201John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will not communicate to any body the hints I give you about our Prospects: but they appear every day worse and worse. House Rent at 2700 dollars a Year 1500 dollars for a Carriage 1000 for one Pair of Horses— All the Glasses ornaments kitchen furniture—the best Chairs settees, Plateaus &c all to purchase—All the China Delph or Wedgwood Glass & Crockery of every sort to purchase—and...
202John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Entre nous M r sheerjashub Bourne called upon me the other Morning to ask me some Questions about M r Blacks farm and Capt n. Beale’s farm. He says both are to be sold— Beale asks ten thousand Dollars for his New House and farm—and the same for Squantm— M r Blacks asks Eighteen thousand but it is Supposed would take fifteen. I hope in mercy Bourn will not buy— Our present Neighbours are I...
203John Adams to Abigail Smith, 20 April 1763 (Adams Papers)
Love sweetens Life, and Life sometimes destroys Love. Beauty is desirable and Deformity detestible; Therefore Beauty is not Deformity nor Deformity, Beauty. Hope springs eternal in the human Breast, I hope to be happyer next Fall than I am at present, and this Hope makes me happyer now than I should be without it.—I am at Braintree but I wish I was at Weymouth! What strange Revolutions take...
204John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I rec d to day your fav r of 24 and it made the day more tolerable. Your health and Spirits always promote mine. We have had more Company to Day than ever upon any Occasion. Thirty or forty Gallons of Punch, Wine in Proportion and Cake in Abundance. The News by The America Capt n. Jenkins arrived at Newbury Port made every body gay but me. Not a Word of Thomas Boylston Adams. I shall be uneasy...
205John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
This is the Anniversary of a memorable day, in the History of America: a day when the Principle of American Resistance and Independence, was first asserted, and carried into Action. The Stamp Office fell before the rising Spirit of our Countrymen.—It is not impossible that the two gratefull Brothers may make their grand Attack this very day: if they should, it is possible it may be more...
206John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
By an express last night from Cape May, We learn that the Fleet went out of the Bay, the Morning before, i.e. on Thursday Morning and put to Sea, and went out of Sight. What this Man is after, no Wisdom can discover. Last night another Express says the Fleet appeared off the Capes again, i.e. part of it, upwards of one hundred Sail. After all these Feints and Maneuvres, it is most likely he...
207John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have not yet the least Intimation of Howes Design. He is wasting away the Time. Let him aim at what Object he will, he will have scarcely Time to secure that, and will have none left to pursue his Advantage, if he gains any. Burgoine I hope will be checked, and driven back. I hope the New Englandmen will now exert themselves, for it has cost Us, severe Conflicts, to get Affairs in that...
208John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have this Morning been out of Town to accompany our Generals Washington, Lee, and Schuyler, a little Way, on their Journey to the American Camp before Boston. The Three Generals were all mounted, on Horse back, accompanied by Major Mifflin who is gone in the Character of Aid de Camp. All the Delegates from the Massachusetts with their Servants, and Carriages attended. Many others of the...
209John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday only I rec d yours of March 1.— am surprized you should have rec d none from me from 11. Feb. I have written never less than once a Week, seldom less than twice and 9 Weeks out of 10, three times, ever Since I left you. The Roads or some irregularity of the Post must have occasioned your disappointment. I hope you will obtain Mr Mears, but I must leave every Thing to you— The Load of...
210John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I rec d your favour of the 2 d by M r Dexter and this morning from M r Gerry an account of your health on the 4 th , which have relieved me from Some anxiety as I had rec d no Letter from you Since you were in N. York. I have seen many Cities and fine Places since you left me and particularly Mount Vernon. M rs Washington and her whole Family very kindly enquired after your health and all your...
211John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have sent you, one yard of fine Cambrick, at 14 Livres an Ell, two of a coarser sort at 6 Livres an Ell. Eight India Handkerchiefs at 6 Livres each and three of another stamp at 6 Livres a Piece. These seem monstrous dear, but I could not get them cheaper. If the Marquis should make you a Visit You will treat him with all Distinction that is due to his Merit and Character, as well as his...
212John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
No Letter from you, yet. I believe I shall Set off Tomorrow or next day, for the Hague, and Shall bring John with me back to Paris in about 3 Weeks. There will be an Interval, before the Signature of the definitive Treaty, and Several publick Concerns oblige me to go to the Hague for a Short time. When I get my Son with me, I shall be ready to go to any Place, where I may embark for home, as...
213John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
We wait and wait and wait forever, without any News from America. We get nothing but what comes from England and to other People here and they make it as they please. We have had nothing from Congress an immense while. Every Merchant and every Merchants Apprentice, has Letters and News when I have none. In Truth I have been so long from Boston that every Body there almost has forgot me.—I have...
214John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
This Week has produced an happy Reconciliation between the two Parties in this City and Commonwealth, the Friends of the new Constitution and those who wish for Amendments in it. . . . Mifflin invited the People to assemble in the State House Yard, at the Desire of General Washington, who sent them an Account that the Motions of the Enemy indicated an intention to begin an Expedition, and that...
215John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I cannot omit the Opportunity of writing you, a Line, by this Post. This Letter will I suppose, find you, in some degree or other, under the Influence of the Small Pox. The Air is of very great Importance. I dont know your Phisician, but I hope he wont deprive you of Air, more than is necessary. We had Yesterday, an express from General Lee, in Charlestown South Carolina, with an Account of a...
216John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Dialogue in the Shades was written by Mr. Edmund Jennings now residing at Brussells, a Native of Maryland. I will send you the Rest when I can get it. How I lament the Loss of my Packets by Austin! There were I suppose Letters from Congress of great Importance to me. I know not what I shall do without them. I suppose there was Authority to draw &c. Mr. T haxter ’s Letter from his...
217John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
This day I rec d yours of the 2 d. — I have rec d all the Votes from all the States. it is known that Georgia voted with N.C. V. and N.Y. and Kentucky voted for Jefferson. There is no other Newspaper circulated in the back Country of the Southern States than Freneau’s National Gazette, which is employed with great Industry to poison the Minds of the People. The Fœderal Court has again had a...
218John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have been lately more remiss, than usual in Writing to you. There has been a great Dearth of News. Nothing from England, nothing from France, Spain, or any other Part of Europe, nothing from the West Indies. Nothing from Howe, and his Banditti, nothing from General Washington. There are various Conjectures that Lord How is dead, sick, or gone to England, as the Proclamations run in the Name...
219John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
The Travelling I Suppose has retarded the Post of this Week, till to Day, when I received your two Letters of the 4 th. and 8 th. I am happy to Day in the Company of our Charles, who arrived at my Invitation from New York as fat as a Squab or Duck. M r Burr Says he is a Steady Man of Business. He is gone to the Drawing Room and Play. A Debate in Senate disappointed me of the female...
220John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have time only to inform you that We are well, and to repeat my earnest Wish and Expectation to see you as soon as possible. Draw upon me for Whatever Money You want and it shall be paid at Sight. I have been invited by the Duke of Portland and Mr. Fox to See them and I have Seen them and Mr. Burke an d met a cordial Reception from all three. These would do right if they governed. But I am...
221John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have just rec d yours of Feb. 1. and thank you for the Book.— We had one before, from the Bookseller here who has them for sale. D r Tufts may draw. You had better engage the Oats. French may have Belchers place. Congress will not Sitt longer than March: and I calculate upon Weeks too—But fear I shall be detained some time after Congress departs. Last night I must needs go to the Play and...
222John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have a fine Piece of News this Morning of the March of 2000 of the Enemy, and destroying a fine Magazine there—and the stupid sordid cowardly torified Country People let them pass without Opposition. All New England is petrified, with Astonishment, Horror, and Despair, I believe in my Conscience. They behave worse than any Part of the Continent. Even in N. Jersy 2000 Men could not have...
223John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Situation of my dear Brother, at the date of yours 17. June, has allarmed me so much that I dread to hear any further News of him. An Affection for him has grown old with me as it commenced very early in Life and has constantly increased. Mr. Smiths Letter of 6 of May did not surprise me so much because I had often known him in great distress in the Lungs but these disorders are new. The...
224John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1774 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Quincy and I came this Morning from York, before Breakfast, 15 Miles, in order to hear my learned Friend Hemmenway. Mr. Quincy brought me a Letter from Williams, in which he lets me know that you and the Family were well. This is very refreshing News. We went to Meeting at Wells and had the Pleasure of hearing My Friend, upon “Be not Partaker’s in other Mens Sins: Keep...
225John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 January 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Riding has been so hard and rough, and the Weather so cold that We have not been able to push farther than this Place. My little Colt has performed very well hitherto, and I think will carry me through the Journey, very pleasantly. Our Spirits have been cheered, by two or three Pieces of good News, which Commissary Trumble who is now with me, tells us, he saw Yesterday in a Letter from G...
226John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Saturday night 9 O Clock and not before I rec d yours of 13 th. and the Letter to Thomas with it, brought here no doubt by mistake. I regret very much that you have not a Gentleman with you. The Skittish young Colt with you, is always timorous, but no harm will befall you or her I trust. The Weather and roads here, on Saturday Sunday and to day are the finest We have seen this year. The...
227John Adams to Abigail Smith, 15 August 1763 (Adams Papers)
The Disappointment you mention was not intended, but quite accidental. A Gentleman, for whom I had much Esteem, Mr. Daniel Leonard of Norton, was so good as to offer to keep the sabbath with me at Braintree—a favour that would have been very agreable if it had not detained me from the most agreable of all Company, to me, in this world, and a favour that will I know be sufficient with you to...
228John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Three Vessells have arrived from Hambourg Since Thomas was there. The inclosed will shew you that he chose the Alexander Hamilton of New York. By this means he will escape the Dangers of our Massachusetts Bay; and I hope soon to hear of his Arrival. The General Officers nominated Smith for the command of a Regiment— I nominated him to the senate who, after a warm opposition and a day or two’s...
229John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
We have the Pleasure of your Letters to the 3 d . I think it is not worth while to bid for M rs Veseys four Acres. The Price will be twice or thrice the Worth and I have no desire to enlarge my Borders by purchasing Such scraps. Indeed I have land enough and too much, unless I could attend to its cultivation.— In that Situation Land is an Object of Envy. And I am willing that some Tradesman...
230John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
When I left Paris, the 8 March, I expected to have been at Home before this Day and have done my Utmost to get to sea, but the Embarrassements and Disappointments I have met with, have been many, very many. I have however in the Course of them had a fine Opportunity of seeing Nantes, L’orient and Brest, as well as the intermediate Country. By the gracious Invitation of the King, I am now to...
231John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I Sent you a Letter this morning before I rec d yours of the 13. from Brookfield. I rejoice that you had arrived so far and born your Journey so well: but the Weather has been so wet that I doubt whether you have been able to reach East Chester to day. I am more convinced that the Air is a great Repository of Diseases and that it is impossible to guard against them. Be always ready. Yet I now...
232John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
I shall inclose with this, some Letters between Randolph and Hammond which will shew you how quarelsome they are. Poor Fellows! They both desire Peace, but think themselves obliged to wrangle for their Countries. It is fashionable to charge Wars upon Kings: but I think Le Peuple souvereign is as inflamable, and as proud and at the Same time less systematick, uniform & united: so that it is not...
233John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Morning I took a Walk, into Arch Street, to see Mr. Peele’s Painters Room. Peele is from Maryland, a tender, soft, affectionate Creature. . . . He shewed me a large Picture containing a Group of Figures, which upon Inquiry I found were his Family. His Mother, and his Wifes Mother, himself and his Wife, his Brothers and sisters, and his Children, Sons and Daughters all young. There...
234John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have paid Turner, his Wages up to this day, and settled all Accounts with him. Besides which I have given him £3:2s:od. L.M. towards his Expences home. When he arrives he is to produce his Account to you, of the Expences of his Journey. See that he produces Receipts from the Tavern Keepers. Dont pay a Farthing, but what he produces a Receipt for. I am glad he is going, for between you and me...
235John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have been so diligent on the Road and so much interrupted by Company at the Taverns that this is the first time I have been able to get an opportunity to write to you. We arrived at this house last night (Saturday) Shall rest here to day and go into N. York tomorrow.— at Hartford, the Manufacturers presented me with a Piece of Broadcloth, for a Suit of Cloaths. at N. Haven the Corporation...
236John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
This is one of my red Letter Days. It is the Anniversary of the Signature of the Declaration of an Armistice between The U.S. and G. Britain, in 1783.— There are Several of these Days in my Calandar, which I recollect as they pass in review, but which nobody else remembers. And indeed it is no otherwise worth my while to remember them than to render an Ejaculation of Gratitude to Providence...
237John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have nothing to write you at this moment but Scandal, and that about one of our Connections and Acquaintances, in whose Character and Fortunes Several of our near Relations and kind Friends are deeply interested for which Reason I write in Confidence and pray that Calumny if it is such may not be propagated from me nor in my name. It is reported here in Company of senators and others of...
238John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am now Settled.— The first night I went to a M r Alders, opposite to M r Binghams, but not liking the circumstance of living in an English Family an Upholsterer lately emigrated and not admiring the Rooms, I removed last night to Francis’s Hotel in 4 th. Street, between Market and Chesnut Streets. Here I Shall be at School with a Society of Patriotic Members of Congress who are all, virtuous...
239John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
By the Post of Yesterday I received your kind Letter of the 4 th. of this month, and, by it, was relieved from a great Anxiety on Account of your health and that of Louisa. The News from the orchard is also very pleasant, I wish I could hear as good News from Hancocks Meadow. A Covering would keep it warm But I leave all to your better Judgment. No senate Yet.— M rs Morris by her son has...
240John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I told you, in a former Letter, that I lodged at Gen. Roberdeau’s. This Gentleman is of French Extraction, his Father was a rich Planter of the Island of St. Christophers, where my Friend was born, and where he has or had an Estate. He has large Property in England, in Virginia, in Philadelphia, in York Town and in various other Parts of Pensilvania. He has also large Property in our American...
241John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 25 Nov. has revived my heart. I rejoice at your real Recovery and hope it will be confirmed so that you may with the Advice of your Physicians come on this Winter to me. But I cannot bear the thought of your Attempting it, without their consent. I am of opinion with our Neighbours about the Barn. Barlow to Baldwin I have seen and despise the Letter as much as I have for some...
242John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
A Gentleman, Mr. Boardman of Newbury Port, is going, and by him I send you a few Lines. In England nothing is talked of, but Admiral Keppell, whom they are daily trying by a Court Martial. His Defence, I suppose is our security, viz. the shattered Condition of their Navy. They are almost ripe for cutting each others Throats to all Appearance, yet they are about sending Reinforcements to...
243John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I believe I shall set off for Paris next Fryday. Mr. Thaxter and Mr. Storer will go with me. The Treaty of Commerce and the Convention respecting recaptures were Signed on the 8 of this Month, and they go by this and Several other Opportunities. I hope they will give Satisfaction. Mr. Jay writes me that on the 28 of Septr. that the Day before Mr. Oswald received a Commission to treat with the...
244John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, by the Post, I received yours of Septr. 25th., and it renewed a Grief and Anxiety, that was before almost removed from my Mind. Two days before I had the Pleasure of a very valuable Letter from Coll. Quincy, in which he kindly informed me that you and Our Family were so much better that you and my dear Nabby, had made a Visit at his House: and Mr. Williams, who brought the Letter...
245John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
It would give Pleasure to every Body your Way but the few, unfeeling Tories, to see what a Spirit prevails here. The Allarm which How was foolish enough to spread by his March out of Brunswick, raised the Militia of the Jersies universally, and in this City it united the Whiggs, to exert themselves under their new Militia Law, in such a Degree that nobody here was under any Apprehensions of...
246John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
This day I received yours of the first of March from Bilbao, with the Journals &c.—the Postage of this Packet, is prodigious. I would not Advise to send many Journals, or Newspapers, this Way, or by Holland, but cut out pieces of Newspapers, and give me an Account of any Thing particularly interesting in the Journals, in your Letters, by such Conveyances, and send large Packetts of Journals...
247John Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have, this minute rec d your favour of the 22 d. The Report of the Presidents Resignation is probably designed to prevent the Rise of the Stocks: but the Insolence which appears every day in Baches and Freneaus Papers, proceeding from the Same Persons who are tired of abusing me, may be carried to a point that he will not bear. He has not been used to such threshing and his skin is thinner...
248John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday I Saw our sons Letter to the Secretary of State. M r Randolph expressed his intire Satisfaction in it. Said “it was a justification of the Propriety of his appointment, a Presage of his future Usefulness: and well digested, well arranged and well connected.” a handsome Compliment. In this Letter he says M r Jay had shewn him the whole Negotiation with Britain— He Speaks very...
249John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
This is King Tammany’s Day. Tammany was an Indian King, of this Part of the Continent, when Mr. Penn first came here. His Court was in this Town. He was friendly to Mr. Penn and very serviceable to him. He lived here among the first settlers for some Time and untill old Age and at last was burnt. Some say he lived here with Mr. Penn when he first came here, and upon Mr. Pens Return he heard of...
250John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur Chaumont has just informed me of a Vessell bound to Boston: but I am reduced to such a Moment of Time, that I can only inform you that I am well, and inclose a few Lines from Johnny, to let you know that he is so. I have ordered the Things you desired, to be sent you, but I will not yet say by what Conveyance, for fear of Accidents. If human Nature could be made happy by any Thing...