John Adams to Benjamin Rush on his state of health - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

Keyboard Shortcuts

The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC00496.001
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1811
Title	John Adams to Benjamin Rush on his state of health
Date	21 November 1811
Author	Adams, John (1735-1826)
Recipient	Rush, Benjamin
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Letter, which has had one paragraph crossed out, discussing depression, an Iroquois warrior, and death. It includes reflections on classical philosophy.
Subjects	American Indian History Mental Health Death President Philosophy Classical World and Ancient Civilization Holidays and Celebrations Children and Family Health and Medical Art, Music, Theater, and Film Revolutionary War
People	Adams, John (1735-1826) Rush, Benjamin (1746-1813)
Place written	Quincy, Massachusetts
Theme	The Presidency; Health & Medicine; Native Americans; Arts & Literature; Children & Family
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide John Adams Quincy November 21. 1811 Dr. Sir On this our Thanksgiving day, among innumerable other Blessings, I have to (struck:thank) express my Gratitude for your favour of Nov. 11. I do not believe that Boethius's consolations of Philosophy, which however I have never read, would do me more good. I hasten to answer your Questions, that your friendly Sympathies may be no longer afflicted or allarmed. Indeed I almost repent of the Simple Tale I told you of our Sorrows. It Seems ungenerous and malevolent to afflict others with our Misfortunes. My Son's Wound is entirely healed. (struck:illegible) I walk as usual a few miles a day. My (struck: illegible) I was once present when a Portrait of one of the Chiefs of the Six Nations was shown to him. It had been taken Slyly by Stealth when he was not aware of the Painters design. He knew himself and was much displeased. I asked him his Reason? He Said he was a Warriour, and liable to be killed on any day. And he wished that nothing might remain of him to remind his Friends of him and give them pain for his loss. [2] Is this a natural Sentiment,? or a Savage Refinement of Friend Ship and Benevolence? Or was it affectation and Indian Hypocrisy? I look with delight on the Pictures of my departed Friends and wish I had many more of them, than are now to be procured. I am not melancholly nor gloomy, but as much disposed to badinage as ever, as an instance of it, you may expect to receive Letters from me, till the 30th of Octr. next if I live so long[.] written in the genuine Spirit of Seventy Six. Witness my hand John Adams Dr. Rush [docket] Free J. Adams [vertical] Dr. Benjamin Rush J. Adams. Philadelphia

Previous Item Next Item