John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 May 1794
John Adams to Abigail Adams
Philadelphia May 19. 1794
My dearest Friend
I have this morning recd your kind Letters of 10 & 11th. of May.— You mention Land bought by Dr Phipps which you had mentioned to me: but I have not recd any Letter from you which hinted at any Land— By this I fear I lost a Letter last monday by some fault in the Post.— however I want no more land at present.
A Pew I should like to have, and a double one too if possible.— I shall leave you & my Brother to continue the Business as well as you can.
The Weather is at least as dry here as with you— The Seasons of Rain seem to be past. such a Succession of dry Years, no man remembers.
My honoured Mother, I fear, will not Stay with Us long. Dr Welsh writes me discouragingly about her.1 My Duty to her.—
The Joke about V. Presidency is but a Joke, I believe— The Man was tickled with his Pro temship, but I dont credit the other Insinuation— He has not been so Steady however this session, as usual.2
My Brother will not vote for War, I hope before it is necessary as well as just. Great is the Guilt of unnecessary War.
I have not a doubt but the farm has been well governed.— I wish the State and the Nation may be as well conducted.
I cannot expect with any Confidence to see you before the 10th. of June.— I will sooner if I can.
I lament the Death of a promising, ingenious Youth in Dr Bracket: My Uncle Howard was a shock of Corn fully ripe.— My Aunt and my Mother must soon be gathered.— and then there will be no body before me.
The World is a Riddle, which Death, I hope will unravel.— Amidst all the Tryals I have gone through I have much to be grateful for— good Parents, an excellent Wife, and promising Children—tolerable Health upon the whole and competent fortune.— Success, almost without Example, in a dangerous dreadful Revolution, and Still hopes of better Times.—
I am most earnestly yours
J. A.
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A.”; endorsed: “May 19th / 1794.”
1. Thomas Welsh wrote to JA on 6 May primarily to discuss the recent Massachusetts elections. He concluded by observing, “I saw Mrs Hall your aged Mother and I fear she will not tarry with us through the Summer I saw her when she was taken in Feby I then thought she might reconst. but it appears to me that her Lungs are materially affected and that her Complaints are hectic. her understanding remains uninjured by the Malady” (Adams Papers).
2. See AA to JA, 10 May, and note 4, above.