1Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 20 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of Jan’ry 23 d and was gratified to find your Hand writing improving. I know you are attentive to what is passing in the political World, indeed who can be an indifferent Spectator, in Times so critical, so allarming and so big with Concequences as the present? I send you a late publication under the signature of scipio, [ “ ]Reflections on Monroe’s view of the conduct...
2Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 25 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you my dear Nephew for your last agreable Letter. you have too sensible and feeling a heart not to participate in the pleasure which the Return of your cousin gives to his Parents and Friends. your account of his reception from his Father was too tender and interesting to my Heart, not to flow to my Eyes; I hope you will derive both instruction and improvement from him. you have a mind...
3Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 23 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I was much obliged to you for sending me the answer to Barlows Letter. our Printers in Boston are very inattentive to many publications which would be usefull whilst they print very purile peices— Barlows Letter made its first appearence the last week in the Centinal. I design it shall be succeeded by the replie, tho I think it a very partial one and that it treats Barlow with much more...
4Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 2 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Is there no method my child you can persue to escape the constant colds to which you are subject it seems to me you have had a succession of them ever since you went to Philadelphia. have you had anything of the Rhumatism? we have had open thawy weather which has given me a touch of old times, a dumb Ague for the week past; I think the News papers might have given us a little more accurate...
5Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 6 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday mor’g by Plimouth stage, your Letter of 28th december, together with the Bundle mrs Brisler sent, and two News papers—one by mistake was an old one, the other containd part of the debate upon mr Griswolds Resolution. the old clan keep up their opposition, Brainless as it is. I am glad to see them reduced to so small a Number, and as their Yea , must always be suspicious...
6Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 9 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening was marrid at the Seat of the President of the united states, by the Revd mr Weld mr Ebeneazer Harmon to miss Abigail Hunt. please to inform miss Rebecca Tirril of this auspicious Event. as I am a great friend to Matrimony, and always like to promote it, where there is a prospect of happiness & comfort, and as Nabby had lived with me—and was about to marry the Brother of mrs...
7Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 14 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
your Aunt Cranch received a Letter from your Mother of Jan ry 1st in which she makes mention of having received a Letter from you: I wrote to her soon after she returnd Home, and sent the Letter to Boston. it was given to some private hand, and never has reachd her. I have since written to her by the post. She and your sister were well, and Abbes Arm much better for the application of Hughes...
8Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 14 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received this week as many packets by the Mail as a minister of state. they however containd nothing except the News papers which you have been very puntual in forwarding. Browns I can dispence with, you need not send it again unless any thing interesting, in it, which the rest do not contain. Peters I hope will have less of the Bilingsgate when Congress sit, and Fennos I hope to see in the...
9Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 20 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
you are very good dear William in your attentions towards me, and I receive the papers regularly which will now become more interesting as Congress proceed in buisness. yours of the 10 & 12 of december I have received this week. the Aurora shows that tho Bache is dead, he yet speaketh, or rather that the party which supported him, are determined to have a press devoted to them. whether the...
10Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 28 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
what can you expect me to write you from this village; where I hear & know no more what is passing in the world, than if I was wholy secluded from it. I have not seen a Newspaper since I came and but one gentleman from N york. I can tell you that the leaves wither and fall, beautifully varigated by the frost with all the coulours of the Rainbow, that the tide Ebbs and flows covering the meddow...
11Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 6 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter by Mr Rogers did not reach Me untill the last week. The Crisis which I have long apprehended is arrived and brought with it the Misiry I foresaw, but could not avert. all that intreaties, and pursuation could affect, I have attempted. I have conjured the unhappy Man by all that is Dear, Honour, reputation, and Fame, his Family and Friends, to desist, and to strive to regain what he...
12Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 18 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
when this reaches you I presume you will have arivd to the end of your journey, and have taken possession of your office, where I trust you will be usefull—and I hope happy— I find the publick offices are removed, from Trentown. I judge your uncle will proceed immediatly to Philadelphia. I have not had a line from mr Brisler for more than a month. I hope if he and his Family are safe returnd,...
13Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 26 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received by the last post your kind Letter and the Poem of Mrs Mortens which the President had received a few days before from the Author “For the beloved President of a Free and enlightned People, the following Poem is gratefully and Respectfully offerd, by the Author” I would fain flatter myself that the fair Authoriss did not take a poetic lisence in this sentance; I send you in return...
14Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 3 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Rejoice o young Man in thy youth, and let thy Heart Cheer thee. this is the language of Soloman. Youth is therefore the season of rejoicing, nor can there be any thing more suitable, provided that joy is temperate, moderate and Rational. The old year is closed upon us, and a New one commenced; we have abundant cause for thankfullness and rejoicing; our Lives are still preserved, whilst...
15Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 14 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Altho I was much fatigued last Evening, I wrote a few lines to the President to let him know we were safely housed. the Roads were so bad, that the Mail tho two hours before us in the morning did not get in, untill half an hour after us, and there was not any mail from Philadelphia. we took colds all of us; I have a very Soar throat & Louissa a stiff neck— Susan this Morning complaind her...
16Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 2 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received all your Letters, and thank you for them. your last of May 20 came on the 30th. the answer to the address from the students, I presume they must have received. it was addrest to Your clasmate Welch, as one of the committe. it would have been jointly addrest; but mr Malcom had mislaid the Letter which accompanied it, and their Names could not be recollected in order— the...
17Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 16 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your Letter of Jan’ry 6th, with the News papers to the 7th Clapole excepted; which usually has the first debates, so that I got no debate later than I received on saturday of the 5th However inaccurate the Printers may report the debates in Philadelphia: is best known to those who deliver, and those who hear them. when curtaild, and retaild by our Printers they are...
18Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 21 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of three Letters from you since my last. your punctuality and attention deserve commendation; and claim a pardon for any inaccuracies of stile, or manner, which escape your pen. shall I tell you however what Thomas says? “this young man must aim at more accuracy of expression. he must not be slovenly I will take him to task.” you know his way, and I dare Say...
19From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 13 September 1817 (Adams Papers)
By a Letter which I received from Caroline dated 1st Sepbr She acquaints me that a mr Verplanck has a Letter of introduction from mr dewint to you, and that She wishes him to come to Quincy to See us, that he has with him two Sisters, one much out of Health, very particular Friends of mrs Dewints. they proposed taking Lodgings at mrs Delanoes. If any Such persons have come into Town, you will...
20From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 23 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
I desired Louissa to call and See you, and to tell you that I would Send for you to Quincy if you was able to come out. She writes me that your buisness is such that you think you cannot come. a Sick Man Should lay asside all buisness if possible. you had better do so for Louissa Says you was too Sick to remove at present but as Soon as your dr will permit you to come, I have a chamber and...
21From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 1 October 1808 (Adams Papers)
Shall we ever have the pleasure of a visit from you at Quincy. I can Scarcly credit that you Should be so intirely weaned from a place, and Friends whom you once loved and esteemed. I know your avocations are numerous—your time fully occupied, but you may have leisure to visit the Atheneum, when your Friends here are to be no more seen. your uncle and Aunt Cranch have both been very sick. your...
22From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, October 1810 (Adams Papers)
To know that your Mother has been Sick of a dangerous fever, and that She is Still in a low weaks State, and that you have not been to see her, gives me pain, and must Sensibly affect her. you that possess a Heart and mind Sensibly alive to every benevolent feeling cannot possibly be wanting in that fillial tenderness, and affection So justly due to one of the best of parents. Speedily...
23From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 19 April 1806 (Adams Papers)
The Bill which Our Tennant has presented must I presume be allowd him: the repairs were necessary I have not any doubt. he ought not however to do these things without consulting us. have you leazed him the place an other Year? does he comply with the terms of his lease? I wish you to keep the Rent you receive always Seperate from any other Charges. I have devoted it the years past to the...
24From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 11 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I wish you was as far recoverd from your Sickness as I am from mine, altho I have not yet left my Chamber. the Sun has not Shone untill to day since the day I was in Boston. let me know how you are, whether you get Strength, and can use you Limb yet. do get some of Hughes ointment & rub your ancle; it will Strengthen it. I would have you let me know when you think You Shall be able to come out...
25From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 26 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mr Cutter is very desirious that you and any person we may agree upon Should go to medford and take a survey of the Barn and agree to build one, either by contract or as would be best, by employing Cutter to undertake it. I have agreed with Mr Foster to go up in my behalf, when ever it will be convenient for you to accompany him. Cutter should be informd when—the size and dimensions of the...
26From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 18 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your good uncle Cranch is gone. heaven has Saved him the greatest anguish he could experience in this Life. the following her to the Tomb, She is still living, which is all we can say. The family requested me to notify you that the funeral will be on Saturday at 2 oclock—the Corpse to be carried to the meeting House. I will thank you to lend me if you can without inconvenience to yourself 30...
27From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 26 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have found the account and inclose it to you. I wish you to inquire of our Tennant whether the House must be removed and at What price he would undertake to do it? whether any fence will be necessary and whether the place would not be benifitted by planting out a young orchard and a number of fruit trees. I think mr Tiel agreed that he would dig a new cellar & remove the house for 200...
28From George Washington Adams to William Smith Shaw, 10 November 1821 (Adams Papers)
For your favour of the 23rd October I am greatly indebted; it should have been acknowledged before were it not that subjects are constantly accumulating in which we are led to apply to you and I thought it better to delay for a short time the answer to your letter in order to take an opportunity at the same time reluctantly to trouble you with some request or other. Such an opportunity has...
29From George Washington Adams to William Smith Shaw, 3 January 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am directed by my Father to congratulate you upon the handsome acquisition you have lately made for the purpose of establishing the Athenæum in a more convenient and appropriate position and to request of you the name of the munificent donor who is announced as having given you a building for the purpose. Pursuant to previous custom I have to request of you to ask Messr Wells and Lilly in my...
30From George Washington Adams to William Smith Shaw, 18 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
My Father has desired me to request you to send on with his law books a large Ainsworths Latin Dictionary and a copy of Adam’s Roman Antiquities both which are somewhere among his books at the Atheneum I am my dear sir / respectfully yours. P.S. This is written in a hurry I shall soon write you a letter. I will trouble you to hand the enclosed paper to Mr Benjamin Joy and to tell him that I...
31From George Washington Adams to William Smith Shaw, 27 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
I am directed by my Father to inform you that he has received your letter with the Bill of lading of the books embarked on board the Ocean for Alexandria but is prevented by multiplied avocations from answering it himself. He desires me to express to you his thanks and I pray you to accept mine for your kindness in transmitting the resolution of the Suffolk Bar on the subject of his...
32From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 10 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you kindly for sending me Cen the Centinel containing the pieces upon Neutrality signed Marcellus—which I have long been seeking without success—I hope you will be able to lend it to me long enough to get Copied those papers—for no human being knows the value of them so well as I do—not accepting the Author of them himself—. I hope you have not forsaken us—. The time seems very long...
33From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 26 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
Dr Jarvis with great truth and propriety observes that “the Religion of the Indians has not been Scrutinized as it Should be.” Nor has the Religion of any other nation, from Jonah the Chaldean to the Kingdoms of Whidah and Ashantee been Sufficiently invigorated. Who knows any thing of the religion of the wild negroes in Africa, but the infernal cruelty of their Sacrifices? It is probable that...
34From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 9 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
The former leaf you may insert in your Silva if you please. If you do not, please to return it to me and it shall be published some other Way. Take care that my Name be not hinted at unless any dispute should arise, in that case call upon me. If Manilius’s “Ratio” had not been confined to physical Subjects, We might have seen it as adroitly applied to religious, moral and political...
35From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 22 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
Have you the laws of Congress from 1797 to 1801-3 or the journals of the senate for that period? Can you find the Law by which provision was made for the Military Academy? Was it made before 1797 or during, or after that year? Before I left Congress in November 1777 Resolutions were passed for such an institution—They are in the Journals of 1775 1776, or 1777—can you find them? My Eyes forbid...
36From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 16 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
I believe I have related to you, for Shaw told the Story 100 times, of a very vulgar dialogue between Brigadier Rugles and Counsellor Tyler. Ruggles was raving against Dr Young. Why! Says Tyler, I consider Young in the Town a I do you in the State. Both necessary in your places. “What do you mean? Says Ruggles" Tyler. Yesterday I saw a Watchmaker in his Shop, putting together the Springs and...
37From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 3 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
In presenting the Compliments of the Season I wish you a happy New Year—as many as human Nature can well bear—the year comes in very bright—but very cold—and I hope it will be bright and wholesom to the end— The little Tract you mentioned entitled thoughts on Government in a letter from a Gentlemen to his friend—has been printed in Niles’s Register—Since you were here I have found the Original...
38From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 10 July 1808 (Adams Papers)
I request the favour of you to insert the foregoing Letter in the next Anthology. It is a material Document in the Life of Washington, as well as in mine and my Sons. As I was bitterly reproached for promoting my Son, though I never did promote him, but only removed him with the same Rank and Appointment from Lisbon to Berlin, Washingtons Letter ought to have been considered as a Justification...
39From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 21 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Dr Jarvis in his Seventh page has truely observed that “the Indians can not communication in relation to their religion.” I have made the same observation. I have Seen a Strong and marked Aversion to converse or Say any thing upon the Ssubject. Many great Opportunities have presented themselves, in the old Congress and while I was Vice president, and in the very numerous deputations from...
40From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 9 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
I thank you kindly for sending me the Centinel containing the peices upon neutrality signed by Marcellus which I have long been seeking without success—I hope you will be able to lend it to me long enough to get Copied those papers—for no human being knows the value of them so well as I do—not accepting the Auther of them himself— I hope you have not forsaken us—the time seemes very long since...
41From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 20 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
Dr Jarvis with great truth and propriety observes that “the Religion of the Indians has not be scrutinized as it should be.” Nor has the Religion of any other nation, from Jarah the Chaldean to the Kingdoms of Whidahh and Ashantu been Sufficiently investigated. Who knows any thing of the religion of the wild negroes in Africa, but the informal cruelty of their sacrifices? It is probable that...
42From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 17 March 1807 (Adams Papers)
I have advised Messrs. Perkins to print Mr. Cremeres Letter literatim. But it ought to be accompanied with explanatory Notes, E. G. “Narrowly bound” The Writer undoubtedly had in his mind the French phrase “Etroitement lié”—His meaning is “closely or intimately connected”.— “Trespass” Here the French word “Trepas”, which signifies death or decease, was no doubt in the writers mind.— “Carge”...
43From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 20 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Dr Jarvis with great truth and propriety asserts that the Religion of the Indians, has not been scrutinized as it should be. Nor has the Religion of any other nation from Irah the Chaldean to the kingdom of Whidah & Ashantee been sufficiently investigated. Who knows any thing of the Religeon of the wild Negroes in Africa, but the infernal cruelty of their sacrifices? It is probable that the...
44From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 13 March 1805 (Adams Papers)
“The catastrophe of Leyden is to me a most affecting event; a beautiful city where I resided with my children many months, and where I attended divine service on Sundays in the venerable temple where Mr. Robinson and his congregation worshiped for a dozen years before their pilgrimage to Plymouth. This very ancient and revered edifice is now, probably, a mass of ruins. The University of...
45From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 27 December 1805 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you for the receipt of your letter of the 14th: instt: and for the last number of the Anthology, which came at the same time—I am much pleased with the Spirit of this publication which appears to improve as it advances, and which I hope you will not suffer to flag—I am much flattered by the partiality of the opinion entertained by the Gentlemen that a regular contribution from...
46From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 17 October 1807 (Adams Papers)
We arrived safe at Providence on the Evening of the day when we took leave of you in Boston; and the next morning embarked in a Packet which was ready to sail. We were however detained at anchor just below Providence the whole of that day, and the next Night—On Monday we effected with much difficulty our passage to Newport, and sailed from thence on Tuesday Morning—We had every possible...
47From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 7 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
I will thank you to pay to my father, for me, on or before the 22d: of this month eleven hundred and seventy two dollars and forty-nine cents—being $1081.27. for part principal of a debt due from me to him and $91.22. for a quarter’s interest on the same debt—As you have probably not funds sufficient in your hands to make this payment I enclose you an order to receive the money due to me at...
48From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 5 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
I received some days since your favour of the 19. January, and thank you for the information it contains, and for the trouble you have taken in my individual concerns; I should have been happy to hear frequently from you; but I have been sensible that the multiplicity of your usual occupations, and the extraordinary call upon your time and attention, by the illness and decease of your...
49From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 10 July 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have received an invitation from Mr: Boylston, to dine with him to-morrow—If you see him in town between this and then, will you be so good as to tell him that I much regret that I cannot come, as to-morrow at 2. O’Clock I commence my course of Lectures—And having already postponed it for two weeks, I cannot put it off again. To-day also I am detained here, on account of the Declamations—But...
50From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 25 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 5th: instt: never came to my hands untill yesterday—I have long noticed the characters of the factions which were excited among all the antient nations, in their relations with the Romans—It has been particularly remarked by Montesquieu, and its application to our own Affairs is no new thing in my mind—Modern History is full of the same phenomenon—The English and French...