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Jefferson correspondence & links What stands out for me is how affectionate they were. Some of my favorites - To best friend John Page, 1762 (Jefferson at 18) I'm a Soul Man "Remember me affectionately to all the young ladies of my acquaintance, particularly the Miss Burwells, and Miss Potters, and tell them that though that heavy earthly part of me, my body, be absent, the better half of me, my soul, is ever with them; and that my best wishes shall ever attend them. Tell Miss Alice Corbin that I verily believe the rats knew I was to win a pair of garters from her, or they never would have been so cruel as to carry mine away." to Maria Cosway, 1786 Head and Heart Letter "Hope is sweeter than despair, & they were too good to mean to deceive me. In the summer, said the gentleman; but in the spring, said the lady: & I should love her forever, were it only for that! Know then, my friend, that I have taken these good people into my bosom; that I have lodged them in the warmest cell I could find: that I love them, & will continue to love them through life: that if fortune should dispose them on one side the globe, & me on the other, my affections shall pervade its whole mass to reach them." Excerpts from the letters of Thomas Jefferson to muse Angelica Church Paris Sunday. Feb. 17. 1788 "I remember you told me, when we parted, you would come to see me at Monticello. now tho' I believe this to be impossible, I have been planning what I would shew you : a flower here, a tree there; yonder a grove, near it a fountain; on this side a hill, on that a river." Paris Aug. 17. 1788 "I never blame heaven so much as for having clogged the etherial spirit of friendship with a body which ties it to time & place. I am with you always in spirit: be you with me sometimes." Paris. Sep. 21. 1788 "the tender breasts of ladies were not formed for political convulsion; and the French ladies miscalculate much their own happiness when they wander from the true field of their influence into that of politicks." New York June 23. 1790 "mr Trumbul is there at present going on with his paintings." Philadelphia June 7. 1793 "where is Mrs Cosway? I have heard she was become a mother, but is the new object to absorb all her affections?" Philadelphia Jan. 11. 1798 "our letters have been rare. but they have let me see that her gaiety was gone, & her mind entirely placed on a world to come." To Catharine Church, Angelica's daughter and friend of Martha and Maria Jefferson Philadelphia Jan. 11. 98 "hope is so much more chearing than fears and forebodings that we will not set it down among impossible things." Philadelphia Jan. 22. 1800 "I wrote to your Mama yesterday, my dear Catherine..." Washington Mar. 27. 1801 "there is something within us which makes us wish to have things conducted in our own way, and which we generally fancy to be patriotism. this passion is gratified by such a position [Jefferson's presidential election]. but the heart would be happier enjoying the affections of a family fireside." Alexander Hamilton to sister-in-law Angelica Church click here "The Baron little Phillip [Hamilton's son] and myself, with her consent, walked down to the Battery, where with aching hearts and anxious eyes we saw your vessel, in full sail, swiftly bearing our loved friend from our embraces. Imagine what we felt. We gazed, we sighed, we wept; and casting "many a lingering longing look behind" returned home to give scope to our sorrows, and mingle without restraint, our tears and our regrets."
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(22 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 25, 2008 4:27 PM
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It's tragic that as a subsitute for arguments the
childish, the uneducated and the dishonest so often
resort to personal attacks, dishonest, and
self-avowed "screaming at their television sets".
However, mere typographical errors aside the
e inability to post even simple readable statements
considering HBO's included spell checker is amusing
and illustrative of the authors societal class,
employment level and educational achievement (or lack
thereof).
George Washington kept a prayer journal all his life
confirmed by handwriting experts which he named the
THE DAILY SACRIFCE.
Excerpts of the thousands of daily entries include
MONDAY MORNING..Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, that living in
fear and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed
time attain the resurrection of the just into eternal
life.
..This is one very typical journal entry of George
Washington's out of thousands.
Samuel Adams among a multiude of hundreds of other
living documents and official government records was
recorded to be a devout Christian and was reported to
be a devout believer in the Puritans. In 1772
Samuel Adams, wrote "The rights of the Colonists"
which included this statement: The rights of the
Colonists may best be understood by reading and
carefully studying The Great Law Giver and the Head
of the Christian Church which are to be found clearly
written and promulgated in the New Testament.
Patrick Henry said "Doctor, I wish you to obseve how
real and beneficial the religion of Christ is to a
man. I am much consoled by reflecting that the
religion of Christ has, from its first appearance in
the world been attacked in vain by all the wits,
philosophers and the wise ones aided by every power
r of man and its triumph has been complete.
George Washinton told the representatives of a
visiting nation (official government documents) the
following. You do well to learn our arts and ways of
life and above all the religion of Jesus Christ.
--Deism?
John Adams selected the Reverend Jacob Duche to give
the opening prayer of the First Congress. The
Reverend Duche read the entire of Psalm 35 from the
Christian Bible (not the Deist bible which does not
exist except as fantasy in the minds of pot induced
liberaltarians and ignornant academic failures) which
includes: "Plead my case O Lord, with them that
strive with me."
These are but a few of the quotes and events of just
a few of the Founding Fathers. On any other issue,
there would be those bemoaning the influence of
Christianity among the Puritans, the Quakers,
conservative Christians, the modern christian right
(pathetic and such as it is), yet as pseudo
historians we are asked to believe that "a cult of
"deists" without any bible, physical church or
historical tradition magically were sent as
democratically chosen representatives of the church
dotted (then and now for good or worse) colonies to
creat the United States.
Simply Laughable.
There is no "Deist religion" except that created by
the dishonest, the most acrobatic and stupendous
interpretations. the stupid and as a poor substitute
for the means of propaganda, dishonest and
manipulation.
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(21 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 8, 2008 5:24 PM
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Please stick to debating the posts, not the people making them! Thanks 
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(20 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 5, 2008 3:04 PM
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>>> Are you seriously insisting that any body of your misinterpreted, selectively pulled and grossly incomplete set of quotes can't be outmatched with an avalanche of much more conclusive evidence?
Bring it on, I've got no dog in this fight. Post the evidence.
Stephen Dillane screencaps
John Adams screencaps
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(19 of 22)
Actual letters & correspondence links
May 5, 2008 1:36 PM
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Extensive reading and yet deliberately selective, incomplete and without any academic standing whatsover.
Surely you jest!
Are you seriously insisting that any body of your misinterpreted, selectively pulled and grossly incomplete set of quotes can't be outmatched with an avalanche of much more conclusive evidence?
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(18 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 4, 2008 9:12 PM
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After some extensive reading, what stands out is how seldom religious references appear in their correspondence, especially for men of that era. It seems clear that Adams thought religion, despite its excesses, was generally 'good for the masses' and kept them in line, but personally and privately had little use for it. His hiring of a minister in Congress or saying a prayer would seem to be lip service, much as it is today.
"Indeed, Mr. Jefferson, what could be invented to debase the ancient Christianism which Greeks, Romans, Hebrews and Christian factions, above all the Catholics, have not fraudulently imposed upon the public? Miracles after miracles have rolled down in torrents."
~ John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, December 3, 1813
"As I understand the Christian religion, it was, and is, a revelation. But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends, have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed?"
~ John Adams, letter to FA Van der Kamp, December 27, 1816
"The question before the human race is, whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether priests and kings shall rule it by fictitious miracles?"
~ John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 20, 1815
"Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or mystery, and which are destined to spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great point gained in favor of the rights of mankind."
~ John Adams, "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" (1787-88)
"The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature; and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. Although the detail of the formation of the American governments is at present little known or regarded either in Europe or in America, it may hereafter become an object of curiosity. It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses."
~ John Adams, "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" (1787-88),
"The frightful engines of ecclesiastical councils, of diabolical malice, and Calvinistical good-nature never failed to terrify me exceedingly whenever I thought of preaching."
~ John Adams, letter to Richard Cranch, October 18, 1756, explaining why he rejected the ministry
"I shall have liberty to think for myself without molesting others or being molested myself."
~ John Adams, letter to Richard Cranch, August 29, 1756,
"Let the human mind loose. It must be loose. It will be loose. Superstition and dogmatism cannot confine it."
~ John Adams, letter to his son, John Quincy Adams, November 13, 1816
"Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic religion?"
~ John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, May 19, 1821
"I do not like the reappearance of the Jesuits.... Shall we not have regular swarms of them here, in as many disguises as only a king of the gipsies can assume, dressed as printers, publishers, writers and schoolmasters? If ever there was a body of men who merited damnation on earth and in Hell, it is this society of Loyola's. Nevertheless, we are compelled by our system of religious toleration to offer them an asylum."
~ John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, May 5, 1816
"I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved -- the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!"
~ John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson
"The priesthood have, in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning.... And, even since the Reformation, when or where has existed a Protestant or dissenting sect who would tolerate A FREE INQUIRY? The blackest billingsgate, the most ungentlemanly insolence, the most yahooish brutality is patiently endured, countenanced, propagated, and applauded. But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma of a sect, though capable of the clearest proof, and you will soon find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your legs and hands, and fly into your face and eyes."
-- John Adams, letter to John Taylor, 1814
John Adams screencaps
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(17 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 4, 2008 6:37 PM
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> If only Tommy Jefferson would have been able to
> confine himself to letters about human body parts and
> women (just as so many monkeys are fascinated with
> bodily functions and parts) and stayed in the
> permanent "anal retentive" phase of child
> development. Instead as a wealthy slaveowner who
> inherited his wealth and name, tommy was able to
> cause the deaths of millions by manipulating the
> French Revolution which directly lead to the
> Napoleonic Wars.
>
> Bummer.
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(16 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 4, 2008 5:59 PM
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> I'd appreciate leaving this thread for quotes and
> links, not rants. Thanks.
Everyone - don't feed the troll.
Katie, many thanks for these quotes.
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(15 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 4, 2008 5:53 PM
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> I'd appreciate leaving this thread for quotes and
> links, not rants. Thanks.
I'd appreciate leaving this forum for John Adams not accusations of rants about threads some don't like and/or lack the intellectual capacity to respond to.
Thank-you!
Have a Nice Day!
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(14 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 4, 2008 5:10 PM
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I'd appreciate leaving this thread for quotes and links, not rants. Thanks.
Huge George Washington eText archive here
From Head Quarters, Valley Forge, June 5, 1778
" ...the way to annoy, distress and really injure the Enemy on their march (after obstructing the Roads as much as possible) with Militia, is to suffer them to act in very light Bodies."
To MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE, June 26, 1778
"The Troops here are suffering for want of provision, as well as those with you, and are under the necessity of halting, till they are refreshed."
A PLAN OF ATTACK ON NEW YORK, June 1778 "a breast work of Waggons, Abbates and Pits, or something else to guard against the affect of a sudden attack, or Night Surprize.
To MAJOR GENERAL BENEDICT ARNOLD, July 11, 1778
"...peculiar satisfaction by informing me that your wound begins to wear a favourable aspect and that you are recovered from the disorder in your stomach."
The Missing Mrs. Forbes, Mount Vernon, November 22, 1797 "We have heard nothing more of Mrs. Forbes. If it shou'd fall in your way, without formality, I should be glad if you wou'd ask Mr. Robt. Brooke if he did not receive a letter from me in Octr. on this Subject? If he did, and I see not how it shou'd be otherwise, his conduct towards me has been very ungenteel, such as I would not have meeted to him or any other."
To ALEXANDER HAMILTON August 21, 1797
"I pray you to accept a Wine cooler for four bottles...."
To ALEXANDER HAMILTON, October 8, 1797
"The ardent desire which Mr. La Fayette feels to embrace his Parents and Sisters in the first moments of their liberation, induces him to set out for New York, or further Eastward, in search of a Passage to France. "
To THE SECRETARY OF WAR, March 4, 1798
"Are our Commrs. Guilotined? or what else is the occasion of their Silence?"
to President John Adams, July 4, 1798
"...But this seems to be the Age of Wonders! and reserved for intoxicated and lawless France (for purposes of Providence far beyond the reach of human ken) to slaughter its own Citizens, and to disturb the repose of all the World besides."
John Adams screencaps
Stephen Dillane screencaps
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(13 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 4, 2008 12:23 PM
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If only Tommy Jefferson would have been able to confine himself to letters about human body parts and women (just as so many monkeys are fascinated with bodily functions and parts) and stayed in the permanent "anal retentive" phase of child development. Instead as a wealthy slaveowner who inherited his wealth and name, tommy was able to cause the deaths of millions by manipulating the French Revolution which directly lead to the Napoleonic Wars.
Bummer.
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(12 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 3, 2008 3:55 PM
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>
> "PS Dont show this stuff."
Too late now.
That's the downside of being a Founding Father, everybody will read your mail for the next 200 years
--
Flavio's not coming.
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(11 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 2, 2008 6:15 PM
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Jefferson to his daughter, Dec.1783
Never mind the apocolypse, "Always let me know too what tunes you play."
Jefferson to his daughter
"If you love me then, strive to be good under every situation and to all living creatures..."
Abigail to John Adams, july 23. 1784
"Mr. Jefferson I left in Boston going to Portsmouth where he designd spending a week and then to return to Newyork to take passage from thence to France. He urged me to wait his return and go with him to New York, but my passage was paid on Board "
Abigail to John Adams, London June 7th. 1787
"The prince of Wales has been most dangerously Sick, has been Bled six times, his disorder a voilent fever which fixd upon his Lungs."
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1789
"As to Money to bear your Expences you must if you can borrow of some Friend enough to bring you here, if you cannot borrow enough, you must sell Horses Oxen sheep Cowes, any Thing at any Rate rather than not come on. If, no one will take the Place leave it to the Birds of the Air and Beasts of the field: But at all Events break up that Establishment and that Household."
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 December 1796
"I can pronounce Thomas Jefferson to be chosen P. of U. S. with firmness and a good grace that I dont fear. But here alone abed, by my fireside nobody to Speak to, poring upon my Disgrace and future Prospects -- this is Ugly."
"PS Dont show this stuff."
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(10 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 1, 2008 5:36 PM
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Excellent links and quotes! I can't get enough of this stuff. Thank you for posting these!
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(9 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 1, 2008 2:53 PM
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>>> "The death of Bonaparte would, to be sure, remove the first and chiefest apostle of the desolation of men and morals... the scourge of the land."
Great quote!
>>> I don't think you have to be in love with Jefferson to appreciate the insight that they provide.
Agreed. His hypocrisy regarding slaves is repulsive to me, and I'm not even an admirer of his politics. Nevertheless, he's a fascinating man.
Here's an interesting article on the Barbary Pirates.
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(8 of 22)
Re: Actual letters & correspondence links
May 1, 2008 1:42 PM
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> "The Reprobate shall be punished."
>
^I can definitely see JA saying that
--
Flavio's not coming.
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