101From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I write to you, altho it is really with the hope that you may not receive my Letter. I would fain believe that you will be upon Your passage Home long before this can arrive in St Petersburgh, but as there is a possibility that you may Yet be there, I would not omit informing you of the health of your parents and Children, nor of their anxious desire to see you again Safe in your Native...
102From 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...
103From 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...
104From 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...
105From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
"String after String, is severed from the Heart" The parting with my dear Boys the final parting, as I consider it, has excited the tenderest emotions of my Heart. I have Struggled to bring my mind to the test of reason, to that which was fittest and best. providence at this interesting period has Seen fit, to try me, by a Still Severer Stroke—by the Sudden and unexpected death of my dear and...
106From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
The vessels which I have already written by have been detaind: by contrary winds, and give me an opportunity of adding a few more lines. Your Father has also written to you, and as according to Deans Swifts practise, he usually Submits his Letters to the inspection of the Old Lady, for her approbation, or dissent, altho he will not always alter. In a Letter written this morning, more from...
107From 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,...
108From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
I again take my pen, not to find any fault with you, that I do not hear from you, because I know that many Letters must be upon the wings of the wind, written by you, for me. I have only to regret, that they are so slow, to satisfy my earnest desire to hear from you; I have been made joyfull by learning that your sons had a fine passage, and arrived safe; and I see by the papers mention made...
109From 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...
110From 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...
111From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
I must begin my Letter by wishing you and yours, many returns of the Season, as pleasent, as delightfull as the present for the winter hitherto has been as mild, as the Summer was cold. “Sterne Says, God tempers the wind to the Shorn Lamb” and the winter as yet; has been temperd to the wants, and necessities of the people: altho their Herbage was cut off, and the Herds in their stalls will be...
112From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
Having been attacked this morning with a dangerous Complaint, I have requested Louisa to write you a few lines enclosing a Note, The disposition of which, I wrote you my request, in my last Letter dated December 1815—which Letter, and note, I deliver to Louisa Smith—to keep untill your return— MHi : Adams Papers.
113From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
This day compleats five weeks since my dear Boys embarked for Liverpool, and now I anticipate their arrival and your, and their Mothers joy at the prospect of meeting them. if it is equal to the pain I felt at parting with them, I can wish you no greater enjoyment. My Reason and judgment, both approved of their going to you, for they were approaching an Age, when more vigilance was necesary,...
114From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
I was most unfortnate in not hearing, untill two Days before the Cartel from N york sailed, that there was one orderd by Goverment to take Mr Strong the consul to Sweeden, as a Special messenger. he was first to proceed to England with his dispatches for the Brtish Minister; and then immediatly to St Petersburgh. I sent my Letters to go by him, to John Smith at N york; one half hour before the...
115From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
Peace with Algiers, Peace with Algiers did peace ever make a Great Man? Tis war that makes the Hero! This is the Speach of the Moor in Schillers Robbers only substituting Germany for Algiers, but has not the Sentiment a foundation in the Nature of man? but good dr Tillison says, that man is not naturally the Enemy of Man,—from whence then came wars and fightings? the divines will tell us, that...
116From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
As I had made up my mind to Submit to the unpleasent circumstances attendent upon distance, and the frozen Region which not only excludes light, but seals up all communication with each other. I was the more delighted to receive your Letter of October 25th A day auspicious to me, altho in your Letter you do not notice it. The Aniversary of the day, which united me to your Father, and the 47th...
117From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 9 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I this day received your Letter No 75 24th August by way of Newyork—Your Father had received one of a later date 31 August, in which you mention this to me.—I have written to you, and to Mrs Adams and the Children by Mr Smith, who saild from Nyork the begining of the Month, in the Minerva for Liverpool I thank you for the minute, and particular account you have given me of your Labours, and...
118From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
your Letter of Nov’br 7th allarmd me when I opend it, and Saw that it was in the hand writing of mrs Adams, and I read with trembling—while I rejoice that you have So able a Substitute, I cannot but regret the occasion for it—your hand may be restored to its use again, but your Eyes have reason to complain that you have used them too hardly. in this instance only—have you been a hard master to...
119From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
yesterdays Mail brought us the Nomination s to foreign Courts, yours of course, was to England. altho no event could have been so agreable to me, as your return to America. I feel a relief that that you have left the cold region of the North; and come so much nearer to me, where I can hope, with the return of peace, a freer intercourse with you, the only solace left me, to compensate for your...
120From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
Upon this day solemnized to me, by the anniversary of the death of my beloved Sister, and by the recent event of yesterday, which has cut off an other Relative from the Parent Stock, by the death of our Friend mr William Smith. my mind is so much affected, that I shall feel a releif in communicating my feelings.—I am still living, lingering upon the confines, of the Grave, where e’er this day,...
121From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
Seeing in the paper of yesterday, that a vessel call’d the Thorne of New York, was to Sail on the 5th of the Month from Elizabeth city, for St Petersburgh, and to stop at Gottenburgh, I have embraced the opportunity to write to you, altho my notice is So short. to inform you that we are all well. including your sons in this number, who are now here, at their Spring vacation. I have directed...
122From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
This Anniversary is So well known to you, that you will not wonder; that it always returns with a Solemn knell to me. how many of these days in a year have we to call to remembrance, when Some Root, or Branch has been Severd from us? and now one of the third generation is added to the number. Catharine has lost her Daughter with the Measles. both Parents are much afflicted. I wished to have...
123From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 November 1816 (Adams Papers)
I think I will not give to any passenger any Letters, unless a Letter of introduction, for however urgent they are to be charged with them, I find frequently that they lay months before they are deliverd. If my Letters cannot have the Novelty of youth to recommend them, They will lose their most valuable quality, and be very dull in their old Age—like a twice told tale, and very like, better...
124From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter, was written last week, and addrest to mrs Adams, by the Amsterdam packet, which sail’d for Liverpool. it is now your turn, and I embrace the opportunity of introducing to you, a young Gentleman who was named for you, and whom you must recollect, as the Son of our Good Friends, dr and mrs Welch—he wishes to see you, and the Children, during the Short stay he will make in...
125From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 January 1812 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that I can begin the new year without a Repetition of any mournfull, or afflictive Family dispensation, and that I can congratulate you of upon the Life of your Father, and his continued Health, upon that also of your Sons, your Brother, and upon the restoration of your Sister, and last of all that I am still enabled to hold a pen & can write to you, altho frequently assaild by...
126From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Mr Depand has sent his Clerk here this Evening, to say that he would sail tomorrow in the Milo, captain Glover of this Town. the notice is short, and I should regret it the more if I had not already written to you by this same vessel. I have acknowledgd the receit of your Letters No 66, 23 Nov’br not first received, than of 26 of December No 67, and this day by way of England, your Letter of...
127From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 August 1814 (Adams Papers)
Hearing that a vessel was fitting out of Nyork to carry dispatches from government, I venture to write a few lines, altho I know not where you are, not having received a line from you of a later date than Febry last, as you will no doubt receive every information from the Secretary of State, of the situation of our Country, of the dangers which surround it, the determination of all parties to...
128From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
I would not come to Town to day because I knew I should only add to yours, and my own agony, my Heart is with you, my prayers and blessing attend you, the dear Children you have left, will be dearer to me for the absence of their parents, and my care whilst, Providence continues to me my faculties, and my Life. If your Father and I Should be removed, they cannot fail of finding Friends and...
129From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
By mr william Appleton going to England in a Russian Ship I embrace the opportunity of writing to you, and of acknowledging the receipt of your Letters No 52 october 25 of Novbr 19th No 53. and of Febry 1st No 56—for all of which you have my thanks—your Father has also received your Letters of Sepbr 3d No 26. of october 15 No 27 Novbr 13 No 28. which I hope he will acknowledge by this...
130From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
You will no doubt receive from the President of the United States permission to return home, as he has been pleased to appoint you to an important office in the judiciary of the United States. the unanimous approbation of the Senate, and the Satisfaction which all parties unite in expressing must weigh in your mind powerfully. From What ever motives this general consent arrises, it proves,...
131From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
My consolation is, that you cannot go “ where universal love smiles not around Sustaining all yon orbs, and all their Suns From seeming evil still educing good” your Mothers Legacy May a blessing accompany it— MHi : Adams Papers.
I congratulate you upon your safe arrival in the cold Regions of the North: to which I hope your constitution will get enured: you must borrow the ermin from the inhabitants of the forests, and wrap yourself in the furs which Nature has amply provided in those cold climates. How does my dear Boy Charles? I have learnt by way of young Mr Grey, that he was quite an amusement to them upon the...
This is the last day of Sep’br, and the month is thus far expended, without my addressing a line to you in reply to your Letter of June 27th. I have now Seizd my pen, that the Swift winged hours, may no longer leave me your Debtor. By your Letter I learn that Mars and Belona, have quitted the Stage, to give place to Venus and Cupid, and the Loud Clangor of Arms, is lulled into a soft Hymanal...
do not think that I have not participated in your Joy, upon the Birth of your daughter, because I have not sooner congratulated you upon the event. Let it be to you cause of gratitude and thankfulness that you have reason to sing of Mercies, as you have abundent occasion to do, for The lives and Health of your two sons whom you left under the care and patronage of two of the best of Friends....
135From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I never know how to let a vessel go from Boston, without a Letter to Some of the Family. I have just written by the Mary, for Liverpool, but as a Gentleman calld yesterday to request Letters, I have given him one, for my Son, and one for mr Smith. this I have directed to be put in the Bag, as it incloses one from your Sister Hellen, which She Sent one for you— Mr Brooks has taken charge of the...
How shall I address a Letter to you, how share and participate in your Grief without opening affresh the wound which time may in some measure have healed? distance excluded me from knowing Your distress, or shareing your Sorrows, at the time when you most needed consolation but neither time, or distance has banishd from my Bosom, that Sympathy which alltho, Billows rise; and oceans Roll...
I attempted to write to you, by Captain Bronson in Jan’ry but my strength failed me, and I have been ever since, in so low, and debilitated a state of Health, as to despair of ever recovering strength again, but for the last ten days, I have gained some, and my physician, encourages me, that I shall be benefitted by the returning Spring. I have not had any disease, such as fever, cough, or...
I this day received a Letter from my son dated october 21 from constradt—we had heard three weeks before of your arrival there by a vessel which came in to Salem, I rejoice that you are once more released from old ocean, and that you were so near the place of your destination. your voyage has been long and tedious. I hope you will experience Friendship and hospitality altho in so frozen a...
139From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
I Sit down to write to my dear daughter, almost without a hope, or wish that She Should receive it at St. Petersburgh. for as Letters are usually, more than three Months reaching the place of their destination—I hope you will have Embarked for America, before that period. it admits however of a possibility, that you may not, and in that case, a Letter will be welcome which communicates to you,...
It was with great pleasure that I received and read your Letter of August 6th from Ealing, and it communicated to me a double portion of delight, as it appeard to be the emanation of a mind more at ease, than you experienced in that cold dark region of Russia—Altho the climate of G Britain is much more humid than that of America, and you can never as the proverb, says praise a fair day, untill...
141From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 March 1810 (Adams Papers)
your Letter from St petersburgh of october 28th I received the last week, four Months after the date; it was quite as soon as I expected to hear considering the season of the year. I rejoiced to learn that you were safe from the dangers of the Sea, and had reached the City of your residence in health, after the fatigues, and dangers of so long a voyage. difficulties you will no doubt encounter...
142From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Altho I have not the pleasure to acknowledg any Letter from you of a more recent date, than one by mr Forbes of Sep’ber last, which I only received a few days since, I will thank you for that, and am happy that I can congratulate you, upon a change in the aspect of our National affairs since that date, when they appeard to us in America; in not much less of a gloomy cast than to you in St...
143From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 9 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
It was with great pleasure, that I received your Letter from St. Petersburgh, bearing date july the 10th 1814 forwarded by mr Smith and your Sister, who from a combination of circumstances were detaind abroad: untill the 2d of May 1815 when they happily arrived in N york—bringing with them the pleasing, intelligence that you had reach’d Paris—the day after they left it— I cannot describe to...
144From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge your obligeing Letter of June the 18th, and to thank you for the communications—our News papers had previously announced the presentation of mrs Adams at the Queens drawing Room, and copied from the morning Chronical, the distinguishd elegance and taste of her dress. This has Set the wits of all our Bells to work, to find out what Lama triming is, that Elegant article not...
145From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 20 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
As I hope you are now in a Situation both to receive Letters, and write them with more Security that they will reach their destination. I flatter myself that I Shall hear oftner from you. By the Amsterdam packet which is to Sail on Sunday, I Shall endeavour to Send this Letter, and as I have lately written by an other vessel to my Son, I Shall address this to you, to congratulate you, as I...
Scarcly a week has past, for these two Months in which I have not written either to my Son, or to you, but our Letters are not only committed to the Chance, of winds and waves, which may Scatter them like the leaves of the Sibyls, but they have many other hazards to run, through the Dens of Cyclopes, and the fangs of the Harpies. I write this to Send you by the Ship Hugh Johnston, Captain...
I have to acknowledge a very tender and affectionate Letter from you, bearing date 8th Janry 1814, which I received only a few days since.—Sympathy from those we Love, when affliction assail us, is balm to the Bleading Bosom, and assuages the wound it cannot heal, and which is opened affresh. "when Memory with busy art will o’er the heart Strings play wake tender strains, tho full of smart Nor...
I address you, altho I know not where to find you, which is, and has been a source of much anxiety to me, four months have elapsed since the signature of the Treaty of Peace; when mr Adams wrote from Ghent, that in ten day’s, he should go to Paris, and from thence, send on to St petersburgh, to request you to join him there, and if he should, (as was expected,) be sent to England, that your...
The season was so far advanced, and several vessels had arrived from the North without Letters, that I had given up the Idea of hearing again from you, untill Spring—your Letter was therefore doubly acceptable to me. I wrote to you a few days previous to the receipt of your Letter of 23d of october, and Sent it on, to Newyork to go by our Special Minister to Denmark— Altho I regret that you...
I am indebted to you for several very entertaining Letters, while I have not any thing in return to amuse you with. Some marriages amongst the young folk are taking place, miss E Gerry last week to a Major Townsend. Susan was at the visit party. She is well married it is Said. a daughter of doctor Hoolbrooks to a mr Vincet, Brother to mrs E Everet who was lately in England. miss Hoolbrook is...