1To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 11 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have to ask your pardon for delaying to answer Your’s of the 26th. ulto. & returning the enclosed pamphlet, till now—Your letter found me in the busiest season of the year, engaged to the full—& I have been kept so till this time—I wished to give it another reading before returning it—as it contains some important facts & opinions, recorded at the time , of whh I shd. wish to avail myself,...
2From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 26 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the Second of this Month, and the Letters I lent you of Governor Mackean: but not the Pamphlet I lent you at the Sametime, So improperly entitled by British Editors, “History of the disputes with America.” This Pamphlet, the only one I know, at present, I pray you to return as Soon as possible; because I have immediate Occasion for it. I am, Sir, very...
3To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 2 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am on the wing for N. York, where I hope for an interview with Gov. Jay & Dr. Boudinot, who I expect will both be present to give their influence in the formation of a National Bible Society , after the manner of those in Europe. I wish Sir, you could be present, & give, (shd you think it proper) your sanction to such an Institution—If you approve of the measure, & will drop me a line, to...
4From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 20 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
In the Order of Time, I have passed over a Tragical Event, which excited much interest, and contributed largely, to render the Sovereignty of Parliament odious, detestable and horrible to the People. And I can consionscously add, accellerated the Catastrophy of the fifth of March 1770. In 1769 a little before the Recall of Governor Bernard, The British Frigate, The Rose Sent a Lieutenant, a...
5From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 5 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
The trials of the officer & Soldiers, who were indited for the slaughter in King Street were pending, for the greatest part of the year 1770, & when they came on, consumed six, or seven days each; the discussions & Decisions, in those cases, convinced the people that they could depend on no protection, against the Sovereignty of Parliament but Providence, & their own Arms. Accordingly they...
6From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 1 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
From 1760 to 1766 was the purest period of patriotism, from 1766 to 1776 was the period of corruption from 1775 to 1783 was the period of war; not a revolutionary war, for the revolution was complete in the minds of the people & the Union of the Colonies before the war commenced, in the Skirmishes of Concord & Lexington on the 19th of April 1775. In 1766 commenced the seperation of parties,...
7From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 22 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
You are examining me upon Interrogatories. I must tell you the Truth and nothing but the Truth. But to tell you the whole Truth is impossible. It would require more Volumes than I can calculate. I am as in capable of composing or Writing them as I am of commanding the Sun to Stand Still. I can only note a few broken Hints. In 1765 the Colonies were more unanimous than they ever have been...
8To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 21 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 28th. is before me, My son, & his parents feel much obliged to You for your polite & kind invitation to him, to visit you at your house for the purpose of taking your Portrait. He will deem it an honor & a privilege to enjoy the Society of Mrs Adams & yourself for a few days. He, therefore, authorises me to say to you, sir, that should it not be convenient to you to visit him...
9From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 18 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
In your favour of the 15th of November, you ask, in the Name of your eldest Son, the Liberty to take my Buste By Saturdays Mail I recd a Letter dated Philadelphia Decr. 6th. from Mr Joseph De la Plaine, a Gentleman whom I know not, who Says “A respectable Young Gentleman, Mr Morse, lately from London, Son of the Revd. Dr Morse is an excellent Artist I learn. I beg you to do me the honour of...
10To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 18 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for your two last very valuable communications, one of the 5th. inst—& the preceding one—They throw light on a very interesting period of our history—They contain many unrecorded facts, known probably to no other man living, except yourself, & whh a historian ought to know. I pray that your health may be continued, that you may be enabled to put into a State to be...