1361George Cabot to Abigail Adams, 22 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I did not indulge the expectation that I Shoud wholly escape reproach when I had the honor to write you on the 11 th of last month— your condescention (not to say partiality) had placed me in a dilemma from which even your own goodness cou’d not entirely extricate me— I resolved however to merit the continuance of your Esteem & therefore at once discarded all private considerations & listened...
1362Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 22 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the House full of company for a week & have not been able to Steal a moments to write to you or to my dear children at Washington.— I have receiv’d yours of the 8th & 13th of June together with one from my Son to you & one for Doctor Tufts which I deliver’d immediately into his hands as he was present when I receiv’d it. He is at your House two or three times a week & always finds...
1363Francis Dana to Abigail Adams, 23 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
While on the circuit here, I have received the enclosed letter from my friend M r: Stedman of Lancaster, brother in law to M rs: Dana— Finding that the Gentleman mentioned in it, is personally known to the President & yourself, and has been likewise recommended by Judge Cranch, it is altogether needless for me to trouble you further than by laying that letter before you— Indeed I am loth to do...
1364Rebecca Leppington Hurd to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
If, Madam, I still retain a Place in your esteem, (and I am not conscious that I have ever forfeited it) let me Solicit your kind interposition in behalf of an Application made by M r Hurd in a letter to the President for the loan Office now Vacant by the decease of M r Appleton. Shoud M r H be thought properly qualified, by the President, for this Office, he wou’d endeavor to merit it by a...
1365Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Nothing but dire necessaty has prevented my writing as often as you could wish I do not always think it necessary to give you a list of the avocations which forbids my taking my Pen. but you know what it is to have ranting Boys to make & mend for & young men to pull about & leave upon tables chairs &C Books papers & clothes: I have no one to feel the propriety to keeping a house unincumber’d...
1366William Smith to Abigail Adams, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your barrels & Trunk, for which you inclos’d me a Bill of Loading some days since arriv’d safe Yesterday.— I hope the business of Congress will permit you soon to leave Phila a. before the extreme hot weather comes on.— Our House of Rep. Yesterday pass’d a Resolution, Unanimously , to instruct our Sen. & Rep. in Congress, to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States,...
1367Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
How did you live thro’ the heat of Monday & Teusday we could but just breathe the glasses Stood at a 100 at Boston I thought much of the inhabetants of our citys especially Philadelphia I hope you will not stay much longer in it I see the v President has ask’d leave of absence. is he gone to Secure his papers— we are rejoicing to see that a beginning to stop the mouth of Sedition has began at...
1368Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 15 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I acknowledge with Pleasure your Letter of the 7 th Ins t: thinking it uncertain whether you may not have left Philadelphia before this reaches that City I shall desire the President to open it provided you should have entered on your Journey northward unaccompanied by him I am induced to do this least the Appointments should be made out before I could make known my Wishes to him they are to...
1369William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 20 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
O how happy should I be, were I to sit down to write you of my dear sisters better health, but alas I cannot. She fails every day & has now grown so weak that she is not able to wride out or even to come below stairs. She still keeps her usual flow of spirits, & sits “like patience on a monument, smiling” even tho in the arms of death. How miserable should I be, my aunt, in seeing my dear...
1370John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since my last, I have received your favours of 3 d. 26 th. 27 th. 29 th: May, and 12 th: June— By your very kind and constant attention I find myself as regularly and recently informed of the current Events in our Country, as I could expect or wish— Your pamphlets and papers too, with those which I receive from the department of State are a treasure to me— I have written to the Secretary of...
1371Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 25 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of its being a rainy Day and confind at Home I have an opportunity of acknowledging the Receipt of Yours of the 29 th. Ult o. & the 8 th. Ins t. about the 8 th. or 10 th. Instant I wrote to the President and to you also— I have now compleated the Business assigned me respecting the new Building, and such Repairs to the Dwelling House as appeared to be necessary have also been...
1372Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have already acknowledged your favors of March 18. April 4. since when, at different intervals I have received your kind letters of May 1. & 7.— My brother has one from you of June 12. in which the receipt of my letter of March 4 th: to my father is mentioned, and in a manner calculated to call forth all my gratitude, if not to excite some little emotion of self-applause. I have given way to...
1373Ruth Hooper Dalton to Abigail Adams, 28 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your welcome letter of the 20 th instant I did not receive till last evening, on our return from Mount Vernon, where we had spent a very agreeable week, and left General and Mr s Washington in perfect health. they often mentioned the President and yourself much wishing to see you at Mount Vernon. I am truly happy to find my account gave satisfaction, as to Mr Daltons conduct in the affair of...
1374Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 22 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Whenever I have set myself down to write to my dear Sisters, I have found myself so drowned in Grief, as to prevent my proceeding any further, than to make the attempt— To see my Child laid in the dust, was an affliction I had not prepared myself for; & I find the realities, the solemnities, the trial greater than I can bear, or support as I ought— I had too fondly hoped for her assistance...
1375John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days ago your kind favour of 14 July, forwarded by the Secretary of State, and at the same time a letter for my wife, from M rs. Johnson.— The accounts from home continue to discover a spirit truly worthy of the American name; a spirit which I earnestly hope may support itself in all the vigour through the severe trial which it must undergo, and which if thus supported, will...
1376Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of July 19 th. was transmitted from Hamburg by our cousin Welsh & came to hand last evening. He had a pleasant passage of 38 days and will come on here as soon as he is a little recruited. We had already received your letter of the 14 th: informing of his intended embarkment in a short time, and I have made my arrangements in consequence to be off as soon as the Elizabeth...
1377John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
My brother is no longer with me. Eight days ago he left me to take somewhat of a circuitous route to Hamburg, from whence he embarks for America, where I hope within two months from this date, he will deliver you the present Letter.— He had been for rather more than four years, (with two short intervals) my constant companion.— I had neither a thought nor a paper, upon any subject, public or...
1378Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Adams, 8 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
By letters received from Boston I was grieved to learn that you had been very ill. It would give me great pleasure to hear, that your health is perfectly restored. We have been roving to & from, since we had the pleasure of meeting you. We reached Philadelphia the 5 th. of August & left it the 9 th. ; Court sitting only three days as the alarm of the prevailing fever had in that time become...
1379Margaret Allison Caldwell McHenry to Abigail Adams, 8 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
It was with the greatest concern I heard of your late illness, since which time I have felt very sollicitous to hear of your recovery, & hoped before this to have had that gratification— I therefore was greatly disappointed, when M r M c Henry told me a day or two since, that you were still indisposed.— this information so contrary to my wishes is the cause of my troubling you with this letter...
1380John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
We Stopped at the Governors to take Leave and he told Us the News of last night, which has regaled Us on the Road. We watered at Watertown and reached this Inn at half after one. We hope to reach Williams’s at Marlborough, and Sleep there this night. I strive to divert the melancholly thoughts of our Seperation, and pray you to do the Same. M rs Smith I hope will keep Up her Spirits and the...
1381John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
You never rec d a Letter from Berlin but with Pleasure: and this I dare say will not be the first.— From Austins in a lowry Morning We proceeded to Hartford and dined at Bulls. A polite Invitation from the County Court to dine with them was declined, and We came on immediately to Squire Rileys. The Coachman thought it would be too hard upon the Horses to go to Wallingford I have now read all...
1382John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
From Rileys in Berlin, We went to Newhaven 26 miles to dinner at your Friends M rs Smiths who were very respectfully inquisitive after your health, and very sorry to hear an Account of it from me, not so flattering. A Visit from D r Dwight detained Us agreably for a short time but We found enough to cross the Ferry over the Housatonnac by sunsett and soon reached Lovejoys in this Town. We had...
1383John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
From Lovejoys at stratford We fixed off M r shaw with a part of the Baggage by the stage for East Chester. Mrs Smith and the fair Caroline came with me to Norwalk to dinner at Gregories, where We were very comfortable. We rode in gentle snow & rain all day and Arrived at Webbs at Night, where We put up till Monday. My Horses want a day of rest. From Quincy to stanford, within 22 miles of East...
1384John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
We Spent Sunday at Stanford at Webbs went to Meeting forenoon and afternon, and on Monday went to Dinner at East Chester. Tuesday in a Violent Snow storm went into New York, dined & Slept at Charles’s. Wednesday crossed the Ferry and went to Elizabeth Town. This day We came five and thirty miles to this Place. From New York our poor Horses have waded and dragged the Carriage through Snow banks...
1385William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 25 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have a thousand things to tell you and but a few minutes to write. We arrived in this city fryday Evening about seven Oclock— the first week we had most beautiful weather & found the roads most excellent— the President said he never knew them to be so good. but the snow made them as bad as they were before good. We had not been in the house but a few minutes before his Excellency the Govenor...
1386Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 26 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment been conversing with Richard Dexter upon the subject of becoming one in your Family— His Object is to get some property, that he might acquire more knowledge in our Academy, & then go into the country, purchase Land for a little Farm, & by honest industry be stiled a useful member of Society, & a faithful defender of its rights, & Liberties— He sustains a good Character, &...
1387Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Next to the pleasure of seeing you, would have been that of hearing, of your perfect restoration to health; but ’tho that pleasing account has not yet reached me, it is a satisfaction to know that you are much better than when I left you: & I will still hope that “He, who is the health of the countenance,” will in his infinite mercy establish yours. I feel a great deduction from my happiness,...
1388John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 25 Nov. has revived my heart. I rejoice at your real Recovery and hope it will be confirmed so that you may with the Advice of your Physicians come on this Winter to me. But I cannot bear the thought of your Attempting it, without their consent. I am of opinion with our Neighbours about the Barn. Barlow to Baldwin I have seen and despise the Letter as much as I have for some...
1389John Russell to Abigail Adams, 6 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which you so obligingly communicated, is this day published in the Commercial Gazette; and I have endeavoured to make its insertion accurate and perspicuous. The original is enclosed according to your directions. You will, I hope, pardon me for the liberty I am about to take, in requesting the honor of your commands in future, upon any similar occasion. Well knowing my duty in this...
1390William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 12 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
The president received two letters the latest dated 3 d of Dec from you last Evening with a letter inclosed for your son at Berlin which, I shall superscribe and deliver to Mr Pickering with your respects with a great deal of pleasure. I am very sorry to see that you were not so well as you were when you wrote the 25 th of Nov. You do not write in half so good spirits. I find Mr. Otiss family...
1391John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters of Nov. 29 Dec. 2. and 3 affect me very tenderly. The low Spirits, Effects of long and exhausting sickness are apparent: but these are Evils of a serious nature. I pray you to banish as much as possible all gloomy Thoughts and be very cautious to avoid every thing which may endanger a return of your old Disorders. To reconcile you to your fate I have a great mind to give you a...
1392John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Rejoice with me, that I have this Day finished my Ceremonies with the two Houses. Their Answers to the Speech have been civil and I have given them civil Replies. My st. Anthonys fire attacked me again after I had been here a few days— But it has given me no Pain and is better—almost gone off.— It must be the Air or Water of this place that gives it me. The H. of R. will dispute about the...
1393William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 16 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter of Dec 9 th , with all that pleasure and satisfaction, which, the news of your better health, could not but excite— I declare I wish you would have, Aunt, a wedding every night in the week, for I plainly see that it gives you better spirits and consequently better health, than all the medicine in the world. I have not seen the president so happy this some time, as he was...
1394John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
With a great deal of snow upon the Ground it is now plentifully snowing. There must be an unusual Quantity upon the Earth. I suppose you have it very deep. our Men and Teams must have had a terrible Jobb to get the Lumber home: but I hope it is all compleated e’er this. To Day at two D r Ewing & M r snowden are to dine with me and tomorrow at four about 30 senators and Reps.— I have not had as...
1395William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have long been wishing to find time to give my aunt a history of the visit of Dr. Logan to the president, the monday after we arrived in the city. He began by saying that he was extremely sorry that we are not to have the pleasure of Mrs Adams company this winter in this city. The president thanked him. He then said, that he had just come from France and that he had the pleasure to inform...
1396Benjamin Rush to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just returned from spending an agreeable hour with your best Friend. In the Course of our Conversation, he informed me that you had lately in Addition to former complaints, been afflicted with an intermitting fever of a tertian type. This state of fever in our Climate of late years is often accompanied with inflammatory Symptoms, and instead of yielding to its usual remedy the Bark, is...
1397William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 20 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Notwithstanding my arms are so stiff, that I can scarcely move them, occasioned by cutting venson for twenty eight very hungry men, yet I must write a few lines to my aunt, before I sleep. We were made very happy this morning by the receipt of your letter of the tenth of Dec to the president. You do not say a single word, whether you have receiveed the newspapers, which I have sent you...
1398John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Letters of 10. 15. and 16. Your solicitude for my Health may subside. I am pretty well— I had a cold, not a bad one— and something of the Inflammation in my face of last spring—but it is gone. Rush gave me such a Dose of Salts that I thought it not fit to go out to Congress next day. But the day after I was well enough.— I am Old—Old very Old and never Shall be very...
1399William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 28 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Not a single letter have we received from you since Monday. Uncle sighs and says, I wish Aunt would write oftener and I sigh and say, Ah! if she knew half the happiness her letters gave to you us, I am sure she would write every day in the week. Congress debates have been warm and interesting for two days past on Mr. Griswolds motion respecting punishing interferences in the government &c. but...
1400William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 30 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
’Though I have been writing a very long letter, to my wild, random, laughter loving Walter and have made it very late, still I want to thank my aunt for her letter of Dec 20 th received yesterday morning, before I sleep. Logan is chosen Representative for this State by a very large majority. It so happened that the day, L took his seat, a new carpet was placed on the floor of the house. The...
1401John Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I hope you have health enough to bear to share with me some of my Griefs. I have determined to do a Thing this day, which puts my Phylosophy to a Tryal. The Lt Gen. and Major Generals have recommened Col Smith to the Command of a Regiment. This is a Degradation of him to which I would not consent, without his Consent. I have written to him hoping that he would forbid the nomination. But his...
1402John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I rec d to day your fav r of 24 and it made the day more tolerable. Your health and Spirits always promote mine. We have had more Company to Day than ever upon any Occasion. Thirty or forty Gallons of Punch, Wine in Proportion and Cake in Abundance. The News by The America Capt n. Jenkins arrived at Newbury Port made every body gay but me. Not a Word of Thomas Boylston Adams. I shall be uneasy...
1403John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Three Vessells have arrived from Hambourg Since Thomas was there. The inclosed will shew you that he chose the Alexander Hamilton of New York. By this means he will escape the Dangers of our Massachusetts Bay; and I hope soon to hear of his Arrival. The General Officers nominated Smith for the command of a Regiment— I nominated him to the senate who, after a warm opposition and a day or two’s...
1404William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 6 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have seldom known it to be colder at the Eastward than it is here at present. Although I have a very large fire & my desk almost into it, still my fingers ache & the ink scarcely runs from the pen. I sent you a few days since Logans address, attempting, like his brother traitors, to vindicate his conduct. Thus did Arnold, Munroe & Randolph and thus do all traitors, Logans says in his address...
1405John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
We have the Pleasure of your Letters to the 3 d . I think it is not worth while to bid for M rs Veseys four Acres. The Price will be twice or thrice the Worth and I have no desire to enlarge my Borders by purchasing Such scraps. Indeed I have land enough and too much, unless I could attend to its cultivation.— In that Situation Land is an Object of Envy. And I am willing that some Tradesman...
1406Stephen Peabody to Abigail Adams, 10 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
As you are frequently receiving letters from your good Sister, you have in that channel all the news we have in this quarter. We are, at present enjoying a good measure of health, tho’ the Season has been uncommonly severe. we have had a greater quantity of snow upon the earth in these parts for a month or five weeks past, than perhaps has ever been known so early in the Year.— Mis s. Betsy...
1407John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank God, it is now in my power to give you the pleasure you desired of receiving from me a chearful Letter. This Moment they brought me from the Post Office a Letter from our dear Thomas dated the 12 informing me of his Arrival at New York. He will come on to Phyladelphia and only laments that he cannot have the pleasure of embracing both his Parents at once. His Passage has not been...
1408William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 15 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letters of Jan. 3 d & 6 th with all that pleasure & gratitude which so much good counsel deserved. I do love to read your letters. Before this reaches you, you must have heard of Cousen Thomas’s arrival at N York, from whence he wrote to you. He arrived in this city this afternoon, & is very well. It would do you good to see how happy it has made Uncle. I wish Aunt was...
1409John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, Tuesday when the Levee Room began to be thin Brisler came running in, with the delightful sounds “Sir, Mr Adams is up Stairs.” I was not long in mounting the escalier and had the high Pleasure of embracing my dear son Thomas after an Absence of four years & an half.— We had a very happy Evening and he has had a good nights rest after the fatigues of his Voyage & Journey. He seems in...
1410William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 16 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a letter to my Mother under Cover to you, because it contains some things which perhaps might give pain to my father in his present weak state of health. You will be so kind therefore as to give it to my Mother in such a manner that she may have it in her power to communicate only such parts as she may think proper. I am rejoiced to hear of your recovery from the dangerous illness...