Adams, John (1735-1826) to Richard Rush
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05573 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Quincy, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 December 1816 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 24.7 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy
Adams in retirement to Rush as Attorney General. Written from "Montezillo," a playful reference to Adams' own home in Quincy, Massachusetts. References Rush's letter of 29 September 1816. In that letter Rush related a story about a horseback excursion to Monticello to visit Jefferson. Tells Rush about a 500 mile journey he undertook by horseback from Massachusetts to Baltimore in 1777. Tells of treacherous crossings of the Hudson and Raritan Rivers. Mentions that he has heard high praise of Monticello from various travelers. Tries to tempt Rush to make a trip to visit him, saying the journey is much easier than it used to be in the late 1770s. Says if he comes he will show him the magnificent "natural Beauty" of his home as compared to the "vast Wilderness" Rush saw on his trip to Monticello. Gives an introduction for a Colonel Sumner and his sister to Rush. Says his father's letters do honor to his memory, "But at present they would break up an hundred hornets nests."
Montezillo Decr 25. 1816
Dear Sir
Your Letter of the 29th of September has not been answered by me as it ought to have been.
Your Excursion Horseback gave me high hopes; and excited vain Recollections. Dean Swift bragged; and why should not I? Swift crowed over Pope Arbuthnot &c and boasted that he could ride 500 miles upon a trotting Horse. In 1777 I rode on Horseback from Penn's Hill in this Town to Baltimore, more than 500 miles, upon a trotting horse too, crossing Hudson River with my horse 15 miles above Fishkill, the Ice cracking under me a great part of the Way. Raraton River in New Jersey We passed in the same Way. When shall We find a Walter Scott to write the Romances of our American Revolution? I wish you had visited "The Poplar Forest" after having seen Monticello. Of this last elevated and magnificent Structure I have had pleasing Accounts from Travellers that I have had the Pleasure to introduce to the Philosopher, States man, and classick Writer, who is the Genius of the Place. They all return full of Praises and gratitude.
All this, is but an Introduction to a Serious proposition. In my Pilgrimage I have scarcely seen a more pleasing [inserted: sight] than a Gentleman and his Lady on horseback, riding to visit their Friends; Why cannot you mount your Rosinante and Mrs Rush her Narragansett pacing Pony and take a ride to the Northward? Or if Childen and Family forbid this, why cannot you come by Stages and Steamboats? [2] What Roads, What Ferry's had I to pass in 1774 1775 1776 and 1777? From Washington to Montezillo is now but a party of pleasure.
However you come, I will show you no artificial Magnificence; but twenty Scenes of natural Beauty, that neither Virginia nor Pensilvania can rival. I will show you Penns Hill, for We have had our Penn, as well as you. I will Shew you Milton Hill and the blue Hill; and 20 other Hills and Oh! That I could show you Bacon Hill which I have so often ascended to see the Sun rise. But Avarice has levelled it with the grovelling mercantile Inhabitants about it. But to descend from these Heights I will Shew you Montezillo, and even this Hillock among Mountains will exhibit natural Beauty Suporiour to the vast Wilderness you Saw from Monticello.
I have written all this chiefly to introduce a Request of your kind attention to Col. Sumner and his Sister. We are "All Federalists and All Republicans". Sat verbum &c. He is a Brother and She a Sister of Mrs Wells, who came back in love with Mrs Rush.
Your Fathers Letters to me would do honour to his Memory. The Time will come when they will be quoted as Standards of Integrity. But at present they would break up an hundred hornets nests.
John Adams
Richard Rush Esq
[docket]
Mr Adams
Dec 25, 1816.
[ free frank]
Free
[address leaf]
Quincy Ms Decr 25th Free
Honble Richard Rush.
J. Adams
City of Washington
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