1Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 13 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
any person at all conversant in the world must be stupid indeed not to take an interest in the Great Events which are now acting upon the Theater of the World, particuliarly the French revolution which astonishes the universe. I know not how better to describe it than in the words of a late writer...of Peacefeild, Secured from the Noise of the World, its power and ambition. Publick...
2Abigail Adams to John Adams, 26 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
...me. My agitated mind wants repose. I have twice the present week met my friends and relatives, and taken leave of them in houses of mourning. I have asked, “Was all this necessary to wean me from the world? Was there danger of my fixing a too strong attachment upon it? Has it any allurements, which could make me forget, that here I have no abiding-place?”...to leave the world. She made...
3Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 6 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
...I have conjured the unhappy Man by all that is Dear, Honour, reputation, and Fame, his Family and Friends, to desist, and to strive to regain what he was daily loosing in the estimation of the World. I have painted before him the misiry he was bringing upon himself his amiable wife and lovely innocent Children; but all has been lost upon him. He has already brought down a load of disgrace...
4Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 20 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
and Sanctiond by the experience of Ages as one of the strongest Links in the social order, as one of the firmest pillars which supports Decency, Virtue, and Religion, in the world. It is the origion of all relations, and the first Element of all duties,..., has by these two things done more towards the Peace, happiness settlement and civilization of the world, than by any other part,...
5Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
...in looking round, and making inquires may not be mispent. you will find William shaw much grown. you will find him possessd of a Good Heart and an amiable obliging temper; wanting experience & a knowledge of the world, with some peculiarities of which I dare say he does not hear so often by one half, as if he had his Aunt with him there is one, of which I have often reminded him, and which...
6Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 15 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
when irreligion is demoralizing the world Shall the influence of Government unite to place at its head those whose only religion is benevolence? that the Lord Reigneth is consolation to the Christian, but we ought to deprecate his judgments, and implore his mercy—...balance due to him— I wish to come home as clear of the World as possible, and with as few debts indeed I know of but one...
7Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 28 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
at the State of Massachusetts, than one hundred and 50 miles from Philadelphia could make me— We have indeed come into a new part of the world, and amongst a new Set of inhabitants; it is a city in name, and that in a Wilderness—a beautifull Spot, by nature—but it must be commerce; and the introduction of a more hardy and industerous... ...sent them into the World. the lower class of...
8Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
...could derive; I came to this city with a heavey Heart; in daily expectation of his Death, which took place on the first of December; My Residence in this city, has not Served to endear the world to me. to private and domestick Sorrow, is added a prospect of publick Calamity for our Country. the Spirit of Party has overpowerd the spirit of Patriotism. the Intrigue of one Man, and the...the world
9Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 4 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
..., and the Sigh which sometimes burst forth in silence, too well informs me of the reflections within—and wound me to the Heart. You cannot wonder my dear sister that in the midst of Laughter, as to the World it seem’s, the Heart is sad. every one knows their own bitterness.— Should our Lives be continued a few more Years—still it may not be in a situation which will enable us to render the...
10Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 11 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
...the communications; though I am very apprehensive at the expense of the liberty at least of our Envoys if they are still in Paris. The instructions the Senate have directed to be published: the world will then see, that the unjust aspersions cast upon the President, that he wished for war, and that the instructions were not ample, are as groundless as many others which are industriously...
11Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 11 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
...I should like to pass those without intestine broils and commotions, and see a fair prospect of leaving to posterity the blessings of peace and freedom, laws and government. My sentiments are for you alone: you know how the world would judge them, selfish and interested; experience may teach them to their sorrow, that I have not judged amiss....intriguant in the World—a man devoid of every...
12Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I presume this will find you at Philadelphia, fix’d in your Lodgings; and in possession of your office, where I wish you much of the Good things of the world, tho purchased by toil & trouble, they may serve to enhance their value; above all worldly Goods. I wish you Health, for destitute of that great blessing, few others can be enjoyed...., all the distant din, the world can keep “Rools o’er...
13Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 16 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
...begin to be affraid that you will do so well without me at Philadelphia, that my company will not be mist and there is nothing so mortifying as to be considerd of little or no concequence, or importance in the world. I always knew that mr Brisler had no Geese, and as it made him so happy, I was well satisfied that it should be so, for with all his self satisfaction, he is very easily cowd or...
14Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
...at quiting my station personally. I believe it best both for Your Father and for me. as to our prospects that is an other subject We have not made a fortune in the service of the public. That the World know— we will live in independance, because We will live within our income. if that is mean & much below the rank we ought to move in, the fault is not ours— the Country which calld...
15Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 26 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
...spent in acquiring a Competancy, and having lived and Educated a family in the enjoyment & expectation of it, to be deprived of it, at a time when we most need repose and quiet; the unsettled State of the world, and the rapid Changes which have taken place, has renderd Property less Secure than in any former times—
16Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 28 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
what can you expect me to write you from this village; where I hear & know no more what is passing in the world, than if I was wholy secluded from it. I have not seen a Newspaper since I came and but one gentleman from N york. I can tell you that the leaves wither and fall, beautifully varigated by the...
17Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
America” to “flock to this standard,” the writer further urged the nation to strive to “be in peace with all the world” but to “not forget that great people who were our
18Abigail Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I shall take pleasure in aiding the prosecution of a Work which will undoubtedly be renderd valuable, and usefull to the World, particuliarly so to our Country.
19Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 1 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
...are disposed to give him a call, but far otherways, I shall rejoice in the prospect of having so Virtuous and sensible a Gentleman Setled with us, to whom I doubt not, years will teach more knowledge of the world
20Abigail Adams to Samuel B. Malcom, 18 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
...up & condoling with mr King upon the occasion— He attended the Drawing Room of the Queen. the same silence was observed, which proves that it was a concerted plan, for however trivial these things may appear to the world those who know not the etiquet of courts.— with those who do they are considerd with much meaning and have great weight in the affairs of nations
21Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 25 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am surprized that mr should so long detain mr Gerrys correspondence. the world know that the President is not accustomed to be thus dilatory. yet the blame will fall upon him, by those who know not the cause; as the Senate have decided that they cannot impeach one of their own...
22Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 10 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Senate in the world.”
23Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
...has left it. I have heard of so Many lies and falshoods propagated to answer Electioneering purposes since I left Philadelphia, and for the last three weeks that I was there, that I am Disgusted with the world and the chief of its inhabitants do not appear worth the trouble and pains they cost to save them from Destruction— you see I am in an ill humour. when the rain subsides and the sun...
24Abigail Adams to Hannah Carter Smith, 30 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
...Muslin are worn as long as Gentlemens Cravats, and have a very gracefull appearence— velvet cloaks & Bonets of Black purple red or Green, furs upon the Bonets— I know You like to hear how the world goes—tho you have too much good sense to imitate every Change. a conformity in Some degree is necessary to avoid singularity I forgot to mention that every body, old and young wear the Hair in...
25Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
as a specimin of this superb translators work, he is transported with joy, to have executed the translation of a work that records the actions of one of the Greatest Warriours the World ever produced; compared to whom [“]Hannibal was a stripling, Alexander a holiday captain, and Cæsar a mere candidate for military Fame”
26Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 30 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
...advantage, that their ambition and emulation may be, which shall make the greatest proficiency in their several studies. they know not what is before them. they may have to struggle their own way through the world, without the Gifts of fortune, dependant only upon their own industery and talants. I wish this Idea imprest upon their mind’s if they can get an Education, it is the most I see...
27Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
...is awake among all Parties— among the Rivals of his Fame Emulation is on tip-toe. participation and affection accompany the wishes of his Friends, and his Enemies lie in wait, for reasons to justify disapprobation. this is the World.
28Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 12 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
” to proceed from the pen of the Duke of Braintree as he stiles the President. if this has not been printed in any of our papers, let it be sent to the Mercury to insert, that the world may see what bold and daring lies these wretches are capable of.
29Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 7 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Govenour of the World, ordering or directing or overruling the events which take place in it. I do not mean that he is an Atheist for I do not think that he is—but he believes Religion only usefull as it may be...
30Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
to the world he has been long since dead he declined very fast after the warm weather commenced. these were old Men, and had lived out their Days of three score & ten; but a more gloomy scene than this I...