51To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Feby. 27 Remained at home all the morning—Mr. Adams dined with Mr. Lowndes—In the evening went to the French Ministers where Mr. A accompanied me it being their last public night—God save the King produced a great effect I understand last night, and the papers are to ring with it tomorrow—The managers—Those of whom were Members of Congress had determined it should not be played, and Mrs. Peter...
52From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 24 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I was seriously concerned to hear of your illness and am still considerably uneasy of lest you should by any imprudence have a relapse and I entreat you will be particularly careful of the Night air—You must write me frequently even if it is only to say “I am well ” as I shall be very anxious for some time I presume you are taking the Bark? what Phyissian attended you? was your complaint...
53From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 16 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am very uneasy my dear John at your indisposition more especially as you do not mention its nature—I hope the heaviest part of your labour is now terminated and that you will ere this Letter reaches you have acquitted yourself with honour and applause. I regret very much not being present at your exhibition still more that your father has been disappointed in consequence of the delay of the...
54From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 1 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter my dear John was brought me just before dinner and I hasten to answer it more particularly that part of it in which you mention that Messrs. Calvert and Taylor intend leaving Cambridge a week sooner then than the commencement of the Vacation and I am authorized by your father to tell you to present his compliments to Dr. Kirkland and request he will permit you to leave Cambridge at...
55From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 15 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday brought me your Letter my Dear John and your father and myself were both pleased to see the account you give of our dear fathers health for whom we have been very anxious for some time—According to your account I am a little afraid you will get spoilt among so many belles who will so inflate your natural vanity that you will be likely to share the fate of Narcissus—Some of these...
56From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 25 October 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your last is written under such disagreeable circumstances it partook a good deal of your general discomfort in its tone and expression. I have therefore delayed my answer until your difficulties shall be smoothed and your usual equanimity returned when I know my Letter will be welcome and you will not misconstrue the affectionate anxiety of Parents who have perhaps an exaggerated idea of the...
57To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 23 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
23 March—Our City is more and more deeply unwell of fears and gloom and every moment seems to teem with more troubles—A hundred different stories are in circulation concerning this dreadful affair and I am told that his Wife has not seen him since the night before the Duel took place as instead of breakfasting at home he stopped at the Congress Hotel and there ate an unusually hearty meal...
58To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I have written I feel that it is difficult to offer an apology for my silence or rather such an one as would prove satisfactory: it however proceeded from the extreme dullness of the City and the excessive heat of the Summer in the first place; a journey to visit my relations in Frederick in the second; and a severe indisposition in the third which confined me to my bed...
59From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
An indisposition which confined me to my bed in the first instance and moving in the next into our house in F Street has prevented my answering your Letter earlier and my papers are all in such confusion that I cannot pretend to find it now so as to answer it correctly— Our House will hardly be well fixed before you come on and at present Charles is obliged to sleep in the Drawing room which...
60From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 5 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
Do not suffer your failure to mortify you too much my dear John—It was accidental and must not prevent your future efforts—Fortune will at length smile propitious and reward your amiable exertions—I feel most sensibly for the pain you must have suffered and only wish I had been present to alleviate it—Your Father will perhaps be a little disappointed but your desire to excel will meet with its...
61To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
8th. The morning very stormy and a heavy fall of snow sent to decline an invitation to a Ball given by the Officers of the Marine Corps at the Barracks—Went to the Presidents to dine and finding the weather quite clear sent word to Miss Buchanan to make ready to accompany us to the Ball notwithstanding our Apology—The company were nearly all assembled when we arrived—The Vice President and...
62To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 January 1823 to 20 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
1st January. If the weather to day is ominous of the storms of the ensuing year we must not expect much quiet—Let it come—I will not flinch be the end what it may—We went to the Presidents where we found a much larger party assembled than would have been expected considering the difficulties attendant on a sortie in such an inclement day—The Corps diplomatique paid their usual compliment and...
63To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
March 4th. Took a long walk the weather being beautiful—returned home to dress for dinner at having a company of 20 to Dine with us—Some of the Ladies who have declined visiting me the whole winter have thought proper to leave cards to take leave—I understand that many of them do not return as their husbands are not re–elected and after the adjournment of Congress they dropt their rank —Our...
64From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 12 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
I am afraid that Charles has been writing some nonsense concerning Harriet Welsh which has caused you to write so disrespectfully concerning her Charl’s got hold of my papers and contrary to my most positive orders read them and then wrote you something or other not much to his credit—I therefore beg I may hear no more on this subject I am certainly very sorry to hear that you were so...
65From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 6 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 29 reached me safely the day before yesterday and as it contained information concerning your Grandfathers plans I enclosed it to your father to whom it will probably be very interesting— Your regular and constant attention to your College duties gives me the utmost pleasure and though it may not be crowned with as much success there as you hope or have a right to expect...
66From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 3 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
I am, as well as your father, much delighted at the account you give of your Grandfathers health, and heartily pray that he may long enjoy the pleasure his little Carriage at present affords him—Charles writes me that he is quite sick, and that he would probably visit Quincy in consequence of it. I wish he may, as he does not understand managing himself, and should be under the care of those...
67From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 19 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Letter and am very much pleased to find you all in such good spirits Why George should have roared so at the idea of your fathers dancing I do not know—but he is not the only one so affected for Mr. Walker of the Senate I thought would have fallen on the floor—Washington is becoming quite dull notwithstanding our wedding we are however to have dancing on Tuesday and...
68From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 7 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
The plan of your father to follow us as far as the cross roads to Dedham prevented my taking leave of you I therefore hasten to write you a few lines in explanation and to let you know how we go on—Our journey was tolerably pleasant until we reached Blakes at West Greenwich where the Coachman was taken sick and we were obliged to hurry on to New London as I was impatient to consult a...
69To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 January 1819 (Adams Papers)
15 February January —Waked so ill with cramps in my Stomach as to be unable to rise and continued so all day and towards evening was obliged to send for the Doctor who gave me opium the only thing which could afford me relief— 16 Rose much better though still suffering from a stricture across the breast—Remained at home receiving visits until three o’clock—Mr Bailey and Mr. Forbes passed the...
70From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 19 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter pleased and displeased me; the goodness and purity of your motives can never admit of a doubt, but there are ways of doing things which sometimes make them appear harsh and unkind and the general style of your last impressed your father with the idea that you were not so affectionate and kind to your Brother as he could wish for your mutual comfort—Your brothers excentricities of...
71From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 21 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
read my Letter attentively and then tell me if you perceive any thing like harshness abou ? in it. Deep anxiety on account of your brother whose representation of his terror as to his prospects had very much affected me and a fear that you might think yourselves harshly treated made me express myself perhaps in stronger terms terms than I was aware of but could you have read my heart while I...
72From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 11 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
My Lecture was intended to warn you against imprudently expressing your feelings even in a good cause, and to guard you against misconstruction. I know your heart, and how utterly incapable you are of so selfish a feeling as that I mentioned in my last; but every body has not the same acquaintance with you, and are therefore liable to misjudge you—Your reason for making your visits less...
73To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 13 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
Having observed in the papers that the reason assigned for your declining to accept the invitation on the 4h. was on account of indisposition Mr. Adams and myself are anxious to hear from you and to be assured that it was rather the dread of over fatigue than real indisposition which caused your refusal to attend. It would have been altogether improper to make such an exertion and I rejoice...
74To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
3 April—Mr: Lowndes spoke against Mr: Cs resolutions Mr Archer of Virginia is in favour being he made a speech which however did not excite much admiration—He is a disagreeable pedantic prejudiced Virginian—A would be Randolph without merits the most necessary ingredient to promote the likeness— 4. Charles still continues quite an invalid—It was this day that the Debate took place in Congress...
75From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 21 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
My Brother much as usual. The impossibility of hastening the cure of his very painful desease in consequence of this heat affects his spirits very much and makes him fretful and gloomy; ever anticipating evil, and unwilling to enjoy present good—Poor fellow—it is surely very hard to know he would be relieved in a few days, and at the same time to suffer ly the pain, but the idea which the mind...
76To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I do not know if I ought to congratulate you or not on your acceptance of the trouble and anxiety attending you as a Member of the Convention my dear Sir but I hope it will yield you amusement and vary your occupations we rely on your making it as easy as little laborious to yourself as possible— Congress has convened again and as you will perceive by the papers of the day they have assembled...
77From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
I last evening received your Letter of the 20h with great delight and assure you I require nothing but your word to satisfy me regarding your conduct having always had full reliance on your respect to truth—When I wrote I had heard a terrible account of the rebellion and was excessively alarmed at the consequences for you under this impression and trembling with lest George in his desire to...
78To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
My visit is delayed In consequence of the celebration of the 4th July a day of double interest to me, as the anniversary of our Independence, and of the birth of our dear John—You will have seen by the papers that your Son is to perform a conspicuous part on this occasion, for which he is all ready and thoroughly prepared—The President is here and has been invited to dine with the company, but...
79From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 30 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 22 enclosing the lines you wrote arrived yesterday and both your father and myself were much pleased with them—The idea is very pretty, and the verse nearly correct, and the two last lines are very very good, the language being truly poetical, and the image is delicate and pathetic—I laboured some time to work on the idea, but could do nothing that pleased me half so well as...
80To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 16 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
16 April—Went to Church at the Capital not full at all. Afterwards paid some visits—The remainder of the day at home— 17 No occurrence of importance—paid some visits and passed the day at home—Mr: A– dined at Mr: Politeca’s the Russian Ministers—the dinner given to Gen Vines the new Spanish Minister—much curiosity and anxiety expressed concerning the Negotiation 18 Went out in quest of company...
81From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 1 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have been very unwell and likewise waiting for some answer from your father concerning the books you asked and I have the pleasure to tell you that your father agrees to your demand and will give you the british Theatre— You have apparently forgotten all the Commissions with which you were charged as I have neither heard nor seen any thing of Charles’s Books or the Shells which you promised...
82From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 26 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
I have been very sick confined to my bed for several days therefore not able to write to either of you as I have intended as I have this day left my bed I send you at least a few lines in answer to both your Letters received within two days and to express if possible the gratification which the proper and affectionate feelings they manifested to your brother occasioned both to your father and...
83From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 11 November 1822 (Adams Papers)
It is sometime since I have written you in consequence of indisposition I have therefore two of your Letters unanswered— It was scarcely possible for so great a belle as Miss A Quincy to take particular notice of a certain young gentleman without my hearing of it—publick rumour has many tongues and though you may not yet be a subject of sufficient importance to excite attention the young Lady...
84To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 22 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
Novbr. 22 Spent the day at home excepting about an hour in which I paid a number of visits—Dr. Thornton called in late last Evening and chatted some time His conversation is indeed a thing of threads and patches certainly amusing from its perpetual variety—He is altogether the most excentric being I ever met with possessing the extremes of literary information and the levity and trifling of...
85To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 November 1820 (Adams Papers)
29th Rode out and called on my patient who is fast recovering and able to raise his broken arm—In the Evening went to the Drawing Room it was well attended though not crowded—I was teazed in the course of the evening with questions concerning how I should conduct myself in that House as mistress of it for a time for it was likely I should be there in four years I laughed and said that I...
86To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Feby 1. Continued very ill but having company at Dinner made an effort to struggle against my indisposition with a view to receive my expected guest’s—It was however and at four o’clock having gone through the labour of receiving many morning visitors I was under the necessity of retiring to my chamber—She was unusually gay and excellent and all the company sociable and merry—The party...
87To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 30 January 1823 (Adams Papers)
30th: January—Mr A & the boys dined at Mrs Decaturs & met us at Mr Cannings They found Mrs Decatur was very affable & agreeable & they were much delighted with their entertainment—The balls at this house are always elegant but there is still something flatt & stiff resulting from the knowledge of the Masters rigid love of ettiquette & ceremony—Beauty always appears to advantage here— 31st:...
88To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 April 1819 (Adams Papers)
Two of your very kind Letters were brought me on Friday and Saturday and I should have written immediately but we have been under such perpetual alarms on account of fires that it has been difficult to sit down to any regular occupation—On Wednesday there were two frame houses and two Brick one destroyed on Thursday 2 Brick and 2 frame houses on Friday a Brick house at the Navy Yard 1 at the...
89From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 25 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of 17 which I received last evening I have only to beg that you will keep up your spirits and make every exertion to remove the impressions which your father received during his visit to Cambridge and which he is too just to retain if you convince him by your application and industry that those impressions are incorrect—Your frequent and injudicious declarations that...
90To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 5 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
5 May—Went out and paid some visits but found the day so unpleasant I soon returned—read Trotters Memoirs of the last years of Charles James Fox which is a miserably poor production—according to my idea written with considerable affectation—I had not much gratification in the perusal of the work— 6 Went to a party at Mrs. de Neuvilles—the party small much curiosity existed concerning the...
91To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 31 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
Since my return home George has so well supplied my place in writing to you and we have had so few events (save melancholy ones) to detail that I find it scarce possible to address you on any subject that can excite a moments interest—The family generally are well and Georges health we hope is rappidly mending— This day the new Spanish Minister was introduced to the President this day . He is...
92To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 3 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
I should certainly have answered your last very kind Letter immediately, had I not been very suddenly siezed by a violent Fever which confined me to my bed, and so entirely prostrated me in a few hours as to render all exertion impossible. Blistering and bleeding have at length subdued the disease, and I am now about the house again, although far from well, and sieze the moment of recovery to...
93From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 10 October 1819 (Adams Papers)
I think my last closed at our arrival at New London but I am not sure therefore you must excuse repetitions—We left the Hotel early in the morning to go on board the Steam Boat and I met many objects of attraction on my way to whom I should have been delighted to have paid my respects but my young master held my chain so fast that each attempt was frustrated and we arrived at the Wharf without...
94To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 December 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams yesterday received a Letter from you in which you are so kind as to send me a permission to write you confidentially as I used to do the last winter—Nothing but the fear of appearing obtrusive could have prevented my writing you sooner, and having obtained the permission to pursue the old form I will continue my journal writing according to the feelings of the moment; soliciting at...
95From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 12 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Ere you can have arrived at Baltimore my beloved Children I address you in the hope that my Letter may find you immediately after your arrival at Boston in good spirits and safety and to thank you both for the many happy hours which you have caused your Mother to enjoy by your good conduct and affectionate attentions during your visit. Life is a scene so mixed so full of pleasure and pain that...
96To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 11 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
Your reproach my dear Sir was very keen and keenly felt because conscience pointed its force and added mortification to its merited sting—To make excuses will not repair the fault and the only rational one I can offer is that I have been waiting impatiently for the publication of the weights and measures and was really entirely decieved as to the length of time that had elapsed since writing...
97From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 6 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your last my Dear John I can only say that if the accomodations are so suitable and the price so reasonable as you say at the Exchange I should most certainly prefer them to any others but you know that your father is particular on this point and I wish you to ascertain exactly before I come so that we may decide immediately after our arrival—There will be your father myself Ellen...
98From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 12 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
I was very much pleased with the writing of your Letter and only have to recommend to you now to pay some attention to your style, which is essential to a gentleman; as he must necessarily through life enter into correspondence either on business or familiar subjects in which a correct and elegant style is expected and more particularly from persons possessing great advantages of education—I...
99From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 11 May 1823 (Adams Papers)
From Letters received from Edward Taylor and Charles, I at length understand that the unpleasant occurrence which has taken place at Cambridge has again proved one of those in which the Esprit de Corps has made it necessary for you to take your part and to act with your Class—I grieve most sincerely at this necessity which ultimately must be very injurious to you and probably lose you your...
100To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 January 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much indisposed it has been almost impossible for me to keep my journal and my family has been too large to admit of sufficient quiet to do any thing but partake of the amusements of the place which however have been but few comparatively speaking. It has been remarked frequently that there has never been so gloomy a session as the present and I doubt if there ever was one which...