11From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will derive some merit from its being the latest date, and I hope will reach you soon. it comes to inform you that mr Tarbel has Letters for you—your Father has given you his opinion respecting the publication of the extract of his Letter to dr price by mr Morgan. I send you the copy from the original and am ready to ask mr Morgan, in the words of the play. “who was the dupe? with...
12From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
This Letter my dear son, is to introduce to you, and mrs Adams, the Lady of Major Manners, whose mother has written to me to request it. as the daughter of our much Loved, and highly respected Friend, the late Dr Rush, You will receive her with kindness. Ever since the death, of that friend of your Fathers, and of the family, I have had an occasional correspondence with mrs Rush—and your...
13From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I write you a few lines in addition to what I have already written, and inclose you the Copy of a Letter from mr Otis to your Father, by which you will learn that your Nomination as Secretary of State, was confirmd, with one only dissenting vote, just sufficient to save you from the war. whose it was I neither know or care for no president since Washington, has been chosen by the people, with...
14From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I write but seldom to you, least you should feel as tho’ you were obliged to replie, when you must be much occupied with public Business and as I am now engaged to address you in that line, You will feel obliged to listen. My present design is to name to you a Gentleman for office conditionally. It is reported that Major Warren of plymouth is about to resign, or be removed from the office of...
15From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 November 1804 (Adams Papers)
I am desirious of writing you a few lines just to assure you that I am able to hold a pen, and that I hope my Health is not in a more declining state than when you left me, altho I have not been able to leave my chamber since; except to ride a little way a few times; I think I have gained a little strength the last week tho I have not got the better of the most debilitating of my complaints—a...
16From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
enclosed is a Letter which you will see contains a request to me; and through me to you. the ploughing with the Hiffer is not yet out of date. were the object an office, I should refuse to medle with it, but as it is only a simple renewal of a midshipman from one ship & station to an other, I would hope no great interest necessary; particularly as his Health has sufferd severely in this...
17From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 May 1806 (Adams Papers)
When Mr. Hall was here your Father told him that he would leave to you the adjustment of the shares in the cannal. the Sale of them was undoubtedly a great Sacrifice of property at their present valueSo was the payment of the assesments. but I hope it will prove for the best. Your Father says that he would have you take as of his Shares in the New England Insurence as will repay you what you...
18From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
The east wind of this day, will prevent the Sailing of the Galen, and it gives me the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of May 13th No 87; and the papers containing the Royal Marriage which came to hand last Evening: by the arrival of a vessel at N york; this interesting , and important intelligence, had been partially communicated to the publick a week before—Some...
19From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1808 (Adams Papers)
Those of the family who could not attend yesterday at Cambridge yesterday as well as those who did, are very desirious of reading the lecture. if you will be so good as to let William take it, to day, I will return it on Monday. I wish a few of the Reviews if you can spair them. I carried to Town yesterday your Shirt overalls & waistcoat & handkerchiefs which you left here. as mrs Adams was...
20From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Before I closed my Letter to you, I received this morning your Letter sent by mr Harris, of october 25th. I rejoiced to See your hand writing altho I read with trembling. I have participated in your greif, and shared your Sorrows. let not gloom and melancholy take root in your mind the wounded heart must have time to recover from the Stroke which has pierced it. there are Duties which you are...
21From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 November 1805 (Adams Papers)
Your trusty driver took such care of your Letter that he kept it close in his pocket for a whole week after he returnd, untill ragged and dirty it reachd us last Evening 10 days after it was written. it was however very welcome, being the first intelligence which had reachd us of you, from the time you left us.— I requested your Brother to write to you to Philadelphia, as I was unable too,...
22From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I know how good a recent date is from a far country. accordingly my heart leaped with joy at receiving a packet the other morning dated in June, without recollecting that it was now only july, and that I could not get a Letter in so short a space of time, and 1812 Soon convinced me of my mistake. it came as usual with a patch upon the Seal, altho not endorsed, and if you turn to the date, you...
23From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have already written to you by the Galen, my Letter was anteriour to the calamity which the inclosed papers will full soon, inform you of.—what can we Say? but Lord thou destroyest the hopes of man. I know not how to describe the Gloom which has overspread the public mind—To departed worth, the tear of Friendship flow’s. Party Spirit is Silent, and drops her veil, and bows acknowledging...
24From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have just closed one Letter to you which is to go to Lisbon from thence to the care of mr Beasley. this is to go to France. upon the 30 of August I wrote you a melancholy Letter nor will this be less So. it is allotted to me to be the maven who is to convey to you all the Calamities which afflict our family and they have rooled in wave after wave, the Death of your Dear and only Sister who...
25From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
We have had in the Week past the coldest Weather that has been through the winter, yet we have not had Snow enough through the Season to cover the ground. I expet Febry and March will pour upon us the whole quantity which the cold must have engenderd through the Winter. The Season has been very healthy. few cold’s or coughs. George after spending a fortnight with me and getting quite rid of...
26From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favours of 23 April No. 86 of the 15 May No 87, and yesterday by mr Bond your Letter of May 20th No 88, and the Review and news paper The Reviews you will charge, as your Father requests, with the other Books which you Send him I inclose to you a Strip of a newspaper which contains some account of our National Jubilee, an event of more consequence to America, than...
27From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter I received a few days Since to forward by the first opportunity. my last Letter was addrest to Mrs Adams, and went by a vessel direct for St Petersburgh belonging to Loring & Curtis, which Saild in April. This will inform you that your sons are both well. your Father and myself as well as old Age can expect to be. neither of us Deaf dumb or blind as yet, trembling and...
28From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
You have been so good in writing to your Father and Brother that I ought not to complain that you have not particularly addrest a Letter to me, tho I wanted to know how George was grown, and whether he rememberd you and what he had to say to you. John I think you told me was quite different in his temper and disposition, more sturdy and harder to manage. these are subjects much more...
29From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, February 1814 (Adams Papers)
I was never more at a loss what to say to you than at the present moment, to accuse you of neglect I cannot, I will not, for I do not believe it possible—yet so unfortunate have I been, that not a line has reachd me from you of a later date than the first of last May, two packets have since been received containing Letters for your Father your Brothers & your children, but not a solatary line...
30From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
I would not come to Town to day because I knew I should only add to yours, and my own agony, my Heart is with you, my prayers and blessing attend you, the dear Children you have left, will be dearer to me for the absence of their parents, and my care whilst, Providence continues to me my faculties, and my Life. If your Father and I Should be removed, they cannot fail of finding Friends and...
31From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have already written to you twice by this opportunity. I had not intended to have taken my pen the third time, but having received intelligence from Washington which I wish’d might be communicated to mrs Adams, and her Sister with that prudence and tenderness which so distressing an event calls for I thought it best to communicate to you the Sudden death of Mrs Hellen, who was at Church on...
32From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, February 1809 (Adams Papers)
The Saturday after you left Boston, I went to Town, and brought up George. he went the next week to his uncle Cranch’s, and goes daily to school to mr Whitney. he appears well pleased, and learns to the Satisfaction of mr Whitney as I hear, who has put him into Lattin, which George Says is not so hard as French, in his French Bible his Aunt hears him daily. he is a Good Boy, save now and then,...
33From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr Benjamin Beal jun’r Who has long resided in France, returnd last Winter upon a visit to his Family here as he connected himself in France, his stay here has been Short, and he is now going back in a to Liverpool, and from thence to France I request him to take this Letter for you, which I shall place under-cover to Mr Barlow our Minister in France that he may forward it to you by the first...
34From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
Mr Edward Brooks, Eldest son of mr P C Brooks has visited us, and offerd to take Letters for us to you. his parents you know, and this young Gentleman is worthy of such parents he is said by those best acquainted with him to be a solid Sensible and correct Character—Such as will do no dishonour to our Native State, or Country. any civility in your power to show him, will be gratefully received...
35From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
Through the kind of attention of mr Crafts we learnt yesterday morning of the arrival of the Washington, and in the Evening, through our watchfull centinal Harriet, I received the gratefull intelligence under your own hand, that you were Landed and all well for which joyfull News to your parents; God be thanked—we now wait, in pleasing expectation of welcoming You; one and all, to the old...
36From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
The president has thought it Safe for the Students to assemble at Cambridge upon fryday last, and George has followd yesterday. we Shall miss his Society much. he has been company for his Grandfather Since Louissa has been Sick—I hope he is properly imprest, with the necessity of arduous application—John and Charles appear to like their Preceptor very well and perform their lessons I am told,...
37From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Milo Captain Glover is to sail on Sunday the Second of July. I will not let him go without a few lines, altho I have not received any return, or acknowledgment of those Letters, I Sent by him in March, nor heard from you, Since your date of the 20th of that Month All calculation are Set at nought, with respect to the Hostile aspect of Europe—and we look—and wait, listen & anticipate,...
38From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 March 1810 (Adams Papers)
Returning the other day from Weymouth, upon entering my own House, I was presented with a Letter. my heart bounded when I saw the superscription was yours. I was not a little dissapointed when I opened it, and found it to be a duplicate of the first Letter you wrote at Sea, and the original of which I was fortunate enough to get last october. I submitted to this damper with patience,...
39From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I write to you by every opportunity altho I hope you will have left St Petersburgh before this can reach you, but as there admits of a possibility that you may be Still, there, I know it will be a great gratification to you to learn that your parents are Still living, and in health. your children too are well, and Good Children which is of more concequence than mere animal enjoyment. I have...
40From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
I fully designd writing to you so that my Letter should have reachd you at Washington, but ten days of very severe sickness has prevented me from holding a pen, and now I do it against many expostulations. I duly received your two kind Letters, and thank you for them. Mrs Adams Caroline and the two Boys made me a very pleasent visit of a fortnight. I enjoyd their society in my usual health,...
41From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I write to you, altho it is really with the hope that you may not receive my Letter. I would fain believe that you will be upon Your passage Home long before this can arrive in St Petersburgh, but as there is a possibility that you may Yet be there, I would not omit informing you of the health of your parents and Children, nor of their anxious desire to see you again Safe in your Native...
42From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
"String after String, is severed from the Heart" The parting with my dear Boys the final parting, as I consider it, has excited the tenderest emotions of my Heart. I have Struggled to bring my mind to the test of reason, to that which was fittest and best. providence at this interesting period has Seen fit, to try me, by a Still Severer Stroke—by the Sudden and unexpected death of my dear and...
43From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
The vessels which I have already written by have been detaind: by contrary winds, and give me an opportunity of adding a few more lines. Your Father has also written to you, and as according to Deans Swifts practise, he usually Submits his Letters to the inspection of the Old Lady, for her approbation, or dissent, altho he will not always alter. In a Letter written this morning, more from...
44From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
I again take my pen, not to find any fault with you, that I do not hear from you, because I know that many Letters must be upon the wings of the wind, written by you, for me. I have only to regret, that they are so slow, to satisfy my earnest desire to hear from you; I have been made joyfull by learning that your sons had a fine passage, and arrived safe; and I see by the papers mention made...
45From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, April 1808 (Adams Papers)
A1tho I have not so frequently written to you It has not been oweing to Your having been less frequently in my Thoughts than formerly; I found it so difficult to determine from a partial view, what were the wisest and best measures for the government to pursue, in a day so dark, and in times so perilious, that Silence was best for me, after having once given my opinion upon a subject where we...
46From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 November 1805 (Adams Papers)
The reason that you did not receive a Letter from me when you arrived at Philadelphia, was oweing to my being so sick that I could not write. I got your Brother to write, but not so soon as I should, if I had been able. as soon as I could hold my pen I wrote you a few lines, since which I have received your Letter from Newyork; I have rejoiced in the fine weather which has followed you ever...
47From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
I think it is full time to take my pen and inquire after your Health, and to assure you that I should not have been this long silent if I had not known that Mrs Adams was a constant and punctual correspondent, and would inform you of the welfare of herself and children. John has made me a visit of a couple of weeks; on Saturday I brought out George in hopes that a change of air; and a little...
48From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter, was written last week, and addrest to mrs Adams, by the Amsterdam packet, which sail’d for Liverpool. it is now your turn, and I embrace the opportunity of introducing to you, a young Gentleman who was named for you, and whom you must recollect, as the Son of our Good Friends, dr and mrs Welch—he wishes to see you, and the Children, during the Short stay he will make in...
49From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
Hearing that a vessel was fitting out of Nyork to carry dispatches from government, I venture to write a few lines, altho I know not where you are, not having received a line from you of a later date than Febry last, as you will no doubt receive every information from the Secretary of State, of the situation of our Country, of the dangers which surround it, the determination of all parties to...
50From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I endeavour that you should hear from us by writing in every direction, yet when I take my pen my heart sinks, and my hand trembles. my last Letters which were in August were Sent to Halifax by a cartel to be conveyd to England to mr Beasley, and they contain’d such heart rending intelligence that I know not how to repeat it—Bad news has swifter wings than good, I have lost, O what have I not...
51From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have already written to you, in replie to your Melancholy Letter of Sepbr 20th. and have offer’d to the wounded Bosoms of my dear Children all the consolation which a participation in their Sorrows could impart. “Some feelings are to mortals given with less of earth in them, than heaven And if there be a human tear From passions drop refind and clear A tear So limpid and So meek It would not...
52From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 December 1805 (Adams Papers)
I began a Letter to you on the 10 of this Month left it unfinishd, and so it is like to remain, an old Letter being of no more value than an old almanack—for to know how things are, when absent from the Scene, is better than to learn how they were a week before. At that period I had not heard of your safe arrival at Washington. Since I have received two Letters, one dated the 29st Novbr and...
53From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, July 1813 (Adams Papers)
altho I wrote to you on the 14 of this month I know that my Letter will have a dubious conveyance as it had to first make its way to France & then to find a passage to you—mr Gordon who is ever attentive to us, has just informd us of a sweedish vessel & a passenger going by whom I might forward Letters to you—if you do not hear from us often it is oweing to the obstructions occasiond by the...
54From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
I closed a Letter to you last week, and sent it to Liverpool by the Juno Captain Emery—full of wailings for Letters at that time we had not received a line since those brought to us by mr Smith, untill thursday the 23d of this month, when the Galen arrived. by her you Father received one of 19th June, and from each of my Grandsons I had the pleasure of hearing from under their own hand’s I do...
55From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
As there is Some prospect of mr Russels being appointed to Sweeden I hope to convey Letters to you through him I have been more than usually unfortunate in the loss of those which I have endeavourd to convey to you, not having omitted writing to you every Month. yet I have not any acknowledgement from even your latest Letter dated in Feby 1813 that you had received a line from me of a more...
56From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
I last week received your Letter of december 3d in replie to mine of Novbr 11th, not having made any mention of it before I thought it had miscarried. I am very sorry to learn by it, that you have been unwell. you must not let the mind wear so much upon the Body. Your disposition to a Sedentary Life prevents you from taking that regular excercise which the Body requires to keep it in a healthy...
57From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
This day two years since; I was cloathed in Sable for the Death of mrs Norten’s Since which time, I have had repeated occasion to continue it, and this day, your Letter of Sepbr 20th has filld our Eyes with tears; and our hearts with anguish. most tenderly and affectionatly do I feel the sorrows of the Parents, who perhaps had too fondly “garnered up their Hearts” in their lovely Babe, without...
58From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
I Shall continue to write to you altho you may determine to leave St Petersburgh before my Letters can reach you. There may be family circumstances unknown to me at present, which may oblige you to a longer residence there than we at present Contemplate. Ladies are not always in a Situation to undertake a voyage of three, and four Months. do not make a calculation for less time, you may be...
59From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you on the 26 of August, and sent my Letter to N york to go in a dispatch vessel. I did not at the time know of the Humiliating and disgracefull Catastrophy which had befallen the city of Washington!! nor have I language to describe my feelings at the Torpor which blinded the Government to a sense of their danger, and their defenceless situation The Capitol is destroyed, but America...
60From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 9 January 1806 (Adams Papers)
This is the first Snow which we have had of any concequence; and this promisses to be keep. It began last night and has continued increasing all day. It is now mid day, and the storm is cold and severe, the wind North. I cannot tell you how the Glass stands, for when I went in the absence of your Brother & Sister; to take an observation as I promissed, the window was frozen down So tight, that...