1Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I Congratulate you my dear son, upon your safe arrival in your Native Country; and myself that I have the prospect of seeing you again, a prospect which for many Months I had no hopes of realizing, as your Father can inform you, and to the very low state of my Health, it is oweing that I cannot so soon as I wish enjoy the pleasure of Welcomeing you Home; and meeting you at Philadelphia, where...
2Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received with Sincere pleasure the confirmation of your Safe arrival in your Native Land, from under your own Hand yesterday by post. oweing to Bad Roads, the post from N york did not arrive untill twesday, tho due on saturday. I had written to you, as you will find by the first Mail after I heard of your arrival, and tho I should most affectionately rejoice to see you soon, I shall not urge...
3Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not written to You since I received Yours of the 19th, and that of the 20th by Your Friends. I was from Home when they came up and deliverd your Letters, but your Father saw them, and invited them to dine with us on twesday last, which they did. I found them agreable young Men, and your Friends think they trace a likeness of Your person in mr Neal they profess to be much pleased with...
4Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
When I have written to your Brother I feel as if I had exhausted all the subjects which it is proper for me to write upon, but as your Hand writing allways gives me pleasure tho I see it only upon the superscription of a Letter, or in a few Promissory lines in the cover, I judge you will allways be gratified with a few words from me tho they contain no more than a Bullitin of our Health and...
5Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I know not how it is, but I always feel more spirits when I take my pen to write to you, than to any one else; I received a friendly Letter from dr Rush. the Good Gentleman endeavours to do away all the suspis he so innocently raised, and in doing it, your Father observed that it was ten to one. if he did not go to prateing to the Bishop or his daughters, and excite some Idea that he had been...
6Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 21 July upon my return from a Ride. your Father said he had a Letter for me worth a thousand pounds I found it had been read; I complaind, but was told it was put in unseald, on purpose that it might be read. I had not any objection to its being seen, yet you know one chuses in such cases to be judge for themselves; I delight very much in your Letters. you have a...
7Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Roads and Weather prevent my leaving this place this day as I had designd; mrs cushing and otis advise me to take lodgings at mr Staell’s in 3 d street, Your former lodgings— I shall want a chamber with two Beds and one Bed for a Man servant; I always chuse to have my Maid and susan sleep in the Room with me. She has got the hooping cough. I hope the worst part of it is over. when I get to...
8Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
To know that one Cannot freely say that Black, is Black; even tho it be “darkness visible,” or that white is white, tho the new fallen snow is not purer, is fettering ones faculties, as well as restraining ones pen. Yet in such perilious Times as the present, freely to discuss motives which lead to measures, or to Characterize the Actors “who fret and Strut their hour upon the stage” would not...
9Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 26 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yours of Sep’ br 18 th . I have Melancholy intelligence to communicate to you respecting poor B Adams. last week of an Evening he had put a Horse into a Waggon for the purpose of conveying three quarters of Beaf to a Neighbours. the Horse was restiff, and he gave him a whip upon which he started, threw him down, and the wheel went over one Side of his face so as to break the jaw...
10Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not taken my pen to write you a line before since my return, tho I have daily intended it. You know I Must necessarily have many avocations upon first comeing home, beside the constant interruptions from company; I was happy to learn as I did a few days since by Your Letter of June the 1 st that You had returnd in safety to the city improved in health. God grant that it May be continued...
11Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received with much pleasure your Letters of August 1 st and 12th, for which accept my thanks. I read the papers as usual, and find the Ethiope washed white by the Necromancing powers of dallas & co—but I was not a little surprizd by the information which mr H G otis assured me, he received from a correspondent in Philadelphia, viz that our Friend Dr Rush and Mr Hartley of York Town were...
12Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
First I would inform You that B Adams is we hope out of Danger; his reason is returnd pretty clearly. he is not Yet permitted to leave his Chamber— I congratulate the Philadelphians that they have this Year escaped the Pestilence. it is now so late in the Season that I hope they may wholy escape Since I was first an inhabitant of this place I never knew it So sickly as it has been this summer....
13Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you last Evening requesting You to meet me at the susquahanah; but I did not reflect that it was two days Journey. this Evening Leiut Parker has arrived and has tenderd me his services; Mr Evans furnishes me with a carriage to Philadelphia provided we can cross the River if I cannot get over, I must depend upon the chapter of chances— if I can get over I expect to be in on twesday....
14Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have public worship every Sunday in the Representitive’s Chamber in the Capitol; I have just returnd from hearing Bishop Clagget deliver a discourse from those words in the Gosple of st Luke, [“]Glory to God in the highest Peace on Earth, and Good Will to Men.” this is a doctrine full of Mercy and benevolence, of which the present generation appear little disposed to cultivate and cherish.—...
15Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your two Letters together of August 26 th . I have every day since designd to write to you, but have not been very well. I do not know the cause yet for many years, the Month of sep’ br has depressed my Spirits more than any other. I believe it always brings with it, some dregs of the old Ague and fever— I most sincerely mourn for the distressess of N york and Philadelphia; but know...
16Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
On the 23 d of June I wrote You a Letter, and one to your Father, addressing it to him in Philadelphia, and in his absence to be opened by You. I was much mortified to find it returnd again to Quincy, not So much for what it containd, as the appearence of my having neglected to write to you; Your last Letter found me upon a bed of sickness wholy unable to write. the Hot weather brought on a...
17Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I promised My dear Thomas to write to him by the May packet. on Fryday Evening at the drawing Room the British Minister informed me that he would take charge of any Letters I might have to Send. I wrote to your Brother by the April Packet, since which there has been a continuation, and increase of that American Spirit which I informd him was rising into activity. I have sent to your Brother,...
18Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters have become Such a model of elegant composition, that I cannot but think you must discover So many dificencies in my untoutord stile, that I feel a little anxious in Exposing it to your Eye. your desire however to obtain intelligence from your Native Land, and from the Friends, and Relatives you have Left there, will induce you to pass over with a less scrutinizing Eye the...
19Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 20 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Friend Quincy is married, truly married and to a Nyork Lady, by the Name of Morten, without Beauty and without Money, but amply compensated by the accomplishments of her mind and the Virtues of her Heart, as I am informd, for I have not the pleasure of knowing her. Having told you this peice of News, I shall proceed and would acknowledge the date of your last Letter to me, but I...
20Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received Yours of the 20th Instant. You will see how matters have gone in senate respecting the Convention. Dean Swift in verses upon his own death, Says of those who had predicted his death So the party had rather the whole convention should be negatived and every thing put again at the mercy of France, than assent to an accommodation with them; Yet pretend that they are fearfull of Mr...
21Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
As there is some Probability that Thomas Welch will Embark before I shall return to Quincy, I write from hence; I shall esteem myself peculiarly fortunate to see you again in your Native Country. a longer residence abroad in your situation, would be wholy incompatable both with your interest and future establishment in Life, as you will have to commence again in your Profession— you may also...
22Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
If you have once more set your foot upon American ground, and are in safety, God be praised I have sufferd great anxiety for you, knowing your intention of comeing this winter. you may well suppose my Heart Leaped for Joy when I found that Captain Jenkins was safely arrived. I for three days, was expecting to see you, but upon writing to mr smith for intelligence I could not get any concerning...
23Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 [December] 1800 (Adams Papers)
Well My dear son S Carolin has behaved as Your Father always Said She would. the concequence to us personally, is that We retire from public Life: for myself and family I have few regreets; at My age and with my bodily infirmities I shall be happier at Quincy. neither my habits, or My Education or inclinations, have led Me to an expensive stile of living; So on that score I have little to...
24Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 12 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter inclosing the one from Your Brother— I do not find the extract you mention in Wayne Paper. I would have had it inserted in J Russels before I leave here, but that I know not how it may be introduced in the U S Gazet, and it would not be proper they should clash but if there is any hesitation upon the subject in Philadelphia, there will not be any here. I well remember...
25Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I Embrace the opportunity by the British packet of writing you a few lines, tho I have not any thing very material to communicate to you. I have already informd your Brother and sister of the safe arrival of her Parents and sisters at George Town after a passage of 60 days. Since which, I have received Letters both from mr and Mrs Johnson both of whom with the young Ladies were well. young mr...
26Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 16 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
Tis expectation that make a Blessing sweet, says the poet. how sincerely sweet would it be to me to fold my dear Thomas to my Maternal Bosom in his own Native Land. I hope and wish, wish & hope that the Day may not be far distant.— This Day, the 14 of July I received by way of N york your kind Letter of April 7 th , more than 3 months Since it was written, from your Brother no one of a later...
27Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I presume this will find you at Philadelphia, fix’d in your Lodgings; and in possession of your office, where I wish you much of the Good things of the world, tho purchased by toil & trouble, they may serve to enhance their value; above all worldly Goods. I wish you Health, for destitute of that great blessing, few others can be enjoyed. The few Hot days which we had in May, brought upon me...
28Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening received Yours of 30 December and would have You close the bargain with him Feilding for the carriage provided the carriage has not been much used. he must put the cypher A upon it and pray attend to the steps. they must be Strong & come low down. I cannot mount high— my day is over for that, and My infirmitys require particuliar attention to that part of the carriage. a coach...
29Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of June 21— I cannot but feel very anxious for your Health. the Hot season is fast approaching, and the city will soon become sickly. the feverish habit of which you complain, and which seems to be rivited to your constitution, will expose you to the disorders incident to the season; I have sufferd so much from the same complaint that I know full well how to sympathize...
30Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter of 9th. with respect to the Carriage I believe I did not stipulate for a false linning, but I would chuse to have one— I Shall take a carriage from here to Philadelphia and have Some prospect of being accompanied by mr Cranch who has buisness on, provided he can leave the new office, to which he is appointed, Commissoner of the city in the room of mr Scot who is dead I...