3551From William Steuben Smith to James Monroe, 4 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to state my arrival at this place on the 2nd. instant, returning from St. Petersburg in Russia, where I have been performing the duties of Secretary of Legation, during the residence of Mr. Adams at that Court; and who, upon the receipt of the orders of his Government to repair to Gothenburg, for the purpose of becoming a Member of a Commission to negotiate a Treaty of Peace...
3552From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I adress myself to both of you as equally dear to me and because the difficulty with which I write, will not allow me to write seperately to each. Our anxiety for you and for your Father Mother, Brother, Uncle Aunt and little first and Second Cousin: have been greater than you can conceive. Some relief however We have received from Vessels you met at Sea, one of which brought a Letter from Mr...
3553From Abigail Smith Adams, Receipt, 2 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
Balance due upon a former re paid Jobe Tinil for a Small trunk Lock and Key for John 1 33 paid Louisa Dexter knitting one pr Socks 25 100 11 30 Received in full 100 5 MHi : Adams Papers.
3554From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
We are at our Wits ends for News from you. We know not whether you are at Ghent, gone to Paris, returned to Petersburg, or where you are. We are equally anxious for your Lady and your Son. We know not whether they are to remove from Petersburg by Land or by Water, to Ghent to Paris or to England. Gallia, the too faithful Alemick of Britain, “changeful as a Child at play Now calls in Princes...
3555From John Adams to John Adams, April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased with your Translation. The Character of Anacreon is one of the many Mysteries of Antiquity which the Researches of your whole Life will not be able to unridle. He did well to renounce the Heroes, for he either know nothing of the Sons of Atreus, of Cadmus the Theban King, or of Hercules and his twelve Labours; or if he knew any Thing, he dared not till what he know. It is...
3556From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigal Adams Shaw Felt, 29 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
your Letter my dear Abbe is worthy the daughter of the Mother you mourn, whose disposition and virtues the mantle of Elijah has descended to cover you you will have engrafted into your own Life and conduct , and now exhibit with So much credit to the honour of the Religion of him who took upon him the infirmities of human Nature, & compassionated the Sorrows of a Martha & Mary— may the hand of...
3557From Abigal Adams Shaw Felt to Abigail Smith Adams, 28 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
It is impossible for me to express to you my dear, my much beloved Aunt, the consolation your kind affectionate letter afforded me, it was balm to my oppressed, my wounded heart. Yes my dear Aunt, I have indeed been tried in the school of affliction, but that Almighty Being, who will not willingly afflict, or grieve the children of men, has enabled me to support this trying dispensation of his...
3558To John Adams from James Lloyd, 27 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Mr Lloyd has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Adams respected favor of the 22nd. ult. and the interesting enclosure it communicated from Colo. Smith.—None of the inhabitants of the United States are entitled to more of the respect of the American Republic, than the Citizens of New York, for the enlightened, and patriotic regard, they give to the extension, and expansion, of those...
3559To John Adams from Richard Rush, 25 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
R. Rush presents his respectful compliments to Mr Adams, and begs leave to enclose him a note which he has just received from Mr Monroe. In consequence of it, R. R. has, in the face of all past trespasses, ventured to send the papers back again to Mr Monroe. This will add a few days more to delays hitherto incurred, but to such good purpose that R. R. flatters himself with the hope of...
3560From John Adams to James Lloyd, 24 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have not yet, treated your Letters to me, which I esteem above all price, with the respect they deserve; nor indeed with common Civility. I cannot but hope, that in the great order of things, which We for the moment are so apt to think confusion; some good may accrue to Our Country from this correspondence. In your favour, of Feb. 6. 1815, You have given a Proverb a Maxim of more value to...
3561From John Adams to Richard Rush, 24 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
The first Thing that Struck me when I recd your favour of the 15th. was the Seal. I will not tell you, at present how many reflections this excited before I opened the Letter. I determined at once to answer it by my Seal. You will See it on the Outside of this. An Ellipsis Surrounded by 13 Starrs, protecting a Pine Tree, with a Codfish and a Buck. A very bright Starr at the Top of the Pine....
3562From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 24 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
you always collect some comfort or consolation for your Friends—your information respecting the packet was particularly so that, which respected the Boys. I have been distrest for them this terrible North East wind and Storm—I never knew a more voilent one at this season—it must have been worse for those comeing in, than those going out; provided they had sea moon—but I will not distrust the...
3563To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by Mr Storrow, and by Mr Smith who left this City, with the intention of embarking in different vessels for the United States, by who both actually went in the Firgal from Havre. I sent you by them a regular file of the Journal des Débats, from the time of my arrival here, until it was metamorphosed into the Journal de l’Empire—Mr Crawford is now going to England, intending to...
3564From John Adams to James Lloyd, 22 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I know not whether you have a Taste for Romances.? If you have, as I acknowledge I have, it is in my power to amuse You: perhaps as usefully, if not as agreably, as Amadis of Gaul, the History of the Seven Champions or Huon of Bourdeaux. At present, Sir, I will give you, an Extract of a Letter dated New York. April 11, 1815. Subscribed W. S. Smith. “On the subject of the correspondence between...
3565From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Mr and Mrs: Smith left Paris on the 22d: of March to embark in the Fingal at Havre for New-York—I wrote to you by them on the 19th—They sailed on the 30th with a fair wind, and having a fine ship, the most favourable season of the year for a voyage to America, I hope they are at this time near the port of their destination, Here the Easterly winds have constantly prevailed from the time of...
3566From John Adams to Stephen Peabody, 21 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received in due time your Letter of the fifth containing the account of the Apotheosis of your dearest Friend. At first I determined to Attend you. But the Roads the near departure of my Grandsons, Anxieties for their Parents and many cares that the world knows not, added to an Eightieth year, discouraged me. The Translation of the beattified Spirit was an Euthanasia devoutly to be wished....
3567To John Adams from William Rotch, 20 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I recd. thy favor of the 13th Inst. & note thy enquiries respecting the Fisheries, I have no knowledge of the small fisheries, Cod, Salmon, Mackrael, Seal & ca. none of any consequence being pursued from this quarter; the whale fishery I have had perfect knowledge of, and kept a regular acct. of all that was obtaind in America from about the year 1752 to 1775—but this acct. I cannot find, I...
3568From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 16 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Susan would insist, that she saw the packet go out about 8 oclock this morning. I hope it was so for the wind was fine, and has continued so all day. our prayers follow them. I should have sent Charles in, with a small key which I fear George left belonging to a small Box. did he say any thing respecting It? This will be a memorable day to me, the return of the Sabbeth, upon which the pure...
3569From Harriet Welsh to Abigail Smith Adams, 16 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
To fulfil my promise I set down to give you an account of George & John—they brought Stephen Perkins here—& as he seem’d to be very much pleas’d at being with them & not inclined to quit them I took him with us to Mr. Lymans—to see the picture—which George examined with attention—We then went to get John’s hlep &—proceeded to Mrs. Quincys Crufts & Smiths. Perkins desir’d me to let them go in...
3570From John Adams to Samuel Perkins, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I commit my Grandsons to the Guardianship of yourself and Mrs Perkins and pray you to hold them under your Wings till you can deliver them to their Parents. I will thank you to write to their Father and receive his requests concerning them.— Your drafts for necessary Expences, will be honoured by him in Europe, by his Brother or by me, as you find convenient. I hope they will be little, for I...
3571To John Adams from Richard Rush, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your valued favors of the 5th and 10th, have gratified, instructed, and consoled me. As far as I stand informed, the administration have never dreamed that the war, or the treaty of Ghent, diminished the nicest hair of our rights to the fisheries, as we have ever before enjoyed them. On the 10th of November 1814, the joint mission wrote to the British commissioners exactly as follows—“In...
3572From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Kealing marred Hannah Storer. Look at the seal of this Letter, and send me from London a new One exactly like it, with this Motto Piscemur, Venemur ut Olim and I will the Price to your Brother, / No more MHi : Adams Papers.
3573From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigal Adams Shaw Felt, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I scarcely know how to address you by way of consolation, who myself stand so much in need of the Same Support. under one of the most Solemn impressive and afflictive dispensations with which it has pleased our Mather Heaven to inflict upon us—the loss of Such a parent cannot be estimated by the powers of language, the Silent Anguish of the Heart can alone pour it forth, yet while we bend over...
3574From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I send the Boys to your and your Fathers kind care. I hope they will not be obliged to stay long before they embark John thinks he must have a black handkerchief. the Ribbon you sent I took for my Bonnet. I want they should have their hair cut. If they do not go immediatly on Board, I would have them call at mr Smiths, at mr Quincys at mr Halls and mrs Otis’s keep them in good order, and make...
I will not let my dear Boys leave me without taking a few lines to you, my Heart and hands have been full, the parting with the Children, I felt as a weight upon my Heart. added to this I am calld to weep over a dear beloved, only Sister, Suddenly taken from the world; without one Sad adieu to a fond doating husband, a darling daughter, and beloved Son. you did not know her, but your husband...
3576From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I address you, altho I know not where to find you, which is, and has been a source of much anxiety to me, four months have elapsed since the signature of the Treaty of Peace; when mr Adams wrote from Ghent, that in ten day’s, he should go to Paris, and from thence, send on to St petersburgh, to request you to join him there, and if he should, (as was expected,) be sent to England, that your...
3577From John Quincy Adams, 14 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
It appears that Samuel Adams had a grant of lands made to him, by the town of Chelmsford, A.D. 1656, in consideration of his erecting the first mills in said town, and that he married his wife from Cambridge by the name of Sparhawk A.D. 1662; who deceased A.D. 1688 leaving a son by the name of Joseph, born A.D. 1672, who deceased A.D. 1717. Joseph had three sons, viz. Joseph, Jonas and...
3578From John Adams to William Rotch, 13 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Having very cogent motives to collect Information relative to our New England Fisheries, a Friend has kindly referred me to you as you will see by the inclosed Papers which I pray you to return to me, by the Post.—Any information you will be so good as to convey to me by the Stage or Post relative to any of our Fisheries in Whales Cod Salmon Seals Macceral or any other species especially on...
3579From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 13 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I did not think of your not returning again the next day when you left me, altho we miss you, much yet we know you cannot be in both places at once, but wherever you are, you are doing good, and this is the true end of Life. Thus thought the Dear departed Friend I mourn. Sav’d the parting pangs, and the final adieu. She seems like Enoch, to have been translated. Mrs Shaw writes, that when the...
3580From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed I Send by your Sons, a little Information concerning the Fisheries. In tears for the loss of your Aunt Peabody; in too much Apprehension for tears at the Embarkation of your Sons which is to be next Sunday, and almost in tears of Indignation, at the Ignorance, and Insensibility of my dear New England, I Send you the inclosed Papers relative to the Fisheries. I will continue to collect...
3581To John Adams from Pseudonym: "A Friend to the Fisheries", 12 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
The shortness of the time allowed me & limited means of investigating the subject must be my apology for the scanty & very inadequate information now communicated. The fisheries of the United States may be divided into three different kinds. The Bank. The streight of Labrador—And the shore fisheries—. The first is apparently the most important, this has ex been most exclusively carried on by...
3582From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 12 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
As I am not able to be punctual as Smith , in the payment of my debts; I fear I owe you a Letter, of so long Standing that it ought to be paid with Interest.— I want Information concerning the Fisheries in New York, New Jersey, Connecticutt, Rhode Island. I have heard that in your City of Hudson and from your City of New York, Fisheries to the Banks of Newfoundland to the Gulph of St. Laurence...
3583From Abigail Smith Adams to Stephen Peabody, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
By the Agony of your own Bosoms you can judge of the affliction of mine, at the Sudden, and unexpected Stroke, which has deprived you, my Brother of the best of wives, and her dear Children of the most tender and affectionate of Parents. Her only Sister, of the last bond of union, of the ancient Stock; the last ligament which bound her to Earth. her Sex are deprived of one of the purest...
3584From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
"String after String, is severed from the Heart" The parting with my dear Boys the final parting, as I consider it, has excited the tenderest emotions of my Heart. I have Struggled to bring my mind to the test of reason, to that which was fittest and best. providence at this interesting period has Seen fit, to try me, by a Still Severer Stroke—by the Sudden and unexpected death of my dear and...
3585From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you a pattern of Ribbon of which I should like a peice if my wants have not already out now my Credit. if so only get me 8 Yds— I want to know how George & Susan succeeded, the morning was so dreary, that fearing worse weather the P. and Louisa were discouraged, and when G. and Susan determined upon going, Louisa was unhappy that she did not go in yesterday with her Brothers and have...
3586From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I would not have you expose yourself to go out in the rain, but when you do go out, John prays you not to forget the Shawl. I do not know if I mentiond half a pd wick yarn be so good as to look for black bombazeen I am told it is better for a pelise than Silk—the weather promises So bad & the roads so heavey that the P—— is discouraged from going. my Spirit will be with them altho my Body is...
3587From Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Smith Adams, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I could not my dear Mrs Adams hear of the sudden death of your beloved Sister, without sympathizing in your sorrows; you like myself, have recently been call’d to part with many dear friends. The tender cords, of consanguinity friendship & affection are breaking fast from us, & we are every day call’d to mourn, for our own, or the publick loss. Your sister’s has been a useful & an active life,...
3588To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of the 4th. inst., I am sorry your friends work you so hard—I will endeavour in the course of the season to visit Quincy, and promise to copy all your letters during my stay, the perusal of them will richly pay me for the trouble. I have a letter from my Brother Justus from the valley, mentioning, that our Brother James is very ill; from the nature of his spring...
3589From John Adams to Richard Rush, 10 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
It does not Signify, to grow old. You never can get rid of worldly Affairs. I never was more distracted with Business. It pours in upon me from all quarters. I want to write you every day, and two or three times a day. I have read your speculations with pleasure, but with Some grains of reserve. I Send you a Richelieu, upon the Fisheries, Said to be from Connecticut. That State is a rich bed...
3590From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 10 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am going to ask you a curious question Nothing less, than the Name of the Gentleman who visited us on Saturday week? he was accompanied by a Mr Channing of coneticut whom I knew—and introduced to me by name, but So indistincly, that I could not discover his Name; he informd me that he had been at your House the week before; Spoke of mr Peabody, and you, as old acquaintanc inquired...
3591To John Adams from Stephen Peabody, 9 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
With a trembling hand, I inform you of the removal of my dear Companion and best friend, by the stroke of death, this morning, between three & 4 OClock. She was seiz’d with a lung-complaint, was yesterday unwell but not confind; went to bed comfortable, and slept till after midnight, waked in distress, and soon was call’d without any peculiar struggle, in the full exercise of reason, I trust...
3592From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 8 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I forgot in my last the most brilliant Topick, of all that splendid Phenomenon in the female World, of Genius Taste Learning Observation and Reflection, Madam La Baroness de Stael Holstein. You Seem to Suppose that I have the honour of her Ladyships Accquaintance. Alass! I never had Such good Fortune! I never Saw her Face or figure. Indeed I Should be afraid to behold either, for I have as...
3593To John Adams from James Lloyd, 8 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
J. Lloyd has the honor to return with his respectful compliments, the papers received in Mr Adams’ favor of the 5th. inst.—Of Baptiste Irvine he has no knowledge, except that he is an imported Illuminatus, benevolently working for the instruction of the benighted inhabitants of the United States, whom fulfils his vocation with about the same degree of Zeal and humility as have been manifested...
3594From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a Slip with an Essay in it, Signed Richlieu The Editor has poisoned it, with a Silly introduction; but that will not hurt it with you, ‘tho’ it Spoils it here. Who this Connecticut Gentleman is, I cannot conjecture. I did not believe, and cannot yet believe, that there is Brains enough, united with Courage and application enough, in that State to produce Such a paper. Trumbul?...
3595From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am at a loss how to express my obligations for your kind remembrance after the long interruption to our correspondance. Be assured dear Madam it is not because I am insensible to the favor you have conferred on me. I feel the full force of your condecension. I also feel how inadequate I am to offer you any suitable return for the gratification your letters afford me, therefore I have been...
3596To John Adams from James Lloyd, 7 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Availing of the permission you have accorded to me I have to acknowledge the receipt of your several favors from the 26th. Its to the 31st. inst,—the three enclosings covered by the former of them, I have now the honor to return The original letters in the Patriot, relative to the missions to France or the pamphlet publication of them, I have never read.—part of them were published during my...
3597From John Adams to James Lloyd, 5 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Halcyon Days of New England Prosperity, were the first six years of Mr Jeffersons Administration. Was this Felicity owing to the Wisdom, the Virtue or the Energy of Mr Jefferson? Or was it the natural necessary and unavoidable Effect of the universal peace and tranquility abroad and at home, and with Universal Nature, civilized and savage intailed upon him by his Predecessor, in Spight of...
3598From John Adams to Richard Rush, 5 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your two Letters of the 27th Ult. have been recd. with the Enclosures, for all which I thank you. You ask “Some Reflections of my own.” My dear Sir! It would require a Folio Volume, to give you the Histories, Dissertations and discussions, which you require. How can I, sans Eyes, sans hands, sans Memory, sans Clerks, sans Secretaries, sans Aids du Camp; sans Amanuensis, undertake to write...
3599From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 4 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Washington used to say Sometimes “They work me hard” Sam. Allen Otis said a day or two before his Death “They work me two hard” And I who have not the Honor to be “ Father of my Country” nor Secretary of the Senate, might now say in my Octoginary year, that John Taylor and a dozen others, some of them greater and some of them less Men, now work me confoundedly hard: but I will not say it. I...
3600From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 3 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have written to the President on your Subject. I know not what Weight my opinion has or whether any at all. But this I know, that if such Scoundrels as Skinner, Bidwell Gannet: Such imbeciles as Dearborne, Hall Varnum Seaver are to be made Great men in New England: and such as Gerry Waterhouse Dexter and Grey to be neglected, Old Anarch will resume his Reign Washington has indeed a dreadful...