1Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
your kind and Friendly Letter found me in great affliction for the loss of my dear and only daughter, mrs smith She had been with me only three weeks having undertaken a journey from the State of N york , desirious once more to See her parents, and to close her days under the paternal roof She was accompanied by her Son and daughter , who made every exeertion to get her here, and gratify what...
2John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1813, with Postscript from Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 15 July 1813] (Jefferson Papers)
Never mind it, my dear Sir, if I write four Letters to your one: your one is worth more than my four. It is true that I can Say and have Said nothing new on the Subject of Government. yet I did Say in my Defence and in my Discourses on Davila, though in an uncouth Style, what was new to Lock , to Harrington , to Milton , to Hume to Montesquieu to Reauseau , to Turgot , Condorcet
3To James Madison from Abigail Adams, 1 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I take the Liberty of addressing you in behalf of my son, now at st petersburgh, and to ask of you, permission for his return to his native Country. I hope you may have already received, through the Secretary of State, his own request to this effect. From Several Letters which I have received from Mrs Adams, I have been led to think their Situation very unpleasent, as it respected their...
4Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1804 (Adams Papers)
Sickness for three weeks past, has prevented my acknowledging the receipt of Your Letter of Sep’ br th 11 th. when I first addrest You I little thought of entering into a correspondence with you upon political topicks. I will not however regreet it, since it has led to Some Elucidations and brought on some explanations, which place in a more favourable light occurrences which had wounded me....
5To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 25 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Sickness for three weeks past, has prevented my acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of Septr. the 11th. when I first addrest you , I little thought of entering into a correspondence with you upon political topicks. I will not however regret it, since it has led to some Elucidations and brought on some explanations, which place in a more favourable light occurrences which had wounded me....
6Abigail Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 15 October 1804 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate You my Dear Louissa, that our loss is to be your gain. Mr Adams leaves us on twesday for Washington, where I hope he will arrive in Safety, and have a joyfull meeting with his family. I know from frequent experience how painfull it is to be thus Seperated— I hope when he returns next Spring that You will be able to come with him, and that we may make Quincy an agreable residence...
7Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 1 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
I received Your very friendly Letter Yesterday and thank You for Your communication which I assure You gave me heartfelt pleasure. I only have to regreet that a friend of mine did not close with the advise I gave him at the time when he perhaps might have been successfull, tho he listned to me with much attention, and was sorry he did not know the Lady. I fancy he had made some overtones to...
8Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of July 22d was by Some mistake in the post office at Boston Sent back as far as Newyork, so that it did not reach me untill the Eleventh of this Month. Candour requires of me a reply. Your statement respecting Callender, (who was the Wretch referd to) and Your motives for liberating him, wear a different aspect as explaind by You, from the impression which they had made, not only...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 18 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
your Letter of July 22d was by some mistake in the post office at Boston sent back as far as Newyork, so that it did not reach me untill the Eleventh of this Month. Candour requires of me a reply. your statement reuspecting Callender, (who was the wretch referd to) and your motives for liberating him, wear a different aspect as explaind by you, from the impression which they had made, not only...
10Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 July 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of June 13 th came duly to hand; if it had contained no other Sentiments and opinions than those which my Letter of condolence could have excited, and which are expressed in the first page of Your reply, our correspondence would have terminated here; but you have been pleased to enter upon some subjects which call for a reply; and as you observe that You have wished for an...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of June 13th came duly to hand; if it had contained no other sentiments and opinions than those which my Letter of condolence could have excited, and which are expressed in the first page of your reply, our correspondence would have terminated here: but you have been pleased to enter upon some Subjects which call for a reply: and as you observe that you have wished for an...
12Abigail Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 21 May 1804 (Adams Papers)
Altho I have not written to you Since the return of Your Husband to Quincy, I have had the pleasure of hearing weekly from you through him; and of learning that You, and the Children are well. I want to see the Dear Boys, and regreet that they are like to be so long Seperated from me. George will forget us and John cannot know us. I have a great opinion of childrens being early attached to...
13Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1804 (Adams Papers)
Had You been no other than the private inhabitant of Montecello, I should e’er this time have addrest you, with that Sympathy, which a recent event has awakend in my Bosom. but reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst through the restraint, and called upon me to shed the tear of sorrow over the departed remains, of Your beloved and...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 20 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Had you been no other than the private inhabitant of Montecello, I should e’er this time have addrest you, with that sympathy, which a recent event has awakend in my Bosom. but reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst through the restraint, and called upon me to shed the tear of sorrow over the departed remains, of your beloved and...
15Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 February 1804 (Adams Papers)
We have this Day quite and old fashiond Snow Storm, after an unusual pleasent Feb’ ry . the Snow is much deeper and more Drifted than We have had, for Several Winters. the wind Very high at North-East, from our parlour Windows the Stone walls are not to be Seen. it began yesterday noon to snow, after Evening, the wind rose, and has continued through the night, and to this time without...
16Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to say that I write you from my Sick Chamber, where I have been confined for near a week with the Severest attack of the Rhumatism Which I have experienced for many Years in my Limbs. I hope it will not be very durable, but Submission is my lesson, and patience my Study— We last Evening received the port folio containing the Character of your much Loved Friend. I read it with a...
17Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to You for two Letters Since I Wrote to you. Your Letter of december 22 d I thank You for, as well as the other; to me your conduct wanted not any justification or explanation. I am fully Satisfied that You have Weighed every measure, looking much further into concequences than those who censure and condemn. Yet I like to have some reasons to give to those who feel anxious upon...
18Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
We have not a printer in Boston who gives us any of the debates in either house of Congress: I have seen the National intelligencer for a few weeks past. I there read the debate which I presume was the cause of Dr Eustice writing to mr Jos Hall the following, “You will probably have heard of the bold an independant manner in which J Q A. voted away from his party, having gained credit with us...
19Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I did not expect a very frequent correspondence with you when You left me; however interested we each of us feel in the happiness and prosperity of our Country, there is little hope that observation, upon the measures pursued, or anxiety for the event of them: would alter or amend them: The Group Which compose the National Counsels is certainly Such an one, as has not heretofore been collected...
20Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 October 1803 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter from Providence and rejoiced in the favorable account you gave of your journey thus far, but a Letter Since received by your Sister dated at Newark gave us all much anxiety upon Mrs Adams’s account. We hope her disorder was only occasiond by over fatigue; and that a little rest would restore her. She is a veteran in journeying, and has frequently gone through what would...
21Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 June 1803 (Adams Papers)
William Shaw I presume has given You the reason why you have not received a Letter in reply to Your last. I have been in danger of loosing my Life, by a fall Backwards down a steep flight of Stairs: I was much bruised, and inwardly hurt, for many days quite helpless; that I rose without broken Bones is a wonder considering the force of the fall. by immediate bleading, and applications of...
22Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 May 1803 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of April 30th put me into good Spirits. I had felt more upon your account. I can truly say, than upon my own, in the late misfortunes which have assailed us. I had pland a future Scene of domestic comfort for you; I had anticipated seeing a worthy woman rewarded for her steady attachment, and all that happiness given & received which So unstable a state of existance allows frail...
23Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 26 April 1803 (Adams Papers)
A very bad whitloe upon the finger of my right Hand has prevented my holding a pen; or useing my hand for a long time, or I should not have been so long silent. altho my communications will give You more pain than pleasure; it may releive Your mind respecting the loss your Brother has sustaind; but it will be only shifting the Burden upon older Shoulders; You know Your Father had some Money in...
24Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
This is the third attempt I have made, to write to You; since my Eyes have been attackd with an inflamation, in both the others I found it too painfull to proceed. they are now upon the recovery; I have been obliged to put under cover the papers promissed; with the mortification of Sending them, unaccompanied with a line, I now forward the remainder, most Sincerely Wishing You Success in your...
25Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
A little well timed and just criticism is sometimes very Salutary. If I had not been conscious that I deserved Your Raillery I should have calld you a very Sausy Lad. however I took it patiently, and have been more attentive since, as I Suppose You have noticed; as to points & comma’s, I was not taught them in my youth, and I always intend my meaning Shall be so obvious as that my readers...
26Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 16 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
It was with much pleasure I recognized the Hand writing of an old Friend, tho only in the Signature of her name. it recall’d to mind those days of pleasureable intercourse, “when thought met thought,[”] and a happy union of sentiment endeard our Friendship, which neither time, or distance has effaced from my Bosom. I have sympathized with You, in sickness and in Sorrow, much oftner than my pen...
27Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
I was in Boston at your Brothers when Mr Shaw received Your Letters. according to the direction given him, he deliverd them. your Letter of Nov br 24 th in some measure discloses the motives which have opperated to fasten You to the Spot where You now reside. Rumour has been buisy in reports of your design to Change Your situation, but as I could not learn who the object was, I gave not any...
28Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter after your return in october to the city. I had written to you as soon as I supposed it probable You had returnd. the Letter I presume reachd you, soon after you wrote to me; I am glad to find your Health improved by your excursion I cannot however but repeat my apprehensions that you are not planted in a soil to flourish, to obtain reputation honour or profit; I regreet...
29Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you a line since I received yours; from the Yellow Springs, for some time I knew not where you were, and began at last to feel, not a little anxious untill I was releived by your Brothers informing me that he had Received a Letter from you, dated at Philadelphia. there again I thought you had too Soon return’d, as the Weather of Sep’ br and chiefly since october came in, has...
30Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 July 1802 (Adams Papers)
My Heart Shall not reproach me so long as I live said the Psalmist; alass I cannot say so, for mine hourly reproaches me with not having written to you for a long time; I have to thank you for the Volm of debates in Senate upon a Question so interesting to every Lover of Justice, every Welwisher to the stability of our constitution, that the termination of it, must be considerd as having...
31Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
William Shaw was here to spend the Sabbeth, and brought with him his Letters from you; he shew me that in which you related the Disaster which befell You by a fall from your Horse. I shudderd when I found how narrow an escape You had for your Life, and thank Heaven for Your preservation. I was glad that I knew not of it untill you had recoverd; your Brother said not a word of it to me, yet I...
32Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 20 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
My Sympathizing Heart has borne a part in your Sorrows. altho my Hand has been by Sickness prevented from assureing of you by my pen; how Sincerely I mourn with You and Your Family the recent dispensation of Heaven, which has taken from You the Husband of your youth; the Friend and protector of Your Maturer years, and the comforter of your declining days. The domestic virtues, were all his own...
33Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have too long delayed, replying to Your Letter of March 20th. Whatever is written to You, by Your Parents, sincerely anxious as they are for your future welfare, and advancement in Life, you will receive as it is certainly meant in kindness and affection; I am sensible that Success cannot be commanded, tho it may be deserved; I am not insensible to the difficulties you have had to contend...
34Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have received two Barrels of flower but no account of the price either from the Baker or You. be so kind so to forward one to me. also let me know as soon as possible whether my Letters of the 28 of Febry got safe to Hand. the Roads were so bad at that time, and the Mails so irregular that I had feard for the letters. I would not Suppose that there is less responsibility in the Post masters...
35Abigail Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 8 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
The Mountains have vanished, and the ground is again bare in most places. the roads are excessive rough, and the weather uncommonly cold for March. I hope it will Soften & the Roads become Smoother, before Saturday when I shall send in the carriage for you. I do not think that George will have the Measles. I thought that Eepps Voyage to England, would end in a matrimonial engagement in Boston...
36Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 28 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your Father received a Letter from you last Evening; full of political information, and judicious reflection’s; there is a darkness visible; upon all our national prospects; which cast a Gloom upon my declining days. What of Life remains to me, I should rejoice to pass in tranquility; but danger takes rapid strides; and faction and party Rage will soon involve us in a civil war: or a Lethargy...
37Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the Jan’ry I received near a fortnight ago, and have thought every day since that I would write to you; but few occurrences arise to amuse You, or entertain You of a domestick nature, and dissertations are not what you want; Your proposed project of removing to the state of Newyork occupies my attention. I know it must be urksome to you to pluck up stakes, (as the saying is)...
38Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 3 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
I received Your kind Letter, began at Washington, and finished at Philadelphia. I received much pleasure from the perusal. the communications were of a nature to excite Sober reflections: I find your sentiments in perfect unison with my own; we have both of us been for a series of years so intimately connected with political affairs that we must have been very inattentive observers not to have...
39Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Gray Otis, post 15 December 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received with great pleasure your kind Letter of December 15. I regreeted that I had not the pleasure of a visit from you before you left this part of the Country. old Friends and old wine are always valuable, they both tend to exhilirate the Spirits; and to enliven the declining part of Life: tho I am not particuliarly attachd to the latter, the first Stand foremost in my estimation. Some...
40Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 December 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you a Letter for a long time, yet I have not been unthoughtfull of you. my mind is often anxiously engaged for the welfare of my children. when my tongue is silent, and my pen inactive; Your Brother and Family have been with me ever since their arrival, untill last week when they got into their House in Boston; Mrs Adams has had a very allarming cough & pain in her Breast...
41Abigail Adams to Benjamin Rush, post 21 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I ought to have acknowledgd Your kind favour of July 23 at an earlier period; but the heat of Summer usually unfits me for every occupation; and I never expect to conquer that disposition to an intermitting fever which always assails me whenever I am debilitated by Heat, or any other indisposition; I have had a very severe attack of the disorder incident to the Fall, and tho it did not amount...
42Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
Welcome, Welcome, my dear Son to your native Land after a seven years absence from it, God be praised that you and Louissa, and my dear John George &c have arrived in Safety. but I have trembled for you, least the extreem Heat you must have experienced since your arrival Should be too much for you all. the Sudden change we have experienced of no less than 30 degrees, is equally trying to weak...
43Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter for your Brother should he arrive as we expect in Philadelphia; I am told by mr Welch who was yesterday to see us that you have Letters from Hamburgh from your Brother dated in july— if He & family should arrive in health, as I pray God they may, there first visit will be I presume to Washington, I think as they will be so near, it ought to be—tho I can scarcly give up the...
44Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 2 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind and Friendly Letter of the 2d, and beg you to accept my thanks for your kind invitation to your Hospitable Mansion. I know not any Visit from which I could promise my self more pleasure “from Friends of more than 20 summers ripening grow not thick on every Bow,” Friends whom no change of political Sentiments have warped, nor party Spirit deluded— I have frequently inquired...
45Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
I am much delighted to learn that you intend making a visit to the old mansion. I wish you could have accomplished it So as to have been here by this time, which would have given You an opportunity of being at commencment, meeting many of your old acquaintance, and visiting the Seat of science where You received your first Rudiments; I shall look daily for you You will find your Father in his...
46Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 5 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
I told William Shaw of the event which You have s[. . . .]olely questioned, and from the best Authority, even the hand writing of the Father in a letter to me; of the 14 of April. “The day before yesterday at half past three oclock afternoon, my dear Louissa gave me a son, she has had a very severe time through the winter, and is now so ill that I dare not write to her Mother to give her...
47Abigail Adams to Elias Boudinot, post 15 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
My Son having Sent me a coppy of your valuable Book, the President has read it with great satisfaction and pleasure; I have not as yet been able to go through the whole of it, myself having resignd it into the hands of miss Hannah Adams the Authoriss of a Work entitled “a veiw of Religious opinions.” She is about republishing the third Edition of that Work with considerable additions, and Some...
48Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 16 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening we received Letters from Berlin of April the 14th with the agreable intelligenc of Mrs Adamss safe delivery upon the 12th of a son, tho She had been very ill & remaind so for three days. mr Adams writes, that she was then much better, and he hoped out of Danger— I congratulate You my dear Madam upon this Event I wrote to you last week. with an affectionate remembrance to all...
49Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
William Shaw brought me your Letter the day before Yesterday. I had learnt before, by the public papers, the Death of mrs Bingham, and many have been my reflection upon it. [“]Health presuming, Beauty Blooming, ah how dreadfull tis to dye,” says fair Rossomond; that mrs Bingham was one of the most Elegant, and highly accomplishd women our Country has furnished, no one who knew her, will deny....
50Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of March the 10 th is before me; Your Brother informs me that he has one of April. It is true my dear Son, that I have read with much interest, and sincere pleasure, Your Letters to your Brother Thomas, and with many others, have been highly entertaind with Your journey into Selicia Whilst those Letters convey usefull information, to the Merchant, the Mechanic, and the Farmer, they...