Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 January 1803
Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams
Quincy Janry 27th 1803
Dear Thomas.
A little well timed and just criticism is sometimes very Salutary. If I had not been conscious that I deserved Your Raillery I should have calld you a very Sausy Lad. however I took it patiently, and have been more attentive since, as I Suppose You have noticed; as to points & comma’s, I was not taught them in my youth, and I always intend my meaning Shall be so obvious as that my readers shall know where they ought to stop;
You have not written to your Father for so long a time, that I am pained when I think of it—1 You might give him some information respecting your state politicks odious as they are; I was delighted with the Editor of the united States Gazettes defence. it was a manly bold and just representation of the Ruling powers;2 whilst its truth & Justice was a two Edged Sword, neither Songs odes or Metamorphosis’s have escaped me; tho I am deficient in my regular numbers of the port folio; I know not how many.—
You have read your Brothers oration with pleasure I am Sure; were he not my Son, I should say that I know not his Equal in the country for composition, and for keen cutting classic Satire;
I have not yet heard from you Since my last Letter.3 William Shaw may have a Letter for me. I Shall know tomorrow—
I have had a very charming young Lady with me for more than a week. can you guess who? four years ago she was here; not a word, not a hint, has past. I had a Mind Your Father should see her. I think he likes her well; She is a Serious solid sensible amiable woman— qualified I think to make a good wife— You will never meet with any obsticals from me when ever you can see your way clear to support a family.—
adieu my dear son / may your happiness be equal to Your wishes / Your affectionate / Mother
A Adams
RC (Adams Papers).
1. Prior to TBA’s letter to JA of 18 Jan., above, his last extant is that of 18 April 1802, for which see JA to TBA, 12 March, note 4, above.
2. AA was likely referring to the Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 15 Jan. 1803, which reprinted an article from the New-England Palladium, 4 Jan., calling on Federalists to vigorously criticize the Jefferson administration. In an accompanying piece, editors Enos Bronson and Elihu Chauncey likewise called on Federalist leaders to expose “the evil of the Jacobin system.” Doing so was imperative, they claimed, because Democratic-Republicans had “abandoned all old and established systems of policy and morals, and are alluring our people, by the glimmerings of a new philosophy, to the pit of distruction” (, 5:186).
3. AA’s most recent extant letter to TBA was that of 13 Dec. 1802, above.