Adams Papers
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Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 February 1802

Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams

Quincy Feb’ry 7th 1802—

Dear Thomas

Your Letter of the   Jan’ry I received near a fortnight ago, and have thought every day since that I would write to you;1 but few occurrences arise to amuse You, or entertain You of a domestick nature, and dissertations are not what you want; Your proposed project of removing to the state of Newyork occupies my attention. I know it must be urksome to you to pluck up stakes, (as the saying is) and quit a profession to which you have been Educated, to enter upon an untried scene, to form new acquaintance & new connections; Yet when I consider the disadvantages you must labour under where you are, that the political state of the Country, gives you no prospect of advancement in your profession; for all those who are in power, both in the National and State government where you reside, are decidedly opposed to your Sentiments and principles; and I hope presume, ever will be; so that I cannot believe you will Succeed in Buisness in that city. beside it is not a desirable place of residence for a part of the Season always being in danger of the yellow fever; I wish to learn from you what your prospects are if you go as you hinted, into the interior of Newyork? it is a large, and flourishing state, tho it has a wrong Bias in politicks. I think it must follow New England in self defence, sometime or other; we know not what is before us. there is much reason to believe that confusion will result from the new order, or rather from the disorder which will be the concequence of the measures pursued by the Administration the cultivators of the Soil may find more rest for a time than any other class of men; If a Farm is your object, I should advise You to see and judge for yourself; not to be led by the Suggestions of others; to live without Society; would soon render you discontented & unhappy. and even a polishd man soon becomes assimilated to the Manners of those who Surround him; but as you have not explained Your objects, I can only conjecture. it will not however give me any pain to find you determined upon quitting the city where you now are; it is not a soil where you will ever flourish I hope however you may be transplanted to one with sentiments more congenial to the best interests of our country When I look back upon the past, I am ready to make many unpleasent reflections, but all History furnishes us with Similar Instances in republican Governments. there is not any thing stable, any thing which can long be depended upon;

I yesterday read mr Morris’s speach in reply to mr Mason & others. I do not recollect ever to have read a more masterly composition, or a finer peice of oratory.2 truths however painfull are painted as with a Sun beam; yet upon the callous Hearts of Jacobinism no impression appears to have been made. deaf to the Voice of Reason truth and justice, feeling power, they forget Right; N England is crushed, and will be trampled upon, untill oppression raises a spirit which will sweep like a whirlwind.

Your Brother has taken an office in Boston.3 how long he will have patience to hold it, depends upon circumstances I hope if any attempt should be made to send him to the National legislature he will decidely reject it—come out from among them—4 they are doomed to dissolution— an attempt has been made to get an address to the President from our Legislator, but did not succeed as the papers will inform you; the same proposition is now under debate in the Senate, but I trust will not succeed—5 Burr has Shown us what he will do when the fate of the Country, hangs suspended upon his veto in the National Goverment—6

We have had a remarkable mild winter untill this Month commenced, when we have had a taste of cold & some Snow— Your uncle Cranch is very sick with one of his old lung complaints I have many fears least it should prove too hard for him. Your Father enjoys good Health: and spirits. my own has been better through the winter than for several past. I forgot to mention to you that B Adams is married, three weeks since— I had a Letter Yesterday from Sally.7 She writes that you had been once out to see her. I hope you will go again. Sally is a valuable woman, and deserving a better lot than she has met with, which make me desirious of Showing her every kind attention in my power—

the Boys are gone to N york— I cannot but regreet their removal. John had just got his ambition excited, and was pursueing his studies with great assiduity, and earnestness; he appeard dull and mortified at his removal, and fearfull of the concequences to himself. he had much thought & reflection upon the Subject, as well as anxiety for his Brother, who he thought was not inclined to the necessary application, and whose mind might easily be dissipated— it is a pitty two such fine Boys should be in a way to be ruined, and their Father has no Head for to plan out their Education;

I like to hear from you once a fortnight, if only by a few lines. Remember me kindly to all those of my acquaintance who retain any Regard for me, and be / assured alway of the tenderness / and affection of your / Mother

A Adams

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Thomas B Adams Esqr— / Philadelphia”; endorsed: “Mrs: A Adams / 7th: Feby 1802 / 15th: Do Recd: / 22d: ansd:.”

1Not found.

2On 13 Jan. Stevens Thomson Mason of Virginia argued for the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801, alleging that Federalist arguments for its retention were illogical and hypocritical. Mason also argued that during JA’s administration there was “an immoderate thirst for Executive patronage.” The speech was printed in the Boston Columbian Centinel, 3 Feb. 1802, while that of Gouverneur Morris was printed in the 6 Feb. issue (Annals of Congress description begins The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States [1789–1824], Washington, D.C., 1834–1856; 42 vols. description ends , 7th Cong., 1st sess., p. 59–69).

3For JQA’s Boston law office, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 1, above.

42 Corinthians, 6:17.

5On 2 Feb. the Mass. house of representatives debated a motion by Perez Morton to present an address to Thomas Jefferson that was “expressive of the confidence which this House entertain in his Integrity and Patriotism.” Supporters suggested that the statement also endorse the appointment of treasury secretary Albert Gallatin. Opponents characterized Gallatin as “a foreigner, whose language is now almost unintelligible to a native American” and also argued that the dismissal of JA’s appointees precluded such an address. Nathan Fisher moved to postpone consideration of the address, and it carried by a vote of 141 to 91. On 5 and 6 Feb., the Mass. senate debated a similar motion, which was defeated by a vote of 19 to 14 (Boston Columbian Centinel, 3, 6, 10 Feb.; Boston Independent Chronicle, 28 Jan., 4 Feb.).

6On 26 Jan. Vice President Aaron Burr cast a tie-breaking vote to advance the bill proposing the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801 to a third reading. Burr’s vote, which was his first as Senate president, was reported in the Boston Columbian Centinel, 6 Feb. 1802 (Annals of Congress description begins The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States [1789–1824], Washington, D.C., 1834–1856; 42 vols. description ends , 7th Cong., 1st sess., p. 147; Burr, Political Correspondence description begins Political Correspondence and Public Papers of Aaron Burr, ed. Mary-Jo Kline and Joanne Wood Ryan, Princeton, N.J., 1983; 2 vols. description ends , 2:654).

7SSA to AA, 23 Jan., above; AA enclosed her reply, not found, with this letter to TBA (TBA to AA, 22 Feb., below).

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