11From 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...
12From John Jay to Jedidiah Morse, 16 August 1809 (Jay Papers)
I this Morning rec d . your Letter of the 9 inst. with the interesting sermon which it enclosed; and I thank you for them both. A well arranged and well researched ^proper^ History of the U.S. would have much to recommend it, and in some respects, it would be singular ^or unlike all others^ It would develop the Great Plan of Providence for causing this extensive and (these) undiscovered part...
13From John Jay to Jedidiah Morse, 14 February 1815 (Jay Papers)
On the 4 th . Inst. I rec d . by the Mail from New York, your interesting Letter of the 17 th . ult.— I have read the Pamphlets communicated to me by M r Grant; and derived from them the only Knowledge I have of the Transactions noticed in them. It would not be easy to introduce into my Mind Doubts of your Rectitude— my opinion of it has undergone no alterations. You are drawing Consolation...
14From 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...
15From 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...
16From 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...
17From 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...
18From 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...
19From 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...
20From 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...