From Abigail Smith Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, September 1810
[ca. September 1810]
My dear Friend
Altho my Health would not permit me <to> personally to pay the last respect to my Ancient and valuable Friend. by attending his remains to the Tomb, through the whole of the melancholy Scene-and my mind dwelt upon you my much Loved Friend with every Sentiment of tenderness and Sympathy I longd to mingle with you the tears of <affection> bereaved affection and to recapitulate the virtues and amiable qualities of Your departed Friend whose character I cannot better draw than in the following Lines
Not in base Scandal’s arts he dealt
For truth was in his Breats
with grief he saw his Nighbours faults
And thought & hoped the best
what blessings bounteous heaven bestowed
He took with thankfull Heart
with temperence he received his food
And gave the poor a part
To Sect and party his large Soul
disdaind to be confined
The good he loved, of every name
And pray’d for all Mankind
Where shall be found a successor to fill his place I feel solisitiuous that one may be supplied who may Wear the mantle of Elijah—is he to be found with the Republicans? a judge like the wife of ceasar ought not to be Suspected, either of immorality or party animosities—Is he to be found with the Federalists? I have in my Eye—two possesst of great Legal knowledge and fair characters—and who I believe would do honour to the Bench—altho in some respects, they would not be a judge Cushing
but the appointment does not lie with me—I hope the President will deliberate and chuse judiciously unbiased by party
as soon as my health will permit I design to visit my Friend—in the mean time I bear you hourly in my <heart and> mind, and pray that you may be upheld by the consolations of Religion which are neither few nor small—the President / unites with me in Sharing your loss and in assurances / of Regard and Friendship
Abigail Adams
MHi: Adams Papers.