1From Harriet Welsh to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, July 1826 (Adams Papers)
You could not have asked my dear Mrs. Adams a happier a more glorious transition from earth to Heaven—on that day fifty years since consecrated to his blessed memory—I was not there at the moment but he left the world as I expected a tranquil calm sunset—when I had the ever to be remembered happiness of passing three days with him a short time since He could at times only give utterance to his...
The President, and your son, arrived last night my dear Mrs. Adams; well, and not more fatigued than was to be expected from so hasty a journey—or than he is usually—they go to Quincy this morn’g—. It is about three weeks since I passed two or three days at Quincy and then felt a conviction that it would not be possible to preserve your Fathers life much longer—without the greatest & most...
The friendship of M Hawley is among the sweetest recollections of my life I first met him at the trial of the negro at Springfield from that day to his death we were friends he would not do anything in the House of R—without consulting me—he would not act upon the committe to answer Hutchinson respecting the Parliamentary authority over us unless I were present & that answer prevail’d was...
4To John Adams from Harriet Welsh, 11 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
Having met with the answer & recantation of Campbell the poet to Mr. Everett and being pleased I have thought you too might like to have it read to you, regretting that I cannot receive the pleasure and benefit of reading it to you myself—it has suggested an inquiry which it will gratify my curiosity if you will have the goodness to answer—viz—whether you think that at any period of our...
5To John Adams from Harriet Welsh, 10 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
As Louisa informs me you choose to have my request addressed directly to yourself respecting a conversation between you Mr. S. Adams and others previous to the nomination of Gen Washington by you to the command of the army, during the revolution, I shall do it very briefly, by asking to have that conversation and the debate which ensued upon the nomination took place in Congress,—recorded by...
My negligence about writing to you has arisen not so much from the want of something to say as from the number of materials which I found in my mind for a long letter—. in despair of ever finding time to say all that I have at various times wish’d to—it is my conclusion to give you only the thoughts of the passing moment—the minister of State can scarcely number up— more daily employments than...
Your letters dear Mrs Adams have been very much neglected apparently by me—but my confidence in your knowledge of the cause of it has prevented any uneasiness on my part on this account—My mind & heart have formed constant occupation for the last month at Quincy & it—is yet difficult for me to fall into the train of the common & ordinary occurences of life— I too have met with a loss—which...
The few first days after I came to Quincy namely 19th. 20th. & morning of 21st—She was very weak but we had hopes which did waver much till Dr Holbrook came on Thursday he then declared that 24 hours were very important—that if the Bark did not produce some addition to her strength she must fail very shortly after—she did gain some strength but was uniformly of opinion that she should not...
Mrs. Adams remains very much the same not worse than the two days past—we have still hopes Another letter on Wednesday— MHi : Adams Papers.
Your mother was pronounced so much better this morning that your father has resumed his book—or rather he is at ease enough to be read to—Mrs Greenleaf has come in to amuse him with the news of the day which gives me a few moments to write to you, Caroline, & to your children—As Mrs Adams gains a little strength she continues to interest herself in her affairs again—to day she desired I might...