51To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 17 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have been so unwell with the Chicken pox since I returned from Virginia and the weather has been so hot, that I could not answer your last kind Letter so soon as I ought, to thank for the flattering kindness with which you received my ridiculous labours Believe me they it were not attended with fatigue, and did not at all interfere with my other avocations and are hardly worthy of the praise...
52From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 4 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
As I know how much your time must be engrossed by your studies my Dear John altho’ the temporary loss of your correspondence will grieve me I will submit to it most patiently on account of the motive which does you so much honour—I observe that you appear to be a little mortified in your last Letter at what I remarked in one of my former ones which you somewhat misunderstood—The observation I...
53From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 16 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am very uneasy my dear John at your indisposition more especially as you do not mention its nature—I hope the heaviest part of your labour is now terminated and that you will ere this Letter reaches you have acquitted yourself with honour and applause. I regret very much not being present at your exhibition still more that your father has been disappointed in consequence of the delay of the...
54From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 10 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
I think my last closed at our arrival at New London but I am not sure therefore you must excuse repetitions—We left the Hotel early in the morning to go on board the Steam Boat and I met many objects of attraction on my way to whom I should have been delighted to have paid my respects but my young master held my chain so fast that each attempt was frustrated and we arrived at the Wharf without...
55From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 19 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
You who know with what painful sensations I saw you depart for College, can readily imagine how much my sufferings were encreased, when this hour arrived, in which I was to bid adieu to the home which had so kindly cherished me, where I enjoyed a felicity much beyond my deserts, and which has excited in my heart a sense of gratitude difficult to express. My poor companion with whom Doctor,...
56From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 15 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
I should sooner have answered your Letter my Son had I not expected to hear that you had received Booth’s Journal the first Number of which was sent to you last Month its he is an object of great respect and attention to our little family here the neglect and coldness with which you appear to treat his literary production has been cause of offence to all and he has determined to retaliate by...
57To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 26 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday our City was enlivened suddenly by the report of the ratification of the Spanish Treaty and every thing looked gay excepting my husband who gave no credit to the news when yesterday morning a cloud in the form of Capt Reid of the Hornet dispersed our sunshine and confirmed Mr. As doubts and destroying all the fond hopes of the too credulous citizens—Congress will of...
58From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 1 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter my dear John was brought me just before dinner and I hasten to answer it more particularly that part of it in which you mention that Messrs. Calvert and Taylor intend leaving Cambridge a week sooner then than the commencement of the Vacation and I am authorized by your father to tell you to present his compliments to Dr. Kirkland and request he will permit you to leave Cambridge at...
59To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
Journal 6. December 1819 Our City being reanimated by the return of Congress I shall attempt to renew our correspondence in the old journal form in the hope of enabling you to in some measure to participate in our pleasures and troubles which we must expect to have intimately blended—Your Letter is I fear too justly prophetic and your ideas on the present aspect of affairs accord but too well...
60To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 11 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
December 11th. Went into Georgetown to see Mrs Otis, was not admitted Called on Mrs Smith and Mrs Frye both very well returned home to dinner Dr Forsythe from South America called in the evening, He too was soliciting a place to which a deaf ear was turned. 12th—Not well and could not go to church; the day cold and disagreeable Mary much better. Evening alone. 13th—Went out and paid visits and...
61To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
December 22nd 1819.—Went to visit a neighbour and walked as far as Mrs. Smiths. This evening a small sociable party at Mrs Forsyths where I heard some good music by Mr. and Mrs Meigs the former of whom has a remarkably fine voice Mr and Mrs Lowndes were there. She has visited me in the most friendly manner all the summer during the absence of her husband but has now dropped my acquaintance on...
62To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
4th. Jany The weather still severely cold—My Sons are gone to the House of Representatives to hear the Debates—Your Letter has just been put into my hands and I observe all yo u say upon the subject of Missouri. She has unfortunately a very intemperate Delegate who is not calculated to soften the impending storm. Much alarm evidently exists as to the consequences of this Question and Congress...
63To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 16 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
Jany 16 1820 Was disappointed of going to church in consequence of their having prepared the heavy Carriage which I was afraid to go out in. The boys, however went and the Horses behaved so well that I took courage after they returned to go and make two visits of ceremony—The evening passed at home— 17 Very busy all day preparing for my Ball tomorrow, taking down bedsteads, and furniture of...
64To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
Jany 22 The ettiquette question will soon be put down as the fathers of the Nation now decline all pretence to the right of first visits as Senators; but think they ought to receive it Strangers, making it thereby perfectly optional as it regards those who may be residents in the City to visit or not according to their inclination—And they are reduced to the necessity of denying the fact of...
65To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
27th. Jany Remained at home all the morning in the course of which twenty cards were left—At five oclock our dinner party began to assemble—we sat down 22 under the expectation of a formal & stiff kind of meal as the company were almost almost all strangers to us—but they were very animated and cheerful and before dinner was over you would have thought we had been acquainted many years—They...
66To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
6 Feb My Boys went off in the six oclock Stage, and Mr: A– myself, and Mary went to the Representative chamber and heard Mr: Rice, one of the Indian Missionaries, who had great reputation in the Western States—I thought very little of him—there was a great attempt at eloquence, which however to my idea proved entirely abortive, his language was mean, and ill chosen, and when he rose at all...
67To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 18 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
18 Feb Passed the day quietly at home excepting returning a few morning visits 19 Mr A. dined at Mr Lowndes’s and I called for Mr & Mrs: Smith and Mr: A. to accompany me to the French Ministers. Mr S declined going—We found a small company assembled and the party was tolerably agreeable—I was engaged at a Ball at Mrs: Gales’s and intended to go from Mrs: de Neuvilles quite early but Mr A....
68From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter distressed both your father and myself on account of the painful news it contained—but we were neither of us displeased with you as we were perfectly sensible of the motive both of duty and affection by which you were situated—We are still very uneasy at your Grandfathers situation altho I have had a letter from him since the receipt of yours which has induced us to hope that both...
69To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
2nd. March—Company at dinner consisting of Chief Justice Marshall Justice Washington Justice Todd Justice Story Justice Livingston Mr Story Mr: Ingersoll Mr: Hopkinson Mr: I Ogden Col Taylor General Brown, Col Morrison Gen. Winder & Mr: W Jones—The dinner was pleasant and the Bottle did not circulate too freely—The House was in Session when the Gentlemen arrived—Nothing heard of but Mr:...
70To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
8th: March—Was very unwell all the morning and the weather was extremely disagreeable—In the evening went to the Drawing Room which was very full—The wedding much talked of in consequence of which the Russian Minister asked me when they might pay their respects and offer their congratulations I told him I understood they were to receive their friends without form or ceremony I believed in the...
71To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
14 March—The day was tremendous I therefore did not attempt to go out but dressed to Receive any company altho’ I did not expect any one would venture out on such an evening at eight oclock however as the company began to come and we had to my great astonishment five & twenty persons among whom were Mr: Dowse a Member of Congress related to Mr: Quincy and Mr: Warren—two ladies from New York...
72From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 19 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Letter and am very much pleased to find you all in such good spirits Why George should have roared so at the idea of your fathers dancing I do not know—but he is not the only one so affected for Mr. Walker of the Senate I thought would have fallen on the floor—Washington is becoming quite dull notwithstanding our wedding we are however to have dancing on Tuesday and...
73To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 23 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
23 March—Our City is more and more deeply unwell of fears and gloom and every moment seems to teem with more troubles—A hundred different stories are in circulation concerning this dreadful affair and I am told that his Wife has not seen him since the night before the Duel took place as instead of breakfasting at home he stopped at the Congress Hotel and there ate an unusually hearty meal...
74To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
3 April—Mr: Lowndes spoke against Mr: Cs resolutions Mr Archer of Virginia is in favour being he made a speech which however did not excite much admiration—He is a disagreeable pedantic prejudiced Virginian—A would be Randolph without merits the most necessary ingredient to promote the likeness— 4. Charles still continues quite an invalid—It was this day that the Debate took place in Congress...
75From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 7 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your father has requested me to answer your Letter and to inform you that the Hume has already been given to Charles who finished it some time since but he desires me to say that he will give you one of the same if he can procure it or any other book which you may prefer to reward your diligence It therefore depends on you to name what book you wish and he will purchase it. He is doubtful if...
76To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 16 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
16 April—Went to Church at the Capital not full at all. Afterwards paid some visits—The remainder of the day at home— 17 No occurrence of importance—paid some visits and passed the day at home—Mr: A– dined at Mr: Politeca’s the Russian Ministers—the dinner given to Gen Vines the new Spanish Minister—much curiosity and anxiety expressed concerning the Negotiation 18 Went out in quest of company...
77From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 1 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have been very unwell and likewise waiting for some answer from your father concerning the books you asked and I have the pleasure to tell you that your father agrees to your demand and will give you the british Theatre— You have apparently forgotten all the Commissions with which you were charged as I have neither heard nor seen any thing of Charles’s Books or the Shells which you promised...
78To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 5 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
5 May—Went out and paid some visits but found the day so unpleasant I soon returned—read Trotters Memoirs of the last years of Charles James Fox which is a miserably poor production—according to my idea written with considerable affectation—I had not much gratification in the perusal of the work— 6 Went to a party at Mrs. de Neuvilles—the party small much curiosity existed concerning the...
79To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 13 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
13 Went out to the Capitol to see the Senate with the Ladies after which we visited the Library and took another view of Trumbulls picture—This performed we next went to the Navy Yard—examined the famous Monument—took a look at the Frigate now on the Stocks and after gazing until we were satisfied returned home to dine—In the evening we all went to the French Ministers and passed a charming...
80To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 20 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
20 May—Mr: A— joined us at dinner and we returned home at ten oclock. Johnson Hellen dined with us he is one of the best bred young men I know of a most amiable character and disposition but of too retired a nature— 21 Was quite as sick all day—In the evening Mr: A— went to sit with Mr: Morton who has been seriously ill for three or four weeks hopes are however entertained of his recovery Mr:...
81To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
4 June—Went to Church and heard a Mr: Butler who gave us a very good Sermon the Church was unusually full and it was oppressively warm—The last Sunday Mr: A. heard a Mr Ravenscroft who it appears was converted by his Negroes and has become a very popular preacher—Mr: A—was not very much delighted with him but he is the fashion therefore very fine—Went out to Ride with Mr: A—in the evening— 5...
82From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 19 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
Have you forgotten your Mother my dear John? or do you never mean to write again? I have been long impatiently waiting for Letters now a long time and still meet with disappointment every post—What is the reason you do not write? Edward Taylor can be very punctual. Your father has had a Letter from your Uncle in which he says that in consequence of abusing the privilege of boarding out you are...
83From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 24 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I was seriously concerned to hear of your illness and am still considerably uneasy of lest you should by any imprudence have a relapse and I entreat you will be particularly careful of the Night air—You must write me frequently even if it is only to say “I am well ” as I shall be very anxious for some time I presume you are taking the Bark? what Phyissian attended you? was your complaint...
84From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 3 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
My intention was to write you tomorrow morning it being the anniversary of your birth and to offer you my congratulations not only to wish you joy upon this occasion but rather to rejoice at the improvement you have made during the last year and to express my hopes that your acquirements during the next may be such both in learning and discretion as will merit my most partial approbation—You...
85From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 12 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
I am afraid that Charles has been writing some nonsense concerning Harriet Welsh which has caused you to write so disrespectfully concerning her Charl’s got hold of my papers and contrary to my most positive orders read them and then wrote you something or other not much to his credit—I therefore beg I may hear no more on this subject I am certainly very sorry to hear that you were so...
86To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 13 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
Having observed in the papers that the reason assigned for your declining to accept the invitation on the 4h. was on account of indisposition Mr. Adams and myself are anxious to hear from you and to be assured that it was rather the dread of over fatigue than real indisposition which caused your refusal to attend. It would have been altogether improper to make such an exertion and I rejoice...
87From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 8 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
Harriet Welsh writes me that George and you intend to visit Mrs. de Wint during the vacation and that if your father grants you permission you intend to go on to Niagara—I had made a partial engagement to accompany Mr. & Mrs. de Wint to Niagara this fall but I do not feel quite sure that I shall be able to accomplish this purpose as your father tho’ he says I may go always appears to have...
88From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 18 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
As I have already said every thing on the subject of your last which was necessary I will only make one observation which is that reputation is always proved by actions and the less we say about generally the better we guard it and preserve it— You are now verging on the Vacation. Are you likely to have a brilliant Commencement? who are the graduates of Note?—Who makes an entertainment?—. We...
89To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I have written I feel that it is difficult to offer an apology for my silence or rather such an one as would prove satisfactory: it however proceeded from the extreme dullness of the City and the excessive heat of the Summer in the first place; a journey to visit my relations in Frederick in the second; and a severe indisposition in the third which confined me to my bed...
90From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
An indisposition which confined me to my bed in the first instance and moving in the next into our house in F Street has prevented my answering your Letter earlier and my papers are all in such confusion that I cannot pretend to find it now so as to answer it correctly— Our House will hardly be well fixed before you come on and at present Charles is obliged to sleep in the Drawing room which...
91From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 14 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
How grieved I am my dear John at the news we have just received you may concieve who knew what an effect the same circumstance produced on me on a former occasion—Your father and I are in a state of great anxiety for the consequences of your fault and impatiently wait for the result which must fix your future destiny—Write me immediately and let me know how the Government feel towards you so...
92To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I do not know if I ought to congratulate you or not on your acceptance of the trouble and anxiety attending you as a Member of the Convention my dear Sir but I hope it will yield you amusement and vary your occupations we rely on your making it as easy as little laborious to yourself as possible— Congress has convened again and as you will perceive by the papers of the day they have assembled...
93To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 18 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
18th Received a number of visits and returned a few.—Mr Poletica passed the Evening with us—Talked much of his tour thro’ the Western States and appeared much pleased with his visit to Boston He informed us he had seen a gentleman lately from England who mentioned that the Queen had twice been seen drunk in Parliament before he left that Country— 19 Visitors came so early and staid so long I...
94To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
Novbr. 22 Spent the day at home excepting about an hour in which I paid a number of visits—Dr. Thornton called in late last Evening and chatted some time His conversation is indeed a thing of threads and patches certainly amusing from its perpetual variety—He is altogether the most excentric being I ever met with possessing the extremes of literary information and the levity and trifling of...
95From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I last evening received your Letter of the 20h with great delight and assure you I require nothing but your word to satisfy me regarding your conduct having always had full reliance on your respect to truth—When I wrote I had heard a terrible account of the rebellion and was excessively alarmed at the consequences for you under this impression and trembling with lest George in his desire to...
96To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
29th Rode out and called on my patient who is fast recovering and able to raise his broken arm—In the Evening went to the Drawing Room it was well attended though not crowded—I was teazed in the course of the evening with questions concerning how I should conduct myself in that House as mistress of it for a time for it was likely I should be there in four years I laughed and said that I...
97To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
Decbr. 3d Did not attend at Church Mr Ryland was to preach and his last sermon was such a strange medley of scraps and ends miserably put together I did not feel tempted to go again—remained at home all day. 4th The day was stormy and disagreeable—In the Eveng went into George Town to fetch Fanny Johnson. The Stage had not arrived and we drove to Mrs. Frye’s where we took Tea—She mentioned...
98To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much indisposed it has been almost impossible for me to keep my journal and my family has been too large to admit of sufficient quiet to do any thing but partake of the amusements of the place which however have been but few comparatively speaking. It has been remarked frequently that there has never been so gloomy a session as the present and I doubt if there ever was one which...
99From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 11 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
I will answer your last Letter by saying that your most horrible is altogether thrown away as neither of the young Ladies who remained with us were very beautiful or fascinating but good natured pleasant girls who amused me very much by their musical talents and the eldest by a highly cultivated mind—Their ages would not have frightened you but their tall Grenadier look might have intimidated...
100From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 22 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
I feel a little uneasy about you and therefore write you again to give you a timely caution as there are whispers concerning the restlessness of your Class which lead me to dread an explosion Your own sense my dear Boy will teach you how foolish and imprudent it is to run any risk of expulsion or even rustication as the loss of a year to you who are so desirous of obtaining your liberty would...