Adams Family Correspondence, volume 15
post21 September 1801
]1
I ought to have acknowledgd Your kind favour of July 23 at an
earlier period; but the heat of Summer usually unfits me for every occupation; and I
never expect to conquer that disposition to an intermitting fever which always assails
me whenever I am debilitated by Heat, or any other
indisposition; I have had a very severe attack of the disorder incident to the Fall, and
tho it did not amount to a Dysentary, it reduced me very much— I am recovering from it,
tho Slowly. I thank you sir for the communication Which you inclosed to me. I have given
it to my much valued Friend Doctor Tufts, who has himself used Mercury with beneficial
effects in Similar cases—2
The Life of Christopher Ludwick will be read with pleasure by all
Lovers of virtue honor and Patriotism;3
it is a model for youth, but my dear Sir these days of prosperity Luxery and dissipation
are not those in which such characters flourish; we have an intire new Theory in
Religion Morals & politicks, corresponding with our State of Society; they will have
their preponderance untill heaven in wrath punishes us for talents misemployd, blessing
and benifits wantonly thrown away, and this fair land, now the once the abode of freedom, becomes the prey of some bold Tyrant all the
Social feelings which bind man to Man & harmonize Society, are wearing away; and
bitter party Spirit & Calumny and falshood are linked together to lay prostrate all
those kind affections, without which Life is a curse instead of a blessing do not most
of the evils described grow out of our government, and shall we not e’er long be
convinced that the passions of men are not held and restrainded by Silken cords, by the
still 128 small voice of reason and argument that Liberty which is unrestrainde is a
plethora in the political constitution.
you mention having made a collection of annecdotes which relate to our Friend—4 truths are not always to be spoken at the present period they woud be Scoffd at; persecution has followd that Spirit of independance which would not be dominered over by any party, but which undeviatingly pursued that System which has produced the unexampled prosperity of the country; lets others act with the same candour and firmness.
I cannot close my Letter without thanking you for your kind and Friendly attentions to my Son and his Family upon their arrival in your city— My son spoke of it with gratitude— I pray you sir to present my affectionate remembrance to mrs Rush and be assured that the prosperity & happiness of yourself and Family will give the Sincerest pleasure to / your assured Friend and humble / Servant
Dft (Adams
Papers); notation by CFA: “Copy. Dr
Rush.” Filmed at [Aug. 1794].
The dating of this letter is based on the date of JQA’s arrival in Quincy ( JQA to TBA, 27 Sept., below).
In his letter to AA of 23 July (Adams Papers), Rush enclosed an “Account of the successful
Use of Mercury in the Consumption.” The enclosure has not been found, but Rush
similarly addressed the subject in letters to New York physician Edward Miller on 18
March, 20 May, and 19 June, later publishing them as “An Account of the Salutary
Effects of a Salivation, and also of Tonic Remedies, in Pulmonary Consumption,” The Medical Repository, 5:5–10 (1802) (
ANB
).
Rush also likely enclosed the Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser, 30 June, which included his
account of the life of Christopher Ludwick (b. 1720), head baker for the Continental
Army during the American Revolution, who died on 17 June. The tribute described
Ludwick as an example of “successful talents and virtue, to those classes of people
who constitute the majority of mankind” (Philadelphia American
Daily Advertiser, 19 June; Rush, An Account of the Life
and Character of Christopher Ludwick … First Published
in the Year 1801, Phila., 1831, p. 5).
In his 23 July letter, Rush discussed his collection of the “most
remarkable Opinions, and Speeches” that JA delivered between 1774 and
1777. The doctor had collected notes and pamphlets since the Revolutionary War in the
hopes of writing a history of the conflict, and in the summer of 1800 he used them in
drafting an autobiography that included short biographies of delegates to the
Continental Congress. Rush described JA as “a most sensible and forcible
speaker” but wrote that his vice presidency and presidency were marred by “prejudices
in favor of the British constitution.” Rush did not send JA the sketch,
but on 13 July 1816 his son Richard Rush sent JA an edited version, one
that did not include the description of his “prejudices” (JA, Papers
, 19:387, 388; 20:249; Rush, Autobiography
, p. 1, 2,
140, 143).
br:22
d.1801
I should have answered your very affectionate letter by this days
post had I not been confined by one of my fits of the cramps &c: 129 which owing to the fatigue of my journey and the unusual agitation of my spirits was
attended with a considerable degree of fever1 I am however much better today and should be
perfectly well if it was not for my hands which are extremely painful it is a return of
the same thing which I suffered so much with last year but unfortunately it is now in
both hands I cannot concieve the meaning of it but the would fain wish to pursuade me that it only proceeds from
one cause and that nothing but time and patience I only laugh at them as yet and only
hope they may be mistaken—
By this time I may congratulate you on the meeting with your dear mother who is the delight of all my family and to whom I beg you will say every thing for me that is affectionate and respectful and likewise to your father and all the family desire their best respects—
Our dear baby I think improves every day every creature that has seen him has been struck with the striking resemblance he bears to his grandfather Adams he is as well as a child can be and fatter than ever—
Mrs. Smith has sent me a very polite
invitation to spend some time with her in New York2 as this entirely depends upon you I shall not
answer it untill I hear from you papa has so set his heart upon seeing you that he says
he will not let me return untill you come to fetch me—
Adieu my beloved husband I only want you here to be completely happy and remain your ever affectionate wife
RC (Adams Papers).
Not found.
Not found.