1From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 3 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your care of my Letters those that I mist, which you put in the Book were found. Mr Beal deliverd your Note. I had a Letter a fortnight Since from Adelaid in which She Says, mr Hellens Health has been the cause, why the connection is deferd I have my doubts whether it will ever take place. Abbe mentiond to me that Eliza Guild had written you that She heard E M—was engaged to S,...
2From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
This mornings post, brought your Letter of march 3d with the inclosure, which I shall forward by the next mail, I thank you for the entertainment it afforded, it will answer a two fold purpose, that of letting me know the incidents of your journey, and your progress through it, and afterwards—giving a similar gratification to the Friends at the Valley, I beleive I must agree with you to...
3From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 7 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you two Letters received yesterday I do hope that John will be able to comply with and accomplish the only wish which he Says his Mother has, that of getting to her Fathers House once more. altho he Says She has mended for these two last weeks, yet he give me no hopes that the complaint in her Breast is not Such as must prove fatal. Nancy writes that it is one hard cake—my mind is...
4From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
The Sermon’s were returnd without my thanks which should have accompanied them, with expressions of pleasure confirmation and improvement, which I derived from the perusal of them. they discover a maturity of thought reflection, and research which do honourto the writer. Your society have every prospect, of consolation from the Character, tallents, and Superiour endowments of their present...
5From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 22 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I received your note of Monday I believe, as well as a very kind and friendly Letter previous to that, the note in which your feelings so powerfully opperated, I have put to rest as you desird. Caroline has quieted your mind, I trust upon some subjects, as the communications have given, much satisfaction to me. so far so good, yet there are many things yet to be learnt, respecting disposition...
6From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
I send you a Letter by mr Crufts this day received from Caroline. I had a few lines from her saying she was well, and longing to hear from us at Quincy. she had not then received my second Letter or Susans. I thank you for the papers & for the Nutmegs; I send by mrs Cruft the money for them. I hope for Letters by the J Adams and certainly shall have some, we must wait with patience for the...
7From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 15 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
What a Sad time our good Friends have for their journey. I think they will not travel in such weather, tomorrow I expect to learn something from them, I did not look for any thing on thursday. I feel rather more tranquil than when you left us, the not less solitary, and lonely, for Susan is gone to stay with her Aunt. We have been cheered by the accounts shocking as it is to humanity, at the...
8From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 21 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
dissapointment after dissapointment—no Letter not a line from Dear Caroline. it cannot be that she has not written. She knows how anxious her Friends here must be to hear from her: I strive to imitate her even and quiet temper, when dissapointments of a Similar kind occured to her can you tell whether the carriage which took them on, is returnd may hap. the Man might have a Letter, and forget...
9From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 30 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have read your Letter, and see nothing to amend or alter, thank you for the communication. I coverd yesterday to you a Letter received from Caroline the P. in taking off the cover, tore the seal which was attachd to the paper, but none of us peaped— I only had a few lines saying she would write to me soon— I could not find a conveyance yesterday, I send it to day with a number of...
10From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 3 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
This is a strange world, or rather strange folks make it so, to render the drama compleat. Lodgings were taken at Mrs Blacks before I returnd home from an afternoons visit which I had been making, when I returnd, I found the new married couple, and Mrs A. Abbe met me at the gate and we cordially and affectionatly greeted each other, when I went in I received Mrs A. kindly, altho it was Stately...
11From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 16 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
Feeling a little in the dumps, the why, or the wherefore I cannot tell, excepting a crick in my neck, & pain in my head, to cure all I take my pen to write you a few lines and inclose the , which Susan finished but has not had a conveyance for; so I send them by post and to make you laugh send you O an abominable wagish Letter I had almost said wicked, but then it made me laugh so, that I was...
12From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have been intending to write to you, and thank you for the loan of mr Everets Sirmon which I was loth to part with I heard it read once, and twice I read it myself, each time with new pleasure. I intended transcribing a part of it, but neglected it. The Letters received to night were of a month older date than those received by the Chancy. Mr A’s Letters are all interesting. this shows the...
13From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 23 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
The black hair Ribbon is just what was wanted, I thank you for thinking of it. I Should like 8 yds I believe of the Banbest like the pattern inclosed; I like the colour better; tho the Cloth is not quite so fine—they are not any so good, as I had last winter in Black. amongst the , is there not any Colevain Cotton Shirting like what I bought there winters ago, it was yd Wide at 8/9. I do not...
14From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 27 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
Here we are, Seated by the fire Side, viz Sir myself and Louisa, Susan gone to her uncles, mrs Adams and mrs Stebins came for her this afternoon. now look in upon us, the Segar going, Louisa with her Needle, I with my pen, missing dear Harriet, and wishing She was with us. for want of her, I read loud Six weeks in paris , and made myself So hoars; that to day I am obliged to keep as close as a...
15From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you mr Adams’s Letter of Novbr 23. the peace was it seems as unexpected to him a month previous to its taking place, as it has been to us— The passage markd begining “it is mortifying to” &c to the close which is also marked, you may give to the public, as an extract of a Letter from an American gentleman abroad to his Friend in America, and that respecting washington.— you will...
16From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 4 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening, all the articles you were so kind as to purchase for me. they were perfectly to my mind, and your Mem. accurate, expect in one particular, which was Seventy 5 cts Sent back to me by Charles, which is not charged, and which I Shall insist upon your doing, because I will not allow of any Such pranks—let me be proud as well as you. I also am daily calling upon you for...
17From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your Theological queries, you must consult with your Learned minister. I am not able to solve them. there is certainly a difference in the two tables, in the new Testament. I do not recollect but one reference to the ten Commandments That is in the tenth chapter of Luke, when the Lawyer consulted our Saviour, asking what he Should do to Inherit Eternal Life verse 26 & 27 & 28th He said unto...
18From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 17 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received the Silk and chalk this mor’g on Wednesday. I wrote you and inclosed to you mr Adams Letter of 25 Novbr to me. Charles was just going to the post office with it when mr Shaw drove up, and Stoped him. I opend the Letter to show him and gave it him with my cover upon his promise to perform part of what I had committed to you. he was then to leave the Letter with you. in that you will...
19From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 21 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill the afternoon of yesterday that the post of Saturday reachd Quincy, and then it was the labour of an hundred Men to dig there way through. the high wind of yesterday has lowerd the Snow banks, and admits of some passing today and the South wind brings us the Ringing of your Bells, and the South Roar of the Cannon, from which we conclude that the Ratification of the Treaty has...
20From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 24 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill after Susan returnd last evening, that I received your Letter of Saturdays date, oweing to the Severity of the Storm, we neither got our Saturdays, Patriot, nor yet our Wednesdays altho we Sent to the office for it. accordingly I never Saw the extract; we never wanted to see the papers more than last week, and never were more dissappointed. the news of Peace seemd to distract...
21From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 1 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I shall send George tomorrow by the stage and will be much obliged to your Father if he will go with him to the Tailors. I think the cloth had better be spunged, but he can be measured and the Coat snt out afterward. the patterns you sent were not equal to the cloth you procured before. I Should like to have the cloth fine as Can be had for ten dollars pr yd. cannot you send me Caroline’s...
22From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 3 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
I beleive the post Man thinks us very importent correspondents, as we observed that it was well the P had the priviledge of Franking. I have no Scruples upon that head as it is the only gratuity his country ever bestowed upon him. I mean to place a high value upon it, by as frequent a use of it as I have occasion for—George got home Safe altho through mud Snow and water. the day is now...
23From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening I received your Letter with the inclosurs. I wrote to you on fryday, but the post did not go, and the Letters were taken in yesterday mor’g by Thayer: I presume you got it after you had written to me— Mr Adamss Letter was written the day the peace was signd. it contains this passage which I should like to have inserted in the paper, as an extract from one of the Ministers to his...
24From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Louisa is just gone to Bed, She has not been So well to day. her flesh all rises upon her in puffs, & her feet swell, cough is better. but her limbs pain her Sadly She cannot take a mouthful Bread, tried it—to day & worried her Sadly—dr forbids her—I have fears for her which I do not express. I Send the Review, but have not had time to looke into it, you will return it me when you please Mr Mc...
25From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 15 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
you and your Mother have been So frequently in the pratcise of fitting out your Brothers for voyages that you know better than I do, what will be necessary for the Boys; will you recollect, and tell me. I have been thinking, one Suit of cloaths, beside those which they will wear at Sea, will be enough. George must have a new great Coat, and John can take his. how many Shirts a peice will be...
26From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you a pattern of Ribbon of which I should like a peice if my wants have not already out now my Credit. if so only get me 8 Yds— I want to know how George & Susan succeeded, the morning was so dreary, that fearing worse weather the P. and Louisa were discouraged, and when G. and Susan determined upon going, Louisa was unhappy that she did not go in yesterday with her Brothers and have...
27From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I would not have you expose yourself to go out in the rain, but when you do go out, John prays you not to forget the Shawl. I do not know if I mentiond half a pd wick yarn be so good as to look for black bombazeen I am told it is better for a pelise than Silk—the weather promises So bad & the roads so heavey that the P—— is discouraged from going. my Spirit will be with them altho my Body is...
28From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 13 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I did not think of your not returning again the next day when you left me, altho we miss you, much yet we know you cannot be in both places at once, but wherever you are, you are doing good, and this is the true end of Life. Thus thought the Dear departed Friend I mourn. Sav’d the parting pangs, and the final adieu. She seems like Enoch, to have been translated. Mrs Shaw writes, that when the...
29From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I send the Boys to your and your Fathers kind care. I hope they will not be obliged to stay long before they embark John thinks he must have a black handkerchief. the Ribbon you sent I took for my Bonnet. I want they should have their hair cut. If they do not go immediatly on Board, I would have them call at mr Smiths, at mr Quincys at mr Halls and mrs Otis’s keep them in good order, and make...
30From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 16 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Susan would insist, that she saw the packet go out about 8 oclock this morning. I hope it was so for the wind was fine, and has continued so all day. our prayers follow them. I should have sent Charles in, with a small key which I fear George left belonging to a small Box. did he say any thing respecting It? This will be a memorable day to me, the return of the Sabbeth, upon which the pure...
31From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 24 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
you always collect some comfort or consolation for your Friends—your information respecting the packet was particularly so that, which respected the Boys. I have been distrest for them this terrible North East wind and Storm—I never knew a more voilent one at this season—it must have been worse for those comeing in, than those going out; provided they had sea moon—but I will not distrust the...
32From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received your note this morning. mr A forgot to leave it last Evening; I am not much disappointed that there were not any Letters from mr ulating upon the Time when he the Milo left England. I could not Suppose mr A. had received his credentials so as to enable him to go there The Milo must have brought us some later news from Paris than we have yet had, but English papers are little to be...
33From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I wait this mornings post with much anxiety a report yesterday reachd us, that mr Dexter died at Troy this week by an aploplexy—if true the papers will this morning inform us, to our great grief and mourning— Henry Marston who took the Letters to you, said he would deliver the Letters in the morning. he is usually punctual to his word—I inclose you one since received which you will return on...
34From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 10 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I began to feel very much in want of a talk from you, this morning it came. I had written my Eyes almost out to get Letters ready to go to Newyork which I now send, to go by the vessel you Speak of, but if that vessel is gone then please to put them all w under the cover which I Send for the purpose, and the Letter also addrest to John, but do not send the Letter to John, unless the others go;...
35From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 6 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
I return you Cs Letter, I think she will not be here untill the last of this month. I fear W’s situation an unpleasant one, it cannot be otherways, with a family and without means of supporting them—whether John will obtain the place he wants, I know not, nor am I very solicitious for it. I have written two letters for him. at his request, but knew not, if I was not essentially injuring his...
36From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 6 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
My Eyes have been very troublesome the week past, So that I have not used my pen. I thank you for Carolines Letter, was rejoiced to find She got along so well. the next day was voilently hot, untill the cloud arose in a tempest in Salem in a fine refreshing showr in Boston, but to us barren clouds without water. we have had only a Slight Sprinkle. the heavens are as Brass the Earth powder and...
37From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 17 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the pamphlet sent me and think the writer more sinned against than sining. I will keep it, so charge me with it. I am glad to find Caroline at Home, after her Letter to me from N York in whih she mentions the packets getting upon the Rocks, and their taking a Boat to go on shoar I trust, that the packet was founderd did you hear so? She does not mention the circumstance as...
38From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
My correspondents increase so fast, that it puts out my eyes to write to them all. I have employd all this rainy morning in writing to Caroline to Abbe Shaw and to John Smith, the last Mail, did not give me the opportunity of writing to you this morning. I think with you that mrs A’s is a very good correspondent. She feels, what I experienced when I was in her situation; all is ceremony, all...
39From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
By your note last Evening I conclude you had not received my Letter by the post of fryday which I expected to have reachd you the Same day—it containd a Letter from me to mr Adams to go by the vessel which is up for London, and which I then expected would Sail on Sunday, I inclosed a dollar requesting a supply of paper, to be sent me last evening, the P. and I are quite exhausted—I want a...
40From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have not committed burglary this time—Caroline haven written in the cover, all well the 9th of Sep’br no I did not tell her of the liberty I took, So you need not go to frighten her least I should See clandestanly what you will communicate voluntaryly (Susan would Say See : G M—how you spell, So I will mend the word, voluntarily I did write you a note yesterday by the C. mail, did you not...
41From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 16 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams call’d yesterday morning before six oclock, I rose before light in order to write to you, and waited only for the sun to give me light to do so; but the man came before, and I had only time while he waited to scratch of the hasty line I sent, or I should have told you, that the paper came safe the by mr d Greenleaf. Caroline’s Letter informs me that she was well the 7th. that John had...
42From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 27 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Since last monday, I have not been able to write you a line. I lived in bodily fear of the prevailing seve Disease knowing that an attendent was a distressing cough. on monday morning I rose all well as usual, compleated my Letters which were to go by John, and Sent them to the port. I Soon found I had a voilent fever in my head, accompanied with pain, which increasd with voilence, and my Eyes...
43From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 22 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
you do not know how much your company is desired at Quincy. these long Evening we want much, an addition to our Society. you are so well calculated for retirement, parties not being your prevailing passion. you can sit down and with your Book render the Evenings agreable. I read at the expence of my Eyes. Louisa reads, but wants glasses—Susan some times, but her face pains her if she reads...
44From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have lost my dear venerable second Father and ancient Friend, the upright Christian, the noblest work of God, an honest Man—I heard he was unwell on wednesday the P and I went to visit him. he was in his parlour appeard to have a voilent cold, raised freely, but I observed spoke very faintly; and appeard to me at the time, like a Lamp just expiring. I left him, dubious whether I should ever...
45From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 13 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
I write again. I am yet among the Living, of which last Monday morning I had no expectation, but thanks to a kind providence I am yet Spaired for Something, and may I be finally found with the wise virgins, my Lamp trimmed. The Severe Snow Storm of yesterday has so Blockaded, the Roads that I know not when they will be passable—no opportunity of sending you Carolines Letter to day, or Letters...
46From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 23 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
I know you will be glad to see my handwriting, and more so, when I tell you that I have rode out to day as far as the meeting house, and feel the better for it; Sunday night slept very little, and that much disturbed. last night was much easier and slept natural sleep—am very weak— this morg’ Mail brought a Letter from mrs Buckana for you, and Letters from N york from abroad, one from mr A to...
47From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 25 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I was very sick yesterday, and obliged to take an Emetic, to clear of a quantity of Bile, which the dr said was the occasion of my sleepless Nights. I hope he may be right; for they weaken me much. I was very much worried with it. I took it at half past three, pure delicious Indian Root and it never closed its opperation, until eleven at night. It is slow you know in its opperation. I did not...
48From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I must write you a few lines to day from a Night of Rest, I derive Strength, all lost again by a night of wakefullness—If I do not get to Sleep as soon as I go to Bed, and that is early; it is all lost for the night yet I suffer no pain, except some times in my head. no fever, no cough, yet I was loose my flesh. my complaint seems to be an universal relaxation of the Solids. If I had lived in...
49From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 15 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
your Note I received and thank you for it, altho it gave me much anxiety upon your & mrs Bailey’s account. I fear you will lose your dear little Girl, Yet she has youth of her side, and naturally a fine Constitution, but the poor child has had to contend with two diseases, the last of which is shocking from its long continuance—I know by my own confinement how long you have had a very Sick...
50From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 19 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I received this morning your Note of Sunday and Monday, and am the better for hearing of that your Family are Some of them so; I hope mrs Baileys emetic will not prove so trying to her, as mine was to me. tho only Simple Indian Root, I have Scarcly recoverd the Strength I lost. the very cold night of Sunday and yesterday tried my weak frame, and Shut up my pores so that yesterday I was very...