1551William 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...
1552James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 19 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Favor of June 18/26 is this Hour come to hand. “Do I love the natural Sentiments of the Heart”? Yes, Amiable Correspondent, I truly love them; and your little Story was far, very far from non -natural. You was betrayed, it seems, by a Combination of Circumstances such as a tender Sensibility and the Dusk of the Evening, to make a Pressure to your lovely palpitating Bosom which soon after...
1553Edward Wigglesworth to Abigail Adams, 13 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am directed by the Corporation to advise you, that the Hon. Mr. Adams, in his Letter favoured by the Hon. A. Lee, informed them, “that you would deliver five Volumes of M. Court de Gébelin’s Monde Primitif with the L’Histoire natural de la Parole for our Library.” M. Gebelin has been pleased to enrich our public Library with that very learned Work. And as Mr. Adams had the five first Volumes...
1554Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
Although I have written so largly to you by the last vessels that Saild I cannot bear to let another go without a few Lines. I have not yet receiv’d your Letters by Charles Storer. He is not come to Boston. I am anxious to receive them. I want to know what it is, whether any thing in particular has happen’d to make my Neice take such a determin’d part with regard to a certain Gentleman. He is...
1555Richard Cranch to Abigail Adams, 10 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the great Happiness of informing you that M rs. Cranch remains better. Her Boyls, with which she was much troubled, are broke and have discharg’d matter that I hope will be salutary. She received your most kind and affectionate Letter from New Haven of the 2 d Inst t: We are glad to hear you got so far safe, and hope our great Preserver will be with you still, and keep you from every...
1556Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 4 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Is my Dear Mrs. Adams too Much Engagd with Company, is her Family sick, or is she inattentive to What Gives pleasure to her Friend, that I have not heard a Word from her since I Left the Capital. How dos my Dear Charles do. I Long to hear if that sweet boy is perfectly Recovered. I felt Great pain in Leaving him so Ill, but as I hear nothing since Conclude he must be better. Has Naby her...
1557John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
Dryden, whom I have always loved to read now and then, because I learn something from him, informs me, if I did not know it before, that “it hath been observed in former times that none have been so greedy of Employments, and of managing the Publick, as they who have least deserved their Stations. But such only merit to be called Patriots, under whom We see their Country flourish. I have...
1558John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday We had a cool Day, the Wind Easterly and cloudy, this Morning there is a brisk northeast Wind and cool Rain, which restores Us, to some Comfort. A Number of People died here with excessive Heat, besides others, who fell Sacrifices to their own Imprudence in drinking cold Water. This Wind will oblige the Knight Errant and his Fleet, to go somewhere or other. We have had no...
1559John 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...
1560John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Morning I returned with Dr. F. and Mr. R. from Staten Island where We met L ord H owe and had about three Hours Conversation with him. The Result of this Interview, will do no disservice to Us. It is now plain that his L ordshi p has no Power, but what is given him in the Act of P arliament . His Commission authorises him to grant Pardons upon Submission, and to converse, confer,...
1561Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 30 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
I beg you to inform M rs. Smith, that I have forwarded to M r M c. Connell enclosed in a Letter to Miss Margaret Smith the Picture she requested me to send and have rece d Information f m. D r. Crosby of M r. M c. Connell’s having rec d. my Letter— By M
1562John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
The last Evening, Mess. Adams, P aine and G erry and my self, by Agreement waited on the P resident at his House, in order to accompany him to the Generals, to request that Gates and Mifflin might be sent immediately, to take the Command at Boston. The P. we found very ill of a violent fitt of the Gout, unable to go abroad. At our Disire, he sent a Card to the G. requesting his Company, who...
1563Hannah Quincy Lincoln Storer to Abigail Adams, 14 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
Permit Me, dear Madam, to offer My thanks for Your care of letters, from Our dear Children— And to congratulate You on your return to peace feild. I feel assured that You and Yours, will injoy a tranquility, that is Not in the power of the World to give , Or take away — I reflect with triumph that M r Adams can adopt those pleaseing lines of Our favourite Poet— May I confess? that I feel My...
1564John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you from Hartford, New York and once from Philadelphia: but have not yet had the Pleasure of a Letter from you Since I left home. The Night before last We had a deep Snow, which will probably extinguish all remaining apprehensions of Infection. We hear of no Sickness and all Seem at their Ease and without fear. The Presidents Speach will Shew you an Abundance of Serious Business which...
1565John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
Why! this is very clever— Every Monday and every Thursday brings me regularly a Letter, which Softens the Tædium Vitæ The Ennui of Life, in this Wrangling disputacious Metropolis. So! We are to have a Quincy Academy! With all my Heart—I am willing to pay my Quota of the Expence. But Something more than a School House will be wanting for so desirable a Purpose. Oh that I had a Bosom to lean my...
1566James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 5 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I doubt not Madam, you have Letters from Mr. Adams of later Date than what we have received but that Fact will not prevent your Expectations of Something from me in the Way of retailed Politicks: — He has sent as I imagine but few duplicates of what are actually on Board Gillon. He dated May 16 and Augst. 3d. from Amsterdam, July 11. 14. 15 from Paris. He thinks Britain altogether insincere as...
1567John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday dined in Company with M. Talleyrand de Perigord and M r Beaumez, the former late Bishop of Autun and both Members of the late Constituent assembly in France. Talleyrand made the Motion for confiscating the Property of the Clergy: which, has made him so obnoxious to the Court of Vienna, that they have persuaded the British Court to order him out of England although he had been...
1568William 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,...
1569John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
We have a Turn of Weather as cold as any We have had through the whole Winter. The Violence of the North West Wind which has thrown down Chimneys and blown off Roofs in this City, We suppose has prevented the Eastern Mail from crossing the North River and deprived me of my Thursdays Letter as yet. I hope it will come to day. A Thousand and one Speeches have been made in the H. of Rep s. upon...
1570Catharine Louisa Salmon Smith to Abigail Adams, 27 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of the 15th. December came to me last week, and should I pretend to describe the innate Plesure I felt on the perusal, words would be wanting in the description. I most ardently wish to see you, and hope it will not be many years before I shall have that pleasure. I realy wish that those customs you speak of were indeed adopted here. I have more reason to wish it than many...
1571Benjamin Rush to Abigail Adams, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
In addressing a small publication to the President, I am naturally led to congratulate You upon your recovery from your late tedious indisposition. May you long continue to enjoy your present health, and to add by your kindnesses, to the happiness of all Connected with you.— Your Son Thomas calls now & then to see us, but not so Often as we wish. He is fixed in a part of the city which does...
1572John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
It has been impossible to get time to write you.— Morning, Noon, and Night, has been taken up with Business, or Visits.— Yesterday the President was Sworn, amidst the Acclamations of the People.— But I must refer you to Gazettes & Spectators.— I write this abed.— M r Allen del d. me, Yesterday your Letter.— I like very much your Plan of coming on, with Charles and Thomas, before Commencement....
1573Mary Palmer to Abigail Adams, 17th 21 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed will need your utmost candour, but as I am not able to write it over again being Still in very low health & kept so long upon Sal Vol. & Lavender that the Smell & taste of both is hateful to me & the sight of a Phial disagreable, I hope you will excuse it. The very kind Letter that I reciev’d from you when you was in France to which I fear you never reciev’d any reply; emboldens...
1574Mary 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...
1575John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have neither Time, nor Confidence enough in the Opportunity, to write you any Thing more, than an Assurance that We are all well, anxiously wishing for News from America. 3d. June is the last We have had from Boston. Not a Word of D’Estaing. Never was the Spirits of a Nation, higher than the French. Never Nation had more Cause for Dejection than England. They are now censuring Keppell, who...
1576John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me your kind Favour of March 8. 9. 10, with a Letter inclosed for from each of my Sons. But where is my Daughters Letter? That is missing. I regret the Loss of it much. You think I dont write Politicks enough! Indeed I have a surfeit of them. But I shall give you now and then a Taste, since you have such a Goust for them. By a Letter of 17. Jany. Dr. Franklin, Mr. Deane...
1577John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have a day or two since received your favour of 10. Feb y: by which I perceive that my last Letters from London, had reached you, though I know not what was the fate of several that preceded them, and none of those which I wrote from this place had come to hand. I have not however since my arrival here been altogether negligent, and I hope that before this time you have received the proofs...
1578John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Monday, which is the pleasantest day of the Week, because it always brings me a Letter, produced me your favour of the 12 th. I am ready to purchase for you, the other half of the Medford Farm, if it is to be Sold, or to advance my your half for Building, if it is not. I think you are right not to sell. keep it as a Remembrancer. Paternal Acres are always good Land. What may be Hamiltons Views...
1579John Adams to Abigail Adams, 6 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
This Evening Major Ward deliverd me Yours of 23d. of March.—It is a great Pleasure to me to learn that your Flour has arrived. I begin to have some opinion of my good Fortune. If I could have been certain, of the Vessells escaping the many Snares in her Way, I would have sent a dozen Barrells. The Act, my dear, that you were so fond of will do no good. Legislatures cannot effect...
1580Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 10 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have within this Hour receiv’d your Letters by captain Bigelow and have also heard that cushing is not sail’d. He has one Letter on board for you already but tis not so long a one as I have generally sent you. The Subject was So melancholy that I could not mix any thing with it. I expected every hour that Cushing would sail and had not time to write more. I began to write you last night but...
1581John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I should deserve, all the reproaches which my friends in America have made me if I neglected writing, by so good an Opportunity as the one that presents itself at this time. Mr. Thaxter who will deliver you this expects to sail for New-York in the course of this Month. He will probably carry the Definitive Treaty, (which was at last signed yesterday,) to Congress. So you will not receive this...
1582John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
I rec d yesterday yours of 21. and 25 Jan. The Senate and House of Massachusetts without any flights or flashes in their Answer to the Governors Spech have discovered a Gravity, Wisdom, Firmness and Dignity as much to their honour as it is to the Consolation of the Sober and impartial Part of the Community and the humiliation of all the corrupt and distracted. I See daily So many affecting...
1583John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
on Tuesday when I waited as usual on M rs W. after attending the Levee, She congratulated me very complaisantly and Affectionately on my Election and went farther and Said more than I expected. She Said it gave them great Pleasure to find that the Votes had turn’d in my favour. &c I doubted whether their Prudence would have ventured so far. I believe it Sincere. Ket however the Stewart was...
1584John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I find that the Air of the Hague, and the Return of warm Weather, tho later than was ever known, is of great Service to my Health. I mount on Horseback every Morning, and riding is of Use to me. I have not escaped the “Influenza,” as they call it, which began in Russia and has been epidemical, in all Europe. Mr. Thaxter too has at last submitted to this all subduing Climate and had a Fever,...
1585Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 6 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
The tender solicitude you have shewn for my health, demands the earliest return I can make—& it is greatly to my satisfaction that I can inform you of my recovery, so as to be about the house again— I tried all in my power, not to have my indisposition noticed—but I struggled in vain, for at last I was obliged to go to bed, & lie there for three days— I told William not to tell you how sick I...
1586John Adams to Abigail Adams, May 1772 (Adams Papers)
I take an opportunity by Mr. Kent, to let you know that I am at Plymouth, and pretty well. Shall not go for Barnstable untill Monday. There are now signs of a gathering Storm, so I shall make my self easy here for the Sabbath. I wish myself at Braintree. This wandering, itinerating Life grows more and more disagreable to me. I want to see my Wife and Children every Day, I want to see my Grass...
1587Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 5 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am very much mortified that I have Sent so Many Letters to you burthen’d with Postage I thought mr cranch had frank’d them all by his name on the Letters as well as on the Post Bill—he thought the later was sufficient— I will take care for the future that they Shall be directed right I have reciev’d yours of the 18th & 22 d of December there solemn Subject has engross’d the thoughts &...
1588John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I went Yesterday to hear D r Priestley, in the Philosophical Hall of the University and there I met unexpectedly with D r Euwing and D r Andross or Andrews. Euwing Seems paralytic and falling very fast. The Drift of the Discourse was to shew the Superiour moral Tendency of the Jewish and Christian Religions, to that of all the Pagan Rituals ancient and modern. The Weather is moderated. I hope...
1589John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 23 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since my last an important Revolution has taken place here respecting our Country. A formal Acknowledgment of our Sovereignty and Independence in the Admission and Reception of your dearest Friend is what I allude to. But You will have heard of the Event long before this reaches You, with many of its Circumstances. At present I am too feeble to enter into a detail of Matters, being upon my...
1590Eunice Paine to Abigail Adams and Abigail Adams 2d, 7 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
It is now the 7th. of July, the 18th. day Since we Saw You Quit our shores to seek a happier Climate. We perceived the Active passing as we went up to Publick worship, there we did not forget to ask favour for our friends (who had commited themselves to the Variable Elements) of him who alone Governeth. Our fondest wishes have been granted as far was we can yet know; a happier season for the...
1591Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams and Mary Smith Cranch, 4 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
I believe in one of my Letters I told you I had troubles of various kinds— I need to be possessed of more wisdom than the Serpent, joined to the innocence of the Dove, more meekness than Moses, more patience than Job—& to abound richly in the fruits of the Spirit— In one word our people have been very Jealous of me, they were conscious they had not used Mr Shaw well, & thought it imposible for...
1592John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 July 1795 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of May 25 th: not numbered but the fifth that has reached me from you; the four former ones I have acknowledged before. The Peace and tranquility of this Country has not hitherto been interrupted since the Revolution, and it is to be hoped that it will continue to be inviolate. The greatest dangers to which it is exposed proceed from the popular Societies,...
1593John 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...
1594John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
What would I not give for an Arrival from America? or for certain Advice from London of the Appointment of a Ministry, or for the Arrival here of a Minister to Sign the definitive Treaty? What would I not give for an Arrival from America or for Advice from London what the Ministry intend to do? Mr. Hartley is now here but We advance slowly to the definitive Treaty. I can now have no hopes of...
1595John Quincy Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams and John Adams, 28 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have now the happiness of presenting to you another daughter, worthy as I fully believe of adding one to the number of those who already endear that relation to you.— The day before yesterday united us for life. My recommendation of her to your kindness and affection I know will be unnecessary. My sentiment of her merit, will not at this moment especially boast its impartiality , but if...
1596William Stephens Smith to John and Abigail Adams, 8 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
We were pleased by the receipt of yours of the 5th. inst. from Harwich, to find that your jaunt to that period and place had proved so agreable, you have our earnest wishes for its continuance. But we have been apprehensive since, that the fine Sun and fair Brieze which invited you on board in the morning, forsook you before, you had crossed the Channel. At this place, the after part of the...
Justice & judgment are the habitation of thy throne, O my God! but thy mercy endureth forever— In the depths of Sorrow, I have lifted up mine Eyes, & felt some ray of comfort, when I saw this thy darling Attribute shining with distinguished lustre—“many, very many were the virtues of my Friend”— feign would I hope, they were such as would more than ballance his failings— feign would I hope...
1598William 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...
1599Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams and Mary Smith Cranch, 15 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
If I had received your Letter an hour sooner, I could have sent you an answer the same day, viz. Thursday, by Mr. Badcock who dined here, and would conveyed it as far as Milton Bridge himself. But having lost this Opportunity, I must send by the Post. But since you have signified your Request to Mr. Shaw only mediately, he thinks himself entitled to make use of the same Medium in giving an...
1600Nathan Rice to Abigail Adams, 27 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
When I reflect on that Tranquil State, and agreable Scituation which I was in, while I had the Honour of being one of your Family, and compare it with my present, the Contrast appears so great and my Scituation so widely different, that the Reflection of past Pleasure, raises Desires, unbecomeing the Character of a Soldier; especially one fighting for every thing dear and valuable. Were I to...