211William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 25 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have a thousand things to tell you and but a few minutes to write. We arrived in this city fryday Evening about seven Oclock— the first week we had most beautiful weather & found the roads most excellent— the President said he never knew them to be so good. but the snow made them as bad as they were before good. We had not been in the house but a few minutes before his Excellency the Govenor...
212Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I now enclose you my Brother’s letter of July the 10 th: which I promised to transmit by this day’s Mail; but being anxious to see a considerable portion of it in print, & solicited by M r: Dennie to furnish him a copy for the Gazette of the U.S. of Monday next, I could not complete the copy in time for sending, so that I am apprehensive you will not receive it until after the President’s...
213Benjamin Rush to Abigail Adams, 13 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
By the post on the 9 th instant I intruded a hasty line upon you, upon a reference Tench Coxe had made to me upon the subject of M r Adam’s political principles. I wrote to M r Coxe on the same day to demand justice from him for the injury he had done me. His publication has been contradicted as far as it relates to me in several of our papers. Tomorrow an Avowal of what I wrote to you a few...
214Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
Least I should forget it, I acknowledge the receipt of ten Dollars you sent while I was at Haverhill, but in the multiplicity of my thoughts I for-got to mention it— you will please to excuse me— I have conversed with Mr Attwood about receiving pay for his expences he absolutely refuses taking anything for his trouble— The extra, charges I have seen payed, by mony Mr Attwood, & I found in his...
215Francis Dana to Abigail Adams, 27 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
In my letter of the 27 th. of last Dec r: I took the liberty thrô you to recommend my friend Major John Hobby of Portland to some appointment in the stamp department of the revenue but I find that business has been annexed to an existing office. I have now to solicit for him one which probably will take place soon, I mean that of a purchasing & issuing commissary for the troops which are to be...
216William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 5 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
There is a class of men in this country, possessing some public confidence, but entirely destitute of any moral principle, whose whole lives are spent in the prostitution of their talents to the perversion of reason—whose unceasing endeavors are to mislead the public mind— to obstruct public business and by the aid of cavil, misrepresentation and artificial odium, to deprive the government of...
217William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 12 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, my dear Madam, for your obliging fav r. of 5 th. instant, and for the interest you take in my happiness. Upon further deliberation, I had, before the receipt of your Letter, renounced all ideas of returning to Boston, and had determined immediately to apply for admission to the Bar in this state. I shall for this purpose go to Annapolis on Monday, and as soon after my return from...
218John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago, I received your favour of 30. December of the last year; after a long interval during which I had not heard from you; and the communication with England from Hamburg having been for six weeks interrupted by the severity of the season, I was nearly the whole of that time without receiving any information from America— When it came at last, it was in one respect, of a nature...
219John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
We arrived on the 10 th. I, much oppressed by one of my great Colds, which is now going Off.— I could obtain only one little Room and one little bedroom. but We can make a shift. I came here more loaded with Sorrow than with Rheum.— Sally opened her Mind to me for the first time. I pitied her, I grieved, I mourned but could do no more. a Madman possessed of the Devil can alone express or...
220William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 6 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have seldom known it to be colder at the Eastward than it is here at present. Although I have a very large fire & my desk almost into it, still my fingers ache & the ink scarcely runs from the pen. I sent you a few days since Logans address, attempting, like his brother traitors, to vindicate his conduct. Thus did Arnold, Munroe & Randolph and thus do all traitors, Logans says in his address...
221Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 9 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
Have I my dear madam appeared negligent in not answering your last friendly letter jest before you left this state.— low health through the winter may be an apology— I could make several others if necessary. but it can be of no importance for you to hear often from a retired individual whose Greatest pleasure is the retrospect of past life—of departed enjoyments—of future hope from a wish to...
222Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hear by mr Smith & Cousin Louissa’s Letter to her Sister that your journey made you sick for several days I do not wonder at it. you was fatigued before you sat out & such bad roads to pass without more time to pass them in was enough to make you sick the weather has been very cool, uncommonly So here every thing but Indian corn grows finely notwithstanding. your Farms Would delight you....
223William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 8 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
The last letter I wrote you was from Frederick Town. I should have written to you more frequently, while on the road and sooner after our arrival in this city, had it not been for the concourse of people, from the time of his reaching entering, till he left a house, which continnually surrounded the P——t, and which, in this warm weather, was infinitely more fatigueing than his journey. We...
224Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
This morning I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 12 th: inst t: and am happy to learn your safe arrival at the hospitable mansion, where I fervently hope, you and my Father, may enjoy days & years of tranquil life. For my own sake & for the sake of all my family, it would, I believe, be a happy circumstance, if there should be no further occasion for either of my parents leaving...
225John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt since I wrote you last of your two kind favours of 15. November and 1. February last— The latter is the latest letter, from America that I have, and I still continue to receive as I have ever since I have been in Europe, received from you the most recent intelligence both public and private— As in this case the first direct notice of my brother’s arrival came...
226John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last I have received your favour of 8. April, with the pamphlets mentioned in it.— The communications of the American Commissioners have resounded through every part of Europe, and produced a very sensible impression in the public opinion with regard to the characters exposed in them.— An attempt at defence has been made, by a publication in the official newspaper of the...
227Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I feel an inclination to write you every week athough I have nothing new to inform you of I know you are as interested as I am in know the result of the present negotiation about mr Whitney we have so far gone on very Smoothly. The committee met as I told you they were to—nine of them—mr. Cranch mr Black, Cap t. Beal mr Spear & Cary: these were the old ones who invited mr whitney. to these the...
228John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this day rec d , in your favours of the 5. 6. and 7 th. of the month the first Acknowledgment of the Receipt of my Invitations to you to come to Philadelphia and share in the Burthens of your friend. I hope you may have commenced your Journey before this day: but knowing how many dispositions you have to make, and how difficult it will be to make them I cannot promise myself the...
229Elizabeth Ellery Dana to Abigail Adams, 17 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
It was fully my intention to have called upon you before I went with Mr Dana on the Western Circuit, either the last week or before next Friday, when he will set off for Northhampton, but I have been much afflicted with a cold which has confined me to my house and will prevent my visit. I flatter myself to have the pleasure of seeing you at Quincy upon our return— Having understood that the...
230Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I know your impatience to hear frequently of your affairs here & I am as solicitous that you should— last week & untill this Morning it has not been in my power to write you more than a few lines— Mrs Norton came here with Edward & Thomas last thursday week for me to nurse her with the proper Influency she has been very ill a violent distressing cough, & not able to take the least care of her...
231Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 24 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have not been So shock’d for a long time as by the account of mr & mrs Halls death. Cousen Louisia mention’d it in her Letter to her sister which accompany’d yours to mrs Black. I sat down & wrote a Letter to her my Self to prepare her for what she was to find in yours & sent our Boy with it. the weather was So cold & I almost Sick with a cold that I could not go to carry the melancholy...
232Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 28 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday receiv’d your kind Letter of the 18th my Sons & mrs Johnson to you. you cannot think my Sister how much pleasure they gave me. I had one also from Nancy informing me that her Richard was broke out with the Small Pox & was like to do very well. he had about fifty Pustles & had been very Sick for two days before he broke out. mrs Cranch had inform’d me before of mr Johnsons...
233William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 2 d of Feb. I received this morning— The president says he cannot blame you for not writing oftner because you write two to him to his one—but could he write as freely as you can and had he as much leisure he should write you every day. Last Evening we went to the play. Secrets worth knowing & the children in the woods constituted the entertainment. The plays were good but the...
234Jeremy Belknap to Abigail Adams, 30 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning I had the honour of writing to the President & enclosing my fast Sermon. At noon, I had the very great pleasure of voting for him as President of the Academy to which office he was re-elected unanimously; & before night I received your very obliging favour of the 24 th with the Books & the extract, for which I return you my cordial thanks. As I had not seen Robinsons work...
235William Smith to Abigail Adams, 13 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your several favors of the 1 st & 9 th Ins. I have rec d. & am much oblig’d to you for the inclosures. the situation of the United States is indeed very critical, but in my opinion, every day strengthens the Union of the people in favor of the government. the Treason of Blount will confirm the sentiments of many, that all nations are equally friends to us so long as their interest is benefited...
236Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 23 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you so often as I wish’d to do for these Several weeks— I have not been free from company since ordination: our house has been like a Tavern Last week I receiv’d your kind present by General Lincoln for which I most Sincerely thank you tis very pretty—& very delicate Muslin.— mrs smith sent me the little Gown for a pattern to make it by. I like the Form all but the apron &...
237Stephen Peabody to Abigail Adams, 10 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
As you are frequently receiving letters from your good Sister, you have in that channel all the news we have in this quarter. We are, at present enjoying a good measure of health, tho’ the Season has been uncommonly severe. we have had a greater quantity of snow upon the earth in these parts for a month or five weeks past, than perhaps has ever been known so early in the Year.— Mis s. Betsy...
238Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 5 th: & 7 th: curr t came in course, and I am much indebted to you for the disposition you made of the letters, which arrived, after my father’s departure. I have lately rec d: several European letters & pamphlets & ought to have received another with the letter you enclosed me from M r: Pitcairn, in which he desires particular respects to you. He acknowledges the receipt of...
239William Smith to Abigail Adams, 14 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am much oblig’d by your favors of the 30 Ult. & 6 th Ins t. with the inclosures the communications from our Commiss. will, when publish’d, have the most happy effect. Many who were zealous friends to French, not long since, are now as zealous friends to their own country. I hope our Commiss. will be able to make good their retreat, before the contents of their dispatches arrive.— we have had...
240John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have no Letter this Week and begin to fear that your Respect to our late P. has laid a foundation for a Sick Spring and Summer. Sometimes too I am jealous of unfair Play in the Post office to prevent me from hearing from you at the most critical Period of my Life. The public Papers must give you an Account of Proceedings, which I am wholly unable to describe. What Judgment is form’d of my...
241John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am So constantly engaged in Business most of which is new to me, that it Seems as if it was impossible to find time to write even to you— Yet I believe I write every Post. It proves to be a tedious Business to clear the Presidents house for me. I am now told it will not be ready this Week. You will See by the Gazette how the new Pensilvania House is disposed of. The Weather is bad— I have a...
242Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 22 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the House full of company for a week & have not been able to Steal a moments to write to you or to my dear children at Washington.— I have receiv’d yours of the 8th & 13th of June together with one from my Son to you & one for Doctor Tufts which I deliver’d immediately into his hands as he was present when I receiv’d it. He is at your House two or three times a week & always finds...
243John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I send you the Letters— I could not keep my hands off of Nabby’s. I beg her Pardon. They write me flattering Accounts from Phil a. M r Anthony writes most confidently. No danger. No fever—alls well.— When Brisler goes he should throw Lime into the Cellar Vault &c. I think We ought to have been together to day. But tomorrow will do. I am glad Malcom came out. We must prepare to go to Phil a....
244Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I last monday receiv’d your Letter of the 22 d of october it was a long time coming. I wrote to you as soon as I thought you had arriv’d at your Daughters you have receiv’d a Letter from me & sister Peabody too I hope. I shall write, always about mrs Smiths little Boys when I can get any news from them. Will m Shaw did not go home this vacation but stay’d at cambridge to study I have not heard...
245John Russell to Abigail Adams, 6 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which you so obligingly communicated, is this day published in the Commercial Gazette; and I have endeavoured to make its insertion accurate and perspicuous. The original is enclosed according to your directions. You will, I hope, pardon me for the liberty I am about to take, in requesting the honor of your commands in future, upon any similar occasion. Well knowing my duty in this...
246Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favors of the 10 th: & 12 th: inst ts: and am highly gratified by their contents; excepting the bill of health, which is less cheering than I could wish it might have been. I have been so occupied with attendance upon Courts and writing to my correspondents in Europe, during the last ten days, that I have not found time to write you; & the expectation of William’s...
247William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 11 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
With this I send you two more copies of the dispatches— A defence of the Alien & sedition bills Divernois letter, Giffords address to the Loyal association &c the pamphlet setting forth the pernicious effects of stage plays. The last mentioned pamphlet was sent to the president the night after he went to the theatre and another quaker sent two more the Evening after.— they are grieved to the...
248Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I design’d to have written you by the friday mail but on Wednsday mr Norton came over to attend Abdys funeral (he dy’d on monday) & brought a chaise to take me back to spend a few days at weymouth. mr cranch went that morning to Boston So I thought I would go & return as soon as he would. but I was caught in a Snow Storm the first of any value we have had— by it I lost my chance of writing to...
249Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 16 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
My little Abby—has been sick with a slow intermitting fever, occasioned by a cold—which has thrown many round us into fevers— The Dr has just been here, & says that disorders opperate strangely, many whom he thought out of danger, are seized again—Some in their heads, lungs, & several have died with repeated voilent billious cholicks—but we have not lost any one in the Town as yet— It has been...
250Elbridge Gerry to Abigail Adams, 14 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am honored by your letter of the 8 th , & am much obliged to you for the kind interest you have manifested in my concerns; & for the communications contained in the letter & documents. Whatever may have been the reasons which induced some of the senators to vote against me, if they were influenced by a due regard to the publick welfare, & their opinions in this instance were even erroneous,...
251Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 25 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your last of Jan y 9 th. I receiv’d with the enclosure, since that very little has been heard off but Processionls, Funeral Elogies, Orations & Discourses on the Death of Genl Washington. Indeed it has been carried to an Excess, in some Instances too much bordering on Idolatry and been attended with an enormous Expence of Time— Had one Day every where been devoted to a public Expression of...
252Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 2 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of 23 Ult o: with the Pamphlet last Saturday 27 th: for which please to accept my Thanks. According to your Directions I requested Russell to send the Centinel to you which he has since informed me he has done; you will see the Statement made relative to the Nomination and by this Scrap from the Chronicle the pitifull Venom of Envy in the party...
253John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days ago your kind favour of 14 July, forwarded by the Secretary of State, and at the same time a letter for my wife, from M rs. Johnson.— The accounts from home continue to discover a spirit truly worthy of the American name; a spirit which I earnestly hope may support itself in all the vigour through the severe trial which it must undergo, and which if thus supported, will...
254Francis Dana to Abigail Adams, 23 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
While on the circuit here, I have received the enclosed letter from my friend M r: Stedman of Lancaster, brother in law to M rs: Dana— Finding that the Gentleman mentioned in it, is personally known to the President & yourself, and has been likewise recommended by Judge Cranch, it is altogether needless for me to trouble you further than by laying that letter before you— Indeed I am loth to do...
255Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have your favor of the 15 th: inst t: and thank you for your kind solicitude respecting my health, which is just passable and no more— The extremes of heat & cold have a sensible effect upon my Constitution, and though I am tolerably free from rheumatics and faintness, yet I have the old complexion, with a tinge of yellow less perhaps than when I left you. My feverish habit still hangs about...
256Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 28 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have just clos’d a long Letter to sister Peabody from whom I reciev’d one last week— Tis the first I have written to her Since I was Sick She is well herself but mr Peabody has been More unwell than Since they were married ha Sore in his ear attended with great pain in his Neck he is better, & got out again— I hope you my dear Sister are well of your cold, but your troubles must be great...
257Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letters of the 2 d: & 3 d: inst ts: and thank you for them— I shall agree with Fielding for the Coachee and attend to the conveniences you mention. I can suggest no method for your coming to this place, unless by taking a carriage from Washington, which might be sent back by Stage-horses. Barney, of Georgetown, would most probably contract with you for one— I am so...
258Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Next to the pleasure of seeing you, would have been that of hearing, of your perfect restoration to health; but ’tho that pleasing account has not yet reached me, it is a satisfaction to know that you are much better than when I left you: & I will still hope that “He, who is the health of the countenance,” will in his infinite mercy establish yours. I feel a great deduction from my happiness,...
259Richard Cranch to Abigail Adams, 31 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the happiness of informing you that your Sister Cranch, is much better than when you went away. Your Mantle has fallen on M rs. Black, who with a Sister’s tenderness has attended to the preparing of the Wine Whey, and doing every thing for her that the warmest Friendship can dictate. The rest of our Family are growing better but slowly. A young Man at M r: Jn o. Newcomb’s and the worthy...
260John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am still to acknowledge my dear and ever honoured mother as the most attentive and punctual of all my American correspondents, by announcing the receipt of her kind favours of December 2. and November 23, which I mention in the order, as I received them, and which by their contents I find should have been preceded by another of yet earlier date which has not come to hand.— I shall endeavour...