1To James Madison from John Adams, 17 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to you Col, William Sumner, and to Mrs Madison his Sister Miss Elizabeth Sumner; children of our late Governor Sumner; They have requested an introduction from me; And as I think it right that the President should know, & that his family should know something of the characters who appear at Washington I beg leave to say that Mr. Sumner has the advantages of Education,...
2To James Madison from John Adams, 6 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
As I feel a kind of Ambition to introduce to the past present and future Presidents of U.S. Some of our most amiable Men, least bigotted least Superstitious Characters, and most catholic Minds, (in the moral, not Ecclesiastical Sense of the Word) I take the Liberty to introduce to you The Rev. Mr Henry Colman. As it was known that he intended a Journey to the Southward for his Health which is...
3To James Madison from John Adams, 22 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
Thank you for your favour of the 12th. The Anecdote mentioned in my Letter of the 4th of September is of no Consequence to the Public, though, it may interest the private Feelings of your Family and mine. Mr Stodert was my Auther. After all possibility of thinking Seriously on the Subject was passed, Mr Stodert informed me of the Letter from Mrs Madison to Mr Steel mentioned in mine to you of...
4To James Madison from John Adams, 4 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have so often taken the liberty to introduce Gentlemen to the President of the United States, that tho’ it might be an usurpation at first, it seems now to be a kind of Right by Prescription. Upon no occasion that I recollect, have I assumed this priviledge with more pleasure than in now introducing Dr James Freeman whom I esteem one of our first litterary characters and one of the best of...
5To James Madison from John Adams, 22 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I am informed, that General Dearborne, Mr. Morton & other gentlemen have recommended Mr. Winthrop for a Consulate abroad, and I am requested to add my testimony to theirs, in his favour. My acquaintance with him, has been only general, but his father and Grand Father, his name, and family, have been esteemed & venerated, all my days; his education was publick, he has travelled in Europe, & his...
6To James Madison from John Adams, 17 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Benjamin Wells Esqr and his Lady are very ambitious of paying their respects to President Madison and his Lady. The Gentleman’s Grandfathers were two as respectable Characters as any in Boston. One of them, Chief Justice Pratt of New York was one of my Patrons at the Barr in 1758; and his Memory will forever be held in Veneration by me. The Lady is a Daughter of our late Governor Sumner and a...
7To James Madison from John Adams, 23 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed Letter Supposes more importance in my Judgment than it deserves. Whatever it is worth, however, it is all in favour of the request in it. Waterhouse is another Rush: and for no other Reason that I can conjecture than his respect and able Services to the national Government for the last fourteen Years, has been cruelly treated by the worst Faction against it. I Submit the Subject...
8To James Madison from John Adams, 21 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Knowing the immense weight of your cares, it gives me pain to interrupt you a moment. But when a young Scholar, Lawyer and amiable character asks an introduction from me I cannot refuse it. Such is George Ticknor Esqr on his travels in his own Country first, and in foreign Countries afterward. He is ranked here, with our Everett & Buckminster, choice spirits, as we think them. With great...
9To James Madison from John Adams, 11 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Francis C. Gray a Son of our late Lt. Governor, after an Education at Colledge, two years travels in Europe under the Protection of your Minister in Russia and three years Study of the Law has been called to the Barr, and now has the laudable curiosity and noble Ambition of Seeing his native Country. And who should he naturally wish to see in it so much as its first Magistrate. I hope he will...
10To James Madison from John Adams, 28 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
When my Son departed for Russia, I enjoined upon him to write nothing to me, which he was not willing Should be published in French and English Newspapers. He has very Scrupulously observed the rule. I have been equally reserved in my letters to him: but the Principle on both Sides has been to me a cruel privation, for his correspondence when Absent, and his Conversation when present has been...