Dictated free franked letter, shakily signed “J. Adams,” as a franking signature, one page, 8.5 x 11.75, dated “Last day of July & 1st August 1825,” to his grandson Thomas B. Adams, a cadet at West Point. In full: “My hand almost refuses its cunning after a rude shock, almost paralitic and a duration of Twenty seven days, in July, the hottest ever known in this Latitude. Your letter from Fishkill was very grateful to us and would soon have been acknowledged but for my illness, which gave your Mother so many additional cares. You will probably be gratified with the Magazine, Edited by Mr. S. L. Knapp, which I shall send you in lieu of Newspapers, with which you have been surfeited. We had the pleasure of a visit from Col. Thayer when I was about as sick as I have been, and I felt quite grateful for the call, as he is not much addicted to visiting. The Col. Spoke very handsomely of [you] Son, and was bold in predicting future advances in proportion to the progress of time. Nothing but a decided will was wanting to insure rapid acquisition in the most difficult branches.
Your Uncle Joseph has just returned from Philadelphia, and brought us the pleasing information of an interview with you a few days ago. This was quite unexpected, as we had no intimation of his visit to the Springs. I cannot make sufficient mental effort to compose a letter of news or sentiment. You must expect such from those in better health, than Your Aff. Father.”
Reverse bears an address panel in another hand to “Cadet Thomas B. Adams, USMA, West Point,” postmarked across the top “Quincy ms, August 1st Free,” and franked in the lower left “J. Adams.”
Some partial separations along intersecting folds, two areas of paper loss to right edge, affecting a couple words of text, scattered toning and soiling, show-through from franking signature on reverse, and a couple tears along bottom edge, otherwise very good condition.
Written less than a year before the second president’s death, this correspondence to his grandson references reflects his advancing years and illness—both in the text and his old-age signature. Cadet Adams’ mother and the former president’s daughter-in-law, Ann, is also identified here, as she took care of ailing Founding Father at this time. Adams’ reference to “ the Magazine, Edited by Mr. S. L. Knapp,” pertains to the first issue of the Boston Monthly Magazine, published in June 1825 by Samuel L. Knapp and one in which Adams was profiled. The young cadet graduated 12th in the Class of 1828 from the US Military Academy as a Second Lieutenant in the 2d Artillery Brigade, and received his first commission from his uncle—President John Quincy Adams. Lt. Adams served in various Southern garrisons and in 1836 fought in the Second Seminole War. He died at Fort Dade in 1837 at age 28. Superlative familial content from one of America’s Founding Fathers! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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