7801John Quincy Adams to Joshua Johnson, 10 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I did myself the pleasure of writing to you, that I scarcely know how to apologize for the omission; and unfortunately for me, my remissness has appeared to you greater and more culpable than it really was, as the letters which I have repeatedly written to you, have failed to reach you, from what cause I am altogether ignorant.— Being so distant even from every sea-port...
7802Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 [December] 1800 (Adams Papers)
Well My dear son S Carolin has behaved as Your Father always Said She would. the concequence to us personally, is that We retire from public Life: for myself and family I have few regreets; at My age and with my bodily infirmities I shall be happier at Quincy. neither my habits, or My Education or inclinations, have led Me to an expensive stile of living; So on that score I have little to...
7803Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 14 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
The letter from Gen l: Pinckney to Gen l: Marshall apprising him of the probable result of the South Carolina election, seems to be considered here as deciding the great political contest, which has excited so much interest, throughout the Continent, for some months past. The issue is like to be different from that which the federalists have, of late allowed themselves to anticipate, and their...
7804Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 15 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you not long since, and inclosed a Bill of a hundred dollors which I hope you received. I inclose in this a Bill of ten Dollors—out of which You will please to pay two pounds 12 shillings to Zube Harman which will be due to her in Jan’ ry for a quarters wages— I could wish my dear sir that every Bill due might be discharged as You have the Means; We shall then know What our income...
7805Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 15 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Not one word have I heard from my Dear Sister, since I left Boston, nor have I had any intelligence from Washington excepting what we have gathered by the News Papers, & those we have read with a peculiar degree of anxiety. My mind as well as the publicks, has been long held in painful suspense, nor do we yet know but that he , who has been the stability of Our Times, may again preside, &...
7806Susanna Lee to Abigail Adams, 16 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
With the most timid respect do I address M rs: Adams on a subject so interesting to me that I tremble while I write from a doubt of the propriety of the step, however solicitude for an affectionate Husband and our young family outweighs my scuples and prompts me to the measure. I must therefore rely upon the noble generosity of a character I have known and revered from my infancy, to pardon...
7807John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d this Evening yours of the 14 th. — My little bark has been oversett in a Stor Squal of Thunder and Lightening and hail attended with a Strong Smell of Sulphur. Nothing remains for me, but to indulge that Vanity which I have found out lately is considered as the predominant feature in my Character, by Singing the Song of Horace The Soothing considerations Suggested by you, my dear...
7808Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Our Supreme Court being in session, has occupied my time so much as to prevent answering your favors of the 10 th: & 13 th: inst ts: I have seen M rs: Kirkham since I got your letter, and given her the fresh order; she will prepare the articles & I shall send them as soon as I can. I have applied to two Coachmakers to ascertain what you desired; neither of them have any ready made coachees on...
7809Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 21 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
on fryday the 19th I returnd from mount Vernon, where at the pressing invitation of Mrs Washington I had been to pass a couple of day’s. the Shades of that solitude corresponded more with my present feelings than the company which I am obliged to See in the city of Washington— the sight of an old Friend, and the cordial reception I met With from every branch of the family, Served to sooth my...
7810Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 21 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have given an introductory letter for yourself and one for my father, to a young man by the name of Charles D Coxe; he will probably be at the federal City towards the last of this week. From himself I understand he intends making application for the Consulship at the Isle of France, and his reason for applying during the present administration he avers to be, because he is a federalist & a...
7811Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have public worship every Sunday in the Representitive’s Chamber in the Capitol; I have just returnd from hearing Bishop Clagget deliver a discourse from those words in the Gosple of st Luke, [“]Glory to God in the highest Peace on Earth, and Good Will to Men.” this is a doctrine full of Mercy and benevolence, of which the present generation appear little disposed to cultivate and cherish.—...
7812John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 26 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have yours of the 2 d. — before this, you have Seen the Treaty with France. The full assurance of your Newspapers, has been wholly disappointed. M r Jefferson and M r Burr have equal Numbers 73.— Which will be Chief? I Shall be in Quincy as early in the Spring as the Roads and Weather will permit. The only Question remaining with me is what I shall do with myself? Something I must do or...
7813Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 28 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your affectionate & confidential favors of the 17 th: & 23 d: inst ts: and have conferred with M r: Ingersoll on the subject of their contents, so far as they concerned himself. He observed, that his communication with me, on the subject of his resignation of the office he now holds under government, was intended merely to afford an opportunity for filling the vacancy, which...
7814Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 28 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have just clos’d a long Letter to sister Peabody from whom I reciev’d one last week— Tis the first I have written to her Since I was Sick She is well herself but mr Peabody has been More unwell than Since they were married ha Sore in his ear attended with great pain in his Neck he is better, & got out again— I hope you my dear Sister are well of your cold, but your troubles must be great...
7815Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 25 th: inst t: came by this day’s Mail. I have found a Coachee ready made, at Fielding’s for sale, which, with the alterations that can with ease & despatch be made, will, I think, answer your purpose exactly. The body of the Coachee is somewhat shorter & more in the form of a Coach, than that you have, but it is well put together & the wheels & carriage appear to be...
7816Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening received Yours of 30 December and would have You close the bargain with him Feilding for the carriage provided the carriage has not been much used. he must put the cypher A upon it and pray attend to the steps. they must be Strong & come low down. I cannot mount high— my day is over for that, and My infirmitys require particuliar attention to that part of the carriage. a coach...
7817William Smith Shaw to Thomas Boylston Adams, 8 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your several favors are before me. The letter for ——— I sent by the first mail, after receiving it. I delayed sending your brothers letter, expecting that you would comply with your promise, and send me the whole series—then I should have returned them altogether. For the pamphlet of Gentz, please to receive my best thanks. I have been highly delighted and instructed by the perusal, and doubt...
7818Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letters of the 2 d: & 3 d: inst ts: and thank you for them— I shall agree with Fielding for the Coachee and attend to the conveniences you mention. I can suggest no method for your coming to this place, unless by taking a carriage from Washington, which might be sent back by Stage-horses. Barney, of Georgetown, would most probably contract with you for one— I am so...
7819Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have searched, in conformity to the request expressed in your favor of the 2 d: inst t: all the writers upon the law of Nature and Nations, which I have in my Office, for authorities to support & justify & explain, the Sixth article of the Convention with France. The extracts from Vattel in your letter are somewhat more explicit on the particular point in question, than his masters,...
7820William Tudor to Abigail Adams, 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
It was with great Pleasure that I recognized the well known Hand writing, which it is so many years since I have seen. It was impossible not to avail myself of the Contents of the Note I found in the President’s Letter, in some prefatory Remarks which you will read in the Gazette, I have taken the Liberty to send you. Chagrined as I am with a late Event which has furnished so noble a Triumph...
7821John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for yours of the 9 th and its contents, and for the pains to have taken to search Authorities upon the Collision of Treaties. The Point I think is explained and proved very fully, and So it is understood in England. The Sixth Article however is by no means nugatory. It is of great importance to France. Our Treaty with Britain expires in two years after the termination of the...
7822Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received Your Letter of 9th. with respect to the Carriage I believe I did not stipulate for a false linning, but I would chuse to have one— I Shall take a carriage from here to Philadelphia and have Some prospect of being accompanied by mr Cranch who has buisness on, provided he can leave the new office, to which he is appointed, Commissoner of the city in the room of mr Scot who is dead I...
7823Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received from you two kind Letters which I have not yet acknowledged; I am surprized to find that the frost & cold have not yet put a stop to the fever. I hope it will not be permitted to make a renewed visit, at the approach of the summer with a severity never before experienced in our healthy and delightfull Village— I cannot Say that I have enjoy’d So Much health this winter as the last....
7824Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 15 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received Your kind and friendly Letter of December 15 and thank You for your sympathetic condolence upon an event severely afflicting to a parent—in this case armed with many a barbed arrow. to infinite Wisdom I bow in humble Submission. may the Chastning hand of providence be duly noticed by me, so that those Children who Survive, may be doubly blessed to their parents The year past is a...
7825Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last, I have received your whole series to Number 17 inclusive, with the single exception of N o 15, which yet loiters on the way; but the order in which they have come to hand has been variable as the wind. It may possibly create some surprize, that, without consulting you, I should have taken the liberty to bestow upon our Countrymen, through the channel of a correct and...
7826John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 16 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
In your Letter of the 9 th you Say, that you will not Say you disagree with Manlius, in his opinion “that the downfall of the federal Cause is to be attributed to the Mission to France.”— In this opinion I fully believe that both of you are mistaken: and I am confident I could convince you of this, if I had an opportunity of recalling to your recollection the Passages of the times before and...
7827Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 9 th and thank you for the excellent matter which it contained. Mr Shaw has not sent you any papers from hence, because the papers have not been worth transmitting, a torpor appears to have seized every person and the query what can be done? what will be done? what ought to be done? seems to be the questions, amongst the three parties, into which not only the...
7828Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 20 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have your favor of the 15 th: inst t: and am pleased to find in it an interpretation of the 6 th: Article of the Convention with France, which had escaped my reflection— Viewing it as a provision only to operate after the expiration of our treaty with G Britain, it may be both natural & proper, but as the time when it was to operate was not specified, many others, like myself, have supposed...
7829Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 22 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
When I said, that I did not disagree with Manlius, in attributing the downfall of the federal cause, to the Mission to France, my meaning was, not, that the loss of the late election, was to be viewed, as the consequence of that Mission, for I believe with you Sir, that independent of that measure, the federal Candidate would have been almost universally deserted. But I meant to assert as my...
7830John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 24 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 20 th. is before me.— The Senate I hear is perfectly Satisfied at length, by a Message and some papers I sent them this Week at their request, that there is no Collision between The Convention with France and our Treaty with England: but other points labour. I choose not to say at present what I think. There has been, about two or three hundred Persons in the Union, who from the...
7831Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received Yours of the 20th Instant. You will see how matters have gone in senate respecting the Convention. Dean Swift in verses upon his own death, Says of those who had predicted his death So the party had rather the whole convention should be negatived and every thing put again at the mercy of France, than assent to an accommodation with them; Yet pretend that they are fearfull of Mr...
7832William Smith Shaw to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Yourss of the 20 th & 21 st are received. I also received this morning a compleat sett of the Port folio without any letter or direction respecting them. Presuming they were sent to be at my disposal, I shall send them by tomorrow’s mail, to Anapolis where I expect to get many subscribers. I some time since sent a sett to Boston and another to young Chace at Baltimore, and if I had a number...
7833John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
You have it right in yours of 22 d. — A Rivalry between George Cabbot and Elbridge Gerry, for the Tittle of Excellency in Massachusetts, produced all the opposition of Federalists in that State to my Administration and has now thrown the whole Party in the back ground. I am afraid that is not the worst. Their unbridled rage and violent opposition to Peace with France, will exasperate the...
7834Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your Brother Thomas has performed the painfull office of announcing to You the Death of Your Brother Charles, with what a weight of Sorrow is my bosom opprest. when I reflect, that he was cutt down in the bloom of Life, in the midst of his days, he is numberd with the Dead; it becomes me in Silence to mourn; Mourn over him living, I have for a long time, and now he is gone.— the tender...
7835Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 29 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received the letter you enclosed me from my father on the 25 th: inst t: with a few names of members & others, for Dennie— I have sent you three or four setts already of the P— F— to be distributed and now enclose you another— The opinion, here is pretty general, that the journal of the Silesian tour is, by far, the most interesting of all the Contents— Indeed, whatever comes from the pen of...
7836John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
On a lu, Tabius, avec beaucoup de plaisir. Il est tres Sage tres Scavant et tres elegant.— The Article he vindicates is now well understood here and is I believe universally allowed to be no Violation of our Engagements with any other power.— Even higher and Stronger ground is taken by Some of the ablest Lawyers and it is even contended that We had a right to go back to the Statu quo, and...
7837Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 2 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 24 th: & 27 th: ult o: are duly received. It seems not to be understood here, whether the proceedings, in Senate, relative to the Convention, are conclusive, as to the fate of that instrument, or whether, under any pretext, the discussion can be revived upon it. I am, myself, unable to solve the question, though I have some idea, that the rejection of the particular,...
7838Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Roads and Weather prevent my leaving this place this day as I had designd; mrs cushing and otis advise me to take lodgings at mr Staell’s in 3 d street, Your former lodgings— I shall want a chamber with two Beds and one Bed for a Man servant; I always chuse to have my Maid and susan sleep in the Room with me. She has got the hooping cough. I hope the worst part of it is over. when I get to...
7839William Smith Shaw to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to my promise in my last, I now inclose to you Mr Jeffersons letter, which I consider to be the counterpart of the letter to Mazzei and which, you must have more philosophy, than I think you possess, to read without bitter indignation—without execrating the author, in the most unqualified terms. The whole letter is in the canting style of the vilest demagogue of our Country.—...
7840Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 7 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I Suppose the reason why I have not had a Letter from You for a long time, arrises from Your expectation that I am upon my Journey; the Roads have been represented to me as so intolerable bad, and I know them to be So, that I have been prevaild upon to remain longer than I designd. I now think I shall stay untill after the 13 th of Feb ry , the great important Day which may in its concequences...
7841John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I received only three days ago your N: 22. dated the 6 th: of December, and containing the melancholy tidings of the death of our unhappy brother at New-York. I had been informed of it two days earlier by a letter from my excellent friend M r: Murray at the Hague, who had seen an account of it in a New-York Gazette.— Of the situation in which he has left his wife and children you say nothing,...
7842Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 8 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have your letters of 30 th: ult o & 3 d curr t: for which I thank you— The letter, which has so copiously extracted your indignation, not without good cause, did not provoke me, however, in the same degree. I do not see for my part, what other notions of Government, M r: Jefferson could be expected to entertain— It was because he was known to think in the style of this letter, that the...
7843Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here about half after Six, without any accident, but beat and bang’d enough I do not wish for the present, a severer punishment to the Jacobins & half feds who have sent me home at this Season, than to travel the Roads in the san culot stile just now; the Roads were hard frozen points up, all the way. we were 4 hours making our first stage, and then commenced a voilent snow storm....
7844Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you last Evening requesting You to meet me at the susquahanah; but I did not reflect that it was two days Journey. this Evening Leiut Parker has arrived and has tenderd me his services; Mr Evans furnishes me with a carriage to Philadelphia provided we can cross the River if I cannot get over, I must depend upon the chapter of chances— if I can get over I expect to be in on twesday....
7845Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 14 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Altho I was much fatigued last Evening, I wrote a few lines to the President to let him know we were safely housed. the Roads were so bad, that the Mail tho two hours before us in the morning did not get in, untill half an hour after us, and there was not any mail from Philadelphia. we took colds all of us; I have a very Soar throat & Louissa a stiff neck— Susan this Morning complaind her...
7846John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I last week informed you that I had withdrawn from Amsterdam all the stocks I held there, and had remitted to M r: King, in London fourteen hundred pounds sterling, for which I authorised you to draw, and requested you to place the proceeds in the most advantageous manner; but not in any institution or fund depending upon our national Union; for the generality of our Countrymen are so far from...
7847Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 15 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 10 th: & 11 th: inst t: are received. We have heard of the proceedings in the Representative chamber as far as the 22 d: ballot, and we have admired that firmness, which puts the issue of the choice upon strength of nerves, rather than numbers. I have but little expectation, that the thing will go through, as it began— Some body will go over to the majority, but it is not...
7848John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Saturday night 9 O Clock and not before I rec d yours of 13 th. and the Letter to Thomas with it, brought here no doubt by mistake. I regret very much that you have not a Gentleman with you. The Skittish young Colt with you, is always timorous, but no harm will befall you or her I trust. The Weather and roads here, on Saturday Sunday and to day are the finest We have seen this year. The...
7849Abigail Adams to John Adams, 19 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I reachd this city on twesday Evening. at Baltimore Leiut Parker came in to see Me, and offerd his service to me; I had engaged a carriage of Evans to take Me here with good horses and a carefull driver, for which I was to give him 80 dollors—or in proportion if I could not get across the Susquahannah I offerd Mr Parker a seat with me. he was very usefull to me and exerted himself very much or...
7850Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 19 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
We have been rejoycing with exceeding joy at the news of the result at Washington— Now we hope the Gentlemen will do something. I got your letter of Monday & at the same time was informed that the choice was finally made. Our former suspence was so uncomfortable, that any thing would have been considered a relief— It comforts me that New-England would not yield, but the rest have done better...