184-year-old Adams letter found

The Boston Globe ^ | David Abel

[txroadkill]

QUINCY — Paul Hines, an assistant city solicitor, was combing through dozens of old boxes in the musty basement of City Hall, searching for records to defend the city from a lawsuit, when he made an unexpected find.

A dust-covered box in one of the 126-year-old building’s former jail cells was filled with old scrapbooks.

As Hines leafed through the brittle pages earlier this month, he came upon a letter from 1826 that addressed the burial of John Adams and his wife, Abigail, in First Parish Church across the street from City Hall. And when he flipped over the sheet of yellowing paper with neat, cursive handwriting, Hines saw it was signed by the second president’s son, John Quincy Adams, who at the time he wrote the letter was serving as the nation’s sixth president.

“It was very exciting,’’ Hines said. “I was wondering whether anyone knew this existed, and when the last time it was seen. I thought we should take it out of those conditions, so it could be shared and preserved.’’

He immediately brought the scrapbook to Mayor Thomas Koch, and yesterday, Koch and Hines announced that the city would be sending that book and others to a compa ny in Vermont that specializes in preserving rare books and papers.

Adams penned the letter, dated Sept. 8, 1826, two months after his father died on the young nation’s Independence Day. He was seeking permission from the supervisors of the church, which he called a “temple,’’ to bury his father and mother there.

[txroadkill]

“I have considered it a duty devolving upon me to erect a plain and modest monument to his memory: and my wish is that divested of all ostentation it may yet be as durable as the walls of the Temple to the erection of which he has contributed, and as the Rocks of his native Town which are to supply the materials for it,’’ Adams wrote.

He added: “I have many reasons for desiring that this may be undertaken without delay and . . .that both my parents may not remain for an indefinite time without a stone to tell where they lie.’’

[txroadkill]

Cool

[afraidfortherepublic]

American history ping

[txroadkill]

[theDentist]

Which of the 26 letters was it? I'm betting the "H".
'course, it could be a small letter instead of a cap, which makes it 52 possibilities. I'm sticking with "H".

[Marty62]

I love reading the prose of the Founders.

[StatenIsland]

Thanks for posting. Good stuff.

[boxerblues]

Rev War ping

[Buckeye McFrog]

It looks extremely well-preserved. Like it was written yesterday. Meanwhile my copy of Limbaugh’s first book looks like it was printed by the ancient Phoenicians. They just don’t make paper like that anymore.

[Cedar]

Back when people were nice and respectful.

[Wolfstar]

I love reading the prose of the Founders.

With respect, John Quincy Adams wasn't one of our nation's founders. He was the son of one of the most important founders, however.

[Star Traveler]

Hmmm.... still finding stuff even today... :-)

[SES1066]

They just don’t make paper like that anymore.

Actually, they do, it is just how it is used and for what purpose. "Rag Paper" is what most paper was in those days and that is paper made from cloth fibers. The best known examples of this paper today is a US Currency Note and it lasts about as long as is possible in circulation (18 months).

Most books and newspapers are made from wood pulp paper that does have a limited life span as you can attest from your experience with Rush's 1st book. Some "collectible books" are made from "rag paper" in order to last for long times that can be centuries in durability!

[Cincinnatus]

The modest memorial he erected is discussed here.

[Marty62]

He made his daddy proud.

[marajade]

john quincy adams was the only ex president to serve in another federally election position as a representative

[x]

Adams penned the letter, dated Sept. 8, 1826, two months after his father died on the young nation’s Independence Day. He was seeking permission from the supervisors of the church, which he called a “temple,’’ to bury his father and mother there.

The First Parish Church in Quincy, also known as the Church of the Presidents:

[ASOC]

Wow - thanks for the link!

From the site - about his wife,
“In every relation of Life, a pattern Of Filial, Conjugal, Maternal, and Social Virtue.”

Just like my wife, only she is smarter than me.....

[TXnMA]

The inscription ends:

PILGRIM:
From lives thus spent thy earthly Duties learn;
From Fancy's Dreams to active Virtue turn:
Let Freedom, Friendship, Faith thy Soul engage,
And serve, like them, thy Country and thy Age.

[SunkenCiv]

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	Gods Graves Glyphs	Thanks txroadkill. ...he came upon a letter from 1826 that addressed the burial of John Adams and his wife, Abigail, in First Parish Church across the street from City Hall. And when he flipped over the sheet of yellowing paper with neat, cursive handwriting, Hines saw it was signed by the second president's son, John Quincy Adams, who at the time he wrote the letter was serving as the nation’s sixth president. from a dead link: Feuding Founding Fathers, Part II: The Pursuit of Crankiness Discover 1999 While he initially admired George Washington -- personally pushing through the Continental Congress his nomination for commander in chief -- Adams bitterly seethed once he was in Washington's shadow. He portrayed Washington as a man who was all style, utterly lacking in substance. He once sarcastically listed Washington's talents, all of them involving his appearance, form and pedigree. "Here," he sneered, "you see I have made out 10 talents without saying a word about reading, thinking, or writing." He also thought Washington was a poseur, pretending to prefer the simple life with the hope of hiding his unbounded ambition. Washington "ought to pass" as a genuinely disinterested hero, Adams noted, if only because he played the part so well. Even more than a decade after the death of the "Father of Our Country," Adams still fumed about the degree of Washington-worship in the land. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother, and Ernest_at_the_Beach
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