1551Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 10 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank my Friend Mrs. Adams for a very agreable Letter Received a few days since. I shall make no other Apology for my long silence, but a Frank acknowledgment that I had layed asside my pen in Complesance to her, supposing her time and Attention taken up in more profitable correspondencies. But shall Fail at no time to shew myself Equally ready to Resume it. I Rejoice in the Happy...
1552Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 14 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The importunity of my Friends at Braintree, though my inclination is strong, is not sufficient to Carry me again from my Family till a Little more time is Elapsed. We therefore instead of indulging our own Wishs substitute a son who will be happy to Escort you, and in whose Bosom Curiosity is or ought to be as much alive as in that of his parents. You will doubtless have an agreable day. I can...
1553Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 30 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
one line by my son inquires after the health of my Friend, at Braintree. do you begin to feel at home. & will you not after becoming a little Domesticateed in your native town think of an excursion to plimouth where you will find the same Friend, the same hospitality & undissembleed affection which in my opinion Gives the truest Zest to human life. you have seen all the Varietiy. & perhaps...
1554Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Being Necessiated to use a Certain peace of Linnen so Nearly up that I Cannot spare my Friend the bit she Requested I Let her know if I Come across any that I think will suit her I shall not forget her. I Could spare a Yard of very Good Irish Linnen but the price is more than Adequate to the Goodness so do not send it. If you are able to write yourself do Let me hear from you soon. If you are...
1555Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 30 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
After long Expecting that Pleasure I was Gratifyed about four days since by the Receipt of a very agreable Letter from my Friend. I have so long answered in the Negative, when in all Company, the question is asked “No Letter from Mrs. Adams, your particular Friend,” that I have been obliged to make many apologys for your silence, to prevent some unfavorable Construction. I find by yours that...
1556Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 15 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
Though I am very unwell scarce able to set up long Enough to write, yet I must let my dear Friend Mrs. Adams know it gave me great pleasure to have but a Line or too from her after her very long silence. I lament with you the infatuation of Britain, the Commotions of America and the Dangers to Which the Best of men and the truest Friends to Virtue, Liberty and the British Constitution are...
1557Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Promiss made to my son to spend a week with our Friends at Braintree is readily Caught at nor Can I Receed had I inclination. I hope his Behaviour is such as no one will think it too Long Except his mamah who is very Choice of the Precious Moments of Youth. But you will put into his hand such Books as will both instruct and Entertain. I am sorry Naby is not at home. Why will my Friend be so...
1558Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 17 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
If my dear friend Required only a very Long Letter to make it agreable I Could Easily Gratify her but I know There must be many more Requisits to make it pleasing to her taste. If you Measure by Lines I Can at once Comply, if by Sentiment I fear I shall fall short. But as Curiosity seems to be awake with Regard to the Company I keep and the Manner of spending my time I will Endeavour to...
1559Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 26 August 1775 (Adams Papers)
I know my dear friend Mrs. Adams will be Glad to hear Her friend is in Better Health than when she Left Her. Hope I shall be able to Look Homewards some time Next Week. I Long for my own Retirement, and for the opportunity of seeing and Entertaining my Friend, at my own Habitation. But I know who talks sometimes of Fate. I suppose he means that providence has Its fixed Decrees to which Mortals...
1560Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
A Lame Hand still prevents me the free use of Either the Nedle or the pen. Yet I take up the Latter and Attempt a Line or two just to Let my Dear Friend know that both myself and Family are in better Health than when she was at Plimouth. I Enclose a Number of papers which Came to hand yesterday from Philadelphia, with Directions to send them to the foot of Pens Hill when Read. I also send...
1561Mercy Otis Warren to John and Abigail Adams, 17 May 1774 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Warren being prevented by many Avocations from writing this Morning, has put the pen into the hand of his substitute: who with him presents sincere Regards to Mr. and Mrs. Adams. Lets them know they have been Repeatedly disappointed in not seeing them at Plimouth. Shall not pretend to Deliniate the painful Ideas that arise on a survey of the Evils Brought on this much injure’d Country by...
1562Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 27 February 1774 (Adams Papers)
The Confidence I have in the Candour and Friendship of Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams, together with her request in her last agreable Favour for the Communication of something in the poetical way: Emboldens me to put into their Hands a piece form’d (as nearly as the Writer Could understand it) upon the short sketch of somthing of this kind by Mr. Adams in a Letter to Mr. Warren somtime ago. Should...
1563Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 9 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
Have I my dear madam appeared negligent in not answering your last friendly letter jest before you left this state.— low health through the winter may be an apology— I could make several others if necessary. but it can be of no importance for you to hear often from a retired individual whose Greatest pleasure is the retrospect of past life—of departed enjoyments—of future hope from a wish to...
1564Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 3 February 1789 (Adams Papers)
How dos my dear M rs Adams like the City of New york: its manners & amusements as it may probably be her future residence I hope she found every thing prefectly agreable— shall I hope before you fix in that distant abode that you will make us an Visit at Plimouth: to such a traveler the journey can be nothing. and since that M rs Adams, friendship is unimpaired: I should think (judging from my...
1565Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 1 December 1776 (Adams Papers)
It is A Long time since I had the Happiness of hearing from my Braintree Friends. Dos my dear Mrs. Adams think I am Indebted a Letter. If she dos Let her Recollect A Moment and she will find she is mistaken. Or is she so wholly Engrossed with the Ideas of her own Happiness as to think Little of the absent. Why should I Interrupt for a moment if this is the Case, the Vivacity and Cheerfulness...
1566Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 28 January 1775 (Adams Papers)
I think myself Doubly obligated to my amiable Friend that she has for once Layed aside that Cerimonious Demand of a Letter in Return for Every Line she favours me with. Your Last I perceive was wrote with a heart trembling with the Laudable feelings of Humanity Least your suffering Country should be driven to Extreemities, and its Inocent inhabitants be made the sacrifices to Disappointed...
1567Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 12 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
I need not tell you I was much disappointed in not having the pleasure of your Company yesterday and the advocate you Employed to appoligize assures me you were not less so. I promissed to Give it under my hand that to the best of my judgment he had obeyed your orders with great punctuallity. As soon as the Roads will permit I will call on you. Though as your Daughter left you this Morning...
1568Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 25 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of hearing Yesterday by a transient person that my much Esteemed friend Mrs. Adams was well. I wish she had been kind Enough to have put a line into his Hand for me who is always highly gratified with Every such intimation of friendship from those she loves. I thank you for the Letter I Received by Mr. Warren, and for the Copy of a very agreable one to a Distinguished Lady...
1569Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 9 August 1774 (Adams Papers)
I Returned yesterday from a Visit to my Venerable Father, and on our arival at our own Habitation we met the tidings that the Royal signet was affixed to those acts which are designed to perpetuate the thraldom of America: and perticulerly the Massachusets. I think the appointment of the new counsel is the last comic scene we shall see Exhibite’d in the state Farce which has for several years...
1570Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 6 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
I take up my pen this Morning to let my Friend know I have not yet seen Mr. S. Adams, but understand by Mr. Warren, That Thier is No Expectation in Congress that Your Mr. Adams will Return yet. There is a large Majority of that Body who highly Esteem Him and wish his Continuance in Europe, have an Eye upon him if proposals of accomodation should be made as best qualifyed to Negotiate a peace...
1571Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 14 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Most sincerly do I Congratulate My Friend on her Restoration to Health after pain, peril and Disappointment. May she Long be spared to her Family and Friends, And be happy in Domestic Life, Though the political sky Looks Dark and Lowry and the Convulsions of War! shake the Lower Creation. You ask My opinion with Regard to affairs in the North. All I Can say is I am Mortifyed and Chagrind at...
1572Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 10 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
Painful necessity has for many months prevented me the use of my own pen,—nor have I seen any effect of yours for a very long period;— yet, judging from my own feelings, I have no doubt, you will be gratified by a renewed enquiry after your health and happiness.— By your son, I understand that the felicity of his parents is not interupted by any of the infirmities which usually creep on with...
1573Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 19 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I Intended writing my Friend Mrs. Adams when Mr. Thaxter Returned but dare say he Gave you a satisfactory Reason why I did not, since which many matters have taken up my time. The Bussy and the Gloomy scenes have Alternately played before me and Commanded my Attention almost Ever since I left your house with a Heart full of anxiety. I saw my Father no more as my Foreboding Heart presaged. He...
1574Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 22 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I thank my dear M rs Adams for M rs Montagues observation, on the writings of shakespear which I received by Calihan. though every part of your letters always Give me pleasure I found a Certain Satisfaction peculiar in that paragraph in your last which Gives an intimation that you mean to return to America in The Spring. uncertain as all human events are I cannot but look forward & in a degree...
1575Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 4 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Is my Dear Mrs. Adams too Much Engagd with Company, is her Family sick, or is she inattentive to What Gives pleasure to her Friend, that I have not heard a Word from her since I Left the Capital. How dos my Dear Charles do. I Long to hear if that sweet boy is perfectly Recovered. I felt Great pain in Leaving him so Ill, but as I hear nothing since Conclude he must be better. Has Naby her...
1576Winslow Warren to Abigail Adams, 26 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Letter the last Week handed Me by Mr. Cranch ; accompanied with your Letters for Mr. Adams Which I shall take particular pleasure in Conveying safe.—I shant here Attempt to Discribe my Gratitude to you for your Good Wishes and friendly advice to Me, In which I should fall so far short of what I would wish to express that it would neither give me the...
1577From George Washington to Abigail Adams, 24 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States having understood that Mrs Adams intends visiting the Theatre this evening, he presents his Compliments to Mrs Adams, and requests her acceptance of a Ticket for his Box. The Play begins at 6 o’clock. L , in the writing of Tobias Lear, owned (1976) by Mrs. Harry Hull, Manchester, Massachusetts. GW’s diary entry for this day notes: “Went to the Play in the...
1578Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 4 September 1791 (Adams Papers)
Your frindly letter of the 29 th of June —I should not have suffered to remain so long unacknowledge from any other cause than that of the severe illness of my dear Little Washington—who was confined to his bed with a cruel fevor for three weeks in the Months of July & August— I beleive it is heardly necessary my dear madam for me to tell you that, during the time of his illness I was not in a...
1579Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 19 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
M r Adams (your son) presented me with your obliging favor of June the 20 th. and I pray you to accept my thanks for your kind remembrance of me; and the assurance of the pleasure I felt at hearing that you had quite recovered your health again.— That parental feelings should be put to the test at a seperation (perhaps for years) from a dutyful, and meritorious son, is not to be wondered at;...
1580Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 25 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Washington, presents her compliments to M rs Adams,— if it is agreable to her, to Let miss smith come to dance with nelly & Washington, the master attends mondays wednesdays and Frydays at five oclock in the evenings— M rs Washington will be very happy to see miss smith RC (private owner; photocopy at ViMtvL ); addressed: “M rs Adams”; docketed: “Mrs Washington / to Mrs Adams.” Martha...
1581Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
M rs. Washington presents her compliments to M rs. Adams— She wishes to know how the Vice-President and M rs. Adams are to day— M rs. Washington is happy to inform that the President is a little better to day than he was yesterday RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “M rs. Adams—” George Washington, unwell through much of the spring, became gravely ill from influenza and pneumonia in mid-May and...
1582Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 4 November 1789 (Adams Papers)
I should have been very happy to have seen you yesterday.— and am truly sorry the bad day disapointd me of the plasure, your servant brought you kind favor yesterday while I was at dinner. he could not stay and the evening was so bad,— I have the plasure to ask you, how your self M rs Smith Miss Smith and the little ones are to day, I intended yesterday after the sermon to bring the children...
1583Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
M rs. Washington presents her best compliments to M rs. Adams, and will thank her to say at what hour it will be agreeable to visit M rs. Graham’s School tomorrow morning.— M rs. Washington encloses M rs. Graham’s note, by which M rs. Adams may see the time that will be most convenient for M rs. Graham.— M rs. Washington will be happy to hear that M rs.
1584Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 30 May 1791 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure to hear of you several times while you was on your journey by persons who met you—particulary by M r & M rs Breck and M r & M rs Codman of Boston who are now in this city— I was truly sorry to learn from them that you were much indisposed— I sincerely hope you will obtain a re establishment of your health by breathing the air of your country which is esteemed so salubrious—...
1585Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 1 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
Accept the thanks of a heart opprest with sorrow but greatfull for your friendly sympathising letter. To that almighty power who alone can heal the wounds he inflicts I look for consolation and fortitude May you long very long enjoy the happiness you now possess and never know affliction like mine with prayers for your happiness / I remain your sincear / Friend RC ( NNPM :Misc. American...
1586Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
your kind and affectionate letter of the 9 th instant has been duly received.— For the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express for me, and for the testimony it contains of the aprobation of my conduct in the station I am about to retire from, I pray you to accept my grateful acknowledgments— It is very flattering for me, my dear Madam, to be asked for rules, by which I have...
1587Benjamin Waterhouse to Abigail Adams, 10 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
When I was at Braintree I mentioned to you that I was pretty certain I had a letter from Mr. Adams to you, among my papers which I left behind at N. York and that when my trunk arrived I would carefully examine it and send it to you. I have done so, but without success. I therefore conclude if there was one, the Goths have taken it. We hear there is a Vessel arrived at Boston from Amsterdam;...
1588Benjamin Waterhouse to Abigail Adams, 7 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
For above a fortnight past I have been meditating a visit to Braintree but some unlucky occurrence or other turned up and disappointed me, and now I am certain I shall not be able within a fortnight, owing to some matters in agitation which will not be finished before that time, and are of such a nature that made me wish to see you at this time more particularly. I must explain myself by...
1589Benjamin Waterhouse to Abigail Adams, 22 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your very obliging Letter and return you many thanks for your willingness to serve my interest. Some of my friends seemed to wish as I did to have some testimony of how I stood in Mr. Adams’ opinion through you. I prefered it to giving them such letters of his as I had in my hands. However your answer not arriving in time I gave President Willard four letters of Mr....
1590Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 16 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your’s of the 6 th Instant I received yesterday together with the Extracts from Bache’s Paper they have not yet found their way in to the Chronicle ’tho it may be expected. with respect to the Charge against the President of Insinserity in the Interval between his Address to Congress and his Nomination I can say that I took notice of the same here two Days only before the Nomination was known...
1591Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 15 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I acknowledge with Pleasure your Letter of the 7 th Ins t: thinking it uncertain whether you may not have left Philadelphia before this reaches that City I shall desire the President to open it provided you should have entered on your Journey northward unaccompanied by him I am induced to do this least the Appointments should be made out before I could make known my Wishes to him they are to...
1592Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 17 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
Being without any of your Favors unanswered I take the Liberty to write this in Advance. The State of some Counties having been tumultuous to this Time notwithstanding the lenient Measures of Government has induced the supreme Executive to order a Military Force into the County of Worcester under Genl Lincoln; I should blush for my Country was I not sensible that it is not uncommon under more...
1593Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I enclose a Duplicate of a Letter which I have lately received from M r Adams. I have not heared of an House which would agree with the discription but if I had the Course of Exchange is so much against Holland, that I should not think of doing any thing at present. M r Smith has informed me of the Proposal for my Son Thomas to go to Berlin to relieve M r Thomas B Adams. as M r Smith has...
1594Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 24 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have wrote your Daughter on the Head of common Intelligence. As to political I hardly know how to give a summary of that; as relates to this Commonwealth however I think that altho the Legislature of the last Year deliberated long they at last concluded like the Representatives of a wise People and have taxed smartly. This will operate in a few Years to reduce their public Debt greatly. The...
1595Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your esteemed Favor of July 22d did not come to hand untill Capt Callahan had arrived 12 Days, for which and its Contents accept our Thanks. I shall see Dr Tufts and attend to the Directions of the Note. I am sorry to reflect that the Conclusions drawn in my last to you were so erroneous they were founded upon an opinion of Virtue which I am now convinced is in suficiently possessed by the...
1596Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 2 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of 23 Ult o: with the Pamphlet last Saturday 27 th: for which please to accept my Thanks. According to your Directions I requested Russell to send the Centinel to you which he has since informed me he has done; you will see the Statement made relative to the Nomination and by this Scrap from the Chronicle the pitifull Venom of Envy in the party...
1597Oliver Wendell to Abigail Adams, 29 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams gave me real Pleasure when he told me it was in my Power to render any Service to himself or his Family, therefore any Apology from you was needless. The fluctuating or rather the Ebbing State of our paper Medium is such that to exchange More Silver than you may want for a fortnights Use, may be prejudicial—and oftentimes a better bargain may be made with the Silver than any other...
1598Oliver Wendell to Abigail Adams, 31 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Cranch deliver’d me your Letter with the five french Guineaus which at the Insurance Office I endeavord to hawk to the Money Voyagers. I found 30 for 1 the most they wou’d offer. Mr. Billy who has purchased much hard Money told me he had offerd him 200 hard Dollars the Day before at that Rate. I have no Doubt that 33 and 35 had been given but the late Reports of a Loan being establishd by...
1599Edward Wigglesworth to Abigail Adams, 13 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am directed by the Corporation to advise you, that the Hon. Mr. Adams, in his Letter favoured by the Hon. A. Lee, informed them, “that you would deliver five Volumes of M. Court de Gébelin’s Monde Primitif with the L’Histoire natural de la Parole for our Library.” M. Gebelin has been pleased to enrich our public Library with that very learned Work. And as Mr. Adams had the five first Volumes...
1600Charles Williamos to Abigail Adams, 21 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
It is with much pleasure my dear Madam that I hear of your safe arrival in London and that you are once more fixed in a house of your own, the situation of which altho’ not quite so pleasant as Auteuill is not without much merit. Whatever base rancour and malice may invent, I am very sure that you will on all occasions meet with every Mark of respect which are every ways your due. Yet I do not...