1Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Two vessels are notified, one for England, the other for Hamburgh. I will write by both, but the pleasure and freedom of communication, is much damp’d by the restraints of Station, and the apprehension of Capture. It is now several Months since I took my pen to address you. I believe my last date was in December. I have since written largly to Thomas, but fear my Letter is still waiting a...
2Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 28 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yes, my friend you have answered me as I deserve, and made me feel the striking difference between us, from the moment I had dispatched that letter, I regretted my folly, and felt sincerely ashamed of my ridiculous conduct— Dictated by anger, without time for reflection, I scarcely know what I wrote— you appeared to think I had not acted with delicacy, and my pride was wounded at the manner in...
3Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 17 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your letters of Jan ry. 28. and 31. which have afforded me more real satisfaction, than I have latterly been accustomed to experience— I think, I have at length discovered the meaning, of those very disagreeable expressions suspicion , and distrust , and can assure my best friend, if he alludes to what I said, respecting the circumstance that happened in our family, from the...
4Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 31 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yes, my beloved friend, my spirit is roused , and I am determined to bear with fortitude what it is vain to lament— E’re this, you will have recieved my letter in answer to yours of December the 20, in which I have explained my sentiments as clearly as possible, it probably has displeased you, but remember my situation admits not of hesitation, or affectation , and though while I wrote it I...
5Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Almost immediately after I had dispatched my last, I recieved yours of 31 st December, and was delighted to see that you were again become the tender and affectionate friend I had always found you. All the family but me recieve letters from Boston, and Tom excuses himself by saying, it is generally supposed I am married and have accompanied you to Lisbon. he desires Mama to send him my...
6Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 17 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your very decisive letter of 20 th December, which has astonished and mortified me so much, that I can scarcely believe you recollected to whom you were writing— You seem to complain of a want of confidence on my part, and tell me it is what you have repeatedly solicited and what you again think it necessary to recommend— Surely you cannot imagine the authoritative stile of...
7Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 10 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
In my last I mentioned having recieved yours of the 13 December, which time our general regulator opposed my answering— Shall I my best friend acknowledge the confession you there make, affords me no small satisfaction. I know not if it is the result of vanity, but am pleased to find a mind energetic as yours, own the theory of fortitude to be easier than the practice— I have frequently...
8Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your letters which afforded me infinite pleasure as they assured me you were well and in good spirits— You tell me you are to remain at the Hague, and that you hope a greater distance, and longer time of seperation than we had contemplated, will have no effect upon my affection— I am almost angry when I read that part of your letter, as it implies a sort of doubt which I am...
9Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 6 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Agreable to my promise of the 29 th of writing to my beloved friend once a week I now contrary to etiquette enter upon the pleasant occupation— Surely you will acknowledge—when I tell you you are indebted to me four letters I have amply compensated for my former omission— I have vainly expected to hear from you but the winds are unfavorable in a word every thing seems to conspire— I will only...
10John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
As I came through New York, where I found your Sister and your Brother and their families in good health I rec d your Letter N o. 24. and upon my arrival here, presented it to The President together with the preceeding Numbers to 19 inclusively. I dined with him on Saturday when he returned me the Letters, with an Eulogium. He Said that “Things appeared to him exactly as they do to your son”...
11Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 29 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
In my last I told you I believe how inadequate I found myself to the task of answering your very painful letter of the 12 th — Indeed my beloved friend my heart had at that moment recieved so deep a wound I scarce know how I acquired resolution sufficient to acknowledge it— Days are elapsed and I have in vain implored the friendly aid of reason, but she like the world in the hour of trial is...
12Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
William Shaw came from Boston last Evening to keep Sabbeth with me and brought me your Letter of August 16. 1796 which came by way of N York, and one for your Father of 13 th . he Sat out for Philadelphia on the 23 of this Month. I forwarded it to him this morning. it was the Duplicate which first came to hand, and tho it almost put out my Eyes to read it, I did, and made a coppy of it before...
13Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 25 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have within the last sad hour recieved your affectionate though painful letter of the 12 which caused me more uneasiness than I am capable of expressing; indeed I know not how I shall answer it— Ah my beloved friend how shall I acquire fortitude to bear my present disappointment— You have it is true kindly endeavoured to heal the wound so reluctantly given, but in vain each endearing line...
14Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledg the receipt of two kind Letters from You Since I wrote You last, No 21 from the Hague June 30. and No 22 July 25. for both of them accept my Cordial Thanks. Letters from either of my sons, give me a flow of spirits for a week, and a Durable gratification in the perusal of them, as they contain judicious reflections and observations which would do honour to the most...
15John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I know not where to find you—Whether in Holland England or Portugal—Whether to address you as a married Man or a Single one. And I am equally at a Loss what to write to you. one thing I am at no loss to say that your Letters have continued up to N o. 23. inclusively to delight and inform me, and that I beg you not to be discouraged from continuing your favours, by my Remissness in Writing Our...
16Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 1 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
How my much loved friend Shall I atone. for the uneasiness my last letter caused you— Could my picture at the moment I read those lines so descriptive of your affectionate pain have proved a true index of my soul it would I am persuaded in your gentle bosom have procured my peace— Allow me to say I saw in yours, or thought I saw an inexpressible something that did not do justice to the...
17John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 October 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have this Morning, filed in order your Letters and have now in one bundle before me from N o. 6 to N o. 23 inclusively and will take care they shall not be again Seperated. The Western Posts are all delivered, and the Commissions in a good Way.— M r King and M r Gore in England and I hope M r Pinkney in France, will be your Friends bothe Personally and Politically. You are destined to...
18Joshua Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 30 September 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 13 th came to hand on the 26 th. by which I find that you had not determined on the time of your departure or the Rout you should persue, tho you say you should prefer that by way of England if you are permitted & a Passage in a Neutral Vessell could be obtaind to carry you to your destination; I donot know the propriutory or Impropiutory of your comeing this way, therefore I...
19Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 30 September 1796 (Adams Papers)
After waiting with extreme anxiety I recieved my friend your very short letter of the 12 th Ins t which afforded me both pleasure and pain: it has realized an apprehension I had lately entertained, I knew not why of your having erroneously supposed me dazzled with what you stile rank. Permit to say that having always been taught to consider domestic happiness alone permanent I am and sincerely...
20William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 16 September 1796 (Adams Papers)
The want of opportunity, and leisure, has a long time prevented me from writing you. The ship Mary Peggy, from Georgetown for Amsterdam has moved down & now lies in the stream opposite my house, waiting for the wind & tide. I have tried for a fortnight past to get a moment’s leisure to write you, but Mess rs. Morris & Nicholson are now here and their business together with the settlement &...
21From George Washington to John Quincy Adams, 12 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 12 September 1796. In a letter marked private, GW asked Adams to look into the history of a sword that had come into his possession in an enigmatic manner. ALS , MHi : Adams Papers. For a full transcription and other information related to the sword, see GW to Adams, 25 June 1797 , in Papers, Retirement Series , W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement...
22Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 28 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
How shall I answer my dear friends last charming letter where find words adequate to the pleasure I experienced at reading it the idea of your returning almost compensates for the pain I felt at parting— Yet shall I confess fears arise which never presented themselves before. When I reflect upon the part in life I shall have to act with the little I have seen of the world my conscious...
23Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 19 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
Sunday last brought to hand your invaluable letter of the 6 th shall I confess I was nearly too much elated to know what I read having vainly flattered myself from the intelligence I previously received of your immediate return but alas how delusive is hope how was I disappointed to find you might not return till the Spring. You ask my permission to come here Oh my best friend you already know...
24Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last July 11 th I have received an Authentic account of Your appointment as Minister Plenipo. to the Court of Portugal. it was the last nomination which the President made, before the rising of Congress, and took place after your Father came home, without its ever being hinted to him. the appointment was agreed to as mr otis informs me, unanimously by the Senate. this is...
25John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have many favours in Letters, Newspapers, Pamphlets and Books to thank you for, the latest of which were dated about 20 th of May— And I have many prosperous Events to congratulate you upon—your Promotion to Portugal and for what I know your Marriage by this time. I rejoice in every Thing that promotes your Honour and felicity— But whether you will relish Portugal, I know not. However bitter...
26Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 25 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to felicitate you on your appointment to the Court of Lisbon which pleasing intelligence I received since my last was written I learn from our friend M r: Hall that it is probable you will return I think I need not tell you how much it will contribute to my happiness to see you yet should you not wish me to accompany you I must entreat you will take another route though I confess I...
27Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 24 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
How shall I express my impatient anxiety at not hearing from you, five tedious weeks have elapsed without a line to say you are well or that I still retain a place in your remembrance— I learn continually the arrival of the Mails, consiquently am alarmed at your silence— Absence I have often heard is dangerous, were I to judge solely from my own feelings I should say that little was to be...
28Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
This is the Aniversary of the Birth which of that Day when as the poet expresses it, We have in commemoration of it Drank the Health of the American Minister at the Hague nor did we forget to Breathe a fervent petition to Heaven for a perfect restoration of the Health of his equally beloved Brother. I am Maternal Heart of is pained & distresst to hear of the repeated Sickness of my Dear...
29Joshua Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 5 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 2 d of last Month never came to hand until the 27 th. in course I could not but entertain fears that some accident had befallen you or that something was the cause of your silence, the receit of this removed those fears & give us much pleasure in finding you were safe & well— Since you left us M r. Gore one of the Commissionrs for the adjustment of Captured property has...
30Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 4 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
So totally incapacitated do I feel myself for writing were it not through fear of giving you pain I certainly shou’d indulge my avowed aversion to it and decline the task but judging of your feelings by my own think it incumbent on me to avail myself of every opportunity of testifying my affectionate esteem for you I yesterday received yours of the 17 instant in which you desire my opinion of...