William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, October 1801
William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams
Boston Oct [1801]
My dear Aunt
Some time since Andrew Foster, a relation of Mrs. Otis, applied to
Mr. Otis for admission as student of law in his office—1 Mr. O. told him, that he then had his full
number, the bar having limited themselves to three students at one time—that he could
not then admit him, but that probably on Mr Adams return, I should prefer studying in
his office, and if so, Foster then might fill my vacancy. These facts Mr. O mentioned to
me yesterday, saying, that if I chose to continue in his office he should prefer it to
my leaving him, but that if I intended studying with Mr A. or whatever might be my final
determination, he should wish to know it immediately, as Foster is anxious to establish
himself in some office as soon as may be. After an intimation of this kind from Mr. O,
wholly unauthorized by me, for I never suggested anything of the kind to him or to any
other man, it would be unpleasant to me to continue longer in his office. If Mr. Adams,
on his return, would allow me to read in his office
with him, it would only be adding to the many favors which I have received from him and
to the innumerable obligations received from the whole family. Should my request be
granted, my name will be immediately out of Mr. Otiss office, Foster may enter, and Mr.
O does not to wish me to leave him, but continue with
him, student of Mr A, till he returns and opens an office.
On this subject I have written to you fully and will submit entirely to the better judgment of my dear Aunt, the propriety of mentioning my request to Mr. Adams— Whatever is done I should wish an answer to this as soon as convenient.
With sentiments of respect and gratitude / I am &c.
Wm S Shaw
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs. Adams / Quincy”; internal address: “Mrs. Adams”; endorsed: “W S Shaw October / 1801.”
1. Andrew Foster (1780–1831), of Cambridge, Harvard 1800, was Sally Foster Otis’ cousin. He later pursued a career in medicine (Frederick Clifton Pierce, Foster Genealogy, 1 vol. in 2, Chicago, 1899, 2:929, 941, 954). Shaw did not study law with JQA; for his legal studies, see Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to AA, 29 March, and note 6, above.