1Thomas Boylston Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 17 March 1791 (Adams Papers)
A few days since I received your kind letter of Feb ry : 18 th: and its being handed by a Townsman of yours was a circumstance that afforded me additional pleasure. Indeed I always receive more satisfaction when I meet with any of your Neighbors, than from the inhabitants of any other place; and can account for it upon this principle chiefly, that I lived in that town at a period when objects...
2Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 4 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
Either write upon larger paper, or give an outside cover to your letters, for in the act of opening yours which I have just rec d: I took away with the wafer much of the connection of several sentences; and being interested in every word I felt rather out of humor; However I collected sufficient from the whole cloth to make quite a decent garment. The only circumstance to be regretted is, that...
3Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 23 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have somewhere heard an observation of this kind, “that a person should not be too anxious to return a kindness.” Had I strictly adhered to this injunction, an Answer to your last favor would not so soon have followed; but as you expect shortly to be at Braintree in person, I must either remain in your Debt, or take this opportunity to discharge the obligation. I am happy to find that the...
4Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 4 September 1791 (Adams Papers)
Influenced by the same principle as when I last wrote, viz. That of discharging a debt before it has accumulated much on the score of interest, I have determined to come to a settlement to the date hereof. You must not however expect the same degree of pure metal as that which produced the obligation; but make many grains of allowance for barrenness of Mint. Even should you be paid in Script...
5Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 23 January 1792 (Adams Papers)
The kind of silence which we have observed toward each other since I left Massachusetts, is not at all congenial with my feelings or disposition. You had just embarked in a cause in which I feel myself particularly interested; to know the success of the enterprize thus far would give me much satisfaction; the object of this letter is in some measure to draw from the source of information a...
6Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 28 January 1792 (Adams Papers)
This day week I put a letter into the Post Office for you under cover to my Brother JQA . and this morning I have receiv’d your many dated letter, the last is the 16 th: . I complained in my other letter of our long silence, and am happy our thoughts should so well unite in breaking the charm. I should not have undertaken so suddenly to answer your letter, but for this circumstance. The last...
7Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 13 May 1792 (Adams Papers)
Those Letters which I was directed to Copy and deliver to M r. Cary for insertion in his “Museum”, were prepared in season for last month; when I took them to Cary, he wished me to explain the occasion upon which they were written. I told him that the Gentleman to whom one of the letters is addressed, (M r. M. Weems), had applied in England for Orders, as an Episcopalian Bishop, but that the...
8Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1792 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind letter of the 6 th: this Evening, and feel happy that you advanced so far on your Journey, without receiving any injury. I was somewhat anxious for your health, but the favorable account you give, has relieved me in a measure from the apprehension. I hope you may enjoy it much more this Summer than the last. The directions left with me respecting M r: Harrison, are...
9Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 May 1792 (Adams Papers)
By one of the Newspapers I had the satisfaction to hear of your arrival at Boston, & have been anxiously enquiring for Letters at the post Office every evening. I wish to hear how you stand the warm weather, and the effect of your Journey. The object of this letter is more immediately for the purpose of requesting a decisive answer to the proposal made by M r. Bache of the House he has just...
10Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 17-18 July 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have just taken your letter from the Office and, as Briesler has not according to expectation sailed to day, I will add a few lines to what I have already given him. To hear from Col o and M rs: Smith was an agreeable circumstance, tho’ much unhappiness is occasioned by it, under their peculiar situation. I had heard about a week since of their arrival at Dover, and of their illness—but had...
11Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 16 August 1792 (Adams Papers)
In my last Letter I promised to transmit the Result of the Town meetings which have been lately held in this City; the inclosed abstract will supersede the necessity of any additional remarks from me; It will be sufficient to say that the Party, which on the last meeting in which any business was transacted, had the majority, having gained all their measures prevented any further business on...
12Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 October 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have not received any letters from you, for a considerable time, and I experience the same kind of apprehensions for the cause which you have often expressed concerning me. I fear least the cold weather which is fast approaching should affect your health, by bringing a return of your Rheumatism. I have repeatedly written concerning engaging lodgings for my Father before all the places are...
13Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 30 October 1792 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of the 11 th: reached me some time since. The reasons you assign for delaying your journey to Philad a: would be sufficient to satisfy me, but I have been particularly requested by several of your warmest Friends, to mention that your determination may be viewed in a different point of light by those who seek occasions & opportunities to injure you or your cause. It has become...
14Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 21 st: and as I want a little private conversation with you, must oblige you to pay the Postage of my answer. At the request of several of our Friends I addressed a Letter to my Father a day or two since—stating certain reasons for hastening his Journey to Philad a: and most of those were of a public nature; but I omitted to mention any inducements of a...
15Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 11–12 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
It is just a week since I had the pleasure of receiving a visit from my Father at 8 oClock in the Evening of a very stormy day, after he had become almost exhausted by the fatigue of his ride from Elizabeth Town. He stoped at my lodgings, & as he was much fatigued he declined going any further that night. The next day I went to the place where I had after much trouble procured lodgings and...
16Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, [after 15] December 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have for some time past had it in contemplation to take my pen & devote its impressions to your service, but that noted thief, Procrastination must answer for my negligence, & supply an excuse where I have not the hardiness to offer one. It often happens that the best friendships have the fewest documents to prove their existence; as a well-kindled fire, such an one as now warms your...
17Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am somewhat surprized by the information given in your letter of the 23 d: Dec r: viz. that you have not received a single line from me since my Father left you. Certainly there must have been some fault in the Post Office, or some person who has taken the letters therefrom has neglected to deliver them. I wrote the first week after my Fathers arrival, informing you of several circumstances...
18Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am grieved to hear of the fresh return of your old persecuter the Ague; I had flattered myself that the Air & Climate of New England would chase away all Billious complaints. I am suspicious that the Bark of which so free use is made in this disorder will not effectually remove it, at least I have found it the case with myself. There is a weed known here by the name of Cardis, which is much...
19Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 7 April 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am requested by M r: Dobson to enquire of you what disposition you desire to be made of your Book’s of which he has a considerable supply of Coppies. Whether some of them should not be sent to Boston & New York, or whether you would wish them to remain where they are. He thinks you gave him no possitive directions about them before you left the City. Various events have taken place in France...
20Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 May 1793 (Adams Papers)
Your last letter to me is dated the 18 th: of March, since which time I have not heared a single word of the family, either verbally, or in writing. We have news from France as late as the 15 of March, and one would think a letter from Quincy might have traveled the distance of 350 miles in the course of seven weeks. ’Tis my happiness, (some may think it a misfortune) not to distress my mind...
21Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 May 1793 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 12 has reached me, in complyance with M r Brieslers request I enclose the Receipt of M rs Lynch. She was in much need of the little assistance, and expressed gratitude for the receipt of it. The Porter also shall be attended to; I have been so fortunate as yet to have received no warning from the owner of our Store— The furniture still rests there and I have some hope...
22Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 9 June 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have procured the Warrant from the Treasury for the payment of D 1250. and taken two Orders on the Branch Bank at Boston in the name of my Brother. One for Dls800. & the other for Dls1,190, which will be paid him on demand, on your behalf. The surplus I have reserved for the following purposes. Viz For five months Board Dls66. 50Cts; One hundred Dls sent to my Brother Charles; For two...
23Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 20 July 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have only two or three minutes at present to devote to the purpose of answering a long & agreeable letter I received from you before my departure from Philadelphia— I had anticipated with pleasure an expected interview at Cambridge, & feel no small mortification in the disappointment. After passing a very happy week in the company of my friends & former associates I am upon the point of...
24Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 August 1793 (Adams Papers)
I ought to have written you from New-York, of my safe arrival there in little more than three days, after a pleasant Journey, with only one constant companion from Boston, who was a French Gentleman now a Merchant in that place— We found the roads remarkably fine, and the Country at 20 Miles distanc from Boston presenting a more favorable appearance. Our journies were between 70 & 80 miles...
25Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 9 October 1793 (Adams Papers)
After repeated, tho’ unsuccessful attempts to procure the letters, which I was informed by my Mothers letter, must be in the Post Office at Philad a: this night’s Post has brought me six : four from Boston and Quincy, & two from my other friends; I feel no little gratitude to my friends in General, & my Parents in particular for the anxious solicitude they have expressed for my wellfare, upon...
26Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 October 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am happy in having it in my power to give you more favorable accounts respecting the Fever in Philad a: than I have yet been able— Not more than three or four persons have died p r: Day for 4 or 5 days past, at the Hospital and there is a prospect of safety in returning to the City in the course of a Fortnight. Indeed many Families have allready returned, but those who could stay away with...
27Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 November 1793 (Adams Papers)
Since my Brother informed me of the miscarriage of some of my letters, I am determined to suffer no Post to pass without writing to some of the Family. The Fever in Philadelphia is a never failing source of subject-matter, when every other is exhausted, but it gives me real joy that I have it in my power to assure you from the best Authority, that no danger is to be apprehended from returning...
28Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 November 1793 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 28 th: Oct r: has been received, & as I omited writing by the last Post, I will defer it no longer, lest, your fears should again be excited on my account. If I felt the same degree of alarm that appears to have taken hold of the People at a distance from Philadelphia, the proposal you were kind enough to make me of passing the Winter with you would probably be accepted, but...
29Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 November 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have now been in the City since the 19 th: and am happily able to give you the fullest assurance of our freedom from danger, on account of the malignant Fever. The Citizens have most of them returned, & universally in good health, business has revived, & is fast returning into its former train; from all present appearances, nobody would think that any Calamity had befallen us. It is...
30Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
I believe you are indebted to me for a letter or two, but as your late loss has been my gain, it is more incumbent on me to attempt to compensate in some measure by my communications the absence of my Father. You have doubtless provided yourself with a comfortable supply of Winters Stores for a severe campaign, as there is reason to anticipate a long one— The Winter has but just commenced with...
31Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 4 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Minister of the French Republic has litterally pursued the Instructions of his Masters, the Executive Council of France; but the Members of that Council who gave the instructions are at present in disgrace; hence a question arises; whether when a source from whence power is derived, becomes, & is declared to be corrupt, any authority flowing from thence, be sufficiently valid to justify...
32Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
your favor of the 6 th: Inst t: has been received— The expressions of tendeness & Maternal affection which it contains on my behalf, deserve a grateful return. It is true I commenced my career at the Bar, as the Prosecutor of a Female— The cause was of such a nature, that there was no necessity for personal or general remarks in the manner you allude to; I took occasion to remark to the Jury...
33Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 26 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
I hasten within two hours after the receipt of your Letter, which came to my hands while at my Father’s lodgings, to commerce an Answer—tho’ I must frankly own, without the smallest idea of the arrangement of the matter which crouds itself upon my mind in the perusal of your favor— I wish to communicate my whole soul to a friend, of all others, most deserving of the confidence— But how I shall...
34Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 19 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter to you was of such a nature, that I can easily persuade myself no matter arose out of it sufficient to furnish an answer. the subject was personally interesting to me alone, and as such, it deserved only to be dwelt on by me. I am manifestly also in your debt for your agreeable favor of the 18 th Jan y: . You ask me to “let you know the State of Politic’s at the fountain head.”...
35Thomas 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...
36Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 25 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
This day I had the pleasure to receive by our Friend M r White your obliging favor of the 12 th: inst; your other favors by private hands have also reached me; you have the luck of discovering private opportunities of Conveyance, while I am obliged to omit writing or send my letters Pr Post— I insist that when I send you a letter for which you are taxed with postage in return your next letter...
37Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 3 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
The return of some Gentlemen of the Philadelphia Bar gives me an opportunity of droping you a few lines; The Court has been engaged in many important trials, & contrary to their expectations are obliged to meet this day— M r: Ingersoll however intends making part of the Journey, to Lancaster this afternoon; To prevent an interference of the Court of Com Pleas & the Supreme Court in Lancaster...
38Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 5 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
In our Journey from West Chester to this place we lodged at Strasburg, a German Village 9 miles the other side of Lancaster; I had little opportunity of viewing the town, as we arrived at dusk & started at 5 oClock the next morning; the lands about it are valuable & well cultivated, the Houses are many of them built with logs, with a Cement of gravel mortar to fill up the chincks— the people...
39Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 14 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 10 has come to hand; I arrived at Lancaster a few hours before it; of course you favor of a prior date is yet to be received. I have requested the Post Master of York Town to forward it here when it reaches that places— As to the Letter’s you speak of I am at a loss what request to make concerning them— The business of Newcombe cannot be advanced till I return; if you will...
40Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 20 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
I was a little disappointed in not finding a letter for me in the Post Office of this place upon my arrival here yesterday— The arrangement, of the Posts is rather inconvenient in all the towns I have yet visited where there is any— In West Chester there is none, in York & Lancaster there is but one Mail Pr Week, as also in this place— the Mail arrived here yesterday from Philadelphia &...
41Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 3 June 1794 (Adams Papers)
I arrived in Philad a: on Sunday Morn g & was not a little disappointed at finding you had taken your departure only the Day before; I hastened my return from Reading, that I might reach Philad a: before you left it. My Journey has been as pleasant as I co[uld] wish, & I have returned not a little prejudiced in favor of the State of Pennsylvania. If my conject[ures] are well founded, it will...
42Thomas 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...
43Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 14 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter by my Brother was delivered a few days since; as the proposal it contains is of very considerable importance, I have taken time to consider it before I returned an answer. As you have been good enough to leave it in my option whether to adopt the plan, or not, I shall express my sentiments with the freedom which your indulgence seems to authorize. I am sensible that a young...
44Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 15 August 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your last favor was handed me by M r C Hall on the road between Philadelphia and New York— It gave me pleasure to receive it, particularly as it was delivered by a Gentleman for whom I have the highest esteem, and who from the satisfaction that was visible in his countenance, discovered the pleasure he must have received in his visit, and the still greater gratification of your acquaintance. I...
45Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 19 October 1794 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity to acquaint you of our safe & happy arrival at this place after a Passage of 28 days. I scarcely conceive it possible at any Season of the year to have a more delightful Voyage; we got soundings on the 21 st: day after our departure, and arrived at Deal on the 28 th: in London the 29 th: exactly four weeks from the day of Embarkment at Boston. With a fast...
46Thomas 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...
47Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 2 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
By the Ship John, Capt n. Duer I gave you information of our safe arrival at London, and I now embrace the earliest opportunity of acquainting you that on the evening of the 31 st of October we reached the place of our destination. We left London on the evening of the 28 th. and reached Harwitch the next day at noon; about 5 oClock we got under Sail on board a Packett for Helvoetsluys with a...
48Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Commission with which you charged me for the Mess rs Willink has been executed so far as depends upon me. The Gentlemen have promised to embrace the first opportunity that offers for Boston, to forward the things to you. I thought that they were too large to be sent with convenience form New York, for which port only, were there any vessels to sail immediately from Amsterdam. The...
49Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 20 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
The rumor’s of peace have almost totally subsided; those still in circulation deserve as little credit, as they generally receive. The hope is still cherished, and even encouraged by the Government here, merely to silence the importunate demands of many of its adherents. In a former letter I mentioned the report then current, that a cessation of hostilities had been agreed to, by the armies in...
50Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 8 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
A favorable occasion presents itself of dropping you a few lines by a vessel for Georgtown. It is the first direct opportunity that has offered since I have been in this Country. Indeed since the Conquest of it, by the french, external intercourse has been till very lately, altogether interrupted. You may easily conjecture that our residence here has not abounded with scenes of pleasure or...