Adams Papers

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1779

John Adams to Abigail Adams

Sensible off Cape Ann, Novr. 15th. 1779, two O Clock

My dearest Portia

We have a fine Wind, and in the Course of this Afternoon and Night expect to be clear of Georges Bank, and out of Danger of meeting the Romulus, and the other Rascal.

John, and Charles, as well as S. C. Johonnot,1 are all a little Seasick, but this will soon be over.

Mr. Dana, Mr. Thaxter and myself are yet pretty well, but expect our Turn soon.

We have strong hopes of escaping the Enemy upon this Coast. We follow the Advice of Knox the Pilot, who is a very good Hand.

My Love to my dear Nabby and Thommy. J. and C. send Duty and Love.

God grant me and my little Family a happy Passage, and you and your little Household, Health, and Comfort in our Absence. I hope this will be the last Seperation, We shall suffer from each other, for any Length of Time.—If I should find an Opportunity at Sea, which is not likely, I will write, but certainly by the first Opportunity and by all occassions from France.

Adieu, Adieu, Adieu.

John Adams

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs. John Adams Braintree.” Tr in CFA’s hand (Adams Papers); prepared for CFA’s edition of JA-AA, Familiar Letters description begins Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams, during the Revolution. With a Memoir of Mrs. Adams, ed. Charles Francis Adams, New York, 1876. description ends but in the end excluded.

1. Samuel Cooper Johonnot (1768–1806), son of the Boston merchant Gabriel Johonnot and grandson of JA’s Boston pastor, Rev. Samuel Cooper, was being sent under JA’s care to France for schooling. For a fuller note on Johonnot see JA, Diary and Autobiography description begins Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. description ends , 2:418.

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    Source Project
    Adams Papers
    Title
    John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1779
    Author
    Adams, John
    Recipient
    Adams, Abigail
    Date
    15 November 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-03-02-0176. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Adams Family Correspondence, vol. 3, April 1778 – September 1780, ed. L. H. Butterfield and Marc Friedlaender. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1973, pp. 235–236.]

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