1551Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favors of 28 th: February & 13 th: March, came safe to hand; I thank you for them, and should have sooner acknowledged their receipt, but for the constant sitting of Courts, ever since. I repent, that I have written so much to you and my father, on the subject of myself, since I perceive, that it has produced so much uneasiness & anxiety, not to say more, on my account. It would have...
1552Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Adams, 23 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
Indolence shall no longer prevent my acknowledging, the pleasure I felt (my dear M rs Adams) from your kind & affectionate letter which I received some time ago. Your sentiments on the subject of friends are so congenial with my own, that I wish by every means in my power, to cherish with the warmest affection, the few that are spared to me. The last respects were paid to our friend M rs...
1553Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 31 [sic] April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have been gratified by receiving two kind letters from you. No circumstance of joy or sorrow that affects my Sisters, can be uninterresting to me; not from an idle curiosity, but a wish. to heighten the pleasures of life by participation, & lessen the misfortunes by sympathy & sincere affection. The same kind Parents nurtured our Infant Days, & taught us “all the Charities” of social life....
1554Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
Since the receipt of your favor of the 18 th: ult: I have been absent from the City, a few days, attending a County Court, and tomorrow I expect to set out for another excursion of a similar nature. There is but little immediate benefit, derived from riding the circuit in order to attend the Courts in this vicinity; for the business is principally engrossed by those who reside in the shire...
1555Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have your favor of the 23 d: inst: before me. The Country looks so pleasant and inviting in the vicinity of this City, that I have no difficulty in conceiving the beauties of Quincy farm, at this moment. I have lately passed some days, at different intervals, in the Country, and found much benefit, from the change of air. As to the accident, which befel me, I should scarcely have thought it...
1556Elizabeth Palmer Cranch to Abigail Adams, 2 July 1802 (Adams Papers)
The solicitude you express’d to have your little Susan learn dancing, has induced me to make some inquiries, and has consequently led me to reflect more on the subject than I ever before had done; the result of those inquiries, and these reflexions is, a decided opinion against introducing either music or dancing (as an Art) into this little seminary. My daughter will give you my reasons,...
1557Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 July 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have received & thank you for your favor of the 6 th: curr t: . This day, twelve months ago, I left Philadelphia to visit my friends, in N. England, but however strong my inclination to see them often, I must forego that gratification for the sake of bettering my condition here. Should any serious cause occur, such as the yellow fever, (of which we have already had some alarm), which should...
1558Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have at length returned to the City for the purpose of remaining in it during the rest of the Season. We do not yet pretend to be free from cases of autumnal fever, which have been particularly malignant and fatal; but those, who, like myself, are believers in domestic origin, may return without apprehension. From my brother I have had accounts, from time to time, of the health of our family...
1559Elizabeth Palmer Cranch to Abigail Adams, 30 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
As the vacation draws near—and consequently the time to settle who are to form our family for the winter Term, I wish to know whether you intend Susan shall stay— I am resolved to keep no other so young—but her Abilities are so good and her constitution so firm, that it will be a pleasure to have her with us if you wish it— She will then have a double advantage as she will be with the older...
1560Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 10 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
Painful necessity has for many months prevented me the use of my own pen,—nor have I seen any effect of yours for a very long period;— yet, judging from my own feelings, I have no doubt, you will be gratified by a renewed enquiry after your health and happiness.— By your son, I understand that the felicity of his parents is not interupted by any of the infirmities which usually creep on with...
1561Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 9 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
I hear by Dr Tufts that our Medford Farm will be greatly injured by the middlesex Canal being cut through the land— I am very sorry to have what little landed property I have destroyed— But I suppose it will do no service to object— People are so very economick, & publick spirited at this day, that every thing must be sacrificed to the common weal— But the President, & you my Sister know much...
1562Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favors of the 18 th: ult: and 2 d: instant, the latter enclosing a valuable communication from my father; for which please to express my thanks. I have taken note of those “thoughts on the times,” and will make use of them. I hope M r: Ames , will continue to expand his thoughts on those topics. The Port Folio begins to get into some favor all over the Country, and the...
1563Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Adams, 23 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
It was my intention when I left Boston to have written to you as soon as my spirits were in some measure composed for the death of my much loved Brother, who, I little thought when we last met, had closed his eyes forever on this World, which at once has blasted all those pleasing hopes & desires, of again seeing each other, & of holding sweet converse together. It was the heighth of my...
1564John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 November 1803 (Adams Papers)
I have received, My dear Mother, your kind letter of the 23 d: ult o: and it gives me the most cordial gratification to learn that your health was daily improving— I have also the satisfaction to tell you that my wife and children as well as myself are in very good health— As are all the family with whom we here reside, excepting M rs: Hellen, and she is fast recovering. My brother has...
1565Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I recieved your letter dear Madam and should have answer’d it had not the illness of the two children prevented me John was very sick cutting two teeth but is now perfectly recover’d and larger and fatter than ever George has been very ill owing to a severe cold which occasioned a smart fever for several days which reduced him very much he has not yet left his room but is nearly recover’d— M...
1566John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you a letter from my wife, who would have written you earlier but that George has been very ill with a fever, for several days— He is however, thank God now recovered. I have not written to you so often myself as I ought to have done, the only reason for which has been the ardour with which I have thoughtlessly thrown myself into the vortex of public business— The only object or use...
1567John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your kind favour of the 3 d: inst t: and it was very precious as containing information of your health, and that of my father, and friends at Quincy.— I have been and am sensible of the inconvenience there would be in any free interchange of political sentiments upon the passing events, by a correspondence which must pass through the channel of the Post-Office— I...
1568John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favour of the 10 th: inst t: came to hand last evening— And I would take this opportunity to request that all letters for me from Quincy, may be put in to the post-office there; without waiting to send them to Boston— I shall thus get them sooner— My own letters too I hope go directly to Quincy.— My brother I imagine will be satisfied with the frequency of my writing or inclosing...
1569Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 February 1804 (Adams Papers)
I received your two kind letters which gave me much pleasure as they informed me of your returning health I am sorry to tell you that M rs. Cranch still continues very ill although much better I called on her last week but was not admitted to see her as she still kept her bed We live so far from M rs. Cranch I did not hear of her illness untill ten days after she lost her child the Children...
1570Mary Otis Lincoln to Abigail Adams, 11 March 1804 (Adams Papers)
I live in that retired manner that affords much time for reflection, which must be my apology for addressing you at this time, as memory has been so kind as to present you very frequently of late as one that has ever taken an interesd in my welfare. And I can say that Friendship has indeed been the Wine of life to me. I feel that you are not indefferent to the happiness of me and my dear...
1571John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 March 1804 (Adams Papers)
A few days since, I received your kind favour of 25. ult o: and am greatly rejoyced at the restoration of your health— But I have delayed answering it hitherto, because as the Session draws to a close, we find ourselves more driven for want of time; in addition to which we have had the extraordinary business of trying an impeachment, and I have been in trouble with illness in the family— Both...
1572Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 16 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
When your Son delivered me your kind letter, little did I think, it would be so long, before I should reply. But my youngest Girl went home the Saturday after, & I have had a round of heavy cares upon me eversince. It was ten weeks before we could get any other Girl, & in some of the worst cold weather, & dreadful Storms which has proved quite too much for Lydia & me. But it could not be...
1573Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1804 (Adams Papers)
The affectionate sentiments which you have had the goodness to express in your letter of May 20. towards my dear departed daughter, have awakened in me sensibilities natural to the occasion, & recalled your kindnesses to her which I shall ever remember with gratitude & friendship. I can assure you with truth they had made an indelible impression on her mind, and that, to the last, on our...
1574Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 July 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 1 st. inst. was duly recieved, and I would not again have intruded on you but to rectify certain facts which seem not to have been presented to you under their true aspect. my charities to Callender are considered as rewards for his calumnies. as early, I think, as 1796. I was told in Philadelphia that Callendar, the author of the Political progress of Britain, was in that...
1575Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 11 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your letter, Madam, of the 18 th. of Aug. has been some days recieved, but a press of business has prevented the acknolegement of it: perhaps indeed I may have already trespassed too far on your attention. with those who wish to think amiss of me, I have learnt to be perfectly indifferent: but where I know a mind to be ingenuous, & to need only truth to set it to rights, I cannot be as...
1576Sarah Manning Vaughan to Abigail Adams, 22 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your friendly notice our eldest Son & daughter who mean to stay a short time in Boston, and are desirous of paying their respects to you & M r. Adams— I flatter myself they are virtuous & amiable & that you will not be displeased with them, they have had but few advantages of education beyond what they could find at home. They will not I fear notwithstanding their...
1577John Adams to Abigail Adams: Falmouth, 7 July 1774 (Adams Papers)
I am engaged in a famous Cause: The Cause of King, of Scarborough vs. a Mob, that broke into his House, and rifled his Papers, and terrifyed him, his Wife, Children and Servants in the Night. The Terror, and Distress, the Distraction and Horror of this Family cannot be described by Words or painted upon Canvass. It is enough to move a Statue, to melt an Heart of Stone, to read the Story. A...
1578From George Washington to Abigail Adams, 24 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States having understood that Mrs Adams intends visiting the Theatre this evening, he presents his Compliments to Mrs Adams, and requests her acceptance of a Ticket for his Box. The Play begins at 6 o’clock. L , in the writing of Tobias Lear, owned (1976) by Mrs. Harry Hull, Manchester, Massachusetts. GW’s diary entry for this day notes: “Went to the Play in the...
1579From James Madison to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st. instant. Altho’ I have not learned that Mr. Adams has yet signified to the Department of State his wish to return from the Mission to St. Petersburg, it is sufficiently ascertained by your communication, as well as satisfactorily explained by the considerations suggested. I have accordingly desired the Secretary of State to let him understand that as it...
1580From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 21 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received duly the honor of your letter, and am now to return you thanks for your condescension in having taken the first step for settling a correspondence which I so much desired; for I now consider it as settled and proceed accordingly. I have always found it best to remove obstacles first. I will do so therefore in the present case by telling you that I consider your boasts of the...
1581From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of writing you on the 21st. of June, but the letter being full of treason has waited a private conveiance. Since that date there has been received for you at Auteuil a cask of about 60. gallons of wine. I would have examined it’s quality and have ventured to decide on it’s disposal, but it is in a cask within a cask, and therefore cannot be got at but by operations which would...
1582From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured with your letter of Aug. 21. by Mr. Smith who arrived here on the 29th. I am sorry you did not repeat the commission you had favoured me with by Mr. Short as the present would have been an excellent opportunity of sending the articles you wished for. As Mr. Short’s return may yet be delayed, will you be so good as to write me by post what articles you desired, lest I should not...
1583From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 25 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Short’s return the night before last availed me of your favour of Aug. 12. I immediately ordered the shoes you desired which will be ready tomorrow. I am not certain whether this will be in time for the departure of Mr. Barclay or of Colo. Franks, for it is not yet decided which of them goes to London. I have also procured for you three plateaux de dessert with a silvered ballustrade round...
1584From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. was put into my hands the last night and as I received at the same time dispatches from Mr. Adams which occasion a great deal to be done for Congress to be sent by the Mr. Fitzhughs who set out tomorrow morning for Philadelphia as Mr. Preston the bearer of this does for London, I have only time to thank you for your kind attention to my commission and your offer of new...
1585From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 20 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your two letters of Octob. 19. and 25. by Mr. Fox and Doctor Rodgers since the date of my last. I am to thank you for your state of Stanhope’s case. It has enabled me to speak of that transaction with a confidence of which I should otherwise have been deprived by the different state of it in the public papers and the want of information from America. I have even...
1586From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 11 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Expecting Baron Polnitz to call every moment, I have only time to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Nov. 24. and to answer you on the subject of the bill for 319 livres drawn by Mr. Adams in favor of Mr. Bonfeild. I had never heard of it before, and Mr. Barclay calling on me this morning I asked of him if he knew any thing of it. He says that such a bill was presented to him, and he...
1587From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 27 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this day honoured with your favor of the 20th. and an opportunity offering to acknolege it immediately, I do not fail to embrace it. I thank you for the intelligence it contains. You refered me to Mr. Adams for news; but he gives me none; so that I hope you will be so good as to keep that office in your own hands. I get little from any other quarter since the derangement of the French...
1588From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 9 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
It is an age since I have had the honor of a letter from you, and an age and a half since I presumed to address one to you. I think my last was dated in the reign of king Amri, but under which of his successors you wrote, I cannot recollect. Ochosias, Joachar, Manahem or some such hard name. At length it is resumed: I am honoured with your favor of July 23. and I am at this moment writing an...
1589From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, [November 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
I am never happier than when I am performing good offices for good people; and the most friendly office one can perform is to make worthy characters acquainted with one another. The good things of this life are scattered so sparingly in our way that we must glean them up as we go. Yourself and Madame de Corny then must avail yourselves of the short time she will remain in London to make each...
1590From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 21 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
An unfortunate dislocation of my right wrist has for three months deprived me of the honor of writing to you. I begin now to use my pen a little, but it is in great pain, and I have no other use of my hand. The swelling has remained obstinately the same for two months past, and the joint, tho I beleive well set, does not become more flexible. I am strongly advised to go to some mineral waters...
1591[From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 7 January 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 7 Jan. 1787. Recorded in SJL under this date. Not found; but see Mrs. Adams’ reply, 29 Jan. 1787.]
1592From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the honor of your letter of Jan. 29. and of the papers you were so good as to send me. They were the latest I had seen or have yet seen. They left off too in a critical moment; just at the point where the Malcontents make their submission on condition of pardon, and before the answer of government was known. I hope they pardoned them. The spirit of resistance to government is...
1593From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 1 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A thousand thanks to you, my dear Madam, for your kind attention to my little daughter. Her distresses I am sure must have been troublesome to you: but I know your goodness will forgive her, and forgive me too for having brought them on you. Petit now comes for her. By this time she will have learned again to love the hand that feeds and comforts her, and have formed an attachment to you. She...
1594From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 10 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This being the day on which, according to my calculation, my daughter would be crossing the channel, I had calculated the course from Dover to Calais and was watching the wind when your favour of the 6th. was put into my hands. That of June 27. had been received four days ago. I perceived that that had happened which I had apprehended, that your goodness had so attached her to you that her...
1595From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 16 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the happiness of receiving yesterday my daughter in perfect health. Among the first things she informed me of was her promise to you, that after she should have been here a little while she would go back to pay you a visit of four or five days. She had taken nothing into her calculation but the feelings of her own heart which beat warmly with gratitude to you. She had fared very well on...
1596From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 30 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have omitted writing sooner to you in expectation that Colo. Smith would have taken this in his route: but receiving now information from him that he embarks from Lisbon, I avail myself of the opportunity by Mr. Payne of thanking you for the disbursements you were so kind as to make for my daughter in London, and of stating to you our accounts as follows. £ s d Disbursements of Mrs. Adams...
1597From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 4 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Cutting I have an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your favor of Sep. 10th. inclosing one for my daughter Polly. When she received it she flushed, she whitened, she flushed again, and in short was in such a flutter of joy that she could scarcely open it. This faithful history of her sensibility towards you must stand in lieu of her thanks which she has promised me she will...
1598From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, with Enclosure, 2 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The silk you desired was delivered to Mr. Parker a month ago, on the eve of his departure for England, as he supposed. He went however to Holland. Mr. Valnay is so kind as to take charge of that now, as also of the silk stockings. I doubt whether you may like the stockings on first appearance. But I will answer for their goodness, being woven expressly for me by the Hermits of Mont Calvaire...
1599From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The affectionate sentiments which you have had the goodness to express in your letter of May 20. towards my dear departed daughter, have awakened in me sensibilities natural to the occasion, & recalled your kindnesses to her which I shall ever remember with gratitude & friendship. I can assure you with truth they had made an indelible impression on her mind, and that, to the last, on our...
1600From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. inst. was duly recieved, and I would not again have intruded on you but to rectify certain facts which seem not to have been presented to you under their true aspect. my charities to Callendar are considered as rewards for his calumnies. as early, I think, as 1796. I was told in Philadelphia that Callendar, the author of the Political progress of Britain, was in that...