1From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 2 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received the honour of your respectful Letter of the 16th. February, With the Constitution of a Society which has relation to the Aboriginal Natives of the Country. I wish every thing to be done for the happiness of the Indians, which that Constitution proposes; but I have great doubts of the propriety of a voluntary Association, for such purposes The President, Senate, and House of...
2To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 16 February 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor, in fulfilment of my official duty, to transmit to you a copy of the Constitution of a Society, just established, which recognizes the general policy in regard to the Indian tribes in our country, pursued during your administration. From this consideration, I am permitted, sir, to indulge a confident hope, that this Constitution, & the Office under it to which you are...
3To 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,...
4From 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...
5To 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...
6From 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...
7From 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...
8From 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,...
9From 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...
10To 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...
11From 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...
12To 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...
13From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 5 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
If such was the Spirit of the English Church in America, and especially in Virginia before the Revolution: Can you wonder, that Men So enlightened as Richard Henry Lee and his Brothers, Patrick Henry Chancellor Wythe Chief Justice Pendleton, Mr Jefferson Mr Madison &c, though they had been all educated in that Church, became afterwards Disciples of Lock, Blackburne, Fourneux and William Penn,...
14From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 2 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
If I ever comply with your request, I must make haste, & employ the few intervals of light which my eyes afford me. Where is the man to be found, at this day, when we see Methodistical Bishops, Bishops of the Church of England, & Bishops, Archbishops, & Jesuits of the Church of Rome, with indifference; who will beleive, that the apprehension of Episcopacy, contributed 50 years ago, as much as...
15To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 2 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am confined to my house with the epidemic cold—& much enfeebled by it. I cannot refrain, however, just thanking you for your two last very valuable letters—to me, with my views, peculiarly valuable—The No. of Histories published & in contemplation, of this country, & of our war, is no discouragement to me—as the one whh I contemplate is to be of a different character from either of them—it...
16From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 29 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
There are thirty or forty Histories of the American Revolution and consequent War now upon the Stocks and ready to be launched, as soon as the Weather and the tide will permit. The Chevalier Botta, an Italian Knight has already written one, which is Said to be the best that ever had appeared. Mr Mackean and Mr Pollard have written two others. Mr Randolph of Virginia has left one Soon to be...
17From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 20 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Pamphlet I lent you and the Letters from Governor Mackean you may retain for the time you mention. The Pamphlet I would give you, if I had or could procure another. The rise and progress of that pamphlet is this. On my return form Phyladelphia in November 1774, I found that Mrs Drapers Massachusetts Gazette had been long pouring forth torrents of scurrility against the Whigs, and dreadful...
18To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 15 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I acknowledge my fault this day. I have two of your valued letters, of Sep. 11th. & Nov. 2d. now before me unanswered. My absence a part of the time, since they were recd. & continual & very pressing engagements the rest of the time, have occasioned the delay. The enclosures in yours of the 11th. of Sept. were to me very interesting & acceptable. I am extracting from them the information...
19From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 2 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
On September 11th. I wrote you a line inclosed in a pacquet with four original letters from Governor McKean and a pamphlet of my own. I requested the return of them: but have not been informed whether you have received them or not. Whether it was jocularly or ironically, or ludicrously, or vanity, that I promised you a specimen of the manner in which I would write the history of our country...
20From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 11 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
For some time past I have been unable to read write or See.—So that it has been impossible for me to answer your Expectations as I wished. And now it costs me more pain and time to write a time than it did but seven years ago to write a page.— you will find me but a miserable resource for information or advice in your great Undertaking. I can give you nothing but broken hints. At present I...
21To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 9 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have been waiting for the Specimen of such a kind of History, of our country, at the Commencement of our Revolution, as you should write, were you to be our Historian, & whh you encouraged me to expect from your pen—I shall be much obliged by such a specimen—& hope it will be a long one, & contain such facts, as fell within your own knowledge, during the period of your active public life, &...
22From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 15 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 10th. and the Pamphlet inclosed “American Unitarianism.” I have turned over its Leaves, and found nothing that was not familiarly known to me In the preface, Unitarianism, is represented as only thirty years old in New England. I can testify as a Witness to its old Age. Sixty five years Ago, my own Minister the Reverend Lemuel Briant, Dr Jonathan Mayhew of...
23To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 10 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am honored & obliged by your favor of the 6th. of March, & wait with desire for your “two or three samples of such a history as you should write.”—I hope they will be of very considerable length—the longer the more acceptable—And if you please let these samples be of portions of our history best known to you—& least known to others.—My present engagements prevent my enlarging now—as I intend...
24From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 4 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favour of the 1st and the Sermon. I have never Seen Trumbulls History, in print, and know nothing of it, but from the very hasty Perusal of the Manuscript you Sent me. I esteem Dr Morse and Dr Ware. The Vote of the former against the latter never diminished my Esteem for either: because I believed both to be able and conscientious Men. I esteem Dr Morse and Miss Adams and the...
25To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 1 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Some years ago, you may recollect, I informed you that I had engaged to complete Dr. Trumbull’s Hist. of the U. States, at his request, he feeling himself too far advanced in life to continue that work. I had made some preparations for that purpose, when, for a conscientious act, in opposing the election of Prof. Ware, as a violation of Mr Hollis’ Statutes, a scene of most violent persecution...
26From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 29 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I cannot pretend to any extraordinary Knowledge of the History of this Country, or of what a general History of it ought to contain nor is my Letter written with Sufficient Care for publication: but as this is equally true of every other Thing of mine that has been published you are quite at Liberty to make what use of this you please. My Life has been passed in too much hurry to allow me to...
27To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 27 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I recd. your letter of the 9th. inst—(nearly a fortnight after its date) accompanying Dr. Trumbull’s M S. Hist. “with more delight than it would be prudent in me to express.” Your approbation of this History, is more praise to it its author, than would be the praise of any other man living, because I believe no other man is so well acquainted with the history of this country, & at the same...
28From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 9 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
Though it is “a terrible thing” for “eyes with reading almost blind” to go over between three and four hundred pages of ms. History, I have read “the General history of the United States” with more delight than it would be prudent for me to express. It is written in the pure spirit of an upright and faithful and impartial American. I see in it none of those panegyrical Romances which compose...
29To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 20 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the honour & advantage of your name to head the list of subscribers to the Gazetteer of the Eastern Continent. I wish the Work may not be found unworthy such patronage. The high & sincere respect I have for your character, the gratitude I feel for the eminent services you have rendered our country, & the many acts of kindness I have received from you, prompt me to...
30To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 4 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr Charles Coffin, son of Dr. Coffin of Newbury port, educated at Harvard College, a prime scholar, & now a Candidate for the Ministry, & Vice President of Greenville College in Tennessee—He is commissioned by the Trustees of sd. College to sollicit contributions to the funds of sd. College, & was sollicitous to confer with you, sir, on the subject, it being...
31From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 21 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged by your favor of the 5th, & for your introduction of Aaron Putnam Esqr, with whose person & conversation, I have been much pleased. The preparations for a decisision on the great subject are so advanced, that I hope it will not be postponed much longer. But there are so many great objects involved in the question, and so many considerations, great & small to be attended to,...
32To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 5 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this, Aaron Putnam Esq, is the gentleman names to you, as a suitable candidate for the office of Superintendant of the Dock & Navy yard, should such an establishment be made in this harbour. He goes on to the seat of government by the unanimous voice of this town, as their agent to represent their wishes, & to state their proposals, relative to the erection of a Dock &c. in this...
33To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 21 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The report concerning Mr Evans, whh you intimated to me had operated in in your mind to prevent his appointment to a Chaplaincy in the army, has led me since my return to make some enquiry in respect to its probable foundation; the result has fully confirmed me in my opinion of his innocence . During his ministry at Concord nothing of the kind was alledged against him by his enemies—& he had...
34To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 8 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am desired by President Dwight to forward you his excellent & seasonable discourses, whh are enclosed. I beg your acceptance of my Masonic Discourse written & preached since the offensive Fast Sermon was published, & whh affords further evidence that it was not my intention to attack Free Masonry .—When this sermon was written I did not know that persecution was among the Masonic virtues . I...
35To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 8 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I take the earliest opportunity to offer you a copy of my American Gazetteer, whh I beg you to accept as a small token of my affectionate esteem and respect for your person & character; & of the gratitude I owe you for the services you have rendered to our common country. Permit me to express to you the sentiments of warm approbation, whh, in the circle of my friends, I hear uttered,...
36To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 5 July 1793 (Adams Papers)
Mr Morse presents his most respectful compliments to the Vice President of the United States & begs him to accept of a Sett of his American Universal Geography as a small testimony of that high & sincere esteem & veneration he has for his character & of the grateful sense he entertains of his obligations to the V. President as among the principal instruments of the great national prosperity &...