John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 January 1799
John Adams to Abigail Adams
Phyladelphia Jan. 16. 1799
My Dearest Friend
Yesterday, Tuesday when the Levee Room began to be thin Brisler came running in, with the delightful sounds “Sir, Mr Adams is up Stairs.” I was not long in mounting the escalier and had the high Pleasure of embracing my dear son Thomas after an Absence of four years & an half.— We had a very happy Evening and he has had a good nights rest after the fatigues of his Voyage & Journey. He seems in good health & is very little Altered in stature, shape or Feature. His Mind is well stored with Ideas and his Conversation entertaining. This Evening he goes with me to the Ball. I had rather Spend it with him at home.
Inclosed is a beautiful Morcell from the Minister. Worth Gold.— It is the best elucidation of the Character of the K. of Prussia that I have ever seen.1
Louisa I wish you were here to dance to night— I dont wish for your Aunt because One such Evening would kill her.
J. A
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A.”
1. JA likely sent JQA’s 25 Sept. 1798 letter to him, which had been carried by TBA. JQA reported on French relations with several European states. On Frederick William III, JQA wrote, “The king appears to be fully sensible of what the interest of his Country and his own requires, and turns an unremitted attention to the restoration of a severe discipline, and to the recovery of the pecuniary resources, the sinews of War— For both these purposes, Peace is absolutely necessary, and upon these grounds the pacific system of Prussia, so severely censured, and subject to such great and serious objections rests for its justification” (Adams Papers).