101Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 24 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Captain Lyde is arrived and I have 3 Letters by him, one from Doctor Tufts one from Dr. Welch and one from Mrs. Storer. I will not accuse my dear sister because I know she must have written to me tho I have not yet received it. I know so well how many accidents may prevent for a long time the reception of Letters, that whilst I ask candour for myself, I am willing to extend it to others. I...
102Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 5 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
It is now the 5th of September, and I have been at this place more than a fortnight, but I have had so many Matters to arrange, and so much to attend to, since I left London, that I have scarcly touchd a pen. I am now vastly behind hand in many things which I could have wished to have written down and transmitted to my American Friends, some of which would have amused them: and others diverted...
103Abigail 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...
104Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 21 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of Feb’ry came safe to hand, and proved my assertion, that I was sure you had written to me tho it did not reach me by the post. As Letters are always Subject to inspection when put into the bag, it is not best to trust any thing improper for a News paper by that conveyance unless addrest to some merchant, which address prevents curiosity. In writing to you, I am not under...
105Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 12 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am again safe arrived in this city after an absence of five weeks. By the last vessels I wrote Some of my Friends that I was going to visit Holland. That I had a desire to see that Country you will not wonder at, as one of those Theatres upon which my Partner and fellow traveller had exhibited some of his most important actions, and renderd to his country lasting Blessing. It has been the...
106Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a pamphlet upon darying which when you have read, be so good as to give to Pheby provided she becomes my dairy woman, and be so good as to procure me the following List of Herbs & send me in small Bags Catnip mint penny Royal & Hysop. You will laugh I suppose, but I want them for my Voyage, & what I get here are good for very little. Catnip is an herb I never could find here. I have...
107Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, [before 18] October London 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have already written you a long letter giving you an account, of my journey, this must relate Chiefly to private affairs. your Letters by captain cushing and Folger came safe to hand. I thank you for your pleasing account of commencment, as well as for your care and attention to my sons, which it is unnecessary to solicit a continuance off because I am perfectly sure of it. I am sorry a...
108Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 30 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letters of July and August are before me. I thank you most sincerely for the particular manner in which you write; I go along with you, and take an interest in every transaction which concerns those I love. And I enjoy more pleasure from those imaginary Scenes, than I do from the drawing room at St. James’s. In one I feel my self your Friend and equal, in the other I know I am looked...
109Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 24 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
I know you will rejoice with me that all was happily over & mrs Smith safely abed before I reachd her She thought she should do as she did before, so told no one that she was unwell, untill mr Smiths mamma & sister could scarcly reach her, and a Negro Woman whom she has was obliged to officiate for her. happily she had on some former occasions assisted some of her own coulour, but all were...
110Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 25 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
After I had closed my letter to you of yesterday I went into the city four mils distant I am from St Pauls, beyond which the New England coffe House is; where I usually Send to inquire for our Boston Captains. I found the vessel was not yet gone. I went to a shop where I buy almost every thing in the Linnen Draper way and purchased a peice of linnen for Tommy, and some calico, which is done up...
111Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 16 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
If as the poet says, expectation makes the blessing sweet, your last Letter was peculiarly so, as you conjectured I was not a little anxious that neither Captain Barnard or Davis brought me a line. I was apprehensive that Something was the matter some imminent danger threatning some Friend, of which my Friends chose not to inform me untill thir fate was decided. I sent on board the Ship, the...
112Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 20 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since the Sailing of captain Folger by whom I wrote you, I have received Letters from you of the following dates, Sepbr 24 and 28th 8th 9 and 22 of october and November 18th. I cannot sufficiently thank you for the entertainment afforded me in them. Some accounts you give me respecting a certain family Shocked me. I should suppose that the peace and happiness of the family was totally...
113Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 7 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of November 6, I received the 4 of Jan’ry. I hope you have received my September Letters which were so unfortunate as to be put on Board a vessel which Mr. Tracy thought would convey them sooner than Lyde, but which I find had not reach’d you when you wrote me; by Mr. Jackson who left Paris in December I wrote 12 Letters which were to be put on Board Captain Young, one of the...
114Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 11 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
Captain Callihans delay gives me an other opportunity of writing you, tho I have nothing material to add, but that I have pleasd my fancy in a peice of chintz which I have sent to my Neices. when I first came to this country near 3 years ago I bought one for mrs smith & an other for myself like it. it wore so well, washt so nice, & lookd so pretty; that I have been frequently seeking the same...
115Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 2 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
Before Mr. Smith went away I had no opportunity to ask Master John a Question but in company. I find by his accounts that Some Letters are gone to America the contents of which should they come into your hands; I hope you will keep wholy to yourself. I own I am rather surprized at them, and I think I may rely upon your prudence, and all connected with you to keep them intirely to yourselves. I...
116Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 25 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Captain Davis called yesterday to let me know that he should sail in the course of the week. Captain Barnard will not be long after him, and I almost wish I was going to embark with him. I think I should not feel more anxious if I was in the midst of all the disturbances, than I do at this Distance, where Imagination is left at full Liberty. When Law and justice is laid prostrait who or what...
117Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 10 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
Since I have had any opportunity of conveyence to my dear Sister, I have received from her Letters of the following dates August 19 Sep br 23. & 30th october 21 & Nov br 14 th. the contents of which have variously affected me— The Scripture tells us that it is better to go to the House of mourning than the House of Feasting. to that I think I have oftener been calld through the progress of...
118Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
A mr Anstey who is appointed by the British Goverment to visit the different States; for the purpose of assertaining the claims of the Loyalists, is going out in the Newyork packet. He dinned here on twesday. His manners are much in his favour, he appears well bred sensible and modest, a real Gentleman in his appearence. He was so kind as to offer to take Letters for us. As mr Adams and col...
119Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 24 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
Captain Cushing is arrived. Mr Adams this day received Some letters by the post, and Nabby got one from her Aunt shaw and an other from her Brother. This was a little mortifying I own, not that others were happy, but that I was dissapointed, but I do not give over, some passenger has them I Say or else the vessel saild, and has left my Letters behind. Why I am Sure my Sister Cranch has written...
120Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
There is a Young Gentleman going from Passy in the pacquet for New York. His Name is Chaumont, the Son of a Gentleman whose Name is well known in America. I have met him once or twice at Dr. Franklin: whose next Neighbour he is, and he has once dinned here: the Ministers have intrusted him with publick dispatches of importance to Congress. He appears a modest agreeable Young Gentleman. He...
121Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
When I wrote you last, I was just going to Set out on a journey to the West of England. I promised you to visit mr Cranchs Friends and Relatives, this we did as I shall relate to you we were absent a month, and made a Tour of about six hundred Miles. the first place we made any stay at, was Winchester. There was formerly an Earl of Winchester, by the Name of Saar de Quincy. he was created Earl...
122Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your two Letters of May 7th and 15th reachd me yesterday, and I was puzzeld a long time to find out what you could mean by the card, till your Neice, now really Mrs Smith, said that She recollected winding the ribbon upon a card of invitation which happend to lie by her, from Mrs Smith of Clapham, a Lady I have mentiond formerly to you, whose Husband is a Member of Parliament. You was however...
123Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
To you I am largely indebted for domestick intelligence and many valuable Letters. I have not found a single opportunity of writing to you since captain Callihan saild, except by way of Newyork which I have improved but once least I should put you to expence. Col Smith wrote a few lines in my Name to Mr Cranch with a bundle of Newspapers which he said should go by a private hand. I did not...
124Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Can my dear sister realize that tis near eleven Months since I left her. To me it seems incredible, more like a dream than a reality. Yet it ought to appear the longest ten Months of my Life if I was to measure the time by the variety of objects which have occupied my attention. But amidst them all my Heart returns like the Dove of Noah and rest only in my native land. I never thought myself...
125Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 11 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have enjoyed very good Health ever since I came to London, untill ten days past. I had about a week since a small attack of the Fall disorder which I hoped I had got the better of. The next seizure was such a swiming in my Head when I laid down in the Bed, as to throw me almost into convulsions. It finally produced a violent puking which relieved me of that, tho I cannot say I feel well. You...
126Abigail Adams to Richard Cranch, 10 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed Sir I send you the Review of the defence of the American constitution, which if you please you may have published in the Boston papers, and an other pamphlet is inclosed; calld political Sketches, written by a mr Murry a young Gentleman from Maryland who is a student in the Temple. you will see that he has parts, and Genious, tho I think he has sometimes renderd his meaning obscure by...
127Abigail Adams to William Cranch, 23 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
Will you be so kind as to wait upon the Govenour early on monday morning with the inclosed cards and take an answer from him; which Brisler will call for on Monday at mr Fosters. if he has any objection to thursday, let it be fryday only I would wish for a decisive answer. if he agrees to the day proposed, then I would request the favour of you to go with the card to mr Brecks, but if the...
128Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Ellery Dana, 20 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Little my Dear Mrs. Dana did I think I should leave America without seeing you, but a slow fever, your absence and now a thousand thousand cares are like to deprive me of that pleasure. I must therefore submit to biding you adieu in this way. I am going to embark very soon upon the mighty waters. Never did I think I could have been persuaded to such an undertakeing unaccompanied with Husband...
129John Adams and Abigail Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 11 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Adams present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin and hope to have the Honour of his company to day at Dinner, with his Grandson Mr. Bache. They also beg the Favour of him to lend them the Assistance of one of his servants this morning if he can without Inconvenience as they are so unlucky as to have both their Men servants confined to their Chambers by very serious Sickness. RC in...
130To Benjamin Franklin from John and Abigail Adams, 11 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr and Mrs Adams present their Compliments to Dr Franklin and hope to have the Honour of his Company to day at Dinner, with his Grandson Mr Bache. They also beg the Favour of him to lend them the Assistance of one of his servants this morning if he can without Inconvenience as they are so unlucky as to have both their Men servants confined to their Chambers...
131Abigail 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...
132To Benjamin Franklin from Abigail Adams, 3 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library 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 arrising from a Carriage might be avoided— Addressed: To...
133Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received Letters dated about the middle of November from Mr. Adams, in which he was very urgent with me to come out early in Spring, if I declined a Winters voyage. Since that time I have not heard from him. Capt. Callihan will sail for London in April. My Friends advise me to take passage in him, but I cannot feel fully determined untill I hear from you. Your favour by Mr. Thaxter gave me...
134Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 15 October 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your obligeing favour was handed me from Mr. Guild, at a time when I was engaged in the Melancholy office, of attending the dieing Bed, of a dear, and venerable parent. I need ask no further excuse of you for omiting a speedy replie, and thanking you for your kind attention to me. Neither the contents of your Letter; or the extracts inclosed, were unexpected to me; from many of Mr. Adam’es...
135Abigail Adams to Hannah Storer Green, 28 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you my sons Letters, which you will be so kind as to return safe to me again; as they are very valuable to me. For a Lad of Sixteen they do credit to him. This you; who are a parent will permit me to say to you, nor charge upon me more than a maternal partiality in the observation. Mr. Green Spoke to me yesterday upon an affair in which Mr. Adams he says was formerly engaged. I...
136Enclosure: Description of Dutch Medal, 20 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Nymph of the city of utrecht is known by her crown and her Arms upon her Breast. By her side is the Alter of Liberty known by the Hat, and the date of the year from whence their Liberty commences. Upon the Alter are laid the roman Rods and Hachet. A Letter with three Seals designates the rights of the city and the three Members of the State. The Nymph holds it with the fingers of her Left...
137Abigail Adams to Thomas Brand Hollis, 5 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
There is something so disagreeable to one’s feelings in taking a final leave of our friends, and thinking that it is the last time we shall ever meet, that I avoided placing myself in that situation as much as possible. On this account I neither bid my worthy friends Dr. Price or Mr. Hollis adieu; for those two gentlemen I have the greatest esteem and regard, and regret the necessity which...
138Abigail Adams to Thomas Brand Hollis, 21 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
In my late visit to Holland I was present at the Grand ceremony of Swearing their New Elected Majestrates at Utrecht. I observed at the Breast of every soldier of the free choir, as they are term’d, a Medal. Curiosity led me to inquire the design of it, and upon viewing it I was so much gratified with it, that I got a Friend to procure me one, and I know not Sir to whom so properly to dedicate...
139Abigail Adams to Sarah Livingston Jay, 20 February 1789 (Adams Papers)
When I left your Hospitable mansion, I did not design so many days should have elapsed, before I had express’d to you the pleasing sense I entertaind of your kindness and Friendship. they have left a durable impression upon my mind, and an ardent desire to cultivate them in future. I reachd Home Ten days after I left Newyork. we had an agreeable journey, good Roads fine weather and tolerable...
140To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, with List of Purchases for Mary Jefferson, 10 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote you last I did not know that petit had taken places in the Stage and paid for them. This being the case I have represented it to your little daughter and endeavourd to prevail with her to consent to going at the time appointed. She says if I must go I will, but I cannot help crying so pray dont ask me to. I should have taken great pleasure in presenting her to you here, as you...
141Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I hope if the Marquiss de la Fayette is returned to Paris he may be able to give us some account of Colln. Smith for whom we are not a little anxious, having no intelligence from him since the begining of September when he wrote that he should tarry at Berlin till the reviews were over which would be by the 20th. of that month and then should make the utmost expedition to Paris where his stay...
142To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 23 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Trumble will have the honour of delivering this to you. The knowledge you have of him, and his own merit will ensure him a favourable reception. He has requested a Letter from me, and I would not refuse him, as it gives me an opportunity of paying my respects to a Gentleman for whom I entertain the highest esteem, and whose portrait dignifies a part of our room , tho it is but a poor...
143Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
If I had thought you would so soon have Sent for your dear little Girl, I should have been tempted to have kept her arrival here, from you a secret. I am really loth to part with her, and she last evening upon petit’s arrival, was thrown into all her former distresses, and bursting into Tears, told me it would be as hard to leave me, as it was her Aunt Epps. She has been so often deceived that...
144To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, with Enclosure, 6 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams has already written you that we arrived in London upon the 27 of May . We journey’d slowly and sometimes silently. I think I have somewhere met with the observation that nobody ever leaves paris but with a degree of tristeness. I own I was loth to leave my garden because I did not expect to find its place supplied. I was still more loth on account of the increasing pleasure, and...
145To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 6 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
If I had thought you would so soon have sent for your dear little Girl, I should have been tempted to have kept her arrival here, from you a secret. I am really loth to part with her, and she last evening upon Petit’s arrival, was thrown into all her former distresses, and bursting into Tears, told me it would be as hard to leave me as it was her Aunt Epps. She has been so often deceived that...
146Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson with a Memorandum of Purchases, 11 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Col. Humphries talks of leaving us on monday. It is with regret I assure you Sir that we part with him. His visit here has given us an opportunity of becomeing more acquainted with his real worth and merit, and our friendship for him has risen in proportion to our intimacy. The two American Secretaries of Legation would do honour to their Country placed in more distinguishd stations. Yet these...
147To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 26 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams being absent I replie to your Letter this day received, that Mr. Adams has written to you upon the subject you refer to. Our time here is short and pressing. Yet short as it is Mr. Adams is obliged to Set out on fryday for the Hague in order to take leave there. Owing wholy to the neglect of Congress in omitting to send him a Letter of recall, tho he particularly requested it of...
148Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I received by Col Franks Your obliging favour and am very sorry to find your wrist Still continues lame. I have known very Salutary effects produced by the use of British oil upon a spraind joint. I have Sent a Servant to See if I can procure some. You may rest assured that if it does no good: it will not do any injury. With regard to the Tumults in my Native state which you inquire about, I...
149Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Gentleman who is so kind as to convey this to you is from Carolina, his Name is Smith. He is a distant relation of mine, tho I have not the pleasure of much acquaintance with him. He has resided in England some time, and bears a Good Character here. Give me leave sir to introduce him to your notice. Mr. Short left us last twesday for the Hague, I did myself the honour of writing to you by...
150To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 11 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Humphries talks of leaving us on Monday. It is with regret, I assure you, Sir, that we part with him. His visit here has given us an opportunity of becoming more acquainted with his real worth and merit, and our friendship for him has risen in proportion to our intimacy. The two American Secretaries of Legation would do honor to their country placed in more distinguished stations. Yet...