251John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am yet uncertain as to the next point of my departure. But as I do not hear of any opportunity to go from hence, it is probable I may be permitted to return to Boston. I am glad that the man who has partly engaged to go with me, has already been to take, the small pox, as he will probably be ready upon my return and I shall be obliged to go by the very first opportunity. I have begun upon my...
252Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 15 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 1 st. Ins t. I rec d the 11 st. and shall give orders to Pratt relative to the Butter &c Not having received an Answer to Mine respecting the Cart &c and finding no Opportunity to dispose of the Cart to Advantage I got L t. Bates to apprize it which he sat at £7.10.0 and had concluded to take it to my own Use if you approved of it, but as you think it will not be best to...
253Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
In discharge of my promise to write you a letter , which has been given you in two covers enclosing letters from my brother, I commence before the expiration of a second month since the date of my last, by an acknowledgment of your favor of June 10 th: which came to hand on the 6 th: curr t: together with several other’s for JQA. If to the countless instances of your affection and tenderness,...
254Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 7 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
I am happy to find by M r. Adam’s’s Letter of Dec. 14. that You have in a great Measure recovered Your Health. I sympathize with you under the Sickness of Your Son and others in Your Family. I sincerely wish for his and their Restoration to Health, & hope by this Time that they have regain’d it and that you are sit down in some Degree of Ease & Tranquillity— Your Scituation in Life must...
255Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 1 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
I last Week receiv’d your Letter date 15 th. of March in which you mention writing me three weeks successivly. I have receiv’d but one Letter before this since your Brother Adams brought me one I cannot think what is the reason I have not had them I have had that in which you mention the miss Palmers staying in your house. They offer you their most grateful acknowledgments for this favour, but...
256John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have just now rec d your favour of the 12 th. The Mail from the Eastward has been unusually delayed by bad Roads I suppose, or Obstructions to the Passage of the Rivers. Your Letter is a feast to me—am happy to learn you have so good a Neighbour. It is not worth while for Barneveld to continue long to altercate with Such a loose head as Americanus. Your simelitude of the Eagle and snake is...
257John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
M r Beale called upon me, a few Days ago and left your Letter of Dec r. 23 d. — Last Evening I presented him to the P. and M rs W. together with M r Howard, a son of D r Howard of Boston. You Say M r H. is very full of his Praises of M r Monroe— So is D r Edwards— He Says M
258Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 17-18 July 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have just taken your letter from the Office and, as Briesler has not according to expectation sailed to day, I will add a few lines to what I have already given him. To hear from Col o and M rs: Smith was an agreeable circumstance, tho’ much unhappiness is occasioned by it, under their peculiar situation. I had heard about a week since of their arrival at Dover, and of their illness—but had...
259Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
Though it is but a few days since I had the pleasure of writing you, I cannot omit a direct occasion, especially as they occur so seldom, were it merely to repeat the information that no material alteration has taken place in my health or spirits since my last. Indeed I usually find little else to remark, which can be called original after copying three or four sheets of politic’s, the...
260Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 March 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am grieved to hear of the fresh return of your old persecuter the Ague; I had flattered myself that the Air & Climate of New England would chase away all Billious complaints. I am suspicious that the Bark of which so free use is made in this disorder will not effectually remove it, at least I have found it the case with myself. There is a weed known here by the name of Cardis, which is much...
261John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have still to thank you for a very few lines addressed to myself, and for about half of a long Letter to my brother dated June 10.— The quotation expressive of the universal power of Love was pleasant, and the recommendation to my brother to fix his choice upon a person of manners habits and sentiments such as are likely to be found only in our own Country is judicious. — I have already...
262John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
Having taken a cold which makes it inconvenient to go out this morning I cannot employ myself more agreably than by writing to you. The President and M rs Washington enquire after you very respectfully every time I see them. M rs Washington enquires after all of Us and particularly Miss Louisa— She wishes, with an Emphasis and I dare Say very sincerely, that I had brought you along with me.— M...
263John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
It is painfull to feel an Impulse to write when there is nothing to Say. I write merely to let you know that I am alive and not Sick.— The Weather has been cold for several days which is more tolerable at least to me, than the heat which We Suffered for a day or two the Beginning of the Week past. The new French Minister is arrived. Whether he has any Budget to disclose has not yet appeared. M...
264John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Pamphlet inclosed may be called “The most astonishing Concentration of Jacobitical Malevolence that ever Scottish Spite exhibited.” I have read it however with Interest and Avidity. It is not badly written— It has, no doubt, too much foundation in Truth. It has little of the Wit and none of the humour of Tom Pain, but has more than his Malice & Revenge. It is sometimes amusing to...
265Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, [after 22] September 1790 (Adams Papers)
I beleive cousin Thomas has wanted his Trunk. I hear that Barnard did not sail till last week I hope your son has arriv’d safe but wonder that we have not heard from him. He promiss’d to write. The parting on our side was hard I cannot think of it without a Tear He had so indear’d himself to us all by his affectionate behaviour & amiable manners that he was to us a Son & Brother may a good...
266John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Some Signal Accomplishments of Prophecies. Be cool and discreet in your Communications of them. No Such Person as Jasper Dwight is known to either of the Senators of Vermont. The Signature is thought to be fictitious. I have no Letter from you later than the Sunday after my Departure. Major Butler has indeed resign’d. They kept back Paines Letter Several Weeks, presuming no doubt...
267John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I went Yesterday at 12 O Clock to the Presbyterian Meeting House in Market Street to hear D r Rush pronounce an elegant and pathetic Elogium on M r Rittenhouse the late President of the Philosophical society. He made him out to be a good Man and a great Astronomer & Philosopher. This I agree and if he had not betrayed Jacobinical Weaknesses I should have liked him very well. D r Euwing is Sick...
268Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 25 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
I last week receiv’d your kind Letter of the 9th of this month & rejoice to here that you are all in so much beter health than when you wrote before. I feel more pleasure at the thought of seeing you here in the Spring than I dare venture to indulge I past by your House this afternoon & the thought of seeing it again inhabited by my dear Brother & Sister gave a chearfulness to its appearence...
269John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
I went this morning to D r Greens and this afternoon to St. Pauls where I heard D r Magaw: but I am not Sure it is prudent to go to Church or to Meeting for if there is danger and can be infection any where it is as likely to be in these Assembleis as in any Place. All the World however says and believes there is no danger. Our son Thomas opened at the Bar, on Fryday and acquitted himself to...
270John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
We have very seldom an opportunity of hearing from you; and still more seldom that of writing you by a direct opportunity. An indirect one presents itself, and I cannot let it pass, were it barely for the pleasure of writing you that we are well, and enjoy in profound tranquility the beauties of the Season. The Peace and Alliance between France and Holland; the violent insurrection against the...
271John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
On Monday I rec d your favour of the 20 th Nothing will damp the Rage for Speculation but a Peace which may break a few hundreds or thousands of speculators. The Georgia Business is Impudence of uncommon hardness. The Rage of Party is there unrestrained by Policy or Delicacy. Our sons Account of shakespears Relicks Fenno has printed without Names. He must early learn to bear Mortifications. He...
272John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your s of the 30 th. Ult. and given the inclosed to son Thomas, who will do with it what he can. Congress have been together, more than two Months and have done nothing, and will continue Sitting two Months longer, and do little. I for my part am wearied to death with Ennui— Obliged to be punctual by my habits, confined to my Seat, as in a Prison to see nothing done, hear nothing...
273Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 26 August 1792 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will not think me criminally negligent in not particularly addressing myself to you before now— You may be assured I always think of you with the tenderest affection, & wish that I could have time, in a more correct manner to evidence the ebulitions of a Heart, filled with every sentiment of Esteem Love, & Gratitude— When I write to my Sister Cranch, I generally write in great...
274John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
This Morning I have your favour of the 3 d which raised my Spirits again after the mortification of passing the whole of last Week without one. Benjamin has grown very dull—No Abuse—No lies no Terrors no Panicks no Rant—in comparison of what he used to have— The Subject which you think will excite all their feelings is well known to every body in public Life, but is talked of by nobody: but in...
Justice & judgment are the habitation of thy throne, O my God! but thy mercy endureth forever— In the depths of Sorrow, I have lifted up mine Eyes, & felt some ray of comfort, when I saw this thy darling Attribute shining with distinguished lustre—“many, very many were the virtues of my Friend”— feign would I hope, they were such as would more than ballance his failings— feign would I hope...
276Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 28 September – 6 October 1790 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 5 th. I rec d. the 15 t. Ins t. 1 By M r. Thomas who has reached You before this Time I wrote & enclosed M r. Adams Acc ts. and an Answer to a former Letter of Yours. Had I known that it had been necessary for Your Son to have come forward at an earlier Period and his Stay here had rested on his not being furnished with the needful. I should certainly have procured it by some...
277Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 May 1793 (Adams Papers)
Your last letter to me is dated the 18 th: of March, since which time I have not heared a single word of the family, either verbally, or in writing. We have news from France as late as the 15 of March, and one would think a letter from Quincy might have traveled the distance of 350 miles in the course of seven weeks. ’Tis my happiness, (some may think it a misfortune) not to distress my mind...
278John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have just rec d your fav r. of the 4 th. I wrote you from stratford New York and from Philadelphia. Adets Note has had some Effect Pensilvania and prov’d a Terror to some Quakers and that is all the ill Effect it has had. Even the southern States appear to resent it. If Col Hamiltons personal Dislike of Jefferson does not obtain too much Influence with Massachusetts Electors, neither...
279John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday dined at M r Binghams and Sitting next to Madam at Table, had Something like a political Conversation with her. She has more ideas of the Subject than I Suspected: and a correcter Judgment. She gave me the Characters of Several of the notable Foreigners, and I find has the Same Jealousies of them, which I have entertained. Talleyrand Liancourt, Volney, Caznove &c. Noailles is the...
280Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 11 December 1791 (Adams Papers)
I again take my pen to write to my dear sister tis a long time I know you think since you have heard from me. I have the same complaints to make of you, but once since you arriv’d in Philadelphia have I receiv’d a line from you— I know your time must have been much taken up in arranging your House & receiving company. this I hope & not sickness has been the reason I have not hear’d from you...
281John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am still waiting for the arrival of Col l: Hamilton whom it is necessary for me to see before my departure, and who has been detained several days in the Country by the sickness of a child. I received your favour of the 20 th: inst t: and my brother is now prepared to go with me.— We should be very happy to comply with your request respecting the bracelets, but we shall certainly not have...
282John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have enough to do to write Apologies in Answer to Invitations to dinner and to Tea Parties: but I have long Since taken the Resolution that I will not again loose myself and all my time in a wild vagary of Dissipation. As it is not in my Power to live on equal terms with the Families and Personages who exhibit so much real Hospitality in this City, I would not lay myself under Obligations to...
283John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
M r Adet was presented to The President on Tuesday and accompanied by The Secretary of State made me a Visit immediately after his Audience. I was not at Home but in Senate. On Wednesday Morning I returned his Visit at Oellers Hotel. He is about the Size of M r shaw, Charitys Husband and looks a little like him: not quite so rosy coloured. He is not a Friend to Clubbs—announced to The...
284Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 16–25 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I last evening receiv’d your Letter without a date but believe it was your last as you mention Mrs Smiths removal want of some Furniture &c. mr Cranch will attend to the Packing & Sending them directly— I hope you have receiv’d my last letter. you will find by that mrs Norton for whome you have been so kindly anxious was much better & had escap’d what we so much feard but She is as thin as a...
285John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of Jan. 31.— And it has relieved me from a Melancholly which has hung upon me and been taken notice of by every body, since you wrote me of my Mothers illness— Present her my dutiful Affection and tell her that I hope to enjoy the Pleasure of her Company yet for many Years— That I am of her Opinion that she has the best Daughter and that the best Mother ought to have such a...
286John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have only time to inform you that Monday and Thursday have passed away without bringing me a Letter from you. It is the first Week that has failed me in the whole, tho sometimes the Letters have not arrived on the proper day. There is a D r Somebody here from Connecticutt, who pretends, with an Instrument made of some kind of Metal or Composition of Metals by a sort of Mesmerian, rubbing or...
287Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to congratulate you on the return of This Season and to offer my most earnest prayers that you may live to see many revolving years in health and contentment. The event of the late Election will force you from your calm retreat to more confused and active scenes the toil incident to the situation I hope you will be able to bear and I am more sanguine in this expectation as I hear you...
288John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
By the present opportunity, I send you a few pamphets which may give you some entertainment in the perusal, and newspapers from which you will collect the current intelligence. For my own part I have been here so long in idleness that I have almost entirely doff’d the world aside and bad it pass.— You will observe in the papers a pretended preliminary convention for a pacification between...
289Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 October 1792 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have heard from you although I have not omitted writing. I hope it is not illness which hinders you from sometimes informing me how things are going in Massachusetts. The Baron returned from Steuben last week and I had intended to procure lodgings at some private boarding house, but when I mentioned to him my intention, he took me kindly by the hand “My dear Adams...
290John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 19 th of Nov. gave me, in addition to the ordinary Satisfaction I receive from your Letters, the Pleasure of knowing that your Visit to Haverhill, the damp Vapour of whose River I dreaded, had not injured your health. You ask me, if D r Tufts may be collecting Materials, this Winter for Building on the Medford farm? I fear it will be a very costly Undertaking considering the...
291Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 14 February 1791 (Adams Papers)
By my Sister I have been informed of your Sickness, & of the distressed State of your Family, which gave me great, pain, & anxiety— more espicially for my Cousin Thomas, who when your Letter was written was still in great distress— I am sure I know how to pity a sick Family—For in the course of the last year, there were four months, when we were severely exercised with Sickness, & the voice of...
292John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
The long continuance of the session, and the uncommon heat and drought of the Weather have made this, to me an unpleasant Spring. And to increase my Mortification, I have this Week received no Letter from you. I have not for Several months before, failed to receive a delicious Letter worth a dozen of mine, once a Week. Well! Boston comes on! M r Morton is now to be its Leader! How changed in...
293Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 19 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that the important question in Congress has terminated so happily, & that the Vice president has again returned in safety to his dear expecting Family. Warring passions often agitate the human mind. When Mr Peabody returned, last Tuesday Evening from Newbury & brought me the Papers, announceing the arrival of the Vice president at his seat, I participated in your happy meeting, &...
294Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 May 1793 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 12 has reached me, in complyance with M r Brieslers request I enclose the Receipt of M rs Lynch. She was in much need of the little assistance, and expressed gratitude for the receipt of it. The Porter also shall be attended to; I have been so fortunate as yet to have received no warning from the owner of our Store— The furniture still rests there and I have some hope...
295Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 11 June 1793 (Adams Papers)
I am extremely sorry to hear, that you have had another attack of your ague, since Cousin Betsy left you— I hope you are in the use of every probable means for your releif, & restoration to Health— That glow in your features, which I have contemplated with so much satisfaction, I should be grieved to see injured by Sickness, or any disaster— But you my dear Sister have a double Security—Nature...
296Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Towards the close of last month I had the pleasure to receive your kind letter of August 16 th: . I have been so much occupied since then, that it has been impossible for me to thank you sooner for the agreeable domestic intelligence it contains. I am led to suppose however that at the time it was written, your own health was considerably impaired, especially when you tell me, that at “this...
297Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, October 1[5?]-25 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have at last receiv’d your Letter but never was poor creature more dissapointed I thought to be sure that it contain’d orders for me to get your house in order for your reception cousin John had not a doubt but you would come. Lucy was going to spend a week at Lincoln but as aunt adams was so soon to be here she desir’d to be sent for home Sister Shaw was comeing in expectation of seeing our...
298Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 29 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have written to you, or received a Line from either of my much loved Sisters— I have done like many others, in the more important Concerns of Life, who, though convinced of their Duty, put off the performance of it, to a more convenient Season—not considering, that the present moment, is the only one we may be favoured with— I know that my Sister looks back upon the...
299Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 31 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
I wish I could be satisfied, & know what is my duty towards my William, & Abigail, I could then feel easy, & cheerful— To day is the last day for our inoculation for the small-Pox— There is an hospital about half a mile above our house The people are passing, & repassing every hour of the Day, & I cannot think William secure & yet I am fearful of his going in the winter— I thought we were...
300John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
By this Days Post I have your Letter of the 26. Ult. I believe that some incomprehensible sympathy or other, made me low Spirited all the time you were Sick, tho I neither knew nor suspected it. I rejoice to be inform’d of your Recovery. If I were not afraid of every Change in your Situation, that might endanger your health, I would plan a Project for next Winter: but I must leave that for a...