1From 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...
2From James Madison to Jedidiah Morse, 28 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Docr. Morse with the annexed answers to the Queries accompanying his letter of the 14th. inst: as far as they were applicable to this State. The answers could not be conveniently extended as much as might perhaps be desired. Their brevity & inadequacy will be an apology for requesting that if any use should be made of them, it may be done without reference...
3From John Jay to Jedidiah Morse, 28 February 1797 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav[ore] d . with yours of the 14 ult. and also with the one which accompanied the Set of your Geography, for which be pleased to accept my Thanks.— It gives me Pleasure to learn that you will endeavour at least to prepare for a History of the American Revolution. To obtain competent and exact Information on the Subject, is not the least arduous part of the Task— it will require...
4From 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...
5From 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...
6From George Washington to Jedediah Morse, 28 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to favour me, dated the first instant, accompanying your thanksgiving Sermon came duly to hand. For the latter I pray you to accept my thanks. I have read it, and the Appendix with pleasure, and wish the latter at least, could meet a more general circulation than it probably will have, for it contains important information, as little known out of a small...
7From 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...
8From George Washington to Jedidiah Morse, 26 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your Sermon “Exhibiting the present dangers, and consequent duties of the Citizens of the United States of America” which came to hand by the last Post: and which I am persuaded I shall read with approbating pleasure, as soon as some matters in which I am engaged at present, are dispatch’d. With esteem and regard I am, Revd Sir, Your Obedt & obliged Humble Servant ALS , owned...
9From 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,...
10From 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,...