11To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Abraham, 13 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I See By the papers that there is to be a road Cut out from Nashville to Natchez M.T. and you are to have it done: and I Suppose there must be Some person to atende to it and as I am out of Business I Would be very thankfull to you for the Burth of atending to it and every thing on my Part Shall be atended to to have it done Well I am Sir your very Humble Servant DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Abraham, 31 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A true Statement of the Bad Earth Between Fort Stoddert & Pearl River From Fort Stoddert to Dog River very good; on the West Side of Said river 1 quarter of a mile Which is Bad thence on to the paspergolar very good Escept some small streams Which will want Bridging; on the west Side of Said river 5 Miles very Bad which will want coswaying & Bridging nearly all the way; from thence to Bog...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Acheson, 19 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed you have a letter and a document addressed to you from Lancaster by the Members of the Pennsa. Legislature, on the subject of the Federal road, which by some error or mistake came to this Town last Mail and was put into my hands with a request to enclose and forward the same, And having so favourable an oppertunity you will pardon my giving you my opinion of this important Subject, a...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Acheson, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
As secratary of the Committee of Corespondence for Washington County (Pa) I have the honor of transmitting you the free and unbiased Sentiments of the Democratic Republican Citizens of this County as expressd by their delegates in the enclosed Resolutions and address on the 21st. Instant, this tribute of thanks they Considered Justly due to their Venerable Chief Magistrate about to retire from...
15To Thomas Jefferson from a "Citizen free Born," 30 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Times Are much Altered Since your Administration, Thousands are released from hard Taxes, And the Union at large are eased of many thousands of Dollars, by your Justice, may you long live to Administer Justice to all your fellow Citizens— But there is one thing more in Justice you Ought To Do, humanity Calls loudly on you & the rest of the Rulers to do (And that is the FREEDOM of the...
16To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay AcModery, 9 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
an unfurtuanate Man addresses You with these Lines though Scarsly worthy of Your Notice on account of its Iregular stile & Compossure—But would most Humbly begg pardon for the Intrussion & wish You to exuse me for attempting to trouble You with so lenghty a Scrawlling & so poorly Connected & spelled Sir I embarked in the Earliest Day of the American Revolution went with the faithful Genl....
17To James Madison from John Adair, 9 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
Although I have Suffered, (by the hand of lawless power,) Injurys in my person, my reputation and my property; Injurys to me irreparable though unmerited; Yet as an American firmly and unaltrably attached to my Country; and capable of distinguishing in my Judgment and resentments betwixt its Government, & those who may for a time be entrusted to Administer it: I shall always feel it my duty,...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Johan Adames, 23 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of John Adams, humbly Sheweth, That your petitioner hath been convicted at the Circuit Court of the United States for the district of Pennsylvania, of smuggling a small quantity of Coffee, for which Offence he hath agreeably to Law been sentenced to pay a fine of four hundred Dollars, all which will more fully appear to your Excellency, by the Certified transcripts from the...
19To James Madison from Adams & Loughery, 9 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
We take the liberty to enclose you a copy of a letter, received from our friends Messrs. Ruys & Zimmerman at Amsterdam, respecting our Ship James Adams, Captain Bangs, which vessel left our capes the 8th. November last, bound for Amsterdam, with a cargo of colonial produce, all american property, accompanied with the proper and usual Certificates of neutrality, as well as those of importation...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Adams & Rhodes, 18 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Copies of a Correspondence , are most respectfully submitted by Your most obedient & very humble Servants RC ( DLC : Rare Book and Special Collections Division); at foot of text: “The President of the United States.” Enclosure: see below. Abijah Adams (1754–1816) of Boston, worked for his younger brother Thomas Adams as clerk and bookkeeper for the Boston Independent Chronicle ,...
21Abigail Adams to Elias Boudinot, post 15 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
My Son having Sent me a coppy of your valuable Book, the President has read it with great satisfaction and pleasure; I have not as yet been able to go through the whole of it, myself having resignd it into the hands of miss Hannah Adams the Authoriss of a Work entitled “a veiw of Religious opinions.” She is about republishing the third Edition of that Work with considerable additions, and Some...
22Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 February 1804 (Adams Papers)
We have this Day quite and old fashiond Snow Storm, after an unusual pleasent Feb’ ry . the Snow is much deeper and more Drifted than We have had, for Several Winters. the wind Very high at North-East, from our parlour Windows the Stone walls are not to be Seen. it began yesterday noon to snow, after Evening, the wind rose, and has continued through the night, and to this time without...
23Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
William Shaw was here to spend the Sabbeth, and brought with him his Letters from you; he shew me that in which you related the Disaster which befell You by a fall from your Horse. I shudderd when I found how narrow an escape You had for your Life, and thank Heaven for Your preservation. I was glad that I knew not of it untill you had recoverd; your Brother said not a word of it to me, yet I...
24Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Gray Otis, post 15 December 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received with great pleasure your kind Letter of December 15. I regreeted that I had not the pleasure of a visit from you before you left this part of the Country. old Friends and old wine are always valuable, they both tend to exhilirate the Spirits; and to enliven the declining part of Life: tho I am not particuliarly attachd to the latter, the first Stand foremost in my estimation. Some...
25Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 December 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you a Letter for a long time, yet I have not been unthoughtfull of you. my mind is often anxiously engaged for the welfare of my children. when my tongue is silent, and my pen inactive; Your Brother and Family have been with me ever since their arrival, untill last week when they got into their House in Boston; Mrs Adams has had a very allarming cough & pain in her Breast...
26Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 May 1803 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of April 30th put me into good Spirits. I had felt more upon your account. I can truly say, than upon my own, in the late misfortunes which have assailed us. I had pland a future Scene of domestic comfort for you; I had anticipated seeing a worthy woman rewarded for her steady attachment, and all that happiness given & received which So unstable a state of existance allows frail...
27Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 3 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
I received Your kind Letter, began at Washington, and finished at Philadelphia. I received much pleasure from the perusal. the communications were of a nature to excite Sober reflections: I find your sentiments in perfect unison with my own; we have both of us been for a series of years so intimately connected with political affairs that we must have been very inattentive observers not to have...
28Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 June 1803 (Adams Papers)
William Shaw I presume has given You the reason why you have not received a Letter in reply to Your last. I have been in danger of loosing my Life, by a fall Backwards down a steep flight of Stairs: I was much bruised, and inwardly hurt, for many days quite helpless; that I rose without broken Bones is a wonder considering the force of the fall. by immediate bleading, and applications of...
29Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of July 22d was by Some mistake in the post office at Boston Sent back as far as Newyork, so that it did not reach me untill the Eleventh of this Month. Candour requires of me a reply. Your statement respecting Callender, (who was the Wretch referd to) and Your motives for liberating him, wear a different aspect as explaind by You, from the impression which they had made, not only...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 20 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Had you been no other than the private inhabitant of Montecello, I should e’er this time have addrest you, with that sympathy, which a recent event has awakend in my Bosom. but reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst through the restraint, and called upon me to shed the tear of sorrow over the departed remains, of your beloved and...
31Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
Welcome, Welcome, my dear Son to your native Land after a seven years absence from it, God be praised that you and Louissa, and my dear John George &c have arrived in Safety. but I have trembled for you, least the extreem Heat you must have experienced since your arrival Should be too much for you all. the Sudden change we have experienced of no less than 30 degrees, is equally trying to weak...
32Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you a line since I received yours; from the Yellow Springs, for some time I knew not where you were, and began at last to feel, not a little anxious untill I was releived by your Brothers informing me that he had Received a Letter from you, dated at Philadelphia. there again I thought you had too Soon return’d, as the Weather of Sep’ br and chiefly since october came in, has...
33Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 28 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your Father received a Letter from you last Evening; full of political information, and judicious reflection’s; there is a darkness visible; upon all our national prospects; which cast a Gloom upon my declining days. What of Life remains to me, I should rejoice to pass in tranquility; but danger takes rapid strides; and faction and party Rage will soon involve us in a civil war: or a Lethargy...
34Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 December 1803 (Adams Papers)
I did not expect a very frequent correspondence with you when You left me; however interested we each of us feel in the happiness and prosperity of our Country, there is little hope that observation, upon the measures pursued, or anxiety for the event of them: would alter or amend them: The Group Which compose the National Counsels is certainly Such an one, as has not heretofore been collected...
35Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter for your Brother should he arrive as we expect in Philadelphia; I am told by mr Welch who was yesterday to see us that you have Letters from Hamburgh from your Brother dated in july— if He & family should arrive in health, as I pray God they may, there first visit will be I presume to Washington, I think as they will be so near, it ought to be—tho I can scarcly give up the...
36Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 April 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have read Your Brothers Letters, with much pleasure; that part of them; in which he so dutifully, affectionatly, and generously tenders all his property for the use of his parents, affected both your Father and me most tenderly; thank God, we have not any occasion for it; our desires are moderate, our oeconomy strickt, our income, tho moderate, will furnish us with all the necessaries, and...
37Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
I was in Boston at your Brothers when Mr Shaw received Your Letters. according to the direction given him, he deliverd them. your Letter of Nov br 24 th in some measure discloses the motives which have opperated to fasten You to the Spot where You now reside. Rumour has been buisy in reports of your design to Change Your situation, but as I could not learn who the object was, I gave not any...
38Abigail Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 8 March 1802 (Adams Papers)
The Mountains have vanished, and the ground is again bare in most places. the roads are excessive rough, and the weather uncommonly cold for March. I hope it will Soften & the Roads become Smoother, before Saturday when I shall send in the carriage for you. I do not think that George will have the Measles. I thought that Eepps Voyage to England, would end in a matrimonial engagement in Boston...
39Abigail Adams to William Stephens Smith, 3 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of the raspberry bushes, and the pot of strawberry vines, for which accept my thanks. I have had them placed in a good part of the garden, and shall pay particular attention to them. I hope I shall be able to treat you with a plate of them, when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you at Quincy. Whatever strange events occur in the political world, I think...
40Abigail Adams to Benjamin Rush, post 21 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I ought to have acknowledgd Your kind favour of July 23 at an earlier period; but the heat of Summer usually unfits me for every occupation; and I never expect to conquer that disposition to an intermitting fever which always assails me whenever I am debilitated by Heat, or any other indisposition; I have had a very severe attack of the disorder incident to the Fall, and tho it did not amount...
41Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1804 (Adams Papers)
Had You been no other than the private inhabitant of Montecello, I should e’er this time have addrest you, with that Sympathy, which a recent event has awakend in my Bosom. but reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst through the restraint, and called upon me to shed the tear of sorrow over the departed remains, of Your beloved and...
42Abigail Adams to Louisa Catherine Adams, 15 October 1804 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate You my Dear Louissa, that our loss is to be your gain. Mr Adams leaves us on twesday for Washington, where I hope he will arrive in Safety, and have a joyfull meeting with his family. I know from frequent experience how painfull it is to be thus Seperated— I hope when he returns next Spring that You will be able to come with him, and that we may make Quincy an agreable residence...
43Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 January 1803 (Adams Papers)
A little well timed and just criticism is sometimes very Salutary. If I had not been conscious that I deserved Your Raillery I should have calld you a very Sausy Lad. however I took it patiently, and have been more attentive since, as I Suppose You have noticed; as to points & comma’s, I was not taught them in my youth, and I always intend my meaning Shall be so obvious as that my readers...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 18 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
your Letter of July 22d was by some mistake in the post office at Boston sent back as far as Newyork, so that it did not reach me untill the Eleventh of this Month. Candour requires of me a reply. your statement reuspecting Callender, (who was the wretch referd to) and your motives for liberating him, wear a different aspect as explaind by you, from the impression which they had made, not only...
45Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of March the 10 th is before me; Your Brother informs me that he has one of April. It is true my dear Son, that I have read with much interest, and sincere pleasure, Your Letters to your Brother Thomas, and with many others, have been highly entertaind with Your journey into Selicia Whilst those Letters convey usefull information, to the Merchant, the Mechanic, and the Farmer, they...
46Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 April 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have too long delayed, replying to Your Letter of March 20th. Whatever is written to You, by Your Parents, sincerely anxious as they are for your future welfare, and advancement in Life, you will receive as it is certainly meant in kindness and affection; I am sensible that Success cannot be commanded, tho it may be deserved; I am not insensible to the difficulties you have had to contend...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 25 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Sickness for three weeks past, has prevented my acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of Septr. the 11th. when I first addrest you , I little thought of entering into a correspondence with you upon political topicks. I will not however regret it, since it has led to some Elucidations and brought on some explanations, which place in a more favourable light occurrences which had wounded me....
48Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
William Shaw brought me your Letter the day before Yesterday. I had learnt before, by the public papers, the Death of mrs Bingham, and many have been my reflection upon it. [“]Health presuming, Beauty Blooming, ah how dreadfull tis to dye,” says fair Rossomond; that mrs Bingham was one of the most Elegant, and highly accomplishd women our Country has furnished, no one who knew her, will deny....
49Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 July 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of June 13 th came duly to hand; if it had contained no other Sentiments and opinions than those which my Letter of condolence could have excited, and which are expressed in the first page of Your reply, our correspondence would have terminated here; but you have been pleased to enter upon some subjects which call for a reply; and as you observe that You have wished for an...
50Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 20 May 1802 (Adams Papers)
My Sympathizing Heart has borne a part in your Sorrows. altho my Hand has been by Sickness prevented from assureing of you by my pen; how Sincerely I mourn with You and Your Family the recent dispensation of Heaven, which has taken from You the Husband of your youth; the Friend and protector of Your Maturer years, and the comforter of your declining days. The domestic virtues, were all his own...
51Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you a line since my return to Quincy. I have found full employ to get my House in order, and my Family arranged, against your Fathers return; which Was on Wednesday last; we have all once more assembled at the old Habitation in Safety; Without any accident, except to myself. I unfortunatly, got my foot in a hole in one of the carriages as I was getting out; and fell through,...
52Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 16 June 1801 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening we received Letters from Berlin of April the 14th with the agreable intelligenc of Mrs Adamss safe delivery upon the 12th of a son, tho She had been very ill & remaind so for three days. mr Adams writes, that she was then much better, and he hoped out of Danger— I congratulate You my dear Madam upon this Event I wrote to you last week. with an affectionate remembrance to all...
53Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 July 1802 (Adams Papers)
My Heart Shall not reproach me so long as I live said the Psalmist; alass I cannot say so, for mine hourly reproaches me with not having written to you for a long time; I have to thank you for the Volm of debates in Senate upon a Question so interesting to every Lover of Justice, every Welwisher to the stability of our constitution, that the termination of it, must be considerd as having...
54Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 26 April 1803 (Adams Papers)
A very bad whitloe upon the finger of my right Hand has prevented my holding a pen; or useing my hand for a long time, or I should not have been so long silent. altho my communications will give You more pain than pleasure; it may releive Your mind respecting the loss your Brother has sustaind; but it will be only shifting the Burden upon older Shoulders; You know Your Father had some Money in...
55To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of June 13th came duly to hand; if it had contained no other sentiments and opinions than those which my Letter of condolence could have excited, and which are expressed in the first page of your reply, our correspondence would have terminated here: but you have been pleased to enter upon some Subjects which call for a reply: and as you observe that you have wished for an...
56Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
I am much delighted to learn that you intend making a visit to the old mansion. I wish you could have accomplished it So as to have been here by this time, which would have given You an opportunity of being at commencment, meeting many of your old acquaintance, and visiting the Seat of science where You received your first Rudiments; I shall look daily for you You will find your Father in his...
57Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 5 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
I told William Shaw of the event which You have s[. . . .]olely questioned, and from the best Authority, even the hand writing of the Father in a letter to me; of the 14 of April. “The day before yesterday at half past three oclock afternoon, my dear Louissa gave me a son, she has had a very severe time through the winter, and is now so ill that I dare not write to her Mother to give her...
58Abigail Adams’ Essay on American Politics, post 18 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr Jefferson in his Speech; makes observes, that, He may [“]I Shall often go Wrong through defect of Judgment, when right, I shall often be thought wrong by those Whose positions will not command a view of the Whole ground, I also ask support against the Errors of others, who May condemn what they Would not if Seen in all its parts;” If the Same measure was to be meeted to the new...
59Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the Jan’ry I received near a fortnight ago, and have thought every day since that I would write to you; but few occurrences arise to amuse You, or entertain You of a domestick nature, and dissertations are not what you want; Your proposed project of removing to the state of Newyork occupies my attention. I know it must be urksome to you to pluck up stakes, (as the saying is)...
60Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 2 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind and Friendly Letter of the 2d, and beg you to accept my thanks for your kind invitation to your Hospitable Mansion. I know not any Visit from which I could promise my self more pleasure “from Friends of more than 20 summers ripening grow not thick on every Bow,” Friends whom no change of political Sentiments have warped, nor party Spirit deluded— I have frequently inquired...