151Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mrs smith Louissa Mrs Otis Rush Peters & a number of young Ladies are just gone to Congress to hear the Speech which is deliverd at 12 oclock to day; I should have liked well enough to have been of the Party, but it would not have been proper— You will see it, as soon as you will get the Letter I presume some people will not be pleased, I suppose, because it will not disclose enough about the...
152Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter reachd me on the 20th. I began to feel very impatient to hear from you; Your Letter afforded me much pleasure; I rejoice that so worthy and amiable a Man as Mr Kendall allways appeard to me, is like to be so soon; and agreably setled. I would willingly exchange all the discourses I have heard here Since I came and all I shall be like to hear, for the one half which even chance...
153Abigail Adams to William Smith, 22 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
Least you should not see many of the curiosities produced in the Aurora; I shall now and then inclose You a choice morsal; in this, which I now forward you you will find a Letter, said to have been written by a Mr Crammond of this city, to Mr Parish the former Consul at Hamburgh and printed in a Paris Paper. Mr Crammond is a respectable English Merchant of this city, but by no means a...
154Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 22 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received Yesterday Your favour of Nov br 8 th and thank You for the information containd in it. The weather has been uncommonly fine through the whole of this Month; I wish You had used Your own judgment respecting the putting up the frame this Winter. I had not any expectation of its being so early ready, or of the winters being so mild, but it is now so far advanced that it may be best to...
155Abigail Adams to William Smith, 19 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been from Quincy more than five weeks, and have received only one Letter from any Friend Since I left them; I find however that you have not been unmindfull of us. the fish arrived safe and we regaled ourself with it, Mr & Mrs otis joining in the commemoration of the good things of New England— Poultry we have here, both cheeper and in better order than our markets produce it, but tho...
156Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you twice from East Chester. I left there the day I proposed; and had a fine passage across the North River—it was quite calm & not cold. we proceeded on our journey to Newark the same day, and there finding that we could go to Brunswick as conveniently by travelling through springfield and scotch plain to Plainfield the place where col smith is encampd with three Regiments. we...
157Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
Tomorow morning I expect to leave this place, and proceed on my way to Philadelphia—where I hope soon to hear from you. Frank and family had arrived before Brisler. they had only ten days passage. our Envoys I presume are ready to sail. the P writes me, that he hopes they are gone that there may no longer be room for impertinent paragraphs fabricated by busy bodies who are forever meddling...
158Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 31 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter on saturday the 26 th by Brisler who with his family arrived here in safety John was taken with the Mumps the day before. he was not so sick, as to prevent their proceeding to cross the Ferry— I have not heard of him since, but expect to, this day. Louissa has had the Mumps, so as to be swelld up to her Eyes. they have been a week upon her, and are not yet gone— caroline...
159Abigail Adams to John Adams, 29 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening yours of the 25—with a Heart filled with gratitude, for the many Blessings I have enjoyed through the 35 years of our union; I would not look upon a single shade in the picture; for if according to Rousseaus Philosophy, abstinence from what we delight in, is the Epicurism of Reason; I have had my full proportion of enjoyment; This day is very fine. I almost regreet to...
160Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 28 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
what can you expect me to write you from this village; where I hear & know no more what is passing in the world, than if I was wholy secluded from it. I have not seen a Newspaper since I came and but one gentleman from N york. I can tell you that the leaves wither and fall, beautifully varigated by the frost with all the coulours of the Rainbow, that the tide Ebbs and flows covering the meddow...
161Abigail Adams to John Adams, 24 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received Yours last Evening of the 21st, when on the road; I could not write; I was generally so fatigued by Evening as to wish to get to Bed. we rose early and as soon we could get Breakfast sat out upon our days journey, at noon we usualy stopd two Hours; to feed ourselves and horses; and my Lame animal was a constant anxiety to me; I have got him here, and John has Physick him, and bled...
162Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I reachd this place yesterday about 11 oclock and found the Family all well the col with his Regiment gone to the Jersies— Mrs Smith and Nancy reachd here on fryday from Baltimore, the fever still so bad in N york, that it is not adviseable to go in. we had two very frosty nights upon our Journey, some fogs. I took some cold. mr otis a very Bad one. I left him & Family at mrs Hortens, about 7...
163Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
Here I am at this favorite spot, I sat out on Wednesday, but was detaind at west Town on Thursday by Rain. We reachd here last Evening; and put up at capt Drapers— we have attended at Meeting twice this day—and conclude to remain here untill tomorrow morning. I have heard of you, upon the Road, & but once from you, which was from Worster. mr Hall I saw at westown, and he informd me that you...
164Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 13 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I got to Westown on Wednesday by four oclock and was met two miles from Town by Mrs otis, accompanied by Mrs Marshall who insisted upon my putting up with them I accordingly went, and was very kindly and hospitably receivd by the col and his Family. the old Gentleman who is now more than 80 years, still retains much of the fire and sprightlyness of youth, he is very infirm in health, but...
165Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in the fine weather you have had. accounts from N york & Philadelphia are rather unfavourable, but I hope Frosts will make the city fit for Breathing by Nov’ br I shall sit out on Wednesday the 9th for several reasons. in the first place, I shall avoid the parade of the 10th which would be very inconvenient, as I wish to put my House in order to leave it. in the next place Mr & Mrs...
166Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 5 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I sent by the stage to Haverhill some cloaths for the Children, a suit of their Grandfathers which may serve to cut up for them. I also sent a spotted cloth for to make them overalls for daily wear, and some spotted thickset for Sundays. these I hope will last them. I must depend upon you to get them made. I also Sent what shirts were done at that time. I now send by mr smith the remainder,...
167Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 5 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
The pleasing Emotions excited by the sight of a Letter, in Your Hand writing, were similar to those we experience at Meeting long absent Friends doubly endeard to us, by the perils and Dangers through which they have past. I rejoice my dear Madam that you have recoverd so much Health, as to be able to assume your pen, and Such a portion of spirits, as to discover the same flow of soul which...
168Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your two Letters together of August 26 th . I have every day since designd to write to you, but have not been very well. I do not know the cause yet for many years, the Month of sep’ br has depressed my Spirits more than any other. I believe it always brings with it, some dregs of the old Ague and fever— I most sincerely mourn for the distressess of N york and Philadelphia; but know...
169Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received with much pleasure your Letters of August 1 st and 12th, for which accept my thanks. I read the papers as usual, and find the Ethiope washed white by the Necromancing powers of dallas & co—but I was not a little surprizd by the information which mr H G otis assured me, he received from a correspondent in Philadelphia, viz that our Friend Dr Rush and Mr Hartley of York Town were...
170Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 21 July upon my return from a Ride. your Father said he had a Letter for me worth a thousand pounds I found it had been read; I complaind, but was told it was put in unseald, on purpose that it might be read. I had not any objection to its being seen, yet you know one chuses in such cases to be judge for themselves; I delight very much in your Letters. you have a...
171Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr Houghten, an acquaintance of your Brother Thomas, call’d upon me last Evening, with the kind offer of taking Letters to you. I readily Embrace the opportunity, as it gives me the pleasure of sending you a Number of News papers, and two orations, neither of which stand in need of any Eulogy from me; they will proclaim their own Worth; and the public are not insensible to their merit. two...
172Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 19 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of seeing mr Peabody here, yesterday mor’g he got here the night before, but it was late, and I was gone to Bed, tho I had exceeded my usual Hour before the President arrived. he brought William with him. I think I do not feel my last Summers sickness in any way, so sensible, as by being languid, and wanting my rest at a particular Hour. if I vary much, I lose my sleep— I...
173Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I know not how it is, but I always feel more spirits when I take my pen to write to you, than to any one else; I received a friendly Letter from dr Rush. the Good Gentleman endeavours to do away all the suspis he so innocently raised, and in doing it, your Father observed that it was ten to one. if he did not go to prateing to the Bishop or his daughters, and excite some Idea that he had been...
174Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of June 21— I cannot but feel very anxious for your Health. the Hot season is fast approaching, and the city will soon become sickly. the feverish habit of which you complain, and which seems to be rivited to your constitution, will expose you to the disorders incident to the season; I have sufferd so much from the same complaint that I know full well how to sympathize...
175Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
It was with inexpresible pleasure that I yesterday read a Letter to your Father from you dated the 1[8] th of Feb’ ry . this is the first line which has reachd us from you; Since the return of your Brother; I have not any from you of a later date than sep’ br . by the last No. 7 or Eight of your Letters must be missing. one public Letter of december, was received from you, by the Secretary of...
176Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I presume this will find you at Philadelphia, fix’d in your Lodgings; and in possession of your office, where I wish you much of the Good things of the world, tho purchased by toil & trouble, they may serve to enhance their value; above all worldly Goods. I wish you Health, for destitute of that great blessing, few others can be enjoyed. The few Hot days which we had in May, brought upon me...
177Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 14 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am much mortified and dissapointed that I cannot have the pleasure which I anticipated of visiting you with the Chilrdren on their Return to Atkinson. I was threatned last week with a return of the complaint under which I labourd last summer; but I was in hopes it would go of, and that a Ride would serve me but I have not found it so. my things were all put up yesterday to sit out, but I am...
178Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 7 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will be deliverd to you by your son whom you will find improved in his Health, greatly I think— the weather has been so very bad—and the Roads almost impassiable Since his return, so that it has not been practicable to make you an earlier visit. I have been very anxious for your dear little Girl, whom I have frequently heard an unfavourable account of, but miss Palmers last Letter...
179Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Gray Otis, 1 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to you for a very kind and friendly Letter by my son, to which I ought sooner to have replied, but I have been a poor correspondent for the last nine Months, through loss of sleep. My Head for more than half the time has felt in such a state of Langour and weakness that I have not been able either to write or read with comfort or satisfaction you who was witness to my situation...
180Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Such extreem cold Weather I do not recollect to have felt in March, as it has been this week, and it has laid Thomas up with one of his Soar Throats & Rhumatism I hope however tho very threatning, that it will not be lasting; I am so well as to ride out, when the weather will permit, and able to look after my poor Lad, who I regreet has so much of his Mothers constitution & infirmities—...
181Abigail Adams to John Adams, 4 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been informd to day, that a paper from N york the daily advertizer was received in Town on saturday night, which states that the Senate have refused to concur in the nomination of mr Murrey, and congratulating the public upon it, that the Senate have offerd their Reasons, which are promised in the next Paper; We are told that [“]in a multitude of Counsellors their is safety” I cannot...
182Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
yesterday afternoon mr Greenleaf returnd from Boston, and as he, as well as my others Neighbours, are particuliarly attentive and kind, in bringing Letters and papers to me as well; as of communicating all New’s, he came full fraught, with the appointment of Mr Murrey Minister Plenipo to France, a measure which had astonishd all the Federilist; and was a subject of great speculation, in...
183Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have not any Letter from you of a later date than the 9th; you was then unwell. I have one from william of the 12th. as he does not mention your being still indisposed I hope it was only occasiond by the Thaw, and the close air of the Theatre. I have myself been confined for a week, but got down stairs yesterday, and hope I have parted with some of my bad humours , by the application of...
184Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 21 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of three Letters from you since my last. your punctuality and attention deserve commendation; and claim a pardon for any inaccuracies of stile, or manner, which escape your pen. shall I tell you however what Thomas says? “this young man must aim at more accuracy of expression. he must not be slovenly I will take him to task.” you know his way, and I dare Say...
185Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I cannot say that I write you from my Solitude, for who can call themselves Solitary, when in the society and company of a beloved son, who has been long absent, and who returns to his native Land, with a plentifull supply of the flowers and fruits which he has judiciously selected, from the various Countries into which he has traveld. he appears very happy surrounded by the Books in the...
186Abigail Adams to John Adams, 14 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
upon the 12th, our dear Thomas reachd Quincy to my no small Joy! I am as happy in his company and Society, as you have been before me, and I bless God that he has returnd to his Native Country, an honest sober and virtuous citizen I hope he will continue an honour and a comfort to his Parent’s tho it is allotted them to experience different sensations with respect to one, of whose reformation...
187Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I will not let a vessel sail for Hamburgh that I know of, without taking a few Lines from me, if it be only to inform you of the State of my Health, which I know you are affectionately interested in. It is not what I wish it was, tho by no means so low as in the summer past. your Brother is on his way to Quincy. I hope to see him in the course of the Week, and to disswade him from his present...
188Abigail Adams to John Adams, 4 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
your observations in your last Letter, upon your Solitude; and your reflections upon your Age and feelings, led me to a train of Reflections, upon that period of Life to which we are both hastning, to that period when the wise man hath told us, no pleasure is to be found; That Frederick who was as great an unbeliever as Voltaire, should experience this truth in its full face, I can easily...
189Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 2 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Is there no method my child you can persue to escape the constant colds to which you are subject it seems to me you have had a succession of them ever since you went to Philadelphia. have you had anything of the Rhumatism? we have had open thawy weather which has given me a touch of old times, a dumb Ague for the week past; I think the News papers might have given us a little more accurate...
190Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
It is with pleasure insepressible, I inform you of the safe arrival of your Brother Thomas at N york after a passage of 46 days. My Mind was relieved from a load of anxiety by this agreable intelligence from his own Hand. the danger from comeing upon our Coast in the Winter Season, and the severe and frequent snow storms we have experienced this winter kept me in a constant allarm for his...
191Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I Received yours of the 16th on wedensday, and participated in the Joy and pleasure you must have experienced in meeting a dear and amiable son after a four years Seperation. how happy should I have been to have folded him at the same time to my Bosom, and felt a pleasure which the Childless, can never experience. I have already written both [. . .] you, and to him, respecting his comeing to...
192Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 25 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you my dear Nephew for your last agreable Letter. you have too sensible and feeling a heart not to participate in the pleasure which the Return of your cousin gives to his Parents and Friends. your account of his reception from his Father was too tender and interesting to my Heart, not to flow to my Eyes; I hope you will derive both instruction and improvement from him. you have a mind...
193Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received with Sincere pleasure the confirmation of your Safe arrival in your Native Land, from under your own Hand yesterday by post. oweing to Bad Roads, the post from N york did not arrive untill twesday, tho due on saturday. I had written to you, as you will find by the first Mail after I heard of your arrival, and tho I should most affectionately rejoice to see you soon, I shall not urge...
194Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I give you joy of the safe arrival of our dear Thomas; whom you will have cordially received before this reaches you; I shall be happy to see him as early as will be convenient for him; but if it is thought best that he should remain a while with you; I shall acquiese, now I have reason to believe him in safety. I hope his Health has not sufferd from his winters Voyage I shall the more readily...
195Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I Congratulate you my dear son, upon your safe arrival in your Native Country; and myself that I have the prospect of seeing you again, a prospect which for many Months I had no hopes of realizing, as your Father can inform you, and to the very low state of my Health, it is oweing that I cannot so soon as I wish enjoy the pleasure of Welcomeing you Home; and meeting you at Philadelphia, where...
196Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 16 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your Letter of Jan’ry 6th, with the News papers to the 7th Clapole excepted; which usually has the first debates, so that I got no debate later than I received on saturday of the 5th However inaccurate the Printers may report the debates in Philadelphia: is best known to those who deliver, and those who hear them. when curtaild, and retaild by our Printers they are...
197Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 14 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
your Aunt Cranch received a Letter from your Mother of Jan ry 1st in which she makes mention of having received a Letter from you: I wrote to her soon after she returnd Home, and sent the Letter to Boston. it was given to some private hand, and never has reachd her. I have since written to her by the post. She and your sister were well, and Abbes Arm much better for the application of Hughes...
198Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday in high stile with his Carriage and four, His Honor the Lieut Govenour made me a visit. this is the first notice I have received of his Gaurdianship. he desired I would inform the President that he had been here, as he had promised him that he would take care of me. I told him I should certainly comply with his request; the seeing me for the first Time, since the loss of Mrs Gill,...
199Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letters of Dec br 31 & Jan’ry the 1 st I am sorry that it should fall to your Lot to nominate Col smith again, and that to a lower Grade than, as a soldier he merrits. I think however that he was placed in a difficult situation. if he had rejected the offer, those who have stiled him a Jacobin, would have attributed it to motives unfriendly to his Country, but as a Man...
200Abigail Adams to John Adams, 6 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I believe it was in some such cold weather as the present, that Solomon made the wise inquiry observation, if two lie together, they shall be warm, but how can one be warm alone? now if he had had such a Bedfellow as Louissa, he might have found, that two might lie together, and yet be cold, for I am sure I felt half frozen last night. Ever since thursday the weather has been most severely...