1011Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 25 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging favour of April 7 th on the 18 of this Month, for which accept my sincere thank— To hear of the Health, and Welfare, of old, and Esteemed Friends, gives pleasure to her, who sincerely rejoices, that the decline of Life, of all those, whom she highly values; is renderd agreeable by the enjoyment of Health, Peace, and Competance.— Blessing at all periods valuable but...
1012Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you a National song composed by this same mr Hopkinson. French Tunes have for a long time usurped an uncontrould sway. since the Change in the publick opinion respecting France, the people began to lose the relish for them, and What had been harmony, now becomes discord. accordingly their had been for several Evenings at the Theatre something like disorder, one party crying out...
1013Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 28 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just received yours of the 23 April and I sit down to answer your inquiries respecting the building I wrote to dr Tufts my Ideas upon it. I should think the East Chambers the best for a Library and I do not see any inconvenience from having the stairs to it without doors like going into a store as mr Tufts store is built. I pray neither the dr or mr Black when he comes will say any...
1014Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I promised My dear Thomas to write to him by the May packet. on Fryday Evening at the drawing Room the British Minister informed me that he would take charge of any Letters I might have to Send. I wrote to your Brother by the April Packet, since which there has been a continuation, and increase of that American Spirit which I informd him was rising into activity. I have sent to your Brother,...
1015Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 4 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received two kind Letters from you since I had the pleasure of writing to you. I regreet that both you, and your Family have experienced so much ill Health Since you arrived in this Country. I feel for you as a stranger; and wish you were near enough to me, that I might have it in my power, to return to you, and your Family, Some portion of the kindness and Hospitality which I experienced...
1016Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 7 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
mr Black got here on thursday night. I was rejoiced to see him. it seemd next to being at home. I yesterday received your Letter of April 29th. I had heard before both of Sukys’ death and my dear little Mary’s. I felt hers the more sensibly, because she was more endeared to me from having been more with me than either of the other Children. my Heart is grieved for mr & Mrs smith who for this...
1017Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 10 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Rumour at a distance magnifies, and seldom reports truth. I have not written you a word upon a subject which I know would have made you at least very uneasy. about three weeks ago, a Letter was sent, or rather brought here of a sunday Evening by two young women of the City, one of whom said passing the House a few day before She took up a paper in a small alley which runs between our house &...
1018Abigail Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, 13 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
If I have not written to you my dear Neice it is not because I have not frequently thought of you, through the winter. your good Mother has often informd me of your Welfare and that your little Girl was well. I have sent by mr Black a little token of my Remembrance to her, not because I thought you had not pretty things in Boston, but merely that she might have a slip of my giving her, if she...
1019Abigail Adams to William Cranch, 16 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of the 8 th dated Annapolis I congratulate you my dear Sir, that altho the clouds have been darkned round you, and you have been recently call’d to mourn over the Graves of departed Friend’s, it is a consolation that others are rising up to supply their places. The opening which now presents itself to you, is such as may give you Sanguine hopes, and bright prospects, and...
1020Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 20 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days past, Your obliging favour of May 7 th , inclosing the Letters of my sons, and one from the God Mother of Mrs Adams, which contains a pleasing and agreable picture of the mutual regard, and affection of our Children. Mr Adams never writes me, but he expresses the satisfaction which he derives from his connection long may they live in the full enjoyment of those domestick...
1021Abigail Adams to William Smith, 21 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received by way of Providence last week Your kind Letter of the 11th sent by Mrs Barret, together with the sermon for which accept my thanks. if mr & Mrs Barret had come to Philadelphia, it would have given me pleasure to have noticed them, as it does all of my Friends & acquaintance, or those who are introduced to me by others. I take this opportunity by mr spear to send you two or three...
1022Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 25 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your kind Letter of May 12 th and was rejoiced to learn that you had recoverd from your late indisposition so far as to be able to ride out. have you ever tried the use of Calomil for your complaint, or Bleading? this climate is not so subject to disorders of the lungs and Breast, as ours, but much more so to other inflamitory complaints which call for speedy aid. we have...
1023Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
yours of the 18 I received on Thursday 23— and I rejoice to hear mr Black got home so soon, as I think he could dissipate your anxiety on our account. I may be too confident, but I do not feel as if any body wanted to hurt or injure us. bearing neither malice or ill will towards any one, not even the most deluded, I cannot be particuliarly apprehensive. I wish the Laws of our Country were...
1024Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
As the vessel by which I have already written to you, did not sail yesterday, I can now inform you that the Bill for the protection of our commerce past yesterday in the House of Rep’s 50 to 40— it impowers our vessels of war to capture, and bring in all French cruizers and Privateers which shall be found hovering upon our Coast.— it will pass into a Law tomorrow. We are still in the dark why...
1025Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 29 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I just write you a line to day, to tell you we are well, and to inclose Letters from my Family. we have not any thing new since I wrote you last, except a fine rain, which is truly a blessing for the Grass and Grain were in a suffering condition, and the dust so intollerable as to render riding very dissagreable. I am to drink tea on Board the Frigate United States this afternoon if the...
1026Abigail Adams to William Smith, 29 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
yours of May 18 received on saturday. the President says, he will be obliged to you to chuse him a good pipe of wine, and inform dr Tufts who will take measures to get it to Quincy; you may either forward the Bill of it here, or the person of whom you purchase may wait our comeing, which I hope will be in about a month from this time, I fear not sooner— we know not what a day may bring forth—...
1027Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 1 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I was indeed greatly afflicted by the contents of your last Letter. I received it yesterday, and having a large party of Ladies and Gentlemen to dine, I felt but Little spirit to receive or entertain them. I did not communicate it to the President untill the Evening, when he insisted upon it, that I had some dissagreable News which had affected my spirits, so least he should suppose it greater...
1028Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 2 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Judge Blodget is here again, and offers to take Letters to you. he says he call’d and that you was not at home, nor My Dear Cousin Betsy for whose Health I feel not a little anxious— how is she? has she a fever? has she a cough? would not a journey serve her? has she been bled? I hear from you but seldom. You would write oftner if you was a little more careless. I mean if you did not attend so...
1029Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 2 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received all your Letters, and thank you for them. your last of May 20 came on the 30th. the answer to the address from the students, I presume they must have received. it was addrest to Your clasmate Welch, as one of the committe. it would have been jointly addrest; but mr Malcom had mislaid the Letter which accompanied it, and their Names could not be recollected in order— the...
1030Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received on saturday Yours of May 28 th I wrote you on saturday previous to my receiving yours I am very sorry if the Box I sent should be lost. it was a square Box coverd with canvass, the same you sent my cap in last summer, addrest to mr smith— the dress in it together with the handkerchief Ruffels &c was of 30 dollors value. I intended it for Betsys wedding dress— the vessels Name the...
1031Abigail Adams to William Smith, 4 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter yesterday of May the 28 th and the Sermons you were so kind as to send me, which I have read with much pleasure. I have received ten from different Gentlemen, and I design to have them bound up in a vol’m— You observe that a uninimity prevails throughout the Country. it does so in a wonderfull degree, and I consider it as a kind interposition of Providence in our favour;...
1032Abigail Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The President received yesterday your obliging favour of May 29 th: accompanied by two of your Fast Sermons. permit me sir to be the organ of his acknowledgment to you for them; A Friend had Sent him one a week before; which he read with pleasure and Satisfaction. It is indeed, a consolatary reflection amidst the weight of cares which press upon him from every quarter and the dangers which...
1033Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I write you this Morning just to say that there are dispatches from our Envoys up to April by which it appears that they have had several conferences with Tallyrand, the subject of which was obtaining Money— they are just decupherd and will be communicated. no Reception from the directory, nor like to be any— I cannot but say to you, what will strike every one, that every hour they remain in...
1034Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of June the first. I am quite delighted at the account you give of the season, and the appearence of vegetation. I was out yesterday at A Farm of Judge Peters call’d, Belmont. it is in all its Glory; I have been twice there, when I lived at Bush Hill, but he has improved both the House and Gardens Since— after being six Months in a City, you can hardly conceive the delight one...
1035Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 8 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received Yesterday Yours of May 28 th I inclose you the account of Money sent you, including what is now in this Letter. if I should not remit you any more untill I come; I will then Settle the remainder. I do not expect to leave here untill the first of July. I shall rejoice if it may be then. I have wanted the P——t to get you to draw for 2000 dollors which I think might be spaird, and to...
1036Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 9 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday the 7 th your Letter of June 4 th , inclosing those from, our Children, and I was more gratified to find you had at Length received Letters, than if they had been for me. Mrs Adams’s account of herself, was more full and satisfactory than any which I had previously received I think she cannot be again; even in that Country so dissagreably Situated as she was. I am...
1037Abigail Adams to William Smith, 9 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you a Bill of Lading of some flower a cask trunk and an Iron dripping pan, which I have lookd for without effect in Boston. you will be so good as to receive them for me, & pay the freight, which with other matters you have against me, you will charge and I will pay you in Boston, or send you from hence if you will inclose the account; Heigh ho, When Congress will rise, I can make no...
1038Abigail Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 11 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you, with thank’s the Letter You was so good as to communicate, and the Specimin’s of Poetry, which do great honour to the memory of the unfortunate youth; who is the subject of them. at the same time they bear a pleasing testimony to the Talants and abilities of the Authoressess. The Eligy of the Lady of Seventy, I think bears away the palm. I have a Mischievious inclination to...
1039Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The June packet is to sail tomorrow. as I know you must be anxious for constant intelligence, at this critical & important period, I will not let her sail without writing to you, tho it is a hazard whether she will go safe, for our very coasts are infested with French Privateers, who insult us in our own Waters. every exertion is making to get our Frigates to sea. we have some 20 Gun vessels...
1040Abigail Adams to Hannah Adams, 13 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I should sooner have acknowledgd your obliging favour & replied to your inquiries if I could have obtaind any thing upon the subject which would have been usefull to you The President desires me to tell you that he does not possess any minutes or details of the debate or speech upon the occasion you allude to. Dr Ramsey must have his from some lose memmorandan or other. with respect to the...
1041Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 13 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
but I was thinking so much of Quincy, that I mechanically dated from thence; when I sent Letters for Louissa Mrs Brisler &C by yesterdays Mail; I could not get time to add a line of my own; being engaged in writing to Berlin by the British packet. Since my last to you, I have received a Letter from mrs Johnson inclosing Letters to her, both from mr & mrs A—at which I rejoiced. she has thought...
1042Abigail Adams to George Cabot, 17 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of June the 9 with its inclousure, as well as a former Letter, which I felt too much dissapointed to replie to. I have read the sermon with much pleasure and satisfaction. the Paralell drawn between the Jewish Nation, previous to & during the administration of Nehemiah is striking indeed and our own situation at this time as portraid by the ingenious pen of mr...
1043Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 17 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
You and I, my dear Madam have trod together, through one Gloomy scene, of war, havock and desolation; and we have Seen our Country rise superiour to oppression, and Despotism and take its Rank among the Nations, presenting at this period, the only spectacle , of a Free Republic, which has not been Revolutionized, by the Gormandizing and insatiable thirst of that power, which like the...
1044Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 19 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I expected to have heard from you on Saturday, but no Letter came and on Wedensday but still no Letter. I was dissapointed, but knowing your many avocations I concluded it must arise from thence. I hope not from Sickness tho you wrote me you was not well. I who have more leisure, and no care of Family affairs but my order can and do devote almost every morning in writing to some Friend or...
1045Abigail Adams to William Smith, 19 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 11 th I think Thomas Welch should take his degree at College before he goes. I hope to be in Boston in July. if any Vessel should be going to Hamburgh, it would be best for him to embark for that port. I sincerely regreet that you have had an other vessel captured. Captain Brooks is destined to it, it should seem, from his having so often sufferd, but the President says...
1046Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 22 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last week your very excellent Letter whatever you write is always precious to me. No one better knows how to touch every feeling of the humane Heart. I can allow for your long silence, tho I wish it were not imposed upon you, by your numerous cares; and unavoidable avocations. the anxiety which you feel for the Health of a Beloved child, whom I pray God to restore to Health, and...
1047Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 23 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The weather has been so oppressively Hot for this week—and the streets of the City so nausious that I expect the concequences which must follow. they already begin—complaints of the Bowels are frequent & an inflamitory soar throat. Frederick has got below after 5 bleedings Blistering &c Becky is now sick with it. hers is less upon her throat, more in her Bowels, not much fever— I hope hers...
1048Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 26 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of June 20th with one for mrs Adams which I shall forward in a few day’s. I am Sorry to learn that your Health & spirits are depressed. I know well that want of Health mars every other enjoyment. You must Call Reason & Philosophy to your Aid, nor let the untoward occurrences of Life too much depress you. “Man wants but little here below, nor want that little long” are...
1049Abigail Adams to William Smith, 26 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since writing to You, respecting Thomas Welch, I have received last week a Letter from mr Adams which wholy discourages me from Sending any person abroad. he states certain difficulties which I do not see can be surmounted, certainely not, as it respects Thomas I cannot but regreet that I did not receive the Letter which is dated the last of Feb’ ry sooner, that I might not have proposed the...
1050Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 27 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The reflections which this morning have occupied my mind previous to taking my pen, have been of a solemn & melancholy Nature. wherefore o Lord art thou thus contending with they People, that one prop after an other is taken from them? the Sudden death of dr Belknap has filld my Heart with Sorrow— following so soon after dr Clark, and I presume from the account in the paper, in as sudden a...
1051Abigail Adams to William Smith, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your Letter of June 25th. I wrote to you by the post of twesday, and told you that from a Letter received from mr Adams I thought it would be impractable for Thomas Welch to go out. I now inclose you the Letter and you must judge what is best to be done mr Adams will undoubtedly give Thomas his Board if he goes but you see the expences of his going to him, and of...
1052Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your two Letters of June 18 & 22 yesterday. The expences upon the out House I wish to have in a seperate account, the painting the dewelling House & any repairs made Else where in the General account. you will therefore Credit me 500 dollors upon account of the out Building, and what remains I will either remit or Settle when ever I shall come, which I hope will be in the month...
1053Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 3 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The extreem heat of yesterday & the no less prospet of it this day, is beyond any thing I ever experienced in my Life the Glasses were at 90 in the Shade yesterday. tomorrow will be the 4 July, when if possible I must see thousands. I know not how it will be possible to get through. live here I cannot an other week unless a Change takes place in the weather you had as good be in an oven the...
1054Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 7 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of June 21. on the 29 th the extreem heat of the last week so totally unfitted me for every exertion that I could neither Eat, sleep Read write, or do any thing but labour to Breathe. I took the earliest opportunity to consult dr Rush upon my dear Neices case. what is past, cannot be remidied. his opinion, as to her case is that Bleading would have been the first...
1055Abigail Adams to William Smith, 7 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two kind favours this week of June 29 & July 2d as Hot a day as I ever experienced. I was therefore upon that and the succeeding day unfit for any exertion, and thought it would be impossible for me to go through the fatigues of the 4th without a Change of weather which fortunately took place on twesday afternoon, otherways it must have proved fatal to the Young troops,...
1056Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 8 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of July 4 th. I was indeed so allarmd at the beginning of it, as scarcly to have power or fortitude to proceed. I thought the next line was to anounce to me the death of one, or other of our Children. happily that was not the case tho the affair which gave rise to your Letters is very destressing to me I thank God that it did not prove a fatal one. I know the candid and...
1057Abigail Adams to William Cranch, 12 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
It was with much anxiety and concern that I learnt from mrs Johnson the outrageous attack which was made upon you by mr duncanson, and the dissagreable circumstance of your being Badly wounded. I hope however from What I yesterday heard that the concequences of the wound will not prove so bad as was apprehended. mr Greenleaf call’d yesterday to inquire what intelligence I had received. he...
1058Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 13 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I begin my Letter by saying that mr Cranch was so much better on the 7th, the date of mrs Johnsons last Letter, as to conclude to go to the Court the next day— I would not make a long preparation to allarm or distress you, or write you a word upon the subject untill mrs Johnsons 2 d Letter came for I would not have you feel as I did, upon reading the first part of hers of the 4 of july. upon...
1059Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 17 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had a Letter yesterday from mrs Johnson of the 12 July, in which she says mr Cranch had just returnd from the Court to which he went, the Judge being indisposed; that his wounds were getting well fast, and that he did not suffer any inconvenience except a headack, by his ride—that he had written to you a full account of the whole buisness. Congress rose yesterday. the House the Senate are...
1060Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 19 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received p r. post yours of the 17 th this day. I shall forward your Letter to the Children. I received a Letter from mrs Johnson of the 12 th in which she says mr Cranch’s wounds were healing, that the most dangerous was just below the Hair, two other upon the side of the head. the skull was laid bare. the Bravadoes struck him twice after he was sensless upon the Ground, and for no other...