2101From Catherine Elizabeth Murray Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 18 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your kind and friendly letter yesterday, and hasten to inform you, that my dear husband is better. He has had a sharp attack of billious fever, which left him weak and debilitated; and now a violent cough continues to harrass him day and night, and prevents his taking that kind of nourishment, which would most speedily restore his strength. Tomorrow will be three...
2102From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Though I have received no reply to my last, I interrupt Mrs. Adams again on a subject that lays near my heart.—It was reported to me yesterday that my beloved Mrs. Smith was again attacked by a dreadful malady which she has once surmounted:—and that apprehension of its fatal & speedy termination she has sent for her mother. When I receive an answer to the above enquiry I most ardently pray...
2103From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 4 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
A Month has very nearly past away, since I wrote you last—It was a very short Letter, and contained a promise, to write you very soon a longer one—And thus it is that on our firm Resolves, the inaudible and noiseless foot of Time, is wont to steal.—I have since then had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of 24. December, and George has one from you, the conclusion of which was written so...
2104From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 11 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
Last week I enclosed several numbers of Cobbett’s Register, as they are republished in open Sheets—Here are two additional numbers, with, an Observer where you will find an account of the late Riots in London, and an extract from a recent publication containing some interesting particulars about Napoleon at St Helena. The Ministerial daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly publications, the...
2105From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 January 1812 (Adams Papers)
I hope my Dear Sister, will excuse all my bad writing, & every inaccuracy which weekly presents itself to her view—My letters I know must appear in a very shabby ordinary Habit, for I have so little time to afford them even the Ornament of a real dress , that I am almost ashamed to send them.—And if I did not think, that as soon as they reached my beloved Sister, she would throw over them the...
2106From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
I do not exactly recollect the date of my last Letter to you; but if it went safely you must have received it very shortly after the date of your favour of the 7th: which I received the evening before last. Indeed I am a little surprized that you had not received it before—By that you will find that in the frequency of my letters to my father and brother, I have not been forgetful of my dear...
2107From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letters of Feb. 15th & March 31st lie before me, in which I find are several things unanswered, though I assure you, not unnoticed —Those Covers I have lately sent, you perceive were written in great haste—Though yours to me, however short, are gratifying— Your very flattering, & fanciful Allusion, my Dear Sister, to the two sweet Choristers, was an evidence (I will not say, of want...
2108From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 10 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
The first page of the enclosed Press-Copy of my last Letter is so faint that unless you should have received the original, before it comes to hand, I know not whether you will be able to read it—The second however is more plain, and contains the material information of the whole; the birth of my daughter—This information has since been repeated in letters to my father and my brother,...
2109From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 October 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have not received a line from the United States, public or private since I wrote you last—That letter, dated 21. September I sent by the Mr Kimball—Last week, Mr Jackson of Newbury-Port left this place, and by him I wrote to my father, brother, and both my Sons at Atkinson—The present is to go by Mr Harris, a Nephew of our Counsel here, who has resided some time with his uncle, but is now...
2110From François Adriaan Van der Kemp to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Again I owe an increase of my happiness in my Solitude to your kindness in honouring me with your interesting letter of Febr. 3d—with which I was So unexpectedlÿ favoured. It is true, I owe it in part to an unwelcome guest, but it would be in me ungrateful—to defraud him of mÿ thanks, how unpleasant his appearance may have been to you. That visitant at least is in So far good natured, that,...
2111From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 January 1806 (Adams Papers)
I received with joy your letter of the eighteenth a few days since as I had suffer’d considerable anxiety at not hearing any thing of my children it is true I have no right to urge any one on this subject but having been compelled to leave them I cannot command my feelings and must trust to your kindness to let me hear frequently— I am very sorry to hear that George still continues subject to...
2112From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
23d. received a note from Mrs. Monroe requiring my attendance at 1 oclock I went according to appointment and found Mrs. Monroe in her small Drawing Room ready to receive me—She opened the business by apologizing for the liberty she had taken but she really took such an interest ing in me that she had thought it right to speak to me on the subject of visiting and ettiquette She asked what was...
2113From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have been so occupied in writing for Mr. Adams ever since his indisposition that I have really not had time to answer your kind Letters and have brought myself in debt to all my Correspondents and they accumulate so much that I am unable to satisfy their demands. My Boys are also at home which is another ample source of occupation as Mr. Adams’s time is of too much importance to the public...
2114From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
I will without delay thank you for the ind letter of the 5th, which was not received till yesterday. It has been my intention to ask after your health for some time, & that of your dear Sisters; My heart feels much for her sore bereavement, as her day is so may her strength be. To that great being in whom she confides I commend her, with her afflicted Husband. May he be more to them than sons...
2115From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
I did not need your last token of love to remind me of my duty to one who is unwearied in exertions of friendship towards me. My mind dwells much on my dear absent Friends & it is with truth I can say that you & yours have a large share of my contemplations. By my own woful experience I can & do most sensibly feel for you under your bereavments. The society of a good Brother & Sister is...
2116From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
I dined yesterday at the French Ambassadors, at a diplomatic dinner of about sixty persons in the highest and most formal style.—I give you a description of this entertainment, which may amuse you as a specimen of the usages of the time and place, and give you an idea of what is understood to be the suitable style of entertainment by an Ambassador—The invitation was by printed Card, sent five...
2117From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
As the time is approaching for the departure of Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard, and as the Month and year are drawing to a close, I avail myself now of the opportunity of writing to you by them, although it is yet uncertain when they will go, and still more uncertain how long it will be before they reach he United States. The British Government peremptorily refused negotiating for Peace with...
2118From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 26 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
A token of Love & Friendship .—What can be more acceptable to a mind of Sensibility?— Your every friendly Letter under date Decr 30th came safely to hand with its inclosure, within a few days after date, and would have been earlier acknowledged, but for intervening circumstances needless to relate.— I shall with pleasure wear the ring, as a valuable expression of your regard;—nor, will it be...
2119From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
Accept my thanks for your last favor, and the congratulations of myself and family on the return of a new year, may it come fraught with the best of blessings to my distinguished and respected frends. It finds me surrounded with all the comforts I have ever enjoyed except my dearest and best frend, the blank made by his absence seems to be particularly felt at the recurrence of noted days and...
2120From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
The day after I sent my last letter to you I received your interesting communication, most sincerely do I sympathize with Mr Adams and you this melancholy occasion, this is indeed a changing scene, a dying world, and I think the last six months has been a time of unusual mortality—your dear daughter we trust was made perfect through sufferings and is inheriting the promises, where sin and...
2121From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 9 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
We have this morning recieved your kind letter my dear Mother and I hasten to write you a few lines by a Vessel which I understand will sail immediately Mr. Adams is very well but so much engaged it will not be in his power to write by this opportunity having only notice of it late last night Mr Harrod is not yet arrived but is hourly expected—I shall be extremely happy to see him and shew...
2122From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 March 1818 (Adams Papers)
It is long since I wrote you in consequence of a very severe indisposition which confined me to my bed ten days and to my chamber more than a fortnight—The time thus passed of course afforded but little to relate and still less to interest—On Tuesday evening 10 of March I drank Tea with Mrs. Sergeant a most charming woman, the Wife of a member of Congress from Philadelphia—It was a social...
2123From William Stephens Smith to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed I send you a letter from my dear Caroline mentioning that my dear Mrs: Smith is getting better—It will give her great pleasure to have our Son John with her for a time— On Thurday last I dined at the Presidents and was honoured with the seat next to Mrs: Madison, who is a polite amiable elegant Lady, She entered on the Subject of Williams marriage and expressed herself very much in...
2124From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 10 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
My best thanks are due to you my dear Madam for the letter enclosing a Discourse delivered at the Interment of your good Brother & Sister. I read it with much satisfaction as it justly delineated the lives of those I always revered, & contained animating sentiments, which vivify the Eye of Faith, to look beyond this scene, where all who imitate their Christian virtues, will not only meet...
2125From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
Daily and incessant engagements for the last five weeks at the supreme court of the United-states, the term not being yet ended; together with the necessity for some time before it came on of getting ready for the important business which it was to devolve upon me, have long cut me off from the gratification and advantage which I never fail to derive from the correspondence of your venerable...
2126From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 February 1810 (Adams Papers)
I scarcely know when was the last time that I wrote to my Dear Sister, but this I can fully assure you that I have been every Day thinking of you, & yours, & wishing to communicate some of my thoughts to her, who is ever affectionately interested for her Friends; but so many things have intervened, to prevent my writing, that one day after another, has almost imperceptably passed away, “like a...
2127From William Smith Shaw to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Received of Abigail Adams in trust for my sister Abbe A Shaw thirty four dollars, which with three dollars 50 cents, paid by mrs Adams to mrs Foster, is in full for a quarters Rent of the Medford Farm, due in April MHi : Adams Papers.
2128From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 5 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
As I am not yet enabled to write the threatened long Letter to my father, I must replace it by the weekly short one to you. Last Sunday, Mr E. Brooks, Mr Bigelow, and a few others of our American Visitors, came out and dined with us—Two days afterwards Mr Brooks sent me your Letter of 2d. May enclosed, with Mr Norton’s funeral Sermon upon our venerable friend and kinsman Dr. Tufts; and a...
2129From Charles Francis Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
At Mr: Fishwick’s School, where I am, there are sixteen boys besides myself, and besides his two daughters, Charlotte and Eliza. We learn on Mondays and Fridays Russian; on Tuesdays and Thursdays German; and on Tuesday Morning, Drawing; on Wednesdays and Fridays, French, Every day English Spelling and Grammar. Writing every day except Saturdays and cyphering sometimes. On Saturdays in the...
2130From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
To tell you that I am exceedingly grieved , to hear that you have been very sick, would be to inform you, of what I am sure you already know. For, when three Sisters love each other, with such sincere affection, the One, does not experience Sorrow, Pain, or affliction of any kind, but the Others Heart wishes to relieve, & vibrates in tender Unison. Like a well organized musical Instrument, one...
2131From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 4 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
After so long a silence my dear mother I scarcely know how to address you without troubling you with complaints of your not writing. since July I have not received a line from you our solicitude and anxiety to hear from you adds terribly to the tediousness of our banishment and render my residence here almost insupportable— It is here confidently reported that Mr Adams is shortly to be removed...
2132From Dolley Payne Todd Madison to Abigail Smith Adams, 12 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your amiable and respected Husband has lately written a letter to Mr Madison, on a subject, in which he thought me interested, with so much delicacy and kindness, that I am about to present thro you, my grateful acknowledgments to him—and at the same time to assure him of my utter ignorance of the letter, to which he alludes. We were allways much acquainted with Mr Steele and his family, and...
2133From William Stephens Smith to Abigail Smith Adams, 13 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have your Letter of the 2d. inst. one from My dear Caroline of the 28th. of Febry. and one from my son John of the first and one from Mr. DeWint of the 2d. inst. all of which I have answered, the majority however goes by this post— The subject is highly interesting I have promptly answered Caroline, my Son and Mr. De Wint— I wrote a note to The Hon ble : Mr. Oakley a member in Congress from...
2134From William Stephens Smith to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I received your very affectionate Letter (dated the 20th. of August, post mark 2d inst.) on Wednesday; in my Letter of August 12th. I may have expressed myself with too much Solicitude and given my opinion too decidedly in Opposition to that of professional men—they will have liberallity , enough, to excuse me—I fully agree with you that it would be best, having advised with Surgeon’s and...
2135From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 October 1810 (Adams Papers)
St Petersburg Octbr. 23d We are now my dear Mother enjoying the delights of a violent Snow storm and I presume this will be the last opportunity of writing by Vessels sailing from hence to America our intercourse for some months will I fear be much interrupted I hope however you will write by opportunities to Hamburg or England as often as possible— Winter has returned and with it all the...
2136From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 5 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
your good grandchildren are just gone to repose in the arms of sweet Sleep, soothed by the consciousness of having endeavoured I trust to perform their duty to one of the best of Parents—I was so pleased with their coming to see us, that I could not bear to deprive myself of one moment of their company till they had retired to their bed—And now I embrace one moment, to assure you, of my...
2137From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 4 November 1807 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening I had the pleasure of receiving your favour of 25th: ulto: which contained the first information we had received from you or from our children since we left Boston—and for which we began to be very anxious. I am glad to hear that George is so well satisfied with his situation and promises so well—If the french Gentleman will allow him to chatter with him according to his own...
2138From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
A long interval without the receipt of letters from you, I have always found too sure an indication that when they come they would bring sorrows with them—I had been upwards of three months without receiving a line from Quincy when, on the 29th: of last Month I received together with several other letters and dispatches from Washington, but no others from Quincy your afflicting, but most kind...
2139From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 27 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
My Nephew and Secretary of Legation Mr J. A. Smith, upon his arrival here on the 10th. Instant, delivered to me your kind favours of the 30th. Septbr. and 23d October, the latter enclosing copies of two Letters of recommendation upon which you suppose he obtained the appointment. My sentiments upon this subject have not been concealed from you, but as the President has thought proper to place...
2140From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 11 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yes, my dear Friend—I am indeed the only one of my Father’s house who yet stands in this fading, precarious portion of existence.—Little did I think my excellent brother would be called before me, but the thread of my life has been drawn out until I stand a wonder unto all around me.—I hope it is to add another note of gratitude to that unbounded sum which is due to my Creator and Preserver.—...
2141From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
Although since I last wrote to my brother, on the 6th: instt: we have neither received a line from America, nor had an opportunity of transmitting a letter to any place from which it could be dispatched to you; yet remembering my engagement never to suffer a month to pass without writing at least once to you, and once to him, and perceiving that as it applies to you, I am within one day of a...
2142From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
Another month is drawing to a close, since I last wrote you, and I remain without a line from you or form any of my friends in America—The last Letters from you that I have received are dated in April of the last year. But as opportunities for writing to you, still occur, and at least as frequently as they did during the Winter Season before the War; and as the Americans who are returning home...
2143From Adelaide Hellen to Abigail Smith Adams, 1 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
How shall I sufficiently thank you My dear Mrs: Adams for your undeviating kindness in two of the Most mournful events of my past life the soothing consolation you offer my dear Madam is drawn from that source which is calculated to calm and resign our minds to those heart rending dispensations of Providence in which religion alone can support us. In reflecting on the melancholly deprivation I...
2144From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have just this moment returned from attending the funeral obsequies of the late general Moreau; which have been solemnized with suitable splendour at the Roman Catholic Church of this City. He died at Töplitz on the 2d. of September, of the wounds he had received before Dresden, the 17th. of August.—His Body was sent here by order of the Emperor Alexander, and has been buried with all the...
2145From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
You will now have no occasion to wish for more Snow, if at Quincy you are favoured with as much as we are in Atkinson—I find it adds much to the coldness of the Atmosphere, though it has made it better travelling—I hope I feel grateful to Heaven for preserving us as yet, in so much better health than we had in our family last winter— The spotted fever, I see by the papers, has again commenced...
2146From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
Decbr. 15 A Stormy and bousterous day a large party invited to dine being the first Diplomatic dinner nothing to be had and the expence enormous no visitors and no news 16 In much distress about my dinner a french Cook very drunk & every thing in confusion at 1/2 past four the company assembled consisting of Mr. & Mrs. Bagot Mr & Mrs. de Neuville Mr Tencate Mr. Glenham Mr Hughes Mr. Antrobus...
2147From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed is a copy of a letter, which was written near a Month, before an opportunity occurred of sending it, on its way to you—I am afraid that the delay will entirely defeat its object, and that it will be found impracticable to send out my two Sons to me the next Summer.—The river Neva is now again open, and I trust that in about six weeks or two Months opportunities for writing to you...
2148From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 10 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
With a mind sorely depressed by the late afflicting intelligence from America and the many additional circumstances which are hourly occurring to encrease the difficulties of my present situation and I feel almost incapacitated from writing even a few lines to thank you & my dear Sister Adams for the very tender and affectionate manner in which you broke to us the melancholy Tidings of our...
2149From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I had for several weeks been anticipating the pleasure I have recently received on the arrival of your Son.—I very well knew he could not come without a Letter for me from his good mother, which is always a cordial to my bosom.— A sublunary being indeed, I yet stand:—with animation sufficient to flatter myself with the enjoyment of again embracing the remnant of a few worthy friends who yet on...
2150From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 28 December 1806 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have had a line from a friend who for many years I have cordially loved, and have been grieved that in so many of them, the intercourse has been seldom.—It is true I have by me an excellent letter of yours which has lain too long unanswered;—but the great debility which has long afflicted my eyes has & still deprives me of the use of my own pen, nor is it easy to...