1To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, September 1825 (Adams Papers)
Often when I labour in my garden,—and I do so usually from sunrise till its setting—I expatiate with you and your son in your delightful mansion. Soon everything around you shall brighten, you shall revive a while, when the president your son visits you. Indeed your last days appear to me your best days. Printed Source--Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, An Autobiography, Together with Extracts from...
Although I did not hear from Montezillo—Since your very affectionate Letter of 30 May—except by our friend Tyng, on 27 July—I am confident, that I can not be forgotten—and Supposed, that health and contentment must have remained your familys Share, increased yet by the presence of the Secretary of State, and the distinguished progress of your grandson—yet these pleasing contemplations were...
3To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 10 May 1819 (Adams Papers)
Although my health is very indifferent, and my eyes soo weak and dim, that within a fortnight, I could Scarce affect any thing, either by labour or in writing—yet I must indulge the gratification of thanking you, for the few affectionate lines with which your kindness favoured me with. My Physician Says—all will be Soon well—the chief remedies are—abstinentia et quiete.Was your life less...
4To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
I dare not, no, I will not delay longer my answer to your affectionate Letter, with which I was honoured again—neither my Severe headache, nor bad eyes would not have occasioned it, but, I flattered myself from day to day, to receive tidings from your Dear and estimable Caroline—or her Pastor—but I do not feel any anxiety about that family—as I am persuaded that the Rev. Westbrook would have...
Yesterday I was highly gratified with your affectionate Letter, and answer it directly, not to renew my thanks, as I can no more express these as lively, as I See it impossible to reciprocate these—and then you dare to ask me, if my residence at Montezillo had been tolerable—did not then my friend read my contentment—in every gesture, in every feature of my visage—then certainly my countenance...
This morning I did See in a N.Y. paper—the announced death of your Revered Father—my beloved and respected Frend—during more than forty years—alas! He is no more—I am nearly left alone—and fostered—in vain—the hope, that I Should See Him once more! You with your Dear Lady and family enjoy’d this happiness, and rendered Him by your unrelenting attentions—in his last moments—thankful to His God....
Did I not foster Such an exalted opinion of John Quincy Adams, then yet I might deem it a becoming courtesy to address his excellent Parents on this Solemn occasion—But now I will indulge the irresisteble impulse, of allowing my Self the exquisiste gratification, which not often can be offered, in congratulating his Mother with the certainty—that the highest office—in the gift of the...
I delay’d to write you a few lines—to congratulate you cordially on the happy arrival of the 30th of Oct—and join your Relatives and frends in celebrating the anniversary of your 89 Birthday fostering the hope, that before this time I might have Seen a happy desired conclusion in our Legislature—with regard to the Presidential election—But the caucus-cabal thus far disappointed me in my ardent...
9To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 25 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I indulge once more in the gratification—of Sending you a few lines, in the hope, that you enjoy So much health as generally has fallen to my Share—if I except, my weakened Sight, which renders—reading at night nearly impracticable, while it requires my utmost exertions by day light to decypher the Records—and a nearly three weeks confinement, in consequence of a Severe contusion of my right...
10To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 27 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank my God, that I enjoy the high gratification in congratulating you with the tribute, paid, so handsomely, by your enlightened fellow-citizens—to your talents virtues and Character;—to render my bliss perfect, and this may not be expected here—I ought to have been at your side, at Montezillo, and seen you, which crowns the Splendid Eulogÿ of New-England—possessing yet—firmness enough, to...