61John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I came to Senate as usual on a monday morning pleasing my Imagination and my heart with the hope and Expectation of a Letter from—my dearest Friend. No Letter for The Vice President Says Mathers! All Day in bad humour—dirty Weather—wet walking—nothing good—nothing right. The poor Post Offices did not escape—it was some blunder—some carlessness of theirs—in Philadelphia—New York or...
62John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I attended the Dedication of a Temple. The Presbyterian Congregation in Market Street, have taken down their old Meeting House, and erected a new one, in the Same Place, much larger higher, more light, airy and elegant. They assembled in it for the first time, Yesterday, when D r Ewing preached in the Morning and D r Blair in the Afternoon. I recollected with Pleasure upon this...
63Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
M rs. Washington presents her best compliments to M rs. Adams, and will thank her to say at what hour it will be agreeable to visit M rs. Graham’s School tomorrow morning.— M rs. Washington encloses M rs. Graham’s note, by which M rs. Adams may see the time that will be most convenient for M rs. Graham.— M rs. Washington will be happy to hear that M rs.
64John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
I rec d your favour of the 9 th. Yesterday. The Weather is now extream Cold. The River is frozen and a snow covers the Ground. If the Season is as sharp and at the Same time so fine with you, it will present a good Opportunity to cross the Mill Pond. It was judicious Advice and a prudent determination to cutt your Wood this Winter from the Mountain: and I hope you will pursue your Plan of...
65John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had your favour of 16. M r Osgoods sermon has been printed here. I have heard M r Gardiner, hinted at as the Writer of the Jacobiniad— some think M r Paine himself writes it. I am sorry for M r Cleverlys Mortification and think the Cause of it might have been avoided. I am Still afraid I shall not be able to get away, so soon as I once hoped.— I will Spend as much time as I can...
66John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Die is cast, and you must prepare yourself for honourable Tryals. I must wait to know whether Congress will do any Thing or not to furnish my House— if they do not I will have no House before next Fall. and then a very moderate one, with very moderate Furniture. The Prisoners from Algiers arrived Yesterday in this City, in good health and looking very well. Capt n. stevens is among them....
67John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
D r Blair has resigned and D r Green is our Chaplain, but Miss Blair is married to M r Roberdeau the Bearer of this Letter, son of my old Friend the General. There is an universal and respectful Inquiry after you and your health, and as general a respect and Attention shewn to me. The Savages who shoot from the Swamps and thickets, from the Brakes and Briars from the Mud and Dirt, are all...
68Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 30 May 1791 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure to hear of you several times while you was on your journey by persons who met you—particulary by M r & M rs Breck and M r & M rs Codman of Boston who are now in this city— I was truly sorry to learn from them that you were much indisposed— I sincerely hope you will obtain a re establishment of your health by breathing the air of your country which is esteemed so salubrious—...
69John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have made the necessary Inquiry concerning Seeds And have found the Price so extravagant that I have concluded it imprudent to purchase any for Capt n Beal, D r Welsh M r Dexter D r Tufts or myself. And I desire you to purchase or request D r Tufts to purchase for me one hundred and twenty Pounds of Clover Seed. The Second Crop of Clover, from which alone they thresh the Seeds in...
70John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am weary of this Scæne of Dulness. We have done nothing and Shall do nothing this Session, which ought to be done, unless We Should appropriate a Sufficient Sum of Money, for treating with the Algerines. We are afraid to go to War, though our Inclinations and Dispositions are Strong enough to join the French Republicans. It is happy that our Fears are a Check to our Resentments: and our...
71John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I promised you in my last an Account of the Commencement in the Methodists Meetinghouse north fourth st. near Vine street. But as a Bill which had some Allusion to the late Rebellion, and consequently interested the feelings of Parties, came on in Senate I could not get out of my Chair till three O Clock, and was therefore disappointed. I sent at once and bought the Books: but as I have made a...
72Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
My Sister informs me that you have not lately heard from your sons in Holland and that you were anxious respecting them. I am happy to have it in my power to relieve your mind and to relate the cause of your not receiving intelligence from them. I have within these six weeks received a half a dozen letters from them some of a date as late as the 7 th of October They are in good health and...
73Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 20 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 22 d. I rec d. on Sunday last, by Gen Lincoln— the several Articles You requested me to procure I shall collect as soon as possible— I have made Enquiry for Butter but have not met with any that is good a considerable Quantity has been sent to New York by a Vessel that saild a day or two past— It is somewhat doubtful whether I shall be able to buy the Hams already prepared, if not...
74John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
The stage in which I had engaged a passage for Philadelphia this morning, has gone away by mistake, and left me behind, which gives me leisure to write a line by my brother. He intends to pay you a visit this summer, and will be the bearer of this. I was detained three days in Newport for a wind, but otherwise have had a very comfortable passage from Boston hither— I find my health better than...
75Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
This morning about one o’clock My Sally presented me with a charming daughter They are both remarkably well I must insist on your naming the Child which will perhaps be christened at Quincy Yours with the sincerest affection NB. My Respects to my father— RC (private owner, 1957); addressed: “M rs A Adams / Quincy”; endorsed: “C Adams aug / 8th / 1796.” Susanna Boylston Adams (1796–1884) was...
76John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
We may ever remember The Thirtieth of November because it was the Day on which We were absolved from Infamy; in 1782 and because it was the Day on which I entered this City in 1793. Finding by all accounts that the Pestilence was no more to be heard of, and that M r Otis had returned to his House, I drove directly to Market Street and took Poss n. of my old Chamber and bed. The principal...
77Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
What a Succession of troubles have you had to incounter & not one of us to help you through them— I have been very anxious for you & was affraid by my not hearing sooner that something had happen’d— oh my poor Thomas how I pity him—his Patience & fortitude have been put to their trial— he has a great share of it I know, & he will find tis good to be sometimes afflicted he will feel more...
78John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
I Send you, at present the Negotiations with M r Hammond as I sent you before those with M r Genet. I wish I could send you “The Example of France a Warning to Britain” a Pamphlet of Arthur Young the Secretary of Sir John Sinclairs Agricultural Society: but it is borrowed and must be returned. He is more Burkish than Burke I think. Congress will do little this session I believe and perhaps the...
79Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 June 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have put off writing to you from post to post in hopes of hearing from some of the family that my father and yourself were well arrived and settled at Braintree, till at last I am quite tired of going to the Post office in fruitless search of letters. I have several times written to Pappa and in part informed him of the important struggle at present existing in this State. I have intended to...
80John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Presidents Speech is so important to the Public that I know you will be anxious to See it as early as possible. When the Answers of the two Houses come to be debated We shall See whether there are any Apologists for Rebellion, in these Sanctuaries. As M r Edwards of Kentucky appeared in Senate to Day, We can do Business if one Member should be Sick, but it will be very inconvenient to have...
81John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
Our Coach is Still immoveable. The Anarchical Warriours are beat out of all their Entrechments by the Arguments of the Friends of Peace and order. But Party Spirit is blind and deaf. totally destitute of Candour—unfeeling to every candid sentiment. The People are alarmed and Petitions are coming from all Quarters, mostly in favour of the Treaty. The Business will not be finished, if the first...
82John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I Spent a pleasant Day before Yesterday with M rs Smith and her Children at East Chester where they now live. At night the Col & his two Brothers came home from hunting Patridges and Quails an Amusement which had engaged them two Days. Halcyon Days are over, at that house but Horses are still very plenty. Yesterday I came to Town and have been happy with My son and Daughter here. The Baby is...
83John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
Through the finest Fields of Wheat Rye, Barley Oats and Clover, but very indifferent Roads We arrived on Saturday all well The Senators to the Number of five or six and twenty are in Town and will meet in this Chamber at Eleven O Clock. I can form no Judgment how long We shall sitt. I congratulate you and all good People on the favourable decision of the Elections in New York which indicates a...
84John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 10 th and a Cordial it was, for I began to be fearful for your health. Louisa is a good Girl for writing Such comfortable Accounts from home— I believe the Farm looks well.— I am grieved for my Dear Johnny. He must go home with Us for northern Air. My Love to all. When I shall get away from this City is uncertain: but I have no hopes of being excused before the End of...
85John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 4 th. arrived by Yesterdays post. The Votes on the important day you mention, are now known to have been unanimous as far as Cheasapeak Bay, excepting one in Pensilvania and all in New York. The whole Flock in Virginia as well as in N.Y. run for M r Clinton. They tell me it is a compleat Tryumph of Fœderalism over Antifœderalism: but I own I can See no Tryumph in obtaining...
86John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 8. March is just put into my hand.— My beloved Mother is very near my heart and has Spread a gloom over my Days from the first of her Illness. I must resign her to the Disposition of the supreme Ruler and prepare to follow her Example if I can in Life and in Death. My Love to my Brother and his Family who will be sincere Mourners with me and you upon this occasion. It grieves me...
87John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
just rc d yr s of 8. 9. 13 th. return sister Peabodys lovely Letter. John’s is gone to the P.— I could not withhold it. All thoughts of building a Barn or Coach house I must lay aside for this Year— I cant bear the thought of it.— My head and hands are so full—and Expences so great. in March I will send Provision for Taxes, Haydens Note &c French may break up the 4 Acres if he will. Brisler...
88Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 September 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th instant came to hand yesterday. I can give you no certain information respecting Col Smiths affairs He has a vast property in his hands but is very much embarrased for want of money to make his regular payments as they become due Whether on the winding up he will have anything left is what I believe neither he or anyone else knows. He acted on a very large scale and...
89John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have taken an House, and now wish you to come on, as soon as possible.— It will be necessary to send by Water all the Carpets that are not in Use, and several Beds, Bedsteads, Bedding Bed and Table Linnen,—Plate, China &c if you can convey it to Providence would come better that Way. The House is on the North River about a mile out of the City, in a fine situation, a good Stable, Coach...
90John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
This being one of the pleasant Days of the Week, Thursday the Post brought me your kind Letter of the 16 th. — The News of The Alfred was written me the Day or next Morning of its Arrival in Boston by our ever kind and attentive friends D r Welch and Mr Smith, and I should have instantly written it to you, with great Joy if I had not known, that you must have had it, much sooner than I from...