Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 3 May 1797
Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams
London May 3d 1797
Your letter of the 21st of April, appears to intimate a doubt of the possibility of our meeting, my last disappointment my beloved friend, has taught me to fear, and I have endeavored to acquire fortitude, in case of the worst—1 Heaven knows with what delight I should have accompanied you, and how rejoiced I should be to have it in my power to contribute to your happiness but if this cannot be done, without inconvenience to you, my Adams, I should surely consult my own happiness not yours, if I wished it—
I am happy to hear that your brother means to accompany you, could I envy any one it certainly would be him— We have this day hear’d of the Peace between the French and the Emperor of Germany your brother is fortunate as this it is said has made Paris very gay—2 Papa has been very ill, but is now recovering—
Adieu, write to me I entreat you my best friend, endeavor to mitigate the pain, I cannot help feeling, at the idea of your departure, and believe / me unalterably yours
Louisa C. Johnson3
RC (Adams Papers).
1. In a short letter to LCA of 21 April, JQA suggested that their separation was likely to continue owing to the difficulty of finding American vessels bound for Lisbon. JQA also wrote that TBA, who was currently visiting Paris, had decided to accompany him to Portugal. He wrote again on 28 April reporting his intention to travel from Amsterdam to Lisbon aboard a Danish vessel and that ongoing friction between Portugal and France would likely prohibit her accompanying him (both Adams Papers).
2. The London Evening Mail, 1–2 May, published a report from the French Directory announcing the signing of the preliminary peace agreement with Austria.
3. LCA wrote a similar letter to JQA on 16 May, repeating her acceptance of their continued separation and her happiness that TBA would remain with him. She also commented on her father’s preparations to return to the United States (Adams Papers).