Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 February 1801
Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams
Baltimore Feb’ry 14 1801
Dear Thomas
I wrote to you last Evening requesting You to meet me at the susquahanah; but I did not reflect that it was two days Journey.1 this Evening Leiut Parker has arrived and has tenderd me his services; Mr Evans furnishes me with a carriage to Philadelphia provided we can cross the River if I cannot get over, I must depend upon the chapter of chances—2 if I can get over I expect to be in on twesday. Supposing You have engaged me Rooms at mrs Staales I shall drive there.
No President Elect yet—and yet there are two Presidents Elect— they balloted twice yesterday, but no Man was changed. they met Meet at Eleven to day, and play the same Game again I suppose. the Castles can not be stormed nor the Kings taken, tho they have met with check & mates oh what a lesson upon Elective chief Majestrates! it is Said one Member was so apprehensive that the feds would go in the night, carrying members enough from ten states to vote in a President, that he got ten armed Men & Watchd all night in the Capitol—this is no joke. I could name the Member; but he must have had a head of Clay, or he could not have been so stupid. no body can suppose, as Harper Said, that I mean one of that honorable Body— yet they were men in that house; I began this Letter to inform You that You need, not Sit out to meet me; as Leiut Parker will bear me company— I will pay your postage when I arrive yours &c
A A
RC (Adams Papers); addressed by Louisa Catharine Smith: “Thomas B Adams Esqr / Philadelphia”; endorsed: “Mrs: A Adams / 14th: Feby 1801 / 17th: Recd:”; notation by ECA: “on Going from Washington / to Phila—”
1. In a 13 Feb. letter to TBA, AA reported her progress on her journey from Washington, D.C., to Quincy (American Clipper, Catalog, Nov. 1935, item 5; Sept. 1936, item 1).
2. William Evans (ca. 1771–1838) was the proprietor of an inn at 187 Market Street in Baltimore, which was the starting point for the Philadelphia and southern mail stages (, 33:39; Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 1838).