1151Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 28 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received Your Letter of the 19 th . I think You have testified Your proportion of Respect in a handsome manner to the Memory of the good and virtuous Washington— that he ought to live in our Memories, and be transmitted to posterity as a Character truly worthy Imitation, is Right; but some Eulogyst have asscribed to him solely, what was the joint effort & concert of Many. to no one...
1152Abigail Adams to Hannah Carter Smith, 30 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have sent by Gen’ ll Lincoln the Little trunk You was so kind as to send my Gown in. I have put Several small articles in it, which are directed. you will please to send them as addrest— You will find a handerchief in one paper of which I request your acceptance I had it done up by a woman who clear Starches for me, as I think much depends upon the doing up fine Muslins— I hope it will get...
1153Abigail Adams to William Cranch, 4 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received by the post of Yesterday, Your kind favour of Jan ’ry 28 th and I am the more solicitious to reply immediatly to it, in order to rectify a mistake which mr shaw must have made, if he said, that I had determined never to go to Washington. So far from it, that I know not any thing, which would give me more pleasure than visiting that city, and Many Towns in its vicinity. Mr shaw may...
1154Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 4 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I cannot but lament that the cares and avocations of Your Family should so fully occupy your Time, as to deprive Your Friends of the pleasure of your Epistolarly communications.— a very excellent Letter to Your Son, did but add to my Regreets. that talents So usefull should be encumbered by the daily cares; and obstructed by the numerous calls of Your Family, that the fire of imagination...
1155Abigail Adams to William Smith, 5 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
Several of Your favours have come safe to hand for which I thank You. in Your last You Mention it probable that mr Strong will be Voted for as Govenour—a very good Man, who will be acceptable to every good Man, not devoted to Party, but to enable a Man who has not a fortune to spend in the public Service, and who has a large and increasing family to provide for, it will be necessary to enlarge...
1156Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr Sitgreaves has just call’d to let me know that he expects to embark for England in a day or two. I will not Suffer so direct a conveyance to escape me, without writing You a few lines Your Brother having written to you, will be my apology for not entering minutely into politicks. Since I wrote to you last, which was by way of Hamburgh, I have received Your Letter dated Dresden Sep’ br 17 th...
1157Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 21 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I take this opportunity by dr Morse to inclose to you two Hundred dollors towards the building; as soon in March as it can be framed and raised I wish to have it begun upon, and as many hands employd as can be usefully. I do not want to have any part of it, to do after the Presidents return. Congress talk of rising in April, tho I do not myself expect that they will so soon I hope Myself to be...
1158Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 27 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not written to you since I received your Letter giving me an account of the ordination, the fatigues of which I should have been glad to have shared with you, and I could not but blame myself, that I did not write to request mrs Porter to have opend our House, and Stables, and to have accomodated as Many persons as they could; it is now happily over and I congratulate the Town in having...
1159Abigail Adams to William Smith, 3 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received on saturday Your kind favour of Feb’ ry accept My thanks for the orations. I send you in return Major Jacksons, which was very handsomely deliverd, and is as highly spoken of as any amongst the Multitude. I think it will not lose by a comparison with any which I have read, and I already have enough for a vol’ m . Messengers is the Wildest Raphosody of any I do not esteem the whole;...
1160Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 5 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter of Feb ry 23. and was glad to learn that you were well, for from not hearing from you from the time of ordination I was fearfull that the fatigue had made You sick. we have now arrived to the 5 th of March with a small quantity of snow upon the ground and the weather mild. with You I suppose there is much more; Congress might easily accomplish the buisness necessary for...
1161Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 6 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you intending to Send the Letter by mr Dexter, but found he was gone. I therefore committed it to the post under cover to mr smith as the Letter had 200 dollors in it. be so good as to inform me by mrs Cranch when it reaches you I received Yesterday yours of Feb’ ry 25 th. I think the sooner the Building is begun the better and as Many hands employd as can be usefull in forwarding...
1162Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 9 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
James got home safe though covered over with mud and dirt, horses and carriage up to their very ears. He got home about 4 oclock on friday. You were led into a sad mistake by Mr Bayard respecting the roads. I traveled them once in a similar state, and therefore have a greater dread of them. I told some members of Congress, that as they were not very usefully employed at present, in order to...
1163Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 13 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter with those inclosed from Berlin. I thank You for the entertainment which they have afforded me. those for Berlin arrived at a very fortunate time. I gave them with Some, which I had written, to the Prussian Consul who is returning immediatly to Berlin and who promissed to deliver them himself— I have delayed sooner replying to your Letter, that I Might have it in my...
1164Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I find the best time for writing, is to rise about an hour earlier than the rest of the family; go into the Presidents Room, and apply myself to my pen. now the weather grows warmer I can do it. His Room in which I now write has three larg windows to the south. the sun visits it with his earliest beams at the East window, and Cheers it the whole day in winter. all my keeping Rooms are North,...
1165Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 15 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
Last Sunday the tenth, we had a deep snow here and as I know we usually have our proportion at the Eastward I fear it has obstructed the commencment of our Building, but at present the weather here is very Moderate; I hope, equally so with You. I wrote to you inclosing two Hundred Dollors under cover to mr Smith of Boston. you will inform me whether it got Safe to hand the President says if...
1166Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 22 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter yesterday. I know from what I Saw and heard whilst I was at home that there was pains taken to make Mr & Mrs Porter uneasy, and that they were too apt to listen to stories which were in themselves Idle, and [ra]ised from Envy. many would be glad to get into their hands such a charge as is left with mr & Mrs Porter, who would not be so honest in their care and attention...
1167Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 22 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yours yesterday. it should have been two Days earlier, but the Roads are at the worst, and we have now had two Days heavey rain; which upon our Soil will Settle them, but from hence to N york renders them ten fold worse— in replie to your queries, Brisler says that he & mr Bates drew the plan before he came away, and that the cellar must be his guide, that the plan was, to have the...
1168Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 4 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Your obliging favour dated march 28 th upon the 2 of this Month. it gave me great pleasure to learn that you had such fine Roads and agreable weather for Your journey I was daily rejoicing in it; for I was the more attentive to it upon your account. I knew not where you had taken up Your residence, or I should have written to you. I found you from my Sister that you had not past...
1169Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 4 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received yours of the 26 th of March with respect to m r Porter I should be loth to part with him for the Sake of a few dollors, and as he has been upon the place so long, & is accustomed to it, and I have great confidence in his & Mrs Porters Honesty and integrity, I will consent to give him that sum for Seven Months, but pray that to avoid envy, he would keep the terms to...
1170Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 7 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday mr Johnson and his Mamma arrived here, in good Health. by her I heard from mr & Mrs Cranch. she poor thing has had a mishap. I rather think it good than ill luck however for, it is Sad slavery to have children as fast as she has. she has recoverd tho she is thin & weak. your son is rising Rising in his own estimation, which was the place where he most wanted it. he plead a cause,...
1171Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received a few lines from You Yesterday. in replie to mr Bates queries, I would have the Room above finishd off the same Size with the lower Room, the North clossets to remain in the Room and chamber, the stairs to be one flight, a portico with a flat Top which I would have leaded, and a smilar one built over the front door of the House, the two trees cut down, but I do not wish to have the...
1172Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 16 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received two Charming Letters from my much loved sister since my last to her. they demand from me a More minute reply than my time will allow, being unwilling to leave a visitor who has been with me for a week past, Mrs Johnson & Son from Georgetown, the Mother and Brother of My Dear absent Sons Louissa, tho formerly known to me as a visitor an acquaintance merly , without any...
1173Abigail Adams to Anna Greenleaf Cranch, 17 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have experienced very great anxiety for several days past upon mr Cranch account. mr Johnson in a Letter to mrs Johnson informd her that Mr Cranch had returnd very ill from court and that his disorder was the Billious Cholic, and that the Children were also sick; I pray you to inform me by the next post if possible how mr Cranch and the Children are. I wish my dear Neice that I was near...
1174Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 19 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yesterday Yours of April 11th. I wrote to you upon the 17th and inclosed You an order upon the Bank for 5000 Dols You will be so good as to give me the earliest information of Your having received it. I rejoice to learn that the building is like to go on with dispatch and hope it will not take up so Much time as to make it necessary to have Carpenters after the last of May. Mrs...
1175Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 24 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
It is with great pleasure my dear sister that I can say to you, Your Son has recoverd from a Dangerous complaint which threw us all here into great Distress and anxiety upon his account. he returnd from court sick. it proved to be a Billious Cholic. mr Johnson wrote Mrs Johnson that he had been to see him, but that he was so ill that he could not be seen. the Children too were all Sick, and...
1176Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
By a vessel going to Liverpool I write You a few line’s with the hope that the communication may be now open, for no Letters have been received from You of a later date than Nov’ br I have written to You several times since I came to this city, and Your Brother oftner— I have the pleasure to acquaint You that we have all enjoyd our Healths this winter. my own is better than for several years...
1177Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 27 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much engaged that I have not been able to get time to write you a line this week. I have paid four visits to the Secretarie’s ladies, and took tea with them, and one to Mrs Senator Read, all of which you know by experience takes up time. we had on thursday 14 couple of young ladies and gentlemen to dine, Bingham, Hares, Whites, Wilsons, Peter’s, Rush’s, Pinckney’s, Breck’s,...
1178Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 30 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yours of the 22 d Yesterday. I have already written You that the President and I are both well Satisfied with what you have done respecting help— I forwarded to you the Ways , and Means in a Letter of April 17 th the receit of which I wish to learn as soon as possible. I have never lost any thing by post, and hope that what I then inclosed went safe— a vessel is now here going to...
1179Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 3 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I think You have been exercised in Deeds of Charity to that poor forlorn Man who would once have said, is thy Servant a Dog, that he should become a living prey to worms, or what is worse? He is a most striking instance of Indolence; and having no stimulous to action! none of those tender endearing ties of wife, child, sister, or Brother.— Indolence created first an apathy—and apathy crept on...
1180Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 4 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you for several days, you will easily suppose my time much occupied by having Mrs Johnson, & now our Boston friends here and making preparation to go away. Mrs Johnson will go tomorrow or Tuesday. Mrs Smith on Friday. Thursday will be my last public dinner. Mr & Mrs Stevens can tell you what a crow’d we had on friday evening. The rooms and entry were full, and so hot as to...
1181Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 5 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
after I had closed my Letter Yesterday, I received Yours of the 28th. the Garden seeds are in a small Wooden Box in the garret Chamber over the best Chamber, made for the purpose of Securing them from the mice. the Box is locked and Mrs Porter has the Key, tho she may have forgotten it, it is a long Box unpainted I should like much to have a passage to the Kitchin from the entry; my intention...
1182Abigail 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...
1183Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr Smith called upon me a few moments this forenoon & brought me your letter of May 9 th: . I received the former in due order. General Marshall is nominated Secretary of State, Mr Dexter Secretary of War in lieu of General Marshall promoted, further I say not, sensations of various kinds will undoubtedly be felt and many reflections no doubt be cast, yet so it is. You know the resolution has...
1184Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
We are still without Letters from You. the Secretary of State received one dated in December; but no private Letter has reached any of your Family of a later Date than early in Nov’ br , now six Months. I have noticed by the last English papers that many Mails were due from Hamburgh. I fear that Letters from You have been intercepted, or stoped. I have written to You a Number of times since I...
1185Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 18 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
you judged right My Dear Madam, I do most sincerely rejoice in your prosperity and returning happiness, which to my frequent Sorrow, I saw often overshadowd by an anxious and distressed mind during your late visit; it was a silent unobtruding grief which renderd it the more affecting; nor were the gratefull feelings of Your Heart less intresting, upon an occasion which gave more pleasure to...
1186Abigail Adams to Samuel B. Malcom, 18 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yesterday your kind and Friendly Letter for which accept my thanks. the interest you have taken from the best of motives in what you conceive to be the happiness and prosperity of the Country is deserving well of it. when plans were so deeply lade so deliberately carried into Execution, names so well known & so dear to very many of the inhabitants of your state & city, Men whom they...
1187Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The rain comeing on the morning I left Bristol, I reachd Vantilburys about noon & remaind there untill Yesterday Mor’g when I procceeded to Brunswick. Soon after I got there the col & Major Ripley arrived, and informd me that Mrs smith would expect me to dinner. we accordingly sit out and got here about 2 oclock. the col was not able to be absent as Gen’ ll Hamilton was on his way to Camp—and...
1188Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I reachd this city in good Health last Evening I have not felt dissagreable at any place upon my Journey through absence of any Gentleman attendent, except at this North River I found a Boat just going off. with several Horses and chaises on Board, my own Carriage could not go. I saw none but Irishmen by their Tongues going on Board, decent looking people however. the ferryman appeard civil...
1189Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
detained here by a cold North East rain, I write to inform You I am thus far on My journey to Quincy 100 44 miles from Philadelphia which I left this Day week in the afternoon; I tarried one day in Nyork and have taken Little susan on with me— I went to the incampment upon scotch plains and lodged one night in the col’s Log House, which I found quite a comfortable habitation. Mrs smith was...
1190Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr Gore came out this afternoon to see me; and informd me that Mr Dexter proposed to sit out tomorrow for Washington. by him I embrace the earliest opportunity of informing you of my safe arrival at Quincy on Saturday the last Day of May; in good health tho Something fatigued I got on very well, met with no accident, Horses all in good order. I found our Friends here well. the Hill looks very...
1191Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not taken my pen to write you a line before since my return, tho I have daily intended it. You know I Must necessarily have many avocations upon first comeing home, beside the constant interruptions from company; I was happy to learn as I did a few days since by Your Letter of June the 1 st that You had returnd in safety to the city improved in health. God grant that it May be continued...
1192Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
On the 23 d of June I wrote You a Letter, and one to your Father, addressing it to him in Philadelphia, and in his absence to be opened by You. I was much mortified to find it returnd again to Quincy, not So much for what it containd, as the appearence of my having neglected to write to you; Your last Letter found me upon a bed of sickness wholy unable to write. the Hot weather brought on a...
1193Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 18 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Your kind Letter by mr Peabody and thank You most Sincerely for it; I did not know that You had been so very sick untill I saw a Letter from You to mrs Foster: You my Dear sister certainly take too great a charge upon you; I know that You delight in doing good, and communicating, that as our good Father used to Say, he had rather be worn out, than rust out; but your constitution is...
1194Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not written to You since I received Yours of the 19th, and that of the 20th by Your Friends. I was from Home when they came up and deliverd your Letters, but your Father saw them, and invited them to dine with us on twesday last, which they did. I found them agreable young Men, and your Friends think they trace a likeness of Your person in mr Neal they profess to be much pleased with...
1195Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 20 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have been determined for Several weeks to write to You, but one avocation after an other, has calld of my attention and prevented me. I was seizd with a voilent fever soon after my return, and confined to my bed during the absence of the President. he found me upon his return confined to my Chamber, and unable to leave it for some time.— Since my recovery I have enjoyd better Health, and...
1196Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not written You a line my dear son Since I returnd to this place, now three Months; I felt almost discouraged from writing, by not having received a line from You, for a very long period of time. Yours of Feb ry 18 th at last reachd me in the month of july, and two days Since I received your favour of May 25 th , for which accept my fervent thanks. the 17 of the present Month will...
1197Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 6 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter by Mr Rogers did not reach Me untill the last week. The Crisis which I have long apprehended is arrived and brought with it the Misiry I foresaw, but could not avert. all that intreaties, and pursuation could affect, I have attempted. 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...
1198Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 26 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yours of Sep’ br 18 th . I have Melancholy intelligence to communicate to you respecting poor B Adams. last week of an Evening he had put a Horse into a Waggon for the purpose of conveying three quarters of Beaf to a Neighbours. the Horse was restiff, and he gave him a whip upon which he started, threw him down, and the wheel went over one Side of his face so as to break the jaw...
1199Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
First I would inform You that B Adams is we hope out of Danger; his reason is returnd pretty clearly. he is not Yet permitted to leave his Chamber— I congratulate the Philadelphians that they have this Year escaped the Pestilence. it is now so late in the Season that I hope they may wholy escape Since I was first an inhabitant of this place I never knew it So sickly as it has been this summer....
1200Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter inclosing the one from Your Brother— I do not find the extract you mention in Wayne Paper. I would have had it inserted in J Russels before I leave here, but that I know not how it may be introduced in the U S Gazet, and it would not be proper they should clash but if there is any hesitation upon the subject in Philadelphia, there will not be any here. I well remember...