1001Abigail 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...
1002Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you in a Letter not long since: that as mr Malcom had declined going abroad, I had thought of Thomas Welch. Thomas has past through College with Reputation, and tho as you justly observe, you cannot expect to have your Brothers place supplied to you, you will find in Thomas Welch, personal attachment fidelity and honour. honesty of Heart must compensate to you for whatever is deficient...
1003Abigail Adams to John Adams, 4 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
I see by the papers brought by last nights Mail that the Question on Livingstones Motion was carried by a great Magority. this May truly be calld a scramble after power. what is to come next? dare they touch the Treaty with unhallowd Hands? Giles seems all at once to have fallen in Love with Checks, and rings as many changes with them, as has been asscribed to the Author of the Defence. I have...
1004Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I have just returnd from a visit to my Brother, with my Father who carried me there the day before yesterday, and call’d here in my return to see this much injured Town. I view it with much the same sensations that I should the body of a departed Friend, only put of f its present Glory, for to rise finally to a more happy State. I will not despair, but will believe that our cause being good we...
1005Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
It is with real Sorrow that I have to acquaint You with the Death of so valuable a Man as Hon’ ble T Russel. The Town of Boston could not in the Death of any other of its citizens have Sustaind So heavey a loss. considerd in every Character which he sustaind, and in every Relation in which he stood, his loss is greatly to be regreeted, and what to him was always a source of affliction, and to...
1006Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Last week arrived at Boston the Marquis de la Fayette to the universal joy of all who know the Merit and Worth of that Nobleman. He was received with the ringing of Bells, fireing of cannon, bon fires &. He was so kind as to forward my Letters immediately, but his haste to set of for Philadelphia deprived me of the Honour of a visit from him at Braintree which I had hoped for, and but just...
1007Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 30 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind Letter of May last week I was very sorry to hear that you and your Family had not escaped the prevailing sickness. the disorder has universally prevaild here. not a single one of our Family, except mr Adams has escaped, and Polly, it was very near proving fatal too. We Have been in very great anxiety for the Pressident. during the state of Suspence, it was thought prudent...
1008Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 20 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days past, Your obliging favour of May 7 th , inclosing the Letters of my sons, and one from the God Mother of Mrs Adams, which contains a pleasing and agreable picture of the mutual regard, and affection of our Children. Mr Adams never writes me, but he expresses the satisfaction which he derives from his connection long may they live in the full enjoyment of those domestick...
1009Abigail Adams to John Adams, ca. 20 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
The post of the last saturday was the first for a long period, which faild of bringing me a Letter from you. I should have been more anxious but that I received one from you on the wedensday preceeding: you say so many handsome things to me respecting my Letters that you ought to fear making me vain. since however we may appreciate the enconiums of the world, the praises of those whom we Love,...
1010Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 6 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of Nov br 24 by the post of yesterday. with respect to the Notes you wrote me about I wish you to do by them as you would by your own, as I do not want at present neither Principle or interest. I think it would be most for my interest to do by them as you propose. the method you mention of adding to the out house so as to give me a dairy Room I like very much, and would...
1011Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
The post is very Regular and faithfully brings me all your Letters I believe. If I do not write so often as you do be assurd that tis because I have nothing worth your acceptance to write. Whilst the Army lay this way I had constantly something by way of inteligance to write, of late there has been as general a state of Tranquility as if we had no contending Armies. There seems to be something...
1012Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 25 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your kind Letter of May 12 th and was rejoiced to learn that you had recoverd from your late indisposition so far as to be able to ride out. have you ever tried the use of Calomil for your complaint, or Bleading? this climate is not so subject to disorders of the lungs and Breast, as ours, but much more so to other inflamitory complaints which call for speedy aid. we have...
1013Abigail Adams to John Thaxter, 20 October 1783 (Adams Papers)
To you my young Friend upon whom the parential ties are strong and unbroken; who never yet knew the agonies which attend the loss of a fond Mother; or the pangs which rend the filial Heart Bereaved of a dear and venerable Father, to You I say, may Heaven long continue those blessings, nor teach you, experimentally to Sympathize with your afflicted Friend. My dear parent is no more! His illness...
1014Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
Mr Quincy and Mr Copley made me a visit this afternoon. mr Copley arrived from England about 2 Months Since and is going to spend a year in America. he is the only son of our Friend. I believe you may recollect him. he talk of visiting Philadelphia. if he does I shall give him a Letter to you. mr Quincy seems much pleas’d with his Tour, and Speaks with much gratitude of the kindness and...
1015Abigail Adams to John Adams, 29 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yes My Dear Friend I had seen and read the Tenth Muse, and I think she abuses our poor old Govenour who tho quite in his Dotage, is not the Man there represented I do not think him a Hypocrit, but a real Lover and Friend of Religion from pure Principles. He has served his Country many Years with honour and with fidelity. I respect his Virtues, tho I pitty his weakness. it is said that he means...
1016Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledg the Recept of a very few lines dated the 12 of April. You make no mention of the whole sheets I have wrote to you, by which I judge you either never Received them, or that they were so lengthy as to be troublesome; and in return you have set me an example of being very concise. I believe I shall not take the Hint, but give as I love to Receive; Mr. Church talk’d a week ago...
1017Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 6 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I got through the 4 July with much more ease than I expected. it was a fine cool day, and my fatigue arose chiefly from being drest at an early hour, and receiving the very numerous Sets of company who were so polite as to pay their compliments to me in succession in my drawing Room after visiting the President below, and partaking of cake wine & punch with him. to my company were added the...
1018Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I know not any pleasure equal to that which arises from feeding the Hungry, cloathing the Naked and making the poor prisoners Heart sing for Joy. All the Honours which your Country has conferd upon you has never excited in my mind half the Satisfaction which your Benevolent exertions and generous aid to the poor prisoners which I recommended to you, has given me. I am sorry not to have learnt...
1019Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
I hear of a vessel going to Amsterdam, and tho I presume you are not in Holland, I shall write a few lines just to let you know that we are all well, and that your Letters by capt Trevett, who saild from Roterdam arrived safe and the Books, but the Bracelets you mention intending to send by it, I have not any tydings of. it would have been fortunate if you had given them to the Captain, as...
1020Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 3 November 1792 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Jeffry sails in Captain Scott and is so good as to say that she will take Letters to you. I have written to you by Captain Barnard who generally has quick passages—and by his return I hope to hear from you. I had Letters last week from Charles. he writes that our Friends in N york were all well, excepting chief Justice Jay who had been dangerously Sick, but was then on the recovery. The...
1021[To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 12 August 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ London, 12 Aug. 1785. Record in SJL of its receipt on 23 Sep. 1785 reads: “Mrs. Adams’s. Grosvenor sq. Lond. Aug. 12. by W. Short.” Not found; see Abigail Adams to TJ, 21 Aug. 1785 .]
1022Abigail Adams to John Adams, 5 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in the fine weather you have had. accounts from N york & Philadelphia are rather unfavourable, but I hope Frosts will make the city fit for Breathing by Nov’ br I shall sit out on Wednesday the 9th for several reasons. in the first place, I shall avoid the parade of the 10th which would be very inconvenient, as I wish to put my House in order to leave it. in the next place Mr & Mrs...
1023Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 5 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Captain Callihan sails sooner than we expected so that we have not time to write to several of our Friends, and indeed we have all written so lately by Mr. Storer, that nothing worth communicating has since occurd. Mr. Adams has written to Mr. Higinson which letter I dare say he will communicate to you and that will give you a detail of politicks here, as well as inform you of the troubles...
1024Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 – 18 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have delayed writing till the vessel is near ready to Sail, that my Letters may not lay 3 weeks or a month after they are written, as is commonly the case. Mr. Rogers and Lady are going passengers in this vessel; and tho I have only a slight knowledge of them I shall commit my Letters to their care. I have not heard from you since the arrival of Capt. Deshon. Your last Letters were dated in...
1025Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 16 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
most cordially welcome to me was your kind Letter of May the 4 th , yet I have not found time since my arrival to thank you for it, or even to write a Line to any Friend. my Journey was as pleasent as my thoughts upon what was past, and my anticipations of what was to come would permit it to be. we reachd East Chester on thursday noon and found mrs smith and Children well. my reflections upon...
1026Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 2 September 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind and Friendly Letter of the 2d, and beg you to accept my thanks for your kind invitation to your Hospitable Mansion. I know not any Visit from which I could promise my self more pleasure “from Friends of more than 20 summers ripening grow not thick on every Bow,” Friends whom no change of political Sentiments have warped, nor party Spirit deluded— I have frequently inquired...
1027Abigail Adams to Chandler Robbins Jr., 10 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which you find enclosed you will be kind enough to sink should you be so unfortunate as to be captured; if you arrive safe and find it necessary to forward it to the Hague; you will cover it with a few lines from yourself. Accept my best wishes for your safety and prosperity, and my sincere thanks for the care and attention you paid to the education of my children during my absence...
1028Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
The eastern post will go out this morning and I take my pen to thank you for your Letters of the 20 & 26th of March. we had received intelligence of the wisdom of Roxbury & Milton, their petitions having reachd their Representitives in Congress. the reply to them may be found in the dispatches of our Envoys yesterday communicated to congress. The publick exegiency of our Country, and the real...
1029Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
I dare say before this Time you have interpreted the Northern Storm; if the presages chill’d your Blood, how must you be froze and stiffend at the Disgrace brought upon our Arms unless some warmer passion seaze you, and Anger and resentment Fire your Breast. How are all our vast Magazines of Cannon, powder, Arms, cloathing, provision, Medicine &c. to be restored to us—but what is vastly more,...
1030Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 20 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since the Sailing of captain Folger by whom I wrote you, I have received Letters from you of the following dates, Sepbr 24 and 28th 8th 9 and 22 of october and November 18th. I cannot sufficiently thank you for the entertainment afforded me in them. Some accounts you give me respecting a certain family Shocked me. I should suppose that the peace and happiness of the family was totally...