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Domestic News
April 7, 1801
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On March 26, 1801, a committee from the Massachusetts Legislature, led by Samuel Phillips and Edward H. Robbins, presented an address of thanks to retiring President John Adams at his Quincy home. A large escort of Boston citizens accompanied them. Adams responded gratefully, expressing hope for national prosperity.
Merged-components note: Merged the description of the scene, the full text of the address to John Adams, and his answer into one coherent domestic news item, as they form a continuous report on the event.
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BOSTON, March 30.
Address to Mr. ADAMS.
On Thursday morning last, the Hon. Samuel Phillips, Esq. President of the Senate, and Edward H. Robbins, Esq. Speaker of the House of Representatives, a Committee from the Legislature of this State, waited on JOHN ADAMS, Esq. our late beloved President, and presented him with an address from the two branches, voted at the last session. A large number of the citizens of Boston, always desirous of testifying their esteem and veneration for real and distinguished merit, though at scarce an hour's warning, assembled in carriages and on horseback, to escort the Committee to the seat of Mr. Adams. Many gentlemen from the neighboring towns, by joining the escort, honored the committee and themselves: and had a further notice been given, thousands of other grateful citizens would have joined the procession. Mr. Adams received the Committee, and the gentlemen forming the escort, with that urbanity, affection and dignity, which are combined only in the truly great; and which are sensibly and feelingly noticed only by the really grateful. A tear started in his venerable eye, when Mr. PHILLIPS, with his accustomed impressiveness and sincerity, pronounced that cordial and affecting part of the Address, which declares, that "we receive him with open arms, esteem and veneration; confidently hoping, that he will possess, undisturbed, those blessings of domestic retirement, which great minds always appreciate and enjoy with dignity." -The scene was affecting,Gratitude was pouring out the fulness of her heart ; and Mr. ADAMS, conscious of his deserts, beheld with mingled sentiments of humility, love and admiration, the representatives of his native State, offering the homage of its thanks and veneration at the shrine of his virtues.]
The ADDRESS.
To JOHN ADAMS, Esquire.
AT the moment, Sir, that you are descending from the exalted station of the First Magistrate of the American Nation, to mingle with the mass of your fellow-citizens, the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, your native state, embrace the occasion, to pour forth the free will offering of their sincere thanks, for the many important and arduous services you have rendered your Country.
In the performance of this act, the Legislature have but one heart, and that vibrates with affection, respect, and gratitude for your virtues, talents and patriotism.
We conceive it unnecessary to detail the character of him, whose life, from earliest manhood, has been eminently devoted to the public good; this will be the delightful employment of the faithful and able historian.
Our posterity will critically compare the illustrious characters, which have elevated the condition of man, and dignified civil society, through the various ages of the world, and will with grateful effusions and conscious pride point to that of their beloved Countrymen.
The period of the administration of our General Government, under the auspices of Washington and Adams, will be considered as among the happiest eras of time.
The example of their integrity possesses a moral and political value, which no calculation can reach, and will be justly estimated, as a standard for future Presidents of the United States.
We receive you, Sir, with open arms, esteem, and veneration ; confidently hoping that you will possess undisturbed those blessings of domestic retirement, which great minds always appreciate and enjoy with dignity.
We devoutly supplicate The Father of the Universe, that you may realize, while you continue on earth, all the happiness of which human nature is susceptible ; and, when your course shall be finished here, that your Spirit may receive the transcendent rewards of the Fut.
THE ANSWER.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts.
THE very respectful, affectionate and obliging address, which has been presented to me by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, by your order, has awakened all my sensibility, and demands my most grateful acknowledgements.
As the various testimonials of the approbation and affection of my fellow-citizens of Massachusetts, which have been indulged to me from my earliest youth, have ever been esteemed the choicest blessings of my life, so this final applause of the Legislature, so generously given, after the close of the last scene, of the last act, of my political drama, is more precious than any which preceded it. There is now no greater felicity remaining for me to hope or desire, than to pass the remainder of my days in repose. in an undisturbed participation of the common privileges of our fellow-citizens under your protection.
The satisfaction you have found in the administration of the general government from its commencement, is highly agreeable to me, and I sincerely hope that the twelve years to come will not be less prosperous or happy for our Country.
With the utmost sincerity I reciprocate your devout supplications for the happiness of yourselves, your families, constituents and posterity.
JOHN ADAMS.
Quincy, March 26th, 1801
Address to Mr. ADAMS.
On Thursday morning last, the Hon. Samuel Phillips, Esq. President of the Senate, and Edward H. Robbins, Esq. Speaker of the House of Representatives, a Committee from the Legislature of this State, waited on JOHN ADAMS, Esq. our late beloved President, and presented him with an address from the two branches, voted at the last session. A large number of the citizens of Boston, always desirous of testifying their esteem and veneration for real and distinguished merit, though at scarce an hour's warning, assembled in carriages and on horseback, to escort the Committee to the seat of Mr. Adams. Many gentlemen from the neighboring towns, by joining the escort, honored the committee and themselves: and had a further notice been given, thousands of other grateful citizens would have joined the procession. Mr. Adams received the Committee, and the gentlemen forming the escort, with that urbanity, affection and dignity, which are combined only in the truly great; and which are sensibly and feelingly noticed only by the really grateful. A tear started in his venerable eye, when Mr. PHILLIPS, with his accustomed impressiveness and sincerity, pronounced that cordial and affecting part of the Address, which declares, that "we receive him with open arms, esteem and veneration; confidently hoping, that he will possess, undisturbed, those blessings of domestic retirement, which great minds always appreciate and enjoy with dignity." -The scene was affecting,Gratitude was pouring out the fulness of her heart ; and Mr. ADAMS, conscious of his deserts, beheld with mingled sentiments of humility, love and admiration, the representatives of his native State, offering the homage of its thanks and veneration at the shrine of his virtues.]
The ADDRESS.
To JOHN ADAMS, Esquire.
AT the moment, Sir, that you are descending from the exalted station of the First Magistrate of the American Nation, to mingle with the mass of your fellow-citizens, the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, your native state, embrace the occasion, to pour forth the free will offering of their sincere thanks, for the many important and arduous services you have rendered your Country.
In the performance of this act, the Legislature have but one heart, and that vibrates with affection, respect, and gratitude for your virtues, talents and patriotism.
We conceive it unnecessary to detail the character of him, whose life, from earliest manhood, has been eminently devoted to the public good; this will be the delightful employment of the faithful and able historian.
Our posterity will critically compare the illustrious characters, which have elevated the condition of man, and dignified civil society, through the various ages of the world, and will with grateful effusions and conscious pride point to that of their beloved Countrymen.
The period of the administration of our General Government, under the auspices of Washington and Adams, will be considered as among the happiest eras of time.
The example of their integrity possesses a moral and political value, which no calculation can reach, and will be justly estimated, as a standard for future Presidents of the United States.
We receive you, Sir, with open arms, esteem, and veneration ; confidently hoping that you will possess undisturbed those blessings of domestic retirement, which great minds always appreciate and enjoy with dignity.
We devoutly supplicate The Father of the Universe, that you may realize, while you continue on earth, all the happiness of which human nature is susceptible ; and, when your course shall be finished here, that your Spirit may receive the transcendent rewards of the Fut.
THE ANSWER.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts.
THE very respectful, affectionate and obliging address, which has been presented to me by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, by your order, has awakened all my sensibility, and demands my most grateful acknowledgements.
As the various testimonials of the approbation and affection of my fellow-citizens of Massachusetts, which have been indulged to me from my earliest youth, have ever been esteemed the choicest blessings of my life, so this final applause of the Legislature, so generously given, after the close of the last scene, of the last act, of my political drama, is more precious than any which preceded it. There is now no greater felicity remaining for me to hope or desire, than to pass the remainder of my days in repose. in an undisturbed participation of the common privileges of our fellow-citizens under your protection.
The satisfaction you have found in the administration of the general government from its commencement, is highly agreeable to me, and I sincerely hope that the twelve years to come will not be less prosperous or happy for our Country.
With the utmost sincerity I reciprocate your devout supplications for the happiness of yourselves, your families, constituents and posterity.
JOHN ADAMS.
Quincy, March 26th, 1801
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Social Event
What keywords are associated?
John Adams
Massachusetts Legislature
Presidential Address
Quincy
Retirement
What entities or persons were involved?
John Adams
Samuel Phillips
Edward H. Robbins
Where did it happen?
Quincy
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Quincy
Event Date
Thursday Morning Last, March 26, 1801
Key Persons
John Adams
Samuel Phillips
Edward H. Robbins
Event Details
A committee from the Massachusetts Legislature presented an address of thanks to retiring President John Adams at his home, escorted by Boston citizens and others. Adams received them warmly and responded with gratitude, expressing hopes for repose and national prosperity.