which the Kings of England hold—the Hereditary Estates of their Nobles which they hold in their honours dignity and power—the Certainly the Establishment of the Hierachy of their Church are not binding upon us—indeed the great question whether the establishment of the Christian Religion by the Common Law, which is not very clearly settled in England cannot reasonably be pretended to be settled in this Country by the Common law. Many of our States have by-laws of their own since the Revolution adopted the Common the law, as far as it is applicable to us—but it would be Madness in a Man who can neither read, nor write, to enter into details upon this great subject,—in you Sir, it is very becoming; to enter and beat the whole feild, we have in America Customes unwritten laws, or what we may call a Common Law; which have Originated since the Emi Migration of Our Ancestors—for Example in some of the States Married Women, are allowed to Unite with their Husbands; in the Alination of their Heredetary lands; this is not conformable to the Common Law of England. for four and forty years I have been so entirely out of the habit of Studying Law, except in such Caces as my public, political, duties demanded of me; that it would ill become me at this Age, to attempt to discus questions so complicated and important as those that you propose—if I were forty years younger—it would be the delight of my soul—to accompany you through all your rechear—for success in which I have the sincere wishes of your friend and humble Servant
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Franklin Dexter, 16 July 1819
From: Dexter, Franklin
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					Boston July 16th: 1819.

				Absence from town has prevented till now my acknowledging the honor you did me by your letter of the 11th. inst.Your approbation of a performance, of which from its subject you are a better judge than any other, is the highest praise I could receive, and I feel a proper pride and pleasure in it.You have given me, Sir, a new reason for lamenting the loss of a father to whom I owe every thing that I have, and the hope of all I may ever be. I knew he felt the sincerest affection and veneration for your character, and the highest respect for your the wisdom and firmness of your administration; these feelings were so habitual with him, that I had acquired them long before I knew their justice; and in reading the history of those years, I had but to learn the reasons of the faith that was already in me. But I did not know untill now that his death had prevented the execution of so important a purpose. None of his friends or the friends of his country could have wished him employed in a better work.—But I cannot believe that if all who saw those times should die without leaving any account of them, posterity can be in doubt of what they owe you; enough will remain of a public nature that cannot perish, while those who have slandered you will soon be forgotten, unless one of them should be long remembered for unncaring virulence and unaccountable inconsistency.My mother presents you her most respectful regards.I am, Sir, with the greatest gratitude to you as the friend of my father, and the highest respect as the friend of your country, / Your very Humble Servant

					Franklin Dexter


Title: To John Adams from William Bentley, 17 July 1819
From: Bentley, William
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					Salem Mass. July 17. 1819.

				Having been requested by J Marston Esqr to send to him through your hand, a copy of the Mecklenburg N C. resolutions as printed in the Essex Register, June 5. I have taken the liberty of adding another copy for your own use, as he assured me you had sent your own copy to a friend.With increased affection, / & with the highest reverence of your personal virtues, / & unrivalled public services to your Country, / your devoted Servant,

					William Bentley.


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 18 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

					my dear Sir
					Quincy July 18, 1819

				I have heard friend Lancaster with pleasure, he is an excellent scholastic and accedemical disciplinarian I wish that he had the melodious voice, the graceful attitudes and dignified motions and gestures, of the Revnd George Whitefield of wonderful memory—Lancaster formes his company’s into Battalions into Regiments Battalions into Regiments, his Regiments into Brigades, and teaches them all his tacticks with as masterly skill as  or Napolion could have done, and all this without a whip or cat, cow-skin cain, feral ferule or Box on the can, and all this by the simple action of that main spring of human nature, emulation,—how much more honorable to past human nature is this system than the old one of scolding snarling growling Boxing and whiping—I believe his Itenerent holdings forth than will do more good than Whitefields did 70 years ago—I am very sorry I did not see your Son—I congratulate you on your marriage tho you have not condescended to inform me of it, Lord Loveatt when on Trial for his life had heard the testimony of sir Everend Faulkner very decisive against him, the court asked the prisoner if he had any questions to put, or cross examination to make of the Witness Loveett answered my Lords, I have nothing to say to Sir Everend Faulkner, but to wish him joy of his young wife—your wife young, or not young—I shall be glad to see with you at the Hermatage of your old Friend—

					John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Manners, 19 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Manners, John

dear Sir
Quincy July 19th 1819

I have requested my Son, to inclose to you a little Volume, and two separate printed papers, one certainly of Mr Du Ponceau and the other I suspect to be of the same hand—this I request you to return to me when you have perused them, by the Mail—because we have no other copies, as the Common Law of England, has no more binding force upon us than the laws of Hindostan—but our Common law which we have adopted and practiced from the beginning seemes to me to be binding upon us, untill we alter it by our own Statutes—but why should we not be permitted to avail ourselves of the written reason of the Common law of England, or of the Civil law of the Romans or of the Frederician Code—or the Napoleon Code—or of the laws of Confucicus or Zoroaster—I wish you great success, and great Comfort in your investigation, / and am you friend and humble Servent
John Adams—


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 19 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

dear Waterhouse
Quincy July 19th. 1819

I have heard Friend Lancaster, with pleasure, he is an excellent scholastic and academical disciplinarian—I wish he had the melodious Voice the graceful attitude’s and dignified Motions and gestures of the Revnd George Whitefield, of wonderful memory.—
Lancaster formes his company’s into Battalions, Battalions into Regiments, his Regiments into Brigade’s—and teaches them all his Tactics with as masterly skill as Frederick or Napoleon could have done and all this without a whip—ferule, or Box on the ear—and all this by the simple action of that main Spring of human nature, Emulation, how much more honourable to poor human nature is this System than the old one of scolding, snarling growling Boxing whiping—I believe his Itinerant holdings forth, will do more good than Whitefields did 70 years ago—
I am very sorry I did not see your Son—I congratulate you on your marriage* *Premature— though you have not condescended to inform me of it—Lord Loveatt, when on trial for his life had heard the testimony of Sir Everad Faulkner, very decisive against him—the Court asked the Prisoner if he had any questions to put—or cross examination to make of the Witness—Loveatt answered—my Lords I have nothing to say to Sir Everand Faulkner but to wish him joy of his young Wife—Your wife young, or not young, I shall be glad to see her with you at the Hermatage of your old Friend—

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from William Bentley, 19 July 1819
From: Bentley, William
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					Salem. 19. July 1819

				After I sent my reply to Mr Marston, I received your affectionate Letter of July 15. I am persuaded your indulgent opinion has given my young friend more pleasure, than all the applause of his audience. He has not a friend, who has not seen the extract I gave him.In regard to the North Carolina declaration we have been as much surprised, as any persons who have read it. We searched general & particular historians in vain. We have a train of enquiries, of which we will communicate the result. It must have been known when the declaration of Independence in 1776 was written. I have added, Sir, four copies of the paper which contain it, bearing date June 5, & it is an ample reward for every care to collect them, that they will be received by him who was pleased to direct the search for them.  Like my young friend I feel riches in the degree of your favor,   than in all learned or public honours. I am with the greatest respect / of your public & private character,  / your devoted Servant,

					William Bentley.


Title: From John Adams to William Bentley, 20 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Bentley, William

dear Sir
Quincy July 20th. 1819.

I thank you for myself, and for Mr Marston for the kindness you did us by your Letter of the 17th.—Which I received this morning.—And at the Same time, I received the letter from Mr Jefferson—of which my Son has made the inclosed Copy at my desire for your use.—
This letter is to me inestimable for the most material facts in it, I certainly know to be correct and exact, It has convinced me that the Mecklengburg resolutions are mere fictions—I wish I could request you to publish this letter entire; but I cannot, because I have not the writers consent—you may make such use discreet use of it as you think proper—I have wrote to Mr Jefferson inclosing the Essex Register, and have received this answer which to me is intirely satisfactory in all its parts—It will be difficult for Posterity to detect the Multitudinous falsehoods which were published from day to day during the Revolution, and ever since.—but fictions of this kind, five and forty years after the pretended fact; ought to be discountenanced by every man of honor—and this in particular ought to be hunted from the dark Cavern from which it originated, the more ingenious the invention the more detestable.—
I am Sir your greatly obliged Friend and / Humble Servant—

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from William Bentley, 22 July 1819
From: Bentley, William
To: Adams, John

					Sir
					Salem. 22 July 1819

				I have received your kind letter, informing me of the doubts respecting the Mecklenburg. Resolutions. I am persuaded you hold me innocent. I saw the document as represented. I made no use of it, because I know nothing of its authority. At the bottom it was announced to be of known as well as high authority. I have requested my Printer to write to  NC on the subject & whatever we hear we will faithfully report to you.With the highest respect & confidence / your devoted Servant,

					William Bentley


Title: To John Adams from William Bentley, 23 July 1819
From: Bentley, William
To: Adams, John

					Sir
					Salem. 23 July 1819

				I inclose for you a copy of the National Register printed at Washington City, from which we copied the Document to which you have referred.The dignity of your mind will require that I satisfy you that the document has been displayed in the most public manner without reprehension, & it may serve as a proof that I reverence the judgement of the Father of my Country.With the utmost reverence / Your devoted Servant,

					William Bentley


Title: To John Adams from J. H. Tiffany, 23 July 1819
From: Tiffany, J. H.
To: Adams, John

					Venerable Sir.
					Schoharie Bridge 23 July 1819.

				By this mail I return the 1st. vol of the “Defence” which I have read twice, with as much attention as I have been enabled to bestow. The distribution & balance of powers which it contends for, & the proofs, inferences & reasonings displayed, must have had great influence in the formation of the federal constitution, which immediately followed the publication of this volume. And would not a reader as readily & as fairly presume that the Authors of the “Federalist” had known the “Defence”, as that the Author of the ‘Spirit of Laws’ had been acquainted with the Ethics & Politics of Aristotle, with or without the intervention of Machiavel? At least, in both cases there is a The letter to the Abbey Mably shews that you was of the same opinion in 1782, that you was on reading Wirt’s life of P. Henry, viz—that our troubles with G. Britain commenced in 1761, & that the actors & scenes were in Massachusetts.You have the satisfaction to see in the 22 American Constitutions (Vermont perhaps excepted) the legislative power divided, agreeably to your wishes, into two branches, each armed with a negative against the other; a single executive in all, but executive councils in 5.—That in 12 the executive has a negative (including the suspending power of the governor & council of Vermont, & in two of them N. York & Illinois, the judiciary joined in the power to check—Having analised & examined the governments of almost every other people & time, how gratifying would it be to Americans to enjoy the advantage of your experience in recieving a like process upon our own, the construction, operation, tendencies & influencies of which has been now 30 years submitted to your observations. Your ideas upon it would be invaluable.The “Defence” was written before the federal constitution was formed, yet some passages therein approbating, the English form of government, but not as compared with ours, have been occasionally animadverted upon & alluded to, by the designing & ignorant, without reference to chronology or circumstances. For myself, I should certainly long remained in error of opinion on some particulars, had not these volumes fortunately come to my hands. And here I pray you to recieve my renewed assurances of gratitude & respect for your attentions for which I more & more feel my unworthiness. I know the value of your time & that the occupation of that part of it appropriated to correspondence, has claimants much better entitled.Sir, in all respect & duty / Your very humb Set.

					J. H. Tiffany

					PS. I cannot refrain from advancing one enquiry—as I have much curiosity to learn—Who drew up the Constitution of Massachusetts, including the preamble & declaration of rights in 1779, 80.?


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 27 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Waterhouse, Benjamin

Dear Waterhouse.
Quincy July 27. 1819

Though my letter to you has the air of a Redimentack Eulogium—on friend Lancasters lecture—yet it was down right honest and sincere for I was really delighted and enlightened by that lecture—my letter is your property—and give you may give the Original, or a Copy to Mr Lancaster if you please
I hope soon to hear of your Marriage and to see you—and your elect precious, in our obscure town of Quincy— by the way since I have nothing better to write I will give you my toasts—given at the late Celebration, in our town of Quincy first. The memory of John Hancock born on yonder Spot pointing to the Cellar of the house in which he was born within one hundred roads of us the first Governor of the Commonwealth—and President of Congress on the day we Celebrate—Secondly—the Memory of Samuel Adams—another member of Congress on that day—another Governor of the Commonwealth whose Great Grand Father, and whose great, Great Grand father his buried in this Church yard within twenty rods of us—thirdly the memory of Josiah Quincy an Ardent Patriot an Eloquent Orator—whose Sepulchral monument is now in Sight from these Windows the father of our distinguished guest and Brother farmer—fourthly the Imortal memory of that mighty Monarch Massasoit as less Legitimate a Sovereign as any, in any holy  leag league Ancient or Mordern—who Sold the town of Braintree consisting of twenty seven thousand acres of Land to its White inhabitants—
I am as usual the Superanuated old dotard / your Constant friend

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
Quincy July 28th. 1819—

I inclose you a National Register, to convince you that the Essex Register is not to blame for printing the Mecklingburg County Resolutions, on the Contrary I think it to be Commended—for if those Resolutions were genuine they ought to be published in every Gazette in the World—If they are one of those tricks which our fashionable Men in England call hoax’es and boares—they ought to be printed in all American Journals; exposed to public resentment and the Auther of them hunted to his dark Cavern— for altho you and I should as easily believe that a flaming Brand might be thrust into a Magazine of Powder without producing an Explosion—as that those Resolutions could have passed in 1775—had not been known to any Member of Congress in 1776.—and if they were not known to you, as I am very sure they were not, It is impossible they could have been known to any-other Member—
I am Sir, whether at your first, or Second home— / always affecly. and Respectful’y / your Friend
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to James Brackett, 29 July 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Brackett, James

dear Sir
Quincy July 29th. 1819.—

Inclosed are two letters from a Mr Farmer of Billerica; a Gentlemen whom I never saw, or heard of—also a plan of a Farm in Chelmsford with some notes; by which it appear, that the Brackets and Adams’s emigrated from Mount Waliston very early to Billerica, and Chelmsford—As every Civility requires a return I could do no less than acknowledge the receipt of his letter—
I have written him that the Brackets are a have been a numerous and respectable Family in this Town, for al’most two hundred years—and are so still, that the Name of Tompson is extinct—though the first minister of the Ancient Town of Braintree bore that Name—and left a respectable Posterity, all of whom as far as I know have disappeared—If you can give me information Respecting either of those Families, I will transmit it to Mr Farmer; who is employed in writting a History of the Town of Billerica—
When you have perused these Papers, I will thank you to return them to your Friend and / Humble Servant—
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 29 July 1819
From: Tudor, William, Jr.
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Boston July 29th. 1819.

				I have found since I had the honour of writing to you last, a book among my Fathers papers belonging to you.—There is also a note from the printer and a corrected copy of your inaugural speech which I in close—My mother & Mrs. Stewart went a few days since to Kennebec to pass a few weeks with my eldest sister, and where I have heard of their safe arrival—The Historical Society have deputed me to prepare a Memoir of my Father for their volume now in the press—and which now occupies me. I remain Sir, / with the highest respect / Your hble serv

					W. Tudor


Title: To John Adams from James Brackett, 2 August 1819
From: Brackett, James
To: Adams, John

					Much Respected Sir,
					Quincy August 2d 1819.

				Your favour of the 29 ulto I duly received, And in answer to Mr Farmer’s enquirey Honour’d through your medium.I beg leave to observe,—As to any account of the family of Tompson’s I can say no more than—they were once respectable in the town of Braintree but for many years they have disappear’d. And as respect’s the family of Brackett’s in this place, by the best information I can obtain, they are the descendant’s of One of three Brother’s who emigrated from Scotland and came to Mount Waliston and was one of the first Settlers of Braintree—One of the other Brothers settled in some town a little to the westward of Boston—(probably Billerica) and the other one settled in the town of Greenland in the State of New Hampshire—the descendants of whom, I have understood have been pretty numerous in the two last named places as well as in this town, As also many are now scatter’d abroad and residing in various parts of the American States.With sincere Respect I remain / Your friend and Humble Servant

					James Brackett


Title: To John Adams from Richard Bland Lee, 2 August 1819
From: Lee, Richard Bland
To: Adams, John

					Sir
					Washington August 2. 1819

				I take the liberty of sending to you herewith the copy of an Oration which I was unexpectedly called upon to deliver on the 5h. July last commemorative of the declaration of our Independence, in all the initiative measures leading to it, and in all the subsequent to maintain it, you acted so honorable and conspicuous a partIt must be a great satisfaction to you to have lived to behold the mighty expansion and growth of an empire to which you were so instrumental in giving birth: and now when Party animosities have ceased to find your fellow citizens of every description, bestowing thier just plaudits on your virtue your wisdom & patriotism, and expressing their gratitude for the eminent & faithful services which you have rendered to the Republic. In this you are more fortunate than many Patriots of former times, who died under obloquy & persecution, carrying to thier graves only the consciousness of their virtues and the confident hope that future ages would render Justice to their memories.But you have outlived calumny and detraction, and will descend to your tomb with the pleasing knowledge of your country’s gratitude & Love.That your remaining days may be happy is the sincere wish of a fellow citizen who was taught from his earliest youth to admire your patriotism, and venerate your wisdom and virtueI have the honor to be yr obt Svt

					Richard Bland Lee


Title: From John Adams to John Davis, 4 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Davis, John

Sir
Quincy August 4th 1819

I thank you for your Oration, which I have read with pleasure, there has never been any Alination of Esteem or affection between Mr Jefferson and me, we differed in opinion concerning the French Revolution, he was of opinion that it would terminate in the establishment of a free Democratical Republic in France Republican Government in France I could never be convinced of the Probability of such a glorious felicity in that vast and devoted Country—two Parties inflamed and exasperated existed in this Country headed by Men of the most determined Ambition the one inclined to France the other to England, one was for closer connections with France and going to war with England in her favour, the other was for an Alliance with Great Britain Offensive and Defensive with Great Britain and for a War on her side against France—it was my destiney to run the Gauntlet—between these two infuniated factions—in support of a Neutrality of which I was the Original Auther, and which I was determined to support, and did support, at the hazard and at the loss of my Popularity of Office, and Life—
I have had thoughts of writing a history of the errors of Washington as General, and as President, of Adams as Embassador and President, and Vice President of Jefferson as Embasader, as President, and Vice President of Madison as member of Congress, as burgess of Virginia and as President of the U.S. this history whether to be written in verse or prose—must have filled a folio Volume will probably not appear—if you desire it I may possibly hereafter give you a few hints of the principle errors of John Adams—among which the greatest of all were the misterious burning of War Office the Offices of War, and Treasury, the Alien and Sedition Laws—the work of Hamilton and his Patron Washington—But after all the greatest error of all, was his birth on the Eastern side of Hudsons River—
with much esteem, I am Sir your friend and humble / Servant
John Adams—


Title: To John Adams from James Madison, 5 August 1819
From: Madison, James
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir
					Montpellier Aug. 5. 1819

				I pay with much pleasure the debt of thanks for the copy of Mr. Wells’s Oration so kindly forwarded by you. It is a concise and well presented view of the great event celebrated, with a judicious selection of circumstances proper to be combined with it. I avail myself of this as of every occasion of renewing to you assurances of my high esteem and best wishes.

					James Madison


Title: From John Adams to Samuel Adams Wells, 6 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Wells, Samuel Adams

dear Sir
Quincy August 6th. 1819

your letter of July 23d. is as yet unanswered, I thank you for the communications. I now return you, your Grandfathers letter to J. S.—which I long to see in print, it is a masterly sumeary of the reasonings of the Whigs at the time it was written and worthy of the pen of your Grandfather, his hand writing, is as familiar to me as my own
I have sent your Oration, to Mr Jefferson Madison and Monroe—&—for my self I have always found that misfortunes are gregarious they come in flocks but I agree with St Paul that these light afflictions are but for a moment—
I am Sir your obliged and affectionate / fourth, fifth or sixth Cousin—
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Richard Bland Lee, 10 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Lee, Richard Bland

Sir.
Quincy August 10th. 1819—

I thank you for your Oration on the red letter day in our national Calendar, which I have read with mingled—emotions, an invisible Spirit seemed to suggest to me in my left ear. Nil admirari, nil Contemni—Another Spirit at my right elbow, seemed to whisper in my ear—Digite compesce labellum.—
But I will open my lips, and will say, that your modesty and delicacy have restrained you from doing justice to your own Name;—that band of Brothers—intrepid and unchangeable—who like the Greeks at Thermopylæ, stood in the gap, in defence of their Country, from the first glimmering in the Revolution, in the Horizon—through all its rising light, to its perfect day.—
Thomas Lee on whose praise’s your Chancellor Wythe delighted to dwell, who has often say’d to me, that Thomas Lee was the most popular man in Virginia—and the delight of the Eyes of every Virginian; but who would not ingage in Public Life—
Richard Henry Lee, whose merits are better known than acknowledged; and need no Illustration from me—
Francis Lightfoot Lee a man of great reading, well understood, of sound judgement and inflexible perseverance in the Cause of his Country Attachment to his Country—William Lee who abandoned an advantageous establishment in England from Attachment to his Country, and was able and faithful in her service—
Arthur Lee, a man on whom I cannot think without emotion; a man too early in the Service of his Country, to avoid making a multiplicity of Enemies; two honest upright faithful and intrepid to be popular, two often obliged by his principles and feelings to oppose Machivallian intriguers, to avoid the destiny he suffered—This man never had justice done him by his Country—in his Life time—and I fear he never will have by Posterity—his reward cannot be in this World—
With much esteem, and respect, I am Sir, / your most obedient, / humble Servant—
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 10 August 1819
From: Tudor, William, Jr.
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Boston Augt. 10th. 1819.

				In a short memoir of my Father, prepared for the Volume of the Historical Society now in the press, I have made a few extracts from the letters of his distinguished correspondents. And from among your early letters those which I now inclose for you to see and which I hope you will permit me to print in these Transactions. The one to my grandfather is taken on account of the most kind & honorable testimony to my Father’s Character when a young man—and also for its useful application in a general way. The one by General Washington, as connected with my Father’s life, and also to shew how you spoke of him, before he had acquired his great fame. The others because they shew your anxiety for Independence before others were quite ready, and your strong solicitude and attachment for the town of Boston; and because they relate to a period which is every day attracting more attention. I have hitherto been prevented from paying my respects personally since my Father’s death, I hope as soon as my Brother returns to town we Shall have that honor together—With the highest respects / Your mo hble Sert

					W. Tudor.

					I pray the favour of the letters being returned.


Title: From John Adams to William Tudor, Jr., 12 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Tudor, William, Jr.

Quincy August 12th. 1819

you have my full consent to publish all my letters. I only wish request that you would print them, verbatim, literatim and punctuation—They were written at a time when I had not yet learned the necessity of keeping Copies of my letters, These have burst upon me, therefore, with real surprise. I had totally forgotten them, but my own hand writing I never can deny. The essence of them is as familiar to my memory and more so too, than my last correspondence with your respected and esteemed Father. I approve and rejoice in your filial piety, in writing your Fathers life.—
I am Sir with sincere esteem / your humble Servant


Title: To John Adams from William Bentley, 14 August 1819
From: Bentley, William
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					Salem. August 14 1819.

				We have received from the Editor of the Raleigh Register an account of the Mecklenburg resolutions. The editor is the Father of the Editor of the National Intelligencer, Joseph Gales. The whole will appear in our next number. I thought it however respectful to you to give you, the most early notice, & to justify the enthusiasm your patriotism had employed on the occasion of such a possible discovery, as I thought I felt something like it in myself. Mr Gales acknowledges, “The declaration &c was originally published in this paper on 30 of April last, & has been copied into most of the Newspapers printed in the United States.” The occasion of its publication was a conversation on the subject at Washington & in consequence the Senator of the district wrote for satisfaction. In reply to what he wrote, what was printed, was sent to him. The Letter accompanying the documents you will find in our next paper. Mr Alexander found the documents among his father’s papers. These papers were received from J McKnitt, Brother of Mr Alexander with a certifice that they were true copies, & they were sent to H Williamson, writing the H. of NC. & to Con. W. R Davie, & the fate of the Book is mentioned on the file. Mr Davidson to whom the papers were sent was the Rep. from the District, & he was told that the Son believed his Father to have been Secretary to the Committee. The printer adds “The papers thus certified were sent to us for publication by the Senator, who had collected the information.” We trust, therefore, that the most sceptical will no longer entertain a doubt of the authenticity of this declaration of Independence of Mecklenburg County. If further evidence of these facts were wanting, it is believed the testimony of one of the most respectable inhabitants of this City, who was present, when the declaration was resolved upon, might be added, see the paper. Where did these “blaze form”? Gales’ own father published them, from their own member at Washington, & these have been published every where!I have no language to express all that the highest respect dictates to the Father of my Country.

					William Bentley.


Title: From John Adams to William Bentley, 18 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Bentley, William

Dear Sir
Quincy Aug. 18. 1819

Thanks for your favour of the 14th. I expect with patience the History of the Mecklinboug Resolves. But the Testimony must be Strong to convince me that a blazing brand can be thrust into a Magazine of Powder without producing a Leyden explosion.
But “Majora Canamus.” La Fayette and Religious and phylosophical liberty have arrested my Attention. Oh! that I lived near You, Modern publications I find are familiar to you, to which I am a Stranger. Perhaps I may have Seen old Books which have escaped your Searching Eye. There is extant a Work in two Volumes by Malsherbs which were lent me by Some Gentleman of the French Legation. Tho’ I read the Volumes through, I cannot recollect the Title Whether it is “A History of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, or a Treatise on religious Liberty. But it imputes that Revocation to Madame De Maintenon and Cardinal Noailles.
Such are the Vicissitudes in human Life! The Family which procured the expulsion of the Protestants from France Sent La Fayette to America to assist in Setting Us free? My repeated legations to Louis 16. gave me Opportunities to learn Some of the Secrets of his Cabinet and Court, which I wish I could communicate to you. But this is impossible.
I am, Sir, with great regard your Friend & humbl. Sert
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Thomas D. Condy, 18 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Condy, Thomas D.

Dear Sir.
Quincy August 18th: 1819.

For your Oration on the 5th: of July, which I have read with pleasure, I pray you to accept my thanks. It is a gratification to me to know the opinions of the present generation concerning men and things, in the past, though they differ from my own, as they very often do.
The inquiring mind in future times will find reasons to diminish the glories of some and to increase their esteem of others. Some characters now obscured under a cloud of unpopularity, will come out with more luster.
I can not descend to particulars nor make remarks on your Oration; I will however suggest one thought. I have a great and good opinion of Mr: Cheves; but is Mr: Stoddert to be forgotten? Are Mr Gerry and Mr Sullivan to be forgotten, who established by law a whole Naval system in Massachusetts, In 1775. Are the Columbus, the Alfred, the Cabots and the Andrew Doria lost in the recollection of mankind? Are Hopkins and Manly and Tucker unknown? Have the Privateers been all forgotten? Have you read Mr: Clark’s Naval History published by Mr: Mathew Carey of Philadelphia?
I love you as I do every ingenious and ingenuous man; and therefore take the liberty to say “Macte virtute esto.”
John Adams.


Title: To John Adams from Seth Hunt, 20 August 1819
From: Hunt, Seth
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					New York. Aug. 20 1819

				It is very important to shew the Death of Peter Harrison, the Brother of Joseph Harrison who was Collecter of the Customs at Boston previous to the American Revolution—The said Peter is supposed to have been killed in one of those dreadful Scenes that preceded the Revolution.  From your high standing at Boston & your intimate acquaintance with the principal Inhabitants of the Town & with the Events of that time. I presume that you are more likely than any other Gentleman now living to have knon the Collecter and his Brother Peter Harrison & the time, place & circumstances of his Death—I take the liberty therefore Earnestly to request that you will favor me with Such information as your recollection will Enable you to give in relation to the Said Peter Harrisons death—The difficulty of ascertaining the fact of Peter Harrisons death in any other way than by application to Gentlemen whose age & standing at Boston would have been likely to have brought them in quarters with the Family of the Collecter Harrison with whom his Brother Peter is supposed to have lived—& the importance of the object—will I flatter myself will be deemed by you as a sufficient apology for the trouble which this Inquiry may occasion you.  I have the Honor to be / with the highest Respect / and veneration / Your Obt Servant

					Seth Hunt


Title: To John Adams from John Thornton Kirkland, 20 August 1819
From: Kirkland, John Thornton
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir,
					Harvard University 20. Augt—1819

				It is my official duty to mention that the public trial in speaking for the Boylston prizes for elocution, of which, by the institution you are one of the judges will take place -in the meeting House on thursday next beginning at half past nine of AM. At the same time, I know it wilt not be convenient for you to be present & I do not wish you to have the trouble of replying to this notice; tho’ always gratified & honored with everything under your hand.—I hope the Secretary of State will be with you by that time, & in that case will thank you to communicate to him the notice of the occasion—to which I shall give him a particular invitationI informed Mr Shaw of our receiving the book by Senator Tracy presented through you by Mr. Jefferson & desired him to express our thanks for your kind attention to the commissionWith all veneration & regard / I am, Dear Sir, / Your ob. servt

					John T. Kirkland


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 21 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

Dear Sir
Quincy Aug. 21. 1819

Your favour of the Sixth of July has afflicted me. My Minister Mr Whitney lately told Us, what I had well known for more than 70 Years, that “Afflictions multiply upon Us, as we advance in Years”
A whole flock, a whole drove, a whole herd of Calamities have huddled together upon me in the last Year. The List of them would astonish You. But I Am not in the habit of distressing my friends with my complaints. These light Afflictions are but for a moment and I think them all Blessings. Yet after all this vain and Childish yet Solid Philosophy, when flesh and heart Shall fail me, I may become a Snivelling Baby.
You have many friends whom you justly celebrate. I have a few to whom I never can do Justice. You have no Enemies. I have many, and have had more, among the most mean insidious and dastardly of whom have been Some of your confidential Friends and Correspondents.
Can you give me any Information, concerning General Floyd a Member of Congress in 1774, and a Subscriber to Independence in 1776.
With my last Breath I Shall not forget the friend Vanderkemp, nor “The Childish Vanity” of your Friend
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to William Bentley, 21 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Bentley, William

Dear Sir
Quincy August 26 21 1819

Thanks for the Rarsley Register and National Register Intelligencer.
The Plot thickens!
The name of the Cato of N. Carolina, the honest hoary headed, Stern, determined Republican, Macon, Strikes me with great force.
But here is an accumution of Miracles.
1. The Resolutions are Such as every County in the thirteen Colonies ought to have taken at that moment.
2. The Suffolk Resolves taken about the Same time were Sufficiently famous and adopted by Congress.
3. I was on Social friendly terms with Caswell Hooper and Hews every moment of their existence in Congress. With Hooper a Bostonian and a Son of Harvard, intimate and familiar: Yet from neither of the three did the Sleightest hint of this Mecklenburg Resolutions ever escape.
4. Is it possible that Such Resolutions Should have escaped the vigitant Attention, the Seralinizing penetrating Minds of Patrick Henry, R. H. Lee, Mr. Jefferson, Mr Gadsden, Mr Rutledge, Mr Jay Mr Sherman, Mr Samuel Adams? Haud credo. I cannot believe that they were known to one Member of Congress on the 4th. of July 1776.
5 Either these Resolutions are a plagiarism from Mr Jeffersons Declaration of Independence, or Mr Jeffersons Declaration of Independence is a Plagiarism from those Resolutions. I could as Soon believe that the dozen flowers of the Hydrangia now before my Eyes were the Work of Chance, as that the Mecklenburg Resulions and Mr Jefferson Declaration were not derived, the one from the other.
6. The declaration “of one of the most respectable of the Inhabitants of this City” Raughley ought to be produced.
7. The Papers of Dr Hugh Williamson ought to be Searched for the Copy Sent to him. And the Copy Sent to Genl: W. R Davie.
The Declaration of Independence, made by Congress on the 4th. of July 1776 is a Document, an Instrument a Record that ought not to be disgraced or trifled with.
8 That this Friction is ancient and not modern, Seems to be Ascertained. It is of So much more importance that it Should be thoroughly investigated.
I know not whether I have written the tenth part of the Reflections that have occurred to me, but I have written more than my Eyes and Nerves can well bear.

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from J. H. Tiffany, 24 August 1819
From: Tiffany, J. H.
To: Adams, John

					Venerable Sir,
					Schoharie Bridge—N.Y. 24 Augt. 1819.

				I return the Discourses on Devila, or the 4 vol. of the Defence, with acknowledgements of great Obligation for its use. I have read & extracted with an attention which, I hope, will enable me to comprehend them independently, or in connection with the preceeding volumes. The system appears to be—That among the passions those for distinction is paramount & exists & operates in different modes under the names of emulation, envy, jealousy, avarice, vanity, &ca, in individuals; of rivalries in confederacies. The Its ensigns are wealth, birth, science &ca—The 1st., when hereditary, a gift of nature, & is always the most influential & popular, because it acts directly through the senses in the minds of all people. That birth is the next most distinguishing ensign & also a gift of nature. That all orders, in monarchy, are founded on this. That the marks or insignia of rank, are distinctions or indulgencies which nations grant to this passion & that the Romans understood the salutary management of the passion better than any other nation.That the passion for distinction, independence or supremacy, is inextinguishable, universal & incessantly active. That when its motives are virtuous & its  deffer efforts beneficial, it is to be encouraged by the gratifications of distinction. That for the restriction, regulation & salutary use & direction of the passions, government is instituted. That government, to compass its end, must be composed of 3 equiponderant, independent branches; which equilibrium can only be maintained by provided each branch with a negative on the others, in legislation. That a despotism has no counterpoise & suppresses emulation by lopping the loftiest heads; when vested in a single uncontrouled assembly, an oligarchical party of the rich & well born members arises, then rivalries till all is quelled by a tyrant. In monarchies the aspiring passion is kept down by spies, lettres de cachet, Standing armies &ca. That in a government of 2 assemblies, one will preponderate by the efforts & acquisitions of rivalry, & there exists no 3d. independant power to restore the equilibrium; the vanquished rival will be annihilated, & the victorious assembly will, in its turn, be subjected to parties, rivals & at last, a tyrant,—. That between an executive & a single assembly—the latter will prevail. That in a government of 3 branches there exertions must be an unity of the executive, & it must be a component part of the legislature; & the upper house should be constituted of the distinguished by wealth, learning &ca.—& that there subsists a natural alliance between the executive & the house of representatives or lower house, like the alliances on the political chess-board of Europe. That this government, by its equal laws, regulates & restrains the master passion, better than any other form.That of the above theory, founded in nature, the portions of French history related by Devila, are examples, & illustrations, & its truth enabled you to foretel the catastrophe of the constitution of 1789 & the issue of the French Revolution. And the printed “Postscript” cited to the same purposes, British history antecedent to those acts which constitute what is called the British Constitution. To these also the Mss. notes add the history of the Bonapartean era. “Nor is our own Country to be forgotten.”Thus you may see, Sir, whether I have comprehended your ideas, contained in the “discourses” & in this vol & I should be anxious to be corrected of any error. I have not yet discovered, in this vol. the foundation of the report propagated that your opinion was, that the offices of president & senator in the U.S. should be hereditary or for life. Perhaps patriotism or jealousy took offence at the quotations A Smith, in N. 10 or other quotations—Perhaps because you had not more frequently explicitly & decidedly preferred the American to the British French & all other institutions forms of government, though I understand that such preference is, on more than one occasion given in the discourses; or perhaps, they expected you to prophecy the perpetuity of our constitution,, which had then but commenced its operation.Permit me, Sir—to renew the / assurance of my high veneration & my / wishes for your life, health & happiness.

					J. H. Tiffany

					P.S. It appears that happily your “Defence” is translated from French into Spanish, & is now the text-book of the South Americans—“Longo post tempore venit.” &ca.


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 August 1819
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

My Dear and respected Sir!
Oldenbarneveld 24 Aug. 1819

Yes, I did See from your note of thanks to your neighbours the disaster, which has fall’n to your lot—tho’ I could not learn its full extent—and yet it was not in my power to inform you of my feelings. That note directly relieved my anxiety—I knew—your mind enabled you, to elevate yourself above Such a loss—great as it may have been—and the gratification of receiving Such a fresh proof of the respect and affection of your towns-men—must have blunted the momentary pangs—which you felt at Such a Sudden unexpected blow. With pleasure I remember a conversation, when under your roof, and alone with your excellent amiable Lady—Speaking about her Daughter, then no more, and on what She herself endured, when with warmth, She detailed the numerous proofs of affectionate regard, which were bestowed by the neighbours, without distinction of political parties—She raised herself above this loss—and her glowing bosom breathed thankfulness, and filled mine with the highest admiration. To you I may—I dare touch on Such a topic, while I can join to it, the pleasing information—that I can again write—and did yesterday begin to labour in my garden—In few days I hope to renew my usual exercises; in which I have been interrupted by a Sudden and most Severe indisposition; It is over—except a remaining weekness. Last monday four weeks; having before breakfast been engaged with the records—and after it—till noon in the garden—I was much fatigued. In the afternoon a Spasmodec  convulsion—in both knees—lasting one hour and a half—without a Second’s interruption—So violent and excruciating that the dislocation of my Shoulder—was nothing, compared with—followed at the Short interval by a Second—of nearly the Same duration, and baffling all efforts of relief, exhausted So entirely my Strenght, that I could not move a limb—I Should have Sunk under a third—en fin—great debility—and loss of all appetite were the consequences Now I am gradually recovering—My Dear Daughter watched me night and day—during a forth night—and my frends here and at Utica bestowed upon me their kindest attentions. My cheerfulness remain un impaired—and now I indulge once more in the high gratification, to assure my noble and affectionate frend—to whom I am endebted So much of the high regards—with which I continue to be honoured, that I remain—with cordial affection / His obliged frend!

Fr. Adr. van der Kemp


Title: From John Adams to Jonathan Meredith, 29 August 1819
From: Adams, John
To: Meredith, Jonathan

Quincy August 29. 1819.

I have no hesitation of the 5th: nor in expressing my entire approbation of your design
“The proper study of Mankind is Mann”
I have read the Volume of Heckewelder with delight.
Our venerable ancestors have been deficient in their attention to the Philosophy, the religion, the languages, the customs and manners of their Aboriginal Co-patriots. I wish that some gentlemen would engage in a similar work relative to the African negroes; and that some other would give us a dissertation on the White bulls, fat, sleek, tame, harmless and lazy that walk the streets of Calcutta.
I am well aware of the infinite difficulties of these studies; the allmost impossibility of commuting languages, the ignorance, bad faith of Interpreters &c &c &c.
Every inquirer after truth is dear to me. I am /  therefore, dear Sir, Your sincere friend / and humble Servant
John Adams.


Title: To John Adams from Vine Utley, 2 September 1819
From: Utley, Vine
To: Adams, John

					Sir,
					Lyme County of New-London, Conn. Sept. 2d. 1819

				I take the liberty to sent you the history of the Physical habits of his Excellency Thomas Jefferson, written by his own hand, and directed to me the summer past.As you sir, are a distinguished character in the literary world and arrived to a great age, it will be highly gratifying to know your physical habits.—I am making the enquiry, to know more of the connection of the constitutional powers, with the thinking and literary habits of the Philosophers of the present age. you will much oblige me and your friends your friends in these posts, if you will comply with the above request,—as soon as convenient.—I am sir, yours / very respectfully.

					Vine Utley.