551From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 19 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour dated at Baltimore of April 28th, with the Letter inclosed for Mrs Adams, which I had an opportunity of immediatly forwarding by a vessel which saild last week for St Petersburgh I find by Letters from my Son, that those Letters which have gone by way of France have had the most speedy conveyance, and I regret that I have not oftener made use of it, altho they may be...
552From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Dr Eustice, for so he will be call’d altho now our minister to Holland, came yesterday to make us a visit, and to take leave, previous to his leaving America—he goes out in the Frigate Congress. he requested me to write by him. I replied, that I had written so frequently of late, that I had not any thing to add. he thought a Lady could never be at a loss. I should not neither, if I had...
553From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
The john Adams arrived last week at Nyork, with mr dallas and brought me your Letters, which have been missing, viz No 57. March 30th No 58 April 28th; No 59 May 12th and August 15th. No 62—I have before acknowledged No 60, June 30th, and upon the 21 of Sepbr 1814 I received your No 50, just the day year, upon which it was written. My numbers are now nearly compleat, your Letters are all...
554From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Captain Tracy is to Sail on Sunday in the Galen. our young Gentlemen are all flying abroad. Some upon buisness. Some from curiosity. those of the most respectable standing apply for Letters of introduction to you—Your Father has given Letters to mr Prescott, who goes first to the Brazills. he has also written to you, and the children by mr John Gray, who is a passenger in the Galen. An other...
555From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
The voice of the Nation call’s you home. the Government call you home—and your parents unite in the general call to this Summons. you must not, you cannot refuse your assent, nor will you, I presume have a disposition to regret so honorable an appointment, as is assignd to you; by so unanimous a vote— It is now more than four months Since the News papers from all parts of the united States,...
556From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 September 1814 to 25 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
upon the 26th of August; I wrote to you, and Sent my Letter to Newyork; to go in a dispatch vessel; I did not at that time know of the Humiliating, and disgracefull Catastrophy, which had befallen the City of Washington!! I have not language to describe my feelings, at the Torpor, which blinded the Government to a Sense of their danger, and their defenceless Situation. The Capitol is...
557From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
As you accused me last Evening, or rather Night with preventing the Ladies from writing to you; I apologized by saying that I had a Letter written to you at home,which was really the case. I made a Fairy visit to Washington last night, in which time I visited mrs Munroe, mrs Madison &c, and meeting you and mrs Adams in the street, in fine Health and Spirits, you accosted me as above—I was too...
558From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 21 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill the afternoon of yesterday that the post of Saturday reachd Quincy, and then it was the labour of an hundred Men to dig there way through. the high wind of yesterday has lowerd the Snow banks, and admits of some passing today and the South wind brings us the Ringing of your Bells, and the South Roar of the Cannon, from which we conclude that the Ratification of the Treaty has...
559From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 24 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill after Susan returnd last evening, that I received your Letter of Saturdays date, oweing to the Severity of the Storm, we neither got our Saturdays, Patriot, nor yet our Wednesdays altho we Sent to the office for it. accordingly I never Saw the extract; we never wanted to see the papers more than last week, and never were more dissappointed. the news of Peace seemd to distract...
When President Munroe was upon his Tour Surrounded by the Military, encompassed by Citizens, harased by invitations to parties—and applications innumerable for office—Some Gentleman asked him if he was not compleatly worn out with fatigue —to which he replied—o No—a little flattery will Support a man through great fatigue—I may apply the observation to myself and Say that the flattery in your...
561From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 15 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
I requested judge Cranch, when he returnd to washington, to apologize to you; for my not replying sooner, to your obligeing favour of Septr 17th. and to give you the reason for it; which was a very bad finger upon my Right hand, which prevented my holding a pen. altho the cause is not wholy removed, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of incloseing to you a Letter from our daughter: written at...
562From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 30 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Letters you forwarded to me, for Saint Petersburgh, I had an opportunity of Sending immediatly through the Russian Consul. mr Gray has a vessel which will Sail Soon, for the North, by which I can Send Letters, if you please to forward any. would their be any impropriety in inquiring, either of the Secretary of State, or Navy; if any vessel is orderd to petersburgh to bring home mr Adams?...
563From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 May 1818 (Adams Papers)
I think I once heard you Say—to make a thing choice it Should be rare. your kind Letter last Evening received—possesst both those qualities. The very Sight of your hand writing—addresd as formerly gave a Spring to my Spirits, and your Father Sprung from the settee to place himself by my Side, while I read it to him—I have foreborne writing to you, during the Session of Congress, being...
I received your Letter of March 2d which has increased my anxiety to hear again from you, for a series of misfortunes Seem to have clustered around you. pray inform me how mrs Frye her Husband and Children are? I scarcly expect to hear the last are living. what a Scene you had to pass through? I do not wonder you were Sick—That Erysipelas which has Several times troubled you, is a very...
565From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
our Neighbor mr Apthorp is going to Lisbon and I embrace this, as one of the best opportunities for conveying Letters to you through mr Beasley in England.I have written to you every Month, and sent my Letters to you through various channels. Some of my Letters will probably reach you, as they contain Such intelligence as has the most rapid wings. I mean those which convey melancholy truths,...
566From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 April 1812 (Adams Papers)
As Congress are going to lay an Embargo, of sixty days, the Bill having already past the House, all is hurry and Dispatch to get every vessel to Sea before it passes into a Law, in three days one hundred were cleard at the Single port of N york thirty from Boston. how many from Salem and the numerous ports in this state we have not yet learnt, how many of them will be permitted to return Safe;...
567From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter No 80 December 27th 1815 I have received—Since my last Letter to you, which I think was in Jan’ry, I then wrote to you, under an impression, that it would prove my Last. But it has pleased Heaven to keep me yet longer from the Skies—I cannot Say, but at times, I have felt a regreet, at being like to return again to the world—of which I have, more of a prospect, than for months...
568From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 23 February 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have been frozen up almost ever since I received your last kind Letter. such severe weather we have not experienced for many years. writing has been quite out of the question with me. To keep myself from quite congealing to a statue, I have kept close to the fire side, reading porters travelling sketches in Russia, and Sweeden. I could never have read them; feeling so much interested as at...
569From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your affectionate Letter of December 19th reach’d me a few days since, and found me and the rest of the family in good Health, and Spirits, blessing for which we ought to be truly thankfull. as all the Gifts of providence are enhanced and enjoyed with tenfold pleasure when attended by them, we can never so justly appreciate the blessing we enjoy, as when we are deprived of them. I was glad to...
570From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
Altho I have written to you, more than once since I have received a Letter from you, I know how gratefull it is, to absent Friends to hear from each other, especially when to learn, that they are living; can be added, the agreable circumstance of their being in health. with gratitude to Heaven, I can Say; I was brought low, but I am raised up. I have this week visited my Friends in Boston,...
571From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 9 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
After I returnd from your hospitable Mansion where the scenes of former days were pleasin g ly renewd I had the Subjects of contraversy between two ancient Friends and upon a review—I must Candedly Say that I judged both in the wrong, and am certain if personal intercourse from unavoidable circumstances had not been obstructed, neither party would so have judged, or so have written— I was can...
572From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill this morning that I received your Letter of December 5th No 79, just five months from the date. where it has been ever since, I know not. it came to me from Nyork, and had just arrived there. The subject of it, you will Remember by turning to your coppy. There is not any reasoning which can convince me, contrary to my Senses, that Three, is one, and one three. Is it possible...
I received your favour of Novbr 20th and rejoiced to learn that you reachd Washington in safety with your young Charge. it is an important undertaking to travel such a distance with so young a Baby, by land and by water, but you have been accustomed to it, and therefore feel less embarressd with it than others would be. the little fellow seems to be Born for deeds of greater hardihood than his...
I shall make one effort more; to convey a Letter to you, and that by sending it to Ghent, where I really wish you were. Mr Adams has been detaind there; so much longer than he expeced that I feel very anxious for you; and for Charles, much more so, since I have learnt that mr and mrs Smith have also left you. through mr. Adams, I have heard oftner from you, than when you were both at St...
575From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 8 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you a Letter yet, but I promissed you one, and I now have the pleasure of inclosing a Letter from your Brother Charles to you. I had a Letter from your Father dated in Sepbr th 11: the day after your Sister was Baptized. she was call’d Louisa Catharine, the Rev’d Dr Pitt, Chaplain to the English Church in St Petersburgh performed the Service, and mr Harris our Consul there...
576From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
Mr Gray had a vessel which Sailed last week direct for St Petersburgh. I was mortified that I did not know of it untill the day She went. Mr Grey is so much engaged in buisness that he does not always think of giveing his notice in Season when a vessel is going. as he wrote by the vessel, I fear you may think us neglegent. I wrote to you the week before by mr Jones who is going to Gottenburgh....
577From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 April 1808 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I wrote you, or rather since I sent a Letter, for an unfinished one has lain by so long that like an old Almanack it is out of date. The writing Spirit is not always present, and it is shy and coy. If you do not frequently solisit it, neglect is sure to be followed by indifference, and indifference by disgust; I need not any other prompter at present than the desire I...
578From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you upon the 14 of June, I knew that my Letter is gone upon a doubtfull journey; it had first to make its way through British Ships of the line & cruizers, to France, and then through a Country at war with Russia. it is almost a forlorn hope that it should ever reach you, unless if capturd; it Should meet with a Sir John & Sherbrook, who politely Sent s by a cartel from Halifax, a...
579From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Galen, Capt Tracy, is ready to sail, and by her I write you a few lines altho much in haste. to say that we are all well, and preparing your sons; to send to you, in the crew packet. Captain Branson for Liverpool; he is from Hingham, and well known by the Children, which renders it much more agreable to them, than going with a Stranger. I hoped to have heard from you again, before we sent...
580From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 24 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am not conscious that I have been deficient in a return to all the Letters you have written to me, and I now acknowledge your last, july 31st you have had a long vacation—I hope it has not all been Spent in amusement, and dissipation—you knew I used to wish you back to your School; when the vacation was only a fortnight. you sometimes used to think hard of it. you will not think so, when you...
581From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have now received all the Letters you have written to me, except No 4. up to No 8. altho they have not come regularly they have found their way, first or last, and in good order. No 6 I received a few days since, together with one for your Brother, one from your wife to mrs T B A, one from Willliam to his Mother, and one for Mrs Hellen, which I had the melancholy office of transmitting to...
582From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
your Letters of April 30th of May 28th of June 27th a duplicate, So faint a press coppy that but little of it could be read, and your originals of July 8th and August 10th have all safely arrived, the two last upon the 19th of this Month with Letters to your Father, of nearly the Same date, but which I find he has not acknowledged in his Letter to you of this Day. your last Letters gave us...
583From Abigail Smith Adams to E. Miller, 15 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Will you permit Listen to a Friend to your Reputation to your rising prospects, to your rising prospects, to your future pursuits and to the happiness of your family to tender you some advice, nor deem it an intrusion? It is a Subject of much delicacy which I scarcely know how to begin yet such is the partiality I have entertained for you from the amiableness of your manners and the good...
I received your very kind Letter, in which you take so great interest in my health, that I am bound to say much of myself in return; for I have profited by your admonitions and those of my other Friends.In the first place, I indulge myself in the morning, and seldom rise before the sun I use no more exercise than I think my health requires—altho I frequently hear, o do not go there, do not do...
585From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 28 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Cushing came last fryday to make me a visit, so that I have not been able to write a line She left me to day about noon, when I received a note from You with Carolines and mr Lymans Letter. it took us Some time and trouble to decypher it, but finally we made out to read & reread it. The president thinks it the best and most accurate account of the State of Literature & the Learned...
586From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
There are two vessels up, one for St Petersburgh & one for Gottenburgh. by both of which I propose to write. My last Letter was dated in Jan’ry No 1, and the last received, from you then, was of Sepb’r but yesterday Commodore Bainbridge arrived, and forwarded your Letters of October 2d a press coppy of No 25 not yet arrived, and an original of october, 24 & 25—No 26—your Father will write, and...
I have received your kind Letter of June the 7th, tho not by Mrs Perkins, for she has not yet arrived—I thank you for the information which it afforded me. your Letters are a treat from which I derive pleasure uncloyed—I can return you only the passing scenes of domestic and rural Life, interesting only for their connection with the Family Circle.— Two of your Neices, and my Granddaughters,...
Your Letter of July 9th was joyfully received by me, it was not untill your Letter arrived, that I had any certain knowledge where you were, altho I had presumed from mr Adams Letter of 19 March from Paris, that you might have reachd there, the day after your Sister Smith left it. It grieves me to Say to you, that she has, had a Severe trial and affliction since she arrived in America, in the...
589From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr Shaw sent me word yesterday, that a Gentleman of his acquaintance was going to Archangel, and would take a Letter to you, a voyage in the present precarious State of navigation is almost as visionary as that of Gonzales to the moon. I will not however omit writing to you, altho at a time, when a three months Embargo, and Mad Emperors and Kings, prevent all regular communications, this...
590From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
If I write you ten Letters, to one from you, Still I Should be your debtor, for one of yours is worth ten of mine, and one over— yet in Love, and affection, the account Shall be balanced—I Shall always recollect with a pleasure, which I cannot describe, the Sensation I felt, when mr Woodard returnd from Russia and came to see me. I know well his Father, and Family, but him I had never Seen...
I beleive I have written you only one Letter since the commencment of the present Year, and I have received only one from you, dated last June, now Eight months. if you do not write more frequently to your Friends in washington, which I hope you do: have we not all reason to complain of you? Little miss Louisa, allowd by all to be a very fine child, has no right to exclude her unknown Friends...
592From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, November 1809 (Adams Papers)
upon my return from Boston where I passt a few days I found your very agreable Letter of october 28th for which accept my thanks. it afforded me much entertainment. the contrast between the Simplicity of Republicanism and the plain the, and then Manners, contrasted with the Stile of magnificence you describe affords ample scope for reflection, not that I consider it improper or unfit that the...
593From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
upon looking over my list, I find that I have written to you a Letter every month, since october. my last Letter was in Janry 21st, written immediatly after receiving yours of Sepbr 21, informing me of the loss of your Dear Babe. I wrote to Mrs Adams at the Same time. the Letters went in a cartel to Liverpool, through the kindness of a Friend. Since that period I have not received a line from...
594From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 31 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
yours of July 21, I received by the last Mail I was just going to ask the cause of your long Silence, when your Letter arrived and fully explaind it to me. I regrret that it arose from so many painfull causes, but our Lot is a Checkerd one. I have had a Share of late my dear Sister, whose Life I despared when I wrote last to you, Still Survives, for some little time We flatterd ourselves that...
595From Abigail Smith Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 18 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
No further intelligence from our Children has yet reached us my Dear Madam, than a Letter from mr Gray to his Mother dated in March, in which he mentions that mr Adams has an inflamation in his Eyes,and had hurt one of his Legs. I have always had a fear for Eyes, one of which was threatned with a complaint which might call for Surgecal operation, the constant glare from ice and snow in so cold...
I have already written to you by this vessel. her sailing haveing been delayed, I have the opportunity of acknowledging your Letter dated in Jan’ry, The contents of which are so flattering & complimentary, that I know not how to replie to it.—In the days of my youth, Female Education was very little attended to, in this Country beyond reading, and writing, and Arithmatic. a few rare instances...
597From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
your Sons are well. your Parents are still living. your Brother is well— O my full Heart, shall I wish for Life for her who is releived from pain and Sufferings, which wring my heart with anguish, and was daily increased by the anticipation of Still greater Sufferings? No, I will bless the Being who had compassion for her: and who was pleased to take to the Arms of mercy as I fully beleive,...
598From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 9 March 1807 (Adams Papers)
To your kind and friendly Letter I fully designd an immediate replie, but a Severe attack of a rheumatick complaint in my Head has confined me to my Chamber for Several weeks and renderd me unable to hold a pen. tho recovering from it, my head Still feels crakd: Shatterd I am Sure it is—you will therefore pardon any inaccuracy I may commit. my Health which you so kindly inquire after, has been...
599From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter to you, was dated 17th of October 1814 which supposing the negotiation had ended in Sep’br I directed It to Saint Petersburgh, and Sent it to go by which ever way public dispatches went. I hope it will not travel further than Ghent, where by your Letter of 25th of october, yesterday received—I find you are yet. As it personally concerned us, I rejoice that you are so much nearer...
600From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
At Length after an intermission of Seven Months your Letters of June 21st arrived, in a swedish vessel call’d the Neptunus. mr Tilden was the bearer of them in 36 days from Liverpool I was most sincerely rejoiced to see again your hand writing, altho not a solitary line was addrest to me, it is the first instance of the kind which has occur’d since your absence Your Letter was for your...