Title: John Quincy Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 7 February 1798
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Johnson, Catherine Nuth

          My dear Madam
          Berlin 7. February 1798.

        Your very obliging favour, written at Stromness, found its way to London, only a few days before our departure from it, and reached us in the midst of our preparations for the voyage and Journey then before us; the occasion then of much anxiety, and since, the cause of much distress as my dear wife has no doubt before this related to you.— In the hurry and constant avocations of that time, I had no moment left in which to indulge my inclination of writing to any of my friends, and in particular of answering your kind Letter.— On the 18th: of October about six weeks after you, we left London, and

sailed the next morning from below Gravesend in a Hamburg merchant vessel for that City, at which we arrived on the 26th: of the same month.— By an accidental circumstance we were detained some hours too late in London, and were in consequence obliged upon our arrival at Gravesend in the Evening, to join in an open boat our ship which had sailed, and come to anchor seven or eight miles below.— The Evening though cold was fine and clear, and we reached the vessel at about 10 o’clock.— Our accommodations, though the best I had been able to procure, were very indifferent, and our voyage from the mouth of the Thames to that of the Elbe, extremely boisterous, though with a fair wind and therefore short. We were eight days only on board ship, of which two were employed in descending one river and four in ascending the other.
        Mrs: Adams had for the last fortnight before we left London, been in an infirm state of health, so as very much to increase my concern with regard to our voyage, but upon our arrival at Hamburg, she appeared to have supported it remarkably well, and to have improved in health to a very flattering degree.— We spent a week at Hamburg, and left it on the 2d: of November accompanied by Mr: Ross and Mr: Williams brother of our Consul at that place.— Mr: Calhoun who there took leave of us, assured us that he would upon his return to America which he soon intended, mention to our friends, his parting from us there all well— The roads from Hamburg to this place are a continual heap of sand, which at that season had by the continual falls of rain been converted into deep bogs.— The drivers were careless and disobliging, and seemed to bear a special ill will to a carriage of English construction in which we travelled. Nevertheless we reached Berlin on the 7th: after 6 days riding, without any material accident.— Your daughter had supported this Journey too extremely well, and we congratulated ourselves upon having got over with so much facility an undertaking, which had appeared so formidable in prospect.— We were not permitted long to enjoy this satisfaction. Three days after our arrival, on the 10th: Mrs: Adams was taken ill, and from that time untill the 20th: I could scarcely for a moment leave her bedside.— I shall not attempt to describe what she suffered, nor the deep distress of my own feelings in considering that she was remote from her beloved mother and sisters; from all her friends, at a public Inn in a foreign land with a strange language, and without the benefit of a single female, who could give her assistance or relief. Amidst these numerous afflictions we had however the consolation of meeting an

able English Physician, who attended her not only with professional skill, but with that kindness and interest which is more efficacious in sickness than medecine— She recovered slowly, but I hope effectually, and notwithstanding some remains of weakness, I think her health and appearance for this month past has been as good as I have known it, at any period.
        Since her recovery she has been presented at Court, and to the several Princesses belonging to it. Her personal appearance as well as her manners and deportment which are such unequivocal indications of her character and disposition have been every where pleasing
        We have been informed by letters from my mother that you arrived at Georgetown about the 25th: of November, after a passage of ten weeks, which no doubt you found tedious and uncomfortable, but which as happily all the family arrived in good health, you now remember only as a difficulty overcome— I hope you will find the residence of America more agreeable than you had anticipated, and that Mr: Johnson by his own preference may bring his affairs to such a settlement as may be satisfactory to himself and to you.
        Your meeting with your son must have given you the most heartfelt pleasure, as my mother writes us he intended going to meet you immediately after your arrival. I beg to be remembered affectionately to Mr: Johnson and to all the young family, and remain, Dear Madam, your faithful & very hble: servt:

          John Q. Adams.

          P. S. My wife has not yet entirely conquered an old and obstinate aversion to writing, and therefore her friends may perhaps not hear from her directly so frequently as they would wish. She has written however several Letters, both at Hamburg & here, and writes now a letter to be enclosed with this. We hope to hear as often as possible from you. Any letter either addressed under cover to the American Consul at Hamburg, or to me directly, at Berlin and sent by a vessel bound to Hamburg, would be regularly forwarded to us.


Title: John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 7 February 1798
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, Abigail Adams

          My dear Sister.
          Berlin 7. February 1798.

        I received a few days ago your kind letter written at East Chester Novr: 4. and am very thankful for it. The circumstance of my not having mentioned to you my expectation of being married was merely accidental, or owing to the uncertainty as to the time when that event should take place, which continued until a few weeks before it happened. I am very sorry that it should have given you a moment of uneasiness, as I shall always take a peculiar pleasure in communicating to you any occurrence interesting to my happiness.
        You have judged rightly in concluding that your new sisters character was calculated to promote it. Seven months of marriage, may serve at least to give a full specimen of what two persons are to expect from each other, and after the lapse of almost that period, we find our mutual affection increasing, rather than suffering any abatement.
        I most sincerely and cordially feel for the afflictions with which you observe you have been visited for some time past, and the severe trials, which you have undergone. I hope that a more favourable fortune will in future smile upon you, and compensate for the sufferings you have experienced.
        You may perhaps before this have seen in America, Mrs: Johnson & her family, who arrived there soon after the date of your last letter.— I left England myself about the middle of October, and after a stormy passage to Hamburg, and a very unpleasant journey from thence to this place, arrived here the 7th: of November. Since then my wife and brother have both been very ill, as you will doubtless be informed by our dear mother, to whom I have written a particular account of our disasters. We are however now all in very good health.
        I look forward with impatience to the time when we shall all again be assembled together in our own Country, and in the mean time hope to hear frequently from you, being with the tenderest

affection, in which sentiment my wife cordially joins, Your faithful brother.


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1798
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dear Sister
            Quincy Feb. 9th 1798

          what a feast you have sent us my good sister. for alhough it may be call’d a feast of bitter herbs yet I would not be ignorant from whence the Poison is extracted which is design’d to destroy our constitution this is evidently the design of those declamers. how can the People bare to see their members spending So much of the publick money to the very worst purpose. is it possible that they can prostitute their talants their reason & understanding & Submit to look So small & make Such a pitiful figure as they do without a prospect of touching foureign money for it. They will meet their reward I hope. but not in the way they expect I love my country too will to wish it Such an evil. I do hope good will come out of this controversy. excellent reasons have been offer’d why Nicolas amendment Should not take place. every one must see whether they will allow it or not, their design is to get from the President the little Power he posses to my Sister continue to send us Such papers as you think interesting & write me what you dare. It makes me feel important to be able to talk after you tho’ I do not bring my voucher always. I love to discover the spring of a Movement
          Mrs Baxter is getting better but cannot set up half an hour yet. I Shall see her & inquire if She can take wine she has not been able too yet. the weather has been & Still is extream cold we had a Snow about ten days since which has made tolerable Sleighing mrs Black has been very Sisterly to me & given me a Seat with her frequently. I was at Boston Hingham & to see miss Eunice Paine last week all were well but our poor lame Friend & She has suffer’d much this winter but I found her more comfortable than she had been. She cannot work at all but can read better than usual. She sent her Love to you says you promis’d her a Letter—
          I have Bottled your mythiglin there are eleven Bottles tis more like Syrrup than any thing else— the settling was as thick as molasses. I had the cask rinc’d & the Settlings put into a vessel with a gallon of water & Boil’d Skum’d & put into the cask again I design

to add some Brandy to it & Bottle it in a month or Six weeks I believe it will be better to drink next Summer than the other I rinc’d with & left in each Bottle a little Brandy. your things are all Safe I went into the cellars my Self— your carpets are out of danger too— there is one which I have spread on our east front chamber which is more wore & burnt & eat than the rest. will you Sell it? I will give you what you may think tis worth. I have bought mrs Quincys flour cloth but it must be painted & I have nothing to lay upon the floor till tis done my Scotch carpet would mend no longer. I have been So long us’d to one in the winter that I have had my feet froze all the time this cold weather. you have So many & they are So difficult to be keept from injury that I thought you might be willing to part with the poorest
          mr Beal is not return’d. but I thank you with my whole heart for your kind present.—
          Sister Smith has done three pair of stockings & I have got more cotton for her you did not leave me money for cotton or to pay her. but I will purchase when she wants & pay her too I shall owe you for milk I have had we will Settle it when you return would you have the stockings sent you—
          Phebe is comfortable— I have been prevented writing by company & gadding my Self till to day. & now the Post is come before I have half done. I will write again next week—
          yours affectionately

            Mary Cranch

          every good wish attends the President Love to Louissa


Title: John Quincy Adams to Charles Adams, 14 February 1798
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Charles

          My dear Brother.
          Berlin 14 February 1798.

        I wrote you on the 25 of October & 29 of Decr: 1796. & on the 14th: of May & 1st: of August of the last year. All these letters excepting that of 14 May, related to my affairs in your hands.— I have never received any answer whatever to either of them. That of 29 Decr: I think must have miscarried, but I have long since received answers from other persons, to letters which went by the same opportunities as the others to you. In my letter of the first of August last, I indicated to you three several persons at London, at Hamburg & at Bremen, under cover to whom you might safely direct letters for me. I have received two months ago answers to other letters, which went at the same time with that of 1st: August, but not a line not a syllable from you. I have not a word from you upon the subject of my business later than the 7th: Septr: 1796. In all my letters I have urged you to write me, constantly & frequently, and

particularly to send me a state of the accounts between us at the close of every year. I must in the most pointed manner again entreat you to shew this attention to my business. The neglect of it introduces inevitable disorder into my own arrangements, and you have lived long enough in the world to know that disorder is of itself a great advance towards ruin
        I am your affectionate brother.


Title: John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 16 February 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Smith, William Stephens

          Sir
          Philadelpa: Feby. 16th 1798:

        I have received the Letter you wrote me on the 7th of this month, and I shall give all the attention to the Subject of it which may be necessary. It is not new to me—
        You are too precipitate in my opinion in pronouncing an opinion that the General has been guilty of high Crimes &Ca:
        There have not been wanting Critics upon your conduct, as severe as you have been upon his It is reported not much to the advantage of your Reputation or mine that you have been to detroit, for Brockholst Livingston and company to Speculate in Lands, and Claims of those who mean to remain British Subjects, and to remove to Canada, and that to cloak your real purposes you gave out, that you had been Sent by me, for ends of government of Some Sort or other, I can scarcely beleive that you could Countenance a report so totally unfounded—
        I am Sir your most obedient & / most humble Servant

          John Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 21 February 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

          My dear Sister
          Philadelphia Feb’ry 21 1798

        I received your kind Letter of Feb’ry 9th and was quite rejoic’d to hear that mrs Baxter was like to do well, when I feard to open the Letter least it should inform me of her death.
        I have been Confined with a cold like the influenza for several days past. I have dreaded least it should prove one of my Feb’ry attacks. it came on with a very soar Throat and hoarsness and terminated in sneezing it has made me quite sick. I have not been out of my Room Since saturday. I hope however it is going of. I have a company of 33 to dine with me tomorrow Eleven of whom are Ladies, and Louissa is in much trouble on account of being obliged to act as Principle to morrow. she would have had me sent cards of apology to defer it, but I could not consent, as most of the Ladies are well known to her, and it is good Sometimes to oblige young people to come forward and exert themselves. amongst the Ladies is mrs Law the Grandaughter of mrs washington, who lives in the city of washington. she is a very pleasing agreable Lady, and I loved her for the kind and affectionate manner in which she spoke of mr & mrs Cranch and Betsy Elliot whose absence she says they all regreet—
        I have some expectation of seeing Your son here in a few days. I hear he is comeing upon mr Greenleaf affairs. mr Morris deliverd himself to his bail and went to Jail last week. if ever said mrs Law, I had felt a disposition to extravagance, I should have been cured by a visit to mrs Morris. two years ago, Mrs Morris was a remarkable

well looking woman. Maria, my companion gay and blith as a bird, blooming as a rose in June. I went to visit mrs Morris, & met her without knowing her, so alterd that I was shockd. maria pale wan dejected & Spiritless— such is the change Here I cannot refrain quoting a passage which struck me in reading it, as applicable not only to that Family, but to one with which I am more closely connected.
        “The man who loses his whole fortune, yet possesses firmness, Philosophy, a disdain of ambition and an accommodation to circumstances, is less an object of contemplative pity, than the person who without one real deprivation, one actual Evil is first, or is suddenly forced to recognise the fallacy of a Cherished and darling hope all speculative Wealth has a shallow foundation, but that its foundation has always been shallow is no mitigation of dissapointment, to him who had only viewed it in its superstructure, nor is its downfall less terrible to its visionary elevator because others had seen it from the beginning as a folly or Chimera: its dissolution should be estimated, not by its romance in the unimpassioned examination of a rational looker on but by its believed promise of felicity to its credulous projector.” I am sometimes ready to exclaim when I see one bubble bursting after an other, all is vanity and vexation of spirit—
        you write me that I have amused and entertaind you by my communications. I am sure I must mortify you by a detail of some late proceedings in congress. you must have heard of the spitting animal. this act so low vulgar and base, which having been committed, could only have dignifiedly resented, by the expulsion of the Beast, has been spun out, made the object of party, and renderd thus, the disgrace of the National legislature, by an unfortunate clause in the Constitution which gives the power into the hands of the minority, requiring two thirds to concur in an expulsion of a member. the circumstances were so fully proved of Lyons being the base agressor, that as Gentleman I could not have belived they could have got one third of the members to have consented to his continuence with them, but you will learn the state of the buisness from the documents I send you— I know not where it will end— in the mean time the business of the Nation is neglected, to the great mortification of the federalists.
        you will have received before this my Letters, which contain a reply to some of your queries

        I want to say a word to you by way of advise. the Farm which has been disposed of, I hope may prove a relief to mr Cranch as well as an advantage to him and that the income from the money if vested in publick Securities will yeald you more real profit than the Land. yet that was solid money fleeting. my request is that the sum during Brothers Life may not be broken in upon with an Idea of assisting Children. they are young and can better bear hardships and care, than those who are advanced in Life. I hope therefore nothing will lead to a dispertion of the capital, tho you have as deserving children as any person need desire. I repeat pray do not let the bank be touchd. I have seen too many instances of Parents dependant upon Children— tho there are instances which do honour to humane nature, there are more which disgrace it
        as to the Carpet you speak of, you may use it, and when I return I will let you know whether I will part with it—
        adieu my dear sister / most affectionatly / your

          A Adams


Title: William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 23 February 1798
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Adams, John

          Sir.
          East Chester Feby. 23d. 1798

        I have received the letter you did me the honor to write under date of the 16th. inst.—and am content that the communication I thought it my duty to make, has been received—and am also satisfied that it is not new to The President—
        The report that on my visit to Detroit, I gave out, that I was sent by The President, for ends of Government of some sort or other—is utterly and totally false—and I defy the person or persons, who made this infamous communication, to face the question, or to point out during my excurtion, that I ever mentioned, The President unless when his health was drank at table—

        I am at a loss to account, from any action of my, life, how it was possible that The President should for a moment allow himself to believe me capable of so base and dishonourable a coulouring
        I am The Presidents most obedt. Humble Servt.

          W: S: Smith


Title: Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 2 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Johnson, Catherine Nuth

          my Dear Madam
          Philadelphia March 2 1798

        Yesterday the secretary of state received Letters from mr Adams at Berlin dated Nov’br 10th & 17th in which he says that he left Hamburgh on the 2d and reachd Berlin on the 7th. he had an interveiw with the Minister. the King was informd of his arrival, and desired the Minister to express to him the extreem regreet he felt at not being able to give him Audience, as his dangerous illness wholy prevented him from doing buisness. he desired the Minister to express to him the satisfaction he received from this Mark of attention from the united states, as well as his regreet at being unable to give him his first Audience.
        Mr Adams’s Letter of the 17th informs that the King of Prussia died yesterday morning at 9 oclock, and was immediatly succeeded to the Throne by his son Frederic William the 3d. concequently Mr Adams’s Credentials cannot be presented, untill new ones are sent him, which will be as speedily as possible
        He mentions having written Letters from Hamburgh of 31 of october, which are not come to Hand; as these Letters are to the secretary of state & wholy upon publick buisness—no mention is made of his private affairs, and as yet We have not any private Letters, tho

I cannot but hope there are some. It was however a great Satisfaction to me, to learn their safe arrival at Berlin; and my pleasure would be incompleat, if I did not embrace the earliest opportunity of communicating it to you, Who I have not a doubt, take an equal interest in the safety and prosperity of our Children
        From our Envoys in France no official Communications have been received, only vague News paper reports. their situation must I think be very painfull. if they have attempted any communications with their Government, they have failed. that they have been altogether silent, I know not how to believe. The Jacobins as usual, are very insolent false and abusive upon the occasion— Indeed my dear Madam, the service of this Government is not a Bed of Roses— in any department of it
        The President unites with me, in presenting his Regards to mr Johnson and Family. I forwarded a Letter to you from mrs smith. I hope you received it—
        I am dear Madam with Sentiments / of Esteem and Friendship / Yours &c

          A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to William Smith, 2 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Smith, William

          Dear sir
          [2 March 1798]

        The President received your Letter this morning dated 5 Feb’ry. the Rule of the former President not to answer Letters of this

nature, he has abided by. his Rule is to place all Canditates for office upon a Book kept for that purpose, and to appoint to office such persons as come best recommended for abilities integrity and industery. in your case he would be particuliarly delicate, for as he has never removed a Man from office, but such as have betrayd their trust by becomeing publick defaulters, or otherways misconducting themselves, So would he be peculiarly cautious not to appoint to office any one who does not produce very respectable Recommendations he therefore desires you to procure such and forward to him. Mr Grove of the House is well known to you. you had better write to him—and if you are at all acquainted with mr Bloodworth or Govr Martin who are Senators from that state, an application to them might not be amiss either from yourself or some Gentlemen who knows them, for tho Born & Educated in N England, I do not know whether you are known to a single Gentleman now in senate from that State. All Nominations you well know go from the President to the Senate, whose duty it is, before they advise & consent to the same, to inquire who the Gentleman is & what is his Character?
        altho the President has not made it a rule as his predecessor did never to appoint a Relation to office, Yet you must be sensible a more than ordinary delicacy is necessary for him to observe on such occasions, and a faithfull discharge of the trust will be expected and required on no other terms would he continue in office the nearest and dearest Friend he has upon Earth—
        Your sister Louissa is well she heard both from your mother and sister last week who were both well.
        My Love kind Regards to your Brother whose life I hope as well as yours may be prolonged to serve Your Country, and to be a comfort to your Relatives. The death both of your sister & Brother who have been cut of in the morning of their days, has been a very melancholy event to me Who loved and esteemed them highly. they were both deserving. Let not the Warning be in vain to you my young Friends

          [”]That Life is long which answers lifes great End—
          Virtue alone has majesty in Death”

        I close my Letter rather seriously, but not more so than I hope a subject of such concequence will be considerd buy you for there is no sure and certain dependance to be placed upon any Man, however high and dignified his office, who has not solid principles of

Religion and Virtue for their basis— my affection and Regard both for your Brother and you will be a sufficient appoligy I trust for the freedom with which I have written. I am / Your affectionate / Aunt

          Abigail Adams—


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 3 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

          my dear sister
          Philadelphia March 3d. 1798

        To communicate pleasure, is reflecting happiness. The secretary of state came smiling in my Room yesterday. I said to him, I know you have got dispatches, upon which he took from his pocket, two Letters from my dear son at Berlin. tho they were publick Letters and upon publick buisness, they informd us of his safe arrival at Berlin on the 7th of Nov’br, 4 days from Hamburgh— on the 10th he had an audience of the Prussian minister. the King was informd of his arrival, and directed his Ministure to assure mr Adams, that he received with great satisfaction this mark of attention from the united states and that he regreetedly exceedingly that his extreem illness renderd it impossible for him to give him the first Audience
        “on the 17th mr Adams writes, The King of Prussia died yesterday morning at 9 oclock at Potsdam. he was immediatly succeeded by

his son Frederic William the 3d. my Credentials cannot now be presented I must request New ones to the Present King may be forwarded as soon as possible.”
        I hope the mission began so contrary to his wishes, and so injurious to his Private interest, will become more auspicious. He had made his arrangement for going to Lisbon, hired a house there taken and paid his passage when he received news that he must go to Berlin—and this without any additional allowence, and only half the sum allowd for the outfit of a minister going from this Country, tho his expences must amount to the same—
        I received he observes an office tho no promotion at once invidious in appearence and oppressive in reality, but I have done. my Country has every claim upon me. if her service were merely a Bed of Roses, it would not be a worthy incitement to ambition
        I inclose you an other paper upon the Foreign intercourse Bill. a stranger Would be ready to suppose that The President, instead of having appointed only one single Minister Since he came into office (the Envoys excepted, who was only for a particular object,) that he had Nominated an incredible Number, and increased or wanted to increase their salleries. the House of Rep’s have not by the constitution any right to judge of the propriety of sending foreign Ministers, nor the courts to which they shall be sent, nor the Grades. the Constitution has given that power solely to the President as it has to the House of Reps the granting of money. as well might the President assume to himself the disposal of Money, unappropriated, yet have they according to calculation expended as much Money by the length of the debate as would pay the salleries of all our ministers for two years to come—
        Mr otis & mr Harper have very abley replied to mr Gallitin whose speaches I will send you as soon as they are Printed.
        Your son is well and talks of returning the beginning of the week
        I would have my stockings kept till I return.
        I had Letters from mrs smith she was well— my Love to Mrs Norten Greenleaf & their Families. Poor suky Warner. I am Grieved for her.
        I am my dear sister / With unalterable / affection Your sister

          A Adams


Title: Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 4 March 1798
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John

          My dear Sir.
          Berlin 4 March 1798.

        Since my residence at this place I have received your kind letter of October 25th: written at East Chester, a few weeks previous to your return to the seat of Government, from your nothern excursion. I have been highly delighted by the accounts which reached us from various quarters of the cordial & dignified reception given by the people to their chief magistrate, both in his going from & his return to Philadelphia, and at the strain of affection which pervades the numerous addresses, which were presented to him during his tour. They are so many testimonies of approbation of the past & so many pledges of support to the future administration of the Government, from the most respectable portion of the community; and independent of the interest which I naturally took in sentiments of respectful attachment addressed to you, I felt their full force & effect also, as one of your fellow citizens.
        Our intelligence from home is not later than the beginning of January, when affairs are represented as having been particularly calm, though no important discussion had then taken place in Congress. In a late letter to my mother, I expressed an hope that this tranquility was not the consequence of a dull indifference to the

actual state of our national concerns, for in my opinion no period ever existed, which called for more wakefulness; but I cannot help entertaining an apprehension that this is too much the case. Not that I distrust the spirit or temper of my Countrymen if it were properly called forth. I believe it amply competent to ensure success & triumph to any cause in which it shall be thoroughly exerted— But there has been an organized employment of means to sooth the just resentment of our injured fellow citizens, and above all to prevent any ebullition of popular indignation. The people must appear to be satisfied with the state of things, and the Government only enraged & revengeful. I have regretted most unfeignedly, & I still deplore as a signal calamity the necessity of a serious contest between our Country & France, but I have long been convinced that we ought not to decline it when forced upon us, and so perfect has been my persuasion that no reconcilement was practicable while such dispositions existed in the french Government, that I have for sometime considered forbearance of hostilities on our part as impolitic & dangerous. If the progress of Jacobinism is to be arrested at all it is by fighting it. It will not be treated with upon peaceable terms, and if there be a nation on earth capable of going the necessary lengths and making the proper sacrifices to stop its course, it must be one that is already possessed of substantial liberty, that knows how to appreciate it & how to distinguish between it & that sort of liberty which France is trying to propagate throughout the world. To every other nation & people, the french liberty is perhaps equal if not superior to their own, at least the difference is not worth contending for; when therefore, it is offered, accompanied like the pistol of the highwayman with the alternative of surrender or death, who shall dare to reject it?
        Our Commissioners at Paris have been suffered to remain there longer than I expected; but they will not succeed in their mission— they will eventually be forced to depart, by the indignant conduct of the french Government, and so soon as they are gone we may expect to see them accused of breaking off the negotiation and their mission Stigmatized as perfidious & insincere. There is precedent for this surmise, though for the treatment of the American Envoy’s even the haughty register of the Directory does not furnish any. They will not hear the legal Representatives of the American Government—nor will they acknowledge them as such. It is clear then that the Government itself is disavowed by them, and probably

nothing will content them short of an exchange of the Constitution of the United States for one of the newest fashion from the manufactory at Paris, with a loan of money into the bargain by way of indemnity. If the people of the United States consent to this, they will be worthy of admittance into the numerous Sisterhood of the Batavian, the Cisalpine, the Cisrhenine, the Ligurian, the Liman & the Transjurane Republics; but by what pretty original name they will be baptised, I am at some loss to conjecture; though in honor of those who first assumed the french cockade perhaps they will call it Kaskaskian.
        The question, in spite of all my aversion to meet it, will force itself upon me. Will the United States connect itself with this family? & Will the American people desert their Government in the hour of danger, exposed to all the consequences of the independent engagements made in their name and under the expectation of their support? While Switzerland is fulfilling its destiny, the Cantons of Berne Friburg, Zurich & Solathern declare their intentions of substituting democracy for aristocracy, in order to preserve peace with France. They had previously declared their firm resolution to maintain & adhere to their ancient Constitution at the price of their treasures & their blood. The people revolt & their magistrates are forced to recant. Still they take new ground and talk of an unanimous resolution of the mass of the people to resist foreign invasion, dominion or influence, & the french Directory disclaim at the same time all views except the abolition of the Swiss Oligarchy, having no projects whatever against their Sovereignty & independence. It is well known that Switzerland cannot resist this foreign invasion, which notwithstanding all declarations to the contrary is destined to reduce this Sovereignty to the most absolute dependence upon the french Republic— Here is precept & example too for our Countrymen—will they obey the one, or imitate the other? I believe not, because I know they are capable of resistance, and are more attached to their present government than the people of Switzerland are to their aristocratic institutions. It is natural enough for an American citizen, who has witnessed the undeviating march of all these modern Revolutions effected by foreign interference, to figure to himself the possibility of a similar turn to affairs in his own Country; upon no other principle can I apologize to myself for harbouring so unworthy and degrading an opinion of my fellow citizens— They will, I am fully persuaded, never merit or incur the application of it.

        The philosophy of Professor Kant will probably spread throughout Germany, as his works are held in high repute by those who are capable of diving into their profound mysteries— He ranks with the Luther’s & the Calvins, but whether his writings are destined to bring about an important reformation in the political world, equal to that produced in religion by the labors of those to whom he is compared, time must determine. Upon this subject, however, I can add nothing to the information already given you by my Brother; but in answer to the question whether the jealousies of the nobility and the principles of democracy are spread in Germany, I firmly believe that it is not hazardous to affirm it. They are thickly and universally sown & time will gather a plentiful crop of them. Mr: Burke predicts a revolution in the Empire which is to have a more extensive & important influence upon human affairs than that of France, of which however it can only be a consequence. France is unquestionably the head of the new reformation, but the predictions of Burke may be oracular.
        The Congress at Rastadt now occupied upon the momentous business of a settlement for peace between the Empire & the french Republic, must eventually subscribe to all the sacrifices which France requires; and in so doing the precedent of innovation upon the integrity of the Empire will be effectually established— The bulwark of the Germanic Constitution will thereby be irrecoverably lost, and future inroads upon it will follow in the train until the Empire itself is swallowed up by the two great powers which it contains in its own bosom, though France, when bordering upon it, will not forget to put in its claim for a share of the plunder, of which it now gives the first example. These consequences seem naturally to result from the peace of Campo-Formio, where the head & chief of the Empire consented to a separation of his interests from the common cause— This abandonment secured to him an indemnity, but if my ideas upon this subject be correct, this indemnity, however ample it may seem, will eventually prove perfidious. Where is now his frontier or barrier against France? Mentz, Manheim, Philipsburg & Ehrenbreitstein are upon the Rhine & not upon the Danube.
        The small & pitiful policy, as Burke calls it, of adding towns to their dominions seems to possess all the first rank powers of Europe. Poland is irrecoverably gone— Some parts of its territory may change masters in the course of trafic, but as a separate power there is no resurrection for it. Venice is consolidated with the mass of

Austria in exchange for Flanders & the Ecclesiastical States upon the left bank of the Rhine, which are necessarily sacrificed to the natural limits insisted on by the french Republic. By way of indemnity to the princes & States thus despoiled, they may possibly be invited to join with the french emigrants in the enterprize of reconquering Canada. The prospect for the Prince of Orange is perhaps not much more cheering than this, though his pretensions may be advocated by the negotiator from this Court at the General Congress.
        Peace both continental and maritime must take place & have some permanency before it can be fully ascertained to what degree the Scheld is to supercede the Texel & the Mease. A time of Commercial proscription is little favourable for such a prediction. Antwerp appeared to me when I saw it, in deep despondency— Its internal appearance offered the gloomy picture of a mind predisposed by sorrows, afflictions & mortifications to assume the veil of devotion. The cross & the image which was still left standing in some of the public squares, joined to the occasional votaries to be met with in the act of offering their homage at its feet, served to impress such a conception upon my mind. Its situation is highly favorable for trade and the majestic river that runs by its borders is worthy of a comparison with our Hudson or Delaware; but the finger of the french Republic is upon it, and though its liquid floods do not thereby dry up, the floods of wealth & treasure which it once bore upon its bosom have settled into other channels, but peace & a liberal policy may possibly restore them to their kindred by nature. After the conquest of England, which is to follow the Great Nation’s descent commercial law is to cease altogether & the most unrestrained lawless liberty of the seas is to take its place; the great monsters of the deep are to grow tame & civil by the force of such “dulcet harmony” between all Nations of the Globe.
        The late decree of the french government which is so hostile to all neutral commerce has given considerable umbrage to the neutral powers of Europe; it has already produced remonstrance from two of them, Denmark & Prussia, but with what effect is not yet publicly known. If the Legislature of the United States really wanted another proof of the evil dispositions & the pernicious designs of the french Republic towards their constituents, I should hope this last measure might convince them. Will the House of Representatives persist in their refusal to authorise the arming of Merchant

vessels, lest it should interfere with & influence the negotiation with France? They may persist, but not from such motives—the negotiation they talk of has never commenced— They may continue to repeat that a lapse of six months has brought with it no alteration in the affairs of the union, & that defence will be hostility—and if such arguments are received in lieu of facts; if such treatment of their suffering Countrymen produce no resentment, no indignation, I shall begin to believe that the syren song of Liberty, equality & fraternity, has captivated all minds and prepared both governors & governed to receive a french garrison as soon as it can be made to reach the Continent— From that moment, come when it will, I have no longer a Country— I professedly belong to Mr: Burke’s class of obstinates, and can never consent to a compromise with Jacobinism even should it be disposed to pardon my heresies.
        From the little observation I have had occasion to make of the disposition & temper of the Prussian people, I have concluded that the subtle fluid of the french Revolution has been pretty copiously diffused among them— The Nobility is a numerous, though an indigent & idle class—the revolutionary literature circulates among all ranks with very little disguise— still it is not uncommon to hear them utter very rankorous & bitter execrations against french principles, but like every body else, they gape & stare at their astonishing progress & with a shrug of the shoulders exclaim C’est étonant— ma foi! je ne l’aurai pas cru possible!
        I have made up my mind to leave my brother in the course of the present year, and return home. He is now settled here in a snug family way and can better dispense with my assistance than he could have done heretofore. As a companion too I am now happily superceded, and though I shall leave him with great reluctance, it will always be a consoling reflection that my continuance could add less to his comfort than to his convenience. It is to be wished however, that my place may be supplied, and I cannot but hope, that Mr: Malcom your present Secretary, will be induced to come.
        If in returning to America I should be so fortunate as to escape perils by sea & from privateers, I shall hope to reach it by the month of November at furthest; but I am doubtful whether the City of Philadelphia will be the most eligible place for my future residence— The almost annual occurrence of that devastating disorder, which banishes during a great part of the Summer & Autumn more than half the inhabitants, or exposes those who remain to continual alarm & danger, must be a powerful objection against that city, as

the permanent residence of a professional man. I shall hope to find an opening in some other quarter.
        I am dear Sir, with affectionate attachment your / Son

          Thomas B Adams.


Title: Hannah Quincy Lincoln Storer to Abigail Adams, 4 March 1798
From: Storer, Hannah Quincy Lincoln
To: Adams, Abigail

          Boston March 4th. 1798

        I presume Dear Madam that I Shall receive Your pardon by Complying with the request of Mr. Charles Bulfinch, to be the bearer of a Letter of Mine to You— his wish without doubt is to be Noticed in Your family, as an acquaintance of this.— his Merrits Need Not be Mention’d as they are well known— He is Now imploy’d (And his expences paid) by a Number of Gentlemen, to veiw the Banks in Your City And those in New York.—
        The inside work is his Object. to Make a through investigation of it, And then return to improve if he can, upon one for this State—
        Your Noticing him in a family way, will be exceeding pleasing to him, and his Connections, as well as gratifying to Your friend, who Anticipates the pleasure—She expects In the Approaching Summer by the return Of those friends She So highly Values.—
        I can Now only wish that every blessing May decend On You And Yours, And that each May long injoy the Aplause due to their Superiour Merrits.—
        If Mrs. Smith is with you pray Offer My warm regards, also to Your Amiable Neice—with those Of Mr Storer to the President And his Esteemed Lady.
        The Young Ladies desire to join their respects with those. / Dear Madam from / Your Sincere friend

          Hannah Storer

          P. S. Your friends this way are in usual health— pray let Miss Smith know that her Sister drank Tea with Me Not long Since and was very well— My love to Mrs. Otis and family—


Title: Abigail Adams to William Smith, 5 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Smith, William

          Dear sir
          March 5th 1798

        I received your kind favour of Febry 25 this morning. the badness of the roads I suppose was the reason it did not reach me sooner.

The Maderia I do not want to be sent here. it is for Home consumption I have no occasion for it here. there are some other articles I should wish you to secure for me immediatly half Hundred Coffe and a Hunderd & half Brown sugar; which will immediaty rise, for I see not but war is inevitable. This morning for the first time dispatches have arrived from our Envoys the latest Letter is of the 8 Jan’ry and is a joint one, informing that they had not been received, nor was there the least Probability that they should be. the other dispatches which are all in Cypher and pretty Volluminous are now decyphering
        In a private Letter from mr Pinckney to Mr Rutledge of Nov’br 16th he says the French papers are full of abuse against them. in one of which they call mr Pinckney a “Wretch sold to England” every deception is made use of to exasperate the Publick mind againt America & to prepare them for Hostilities. every paper being under the despotism of the directory, not a line can be publishd to undeceive them. they had not been formerly orderd a way, but knew not how soon it might be the case. there is a decree in agitation in the counsel of 500 which the commissoners expect will be carried respecting Commerce, the details of which I cannot give you as the secretary took the papers to have them translated. they will however be immediatly sent to Congress, and as they are of concequence to be known by our Merchants, they will no doubt be made publick— As the dispatches came by way of Boston no doubt Private Letters have reachd mr Gerrys Friends
        I see by the last centinal as Sterns said on an other occasion—you manage those things much better in Boston. A publick Dinner was much wiser than a Publick Ball. I am delighted with some of the volunteers Toasts. but my dear sir, let me whisper to you, and to you only, That untill the News respecting the fullfillment of the Treaty with spain, on the part of spain, had been officially notified to our Government, after the Rasscally treatment offerd to it by Don cats Paw as Peter calls him “I think it would have been better for publick Characters—to have declined accepting the invitation” to dine with the Consul. at Present no invitation goes to his Majestys Representitive here, even to “Eat pork and Beans” but the Natural good humour & sociability of our Countrymen given to Hospitality do not always look at objects with a publick Eye, whilst the Agents of foreign powers, do not take a single step without their views, and their representations are made accordingly, thus at the last Levee,

the don presented himself, and said to the secretary of War, [“]I hope sir I shall soon smoak the calmut of Peace with you” Whilst the other Ministers are constant in their attendance the don has made himself scarce. once only has he been at the drawing Room; it is whisperd here that he is recalld. I do not report it as Authentic
        since I began this Letter I find in Browns paper under the Boston Head of 26 Febry the extract of the Letter from mr Gerry, by which you learn the purport of what I have already written.
        I will write you all that may be known as soon as the dispatches are decypherd
        Inclosed is a Bill of some Grass seed which you will be so good as to Let Dr Tufts know of as soon as it arrives, and what ever money you expend for us, When you let us know, the P. will give an order on Genll Lincoln to pay you. we shall want some English porter. any thing You may suppose will rise pray be so good as to secure some for us. my Love to mrs smith and Children— I am Sorry to hear they have been unwell
        I am dear Sir / affectionatly / yours

          A Adams


Title: William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 5 March 1798
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, John Quincy

          Philadelphia March 5th. 1798.

        I do not know what was the date of my last to you, nor of yours to me, nor is it material to decide on whose part the last omission happend. You may have learn’d from some of my former letters, that I was much engaged, that no opportunity presented itself, to determine me to write at one time rather than another, and that although I have always been extremely industrious, I have always found something still remaining to be done, which seem’d to demand a more immediate attention. I have no reason to believe that you have less regard for me now than at any former period of our lives, and I beg you to be assured that my attachment to you is still unabated. Indeed, since your marriage I have attached many new traits to your Character which it did not possess before; I believe you now to be an Advocate for marriage, since you have become one of us yourself; and I most fervently invoke all the Blessings of heaven upon you and the dear Partner of your life. It is unnecessary for me to wish you more happiness resulting from your new Connexion than I have myself enjoy’d from a similar source.— I am the father of two Boys, and still feel my Affection for my dear Nancy increasing every hour of my life, and as new Endearments arise, and new proofs of unbounded Confidence & Love dayly appear, I feel the most perfect assurance of a continuance of our domestic happiness.— You may have heard that Messrs. Morris, Nicholson & Greenleaf have totally fail’d. Morris & Greenleaf are in prison in this City, and Nicholson only escapes a similar fate by castleing himself within his own Walls. Mr. Greenleaf is about giving up all his Estate, & discharging himself by the insolvent laws of this Commonwealth, & I came here at his earnest request to consult &

advise with him on this subject. I have been here about ten days, & have resided at the Presidents. Next to my own parents, yours are nearest to my heart, and possess the strongest Claim to my filial reverence & affection. The President seems to retain all his vigour, & remains firm as mount Atlas. I was much pleased with a toast given lately at Cambridge—“John Adams, Prest. of U.S. the american Terminus,” with a note, that Terminus was the Roman God of boundaries who swore he would not stir one foot for Jupiter.— The first Dispatches from the Envoys since their arrival in france were recd. last Evening, dated Jany 8th.— There is no doubt, but the Directory have intercepted all former Communications—& this escaped by mere stealth, being secreted by the mate of a ship which saild from Havre de Grace. Congress has been in session 5 months and done Nothing. A new attack is made upon the Executive under the name of Amendments to a bill for regulating foreign Intercourse. But a sullen stillness seems to reign throughout the U.S. which only portends the Gathering Storm. The Spirit of the People is willing to wait the Event of the Embassy—but it will not wait long. A Voice is now & then heard amidst the stillness of Suspence—and distinctly sounds from one End of the Continent to the other.— It will soon be the voice of thunder.— We are ready to rally round the standard of our Government, and we shall be able to crush the faction into Dust. The Spirit of the People only wants to be rouzed. The lion of America has been call’d a mean spirited Beast, but the Lyon which has been shewn to the world is not an American,—the beast was born in Ireland & has been led about by a french man. The Dispatches from the Envoys have not yet been made public— Indeed they are not yet decypher’d. One letter of 8th. Jany. incloses the Redacteur of 5th. which mentions a decree proposed by the Directory to the Council of 500, that Vessels of Neutrals containing Enemies Goods shall be lawful prize—& that the french Ports shall be shut against neutral Vessels which have touched at any British port— The Envoys also say that there is no hope of doing any thing towards accomplishing the Object of their mission.— We want some bold, and powerful man, whose Abilities can command Respect in our house of Representatives, to take the lead, & to bring forward energetic means of Defence,—to call forth the Resources of the Country,—to permit the merchants to Arm their Ships,—to request the President to see that the frigates are in readiness,—to put the fortifications—ports & harbours in some respectable defensive

Condition—to order out and review the militia—to call on the Officers to hold themselves and their Companies in readiness—to examine the situation of the Magazines, and arsenals, and to put our diplomatic Corps in a respectable situation. Such a Character, to marshall and concenter the Spirit of the Nation might retreive its Character.— I shall return to Washington tomorrow. You have perhaps heard that I have resumed the practise of the Law “in all the humility of its first outset.” The misfortunes of M, N & G have reached me in some respects. I am answerable for about 3 or 4000 Dols. on their Acct. for which it is very doubtful whether I shall get security. I expect therefore to be plagued & vexed for some years, unless the Creditors should think proper to treat me with severity, which would make but short work of it. I wish they may if I should fail of security, for the sooner it is over the better.
        Mr. Johnson’s family reside in Georgetown about 3 miles from my house. I was introduced to Mr. & Mrs. Johnson & two of the ladies, on their first arrival,—& before they had gone to housekeeping. They afterwards went to see Govr. Johnson at Frederick & spent some time there. After their return to Georgetown I call’d twice but did not find them at home. I shall call again as soon as I return.
        Believe me that I feel an affection for all who are dear to you, and that I am most truly your / affectionate friend

          W. Cranch


Title: Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 9 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cushing, Hannah Phillips

          my dear Madam
          Philadelphia March 9th 1798

        I yesterday received your kind Letter of March 5th and congratulate you and the Judge upon your safe arrival at N york. I assure you I was under serious apprehensions for your safety when I found you gone; I had sent Betsy to your Lodgings to inquire after your Health, a few moments after you were gone. I did not know how to credit it when she returnd with the News— I will not say, you took French leave, because at present they are so much out of my good graces, that I cannot consent any one whom I love and esteem, Should be thought to immitate them in any thing, but I may say your going the day you did, was sudden and unexpected to me and many others of Your Friends. The Chief Justice I have seen since you left us, and engaged him to dine with us the next day, but he sent an apology as being too unwell. he is upon the whole better than when he came.
        At Length Dispatches have arrived from our envoys, but they bring us no comfort. insult is added to injury. mr Pinckney writes to his Brother, that they are most basely insulted and abused in the French papers and that they call him, [“]a Wretch sold to England” the Party in Congress who think themselves worthy companions for the Vermonter, will be very ready I suppose to bow their necks to any yoke sister France may chuse to put on— this observation is to you only. I wish I may be dissapointed, but by their deeds shall they be judged.
        I miss you very much, for the pleasure of your society & company was much more valuable to me, than any little attentions which it was in my power to offer you, could be to you. the President desires to be kindly rememberd to the Judge and to you. beds of Roses, have never been his Destiny to repose in the Thorns and thistles are too thick Sown in his path at Present, for the most Wary and cautious to tread secure from wound. the virtue spirit and Energy of the people will I hope aid and support him in every right and proper measure, and the Wisdom of the most high direct him to those measures. in times like the present, all Neutral ground should be abandoned, and those who are not for us, be considerd as against us—
        pray let me hear from you be assured it will always give pleasure to / Your affectionate / Friend

          A Adams—


Title: William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 12 March 1798
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, Abigail

            Dear Madam
            Washington March 12th. 1798

          After a most fatigueing journey I arrived on friday Evening. I travel’d all the first night, & arrived in Baltimore the next night at 9 oClock, & sat off again at 3 the next morning. The roads as far as Wilmington were extremely bad, the rest were much better, and in this City they are quite settled. I found Mrs. Cranch well, altho’ fatigued & worried with watching and attending my little William, who had been dangerously ill with a fever which the Doctr. thought was pleuretic, but had that day begun to mend. He is now, I hope, recovering. Richard, too, had been ill a few days with a bad cold.— William had not taken the least notice of anything for several days before my return, but on my going up to him he held up his little emaciated arms for me to take him, & held his face to be kiss’d. He has been trying to run about, to day, but he is took weak to get across the Chamber without falling.
          Yesterday (Sunday) the weather was uncomfortably warm, so that we wanted the windows open— But at night we had a thunder shower, and to day it is freezing.—
          I was much shock’d on my return at being inform’d of the sudden death of Colo. W. Deakins of Geo. Town. He was almost the only man of real respectability and influence on whose active friendship I could place dependence. He knew all the Circumstances of my situation, and I had always applied to him for advice and assistance in every important occurrence of my life, since my residence here. I had look’d up to him, almost as to a parent, & had received from him almost parental kindness. Amidst a sordid world, he is almost the only man I have met with here whose actions seem’d to flow from the impulses of his heart—and yet he was so far engaged in Business, that he supported almost the whole commerce and Credit of Georgetown and it’s vicinity. He left no children, but he has left a thousand mourners. There was no man in this neighbourhood so universally love’d and respected.— I think I mentioned him to you at Philadelphia.—
          I have seen Mr Dalton’s family since my return. I ask’d Mr. D. if

he would accept the office of Commissioner of this City, if a vacancy should happen. He said he was now out of business & would accept if he should be appointed, but there was no probability of a vacancy. He also said that it would not be in his power to accept any office out of this State at present, as there were some demands on the House of Lear & Co, on which he might perhaps be arrested should he remove from hence.
          I have been inform’d that Mrs. Peter (whose name was Custis a Grand-daughter of Mrs. Washington) said that the President had done a very unpopular thing in refuseing to go to the Ball at Ricketts’s on the 23d. ulto.—and that she spoke it with a little warmth. It was also said by the person who gave me this information that, that family (the Custis’s) were very jealous of any praise bestowed upon the present President, as tending in some measure to detract from the merits of his Predecessor. You may remember that I mentioned a Coolness between Mrs. D & Mrs. Peter & Mrs. Law. This must be taken into Consideration when the force of those Expressions is weighed.—
          I have seen the Knoxville Gazette of feby. 2d. containing a great deal of inflamatory stuff, & replete with the seeds of sedition and rebellion. I laid it by with an intent to forward it to you, but it is lost. There were 4 or 5 Columns, pretending to a great deal of Philosophy & moderation, but tending to flatter & inflame the people of Tenesee; and also a letter from Judge somebody (I forget the name) to their members of Congress, & letters from the members to their Constituents.
          In the Virginia Gazette, are also No. 1 & 2 of an Answer to Scipio. I have seen only No. 1.— If you wish to see it & can not procure it in Philada. I will endeavour to send them.
          Mrs. Cranch presents her most affectionate Respects to you & Love to Louisa.— Believe me with greatest Respect for the President & yourself, most sincerely & affectionately / your obedient servant & obliged Nephew

            W. Cranch.

          My Compts. to Mr. Malcom.—


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 14 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

          my dear sister
          Philadelphia March 14th 1798

        yesterday dispatches were received from mr King up to the 9th Jan’ry in a postscrip he says, I have just learnt that mr Adams has been received by the new King notwithstanding his commission was to his Father. this is civil and will enable him to proceed with business— I received a Letter from dr Tufts yesterday that allarmd me. I thought I inclosed him some Bills. I might as I wrote you the same [ti]me put them into yours, for the dr in a post scrip says that you had written him that you had them— when the dr writes to me inclose his Letters in yours, for as those are held sacred now by a promise not to open them I shall receive them, in a way I wish— the dr and I have some buisness transaction which are between ourselves—

        Nothing new transpires but what your Boston papers have; warm words in congress must be apprehended, whilst some are for going shares with France submitting intirely to her Will and quietly disposed to receive every lash she pleases to inflict— Northern Blood boils, and I do not know what will take place— I hope they will be cooler to day—but Giles has just opend his batteries.—
        Pray is Betsy going to steal a wedding upon us? she inquires the fashions they are as various as the Changes of the moon— the young Ladies generally have their Hair all in Curls over their heads, and then put a Ribbon Beads Bugles or a Band of some kind through the fore part of the Hair to which they attach feathers. the Band is put upon Ribbon sometimes on wire. frequently two are worn which cross each other they tye behind under over the hind Hair & then a small Bunch of Hair turns up behind in which a small comb is fixd and the ends of the hind Hair fall Back again in curls the Gounds are made to have only one side come forward and that is confind with a belt round the waist, the waist made plain. Some sleaves are drawn in diamonds some Robins drawn up & down with bobbin in 5 or 6 rows. in short a drawing room frequently exhibits a specimin of Grecian Turkish French and English fashion at the same time, with ease Beauty and Elegance equal to any court—
        what a medley are my Letters. I had yesterday to visit me after the Prisidents Levee, the Kings of 3 Indian Nation. one of them after Sitting a little while rose and addrest me. He said he had been to visit his Father, and he thought his duty but in part fulfilld, untill he had visited also his mother, and he prayd the great spirit to keep and preserve them. they all came and shook me by the Hand, and then took some cake and wine with me. there were nine of them one of them spoke english well. they then made their bow and withdrew. much more civil than the Beast of Vermont.
        adieu my dear sister / I am most affectionatly / Your

          A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

          my dear son
          Philadelphia March 17th 1798

        A private opportunity offering by way of Hamburgh to write to you, I eagerly embrace it, and hope it may reach you safely notwithstanding the various Chances it may run.
        your arrival at Berlin was made known to us from your Letters to the secretary of state of Nov’br the 10th and 17th. no private Letter has yet been received, nor the publick Letter which you mention having written from Hamburgh of October 30th— I rejoiced to find that from the date of your Letter to the time when it was received, was but about the same period of time, in which they have been accustomed to come tho now so distant. you will be surprized to learn that your Letters from Berlin, were the first received from any of our ministers, either from France England or Holland from the month of sep’br. the Reason was that the Nov’br packet on Board of which were dispatches both from mr King and our Envoys in France was captured by the French. the concequence was that not a single line came to Hand from them untill the last of Feb’ry when the

dispatches poured in from all quarters, those from our Envoys, from october to Jan’ry 9th, and what is a little remarkable, they arrived at Boston Baltimore N york and Philadelphia in the course of the same week
        What measures will be adopted by congress in concequence of the Hostile Disposition of France towards us, a short time will devolope. The frigates are officerd and Congress have voted money to get them ready for Sea immediatly. I wish our Envoys were safely returnd, or at any rate out of the French territory. I send you by this conveyance Newspapers and pamphlets, by which you will learn something of the state of our affairs here. they will become more determind and decissive. the film is falling from the Eyes of our Countrymen and you know that they will do right in time. the Emissaries of France are Scatterd through our Country, and they work all the Mischief in their Power. we have British Scotch and Irish Renagadoes. they are however less subtle and less intrigueing than the French. we are yet able to make a stand against their Principles and Practises. if many Quixot expeditions had not already been undertaken by the French and succeeded, I should not admit of their seriously thinking of invading England. I believe them desperate, and I do not know Whether for the general benifit of Mankind, I we ought not to wish that the attempt might be made. they will find that they have not Italians and Dutch Men to deal with. It is true that they will put the English to great expence, and may distress them, but common danger will more firmly unite the people.
        Your arrival at Berlin was at an important Period. you have witnessd the funeral obsequies of one Monarck, and the assension of an other to the Throne, of whom it has been asserted, that the Great Frederic Said, “I shall Reign again in Him.” Frederic never saw a period of greater moment or Hazard than the Present. we have not fallen upon common times.
        I find it much more difficult to write with cautious restraint, than with the freedom I have been accustomed to.
        Tom Paine is again useing his weapons, but they have lost their Poison very much in this Country. he is perfectly well known and detested very generally.
        In our state of Massachusetts the people are bold and firm. the Boston papers speak more freely than any others. I send you the Centinal of March the 7th The President has this day signd Your

commission to the Court of sweeden, and you will receive other dispatches by this conveyance—
        The Theatre in Boston in which you owned a share is burnt down by accident. finding what the situation of the Theatre was last winter, and that the proprieters were at constant expence, I advised dr Welch to dispose of yours, but he felt loth to do so without your particular orders. You have now shared the fate of others—
        I heard last week from Your sister She was well. her prospects are not however more favourable than they were. the col was returnd from his excursion to the Miami Country. I do not know what his plans are.
        My Love to Mrs Adams. tell her she must write me an account of her Journey, and of Berlin. I heard from her Mamma last week she was well and is very anxious to hear from You. I wrote her immediatly upon the arrival of your Letters to the secretary. By a Letter from mr King to the secretary of state of 9th of Jan’ry he informs that you had been received by his Present Majesty, tho accreditted to his Predecessor— you will however receive the commission a new
        I rejoice in the event of your reception, as you will not feel so dissagreably situated.
        our Friends are all well at Quincy Weymouth and Boston. I hope soon to hear from you my dear son. O! When shall I again see you? I write often to you but I do not know whether my Letters reach you. Your Brother Charles was well this week I fear he is not so attentive in writing as I wish
        I send you Monroes Book & scipio. I am my dear son most affectionately / Your Mother

          Abigail Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 17 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Bache, Benjamin Franklin

          Sir
          March 17th— [1798]

        Taking up your paper yesterday morning, I was shockd at the Misrepresentation a Writer in your paper has given to the nomination and appointment of J Q. Adams, to sweeden for the purpose of renewing the Treaty with that Power. I could not but reflect upon the different feelings which must actuate your Mind, and the writer of the following paragraph, written last october, upon seeing Some ungenerous reflections in your Papers of the last summer upon the Change of [com]mission from Lisbon to Berlin—
        “As for mr Bache, He was once my Schoolmate; one of the companions of those Infant Years when the Heart Should be open to strong and deep impressions of attachement, and never should admit any durable Sentiment of hatred or malice. There is a degree of Regard and tenderness that mingles itself in my recollection of every individual with whom I ever stood in that relation. The school and the College are the sources of the dearest friendships. they ought never to be those of malevolence or Envy. Mr Bache must have lost those feelings—or he would never have been the vehicle of abuse upon me, at least during my absence from the Country.”

        Mr Bache is left to his own reflections. this communication is only to his own Heart, being confident that the writer never expected it would meet his Eye.


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

          Dear Thomas.
          Philadelphia March 18 1798

        When I have written to your Brother I feel as if I had exhausted all the subjects which it is proper for me to write upon, but as your Hand writing allways gives me pleasure tho I see it only upon the superscription of a Letter, or in a few Promissory lines in the cover, I judge you will allways be gratified with a few words from me tho they contain no more than a Bullitin of our Health and that of your Friends. I find in this city many of your old acquaintance who profess Friendship for you, and speak of you with affection. there are several of your sisters yet unmarried, the Miss Brecks miss Westcot & miss Wilson— Miss Breck I have been told is engaged, and has

been so for a long time to a French Gentleman. miss Lucy to your old Friend Wycoff. Miss Betsy stael is lately married, and I am told by mrs Judge Cushing who lodges there, when she is in this city, that she is well married. dr Rush also frequently inquires after you. he is lately appointed treasurer, of the Mint. your master Ingersol goes on getting Money in his Profession.
        It is a long time since I received a Letter from you. so many new scenes must open before you that I should receive much entertainment if a free communication was proper. there will be many things which I should like to hear and know, which will have no connection politicks and of which you are very able to detail. The customs and Manners of the people, the fashions of the Ladies all of which you can draw, in an agreable point of view
        I can tell you a peice of News— Mrs Law formerly Miss custos, has been to make a visit here this Winter. she says that Nelly is unmarried, and that she thinks few young men of the present day are Worth having She Said that, She should have been very happy to have had her marry one of my sons— now as two of them are married, who could she mean? I have had Some hints as tho your Heart was some where near the city of Washington. as yet it is not fixed at Mount Vernon
        You are a freeman. fix where you like. I shall never controul you. all I require is the means of supporting a Family before a young Man engages in so important a transaction.
        write to Hamburgh & commit your Letters to the care of mr Pitcarn. if these French men, who have never recoverd the stroke of the Hammer, will but come to reason, and grow quiet and calm, we shall be a very happy people, but I know not when they will cease to torment and afflict. I am my dear Thomas / most affectionatly / Your Mother

          Abigail Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 20 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

          my dear sister
          March 20th 1798

        I write you a few Lines this mor’g just to inclose to you the News paper of yesterday which contains an important Message from the President; it is a very painfull thing to him that he cannot communicate to the publick dispatches in which they are so much interested, but we have not any assurance that the Envoys have left Paris and who can say that in this critical state of things their dispatches ought to be publick? our foreign ministers can never be safe, or they will cease to be useful to us abroad, if their communications are all to be communicated. this was not the case during our revolution. under the old Congress, dispatches were never made publick. I expect the President will be represented as declaring War, by taking off the restriction which prevented Merchantment from Arming. it was always doubtfull in his mind, whether he had a Right to prevent them, but the former President had issued such a prohibition, and he thought it best at that time to continue it. you see by the papers that Bache has begun his old bilingsgate again, because mr J Q Adams is directed to renew the treaty with sweeden which is now just expiring, and for which not a single sixpence will be allowd him as the King of sweeden will empower his Minister at Berlin to renew it there. Dr Franklin made the treaty in Paris with the sweedish minister, and the President made the Treaty with Prussia in Holland. yet this lying wretch of Baches asserts that no treaties were ever made without going to the courts to negotiate them, unless the power where they were made, were concernd in them, and says it is all a job in order to give mr Adams a new outfit & additional sallery at every Court. but there is no end to their audaciousness, and you will see that French emissaries are in every corner of

the union sowing and spreading their Sedition. we have renewed information that their system is, to calumniate the President, his family his administration untill they oblige him to resign, and then they will Reign triumphant, headed by the Man of the People. it behoves every Pen and press to counteract them, but our Countrymen in general are not awake to their danger— we are come now to a crissis too important to be languid, too Dangerous to slumber— unless we are determind to submit to the fraternal embrace, which is sure and certain destruction as the Poisoned shirt of Danarius— adieu my dear sister. I intended only a line but I have run to a great length. we have had snow and rain for three days. what has been your Weather?
        Love and a kind remembrance to all Friends / from your ever affectionate / Sister

          Abigail Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 20 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Shaw, William Smith

          my Dear Nephew
          Philadelphia March 20th 1798

        I received your Letter of Jan’ry 23d and was gratified to find your Hand writing improving.
        I know you are attentive to what is passing in the political World, indeed who can be an indifferent Spectator, in Times so critical, so allarming and so big with Concequences as the present?
        I send you a late publication under the signature of scipio, [“]Reflections on Monroe’s view of the conduct of the Executive.” I do not know who the writer is—
        Many of the observations and reflections containd in your Letter, meet with my approbation, and do honour to you. Not so the Sarcasam, and the Metaphor, by which you describe miss Peabodys expected Change from a single to a married state, connecting the Image of a Melafactor condemned to Execution, with the entrance into a state, prounounced by holy writ “Honarable in all things” and Sanctiond by the experience of Ages as one of the strongest Links in the social order, as one of the firmest pillars which supports Decency, Virtue, and Religion, in the world. It is the origion of all relations, and the first Element of all duties,

          “The source of every social tie
          united wish and mutual joy”

        “Mr Burk observes in a Letter of his, That the Christian Religion by confining marriage to pairs, and by rendering that Relation Indissoluble, has by these two things done more towards the Peace, happiness settlement and civilization of the world, than by any other part, in the whole scheme of divine Providence” Never again my dear Nephew, exercise your wit at the expence of Reason and judgement, to that holy state you owe your own honorable existance, and it is always a proof of a depravity of Mind and Manners to aim at Sapping the foundation upon which they are built. I cannot asscribe to you any Such motives, the thoughtless Ebuilition of a youth full fancy gave your pen the latitude, which I know your judgment must condemn. In this Rage of innovation, this endeavour at shaking down all old revered Principles of Religion and Government, it would be well for the Youth of our Country to attend with the veneration due to an oracle to the following eloquent observations of the late mr Burk upon Manners—

        “Manners are of more importance than Laws. upon them in a great measure the Laws depend. the law touches us, but here and there, and now and then. Manners are what vex or sooth, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible opperation, like that of the air we breathe in. They give the whole form and contour to our Lives. According to their quality, they aid Morals, they supply them or they totally destroy them”
        I rejoiced at the good account you give me of my Grandsons, and I indulge the pleasing hope, that with examples So pure and amiable as they have before them, they will be led to adopt and cultivate every Virtue and grace, which may adorn society, and do honour to their Teachers to their Parents and to your truly affectionate / Friend and Aunt

          Abigail Adams


Title: Ruth Hooper Dalton to Abigail Adams, 20 March 1798
From: Dalton, Ruth Hooper
To: Adams, Abigail

          Washington March 20 1798

        To hear of your health and happiness my dear Madam is always pleasing to me when ever you can spare time from the many ingagements I know you have I shall esteem it a favour. I am flattered from the pleasing account you give of my Daughter White she was always a good Child and I think she will do all she can to render the Family she is in happy
        Mrs Bartlett is a fine Woman. Mr Dalton and I have often wondered how he could leave his dear Family to come to Congress There seems a faseination in Congress that has induceed many to come to their prejudice I believe he is not much pleased with this Session and many others do not like the conduct of some of the members I hope there will not be any more spiting nor caining if there is may they be cained home and not be kept to disgrace a body that Ought to be so Honorable
        I pity Louissa very much Mrs White wrote me of the death of her Brother such is the lot of mortals I hope it will not injure her health which I think used to be delicate We Visited Mrs Johnson when she

first arived and have several times Since the connection they have with part of Your Family was a Sufficient motive We are pleased with the accounts we have of your Daughter Mr Lear was much acquainted with them in London speaks highly of her Miss Johnson is very much like Mrs Knox in look and Manners The young Ladies are agreeable.
        When I gave the hint you are so kind as to notice I had reason to think there would have been a Vacancy in the Commissioners office in this City as there was not much Harmony among them at that time I am sorry to find so much contention and disputeing about the City my dear Madam the President is much desired and much wanted on the spot that He may see for Himself how things go on or rather do not go on as they might. I hope in a few Months I shall have that pleasure as we find what intelligence He has is from party and from one we know to be a very busy body that dont care for the Country nor the City any father than to answer his own particular porpose of whose Character Mr Dalton thought it incumbent on him to trouble the President with a Sketch knowing he would be in Philadelphia.
        Mr Dalton Mr and Mrs Deblois and the Young Ladies joyn me in respects to the President and Yourself and our love to Louissa Mrs Deblois has a large Family four Daughters one Son about six Month old which I hope she may have the Life of
        believe me dear Madam your / affectionate and Oblidged Friend

          Ruth Dalton


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 22 March 1798
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

          My dear Sister
          Quincy March 22d 1798

        I write now because I know how it feels to be disappointed not because I have any thing to communicate of importance. I receiv’d your kind Letter of the 13th of this month what related to my dear

Son has given me great pain tis no more than I have fear’d. but his Father Says if he can get over these difficulties he will be as cunning as the ——— he does not speak wicked words you know. my fear is that they will hang like a milstone about his neck for a long time. tis cruil to involve a young man Struggling to get his living in Such a manner he had money enough passing thro his hands to have Secur’d himself many a time but it was always appropriated & he possessd too much integrety to touch it. I know he Sustains a good character & I trust he deserv’s a better fate than has yet befallen him. perseverence & prudence never yet fail’d of geting a decent living in the world & I believe never will I hope he will not be discourag’d & dispirit’d. if he has his health he will do well eer long. but he must rub hard at present. I am glad you have seen him tho I could not— I wish mr Greenleaf may be Set at liberty & mr morris poor old man I grieve for him & his Family.— they have too many companions in their troubles. every week produces Some instance of Such direful changes

          Estates have wings, & hang in Fortunes power
          Loose on the point of every wav’ring hour

        Mr Little one of the Representatives of Boston Shut up last week, & many more must Soon Mr Black says. Lucy writes me “mama, don’t be concern’d about us we do not owe a farthing but what we can pay when call’d upon & we feel in good Spirits[”] people are fitter to their circumstances I think that is all I can say. but I can easily believe She is happier than many others whose affairs are all in a State of Suspence. She would run the risk she has & will never complan let her Suffer what she will but I feel the more for her dear Girl for this very reason. I think the Society at Doctor clark church do not give mr Greenleaf what they ought as orginest it is not more than half what Doctor Thatchers people give theirs as it is all mr Greenleaf can do I think tis hard upon him circumstanc’d as he is— I wish Mrs Smith was as happy as Lucy Seems to be, & yet when we compair their Situations it Seems as if mrs Smith had many resources to rely upon for future Support that mrs Greenleaf is destitute of— but why am I troubling you with my perplexities & cares. you have enough of your own. you have your private ones & that of our country besides. I feel for the President I feel for you both my dear sister & hope you will have all the Support from the People you can wish if not from their Representatives

        I have seen a long address in the Chronicle to mr Sewall against the merchants arming their vessels I wish I knew who writ it. tis Said to be Judge Sullivan— I hardly believe it—
        I hope mrs Cushing will call & see me I am always glad to see her & Shall be double So if she brings me intelegence of the welfair of my Sister
        I have Spoken to Stutson about your Strawbarry Beds he says he will attend to it as soon as the frost is out of the Ground. I will see that your garden is in order & seeds got in season
        Sucky warner lives yet but grows weaker. She is in a happy State of mind & Suffers but little distress of Body—
        The roads are So bad I have not seen mr or Mrs Norton for a month. they have had bad colds I hear Cousen Betsy has spent the day with mrs Black mr Black came here this morning & told me his Wife had sent him out to pick up some Girls he carried nancy Ordian & mrs Blacks Niece who had been upon a visit of a day or two at Capt. Brackits first. they will not return to night. we have spent our winter much pleasanter than I expected we should. I hardly thought I should go out of the house except to meeting a Sundays. but I have lived as neighbourly as possb[le] with mrs Black & mrs Bracket & have had ma[ny] rides & in general we have had very good hea[lth] mr Cranch is get much better & his cough is go[ne.]
        you are very kind my Sister to endeavour to reconcile me to myself— I have as many good wishes for my Friends & as hearty a desire to do good in the world perhaps as most people—but my ability to manifest it is small
        mr whitman will be requested to preach for us the year to come but not to keep the Schoole he would not have been long respected if he had keept the Town Schoole. respected I mean as a minister I wonder he should think of it. it was Capt Beals proposal
        I have whiten’d your Stocking & they look as well as english ones Sister Smith is well for her Love as due— / from your ever affectionate Sister

          M Cranch


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 27 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

          my dear sister
          Philadelphia March 27 1798

        I received yesterday your kind Letter of March 19th. I expect a Letter every week if you have nothing else to say, but as Sterns observes, “how the Shadows Lengthen, as the sun declines” and this may be applied to the well as the natural System. as we descend the Hill of Life, our gay and vissonary prospect vanish, and what gilded our meridian days, our Zenith of Life, as the Shadows lengthen, we see through a different medium and may justly estimate many of our persuits, as vanity and vexation of spirit.
        “But theres a Brighter world on high” which opens to us prospects more permanant, and pleasures more durable. to that let us

aspire in the sure and certain hope, that by a patient Continuence in the path of Religion and Virtue, we shall assuredly reap, if we faint not, the happy fruits of a glorious immortality
        when I took my pen this morning, with the rising Sun, I did not think of moralizing thus, but the visions of the Night had left an impression upon my mind, and those visions were occasiond by reflections upon the Dangerous and Hazardous situation in to which our Country is brought, by that Demoralizing wicked and abandoned Nation, or Government of France. when no Sacrifice on their part was required, when justice and Equity is all we wanted, when two repeated offers of accommodation have been generously offerd to them, they turn a Deaf Ear and refuse to listen eitheir to the voice of Reason, or the call of Honor; but answer only by renewed insults and more audacious plunder. in this situation our Country is calld upon to put themselves in a state of defence, and to take measures to protect themselves by sea. this is calld a declaration of War on the part of the President, by those who would gladly see their Government prostrate, Religion banishd and I do not know if I should judge too hardly if I said our Country, shared by France— That war will not be the concequence of the conduct of France towards us is more than I can say; it certainly leads to it, as the most probable Event, but the President did not make our difficulties, nor has the Government. no Nation has more strictly adhered to nutrality, none sufferd so much—none bourn with more patience the spoiling of their Property.
        union is what we Want, but that will not be easily obtaind. it is difficult to make the people see their Danger, untill it is at their doors, or rouse untill their country is invaded. the senate are strong. they are much more united in their measures than the House. there is an attempt in this city to get a petition Signed to congress declaring their determination not to go to War with France—and they hope to sit this measure in opperation through the different states. is it possible that any person can suppose this Country wish for War by which nothing is to be obtaind, much to be expended and hazarded, in Preference to Peace? but in self defence we may be involved in War; and for that we ought to be prepared, and that is what the President means. What benifit can War be to him? he has no ambition for military Glory— he cannot add by war, to his Peace comfort or happiness. it must accumulate upon him an additional load of care toil trouble, malice hatred, and I dare say Revenge, but for all this he will not Sacrifice the honor and independance of his

Country to any Nation, and if in support of that, we are involved in War, we must & we ought to meet it, with firmness with Resolution & with union of sentiment.
        I shall sigh for my retirement at Peace Feild, before I shall reach it. if I can leave here in May, I shall be content, but I cannot say positively. the Roads will not be tolerable untill then; I should like to have what I proposed done as soon in the season as it can be with advantage.
        The President says you may keep a Cow at the Farm through the season.
        I had a Letter from your Son two days after he got home. he found little William had been dangerously sick with a fever, but he was on the recovery, and he mournd the loss of a very valuable Friend a mr Deakins who dyed in his absence, a Man possessd of a most Estimable Character in whom he says he had found an other Father. mr & Mrs Law returnd last week. I really think she is a truly worthy Woman
        I inclose to you a News paper because it contains a speech of mr Reads upon the foreign intercourse Bill. it contains as much good sense and is more to the point than the three & four hours Harangues of Some others. mr Read very seldom Speaks—
        what have I got so near the End of my paper before I was aware. I have more to say Yet, but Louissa warns me to Breakfast, and I bid you adieu for the Present— affectionatly your

          A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 31 March 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

          my dear sister
          March 31 1798

        I write you a few lines this morning merely to inclose a Letter which I will thank you to cover and forward to Atkinson. I have not time to write this morning to Atkinson. inclosed I sent you a specimin of the Manners Religion & politeness of one of the 44 Gentlemen, Who can come and Eat of my Bread, & drink of my Wine one

whom the Virginians consider as a Paragon of politeness whom they have plumed themselves upon as a promising young Man, and a Man of Property, one of their best Speakers.—
        I know not what can excite their Wrath to such a degree, but that they think there is yet some Religion left in the Country, and that the people will have some respect to it, & to those Rulers who acknowledge an over Ruling Providence— Baches you see is striving to render the Proclamation Ridiculous and With his Atheistical doctrines spreading French principles far and Wide—but I trust and hope we may as a people be of that happy Number, Whose God is the Lord, and never forget that it is Righteousness which exalteth a Nation, Whilst sin is their Reproach.
        adieu my dear sister / affectionatly Yours

          A A—


Title: Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 31 March 1798
From: Tufts, Cotton
To: Adams, Abigail

          Dear Madm.
          Weymouth March. 31. 1798

        In my last I enclosed a rough Plan of the proposed Addition to the Wood House, that Plan will exhibit to You an Idea of the lower Room; since then I have found, that it will not be much more expensive, to take the Roof off from the Wood house & Library and erect a new one over them, than to proceed in the Way that was projected. I have accordingly orderd it to be framd in this Way; upon this plan You will have 4 upright Chambers and if You are disposed to have the Library in one of them or to throw two of the Chambers into one Room for that Purpose, it may be done and in either Case, You may have a Way to it from the outside if You should chuse it or if You mean to devote it entirely to a Farm House, it will render it much more convenient and give You sufficient Room.
        I do not know what will become of S. Bass if You do not employ him, he is so attach’d to the Place, that he will not enjoy himself if

he is not at Work for You— what must I do and what Wages must I give them if hired— Soule is on the Farm at 200 Dollars for 8 Months, He did not incline to engage for the Year—
        Mr. Lane of Hingham will paint the setting Room Chamber &C Next Week— The Season past has been wet & Cold, scarce any drying Weather till within Two or three Days, We shall now push the Business of the Farm, Building and other matters, I have orderd a Boat to Boston to bring all the Necessaries for the Building not already provided, together with 100 Bushells of Oates which will be on the Spot next Week—
        Yours of the 18th. Inst. I recd. with 200 Dr. enclosed— I have thought whether it would not be best to purchase fundd. Stock at Philadelphia as I have found for sometime past that it has been sold (6 pr. Ct. Stock) 8d & 10d £ cheaper than at Boston this might be done by Brisler who might get it transferd to the office of Nath. Appleton Esq, it might be purchased in my Name or Brislers—
        I have a strong Inclination to touch upon Politics but my trembling Hands tell me I must close— Mrs. Tufts is as well as her Fatigues & Anxiety of Mind will permit— Sukey I expect will Soon be verging to a close of her Distress, if this warm weather continues
        Adieu / Yr. Affecte. Frend

          C. T—