1791John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
What would I not give for an Arrival from America? or for certain Advice from London of the Appointment of a Ministry, or for the Arrival here of a Minister to Sign the definitive Treaty? What would I not give for an Arrival from America or for Advice from London what the Ministry intend to do? Mr. Hartley is now here but We advance slowly to the definitive Treaty. I can now have no hopes of...
1792John Quincy Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams and John Adams, 28 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have now the happiness of presenting to you another daughter, worthy as I fully believe of adding one to the number of those who already endear that relation to you.— The day before yesterday united us for life. My recommendation of her to your kindness and affection I know will be unnecessary. My sentiment of her merit, will not at this moment especially boast its impartiality , but if...
1793William Stephens Smith to John and Abigail Adams, 8 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
We were pleased by the receipt of yours of the 5th. inst. from Harwich, to find that your jaunt to that period and place had proved so agreable, you have our earnest wishes for its continuance. But we have been apprehensive since, that the fine Sun and fair Brieze which invited you on board in the morning, forsook you before, you had crossed the Channel. At this place, the after part of the...
Justice & judgment are the habitation of thy throne, O my God! but thy mercy endureth forever— In the depths of Sorrow, I have lifted up mine Eyes, & felt some ray of comfort, when I saw this thy darling Attribute shining with distinguished lustre—“many, very many were the virtues of my Friend”— feign would I hope, they were such as would more than ballance his failings— feign would I hope...
1795William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have long been wishing to find time to give my aunt a history of the visit of Dr. Logan to the president, the monday after we arrived in the city. He began by saying that he was extremely sorry that we are not to have the pleasure of Mrs Adams company this winter in this city. The president thanked him. He then said, that he had just come from France and that he had the pleasure to inform...
1796Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams and Mary Smith Cranch, 15 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
If I had received your Letter an hour sooner, I could have sent you an answer the same day, viz. Thursday, by Mr. Badcock who dined here, and would conveyed it as far as Milton Bridge himself. But having lost this Opportunity, I must send by the Post. But since you have signified your Request to Mr. Shaw only mediately, he thinks himself entitled to make use of the same Medium in giving an...
1797Nathan Rice to Abigail Adams, 27 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
When I reflect on that Tranquil State, and agreable Scituation which I was in, while I had the Honour of being one of your Family, and compare it with my present, the Contrast appears so great and my Scituation so widely different, that the Reflection of past Pleasure, raises Desires, unbecomeing the Character of a Soldier; especially one fighting for every thing dear and valuable. Were I to...
1798Mary McCann to John Adams and Abigail Adams, 2 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Having humbly presumed to wait on you to solicit the honor of serving your Excellency’s Family with Cream and Milk, and had the honor to give you at the Hotel last Fryday, a Recommendation from his Excellency the Spanish Ambassador’s Steward, you was pleased to order me to wait at your House in Grosvenor Square Yesterday Morning with Cream and Milk, which I accordingly did; but may it please...
1799Mercy Otis Warren to John and Abigail Adams, 17 May 1774 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Warren being prevented by many Avocations from writing this Morning, has put the pen into the hand of his substitute: who with him presents sincere Regards to Mr. and Mrs. Adams. Lets them know they have been Repeatedly disappointed in not seeing them at Plimouth. Shall not pretend to Deliniate the painful Ideas that arise on a survey of the Evils Brought on this much injure’d Country by...
1800From Peter Chardon Brooks to Abigail Brown Brooks Adams, 25 November 1826 (Adams Papers)
You went away without the watch.—How happened it and why did you not mention it in your letter from Newyork?—I have sent it by Mr Webster.—Mrs. Webster, on whom I waited about it twice, said that her husband would take it with great pleasure and that it would give him no trouble.—where you can be at this blessed moment I hardly venture to suppose—possibly in Baltimore enjoying the company of...
1801From Anonymous to Abigail Brown Brooks Adams, 20 November 1825 (Adams Papers)
Sonnet. to Miss Brooks by a friend What shall I, maiden, to thee Say, Thou Art, so full of life; so gay; ’Twere Sui, to check thy mirth; By musty l aws, or sermons long; And yet, in spite of Mirth, or Song Thou must, with all the sprightly throng; Descend, to mother Earth. Yet, let not this, your spirits chill; All, must obey dame Nature’s Will; But whilst you still, have Youth; Make choice,...
1802From Peter Chardon Brooks to Abigail Brown Brooks Adams, 20 December 1826 (Adams Papers)
I would fain write you a very agree able letter in reply to the affectionate one received from you since you have been in Washington.—But while at that great city the scene must be varying every day and afford some new topic to entertain yourself there & your friends here—we go joging along in the beaten track with little of novelty to divert our course.—But I need not dwell upon this...
1803John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 18 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I received this afternoon your No. 11 and I never received a letter which caused such a variety of sensations. I will only say, that I received the profile with pleasure, and the person for whom it was taken will for the future be very dear to me. It is very disagreeable to be continually making apologies for having nothing to write; but it is really so, I am more than ever out of a situation...
1804John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 4 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Solicitude for your Papa is charming: But he is afraid to trust you to the uncertain Elements, and what is infinitely more mischievous, the follies and depravities of the old world, which is quite as bad as that before the Flood. He has therefore determined to come to you, in America, next Summer, if not next Spring. Duty and Affections where due. RC or Dupl , in Charles Storer’s hand (...
1805Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 21 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here on Sunday last, and without meeting with any accident worth noticing, except losing ourselves when we left Baltimore, and going eight or nine miles on the Frederick road, by which means we were obliged to go the other eight through woods, where we wandered two hours without finding a guide, or the path. Fortunately a straggling black came up with us, and we engaged him as a...
1806John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 2 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
In your letter to your brother, which is a very pretty one, you express a wish that you understood French. At your age, it is not difficult to learn that language; patience and perseverance is all that is wanting. There are two ways, which are sure. One is to transcribe, every day, some passages from the best authors. Another is to conjugate the verbs, in writing, through all the modes and...
1807William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams Smith, 14 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am, my dear, here at General White’s in company with Mrs. and Judge Cushing, Mrs., Miss, and Judge Paterson, &c. I thank you for your letter, and am of course pleased with the dignified majority in the House of Representatives. Be it known, we are not building a dancing room; be it known I have not built an elegant hut. I should not have gratified my feelings relative to you had I not made...
1808William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams Smith, 28 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 24th, this day, the after part of which has been taken up in the reception of the 13th regiment into our camp. The scene was brilliant, and attended by the whole of the inhabitants of the adjacent country. It is now over; and after giving a welcome in my tent to the officers and respectable inhabitants, and it being 10 o’clock at night, I compose myself to...
1809John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 14 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
By this time, I hope, your inclination to travel has abated, and the prospect of peace has made you more contented with your native country. You little know the difficulties of a voyage to Europe, even in time of profound peace. The elements are as unstable in peace as in war, and a sea life is never at first agreeable, nor ever without danger. In foreign countries few persons preserve their...
1810John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 12 – 17 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
You will perhaps be surprised, to see that in less than 8 hours I have come 9 ½ posts. But the Roads, as far as this place, are excellent, and the horses, exceeding sprightly, because, they have very little to do: I did not expect myself, to get to this place, to-night, when I left Auteuil, but my first horses served me much better than, I had hoped. I could have gone with ease, another post...
1811William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams Smith, 24 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure, my dear, of receiving your favour of the 20th yesterday. * * * * * * * * You say you often think of me, enduring, as I must, many hardships and inconveniences; they are, however, hardships and inconveniences which scarce deserve regard, relating only to the person; the pains which really incommode, are in the mind, occasioned by delays in the supply of the necessary...
1812Charles Storer to Abigail Adams 2d, 24 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you this, Amelia, in answer to yours, No. 8, received a day or two ago, for which accept my thanks. I had really begun to think our correspondence had, to use a common phrase, “seen its best days,” as you had suffered so long a time to pass without improving it. Now I hope other things. The number of this I cannot give you, as, being in the country, I have not my memorandum book near....
1813John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 1 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
What shall I say to my sister? Indeed, I am quite at a loss. I spend much more time in thinking what I shall say to you than I do in writing. I find here continually the sameness which I complained of at Haverhill. To give an account of one day, would give one of a month. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, every minute of our time is taken up. The rest of the week, any person that chooses may...
1814John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 17 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I hope by this Time, you can write an handsome Hand; but I wish you would, now and then, send a Specimen of it, to Philadelphia to your Pappa, that he may have the Pleasure of observing the Pro ficiency you make, not only in your Hand Writing, but in your turn of Thinking, and in your Faculty of expressing your Thoughts. You have discovered, in your Childhood, a remarkable Modesty,...
1815John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 16 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging letter of 3d September, I have received, and read with all the tenderness of a father deprived of the dearest, and almost the only enjoyment of his life, his family. I never receive a packet from your mamma without a fit of melancholy that I cannot get over for many days. Mine has been a hard lot in life, so hard that nothing would have rendered it supportable, especially for the...
1816Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams Smith, 27 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
I must frankly acknowledge to my Dear Niece that I could not but wonder at her long Silence. I feared that my Letters had not reached her, or that I had inadvertenly written something that had wounded her feelings, and so had, in her estimation, forfeited that Love, and generous confidence which she had so kindly placed in me. But when I recieved a Letter from your Mother last April, which...
1817John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 27 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
it is some time since I wrote you a Letter & if I should neglect it a great while longer you would have no right to complain because you have been negligent in writing to me. however I think I will not take advantage of you. But what Subject Shall I write you upon as you have now the honour to be miss in her your teens I suppose you begin to look about the world for Diversion if you was here...
1818Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams 2d, 4 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Pray Madam, are you married? Nay then the wonder ceases. No matter now how loose your affections are towards every other Object. No matter now if every former friend, lies neglected, and forgot. But is Love really a narrower of the Heart ? Does it as, Mr JQA asserts, “diminish general benevolence , and particular Friendships”? Does it like a Vortex draw all into one point, and absorb every...
1819John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 12 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
If I could send you some of the Lemons, Oranges, or Water Melons of this Place, it would give me more Pleasure than you. But there are very seldom merchant Vessells at this Place from America. We are here in the Latitude of 43, which is better than half a degree farther north than Boston, yet there has not yet been the slightest frost. The Verdure on the Fields and in the Gardens is as fresh...
1820Charles Storer to Abigail Adams 2d, 29 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I join fully with you, Amelia, that whatever is, is right. Yet I cannot but regret that the winds hurried me so soon from England. But weigh the matter, says prudence. The office was important, the task arduous, and very much expected from it. Had I failed, what an everlasting blot. This is a thought, Amelia, that would have staggered me in my wish to go; nor would self-examination have aided...