Adams Papers
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Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 February 1801

Abigail Adams to John Adams

[21 February 1801]1

My Dear Sir

I write You once More from this city. the Trenton River is impassable, and has prevented my Sitting out. we hope however that the Rain may clear it. I sent Townsend of to day; I have heard Some of the Democratic rejoicing Such as Ringing Bells & fireing cannon; what an inconsistancy Said a Lady to me to day, the Bells of Christ Church ringing peals of rejoicing for an Infidel President! the People of this city have evidently been in terror, least their Swineish Herd should rise in rebellion and Seize upon their Property & share the plunder amongst them; they have permitted them really to overawe them; I foresee some day or other that N England will be obliged to march their Militia to preserve this very state from Destruction—

There is great uneasiness with the Merchants. they Say the senate by rejecting the article in the convention to which they have excepted, have plunged them into great difficultys— that they know not what to do— that a better convention as it respects Commerce could not have been made and why it should be hazarded by the senate they cannot conceive the difference Mr Breck told me it would make to this Country in one year, would be nine Millions of dollors— the Chamber of commerce meet this Evening, and send off an express tomorrow to the Senators of this state, hopeing that Something May yet be done; that the President May be requested to return the convention to the senate with his reasons, and by Means give the Senate an other opportunity of accepting it. the Mr Breck says that he wrote the Sentiments of the Merchants of this city to mr secretary otis requesting him to communicate them to mr Bingham & others, Whilst the convention was before the senate; they regreet that they did not exert themselves more2

I could not help smiling when Mr Breck told Me he had conversed with mr Wolcott, but could get no satisfaction, only mr Wolcott Said that there was no faith to be placed in French promisses treaties or conventions

I have shall leave this city tomorrow I believe there is scarcly a Lady who ever came to the Drawing Room but has visited me, either old or young—and very many Gentlemen; as to a return of their visits, they cannot expect it; I believe they have made a point of it; who publishd my arrival in the papers I know not, but the next morning by ten oclock rainy as it was, they began to come and have continued it by throngs ever since—3 I thank them for their attention & politeness, tho I shall never see them again—

adieu My dear Friend— I wish You well through the remainder of Your political journey— I want to see the list of judges— pray tell all who inquire after me

With Love to William / yours affectionatly

A A

RC (Adams Papers); addressed by TBA: “The President of the United States / City of Washington”; endorsed: “Mrs A. Feb. 21.”

1This is the final extant letter between AA and JA. Its dating is based on JA’s endorsement and AA’s 22 Feb. departure from Philadelphia (TBA to JA, 20 Feb., Adams Papers).

2Members of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce convened on 21 Feb. at City Tavern to discuss the Senate’s exclusion of Art. 2 from its ratification of the Convention of 1800, for which see AA to Cotton Tufts, 15 Dec. 1800, and note 2. TBA wrote to JA on 20 Feb. 1801 (Adams Papers), outlining the view of Samuel Breck Sr. and other chamber members that ratification of the article was necessary to ensure that U.S. merchants were compensated for vessels lost to French privateers (Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser, 21 Feb.; Madison, Papers, Secretary of State Series description begins The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series, ed. Robert J. Brugger, Mary A. Hackett, David B. Mattern, and others, Charlottesville, Va., 1986– . description ends , 1:206).

3AA’s arrival in Philadelphia was reported in the city’s press on 18 Feb.; see, for example, the Gazette of the United States and the Philadelphia Gazette.

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