121From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I make it a rule to begin my Letters by an acknowledgment of those which I have received from you, when any such there are. I have now the pleasure to notice yours of june the 6th No 89—I do this for two reasons—1st because every correspondent likes to know, that their Letters, are received, and 2ly that they are worthy notice, and there is not any Subject, apparently trivial in itself, but...
122From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 1 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the earliest oppertunity, after receiving the inclosed, of forwarding it to you; I received a Letter at the same time. William & Family I find are gone, but C had not heard from them after they left the city. She does not Say to me when She expects to Sit out for Quincy—I presume she has been more particular to you. I have Letters from England to the 9th of June, entertaining as...
123From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 28 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
Think not my Dear Daughter that I have been silent through want of feelings—I have sympathized with you under the repeated Shames you have been called to endure, in the last I have been no common sharer, I have wept with the relatives, over the remains of a Brave, unfortunate Benevolent Man, a kind affectionate & tender companion of her, whom he has gone to join in the World of Spirits,...
124From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favours of 23 April No. 86 of the 15 May No 87, and yesterday by mr Bond your Letter of May 20th No 88, and the Review and news paper The Reviews you will charge, as your Father requests, with the other Books which you Send him I inclose to you a Strip of a newspaper which contains some account of our National Jubilee, an event of more consequence to America, than...
125From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
The east wind of this day, will prevent the Sailing of the Galen, and it gives me the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of May 13th No 87; and the papers containing the Royal Marriage which came to hand last Evening: by the arrival of a vessel at N york; this interesting , and important intelligence, had been partially communicated to the publick a week before—Some...
126From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
If I write you ten Letters, to one from you, Still I Should be your debtor, for one of yours is worth ten of mine, and one over— yet in Love, and affection, the account Shall be balanced—I Shall always recollect with a pleasure, which I cannot describe, the Sensation I felt, when mr Woodard returnd from Russia and came to see me. I know well his Father, and Family, but him I had never Seen...
127From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge your obligeing Letter of June the 18th, and to thank you for the communications—our News papers had previously announced the presentation of mrs Adams at the Queens drawing Room, and copied from the morning Chronical, the distinguishd elegance and taste of her dress. This has Set the wits of all our Bells to work, to find out what Lama triming is, that Elegant article not...
128From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 21 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
It was with a heavy heart and trembling hand, that I yesterday broke the seal of your letter to your uncle. I knew that he was gone to Boston, and as I had not any letter myself, I could not wait in such suspense; the contents of the letter has left me little expectation of hearing that the lamp of life is not nearly extinguished. I had written thus far, when Louisa brought me the paper, with...
129From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
Altho I have written to you, more than once since I have received a Letter from you, I know how gratefull it is, to absent Friends to hear from each other, especially when to learn, that they are living; can be added, the agreable circumstance of their being in health. with gratitude to Heaven, I can Say; I was brought low, but I am raised up. I have this week visited my Friends in Boston,...
130From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 10 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
As I consider you as a part of my own Family, I Send you the inclosed, which you will return with care tomorrow morning tuesday I mean—we have Letters from Mrs A. from Utica and Susan one from Abbe of 2 June, in neither of which is any mention made of the Cols Sickness, or Caroline could not have reachd there, I think at that time yet I wonder as the distance was not further, that mrs Adams...
131From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
keep yourself quiet. caroline will come Shortly, and then be sure you shall have a carrier after you, but I do not look for her, untill I learn that She is come to Nyork—I return your Letter and request that you would come up Say thursday or fryday and bring mr Hinkly with you to eat some Strawberries fresh from the vines. my best Love to Your good Mother and pray her to take a kind...
132From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 5 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
After a year’s absence I came yesterday to make a visit to my friends for three days. Our anxiety to hear from you, led me to send to the office this morning for letters; there I found yours of May 31st, containing tidings that my fears had anticipated, as you will find when you receive my last letter. My dear child, you will be again called to severe and afflictive scenes; may you be...
133From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 2 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am very Sorry to learn that your Mother is so unwell, as Susan represents her. let me hear from her tomorrow. I have been out all day to meeting, and do not feel the worse for it. I do not expect to hear from utica untill next week I think I shall from Caroline. I have written to her three Letters three weeks going; none of which has She yet acknowledgd. I know She will be anxious to let us...
134From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Altho’ I have repeatedly written to you Since I received a Letter from you, I am not critical in that respect. judging from my own feelings, I think a Letter from a Friend always acceptable and altho’ they cannot be so interesting to you, as when your sons were with me, yet they may convey the assuriance of the Love and regard of which I bear you; and the interest I take in whatever concerns...
135From Abigail Smith Adams to George Washington Adams, 23 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
with this Letter I inclose to you a list of those Letters which I have received from you, with their numbers and dates. I am sorry to learn that you suffer from ill health. I would have you refrain from the use of the flute, while that is the case. it is very injurious to the Lungs while the Body is weak. You Should rise early; and ride on Horse Back previous to going to your studies. your...
136From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 21 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I always feel gay, when I take my pen to write to you. it is the recollection of your ardour, your intrepidity your and your Sparkling Eyes, and rosy cheeks which appeard to me the other Night, heightned by your return to your Native State & country which animated your whole frame, when you ran eagerly into the Arms of your Grandmother, which so gratified me, that I regreted when I awoke, and...
137From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have hoped to hear from you by every post, and to learn how your Health is. I have not heard from the valley Since the 22nd of April. William’s account then of his Fathers Health left me anxious for him. he wrote me, that as soon as his Father was able, he designd taking a house, or lodging at Utica. he will then be near to you, and in the midst of a society, which may enable him to recover...
138From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have already written to you by the Galen, my Letter was anteriour to the calamity which the inclosed papers will full soon, inform you of.—what can we Say? but Lord thou destroyest the hopes of man. I know not how to describe the Gloom which has overspread the public mind—To departed worth, the tear of Friendship flow’s. Party Spirit is Silent, and drops her veil, and bows acknowledging...
139From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have not yet replied to your kind letter from Philadelphia—I designed it Sooner, but overwhelmd as we have been, by the unexpected Stroke of providence, in the premature (as to us weak Mortals) it appears, in the death of the Greatest Man our State could boast, and one of the best, what could I say? but be dumb and silent, for thou O Lord hast done it.—A Nations Tears flow upon this...
140From Abigail Smith Adams to Katherine Dexter, 12 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
How can I address you, or offer human consolation for a wound which must bleed afresh at every attempt to assuage it? Yet if the tears of friendship, and a nation’s tears can afford any relief, be assured, dear Madam, they flow from all honest hearts, for you, for your children and for a country which mourns one of its brightest luminaries extinguished. A great man, fallen in the zenith of his...
141From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
A ; I opend my Letters this morning and found a Number—dated last Novbr and December, the first which John Smith wrote on Board Ship, which in his second he refered to, one from mr A. which I inclose for you only. I am much obliged by the paper you sent containing an account of the Lord Mayor feast. I approve the Toast given by the American Minister. it was liberal patriotic, and concilitary...
142From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill this morning that I received your Letter of December 5th No 79, just five months from the date. where it has been ever since, I know not. it came to me from Nyork, and had just arrived there. The subject of it, you will Remember by turning to your coppy. There is not any reasoning which can convince me, contrary to my Senses, that Three, is one, and one three. Is it possible...
143From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Mr Edward Brooks, Eldest son of mr P C Brooks has visited us, and offerd to take Letters for us to you. his parents you know, and this young Gentleman is worthy of such parents he is said by those best acquainted with him to be a solid Sensible and correct Character—Such as will do no dishonour to our Native State, or Country. any civility in your power to show him, will be gratefully received...
144From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I never know how to let a vessel go from Boston, without a Letter to Some of the Family. I have just written by the Mary, for Liverpool, but as a Gentleman calld yesterday to request Letters, I have given him one, for my Son, and one for mr Smith. this I have directed to be put in the Bag, as it incloses one from your Sister Hellen, which She Sent one for you— Mr Brooks has taken charge of the...
145From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 27 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am much dispirited by the weather which prevented the intended visit of you and your Friends, I promised myself much pleasure in it and wished for a conversation with mr Lyman upon the News. I recollected his account of the Bourbons and the temper of the French Nation as it respected Napoleon, they found themselves humbled mortified deprest and saw no disposition in the Monarch raise them to...
146From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 24 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
I this morning received your Letter, dated the 10th I sympathize with you, under the repeated Bereavements you have been call’d to Suffer. your graces, and your virtues, are now call’d into action. it is not Stoical indifference, but a christian Submission, and resignation to the all wise dispensations of your heavenly Father, which is required of you. alive to the tenderest sensibilities, you...
147From Abigail Smith Adams to Richard Rush, 24 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the information transmitted me in your Last Letter. I have Sent an extract to my Son—I wish that Congress could be convinced, unawed by Constituents, that parsparsimony to their public officers, is neither wise, just, or prudent, that in the Eyes of foreign Nations, it is contemptible, as well as in those of our own Countrymen, who know our means, that we are become a great...
By a vessel which saild a week since, I wrote to my Son, and Grandson’s. by this I shall write only to you, and acknowledge your favour of 2d Jan’ry. I was very sorry to learn that George had been attack’d with a Rheumatic complaint, a disorder, which when once in the constitution, continues a torment through Life. Georges Growth, has been so rapid, that he must not be forced to great...
149From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
Self, Self, is very often the first consideration I therefore begin my Letter by Saying I have had three good Nights. the Tincture of essence of hops, has contributed to them but it gives me the head ache. the weather is so worse than wintry, that I dare not encounter it abroad, so am deprived of exercise I ought to take.—the P has been Sick ever since Saturday with a most sad cold, taken on...
150From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
Upon this day solemnized to me, by the anniversary of the death of my beloved Sister, and by the recent event of yesterday, which has cut off an other Relative from the Parent Stock, by the death of our Friend mr William Smith. my mind is so much affected, that I shall feel a releif in communicating my feelings.—I am still living, lingering upon the confines, of the Grave, where e’er this day,...