51Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 1 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
Accept the thanks of a heart opprest with sorrow but greatfull for your friendly sympathising letter. To that almighty power who alone can heal the wounds he inflicts I look for consolation and fortitude May you long very long enjoy the happiness you now possess and never know affliction like mine with prayers for your happiness / I remain your sincear / Friend RC ( NNPM :Misc. American...
52John 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...
53Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
welcome thou best of women thou best of Sisters thou kindest of Friends the Soother of ever human woe to the city of Washington. welome to the best of men welcome to a Nephew & neice who Love honor, & respects you take their Sweet ofspring to your benevolent Bosom & say to thus would your Grandmama do if she could hold you in her arms.— I tremble I can scarcly hold my pen other must tell you...
54Eunice Paine to Abigail Adams, 26 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
From an old friend the companion of your youthfull days you will allow the familliarity I use— I was so Struck with the intelligence m r Belcher left this morning that I am hardly capable of writing but the Spirit constraineth me the dispensations of providence are so visibly kind they have a voice of their own and need not be repeated— Peace to the Spirits of the departed they had their Dear...
55John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have no line from you, Since the 13 th at Brookfield. There has been So much rainy Weather as to have made travelling impracticable for you, some part of the time, and the roads disagreable at all times.— If your health fails not, Patience will bear the rest. We went to the Presbyterian Church Yesterday and heard M r Grant a young calvinistical Presbyterian of a good style and fair hopes....
56William Smith to Abigail Adams, 10 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I was not more fortunate in the weather on my return, than I was in going to Phila a. 3 days out 5 on the road it constantly rain’d.— before this you have seen the Speech of our New. Gov. & the answers of the Senate & House. this Election is as popular as any for some Years. the Answer from the House pass d. as reported by the Com tee. without any debate or the least alteration. the Printers...
57Ruth Hooper Dalton Deblois to Abigail Adams, 2 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am commissioned by my truly distress’d Mother to say for her, that she cannot acquire resolution sufficient to adress you, but so greatful does she feel for your comforting and consoling letter, that she is hurt it has not met that attention it merited long before this she flatter’d herself week after week she should be able to write you. I am griev’d to add, she too much gives up to her...
58Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Adams, 20 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Accept dear M rs Adams, my congratulations upon the New year, together with the many pleasing circumstances with which it has commenced, among which the restoration of your health in so great a measure, and the return of your Son, after so long an absence, cannot but give real pleasure to all your friends. I dont see, that 4 years has made any alteration in his person or manners.— The...
59John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured this morning with yours of the 22 d.— This is Accession day you know. I shall always consider it as a red Letter day: a fortunate day. I am happy to know that you are comfortably Situated. I pray you to live in all Things at your own Expence and be no Burthen to M rs Smith or the Lt. Col. I am pretty well recovered of my Cold, but it has reduced my flesh. James has found a...
60Hannah Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
My knowledge of your condescension and goodness emboldens me to address you at present. I have at length prepared my History of New-England for the press, in which I have mentioned your illustrious partner as one of the first and most active promoters of the declaration of Independence. I have given a sketch of his speech on that important occasion from Ramsay. the whole is not inserted in any...
61Lucy Cranch Greenleaf to Abigail Adams, 12 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I recieved my dear and ever honoured Aunt your kind Letter of Dec r 18 th. and the Cap accompanying it, for both which I feel myself greatly obliged, and beg you to accept my thanks— I am glad to hear from Mama that your health is better than it was the last winter. I hope the mildness of the season will assist in confirming it— I never remember finer weather in Dec r. and Jan y. than we have...
62Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
After having so long delayed to answer your very affectionate letter I feel perfectly ashamed of making any excuse as I am consious it is not in my power to make a proper one I must therefore rely upon your known indulgence and in future be more careful— Our jouney from Hamburg was extremely unpleasant the roads were very bad and I was in constant dread of our being overset but fortunately we...
63Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have had the pleasure of seeing and perusing two or three letters from you to my Father and M r Shaw since my arrival here, and have learnt with joy that your health is better than it has been for some time past. Do not be impatient for my coming on, for I shall certainly make no unnecessary delay, and unless I should take a run to George town for a moment, I shall set off for Boston on...
64John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
In my solitude in Markett street, I find nothing so sociable as your Letters— those of 18 & 20 th. are this moment recd d.— Your health & Spirits are a great Improvement of mine. I have avoided the Epithets perfidious and unprincipled as much as I could, but neither they nor any that could be borrowed from the Hebrew & the Greek would be too strong, for the House of Mass to Use.— My Religion...
65John 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...
66John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters of the 21. 22. 23. and 26 of April are all before me— They have inspired me with all the Melancholly in which they were written. Our Mother and our Niece are gone to rest. The first a fruit fully ripe the last but a blossom or a bud.— I have Suffered for you as much as you have Suffered— But I could give you no Aid or Amusement or Comfort.— I pray God that these dispensations may...
67William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 25 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
By Major Toussard, we had the pleasure to hear of your being at Scotch plains in health, and of your being escorted a few miles from thence by some of the officers. By a letter from Malcom, […] heard of your arrival at N York, & of your intention to leave that city on Saturday Morn. I presume by the time, this can reach Brookfield, you will be there— I shall direct it, under cover to Mr....
68William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have no doubt that you retain such an Interest in my happiness as to rejoice with me in the birth of another son. The boy appears strong and healthy and the mother seems very well.— The feelings of a Parent will easily account for such an Event being uppermost in my mind at this time.— When I wrote last to my friends at Quincy, it was my determination to have enter’d again into the...
69Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I enclose a Duplicate of a Letter which I have lately received from M r Adams. I have not heared of an House which would agree with the discription but if I had the Course of Exchange is so much against Holland, that I should not think of doing any thing at present. M r Smith has informed me of the Proposal for my Son Thomas to go to Berlin to relieve M r Thomas B Adams. as M r Smith has...
70Ruth Hooper Dalton to Abigail Adams, 31 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Indeed my dear Madam, I was very happy to receive a letter from you, after hearing you had been so very ill, at the time I wrote, I did not know you was so dangerously sick, or I would not have troubled you; That Health may be restore’d, that your day’s, may be free from Complaints, and that your nights, may be blessed with quiet sleep, is the ardent wish of your friend: I hope soon, to hear...
71John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
On Tuesday M r T. B. Adams left Us, at Eleven in the stage for New York & Boston and consequently Quincy.— I should have been glad to have held him till I could carry him with me: but I thought it my Duty to comply with his desire, both for his sake and yours.— He Seems determined to settle in Phyladelphia.— He would have a happier Life, and be a more important Man in Quincy: But I must do &...
72John 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...
73John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 31. of March made me unhappy because it convinced me that you were so. I Attribute the Cause of it all however, to the dangerous illness of Cousin Polly Smith which I am very sorry to her. The Deaths and dangerous sicknesses of your near Relations and intimate friends always affect your tender and benevolent heart with very deep and affectionate Impressions. I hope she may...
74William Smith to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 19 th & 22 d I have rec d. no Vessell at present is up for Phila a. If any one offers, I will endeavour to procure the articles you wish to be sent. it is now so late in the season, that I do not expect I shall forward them— I am much oblig’d to you for the papers you inclos’d, such Mad Men, as Cooper can never do any injury to the Government their mad zeal, defeats their...
75William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 12 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, my dear Madam, for your obliging fav r. of 5 th. instant, and for the interest you take in my happiness. Upon further deliberation, I had, before the receipt of your Letter, renounced all ideas of returning to Boston, and had determined immediately to apply for admission to the Bar in this state. I shall for this purpose go to Annapolis on Monday, and as soon after my return from...
76John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
We arrived on the 10 th. I, much oppressed by one of my great Colds, which is now going Off.— I could obtain only one little Room and one little bedroom. but We can make a shift. I came here more loaded with Sorrow than with Rheum.— Sally opened her Mind to me for the first time. I pitied her, I grieved, I mourned but could do no more. a Madman possessed of the Devil can alone express or...
77John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this day rec d , in your favours of the 5. 6. and 7 th. of the month the first Acknowledgment of the Receipt of my Invitations to you to come to Philadelphia and share in the Burthens of your friend. I hope you may have commenced your Journey before this day: but knowing how many dispositions you have to make, and how difficult it will be to make them I cannot promise myself the...
78Elizabeth Ellery Dana to Abigail Adams, 17 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
It was fully my intention to have called upon you before I went with Mr Dana on the Western Circuit, either the last week or before next Friday, when he will set off for Northhampton, but I have been much afflicted with a cold which has confined me to my house and will prevent my visit. I flatter myself to have the pleasure of seeing you at Quincy upon our return— Having understood that the...
79William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 2 d of Feb. I received this morning— The president says he cannot blame you for not writing oftner because you write two to him to his one—but could he write as freely as you can and had he as much leisure he should write you every day. Last Evening we went to the play. Secrets worth knowing & the children in the woods constituted the entertainment. The plays were good but the...
80Stephen 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...
81William Smith to Abigail Adams, 14 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am much oblig’d by your favors of the 30 Ult. & 6 th Ins t. with the inclosures the communications from our Commiss. will, when publish’d, have the most happy effect. Many who were zealous friends to French, not long since, are now as zealous friends to their own country. I hope our Commiss. will be able to make good their retreat, before the contents of their dispatches arrive.— we have had...
82John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am So constantly engaged in Business most of which is new to me, that it Seems as if it was impossible to find time to write even to you— Yet I believe I write every Post. It proves to be a tedious Business to clear the Presidents house for me. I am now told it will not be ready this Week. You will See by the Gazette how the new Pensilvania House is disposed of. The Weather is bad— I have a...
83John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I send you the Letters— I could not keep my hands off of Nabby’s. I beg her Pardon. They write me flattering Accounts from Phil a. M r Anthony writes most confidently. No danger. No fever—alls well.— When Brisler goes he should throw Lime into the Cellar Vault &c. I think We ought to have been together to day. But tomorrow will do. I am glad Malcom came out. We must prepare to go to Phil a....
84John 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...
85Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letters of the 2 d: & 3 d: inst ts: and thank you for them— I shall agree with Fielding for the Coachee and attend to the conveniences you mention. I can suggest no method for your coming to this place, unless by taking a carriage from Washington, which might be sent back by Stage-horses. Barney, of Georgetown, would most probably contract with you for one— I am so...
86Mary 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,...
87Richard Cranch to Abigail Adams, 31 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the happiness of informing you that your Sister Cranch, is much better than when you went away. Your Mantle has fallen on M rs. Black, who with a Sister’s tenderness has attended to the preparing of the Wine Whey, and doing every thing for her that the warmest Friendship can dictate. The rest of our Family are growing better but slowly. A young Man at M r: Jn o. Newcomb’s and the worthy...
88Sarah Wentworth Apthorp Morton to Abigail Adams, 11 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The following production is one of my favorite children; it speaks to the heart, and without ornament, or personal beauty, is recommended by all the chaste virtues, and interesting attributes, of the most favored mortal.— I know not any Individual, to whom a model of conjugal excellence, of refined understanding, and attractive accomplishments, can with more propriety be devoted, than to the...
89William Tudor to Abigail Adams, 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
It was with great Pleasure that I recognized the well known Hand writing, which it is so many years since I have seen. It was impossible not to avail myself of the Contents of the Note I found in the President’s Letter, in some prefatory Remarks which you will read in the Gazette, I have taken the Liberty to send you. Chagrined as I am with a late Event which has furnished so noble a Triumph...
90John 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...
91John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here last night, or rather yesterday at one O Clock and here We dined and Slept. The Building is in a State to be habitable. And now We wish for your Company. The Account you give of the melancholly state of our dear Brother M r Cranch and his family is really distressing and must Severely afflict you. I most cordially Sympathize with you and them. I have Seen only M r Marshall and...
92William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 26 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter of the 14 th of Feb. yesterday— I enclosed to you this morning Browns paper containing the report of the committee, to whom was referred the petitions &c requesting the repeal of the Alien & Sedition bills &c. It was drawn up by Mr. Goodrich of Con t. and is a most masterly production. I think you must be pleased with it. The report was made the order of the day for...
93William 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...
94Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 29 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter which assured me of your welfare was a cordial to my heart. It came safe to hand, with its contents by Judge Livermore. The affectionate regard it evinced for me, & mine, might have overwhelmed an heart less accustomed to favours; accustomed , not callous I assure you, for esteem, love, & gratitude so often put in motion, fans the finer feelings, & makes them glow with...
95Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had a mantua makaker & a Tailor last week which keept me so fully imploy’d that I had not time to write I receiv’d your kind Letter by the Post a thursday & rejoice that you have got into such good order so soon. I do not rise quite so early as you but I should if I could get all my folks to Bed in season you do well to devote so much of the day to riding I hope the difficulty the bad roads...
96Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am doom’d my dear Sister to be the messenger of death to you. I believe for five weeks past my Letters have convey’d you an account of the death of Some Freind or acquaintence & almost all of them Suddenly taken away the death of Sucky warner whos remains I yesterday Saw depositted by the Side of our dear Parents & much belov’d aunt. there to remain till the last trumpet Shall bid them...
97John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received not untill last Evening your kind favour of Feb y: 10. which however is the latest date that I have from you, and this circumstance is of itself sufficient to give me great concern respecting the state of your health— The Boston Newspapers in April, mention likewise that you were again ill; but I have some comfort in hearing by a letter from D r: Welsh to his son, that you were...
98Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 16 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your’s of the 6 th Instant I received yesterday together with the Extracts from Bache’s Paper they have not yet found their way in to the Chronicle ’tho it may be expected. with respect to the Charge against the President of Insinserity in the Interval between his Address to Congress and his Nomination I can say that I took notice of the same here two Days only before the Nomination was known...
99William 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...
100Ruth Hooper Dalton to Abigail Adams, 20 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
To hear of your health and happiness my dear Madam is always pleasing to me when ever you can spare time from the many ingagements I know you have I shall esteem it a favour. I am flattered from the pleasing account you give of my Daughter White she was always a good Child and I think she will do all she can to render the Family she is in happy Mr s Bartlett is a fine Woman. Mr Dalton and I...