701Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have rejoiced in the fine weather which has attended you through your journey, and the good Roads if you have had them as good as we have. Some cold Days but not enough so, to freeze or prevent our People from accomplishing the plowing at the corn Feilds. the Shelter for the young cattle is compleated & coverd with Sea weed. one Day more will cover the clover with manure, and to Day they...
702Abigail Smith to Cotton Tufts, 9 April 1764 (Adams Papers)
I suppose you have written to me, tho I have not received it, for Mr. Ayers left his pocket Book with the Letters at Roxbury. However full in the Faith that I have a Letter there, I return you my thanks for it. We are all very sollicitious to hear from you; Brother has they tell us two eruptions; upon which I congratulate him. I hear also that he is in high Spirits, and more agreeable than...
703Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 14 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
your Aunt Cranch received a Letter from your Mother of Jan ry 1st in which she makes mention of having received a Letter from you: I wrote to her soon after she returnd Home, and sent the Letter to Boston. it was given to some private hand, and never has reachd her. I have since written to her by the post. She and your sister were well, and Abbes Arm much better for the application of Hughes...
704Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
William Shaw came from Boston last Evening to keep Sabbeth with me and brought me your Letter of August 16. 1796 which came by way of N York, and one for your Father of 13 th . he Sat out for Philadelphia on the 23 of this Month. I forwarded it to him this morning. it was the Duplicate which first came to hand, and tho it almost put out my Eyes to read it, I did, and made a coppy of it before...
705Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
This is the Sixteenth Day since you left me, and I have not yet heard a word from You. I hope tomorrows post will bring me a Letter. I wrote you on the 10 th . the Day before yesterday Was the first Winter Weather We have had, a pretty severe snow storm lasted through the Day. it fell moist & the rain the Day before renders it bad for wheels & worse for a Sled. the Weather is so moderate to...
706Abigail Smith to John Adams, 12 April 1764 (Adams Papers)
Here am I all alone, in my Chamber, a mere Nun I assure you, after professing myself thus will it not be out of Character to confess that my thoughts are often employ’d about Lysander, “out of the abundance of the Heart, the mouth speaketh,” and why Not the Mind thinketh. Received the pacquet you so generously bestowed upon me. To say I Fasted after such an entertainment, would be wronging my...
707Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
My unkle who is very attentive to acquaint me with every opportunity of conveyance, last Evening let me know of a vessel going to Spain, and tho my Letters cost you much more than they are worth; I am bound as well by inclination, as your repeated injunctions to omit no opportunity of writeing. My last to you was by way of Bilboa. A vessel will soon sail for Amsterdam, by which I shall write...
708Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 10 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I arrived in this city last Evening & came to the old House, now occupied by Francis as an Hotel. tho the furniture and arrangment of the House is changed I feel more at home here than I should any where Else in the city, and when sitting with my son & other friends who call to see me, I can scarcly persuade myself, that tomorrow I Must quit it, for an unknown & an unseen abode— My Journey has...
709Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
It was with a mixture of pleasure and pain that I read your Letter of December 25th from Berlin No 32— it gave me pleasure to see your Hand writing addrest to me, after a painfull interval of three months Some of your communications were attended with circumstances which gave me pain, and anxiety, for my dear Louissa, whose situation under the circumstances you describe; must have been...
710Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you a National song composed by this same mr Hopkinson. French Tunes have for a long time usurped an uncontrould sway. since the Change in the publick opinion respecting France, the people began to lose the relish for them, and What had been harmony, now becomes discord. accordingly their had been for several Evenings at the Theatre something like disorder, one party crying out...
711Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 9 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
If I should ask why I have not heard from my sister or Friends, for several weeks past, would she not answer me by retorting the question? in replie I could only say that I had designd writing every day for a long time, but we have had such a lassitude of weather, and such a long continuence of it, that I have really felt unfit for every thing which I was not necessitated to perform, & for...
712Abigail Adams to Joshua Johnson, 15 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you a pamphlet, The correspondence between the Secretary of state, and the French Minister, for my son J Q Adams. if upon receiving it, you have reason to think he has allready had it; from any other hand, you will retain it, untill his arrival in England. William Vans Murray, of the state of Maryland, is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the Batavian Republick. This Gentleman...
713To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 5 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Adams presents her respectfull compliments to Mr. Jefferson and asks the favour of him to permit petit to purchase for her ten Ells of double Florence of any fashionable coulour, orange excepted which is in high vogue here. Mrs. A. excepts green also of which she has enough. Mr. Muchier if in paris will be so kind as to take charge of it, and Mrs. Adams will send the money by Mr. Trumble...
714Abigail Adams to John Adams, 18 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received by the post yours of March 3 d & 5 th I had previously received the speach which I think well calculated to do great Good. I am much out of the way of hearing the observations which will be made upon it. as it is a publication to the people, of your real sentiments & opinions I hope it will be considerd and believed as such, and have a tendency to remove prejudices. I do not wonder...
715Abigail Adams to John Adams, 3 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I received by Mr. Church a few lines from you; I wish to hear from you every opportunity tho you say no more than that you are well. I feel concernd least your cloaths should go to rags having nobody to take any care of you in your long absence, and then you have not with you a proper change for the Seasons. However you must do the best you can. I have a suit of homespun for you whenever you...
716Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 20 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
In truth Friend thou art a Queer Being—laugh where I must, be candid where I can.—Your pictures are Hogarths. I shall find you out by and by—I will not Build upon other peoples judgements. My philosopher (I like the Name exceedingly) used to say I was a physiognomist. I have tried not unsuccessfully to find out the Heart of many a one by the countanance. I do not recollect that I ever had that...
717Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 26 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
I would tell you that I had an ague in my face, and a violent toothache, which has prevented my writing to you all day; but I am determined to brave it out this evening, and inquire how you do. Without further complaint, I have become so tender, from keeping so much in a warm chamber, that, as soon as I set my foot out, I am sure to come home with some new pain or ache. On Friday evening last,...
718Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
I never feel so great a propensity to write as when I have just received a Letter. Yours of Nov br 10th reach’d me on the 28 th of Feb’y, and gave me a flow of Spirits which I have not experienced for a long time before. I had been mourning and sighing to hear, from my Dear sons in vain. The Letters by Mr Lamb were lost, together with the vessel captain, and all but one of his Hands and mr...
719Abigail Adams to John Adams, 3 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
I received your two kind Letters of April 19 th & 22 d I was much gratified by the appointment of mr Jay as Envoy extrodanary. I know not how the President could have made a more judicious choice, but there are Some evil spirits who would fault the measure of heaven & quarrel with the Angle Gabrial were he sent even to declare Peace on Earth, and good will to Men. the Jacobine clubs who watch...
720Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind favours of the 19 & 22 of April. the printers were very obliging in taking particular care to supply me daily with the paper’s by which I learnt the arrival and Reception of the Pressident, & vice Pressident. if I thought I could compliment in so courtly and masterly a stile, I would say that the address to the Senate was exactly what it ought to be, neither giving too...
721Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening received your Letter of 28 th of Febry which relieved my mind from a great weight of anxiety. I do not think that I have been so long a period, without Letters from some, or other of my Friends Since I first came to Newyork, or elsse the anxiety I have been under for several weeks appeard to prolong the Time I have written to you 3 weeks Successively but you do not mention...
722Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Mr Dawes sent me word that he was going to Newyork this week. I would not omit any opportunity of writing to you, tho I know I must sometimes perplex you with domestick matters I would not do it, but that I wish your advise and direction. I wrote you in my last that the wall was compleated between mr Bass & you, and Barley has been sown. the Hill before the window, your Brother has had cleard...
723Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 21 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
I was in hopes of hearing from you by last Nights post, as I am solicitious to learn how mrs Norten does. I had Letters from Thomas and find that he is returnd to Cambridge very well he says, and he gives me the agreeable News of his Aunt shaws having got well to Bed with a daughter added to her Family. I have been anxious for her; as her Health is so slender, and I know how to feel for you...
724Abigail Adams to John Adams, 24 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
We have had four days and Nights of Rain an old fashiond rain. if there had been upon the Ground a Body of snow, the flood of Rain, would have carried away all our Mills and Bridges it has laid our fenses in the meddow below the House flat the water is a foot above the bridge at mr Blacks, and over the Top of his wall which he built last Summer. till this Rain we have not had water to Grind...
725Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters have become Such a model of elegant composition, that I cannot but think you must discover So many dificencies in my untoutord stile, that I feel a little anxious in Exposing it to your Eye. your desire however to obtain intelligence from your Native Land, and from the Friends, and Relatives you have Left there, will induce you to pass over with a less scrutinizing Eye the...
726Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I sit down to write tho I feel very Languid; the approach of Spring unstrings my nerves, and the South winds have the same Effect upon me which Brydon says the Siroce winds have upon the inhabitants of Sicily. It gives the vapours, blows away all their gaiety and spirits and gives a degree of Lassitude both to the Body and mind, which renders them absolutely incapable of performing their usual...
727Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 4 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received two kind Letters from you since I had the pleasure of writing to you. I regreet that both you, and your Family have experienced so much ill Health Since you arrived in this Country. I feel for you as a stranger; and wish you were near enough to me, that I might have it in my power, to return to you, and your Family, Some portion of the kindness and Hospitality which I experienced...
728Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
in the midst of the Bustle and fatigue of packing, The parade & ceremony of taking leave at Court, and else where, I am informd that mr Appleton and mrs Parker, are to set out for Paris tomorrow morning. I Cannot permit them to go without a few lines to my much Esteemed Friend, to thank him for all his kindness and Friendship towards myself and Family, from the commencment of our acquaintance,...
729Abigail Adams to Nathaniel Willis?, 4 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of december 21 was deliverd me enclosing the extract relative to Mr. Hutchinson. As you were pleased to express an approbation of it, and to suggest a publication of it, I have returnd it, that you may make that use of it if you think proper. In a Letter from Mr. Adams dated the 25 of Sepbr. he writes me that the late orders he had received from Congress would oblige him to a...
730Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Captain Lyde is arrived to our no small joy and brought us a charming parcel of Letters, amongst which I found one from each of my Dear Sons. You know how happy a circumstance of this kind always makes me. Two days before we had heard of his arrival in the River, and waited every hour with impatience for the Letters, for those by Young have not yet come to hand, he is still at Plimouth...
731Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 4 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I seldom feel a sufficient stimulous for writing untill I hear that a vessel is just about to sail, and then I find my self so deep in debt, that I know not where to begin to discharge the account. But it is time for me to be a little more provident for upon looking into my list I find I have no less than 18 correspondents who have demands upon me. One need to have a more fruitfull fund than I...
732Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 14 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received this week as many packets by the Mail as a minister of state. they however containd nothing except the News papers which you have been very puntual in forwarding. Browns I can dispence with, you need not send it again unless any thing interesting, in it, which the rest do not contain. Peters I hope will have less of the Bilingsgate when Congress sit, and Fennos I hope to see in the...
It gives me real pain to see the various arts and machinations of our internal Enemies practised with Effect upon the generality of Mankind. From the various reports which have been too successfully circulated for this month past the people will be brought to entertain suspicions with regard to congress which will tend to weaken their Authority and be greatly detrimental to our cause. Mr. D ea...
734Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday being Sunday I went with your papa to the Foundling Church, Dr. Price whom we usually attend being absent a few weeks in the Country. When I returnd from Church I went into my closet and took up my pen with an intention of writing to you; but I really felt so trist at not having heard of your arrival that I could not compose myself sufficently to write to you, so I scribled to your...
735Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of March the 10 th is before me; Your Brother informs me that he has one of April. It is true my dear Son, that I have read with much interest, and sincere pleasure, Your Letters to your Brother Thomas, and with many others, have been highly entertaind with Your journey into Selicia Whilst those Letters convey usefull information, to the Merchant, the Mechanic, and the Farmer, they...
736Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 14 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
yesterday dispatches were received from mr King up to the 9 th Jan’ ry in a postscrip he says, I have just learnt that mr Adams has been received by the new King notwithstanding his commission was to his Father. this is civil and will enable him to proceed with business— I received a Letter from dr Tufts yesterday that allarmd me. I thought I inclosed him some Bills. I might as I wrote you the...
737Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by the post, but as Capt. Cuznow Cazneau goes to morrow perhaps this may reach you first. As to myself I am comfortable. Johnny is cleverly. Nabby I hope has gone thro the distemper, the Eruption was so trifling that to be certain I have had innoculation repeated. Charles and Tommy have neither had Symptoms, nor Eruption. Charles was innoculated last Sabbeth evening a second time,...
738Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 20 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I write you a few Lines this mor’g just to inclose to you the News paper of yesterday which contains an important Message from the President; it is a very painfull thing to him that he cannot communicate to the publick dispatches in which they are so much interested, but we have not any assurance that the Envoys have left Paris and who can say that in this critical state of things their...
739Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
About an Hour ago I received a Letter from my Friend dated June 21: begining in this manner “my dearest Friend.” It gave me a most agreable Sensation, it was a cordial to my Heart. That one single expression dwelt upon my mind and playd about my Heart, and was more valuable to me than any part of the Letter, except the close of it. It was because my Heart was softned and my mind enervated by...
740Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill yesterday that captain Callihan brought us the bundle containing Newspapers and some Letters, one from my Neice, but none from you tho you refer to a former one in that which I acknowledg’d the recept of by captain Barnard, the New york packet arrived in 18 days passage & mr Adams received Letters to the 10 of Feb ry & a Boston paper of the 5th by which we have an account of...
741Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 11 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
This will be delivered to you, by our friend, Mrs. Smith, who will pass you, on her way to New-York; she is determined to call, and ask you how you are. Since I wrote you last, some changes have taken place. The Secretary of war has resigned, and General Marshal, is nominated in his place. I fear, however, that he will not be prevailed upon to accept the appointment; such times are approaching...
742Abigail Adams to John Adams, 4 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
The first sight which saluted my Eyes this Morning was a fine colt. the complexion however is More like the Father than the Mother. having wisht you Joy upon this happy event, I shall proceed from this Domestick occurence to an other less important, to viz, that Cosset likewise has three ospring of the Same age with Octavia. they date their Birth from a memorable event too, for the inhabitants...
743Abigail Adams to Joseph Warren, 13 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
A Brother of Mr. Adams’es who has been a Captain of a Company in this Town, is desirous of joining the Army provided he can obtain a Birth; he would prefer a Majors to any other. As he has not any acquaintance with any Gentleman in the Army, except Coll. Palmer, he requested me to write you a line, in his behalf; he is a person both of steadiness and probity, and if there should be any place...
744Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Palles which I thought had saild a fortnight ago, still lies at Newbury Port, and gives me the opportunity of acquainting you with the death of a Sister in Law, who I followed to the grave a week ago, leaving behind a Babe about 5 days old, and a distressd family of children, by which loss your Brother is bereved of an Excellent wife and his children a most kind and affectionate Mother. I...
745Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 6 September 1790 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams received your Letter dated August 31. he sat of that morning after for Philadlphia and desired me to let you know that he would transmit to you an order from the treasury for the Sum you received of Generall Lincoln upon his return. where is Thomas we have been daily expecting him for near a Month, and mr Adams delay d going his journey a week expecting him here. he wrote me that he...
746Abigail Adams to John Thaxter, 21 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I will not again be so long silent, indeed your repeated kind favours call upon me for acknowled g ment. They have afforded both to me, and my Friends a very agreable entertainment, and I esteem myself much obliged that you not only so kindly endeavour to supply the loss of your company, but to releave the many solitary hours which you well know must fall to my share in the absence of a nearer...
747Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of June the first. I am quite delighted at the account you give of the season, and the appearence of vegetation. I was out yesterday at A Farm of Judge Peters call’d, Belmont. it is in all its Glory; I have been twice there, when I lived at Bush Hill, but he has improved both the House and Gardens Since— after being six Months in a City, you can hardly conceive the delight one...
748Abigail Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 3 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams’es Respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklin, is much obliged to him for the oil he was so kind as to send her, and is very sorry that his indisposition deprived her of the Honour of his company to dinner. Mrs. Adams takes the Liberty of recommending a Sedan Chair, by which the inconvenience arising from a Carriage might be avoided. RC ( PU : Franklin, Papers The Papers of Benjamin...
749Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
yesterday afternoon mr Greenleaf returnd from Boston, and as he, as well as my others Neighbours, are particuliarly attentive and kind, in bringing Letters and papers to me as well; as of communicating all New’s, he came full fraught, with the appointment of Mr Murrey Minister Plenipo to France, a measure which had astonishd all the Federilist; and was a subject of great speculation, in...
750Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have too long delayed, replying to Your Letter of March 20th. Whatever is written to You, by Your Parents, sincerely anxious as they are for your future welfare, and advancement in Life, you will receive as it is certainly meant in kindness and affection; I am sensible that Success cannot be commanded, tho it may be deserved; I am not insensible to the difficulties you have had to contend...