John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 February 1797
John Adams to Abigail Adams
Philadelphia Feb. 7. 1797
My dearest Friend
I recd Yesterday together your Letters of the 28. 29. and 30th of January.
It is impossible for me to give any Directions about our affairs at Quincy. I shall be hurried here with Business and Ceremony. I like your Plan to get Mears but fear he will not agree to it.
When you come here I hope you will bring all the Women you want. I would not have any other than N. England Women in the House on any Account. Why cant Becky and Betcy too come here.
But I can determine nothing, untill the H. of Representatives Shall determine— I cannot even receive the Furniture belonging to the Public, without their Act.1 If I have an House to furnish—I will have no House before next December, if then. I will live at Lodgings at Francis’s Hotel.
The Governors Retirement does him Honour. I wish I could retire too: but it is now too late. I am in the Cage and cant get out as yet. The Examination is to be tomorrow after which We shall soon see what turn Things are to take.
I am with the tenderest Affection yours / & only yours forever
J. A
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A”; endorsed: “Feb’ry 7th / 1797.”
1. On 2 March George Washington signed an act appropriating $14,000 “for the accommodation of the household” of the president and authorizing the sale of presidential furnishings that were “decayed and out of repair” ( 4th Cong., 2d sess., p. 343; 4th Cong., 2d sess., p. 2307–2308).