John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 24 October 1801
John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams
Washington 24. October 1801.
My dear brother.
I have duly received your letter enclosing the 8 per Cents, and the bank bill, for which I am to give you my best thanks.1
I arrived here safely after a fatiguing journey of thirty hours from Philadelphia, and had the happiness to find my wife and child in very good health—2 Louisa looks better than she has for years before, and I flatter my self with the hope that she will find this climate more congenial to her Constitution than that of Europe— The family are all well, excepting Mr: Johnson, who has a very bad cold with some fever.
I have paid my visits to the President and the heads of departments, and am now ready and anxious to move homewards—3 But a few days, I must allow to my friends, and shall probably get away by this day week.— Our purpose is to go by the way of Frederick, and Lancaster— We hope to reach Philadelphia, by the 4th: or 5th: of next month; perhaps by the 3d:—of which, if you see Mrs: Roberts, I wish you to give her notice.4
Your’s affectionately.
J. Q. Adams.
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Thomas B. Adams Esqr / Philadelphia.”; internal address: “T. B. Adams Esqr.”; endorsed: “J. Q. Adams Esqr: / 24 Octr: 1801. / 30th: Recd:.”
1. Not found.
2. On 14 Oct. JQA departed Quincy for Washington, D.C. After briefly stopping in Philadelphia on 19 Oct. to visit TBA, he was put “at the risk of life or limb” when his stage driver engaged in a race with another stage encountered on the road. JQA arrived safely in the federal city on 21 Oct. (D/JQA/24, APM Reel 27).
3. On 22 Oct. JQA called on Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Albert Gallatin, Henry Dearborn, and Robert Smith, though only Jefferson and Gallatin were at home. He also dined with the president on 26 Oct., describing the dinner as one of “chilling frigidity” (D/JQA/24, APM Reel 27).
4. For JQA, LCA, and GWA’s travel to Quincy, see JQA to AA, 16 Nov., and note 1, below.