As I am afraid you will hardly recieve my Letter in time I hasten to tell you that if you have no part assigned to you you must come on directly so as to be here on Wednesday Week when Genl La Fayette is to pay us a visit and I want you to assist me in doing the honours of the House— Give my love to all and tell George to send the Silk by you to your affectionate Mother MHi : Adams Papers.
32From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, October 1823 (Adams Papers)
Silver Plate 3640 Desk 80 Screens 150 Commode 40 Curtains 50 Tables 25 Presses 40 Commode 20 Matrass 20 Toilette 70
I send this enclosure and add a few lines to state that I shall leave this place on Wednesday for Washington and hope to find Letters from you in New York—We shall go by the way of Hudson and Poughkeepsy— Yours Ever MHi : Adams Papers.
All well; I send you another Sheet keep them all together that they may form a continuation and that you may be better able to understand it. Susan has just returned from Prince Georges County she is very well but her baby has been sick but he is now much better—I sent to ask her to come to me but she prefers going to Mrs. French’s. Your Mother You will see some errors but I believe you can...
I write you again a few lines to beg that you will contrive to send the red Morocco belonging to the Carriage in your Uncles Trunk if they can be laid at the bottom, without taking too much room and to have Georges Umbrella tied outside of it as he forgot to bring it. Do not make a mistake I mean the leathers that fasten into the sides of the Carriage to keep out the air— We have come this far...
On the Portrait of My Husband. The painters Art would vainly seize That harmony of Nature; Where Sense and goodness joined with ease Shine forth in every feature.— That open front where wisdom sits, That eye which speaks the Soul; That brow that study gently knits That bright attempered whole, That vast variety of mind Capacious, clear and strong, Where brilliancy of wit refined Enchants the...
I left my famous case and bottle containing the teeth in the Mahogany desk in my bed room—I will thank you to roll it up in paper and get your brother to seal it at each end to give to dr Huntt who will leave it for me at the City Hotel in New Your in the care of Mr Willerd the Bar Keeper— We are all here as stupid as possible wishing for you and already wanting to be at home—Give my love to...
38From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 18 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
We have arrived safely after a most unpleasant journey which however I richly meritted for my wilfulness in travelling in such weather—I lost all my opportunities of procuring the Milinery that I wanted and you must get the Bonnet and Cap for your Aunt which she wants and have it sent on—If you should a pretty hat or Bonnet not too high you may get one for me at the same time— You will...
39From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 26 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few lines to tell you that I have no particular choice in point of colour for a bonnet but want something stylish and fashionable—Your Aunt Caroline says she has no choice but hers must be such an one as she can wear at Church— We are all well and expect to see you very soon—Abigail is on her way and will be here soon—I send the Engraving to Mr. Hopkinson with this Letter—As I...
40From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 8 September 1824 (Adams Papers)
I enclose a Letter from Abby and can only say that we arrived at one o’clock on Monday morning after a most boisterous and fatiguing passage which almost shook me to pieces and made me often wish that I had remained with our good friends at borden Town.—I am however very glad that I came here as we find the old Gentleman much altered and evidently gradually declining although many persons...
41From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 12 September 1826 (Adams Papers)
Your Note and packet came safely to me a few days since and I write a few lines merely to say that Mr. Adams has fixed the 4 of October to leave this place for home and that I do not think he will travel very rapidly—I hope Charles took the Letter out of the Post Office at Philadelphia and returned you the fifty Dollars I shall be uneasy until I hear I wish you would see and ask to write down...
We have arrived without accident after a pleasant journey in this City my Dear Mary and safely deposited Robert who behaved like a Hero and required no counsel as Mr. Frye seems to have stamped his Lessons very powerfully on his mind as well as on his affection— I write to tell you that Anthony is to let Mr. Frye have your Uncle’s Tea Table and that he is to pay Elizabeth her full Month and I...
I am ordered to write to you immediately by the family here to tell you that you must come on by the first favorable opportunity and that they will be mortally offended by your refusal—I advise you by all means should you hear of any body coming to join their party and come immediately to Mrs. St—— at Philadelphia when Elizabeth and one of the young men will meet you and escort you out you...
44From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 9 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
I write you a very few lines to tell you that I have seen your Brother that he is delighted with his situation and is more improved than I can express. He is now at Quincy with my boys and as much at home as either of them—Mr Lee offered to take your Shawl and Veil which I hope you will like as well as the handkerchief—I will answer the questions of Miss Mease when I arrive at Borden Town...
45From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 19 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
The Miss Cottringers have just called on me and inform me that their Mother went to Philadelphia yesterday Morning from whence she is to return in a week—As this will be an excellent opportunity for your return I shall wish you to come home with her at the time mentioned as I find that the accounts of the sickness are very much exaggerated—You will find her at Mr. J. Dugan’s between Spruce and...
46From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 3 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
Surrounded by my chattering Boys I can scarcely write you a word to tell you that we arrived safely after a most fatiguing journey and are all well at Quincy and very comfortable—The journey was unpleasant and I think we were more jolted and jostled even than last year. I beg you will tell Mrs. Smith that during the time of my absence she can be supplied with milk from my Cow and if Mr. Smith...
47From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 27 October 1823 (Adams Papers)
By desire of Mr Cook I write to inform you that there is some business which requires your presence here previous to the fourteenth of next Month and which cannot be delayed—Mr & Mrs. Thompson are supposed to be on their way and you may perhaps be able to join them but I fear will not have time to get ready—I leave it entirely at your at what time you will return and only mention opportunities...
48From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Johnson Hellen, 19 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
Your Sister informs me my dear Thomas that you are preparing to enter College in the Month of August next and the information give me so much pleasure I write to tell you how much I am gratified as it convinces me that you have been industrious and laudably ambitious to perfect your advantages in the completion of your education. There is but little passing among us that can afford topics of...
Your Letter of 19 July was delivered to me just after I had dispatched my last and I now hasten to answer it—My visit to Frederick was interrupted by the illness of Governor Johnson who is not expected to recover and who has declined seeing any of his relations nearer than his own children—We are therefore once more disappointed and I suspect that the great reason of the failure of the...
I have been prevented from writing to you a long time my dear Tom first in consequence of ill health and since because I thought it would be better to await your return to College than to address to Exeter where I hope you have been happy among your respectable old friends— It gives me great pleasure to learn from Mary that you have become more satisfied with your situation and now I have only...
51Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams and Thomas Baker Johnson, Poem on Deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, 4 July 1826 (Adams Papers)
Not a smile was seen—Nor a sound heard of joy Tho’ the day was to Gratitude vow’d The brightness of pleasure that ne’er knew alloy Had been dimm’d like the Sun by a cloud The day that a Nation first gave to the world And millions of Freemen—Now blest In its oft welcom’d Course—Saw no banner unfurl’d Save what proud exultation exprest With hearts high in hopes & with Gratitude fill’d The bright...
I enclose you some lines which were written very hastily yesterday morning immediately after receiving the news of the death of poor Florida Pope after nine months of severe suffering—She was beautiful and a child of the fairest promise and there is some thing remarkable in the serenity and sweetness which closed her dying moments—She was calm collected and happy and distributed her little...
53From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 8 August 1820 (Adams Papers)
Harriet Welsh writes me that George and you intend to visit Mrs. de Wint during the vacation and that if your father grants you permission you intend to go on to Niagara—I had made a partial engagement to accompany Mr. & Mrs. de Wint to Niagara this fall but I do not feel quite sure that I shall be able to accomplish this purpose as your father tho’ he says I may go always appears to have...
I received your Letter of the 7th yesterday Evening and was very happy to learn that you sustained the rigours of the Climate so well as I have involuntarily felt some apprehensions lest you should have suffered in consequence of your residence for so long a time in one so much warmer and milder—Poor Charles left us two days ago and I think with deeper regret even than usual—under an...
55From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 18 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
I cannot imagine my Dear John what can be the reason of your not writing to me. You used to be a very regular correspondent, but I suppose the Ladies have such demands on your time you have none to bestow on your poor Mother. We are very happy to learn from Mr Pomeroy, that your Grandfather is so entirely recovered he tells us the old Gentleman has not looked so well this two years as he does...
Another Letter was yesterday brought me but it gave me no hopes of your return and I dare not flatter myself yet that you will obtain any answer more decisive to this last effort, than they have hitherto given upon any point. as I wrote you once before notwithstanding I am so anxious to see him you I could almost wish you might be detained untill the coming Spring, so fearful am I that this...
It is a long time since I wrote you as I have again been very sick and utterly unable to put pen to paper—You may therefore readily imagine that I have nothing to write about any more than yourself as I have had nothing whatever to do with the great world for some time who are kind enough to believe me sick in consequence of the Presidential question—I will acknowledge that it is of a nature...
Your Letter my caused me a mixture of feelings some pleasing some painful the latter because there is an evidence of a temper little calculated to promote the success of your wishes and evincing a disposition to rebel against your fathers order which must end unhappily to yourself—Be assured my dear Son that industry obedience and application will produce the best effects and that while you...
I am all impatience to hear from you, my beloved friend, and cannot concieve the reason, of your not having written from New York, according to your promise. there are some reports about that have occasioned me some much uneasiness and I wish very much to learn, that our friends there are all well , not a line having been recieved here. I have sent your Bank book, &c, as you desired, and have...
Regularity and method are so essential to the acquisition of real knowledge that the little annoyance of the Bell is a trifle to the good consequences which its sound produces when it reminds you that certain duties are to be performed at certain times—The human mind requires an incessant spur or stimulus to invigorate its action or more properly speaking to force it into certain channels...
61From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 4 September 1824 (Adams Papers)
I was so much occupied during my stop at Borden Town I could not answer your Letter therefore busy myself here having nothing to do with all the nonsense I can think of for pastime. You can easily conceive, the dreariness of my situation travelling alone with your father who though more of a than I can recollect since the earliest period of our marriage is still too much of a Statesman to be...
62From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 18 September 1824 (Adams Papers)
I write you a few lines my dear John in answer to yours which I received last night merely to say we are all well and your Grandfather better but we are so immerced in dinners and partys that my head is perfectly turned— Give my love to Johnson (Hellen), and tell him not to grieve—for I am glad the connection has failed as there is something in the conduct of all parties not altogether...
63From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 21 February 1822 (Adams Papers)
Being very well I hasten to write you and although you disclaim all merit in a certain transaction still to repeat my approbation of a conduct which does you so much honour and which I hope (although you must not expect) will be rewarded by the improvement and merit of its object—Should this not happen do not suffer the disappointment to mortify or wound your feelings or to damp any future...
I was so fortunate as to recieve your No 25 on Wednesday which was the day in course but as it was the first time I mention it as something extraordinary I shall certainly be very cautious as you request about your letters— I cannot help smiling at your affected difficulty about filling a sheet of Paper and were it possible that a compliment from your wife could have any value I should almost...
65From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 12 October 1810 (Adams Papers)
I recieved your letter my dear Child only a few days since and am charmed to find that George and you are such good boys I am sure you are much obliged to Cousin Abby for your letters. and I you will soon learn to write them yourself I hope as they will afford me double pleasure George is now near ten years old and is I am sure too much of a man to play truant any more and I am sure you never...
We have proceeded thus far on our journey as well and with as much pleasure as we could possibly have expected and the day I have passed at this place will ever be remember’d by me with gratitude and pleasure from the very polite and kind attention of the Governor and his Lady to whom Mr Harris gave me letters of recommendation they are a charming couple exact suited to please me as they are...
I am so much concerned my Dear George to learn from your last letter what a state of suffering you were in that I have been anxiously looking for a second letter to assure us of your recovery—We learn from the newspapers that the cold has been intense and I fear you do not take precautions to guard against its extreme severity— We are here in the midst of the busy bustling scene of a session...
The frequent and violent attacks of sickness which assail me my Dear George render me a wretched correspondent as the few days of comparative health which I enjoy are attended with a degree of debility which incapacitates me from any exertion of thought or rather of sedentary occupation without reproducing disagreeable sensations in my head and eyes.— We perceive with much delight an entire...
We have been under the necessity of delaying our journey a few days on account of the marriage of Harriet which took place on thursday evening at eight o’clock since which I have been so much engaged with company and preparations for my departure It has not been in my power to write you untill this morning—We propose leaving this place on Tuesday morning and shall probably reach Quincy in...
I enclose two letters my be loved friend which I request you will give to Adelaide I have not recieved your promissed letter I will not say that I anticipate much pleasure from its perusal as I think it is an answer to a letter I wrote you which has caused me much regret still to hear from you at all affords me so much real satisfaction. I anxiously await its arrival firmly convinced that you...
My last letter mentioned some good news which I had heard from America I thank God this has been confirm’d and a great deal beside which I had neither thought’s or hopes of I was in expation of your last Letter’s being filled with the particulars but the date from London was precisely the same and you could not recieve it untill two days later your next will however contain all this news and...
Your father wrote you a Letter yesterday in which he desires you to remain with your Grandfather to which I readily consented although with a pang which has absolutely made me sick such delight had I in the anticipation of your visit—My duties as it regards my children have always by some circumstance or other been rendered particularly painful and the sacrifices required have been almost...
My health continues to mend rappidly and the prospect of soon rejoining you and my little darlings supports my spirits and enables me to bear the dreadful stroke that has befallen me with more fortitude than otherwise I fear I should have done— I can safely assure you that this misfortune was not caused by any imprudence on my part Dr. Weems is satisfied that the Child had been subject to...
We have accomplished our journey thus far as well as I anticipated but my brother was so ill this morning I was fearful we should be obliged to remain at Baltimore for some days. As however he is better this Eveng he has determined to go on in the Stage and reach Philadelphia tomorrow morning—I shall therefore send the Carriage round to join us there— Our Stage party consists of Mr Pratt of P....
I found your note this morning on my plate when I enterred the breakfast room and hasten to offer you my congratulations on the birth of your Little Grandson for whose happiness and welfare in this world of trouble I most sincerely pray may he prove a joy and blessing to his Parents. Mr. Adams has been afflicted with an inflamation in his eyes which terminated in an Abcess in the under-lid of...
Your two last No 12 & 13 were delivered to me at the same time I presume the first had been detained at the Post Office and closely inspected and even the second was also examined but not detain’d As to Day was our Wedding day and the day on which the Emperor’s return to us Capital was celebrated I went to the Te Deum and spent my morning in praying for the success of your Mission. when I...
As I am much afraid that I shall not accomplish the plan proposed in my last Letter to John you will have an opportunity to take a part at the last exhibition in preference to the one you mention in October as should your father be able to go on he will probably not stay more than a fort night and that might not suit the time fixed— Your Letters to me leave me so little to answer that I can...
78From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 3 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter my dear John gave us great uneasiness on your Grandfathers account and we feel very anxious lest the violence of the shock should have injured his health. We hope to hear from you frequently and that your Letters may be welcomed as harbingers of good instead of ill news for the future— I propose to leave this City on the 14 as your father wishes me to travel in the Carriage I shall...
As Mr. & Mrs. Johnson intend leaving us this evening I write you a few lines to assure you of our health and that of the charming family with whom we now are. Caroline and her children are quite well and happy and gave us the cheering welcome of an old and affectionate friend— The situation of Mrs. de Wirts house is beautiful but you have heard too much of it to need any description from me....
Mr Gurney having called on me yesterday, to give notice that he should quit your house next quarter day, and that he wished to settle with you as soon as possible, I have thought it best to write you my beloved friend, he having expressed a desire to leave it immediately, which I did not think you would approved; he mention’d not having it in his power to pay you at present, but will give you...