151John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I received Yesterday your kind Letter of Feb. 28. and March 1.— I can never be sufficiently thankful to you for your constant unwearied Attention and tender care of my Mother. I hope that you will be very careful of your own Health and not suffer your Solicitude and Exertions to go beyond your Strength. Our Selfish young Rogue at Boston is so taken up with his Business and his Fees, that he...
152John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have all along flattered myself with hopes that I might with Propriety have taken Leave of the Senate and returned home, as soon as the Roads might be settled: But such is the critical State of our public Affairs, and I daily hear Such Doctrines Advanced, and Supported by almost and sometimes quite one half of the Senate, that I shall not prevail on myself to abandon my Post. This Day the...
153John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I know not how to throw off, the Lassitude that hangs upon me.—weary of a daily round, which to me is more confined and more insipid than to any other. I would gladly go home: but at a time So critical as this, it would not be justifiable, to quit my Post if there were no particular Reasons against it. But as the Senate is nearly divided in all great questions, and the President pro tem, has...
154John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 8. March is just put into my hand.— My beloved Mother is very near my heart and has Spread a gloom over my Days from the first of her Illness. I must resign her to the Disposition of the supreme Ruler and prepare to follow her Example if I can in Life and in Death. My Love to my Brother and his Family who will be sincere Mourners with me and you upon this occasion. It grieves me...
155Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have neglected writing to you longer than usual, that I might have it in my power to give you some more favorable prospect of publick affairs, than for some time past has presented itself to my mind; I have had some serious thoughts of the alteration of my pospects, in the event of a war. Instead of peaceably pursuing the path of my profession; the law of Arms would probably excite my...
156John Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have scarcely a moment to acknowledge the Rec t of your favour of 22 this instant put into my hand. I rejoice in the Recovery of my dear Mother and hope to see her, but I cannot say how soon. We the old Sachems have enough to do to restrain the Ardour of our young Warriors.— We shall Succeed however, I still hope, in preventing any very rash steps from being taken. There is a dishonourable...
157John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Cheesman has at length arrived and I have rec d my Trunk in much better order than I expected. The People here are much cooler than they were last Week. The Embargo begins to be felt by many who have been the most noisy and turbulent. Speculation mingles itself in every political Operation and many Merchants have already made a noble Spec. of the Embargo by raising their Prices: but the...
158John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Post of the day brought me, your kind Letter of 26. Ult. The more I am charmed with your Bravery and Activity in farming the more I am mortified that my Letters in Answer to yours are so insignificant and insipid. I must leave all your Agriculture to your Judgment and the Advice of your Assitants. I sent you more Grass seeds with the Furniture, which I hope has arrived before now. M r...
159John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Weather is cooler And the Minds of Men are calmed by the inclosed Communication. But A Sourd Party will plunge Us if possible. The most uncandid; the most hypocritical Part is acted to take Us in.— Protestations against War by those who are pushing every Thing that can force War, are not the Worst. The southern Men have Art enough to dupe northern ones to bring forwards measures, that the...
160John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 28 th. Ult. arrived this morning. before this time I hope you have received your furniture. We are Still endeavouring to preserve Peace. But one moves a Series of commercial Regulations, another a Sequestration of Debts, a third to prohibit all Intercourse with Britain, a fourth to issue Letters of Mark against Algerines, all tending to excite suspicions in Britain that We...
161John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Upon the receipt of your excellent Letter of the fifth of this month I Yesterday sent for our son Thomas and desired him to remit to his Brother at Boston for your Use two hundred Dollars. I have been at Expence to Purchase a Horse Saddle Bridle and Saddlebags to fix out Thomas to ride the Circuit with his Master M r Ingersol. He begins his Journey on the 28 th of this Month. This has left me...
162John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Senate has been three days in debate upon the Appointment of M r Jay, to go to London. It has this day been determined in his favour 18 v s. 8. You cannot imagine what horror some Persons are in, least Peace Should continue. The Prospect of Peace throws them into Distress. Their Countenances lengthen at the least opening of an Appearance of it. Glancing Gleams of Joy beam from thier Faces...
163John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
I rec d. Yesterday your kind favour of the 11 th. I have not been able lately to write you so much as I wished. The President has appointed M r Jay to go to England as Envoy Extraordinary, in hopes that Satisfaction may be obtained for the Injuries done us in the Capture of our Vessells. I have no very Sanguine hopes of his Success, but if any Man can Succeed I presume he is as likely as any....
164John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of 18 th. and 19 th instant are so full of your Plans and Labours in Agriculture, that I begin to be jealous you will acquire a Reputation as a Farmer that will quite eclypse my own. I rejoice at length that all Tenants are dispossessed and that Land stock and Utensils are now at our own Disposal.— I am glad you have bought a Yoke of oxen and hope you will buy a farm horse. Our...
165John 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...
166John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment rec d your favour of 25. April.— If you want more Money before June borrow it of the General whom I will repay when I return. The freight of the furniture was in Mass. L. M.— The Farm goes on admirably well— I am well Satisfied with all you do. The Weather is terribly hot and dry for the season. Yet the Country looks charmingly. I hope to be at home by the first of June....
167John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
We go on as Usual—Congress resolving one Thing and the Democratical societies resolving the Contrary.— The President doing what is right and Clubbs and Mobs resolving it to be all wrong. We had in senate a few Days ago the greatest Curiosity of all. The Senators from Virginia moved, in Consequence of an Instruction from their Constituents, that the Execution of the 4 th. Article of the Treaty...
168John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Weather is here very hot and dry, which renders our daily Service in Congress more irksome and occasions Some Anxiety for the health of the People and more for the growth of the fruits. I hope you have more rain and less warmth. The House of R. have a Committee out, to prepare a Bill for the Ways and means: how Soon they will report I know not: how long it will take the Members after the...
169John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Alteration of Post Days or some other Cause has disappointed me of a Letter from you this Week, which is the first time I have failled of a Letter on Monday for several months. The Weather has been very hot and dry here. Yesterday however We had a Light shower: but to day it is very hot again. The House is slow upon the Ways and means the essential Measure which remains— But I think We...
170John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
The long continuance of the session, and the uncommon heat and drought of the Weather have made this, to me an unpleasant Spring. And to increase my Mortification, I have this Week received no Letter from you. I have not for Several months before, failed to receive a delicious Letter worth a dozen of mine, once a Week. Well! Boston comes on! M r Morton is now to be its Leader! How changed in...
171John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
It is a fortnight to day Since I had a Letter from you but it Seems to me a month— I cannot blame you for one of yours is worth four of mine. Three Bills, for laying Taxes are yet unfinished and there is little Reason to hope that they can be finished this Week, perhaps not before the End of the next. I cannot see much room to hope to get away before the first of June. a tedious Seven Months...
172John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning rec d your kind Letters of 10 & 11 th. of May.— You mention Land bought by D r Phipps which you had mentioned to me: but I have not rec d any Letter from you which hinted at any Land— By this I fear I lost a Letter last monday by some fault in the Post.— however I want no more land at present. A Pew I should like to have, and a double one too if possible.— I shall leave you...
173John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
I shall inclose with this, some Letters between Randolph and Hammond which will shew you how quarelsome they are. Poor Fellows! They both desire Peace, but think themselves obliged to wrangle for their Countries. It is fashionable to charge Wars upon Kings: but I think Le Peuple souvereign is as inflamable, and as proud and at the Same time less systematick, uniform & united: so that it is not...
174John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
It is proper that I should apprize you, that the President has it in contemplation to Send your son to Holland, that you may recollect yourself and prepare for the Event. I make this Communication to you, in Confidence, at the desire of the President communicated to me Yesterday by the Secretary of State. You must keep it an entire Secret, untill it shall be announced to the Public in the...
175Daniel Denison Rogers to Abigail Adams, 2 June 1794 (Adams Papers)
After a Number of mortifying Disapointments I am happy at last in having it in my powers to present you a Miniature Copy from an Original Portrait of M rs: R. done by M r: Copley:—it appears to be well executed and I think a very good likeness— Nothing could have been more flattering to me than the Request you were pleas’d to make of a likeness of my Angel-Wife nor anything more mortifying...
176Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 June 1794 (Adams Papers)
It is a fortnight to day since my return to the City, & I have been waiting the arrival of every Post in hopes of hearing from my friends— I missed seeing my Father by one day only, & I have not yet heared of his safe arrival at home. It is probable you are busy in preparing my Brother for his departure— I hope however he will be called to Philadelphia before that takes place— I know not...
177John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
The stage in which I had engaged a passage for Philadelphia this morning, has gone away by mistake, and left me behind, which gives me leisure to write a line by my brother. He intends to pay you a visit this summer, and will be the bearer of this. I was detained three days in Newport for a wind, but otherwise have had a very comfortable passage from Boston hither— I find my health better than...
178John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am yet uncertain as to the next point of my departure. But as I do not hear of any opportunity to go from hence, it is probable I may be permitted to return to Boston. I am glad that the man who has partly engaged to go with me, has already been to take, the small pox, as he will probably be ready upon my return and I shall be obliged to go by the very first opportunity. I have begun upon my...
179Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 19 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
M r Adams (your son) presented me with your obliging favor of June the 20 th. and I pray you to accept my thanks for your kind remembrance of me; and the assurance of the pleasure I felt at hearing that you had quite recovered your health again.— That parental feelings should be put to the test at a seperation (perhaps for years) from a dutyful, and meritorious son, is not to be wondered at;...
180John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am still waiting for the arrival of Col l: Hamilton whom it is necessary for me to see before my departure, and who has been detained several days in the Country by the sickness of a child. I received your favour of the 20 th: inst t: and my brother is now prepared to go with me.— We should be very happy to comply with your request respecting the bracelets, but we shall certainly not have...
181Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 10 September 1794 (Adams Papers)
My Cousins most agreeably supprized me by a Visit— I had been informed that your Sons were to sail the week before— I thought they were upon the wide Ocean, & many a fervent wish for their saefty T had breathed forth— I am sorry I could not have the pleasure of seeing my other Nephews, especially your eldest Son, as perhaps, it will be many a year before I see him, if ever— It is an unstable...
182Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 September 1794 (Adams Papers)
My books arrived in good order and well conditioned the day after I last wrote to my father. By some mistake the 28 th volume of The Dictionaire Diplomatique was left behind. Though I have not seen an account of the departure of my brothers I suppose from my father’s last letter that e’er this they must have sailed One half of your children are called away from you and though seas do not...
183Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 October 1794 (Adams Papers)
A Passage of 28 days, landed me & my fellow Passengers safe on the shore of England— Our desire was to be put on shore at Dover, but the tide being against us from the place where the Vessel came to, we were obliged to put in to Deal; a little swindling village a few miles above Dover; here we landed, & asif we had been made of Gold or something more precious, the people were crouding round us...
184John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 October 1794 (Adams Papers)
We have been already ten days in this place, but there has been no opportunity to Boston since our arrival. And altho’ I have done but very little, yet I have been so perpetually busy, that I have scarce found time even to write to the Secretary of State, and to my Father. My Brother I presume has informed you, how pleasant our passage was in every respect, excepting the conveyance, & how very...
185John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here last night in good Season. The Roads were not very bad, and the Weather, tho Showery, was not inconvenient. M r Freeman the Son of our late Neighbours at Milton and a M r Thorp of New York were our Companions in the Stage. M r Freeman is a very agreable Man. I never travelled with any Man more assiduous to make me comfortable. At Church I met my Old Friends Governor Huntington...
186John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
We took the Packet at New Haven, and arrived at N. York as Soon as the Stage— Although We Saved no time, We avoided some bruizes, at the Expence of a little of the Mal De Mer. M rs Smith and Children all well. Charity Smith married to M r Shaw, Brother of the late Consul at Canton.— Our Charles at Steuben after an Examination at Albany and an honourable Admission to the Rank of Counciller at...
187John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am now Settled.— The first night I went to a M r Alders, opposite to M r Binghams, but not liking the circumstance of living in an English Family an Upholsterer lately emigrated and not admiring the Rooms, I removed last night to Francis’s Hotel in 4 th. Street, between Market and Chesnut Streets. Here I Shall be at School with a Society of Patriotic Members of Congress who are all, virtuous...
188John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
Since the Certainty has arrived of the very honourable Reelection of our Friend M r Smith of S. Carolina, the wiser Part of the Community have been the more anxious for that of M r Ames. The Orrery from Boston, which arrived Yesterday has excited great Expectations, that the District in which Boston is placed, will not disgrace itself by disgracing Sound Principles and independent Conduct in...
189John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The day after the date of my last Letter, we dined at M r: Hallowell’s, and were entertained with much hospitality. We saw his Daughter, whom we found very amiable and accomplished After seeing her, I felt myself at least highly flattered by the proposal M rs: Gill made to you, and the young Lady, certainly took the shortest way to my heart, by the manner in which she spoke of you. I was much...
190John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
By the Post of Yesterday I received your kind Letter of the 4 th. of this month, and, by it, was relieved from a great Anxiety on Account of your health and that of Louisa. The News from the orchard is also very pleasant, I wish I could hear as good News from Hancocks Meadow. A Covering would keep it warm But I leave all to your better Judgment. No senate Yet.— M rs Morris by her son has...
191Susanna Clarke Copley to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am happy in this opportuntity of thanking you for your kind favor by your sons: whom it gave me great pleasure to meet, and to be particularly infomed of your welfare; as well as that of the rest of your Family, which Blessings I most sincerely hope you and they may long enjoy, and that while you are called to Make so great a sacrafise as the parting with so dear connections will occation,...
192John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I attended the Dedication of a Temple. The Presbyterian Congregation in Market Street, have taken down their old Meeting House, and erected a new one, in the Same Place, much larger higher, more light, airy and elegant. They assembled in it for the first time, Yesterday, when D r Ewing preached in the Morning and D r Blair in the Afternoon. I recollected with Pleasure upon this...
193John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I had just Sent off to the Poet office, my Letter in which I requested a Diary of Husbandry when I went to The Senate Chamber where I found your Letter of the 10 th , which contained the very Thing I had asked for, very accurate & pleasing. I hope for a continuance of it, for nothing refreshes me like it, in the dull Solitude to which I am destined for four months. A Senate was made to Day, by...
194John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Presidents Speech is so important to the Public that I know you will be anxious to See it as early as possible. When the Answers of the two Houses come to be debated We shall See whether there are any Apologists for Rebellion, in these Sanctuaries. As M r Edwards of Kentucky appeared in Senate to Day, We can do Business if one Member should be Sick, but it will be very inconvenient to have...
195John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
It is a common Observation of Old People, that as they advance in Life time appears to run off faster, and the Years grow shorter. I cannot, I am Sure, Say the Same of the time which has passed of late. I took Possession of this Chamber on the 8 th. of this Month, and the time has seemed at least as long to me as any fifteen days of my whole Life. tedious days! and lonesome nights! I am weary...
196John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Pamphlet inclosed may be called “The most astonishing Concentration of Jacobitical Malevolence that ever Scottish Spite exhibited.” I have read it however with Interest and Avidity. It is not badly written— It has, no doubt, too much foundation in Truth. It has little of the Wit and none of the humour of Tom Pain, but has more than his Malice & Revenge. It is sometimes amusing to...
197John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 19 th of Nov. gave me, in addition to the ordinary Satisfaction I receive from your Letters, the Pleasure of knowing that your Visit to Haverhill, the damp Vapour of whose River I dreaded, had not injured your health. You ask me, if D r Tufts may be collecting Materials, this Winter for Building on the Medford farm? I fear it will be a very costly Undertaking considering the...
198John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your favour of Nov. 23.— M r Cooper The Friend of our Diplomatic at the Hague, I hear was very active in the Election of M r Ames.— I wish that both Parties and all Parties may be convinced that Some Qualification of Voters is necessary; but if Negroes & Sailors and Tapsters all unqualified by Law as Oliver Cromwell used to call them are to vote for one why not for another.? You...
199John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I returned, this Day the Visit of the ci-devant Duke De Liancourt. He is a Sensible Man. He is a Cousin German of the late Duke de la Rochefaucault, and inherited his Estate and for what I know his Titles: but neither the Estate nor Titles are of any Use at present.— What will be, the future destiny of these high Personages is a curious Problem. I endeavoured to impress upon him as I have upon...
200John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Brisler has shipped, on board The Abby Captain Eames, two Barrells of Flour, one hundred Weight of Clover Seed and half a Bushell of Herds Grass Seeds; and the Medallion: all consigned to our Friend M r Smith in Boston. As Captain Eames’s Intention was to Sail to day, I Suppose he is gone. twelve Pounds of Clover seed and two quarts at least of Herds grass seeds must be sown, when the time...