31From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
By your note last Evening I conclude you had not received my Letter by the post of fryday which I expected to have reachd you the Same day—it containd a Letter from me to mr Adams to go by the vessel which is up for London, and which I then expected would Sail on Sunday, I inclosed a dollar requesting a supply of paper, to be sent me last evening, the P. and I are quite exhausted—I want a...
32From Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt to Harriet Welsh, 28 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I intended my dear Harriet to have written You before now—but it has not been in my power this morning I recd. you packet with E’s letter & yesterday the welcome information of C M’s being out of danger—remember me kindly to her father & mother I rejoice that she has recovered—My dear Caroline is very well & very lively—we are now very pleasantly situated at Mrs. Kinsey No 5 Broad way our bed...
33From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 7 July 1818 (Adams Papers)
I expected you home. that is the reason I did not write. beside I have melted away and very, very feeble—I rejoice to learn that you have had a fine rain. we had only a little drisel , but miss H Adams Said the Minister thanked the Lord for that; and prayed that he would send a soaking rain. we may put up a Similar petition, for Rain is much wanted— I received this morning your favour of 28...
34From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 12 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have Sent the Shoe & Shall have a pr by Saturday—it is a folly to keep the Boots I Send—charles will out grow them—and as mr John wants to make money by them, his uncle consents to give him his price for them— osburn will call to day for the articles I Sent for—a line from you to Callender will get them for me. you will be so good as to pay him for them—I did not receive any Tea— The weather...
Expecting constantly to hear from you my dear Harriet I have felt involuntarily inclined to procrastinate every effort to write on a subject which has filled all our hearts with the keenest sorrow—How can we sufficiently thank you for all your kind attention? My poor boys will have still to call on you for that kindness you have always chosen shewn them and which now will be doubly desirable...
36From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you a pattern of Ribbon of which I should like a peice if my wants have not already out now my Credit. if so only get me 8 Yds— I want to know how George & Susan succeeded, the morning was so dreary, that fearing worse weather the P. and Louisa were discouraged, and when G. and Susan determined upon going, Louisa was unhappy that she did not go in yesterday with her Brothers and have...
37From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 21 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
dissapointment after dissapointment—no Letter not a line from Dear Caroline. it cannot be that she has not written. She knows how anxious her Friends here must be to hear from her: I strive to imitate her even and quiet temper, when dissapointments of a Similar kind occured to her can you tell whether the carriage which took them on, is returnd may hap. the Man might have a Letter, and forget...
38From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
This mornings post, brought your Letter of march 3d with the inclosure, which I shall forward by the next mail, I thank you for the entertainment it afforded, it will answer a two fold purpose, that of letting me know the incidents of your journey, and your progress through it, and afterwards—giving a similar gratification to the Friends at the Valley, I beleive I must agree with you to...
39From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 4 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening, all the articles you were so kind as to purchase for me. they were perfectly to my mind, and your Mem. accurate, expect in one particular, which was Seventy 5 cts Sent back to me by Charles, which is not charged, and which I Shall insist upon your doing, because I will not allow of any Such pranks—let me be proud as well as you. I also am daily calling upon you for...
40From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 31 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening the Calico & your Bill, in which I find Several mistakes which I Shall point out as I proceed. when you purchased me the Bombazet, I enclosed ten dollars. You bought me 7 yd 2 Skeins of Silk Some linen, one pound Tea 6 pd currents & 3 pd of coffe, the last of which I took tho I did not Send for it. all these articles of Groceries you have omitted in Your Bill—I then...
41From John Adams to Harriet Welsh, 30 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I know not what my Friend Mr Jay can mean, unless it be a Series of Letters Printed in the Boston Patriot beginning on the 10th. of April 1809 and continued for too or three Years. No Notice of them was taken of them, at the time but by now and then a thrust and Stab from the Tory Press. I have not a Copy of them. If I had I would send it to Mr Jay—Some Antequarian an hundred Years hence, who...
42From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your Theological queries, you must consult with your Learned minister. I am not able to solve them. there is certainly a difference in the two tables, in the new Testament. I do not recollect but one reference to the ten Commandments That is in the tenth chapter of Luke, when the Lawyer consulted our Saviour, asking what he Should do to Inherit Eternal Life verse 26 & 27 & 28th He said unto...
43From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 19 January 1817 (Adams Papers)
The weather has been so Boisterous to day that not one of us have ventured out to meeting. I have written a long Letter to Caroline, and I Send you her two last Letters and return those of mr Everets, with thanks. I think them full as entertaining as Eustices Letters classical Tour. I laughd heartily at the attack of the young Lady who insisted upon Waltz waltzing with the Gentlemen. The other...
44From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening I received your Letter with the inclosurs. I wrote to you on fryday, but the post did not go, and the Letters were taken in yesterday mor’g by Thayer: I presume you got it after you had written to me— Mr Adamss Letter was written the day the peace was signd. it contains this passage which I should like to have inserted in the paper, as an extract from one of the Ministers to his...
45From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Louisa is just gone to Bed, She has not been So well to day. her flesh all rises upon her in puffs, & her feet swell, cough is better. but her limbs pain her Sadly She cannot take a mouthful Bread, tried it—to day & worried her Sadly—dr forbids her—I have fears for her which I do not express. I Send the Review, but have not had time to looke into it, you will return it me when you please Mr Mc...
46From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 April 1816 (Adams Papers)
Self, Self, is very often the first consideration I therefore begin my Letter by Saying I have had three good Nights. the Tincture of essence of hops, has contributed to them but it gives me the head ache. the weather is so worse than wintry, that I dare not encounter it abroad, so am deprived of exercise I ought to take.—the P has been Sick ever since Saturday with a most sad cold, taken on...
47From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 3 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your care of my Letters those that I mist, which you put in the Book were found. Mr Beal deliverd your Note. I had a Letter a fortnight Since from Adelaid in which She Says, mr Hellens Health has been the cause, why the connection is deferd I have my doubts whether it will ever take place. Abbe mentiond to me that Eliza Guild had written you that She heard E M—was engaged to S,...
48From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 17 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the pamphlet sent me and think the writer more sinned against than sining. I will keep it, so charge me with it. I am glad to find Caroline at Home, after her Letter to me from N York in whih she mentions the packets getting upon the Rocks, and their taking a Boat to go on shoar I trust, that the packet was founderd did you hear so? She does not mention the circumstance as...
49From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received your note this morning. mr A forgot to leave it last Evening; I am not much disappointed that there were not any Letters from mr ulating upon the Time when he the Milo left England. I could not Suppose mr A. had received his credentials so as to enable him to go there The Milo must have brought us some later news from Paris than we have yet had, but English papers are little to be...
50From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 2 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am very Sorry to learn that your Mother is so unwell, as Susan represents her. let me hear from her tomorrow. I have been out all day to meeting, and do not feel the worse for it. I do not expect to hear from utica untill next week I think I shall from Caroline. I have written to her three Letters three weeks going; none of which has She yet acknowledgd. I know She will be anxious to let us...
51From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 17 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received the Silk and chalk this mor’g on Wednesday. I wrote you and inclosed to you mr Adams Letter of 25 Novbr to me. Charles was just going to the post office with it when mr Shaw drove up, and Stoped him. I opend the Letter to show him and gave it him with my cover upon his promise to perform part of what I had committed to you. he was then to leave the Letter with you. in that you will...
52From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 15 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I send the Boys to your and your Fathers kind care. I hope they will not be obliged to stay long before they embark John thinks he must have a black handkerchief. the Ribbon you sent I took for my Bonnet. I want they should have their hair cut. If they do not go immediatly on Board, I would have them call at mr Smiths, at mr Quincys at mr Halls and mrs Otis’s keep them in good order, and make...
53From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 1 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
The moon shone so bright this morning that I rose, as it seems while it was yet Night, and allotted a portion to my Maidens, & set my whole house hold in motion, for you must know that we have Six Men at this day, three ladies, who love us so dearly that they must stay. a cold winter comeing & no Home, and wish the old Gentleman was but 25—I had a specimin of a compliment this morning from one...
54From John Adams to Harriet Welsh, 23 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Bill—you will please to purchase me Dugal’s Philosophy of the Human Mind—By what I know of Mr L Shaw and have heard of him, I should not wonder, if he were the Author of the Review of Judge Story’s Charge & Mr King’s Speeches—The American, I hear is coming out in the Richmond Enquirer like a valiant Hero in open justification of Negrow Slavery— if all the States Southward of...
55From John Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
You are it seems requested to enquire of me 1. Whether there was ever any “Coolness” between President Washington and me? 2. Whether, there was any difference in Opinion between Us, on public Affairs? You have not informed me who the inquisitive Person is, or whether his motives are benevolent, or malicious; but as all these points are indifferent to me, I have no reluctance to answer 1. There...
56From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 1 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
while I congratulate dear Caroline upon the Birth of a daughter, I am calld to mourn with her Brother, upon the loss of a son. mr Adams writes me, that he found them in great affliction He is with mr & mrs Fry—expecting to get to Housekeeping by the first of this month. He is entering upon the Duties of his office, with fear and trembling. His Eyes and his right Hand threaten to fail him, and...
I enclose you a Letter for Miss Hinckley my dear Hariet which I am extremely happy to furnish and which I hope will be the means of procuring both pleasure and comfort to herself and her father during their residence in Paris.—As I am not in the habit of writing mere Letters of recommendation the one I now send is perhaps not in the usual elegant style of such Letters but if it answers the...
The boys left us on Sunday morning intending to arrive at your house on Saturday Evening when to my astonishment and terror John walked into the room yesterday evening very feverish and looking half wild with agition and fatigue and announced that his Trunk had been cut off from the Mail Stage and he had lost all the Clothes he had in the world—The reception his father gave him was not such as...
59From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 22 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
you do not know how much your company is desired at Quincy. these long Evening we want much, an addition to our Society. you are so well calculated for retirement, parties not being your prevailing passion. you can sit down and with your Book render the Evenings agreable. I read at the expence of my Eyes. Louisa reads, but wants glasses—Susan some times, but her face pains her if she reads...
60From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, September 1816 (Adams Papers)
you are at Liberty to publish the following extract, as a Letter from abroad to a Friend. They are my sentiments well dressed—and he who gave the Toast deserves chastisement were he my Son Brother or Husband I would say so— “I can never join with my voice in the Toast which I see in the papers, attributed to one of our Gallant Naval commanders. I cannot ask of heaven success, even for my...
61From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 1 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the earliest oppertunity, after receiving the inclosed, of forwarding it to you; I received a Letter at the same time. William & Family I find are gone, but C had not heard from them after they left the city. She does not Say to me when She expects to Sit out for Quincy—I presume she has been more particular to you. I have Letters from England to the 9th of June, entertaining as...
62From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 28 April 1817 (Adams Papers)
Two more Letters accompany this for mr Lyman and if time will allow I have no doubt but I shall get an answer from mr Jefferson, as Luck would have it. George in his Letter to his Grandfather, Speaks of mr Sharp as having dinned with his father and having spoken of his Grandfather in handsome terms. this was a good opening to renew old acquaintance—I inclose to you two of the letters which...
63From Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt to Harriet Welsh, 13 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have just obtained pen, ink & paper at the house we have stoped at for the night to commence a letter to my dear Harriet the first line I have written you since I left the Grove. I know you have affectionately sympathized with me in the mournful and solemn scenes I have lately passed through—& I was quite disappointed last eve at the valley when my brother recd. a letter from Mr. Johnson...
64From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 21 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill the afternoon of yesterday that the post of Saturday reachd Quincy, and then it was the labour of an hundred Men to dig there way through. the high wind of yesterday has lowerd the Snow banks, and admits of some passing today and the South wind brings us the Ringing of your Bells, and the South Roar of the Cannon, from which we conclude that the Ratification of the Treaty has...
65From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 24 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill after Susan returnd last evening, that I received your Letter of Saturdays date, oweing to the Severity of the Storm, we neither got our Saturdays, Patriot, nor yet our Wednesdays altho we Sent to the office for it. accordingly I never Saw the extract; we never wanted to see the papers more than last week, and never were more dissappointed. the news of Peace seemd to distract...
66From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have not had any opportunity of writing to you before—indeed I have been So occupied: that I have not had time, for beside Sickness, the good folk who love Sleighing have many of them embraced this opportunity of visiting us; and Louissa wants constant watching to Supply her by little & little with the small nourishment She takes and to See that She does not exceed her Strength by Sitting up...
67From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Harriet Welsh, 1 August 1816 (Adams Papers)
I ought to have thanked you long ago my Dear Harriet for your very obliging Letter announcing the recovery of Mrs. Adams for which news as you rightly and kindly judged we were very anxious I am happy to find by the last accounts that she is once more restored to health and I hope that the Summer weather will reanimate her could she bear the journey I think towards Winter she should move...
68From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 17 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you on Monday by mr Cruft in much anxiety about John requesting you to let hear from you pr post, if not by osburn—I have not heard a word Since. I mentiond I beleive Sending to Mr Fosters, but I had as good send to wisscasset—I got the carpet on Saturday by Mr Beal, but did not know it, when I wrote to you. I like it much. thank you. but I made the Crape answer tho not very...
69From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 15 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
your Note I received and thank you for it, altho it gave me much anxiety upon your & mrs Bailey’s account. I fear you will lose your dear little Girl, Yet she has youth of her side, and naturally a fine Constitution, but the poor child has had to contend with two diseases, the last of which is shocking from its long continuance—I know by my own confinement how long you have had a very Sick...
70From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 17 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
Welcome home again—I received by mrs Adams your Note, and Carolines, the Same Mail brought me a Letter from Susan of the 7th from utica, saying that the Carriage was at the door waiting to convey them to Albany, from thence they should proceed to Fishkill—and I suppose would arrive there just about the time Caroline intended Setting out. which may retard them a day or two—I hope however if...
71From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 14 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
I wrote the inclosed a few days Since, but not having an opportunity to Send it which I liked I have kept it for the memorandum which it contains—Louisa gets a little strength, tho She Swells and puffs in her feet and arms, no perspiration upon her. her appetite is better and She bears the Bark which is a good Symptom. these March winds are intolerable, worse than the coldest we have had...
In the midst of bustle and preparation for a small party of 400 and some person’s I cannot refrain from writing you a few lines in answer to your most soothing Letter which has entirely quieted all my anxious apprehensions as such kind care and attention can leave me no room for uneasiness— Our campaigne is almost terminated and it is really time; or we should all sink under the fatigue and...
73From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
Before I go into Bed, I must write you a few lines, after the agitation of the day—about Ten this morning Louisa announced a carriage & four comeing down the Hill. I ran to the door, it arrived in a few moments, the first who sprang out was John, who with his former ardour was round my neck in a moment. George followd half crazy calling out o Grandmother—o Grandmother. Charles half frightned,...
74From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 27 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
Here we are, Seated by the fire Side, viz Sir myself and Louisa, Susan gone to her uncles, mrs Adams and mrs Stebins came for her this afternoon. now look in upon us, the Segar going, Louisa with her Needle, I with my pen, missing dear Harriet, and wishing She was with us. for want of her, I read loud Six weeks in paris , and made myself So hoars; that to day I am obliged to keep as close as a...
75From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
My correspondents increase so fast, that it puts out my eyes to write to them all. I have employd all this rainy morning in writing to Caroline to Abbe Shaw and to John Smith, the last Mail, did not give me the opportunity of writing to you this morning. I think with you that mrs A’s is a very good correspondent. She feels, what I experienced when I was in her situation; all is ceremony, all...
76From John Quincy Adams to Harriet Welsh, 19 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
I pray you in presenting my respectful & affectionate regards to Mr & Mrs Bailey to assure them of the regret that I feel in the inability to avail myself of their friendly invitation & in the loss of the satisfaction which I should have derived from a visit to them. It is now uncertain whether I shall be able to go at all to Portland; & certain that if I do, I shall not go further nor be more...
77From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
The Sermon’s were returnd without my thanks which should have accompanied them, with expressions of pleasure confirmation and improvement, which I derived from the perusal of them. they discover a maturity of thought reflection, and research which do honourto the writer. Your society have every prospect, of consolation from the Character, tallents, and Superiour endowments of their present...
78From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 28 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Cushing came last fryday to make me a visit, so that I have not been able to write a line She left me to day about noon, when I received a note from You with Carolines and mr Lymans Letter. it took us Some time and trouble to decypher it, but finally we made out to read & reread it. The president thinks it the best and most accurate account of the State of Literature & the Learned...
79From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 13 January 1816 (Adams Papers)
I write again. I am yet among the Living, of which last Monday morning I had no expectation, but thanks to a kind providence I am yet Spaired for Something, and may I be finally found with the wise virgins, my Lamp trimmed. The Severe Snow Storm of yesterday has so Blockaded, the Roads that I know not when they will be passable—no opportunity of sending you Carolines Letter to day, or Letters...
80From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I wait this mornings post with much anxiety a report yesterday reachd us, that mr Dexter died at Troy this week by an aploplexy—if true the papers will this morning inform us, to our great grief and mourning— Henry Marston who took the Letters to you, said he would deliver the Letters in the morning. he is usually punctual to his word—I inclose you one since received which you will return on...