16101From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 16 November 1810 (Adams Papers)
Having an opportunity to write you by Mr Lewis of Philadelphia who leaves this place for England early tomorrow morning I hasten to inform you of the general health of the family which although not perfect is as good as we can rationally expect Winter comes on us in so harsh a form that we anticipate an unusual degree of severity in its course this morning the River and Canals were hard frozen...
16102From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 19 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a Letter from one of your young correspondents which was received a few days after your departure and which I suppose you would regret very much to lose. In taking the Desk which your Brother lent you I want to know what you did with the papers which were in it among which the two Contracts of Mr. Van Coble were placed and I am very much concerned at not being able to find them...
16103From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 October 1826 (Adams Papers)
Having received a very elegant Lace Cap from the Ladies of the Lace school at Newport I write to request that you will do what you think proper while there as to the expression of thanks and the real admiration which the extreme beauty of the work deserves—as it is really equal to the finest European Lace—We leave Boston tomorrow morning and expect to be at New York on Friday night— Give my...
16104From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 19 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your little and your big Letter, and return you many thanks for both, which gave me infinite pleasure—As I am not at the head of so large a literary Institution as Mr. Shaw, I am not so fastidious in my taste; and find your production very good, considering the circumstances under which it was written: and I have no doubt, that altho’ it was full of defects as to the...
16105From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Greenleaf, 12 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams requests the favour of Mr. Mrs. & Miss Greenleafs company at Tea on Wednesday Eveng. PHi : Etting Collection.
16106From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 25 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Your Grandfather has expressed so much satisfaction at your conduct during your visit to him this vacation, that I have great pleasure in giving you this information; as it must be a great relief to your mind to know , that he has forgiven your late conduct, which I am sorry to say Dr. Kirkland informed me, had been deficient both of affection and respect—I will not say any more on this...
16107From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
July 31 Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Fisher, and Mr Saul from New Orleans, called on us, and I returned all my visits excepting the one to Mrs. Markov—My Brother is again better—Poor Mrs. Lee—We were told on our arrival that Dr Physick seldom ordered his patients into the Country if he could do any thing for them; and this circumstance has been a proof of his practice—I believe she remained but a few...
16108From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, October 1816 (Adams Papers)
On the Portrait of My Husband. The painters Art would vainly seize That harmony of Nature; Where Sense and goodness joined with ease Shine forth in every feature.— That open front where wisdom sits, That eye which speaks the Soul; That brow that study gently knits That bright attempered whole, That vast variety of mind Capacious, clear and strong, Where brilliancy of wit refined Enchants the...
16109From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 2 We last night paid our intended visit to the Masonic Hall and were received by the Grand Master with great politeness—We found the gas lights burning which I am informed was a special favour—The Grand Lodge is very handsome, the decorations showy and the Seat of the Grand Master placed on a sort of throne supported by pillowsand an arched dome—Having had the honour of being seated in...
16110From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 February 1807 (Adams Papers)
We return’d to Town yesterday morning which was one of the most bitter Cold I ever experienced but fortunately were not frozen The Children bore the ride better than I expected though George could not refrain from tears nothing contributed so much towards producing a free circulation as the sight of Mr. Shaw with a letter from you my beloved friend written apparently in great spirits and...
16111From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter distressed both your father and myself on account of the painful news it contained—but we were neither of us displeased with you as we were perfectly sensible of the motive both of duty and affection by which you were situated—We are still very uneasy at your Grandfathers situation altho I have had a letter from him since the receipt of yours which has induced us to hope that both...
16112From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your charming letter only reached me last night the roads being very bad but it came time enough to put me in high spirits and I went immediately after to a little Ball at Miss Focks were I amased myself very much and did not return untill 3 o’clock this Morning Thank God for all the good news you gave me may he still grant us his protection and as you say turn the hearts of our enemies all my...
16113To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
8th: March—Was very unwell all the morning and the weather was extremely disagreeable—In the evening went to the Drawing Room which was very full—The wedding much talked of in consequence of which the Russian Minister asked me when they might pay their respects and offer their congratulations I told him I understood they were to receive their friends without form or ceremony I believed in the...
16114From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
11 July. This day we celebrated and drank the health of my best friend accompanied by every good wish for his future happiness Dr Watson and several Gentlemen dined with us but I did not mention your name to them or give publicity to the occasion—Our company encreases fast we have a Mrs. Dawson Mrs. Lyons an old Lady who came ninety Miles on horseback and a Mr. Baily from Newington Pensylvania...
16115From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 August 1806 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here yesterday after a very fatiguing journey but find my health tolerably good Your Sister is in charming health and spirits and I think looks better than I ever saw her Capt Hull on his arrival here recieved new orders and is uncertain about going on to Newport however as Mrs Smith insists on our staying here untill after Commencement I hope we shall if he should not proceed be...
16116From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter and the pleasing information it contains has greatly delighted your father and I think you will now be rewarded by his full approbation of the exertions which you have made and which at last have proved successful—We shall certainly visit Boston as I wrote you and George has engaged to study with Mr Webster who is now here—Miss Hopkinson is at Alexandria to which place I took her...
16117From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 22 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
During my long absence from home my Dear Charles I could not write to you as it was difficult to procure conveniences for the purpose business and the chambers were not furnished in a suitable manner for those purposes— I am happy to learn from John that you are well and in very good spirits and I hope that the Commencement will pass without any unpleasant occurrence—I am very glad that Thomas...
16118From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 4 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
As I know how much your time must be engrossed by your studies my Dear John altho’ the temporary loss of your correspondence will grieve me I will submit to it most patiently on account of the motive which does you so much honour—I observe that you appear to be a little mortified in your last Letter at what I remarked in one of my former ones which you somewhat misunderstood—The observation I...
16119From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 5 April 1818 (Adams Papers)
You have at last much to my satisfaction, renewed a correspondence which ought never to have been interrupted, and that in the most acceptable manner to your parents, by an assurance of future attention and regularity—The accounts we receive of your conduct are very flattering, and we receive them as an earnest of what we may hope and expect as you advance in life, to reward us for the many...
16120From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am sure you must have thought me mad from the date of my last letter I was so teazed with Muziks of every discription that I found it utterly impossible to write any thing like sense I however thought it better to send my letter bad as it was than suffer the Post to leave Petersburg without a few lines which would at any rate prove that we were well and preparing to join you as soon as...
16121From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 12 November 1805 (Adams Papers)
I will thank you to tell Mrs. Cranch to give George a couple of teaspoonfuls of Castor oil and to give continue the black powders about three weeks longer repeating the dose of Castor oil at the end of six days Kiss them both for me and believe me dear Madam / your affectionate MHi : Adams Papers.
16122From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
We had concluded from appearances here that you would be detained some days at Revel, but I did not imagine that your stay would have been so much prolong’d. I last night had the pleasure of recieving your number 3, and at the same time the mortification of discovering that number 2 was missing this of course causes me some uneasiness as I believe few of your correspondents would be willing to...
16123From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I am much pleased my Dear John by your Letters and hasten to answer the last which was received the day before yesterday—It was my intention to send you Miss Aikens Elizabeth but there is not a copy of it to be procured and I have not yet fixed upon any thing to supply its place—The books you mention have not fallen in my way and I have hitherto had no opportunity of perusing them but I agree...
16124From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1822 to 31 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 30 It is worth while to be absent a short time from home for the sake of receiving such delightful Letters as yours and Georges of to day, not to mention Mr. Smiths; when you condescend to trifle you trifle so prettily it were almost to be wished that your gaiété de cœur could be more frequently called pretty—Georges short trip to the Clouds was likewise of infinite service, and he...
16125From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 29 November 1821 (Adams Papers)
I was much pleased to observe that you had taken more pains with the writing of your last Letter than you generally do and sincerely thank you for it as all these things prove your affection for me much more strongly than could possibly be manifested by any other method and immeasurably encrease maternal affection by adding esteem to the strong ties of nature—You have yet but little idea of a...
16126From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 23 December 1821 (Adams Papers)
Altho’ I write with difficulty I cannot resist the temptation and must gratify myself by writing to you and my Dear Charles even if I pay dear for it—Upon one subject the nearest to my heart I will say nothing lest I should say too much—In this world we must innure ourselves to disappointments and we must learn to meet them with patience and only remember them as incitements to greater...
16127From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
I have impatiently waited for letters, my best friend, having recieved none, since last Thursday I sincerely lament, having mentioned Georges Cough. which though it still continues, will I fervently hope, not be attended with any bad consequences. I take every possible precaution to prevent it, and by Dr. Welsh’s advice, do not suffer him to go out of the House, unless the weather is very...
16128From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 3 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
We yesterday went fishing for the first time and to my great astonishment on looking up our Tackle found your rod or rather part of it as Mr. Philip appears to have injured very much and lost one of the peics—It answered the purpose however very and Mary had the benefit of it—Had I known it was not in your Trunk I should have sent it on with the Gun and am very sorry it was omitted I can find...
16129From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 13 November 1817 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I heard from you I begin to find it difficult to account for your Silence—Have the Muses siezed upon your imagination? Or is it a touch of the belle passion which occupies your contemplation and makes you forget your Mother? either of these things might perhaps plead in excuse though I can only allow these to be momentary.— Your occupations are I know numerous but one...
16130From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind letter of the 30 of September in due time and although it confirmed the bad news which had flown to us here from every quarter it contributed much to console me and the revived hopes which have been created by this very calamity have nearly restored me to health though not to spirits our good friend L. is all of a sudden become so sanguine as to the affairs of America that...
16131From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 13 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your last Letter my Dear John was indeed filled with grievous news and I sincerely pity the afflicted family who are left in a situation so melancholy—The shock must no doubt have been severe to your Grandfather although it was expected; but the strongest minds insensibly repel the idea of death until the inevitable doom is sealed, and we cannot fly from conviction by its sad and solemn...
16132From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 8 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your sudden silence after the affectionate and unremitted attention you shewed during your dear Grandmothers illness and the total want of information since on the subject of the family in general has occasioned both your father and myself much uneasiness and we are counting the mails every day to meet fresh disappointment Your Fathers Messenger has just been and I flew down in the hope of...
16133To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 11 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
December 11th. Went into Georgetown to see Mrs Otis, was not admitted Called on Mrs Smith and Mrs Frye both very well returned home to dinner Dr Forsythe from South America called in the evening, He too was soliciting a place to which a deaf ear was turned. 12th—Not well and could not go to church; the day cold and disagreeable Mary much better. Evening alone. 13th—Went out and paid visits and...
16134To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
14th December. We were all so exhausted that we determined to keep quiet all day at home. Received a Note from a Milliner requesting I would go and look at his things, this is a thing which has happened several times—Am I so much in vogue? I am solicited to take great care of myself this Winter and not to get sick, Are People afraid of closed doors again? What a hollow hearted World How much I...
16135From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 13 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter which I received yesterday gave mutual delight to all of us—It was exactly the style I have so often wished you to acquire easy playful and affectionate. This is the peculiar charm of familiar correspondence and worth all the studied phrases and elegant quotations that you could select from the first rate and best authors I suppose your appointment to be one of the standing...
16136From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 August 1826 (Adams Papers)
I intended writing to you yesterday but was prevented by a feverish indisposition which I believe was occasioned by the Water—I am much better to day, and hasten to inform you of our movements with which you have not been able to keep pace because they have been so variable— At Mrs. de Wints I was constantly sick during my stay, and appeared to be growing worse every hour—I found afterwards it...
16137From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 July 1814 (Adams Papers)
Still no Letter from you mon Ami! I can scarcely account for this, as Mr Hall wrote me, that you had had very fine winds, for six days after your departure, from Gottenburg. I wait impatiently for tomorrow, in the hope that the Post of to day, may have brought me a few lines, at least to announce your safe arrival. the irrisistable desire I feel to offer you my sincere congratulations on your...
16138From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Gardner,, 13 December 1823 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams requests the Honor of Mrs Gardner’s Company at Tea on Tuesday the 23 of December and every alternate Tuesday, during the Session of Congress, when agreeable. MHi : Adams Papers.
16139To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
Feby. 27 Remained at home all the morning—Mr. Adams dined with Mr. Lowndes—In the evening went to the French Ministers where Mr. A accompanied me it being their last public night—God save the King produced a great effect I understand last night, and the papers are to ring with it tomorrow—The managers—Those of whom were Members of Congress had determined it should not be played, and Mrs. Peter...
16140From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 24 June 1820 (Adams Papers)
I was seriously concerned to hear of your illness and am still considerably uneasy of lest you should by any imprudence have a relapse and I entreat you will be particularly careful of the Night air—You must write me frequently even if it is only to say “I am well ” as I shall be very anxious for some time I presume you are taking the Bark? what Phyissian attended you? was your complaint...
16141From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 3 After despatching my Letters we received Georges N. 10 with one from Mrs. Porter in London in which she is desirous that you should dispose of 20 copies of some work written by her father which she has just published, the first Vol of which she has sent to Mr. Gracie with an order to send them to you, and she has fixed the price in England at half a pou 18S. 6d a Vol. The poor old...
16142From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 July 1806 (Adams Papers)
Having arrived thus far safely my best friend I write you a few lines merely to inform you that I have borne the journey much better than I could possibly have expected though I find myself unable to proceed as rappidly as I wished we arrived here this morning at two o clock Came by Water from Baltimore with 60 passengers in the Newcastle Packett all Irish just arrived in this Country We left...
16143From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
From your last Letter of the 19 I am led to believe that you are not likely to return home so soon as you expected, I shall therefore persevere in writing untill you positively forbid it. Our Old friend Mr. R. B. Forbes has just been to visit me he is come to Petersburg on his way to Ghent and expects to return to America he says Boston is become intolerable to live in, that his family are...
16144From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 July 1822 (Adams Papers)
How it happened that I omitted to say I had received N. 1 I do not know—It was so kind a letter and I felt it so sensibly, it seems wonderful to me that I did not acknowledge it. I remember Mr. Gadsden very well. But how came you to pass the Eveng. at the Secretary’s? I am very glad of it, and hope it is not War in disguise? We are all doing well here, and only want you to join us for a short...
16145From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 27 March 1823 (Adams Papers)
The easy manner in which you appear to take your College studies is diverting to me I confess but notwithstanding all your boast’s I flatter myself I shall assist at your Commencement with as much pleasure as I anticipate at John’s—The effect that your brothers success has produced upon your fathers spirits is such as to produce the greatest emulation in his Children for he has recovered his...
16146From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 16 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am very uneasy my dear John at your indisposition more especially as you do not mention its nature—I hope the heaviest part of your labour is now terminated and that you will ere this Letter reaches you have acquitted yourself with honour and applause. I regret very much not being present at your exhibition still more that your father has been disappointed in consequence of the delay of the...
16147From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 May 1806 (Adams Papers)
I am much disappointed at your Sisters not having accompanied you to Boston, having flatter’d myself with a hope that her society would have proven a great compensation for the loss of your wife and Children but I admire her resolution it was almost impossible for her to leave the Col. at so critical a period of his affairs—Mr. Hellen who is again in Baltimore return’d last Sunday and staid...
16148From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
The confusion around me and the perpetual interruptions render it almost impossible for me to write a word I shall therefore only say that and Charles I are well and that I cannot see the day on which I shall leave St Petersburg as every thing appears to go wrong— As you are in France I have thought it best to sell every thing that I can sell as the frig ate to America from will cost almost as...
16149From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 6 November 1825 (Adams Papers)
We have arrived safe after a very tedious and on the whole disagreeable journey as the state of my health tho’ much improved still makes me a burthen to all I most love in the world and I fear there is little prospect of a change for the better—There is something in this great unsocial house which depresses my spirits beyond expression and makes it impossible for me to feel at home or to fancy...
16150From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 30 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
How I wish I could divide myself and fly to nurse you my poor Boy—If your Uncle had not still to suffer one or more operations you would see me as soon as the Boats could convey me to you—Your sad picture of the ennui which you endured is striking but I hope you benefited from your study of the rights of Woman which spite of the prejudices existing against Miss Woolstoncroft are undeniable and...