Adams Papers
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Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 3 July 1800

Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw

Philadelphia 3d: July 1800

Dear William

I enclose you a receipt from Watson for your last pr of Pentaloons, and Mr: Lynch’s receipt for the last quarter’s rent of the house; the last you will please to give to my Mother.1

Frederick, the Hostler, called on me some days ago, to give him a character, as a Coachman, saying that his own, was gone in his chest to Quincy, and praying me to write for it. I promised to do the latter, but was not so ready to certify for his ability and good conduct, which I knew nothing about. He was very importunate—plead poverty &ca: but I dissmissed him, none the better for me. Mr: Briesler will see that the Chest be returned & you will notify me when it is sent.

There is nothing new here, except a report, that the V. P. had suddenly departed this life, after 48 hours illness— The Aurora of this morning, says it is a federal bore, & a trick of a Baltimore Editor, to prevent the author of the American Declaration of Independence, from being toasted throughout the Continent, at the approaching festival— It Adds—Mr: Jefferson, was in perfect health, at his seat, on the 28th: ulto.— I never was the Dupe of this story, and suspecting it to be a sheer fabrication (for what purpose I knew not) I refrained from any hasty expressions, which fell from others—Such as, “too good to be true”; “no matter if it is”; & such like, which, when the Democrats are perfectly recovered from their consternation, we shall see detailed at large, in print.2

The weather continues fine & temperate here, and no alarm of fever yet exists— I never knew the streets & gutters more offensive both to sight & smell.

Remember me kindly to all friends; write me now & then and / Believe me always your

T. B. Adams.

Love & duty, to father & mother & Sister & Cousin—

Send me a newspaper, if anything clever appears—

RC (MWA:Adams Family Letters); addressed: “William S Shaw / Quincy”; internal address: “W. S. Shaw.”; endorsed: “Phila. July 3d / T. B Adams / rec 7 July / Ans 14.”

1Enclosures not found. Charles C. Watson (ca. 1766–1853) was a Philadelphia tailor whose shop was located at 92 Chestnut Street. Philadelphia merchant Edward Lynch was a business partner of President’s House owner Andrew Kennedy, although the partnership was dissolved on 19 Aug. following Kennedy’s death (Philadelphia North American, 15 March 1853; Philadelphia Directory description begins Philadelphia Directory [title varies], issued annually with varying imprints. description ends , 1800, p. 132, Evans, description begins Charles Evans and others, American Bibliography: A Chronological Dictionary of All Books, Pamphlets and Periodical Publications Printed in the United States of America [1639–1800], Chicago and Worcester, Mass., 1903–1959; 14 vols.; rev. edn., www.readex.com. description ends No. 38549; Philadelphia Gazette, 4 June 1800; Baltimore Federal Gazette, 17 Sept.).

2The Baltimore Federal Gazette, 30 June, falsely reported that Thomas Jefferson had died after a short illness. The news was reprinted in Philadelphia but was soon discredited, the Philadelphia Aurora General Advertiser, 7 July, proclaiming, “JEFFERSON still lives” (Philadelphia Gazette, 2 July).

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