Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 20 January 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

      Mr dear sister
      London Janry 20th 1787

     Since the Sailing of captain Folger by whom I wrote you, I have received Letters from you of the following dates, Sepbr 24 and 28th 8th 9 and 22 of october and November 18th. I cannot sufficiently thank you for the entertainment afforded me in them. Some accounts you give me respecting a certain family Shocked me. I should suppose that the peace and happiness of the family was totally destroy’d in a Country like ours, where conjugal infidelity is held in the utmost abhorrence, and brands with eternal infamy the wretch who destroys it. Had the Parties lived in France or Viena where the perplexing word reputation has quite an other meaning than what we have been accustomed to, the Husband might have lookd upon the Gallant as Men do upon their deputies, who take the troublesome part of the buisness off their Hands. But in a Country where the absolution of the Priest is not considerd a compensation for crimes, and Marriage is esteemed holy and honorable, the seducer should be considerd as the worst of assassins. But in this case it may be difficult to determine which was the Seducer, and I feel more inclined to fix it upon the female than the paramour. At any rate she is more Guilty, in proportion as her obligations to her Husband her children her family and the Religion of which she is a professer are all scandilized by her and she has sacrificed her Honour her tranquility and her virtue. Well might Mrs Guile say that she had not ink black enough to describe the vile story, and my Gentle Friend Mrs Rogers writes me, “I think my young Friend will ever have reason to bless the period when prior prospects terminated as they did.” The Letter you mention is proof that the confident was the Author of the distresses complaind of. But I quit a subject so painfull to reflect upon to give you some account of my late Tour to Bath, that Seat of fashionable Resort, where like the rest of the World I spent a fortnight in Amusement and dissipation, but returnd I assure you, with double pleasure to my own fire side, where only thank heaven, my substantial happiness subsists. Here I find these satisfaction which neither Satiate by enjoyment nor pall upon reflection, for tho I like Some times to mix in the Gay World, and view the manners as they rise, I have much reason to be gratefull to my Parents that my early Education gave me not an habitual taste for what is termd fashionable Life. The Eastern Monarch after having partaken of every gratification and Sensual pleasure which power Wealth and dignity could bestow, pronounced it all Vanity and vexation of spirit, and I have too great a respect for his wisdom to doubt his Authority. I however past through the Routine, and attended 3 Balls 2 concerts, one Play and two private parties besides dinning and Breakfasting abroad. We made up a Party of Americans, Mr and Mrs Smith mr and Mrs Rucker and Miss Ramsey, mr Shippen mr Harrison mr Murry mr Paridice mr Bridgen and a Count Zenobia a venition Nobleman. These with our domesticks made a considerable train, and when we went to the Rooms we at least had a party to speak to. As I had but one acquaintance at Bath, and did not seek for Letters of introduction. I had no reason to expect half the civility I experienced. I was however very politely treated by mr Fairfax and Lady who had been in America and own an estate in Virginia, and by a sister of mr Hartleys, who tho herself a criple, was every way attentive and polite to us. Mr John Boylstone whom I dare say you recollect, was the acquaintance I mentiond. He visited us immediatly upon our arrival, and during our stay made it his whole study to shew us every civility in his power. We Breakfasted with him, and he dinned with us. He has very handsome apartments tho he lives at Lodgings. We drank tea and spent an Evening with him in a stile of great elegance, for he is one of the nicest Batchelors in the World, and bears his age wonderfully retaining the vivacity and sprightliness of Youth. He has a peculiarity in his Manners which is natural to him but is a Man of great reading and knowledge. He is a firm friend and well wisher to America, as he amply testified during the War by his kindness to the American Prisoners. And now you will naturally expect that I Should give you some account of Bath, the antiquity of it, and the fame of its waters having been So greatly celebrated. The story which is related of its first discovery is not the least curious part of it. A Certain King Bladud said to be a descendent from Hercules, was banishd his Fathers court on account of his having the Leporissa. Thus disgraced he wanderd in disguise into this part of the Country, and let himself to a swineherd, to whom he communicated the Disease as well as to the Hogs. In driving his Hogs one day at some distance from his home, they wanderd away to these Streams, of which they were so fond that he could not get them out: untill he inticed them with Acorns. After their wallowing in them for several Successive days he observed that their Scales fell of, and that his herd were perfectly cured, upon which he determined to try the experiment upon himself, and after a few Bathings he was made whole. And Bladuds figure in stone is placed in the Baths known by the Name of the kings Bath with an incription relating his discovery of these Baths 863 years before Christ.
     Bath lies in a great vally surrounded with Hills. It is handsomely built, chiefly with free Stone, which is its own growth and is dug from the Sides of its Hills. The streets are as narrow and inconvenient for Carriages as those of Paris, so that Chairs are chiefly used particularly in the old Town. Bath was formerly walld in and was a very small place, but of late years it is much extended, and the New buildings are erected upon Hills. Since it has become a place of such fashionable resort it has been embellished with a circus and a Cressent. The parades are magnificient piles of buildings. The square is a noble one and the Circus is said to be a beautifull peice of architecture, but what I think the beauty of Bath; is the Cressent. The front consists of a range of Ionic Colums on a rustick basement. The Ground falls gradually before it, down to the River Avon about half a miles distance, and the rising Country on the other side of the River holds up to it a most delightfull prospect. The Cressent takes its name from the form in which the houses Stand; all of which join. There is a parade and street before them a hundred foot wide and nothing in front to obstruct this Beautifull prospect. In this situation are the New assembly Rooms which are said to exceed any thing of the kind in the Kingdom both as to size, and decoration, but large as they were they were compleatly crouded the Evenings that I attended. There is a constant emulation subsisting between the New and old Rooms, similar to the North and South end of Boston. It was said whilst I was there that there were fourteen thousand persons more than the inhabitants of Bath. By this you may judge what a place of resort it is, not only for the infirm, but for the Gay the indolent the curious the Gambler the fortune hunter and even for those who go as the thoughtless Girl from the Country told Beau Nash (as he was stiled,) that She came out of wanteness. It is one constant scene of dissipation and Gambling from Monday morning till saturday Night, and the Ladies set down to cards in the publick rooms at they would at a private party. And not to spend a fortnight or Month at Bath at this season, of the year, is as unfashionable as it would be to reside in London during the summer Season. Yet Bath is a place I should never visit a second time for pleasure. To derive a proper improvement from company it ought to be select, and to consist of persons respectable both for their Morals, and their understandings. But such is the prevailing taste, that provided you can be in a crowd, with here and there a Glittering Star, it is considerd of little importance what the Character of the person is, who wears it. Few consider that the foundation stone and the pillar on which they Nest the fabrick of their felicity must be in their own Hearts, otherways the winds of dissipation will shake it and the floods of pleasure overwhelm it in ruins. What is the Chief end of Man? is a Subject well Worth the investigation of every rational Being. What indeed is Life or its enjoyments without settled principal, laudable purposes, Mental exertions and internal comfort, that sun shine of the soul, and how are these to be acquired in the hurry and tumult of the World; my visit to Bath and the scenes which I mixed in, instead of exciting a gayety of disposition, led me to a train of moral reflections which I could not refrain detailing to you in my account of it.
     Upon my return I had a new scene of folly to go through which was prepairing for the Birth day, but as the fashionable Magizine will detail this matter I shall omit any account of Birth day dresses and decorations only that I most sincerely wish myself rid of it. It is a prodigious expence from which I derive neither pleasure or satisfaction. Mrs Smith did not go this year, for reasons you can Guess I suppose. We have advised col Smith to give up his House and return here again, as it will be vastly inconvenient to me to have her out of the family, no sister no cousin no Aunt who could be at all with her. So that in March they will remove here again, and in April tis probable your Sister may be a Grandmama. New Relatives create new anxieties.
     And now for a few domestick Matters. You will find that before I received your Letters I was uneasy and had written to you and Dr Tufts both upon the subject of Board; there can be no reason that you should be at any expence on their account and it would give me pain to know you were. It will be cruel indeed if our Country will not allow us enough to educate our children in the frugal manner we wish for, when for 12 years mr Adams has devoted himself and all his talants to their service, and if they have not reaped all the benifit they might from him, it is there own fault. He has not been laying up a fortune nor has he been squandering one away—nor is there an other Minister either in France England or Holland whose allowence is not splendid to his. But I will not reflect upon our Situation. I will only say that my children Shall not whilst we remain here, live upon my friends or be chargeable to them. Whilst he resided in Holland and his allowence was better he was able to save a little but the publick have no right to expect that she he should expend that, any more then that he should run out the little estate he has in America.
     I hope captain Folger arrived safe as well as my Trunk. I have sent you by captain Cushing a Hamper of 4 doz porter a double gloucester cheese for commencment, and a cask of Split peas. Be so kind as to Send Sister Shaw half a dozen quarts. I got mr Elworthy to procure them for me, and I dare say he has done his best. If the porter is agreeable it May save you some wine and make a variety. It mortifies me that I cannot do all I wish but take the will for the deed.
     The Roits and dissentions in our state have been matter of very serious concern to me. No one will suppose that our situation here is renderd more Eligible in concequence of it, but I hope it will lead the wise and sensible part of the community in our state as well as the whole union to reflect seriously upon their Situation, and having wise Laws execute them with vigor justice and punctuality. I have been gratified with perusing many late publications in our Boston papers, particularly the Speach of the Chief justice which does him great honour. Mr Adams you will see by the Books which captain cushing has carried out, has been employed in strengthning and supporting our Governments, and has spaired no pains to collect examples for them and shew them in one short comprehensive statement the dangerous concequences of unbalanced power. We have the means of being the freest and the happiest people upon the Globe.
     Captain Scot I hear is just arrived, but it may be a week, perhaps ten days before he will get up himself, so that whatever Letters he may have I shall not be able to get them before captain Cushing Sails. This is rather unfortunate as there may be something I might wish to replie to. As to India handkerchief I give 2 Guineys a peice here for them so that they are lower with you as well as all other India goods. I give more for an oz of spice than I used to for a quarter of a pound in America. Only think too of 5 shillings Sterling for every pound of coffe we use. O pray by the next oppertunity Send me a peck of Tuscorora Rice. Let it be sifted, I want it only to Scour my hands with. Tuscorora rice say you, why I suppose She means Indian meal. Very true my dear sister, but I will tell you a good story about this said rice. An Ancestor of a family who now hold their Heads very high is said to have made a fortune by it. The old granddame went out to America when its productions were not much known here and returnd rather in Indigent circumstances. After some time knowing the taste in all ages for cosmeticks, made out a pompus advertizement of a costly secreet which she possesst for purifying and beautifying the complexion, nothing less than Tuscorora Rice at a Guiney an oz. The project took like the olympian dew at this Day, and Barrel after Barrel was disposd of at the moderate price before mentiond, till one fatal day, a sailor whose wife had procured one Quarter of an oz was caught in the very act of useing it. The sailor very roughly threw away this darling powder upon which his wife exclamed that he had ruined her, as She could procure no more there being an unusual Scarcity at that time. The fellow examined the paper and swore it was nothing but Indian meal and that he would bring her two Barrels for a Guiney the next voyage he went. Upon this the imposture was discoverd and the good woman obliged to decamp. Now tho I do not esteem it so highly as the sailors wife I pronounce it the best antidote to sea coal cracks that can be found. One Friend and an other has supplied me ever since I have been here, but now I am quite destitute. It is an article in so small quantity that will not be an object for the custom house, so that it may come safely. Remember me most affectionately to all my Friends. I cannot write to half of them. My Neices shall hear from me by Bairnard—in the mean time be assured my dear Sister of the warmest affection of your Sister

      A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 24 January 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Tufts, Cotton

      Dear sir
      London Janry 24th 1787

     I designd to have written you a much Longer Letter than I shall now be able to. The State of politicks in our Country is such as to give pain to every Friend and well wisher of it. I hope the pamphlet mr Adams has lately written and which captain Cushing carries out, will have a benificial influence if it comes not too Late. I inclose to you a ministerial publication which has past through four Editions in about ten days. What he says with respect to the Kings popularity in the English Nation is at this present time stricktly true. His Characters are drawn with freedom, his intention is however to wash Some Etheops White.
     This day col Franks arrived here with the Emperor of Morocos Treaty and will sail in the next packet for New York with it.
     Mr Adams has directed me to request you upon the receit of this Letter to purchase two hundred Guineys worth of congress Paper. We are told that it is sold at 2 and 6 pence pr pound. Do not be affraid, as the little he has is in publick Securities, it is as safe in one kind as an other, and if one sinks all must Sink, which God forbid. We are told here that the Name of the person must be enterd upon the Treasury Books, or the Name of a Friend, but you doubtless know the method. Our credit is not yet so low, but what Foreigners are eagerly tho Secretly buying up this paper. You will draw upon mr Adams for the Money—it will never be at a lower ebb than at present unless actual war takes place. You will find an account forwarded in mr Adams letter. Scot is arrived but none of our Letters are yet come up. Inclosed is a letter from mrs Smith. It was only two small red coverd Manuscrip Books which the Gentleman had and not pocket Books. Will that House be to be sold do you imagine which he owns?

      Regards to all inquiring Friends from Dear Sir your ever affectionate Neice
      A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 January 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Jefferson, Thomas

      My dear sir
      London Janry 29th 1787

     I received by Col Franks Your obliging favour and am very sorry to find your wrist Still continues lame. I have known very Salutary effects produced by the use of British oil upon a spraind joint. I have Sent a Servant to See if I can procure some. You may rest assured that if it does no good: it will not do any injury.
     With regard to the Tumults in my Native state which you inquire about, I wish I could say that report had exagerated them. It is too true Sir that they have been carried to so allarming a Height as to stop the Courts of Justice in several Counties. Ignorant, wrestless desperadoes, without conscience or principals, have led a deluded multitude to follow their standard, under pretence of grievences which have no existance but in their immaginations. Some of them were crying out for a paper currency, some for an equal distribution of property, some were for annihilating all debts, others complaning that the Senate was a useless Branch of Government, that the Court of common Pleas was unnecessary, and that the Sitting of the General Court in Boston was a grieveince. By this list you will see, the materials which compose this Rebellion, and the necessity there is of the wisest and most vigorous measures to quell and suppress it. Instead of that laudible Spirit which you approve, which makes a people watchfull over their Liberties and alert in the defence of them, these Mobish insurgents are for sapping the foundation, and distroying the whole fabrick at once. But as these people make only a small part of the State, when compared to the more Sensible and judicious, and altho they create a just allarm, and give much trouble and uneasiness, I cannot help flattering myself that they will prove Sallutary to the state at large, by leading to an investigation of the causes which have produced these commotions. Luxery and extravagance both in furniture and dress had pervaded all orders of our Countrymen and women, and was hastning fast to Sap their independance by involving every class of citizens in distress, and accumulating debts upon them which they were unable to discharge. Vanity was becoming a more powerfull principal than Patriotism. The lower order of the community were prest for taxes, and tho possest of landed property they were unable to answer the Demand. Whilst those who possesst Money were fearfull of lending, least the mad cry of the Mob should force the Legislature upon a measure very different from the touch of Midas.
     By the papers I send you, you will see the benificial effects already produced, an act of the Legislature laying duties of 15 pr cent upon many articles of British manufacture and totally prohibiting others. A Number of Vollunteers Lawyers Physicians and Merchants from Boston made up a party of Light horse commanded by col Hitchbourn Leit col Jackson and Higgonson, and went out in persuit of the insurgents and were fortunate enough to take 3 of their Principal Leaders, Shattucks Parker and Page. Shattucks defended himself and was wounded in his knee with a broadsword. He is in Jail in Boston and will no doubt be made an example of.
     Your request my dear sir with respect to your daughter shall be punctually attended to, and you may be assured of every attention in my power towards her.
     You will be so kind as to present my Love to Miss Jefferson, compliments to the Marquiss and his Lady. I am really conscience Smitten that I have never written to that amiable Lady, whose politeness and attention to me deserved my acknowledgment.
     The little balance which you Stated in a former Letter in my favour, when an opportunity offers I should like to have in Black Lace at about 8 or 9 Livres pr Ell. Tho late in the Month, I hope it will not be thought out of season to offer my best wishes for the Health Long Life and prosperity of yourself and family, or to assure you of the Sincere Esteem and Friendship with which I am Yours &c &c

      A Adams


Title: Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 6 February 1787
From: Tufts, Cotton
To: Adams, Abigail

      Boston Feby 6th. 1787

     Col. Jacob Davis not long since called upon me for the Payment of one of the Lots of Land in Vermont State which you recd. a Deed of and was not paid for, by his Brother Ebenr Davis whom he empowered for that Purpose. I accordingly paid it, he requested Interest from the Time the Deed was given, I did not conceive myself authorized to allow it as You did not give me any directions relative to it. He said it was customary and supposed You would allow it if present. As he desired me to mention it to You I wish You to write to me in your Next on the Subject. I also paid him £6. 8. 0 for Taxes on the Four Rights. The Tenure on which you hold these Rights, does not appear to me sufficiently secure. Mr. Davis could not give me any particular Information relative to them. I believe I must take Mastr. Charles or Thos in some Vacation and make a Tour there and see to the Safe recording &c of them. A very good Plan, but when shall I get Leisure.
     The Legislature have at length found it necessary to declare Rebellion existing in the Commonwealth. An Army under Genl Lincoln is employed to crush it. A few Days will in great Measure determine whether We shall have the Constitution remain or not. Whether we shall have Law and Justice administerd or not. A strange Infatuation has seized a great part of the People, Should I say two Thirds of the whole Body. It would not be far from the Truth. I flatter myself notwithstanding that their Eyes will be opened very soon and their Minds Yield to Conviction. this Evil I have As Sufficient Addresses have made to their Interests these have been in Vain. An Address to their Fears, is now tried, and I trust will be the only succesful Advocate.

      Feby. 7th.

     The Insurgents under Shays and the other officers Heads of the Army have not been much short of 3000. They have however crumbled away from Day to Day, since Genl Lincolns appearance in the Western Counties. After their Dispersion at Petersham (of which you have an Account in the News Papers new sent and which News came to hand (this Moment)) their Number appeared to be about 940, and they were shaping their Course to the County of Berkshire. The March of Genl Lincoln last Saturday Evening from Hadley and reaching Petersham the next Morning by 9 oc was perhaps as great an Enterprize as as ever been undertaken. A Snow Storm when they set out, followed about One or Two Clock the same Night with a Shift of Wind and excessive cold the Wind blowing like a Hurricane, till they reachd Petersham, suffering more with the blowing of the Snow and the severe cold, than can possibly be conceived off but by those who have been in similar Circumstances; no proper Place to halt for Refreshment. Yet they persevered with out murmuring, till they reached Petersham, a March of 30 Miles. Many were frost bitten.

      Feby 8.

     Shays with about 100 Men is said to be at Chesterfield in Newhampshire State—the riot dispersed. Gen. Lincoln is gone into the County of Berkshire, with his Army. The Insurgents there will probably submit, without much Difficulty. We have ordered two or three Regiments to be kept up for 3 or 4 months. And I hope we shall by and by get into a more orderly State. Should this Insurrection or rather Rebellion have prevailed here, it would undoubtedly have run through all the States. As the Papers will give You a particular Acctt. of the doings of the Genl Court and of Genl Lincolns’ Movements, I refer you to them for further Information.

      9th.

     Mr. John dind with me yesterday, he is solicitous of knowing with whom he is to purrsue his Studies in the Law after Commencement. If Mr. Adams has any particular Instructor in view, that he would prefer before any other and will give timely Notice, We shall pursue his orders, otherwise we shall act according to our best Discretion. At present We think that at least Part of the Three Years Study, may be under some Gentleman in the Country (or rather out of Boston): the Expence Less, and Advantages equal. I have consulted with several Gentleman and shall make every Enquiry that I think necessary to form a Result beneficial to your Son and to your Interest.
     The aforegoing has been wrote by Piece Meals, as I could catch an opportunity, and you must excuse the Errors of Your affectionate Friend and H sert

      C Tufts

      Pray remember me to Mr Adams Mr and Mrs Smith.
      Your Children here and all Friends well.


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1787
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

      Dear Sister
      Braintree February 9th 1787

     If you have reciev’d our Letters by Capn Callahan you will be in Some measure prepair’d for the accounts which Capn Folger will bring you of the Rebellion which exists in this state. It had arisen to such a height that it was necessary to oppose it by force of arms. We are always in this country to do things in an extraordinary many manner. The militia were call’d for, but there was not a copper in the Treasury to pay them or to support them upon their march. Town meetings were call’d in many places and promisses were made them that if the would inlist they would pay them and wait till the money could be collected from the Publick, for thier pay. And for their present Support People contributed as they were able and in this manner in less than a week was collected an army of five thousand men Who march’d under the command of General Lincoln to worcester to protect the court. The result you will see in the papers. The season has been stormy and severe our army have suffer’d greatly in some of their marches especially last Saturday night. Many of them were badly froze, they march’d thirty mile without stoping to refresh themselves in order to take Shays and his army by surprize. They took about 150 of them. Shays and a number with him scamper’d of and are got to new hampshire.
     Shays and his party are a poor deluded People. They have given much trouble and put us and themselves to much expence and have greatly added to the difficulties they complain off. I think you must have been very uneasy about us. Shays has not a small party in Braintree but not many in this parish. They want paper money to cheat with. They call’d a Town meeting about a week since to forbid colln. Thayers attending the general court but they could not get a vote.
     It is now almost four months since I have heard from you. What is become of capn. Cushing, he has been long expected. This has been the longest winter I ever knew nothing but snow storms. The slaighing is fine and while our Lads were at home we did something at it, but now they are return’d to their studys and we are very lonely. No sister Adams to run too, no Germantown Freinds to visit: mrs Quincy and nancy gone to spend the winter in Boston and if I turn my eyes to weymouth, there is not even the Docr. at this time to smile upon me. The Docr. is going to raise the roof of his House immediatly. What a pity that Josiah Quincy should have left his wife in such a manner, that She must quit it all if she marrys again. She is young and very agreable. Abel Willard has left a widow, not quite so young nor so comely but she is sensible amiable and benevolent to a great degree. She is also use’d to a country Life has no child and has a small fortune left her by her Father. Her Husbands went to the publick. What think you, will either of these do. He says I must get him a wife he has not time to look about him, and one he must have soon. I want your assistance so please to nominate, and give your reasons but I will not promise that you will not be too late. What think you of our mrs Quincy for uncle Smith. If this should take place we should again feel as if we had an Aunt. I cannot but hope it. It is talk’d of, and that is one way to make it so. I have receiv’d a Letter to day from Sister Shaw. She is well, Billy has a troublesome cough. I was at cambridge sometimes in the vacancy to see Cousin JQA. He Was well and quite a gallant among the Ladies. He promis’d to make us a visit but has been so ingag’d that he could not: Cousin Tom is a great favorite at mr Sewalls. He is neat loves order is very careful not to give any unnessary trouble, has scarcly any company and goes but little out. We cannot be thankful enough my dear Sister that our children are such as they are. Cousin charles is a lovely creature. He is so amiable and so attentive that he will be belov’d wherever he sets his Foot. Our children are so happy together that I can scarcly forbear a sigh When I think how soon they must be scatterd and yet it must and ought to be so.
     Mrs Hall is well she spent the day with me this week and desir’d me to give her Love to her Son and you and her grandchildren. She charg’d me to thank you for what you had sent her and your Nieces. They look’d much pleas’d and beg’d me to thank their Aunt.
     Mrs Allen has made a vissit to her Friends in Boston, but return’d without my seeing her. She is like to increase her Family which has sister Shaws says causd a complacenc in the countenance of her “own good man.”
     The newspapers will inform you that Doctor Clark dy’d very suddenly, but they will not tell you that he dy’d without a Will by which means miss Betsy Mayhew and her Brothers will have a fortune of four thousand pounds a piece. This is a great fortune for an american Lady enough certainly to bye her a Husband.
     Mr Evans is preaching where Doctor Gorden was settled, tis suppos’d they will give him a call. Mr Norton is still at weymouth.
     I went the other day to see our milton Friends. Mrs Warren is anxious for Henry. He went General Lincolns aid.
     The musical society at Braintree return their thanks for those Scotch Peices of Musick whih you so kindly Sent them. They talk’d of chusing a committee to draw up a Letter of thanks but as they were not all present they deputed me to do it for them. They luckily came in the vacancy. They have had time to learn to sing and play several of them. You need not be concern’d about their playing upon a Flute they have not time to play enough to hurt them.
     Uncle Quincy is as Well as usual. The roads have been so bad that I have not been to see him but onc this winter. Our Hingham Friends are well. Nancy looks quite Stately. Quincy is gone with General Lincoln. Good Doctor Gay lives yet and preaches every Sunday. Doctor Chancy is suppos’d very near his end but he has render’d himself immortal by his writings. Have you read his late publications. If you have not do get them of Doctor Price. They were printed under his direction. I scarcly ever read any thing with more pleasure.
     How does my new Nephew and my dear Niece. Well I hope. Does she begin to look Stately too. I wish I could look in upon them. When my Sister oh when will you return. I have had a Letter begun Six months ago for mrs Elworthy but I have not had time to finish it. Do you ever see her. If you do give my Love to her. Tell her sister Bond and Family were well a few days since. Mr Bond was in Boston. We had Letters from cousin Ebbit. Mrs Bond and her Sister are fine Women. I regret their living so far from us. I hope to visit them next Summer.
     Mrs Hay lives at Newbury. I have never seen her but once since she return’d. Why did she return without her Husband? It looks strange.
     Parson wibird visits us every other day almost. He still lives in that vile house. I told him the other day that nobody but he could live in and retain a moral character, that I was tir’d of vindicating his Character, where he was not known. That the House had become so Scandelous that if it was in Boston the Select men would pull it down and it is true. It is a vile house my sister but all I can say he will live there.
     I hope you have not had a return of the dissorder which made you so sick.
     Betsy and Lucy send their Duty to you and Love to their Cousins, will write by the next vessel. We did not hear of this till a day or two ago, and they are so busy that they cannot attend to their Pen at present.
     Will you present my Love to mr Adams. To mr and Mrs Smith, and accept of the warmest Love & gratitude of your ever affectionate Sister

      Mary Cranch


Title: John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 21 February 1787
From: Adams, John
To: Tufts, Cotton

      Dear Sir
      London Feb. 21. 1787

     Having determined to return to Pens hill, I begin to think in what a pitiful Condition I shall find my Meadow and Hill &c &c. Poor as a heath I Suppose, as I found them, but am determined they shall not remain long in such a contemptible plight. This is therefore to beg the favour of you to purchase for me Josh. Bracketts Heap at his stable for a year, and desire my Brother or my Tenant to hire Boats and Teams to transport it to Braintree, and to bring a proportional Quantity of Marsh Mud and street Dust to be laid in heaps for manure. Belcher remembers the whole Proscess. Draw upon me, as soon as possible for the Cash to defray all Expences. I am determined not to remain an Hour in Europe after the Expiration of my Commission to this Court. So I shall embark in January or February 1788 for Boston, if possible, if not, for New York in the Packett.

      I am, my dear sir, with much Affection your Friend
      John Adams


Title: Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 February 1787
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, Abigail

      Dear Madam
      Paris Feb. 22. 1787

     I am to acknolege the honor of your letter of Jan. 29. and of the papers you were so good as to send me they were the latest I had seen or have yet seen. They left off too in a critical moment; just at the point where the Malcontents make their submission on condition of pardon, and before the answer of government was known. I hope they pardoned them. The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the Atmosphere. It is wonderful that no letter or paper tells us who is president of Congress, tho’ there are letters in Paris to the beginning of January. I suppose I shall hear when I come back from my journey, which will be eight months after he will have been chosen. And yet they complain of us for not giving them intelligence. Our Notables assembled to-day, and I hope before the departure of mr Cairnes I shall have heard something of their proceedings worth communicating to mr Adams. The most remarkable effect of this convention as yet is the number of puns and bon mots it has generated. I think were they all collected it would make a more voluminous work than the Encyclopedie. This occasion, more than any thing I have seen, convinces me that this nation is incapable of any serious effort but under the word of command. The people at large view every object only as it may furnish puns and bons mots; and I pronounce that a good punster would disarm the whole nation were they ever so seriously disposed to revolt. Indeed, Madam, they are gone. When a measure so capable of doing good as the calling the Notables is treated with so much ridicule, we may conclude the nation desperete, and in charity pray that heaven may send them good kings.
     The bridge at the place Louis XV. is begun. The hotel dieu is to be abandoned and new ones to be built. The old houses on the old bridges are in a course of demolition. This is all I know of Paris. We are about to lose the Count d’Aranda, who has desired and obtained his recall. Fernand Nunnez, before destined for London is to come here. The Abbe’s Arnoux and Chalut are well. The Dutchess Danville somewhat recovered from the loss of her daughter. Mrs Barrett very homesick, and fancying herself otherwise sick. They will probably remove to Honfleur. This is all our news. I have only to add then that mr Cairnes has taken charge of 15. aunes of black lace for you at 9 livres the aune, purchased by Petit and therefore I hope better purchased than some things have been for you; and that I am with sincere esteem Dear Madam your affectionete humble sert

      Th: Jefferson


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 25 February 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

      My Dear Sister
      London Febry 25 1787

     Captain Davis called yesterday to let me know that he should sail in the course of the week. Captain Barnard will not be long after him, and I almost wish I was going to embark with him. I think I should not feel more anxious if I was in the midst of all the disturbances, than I do at this Distance, where Imagination is left at full Liberty. When Law and justice is laid prostrait who or what is Secure? I received your Letters which came by captain Scot just as I was going to step into the carriage to go into the City upon some Buisness. As I was alone I took them with me to read, and when I came to that part of your Letter, where in you say, that you had hoped to have seen only Peace in future, after surmounting the Horrors of one war the Idea was too powerfull for me, and the Tears involluntary flowed. I was obliged to quit the Letter till I had finishd my Buisness. The thoughts which naturally occured to me, were for what have we been contending against the tyrranny of Britain, to become the Sacrifice of a lawless Banditti? Must our glory be thus shorn and our Laurels thus blasted? Is it a trifling matter to destroy a Government, will my countrymen justify the Maxim of tyrants, that Mankind are not made for freedom. I will however still hope that the Majority of our fellow citizens are too wise virtuous and enlightned to permit these outrages to gain ground and triumph. Solon the wise lawgiver of Athens, published a Manifesto for rendering infamous all persons, who in civil Seditions should remain Spectators of their Countrys danger by a criminal Neutrality. The Spirit shewn by the Gentleman vollunteers and the capture of Shattucks does honour to our State. More energy in Government would have prevented the evil from spreading so far as it has done.

      “Mercy but gives Sedition time to rally
      every soft pliant talking busie Rogue
      Gathering a flock of hot braind Fools together
      can preach up new Rebellion
      Spread false reports of the Senate working up
      their Madness to a Fury quick and desp’rate
      till they run headlong in to civil discords
      And do our buisness with their own destruction.”

     This is a picture of the civil dissentions in Rome, and to our mortification we find that humane nature is the same in all ages. Neither the dread of Tyrants the fall of Empires, the Havock and dessolation of the Humane Species, nor the more gloomy picture of civil Discord, are sufficient to deter Mankind from persueing the Same Steps which have led others to ruin. Selfishness and spight avarice and ambition, pride and a levelling principal are qualities very unfavourable to the existance of civil Liberty. But whatever is to be the fate of our Country, we have determined to come home and share it with you. Congress have never given mr Adams a recall from Holland and he is vested (with mr Jefferson) with powers to form treaties with Several other Countrys. His commission to this Court will terminate this time twelve Months, and he has written to Congress his fixd and full determination to resign his commissions and return at that period, if not before. So that my dear sister I most joyfully accept your invitation and will come home God willing e’er an other Year expires. Dissagreeable as the Situation of my Native State appears, I shall quit Europe with more pleasure than I came to it, uncontaminated I hope with its Manners and vices. I have learnt to know the World, and its value. I have seen high Life, I have Witnessd the Luxery and pomp of State, the Power of riches and the influence of titles, and have beheld all Ranks bow before them, as the only shrine worthy of worship. Notwithstanding this, I feel that I can return to my little cottage and be happier than here, and if we have not wealth, we have what is better, Integrity.

      Feb’ry 27 1787

     I had written you thus far with an intention of sending by Davis, but received a card to day from captain Barnard that he will sail at the same time which is a fortnight sooner than I expected. I have concluded to send by him. Captain Callihan arrived at Cows in a very short passage of less than 30 days, and your Letter of Janry 10 and 12 came up by the post, one from uncle Smith and one from my eldest son. The rest are still on Board, nor do I know when we shall get them, as captain Callihan Stays I suppose to repair, having lost his Mast in a gale of wind. I was very happy to find that Folger had arrived safe as we were anxious for him, on account of the severe weather. I wrote you by captain Cushing, on Board of whom I got mr Elworthy to put a small present for you, but was much mortified a day or two after to find by a Boston paper that they were prohibited articles. I hope you will not meet with trouble on account of them. I cannot but approve the Spirit which dictated the measure. The causes which gave rise to it, must be deplored, for it is evidently a work of necessity rather than choice. The Luxery which had made Such rapid Strides amongst our countrymen was more criminal than that which is founded upon real wealth, for they have Roited upon the property which belonged to others. It is a very just observation, that those who have raised an Empire, have always been grave and Severe; they who have ruined it, have been uniformly distinguished for their dissapation. We shall wait with impatience for the result of General Lincolns expedition. Much depends upon his Success. Government seem affraid to use the power they have, and recommend and intreat where they ought to Command, which makes one apprehend that the evil lies deeper than the Heads or Hands of Shaise or Shattucks. From letter received here both from Boston and Newyork it is to be feared that Visionary Schemes, and ambitious projects are taking possession of Men of Property and Science. But before so important an Edifice as an Established Government is alterd or changed, its foundation should be examined by skilfull artists, and the Materials of which it is composed duly investigated.
     The defence of the American constitutions is a work which may perhaps contribute to this end and I most Sincerly wish it may do the good intended.
     I lament with you the loss of a Worthy Man, for such indeed was the Friend of my dear Eliza. Our own duration is but a Span, then shall we meet those dear Friends and relatives who have gone before us and be engaged together in more elevated views, and purer pleasures and enjoyments than Mortality is capable of. Let this Idea Sooth the aflicted mind, and administer Balm to the wounded Heart; all things are under the Government of a supreeme all wise director, to him commit, the hour the day the year. I will write my dear Neice as soon as I get her Letter.
     I fear if Barnard sails so soon I shall find myself tardy. I have been much engaged in assisting Mrs Smith. I wish for a sister as the time draws near. I shall find myself of little use. She seems to have good Spirits and knowing nothing fears nothing. Dr Jeffries is our family Physician, and is really an amiable benevolent Man tho formerly he took a different side in politicks.
     You inquire the price of Mode. It is of various prices the widest and best five shillings sterling. As to the fashion sattin cloaks of all coulours except Black are worn in winter in Spring black mode, in Summer Muslin and Gauzes linned with blew pink or white Sasnit sarcenet like one which was made by my Millinar and sent to Mrs Russel by Cushing, but I will endeavour to get a Pattern for you. What new fashions may be introduced by the admission of French Millinary during the summer, is past even the art of devination, but as that is a matter which my Country women will concern themselves very little with I hope, a Monthly magizine may serve their purpose instead of a daily volm which we may soon expect to See. Pray what has become of Mrs Hay I have never received a line from her since she left this Country? You did perfectly right in adding the two yds more for Gowns for the Miss Palmers. The moths I hope will not plunder what little Wollens I have particularly my Scarlet cloth and my carpet. As to what other things I have, I consider them as a usefull deposit for family service should I live to return. Amongst them I think I have a large parcel of threads which my Neices will repair to when they have occasion to make linen for their cousins. As to any thing else, I had rather have it purchased for the children than taken from thence. I wish you would be so good as to look into my draws and you will find a green Lutestring Gown and a brown ducape a pattern of each I wish you to send me, as they will never be of Service to me unless I can match them. I have sent by captain Barnard a peice of Linen for the children, it is addrest to mr Cranch. I did not know whether they wanted yet but thought it would do no harm as Moths will not eat that. Within the Linnen you will find the trimming for it, Smuglled a little but that you will be mush about. Dont even tell that wise and good Senator your Husband. Take enough of it for cousin William half a dozen pr of. I have also sent the other half dozen shirts for JQA, so that he will not want for these twelve Months. Mrs Payne shall not be forgotten.
     My dear sister say not one word about being ungratefull in charging the Board of your Nephews. I am sure it is your Duty to do it and it would pain both mr Adams and me exceedingly if you did not. Dr Tufts will pay you quarterly and for their washing and Ironing. I know that there are a thousand cares for which you cannot be paid only by the gratefull acknowledment of your sister.
     You have hinted to me Several times as tho our good uncle Tufts was looking him a wife. Pray is there any particular person you think of. Our Friend Mrs Quincy has been in my mind for one or the other of our uncles. So cousin William has at last found one sensible Girl. Tis a Shame that a solid young fellow, should be so little to the taste of the young Ladies. I am always glad to hear every thing pleasing of my Friends, and I begin now to feel as if I should See them again.
     Mrs Smith sits by the table working as fast as her needle can fly and is so buisy that I do not think She will write a line by this opportunity.
     Let mrs Feild know that Esther is well as usual, a weakly creature at best, requires as much care as a Young Turkey. John is not much better, never well, but an excellent Servint, honest and trust worthy.

     Thus have I told you a domestick tale and my scond sheet warns me to close, but not untill I present my Love to Brother Cranch to my Nephew and Neices, to all my kin however wide, to my Neighbours and Friends, from their and your affectionate

      A A


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 February 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

      My dear son
      London Febry 28th 1787

     Your Letter to me by captain Callihan came safe to hand, that to your Sister and others from my Friends are yet with him at Cowes where he put in having lost his Mast. I think single Letters are better put into the Bag, Newspapers given to the captains.
     Blairs lectures were purchased for you last fall and left at the New England coffe house for captain Barnard to take with him, and we thought that you had received them. If they have mist, an other set will be procured for you. Enfields institutes will also be Sent, but captain Barnard going a fortnight sooner than we expected, am not ready for him. I have requested him to take the remaining half dozen of your shirts which are done up in a bundle like those I sent by cushing and addrest to you; the volms you mention receiving of French History, were written by a very needy Man, a mere Chevalier d’Industry, who has since been in Newgate and as they were much too impartial to Sell in this country I Suppose he could not pay the printing. He Swindled us out of ten Guineys and has dissapeard. There is nothing that is American, is or can be in vogue here. They cautiously avoid bringing our country into view. Indeed she does not at present exhibit the most pleasing picture, but to make us believe that she is of no kind of concequence to them they do not even retail our disturbances, or comment upon them. If they had Money I should suppose they were willing to keep up our quarrels and would lend a hand to sow dissentions, but they are as much distresst for ways and means as we are, and those who form conjectures of this kind know little of the finnances of this Country. The day is fast approaching when we have determined to quit it. God willing I once Set my foot on American ground not all the embassies to Europe consolidated into one shall tempt me again to quit it. I do not wonder at your longing to return, and I have many inducements which you had not, not one single one to remain here. My dear lads you know that we shall return poor, but at the same time you know what have been the Services of your Father. You know his honour and his integrity that shall be your inheritance. If we can get you all through colledge, the World is all before you, and providence your guide. You will do better I doubt not than if you had been led to expect wealth.
     You will apply my son to mr Parsons and get fixed with him I hope. If we live to return to you we shall be able to look after your Brothers.
     I am rejoiced to find there conduct so good. This is a balm amidst all the publick calamities. Pray attend to your own Health, I have written you before upon this Subject. Mine is better than in the fall, tho as the Spring approaches I find a return of my Rhumatick complaints. I am obliged to write you in great haste as Barnard is to Sail tomorrow, and my Letters must go to him this Evening. Col Smith says he has the same feeling which you express, that he wrote you long ago but has never Sent it. Your sister is well and will write you as soon as she gets her Letter.

      Adieu and believe me most tenderly yours
      A A

      Love to your Brothers.


Title: Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 10 March 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Shaw, Elizabeth Smith

          My dear Sister
          London March 10 1787

        Tho I have already acknowledged all your Letters, I will not let captain Scoet sail without a few lines from me, I had not time to write you by Barnard, but Cushing had Letters for you
        I write now to inform you, that the more quarrelsome and turbulent you grow, the more anxious I am to be with you, not that I think it pleasent fishing in troubled waters, but because immagination paints higher than reality, and the danger apprehended is always worse than that which is experienced, in short I have seen my Countrymen armed one against the other, and the divided house falling to the ground.
        Blessed are the peacemakers said a great Authority, for they restore harmony in which all nature delights, order is heavens first Law. if there was not a much greater proportion of good than evil predominating in the World, who could suffer being here below? if as a good divine observed those objects which administer to our delight and comfort, had been created merely to anoy & harrass us, then we might have had some reason to complain that the evils we sufferd were not oweing to our blindness and folly; if that had been the design of providence, the Bee would have been without her Honey & the rose devoid of its fragrance, the feilds would have been destitute of their Chearfull green & gay flowers the Fire would have scorched instead of warming us, and the Light of day dazzeld without cheering us. every Breath of air would have cut us like the point of a sword, every taste would have been a bitter & every sound a Scream, every sense would have been a torment instead of a pleasure, but the real state of things is totally different, & the Benificent Creater made all things good. Tis man alone who perverts his Laws & creates the evils which he justly suffers.
        but whither am I running? I took my pen to tell you, that God willing, I hope to see you in the course of an other Year, as we are determined to return to America and share the fate of our Country whether she stand firm like mount Atlass—or make it treason to harbour an Idea that she will fall—trip & stumble, I fear, but as uncle Toby said on an other occasion—She Shall not fall.
        pray how does my worthy good Friend mr Thaxter do? I am very much in his debt, I know he is a good patriot in these times, because he is an honest Man. my Love to him, and to my old friend mrs Allen. tell her I hope one Day to see her in her own habitation, and upon the first intimation of an heir, I will send her the Christning cap. I am rejoiced to find by your account that she is so happily situated.
        I have sent you by captain Scot a little chamber Lamp, which with a small quantity of oil; burns the whole night. I found them very usefull to me, & thought they would prove so to my sisters. I have also sent you a peice of silk, I was deliberating some time whether it should be virgin white; or sky blew, upon the whole I concluded that you had more pretentions to the Skys; than to the Appellation annexed to the White, so I bought the blew, which is vastly the present taste. I hope it will meet your approbation, as I have already fancied how well it will become you, & how pretty you will look in it, no trimming is used at all, unless a narrow white ribbon down the Sides. The Aprons are made very dressy of gauze with a lace round them & white ribbon crimped in pleats, an other row a quarter from the bottom & little flowers stuck between— black lace is much worn both on handkerchiefs & Aprons. handkerchiefs very bustly no great change since last year; caps as many forms as fancy can devize; so you have a subject for your Haverhill Bells, I believe the silk is a prohibited article, so you must keep the secret; I hope my little nephew has got his Books, & my Neice her skirt, perhaps the Next time I write you I may be turnd into a grandame as it is now a fine sunshine day, and my spirits tolerably, good; I do not feel so ancient as that event will make me, Mrs Smith is now sitting by the table trimming with lace a white muslin slip, round the neck; & sleaves; & looking as sober as a Deaconess; she would grumble a little if she knew I had been writing of her.— she is very well and sends her duty to you; Mr. Adams is still buisy in writing, whether for the publick; will depend upon the reception his Book already gone into the World; meets with
        adieu my dear Sister— remember me kindly to all your Haverhill Friends judge Sergants family in a particular manner & to mrs White and believe me with the sincerest affection/yours
        A Adams

N.B
all the cocks tails round London for 50 miles have been robbed to decorate the Ladies Caps. The long feathers amounting to 6 or 8 are tied in a bunch & worn at the side of the cap & are sold from half a Guiney to 18 shillings sterling a bunch, an excellent commodity for exportation, have you any old cocks?


Title: Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 10 March 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Tufts, Cotton

          Dear sir
          London March 10th 1787

        your Letters by Captain Callihan did not come to hand untill the 7th ult. and I embrace the earliest opportunity of writing you. in yours you mention the account forwarded by you last fall, which was duly received, and I thought it had been acknowledged; I sometimes leave these matters in hopes mr Adams will notice them, but he is too much engaged in publick affairs, to attend at all, to his private buisness, by which means he is often a sufferer I believe History will scarcly find an instance of a person who have held the distinguishd offices that he has been employd in for ten years past, borrowed and transmitted such sums of money as he has, & received so little advantage from it, if he had received only one single pr cent, he would have been in possession of an handsome fortune,—but thus it is.— by captain Cushing I transmitted you the acct which I mentiond to you. it is hard to pay money here at a loss of a years interest, as well as the advance upon Bills for those who think no more of it. records & papers are not to be searched & procured here for any trifling sum; you will find by captain Barnard an accompt & Rect to the amount of 35 guineys advanced to mr Cutting on account of mr McKean chief Justice of the state of Deleware. this money is also advanced to search records at his request, & promise to pay the Bill upon sight, I hope you meet with no further trouble than the distance of negotiating it. there are fifty six guineys which I look upon wholy lost, which under various pretences & promises of immediate payment, upon the arrival of a mr Noyes, have been lent to col Norten, but really and in truth Swindled out of us. I was very loth he should have it, particularly the last but mr Adams believed him, till to his cost, he found himself deceived. he has made every American tributary to him, been once in Newgate, from whence he was relieved by their subscriptions, and is now shufling about living no one knows how. he has quite left our House mr A having dealt very freely with him, & represented the disgrace he was bringing upon his state & Country. has he any property in America? I fear not, and that we shall lose the whole.
        mr Elworthys Bill will be answerd immediatly, but mr Adams wishes you in future to make an even sum when you draw either for one or two hundred guineys, as that is our usual method of taking from the Banker, and do not let us be in debt, rather keep a sum before hand in your Hands— I am sorry for the Luck of our House, but suppose it is oweing to the Times— the paper of America will be redeemed I have no doubt, but one must wait for interest, & run risks, but at all events it will fetch what is given for it. I hope the affairs of our Country will wear a more favourable aspect. many of the difficulties you experience must arise from want of publick confidence. could that be restored, your paper would rise in value. I wonder land should sell so dear when specie is so scarce. by the New York packet we learn the dispersion of the insurgents. I wish there may be an end of the troubles—but has our government exerted itself with that vigor and dignity which it ought to have done? why has it addrest when it ought to have commanded. why has it submitted to insults which it ought to have punished. Honestus is realy become a partizan for government. he first kindled & fomented the storm, & to his publications may be in a great measure attributed, the very resistance against the courts of justice which has now risen to a Rebellion—
        But I quit a subject so unpleasent to assure you of my best and warmest Regard and / the affection with which / I am dear sir your / Neice
        A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 March 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

          Dear Tommy
          London March 15th 1787

        I would not omit writing you, because you seem to think you have been agrieved. I do not recollect what I wrote you, but I have Some Idea, that it was an enumeration of the various accidents you had met with, and advising you to more care and attention in future. I had no occasion to chide you for want of application to your studies, because your uncles your Aunts & your Brothers had been witnesses for you, and all of them had Spoken well of you. it has indeed been a great and an abundant pleasure both to your Father & to me to hear the repeated & constant testimony of all our Friends with regard to the conduct of all our Sons, and I flatter myself that what ever else may be our lot & portion in Life, that of undutifull and vicious children will not be added to it.— Not only youth but maturer age is too often influenced by bad exampls, and it requires much reason much experience firmness & resolution to stem the torrent of fashion & to preserve the integrity which will bear the Scrutiny of our own Hearts. virtue like the stone of Sysiphus has a continual tendency to roll down Hill & requires to be forced up again by the never ceasing Efforts of succeeding moralists. if humane nature is thus infirm & liable to err as daily experience proves let every effort be made to acquire strength. nature has implanted in the humane mind nice sensibilities of moral rectitude and a natural love of excellence & given to it powers capable of infinate improvement and the state of things is so constituded that Labour well bestowed & properly directed always produces valuable Effects. the resolution you have taken of persueing such a conduct as shall redound to your own honour & that of your family is truly commendable. it is an old & just observation, that by aiming at perfection we may approach it much more nearly than if we sat down inactive through despair—

        you will do well to join the military company as soon as you are qualified. every citizen should learn the use of arms & by being thus qualified he will be less likely to be calld to the use of them. War cannot be ranked amongsts the liberal arts, and must ever be considerd as a scourge & a calamity, & should Humiliate the pride of man that he is thus capable of destroying his fellow creatures— I am glad to find you mending in your hand writing, during the vacancies you & your Brother Charles would do well to attend to that. it is of more importance than perhaps you are aware of, more for a Man than a Woman, but I have always to lament my own inattention in this matter. inclosed you will find a little matter which you will make a good use of. your sister sends her Love and will write you soon. I am my dear Son / most affectionately / Yours
        A A


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 March 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

          London March th 20th 1787
          My dear Son

        I have procured the Books for you, and Captain Folger not sailing quite so soon as I expected, I have sent them to mr Boylstones Store requesting him to send them for me. I think it would be worth while to inquire at the post office in Boston with regard to the other Books which were put into the Bag with the Letters, & must have gone to the post office, or have been taking out, before they went from the NewEngland coffe House. I cannot think they were, because I allways carry or send what ever Letters or packages are going by any of the captains to that House; & leave them in the care of the Waiter, & I never lost any thing before. if you should find them give one Set to your cousin Cranch— your sister has not received any Letter from you, tho in yours to me, you mention writing her. the Younger captain Folger is just arrived & with him mr Gill, whom I have not yet seen. he was asked to dine with us yesterday, but being prengaged could not come. Cushing Barnard & Scot who have all sailed; had letters for you; I hope you got one which I wrote you by way of Nwyork during the winter. Col Smith by order of congress is going to Pourtugal upon Buisness as soon as your sister gets to Bed which I expect she will the begining of April.
        Callihan will sail in April by whom I hope to write you agreeable intelligence with respect to her—
        I have written to your Brothers by mr Martin who sails with captain Folger. I quite long to return to America. pray how does my old friend mrs dana? give my Love to her when you see her & my respects to Madam Winthrope. I fear you will grew too Indolent. I very Seldom hear of you at Boston or any where out of colledge your Blood will grew thick & you will be sick. your Pappa is sure of it. he is always preaching up excercise to me and it would be a very usefull doctrine if I sufficiently attended to it. I was afflicted last fall with a slew nervous fever attended with Rhumatick complaints, and I am now labouring under the same disorder for several days past, except that it is not attended with the Rhumatism. as soon as I can get the better of it I am determined to be very punctual in daily walking— your pappa enjoys better Health than I believe he has for many years, reads & writes every Evening; which you know he could not do in France before this reaches you, his Book will have arrived. I should like to know its reception. I tell him they will think in America that he is for sitting up a King. he says no, but he is for giving to the Governours of every state the same Authority which the British King has, under the true British constitution, balancing his power by the two other Branches—
        I only intended you a line, but how I have spun—adieu your affectionately
        A A


Title: Mary Rutledge Smith to Abigail Adams, 12 April 1787
From: Smith, Mary Rutledge
To: Adams, Abigail

          Charleston April the 12th. 87
          My dear Madam

        I have the happiness to inform you that we are again settled, in Charleston, we had a Passage of seven weeks, it was as you may suppose, disagreeable, it blew a heavy gale for ten days, & the patience of every person on Board, was exhausted, except our little Boy, who is both, by Sea, & Land, an excellent traveller. When we left London, you intended a visit to Bath, I hope nothing happened to prevent that agreeable excursion, there can be no doubt, of your admiring, that part of the World, as it affords a most pleasing variety— at present you are in a more desirable Country, than we are, Carolina wears a gloomy face, nothing looks as it did twelve years ago, our inhabitants, are much to be pitied, for they are in reality extremely poor, yet have an anxious desire, to appear other wise. My Brother is one of the Delegates (appointed by this State) for the Federal Convention, many people are very sanguine, in their expectations, from that assemblage, of wise Men, for my part, I shall hold myself in readiness, to give them all that they may merit, but my hopes, have so frequently fallen to the ground, that I have learned from experience, to wait patiently for the event. If I am right in my conjecture, before this arrives, you will be a Grand-mother, if so, you have my warmest congratulation, on the occasion, & I will only say, that I most sincerely wish, that your amiable Daughter, may be as happy a Parent, as she deserves to be— Caroline intends writing  to Coll. Smith, as she promised, & she cannot suppose, that he has forgot so important a matter, Be pleased to present our united respects, to Mr. Adams, My Compliments also, to those friends that we passed, many happy hours with under your hospitable Roof, where we received repeated acts of kindness—for which I shall ever think myself indebted, & only regret, my dear Madam, that, I can do no more than feel the obligation—but be assured, it will ever be kept in remembrance—
        I am my dear Madam / with the utmost esteem / Your very sincere friend
        Mary Smith


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 22 April and 20 May 1787
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

          Braintree April 22d 1787
          My Dear Sister

        Captain Cushing arriv’d last Monday after a tedious Passage It was so long since I receiv’d any Letters from you that I began to be very impatient. Cousin JQA had one in the winter but I have only heard of it. he forgot that I should want to see it & so did not bring it with him this vacancy your sons are now all of them with me. cousin JQA return’d last evening from an excurtion. I perswaided him to make with a number of his class to Sandwich. Mr Burr one of the Tutors was ordain’d there last wednesday. The President & his Lady Mr Hilliard & Lady were also in his train They have had fine weather only a little too cold. your son looks better for his journey. His staying at cambridge during the winter vacancy was of no service to his Health whatever it may have been to his mind. He look’d so pale & wan when he came home this spring that I was not a little alarm’d about him. He has lost so much Flesh within these nine months that I have been oblig’d to take in his wastcoats a full quarter of a yard. His complants are wholly oweing to want of air & exercise & too great an attention to his studys. His Food does not digest well— I am continually urging upon him the necessaty of more exercise. He always promisses fair—but a favorite Author will soon make him forget it all. I have got Doctor Tufts to talk very plainly to him & tell him what his fate will be unless he pursues a different method. The Docr. says he does not need any medicine—air & exercise with a proper attention to his Diet is all he has to depend upon to restore him. His time at college will be soon up. He must then for a little while devote himself to riding about & visiting his Friends There is so little to be done at present in a Lawyers office that mr Cranch designs Billy shall study at home for a year at least under the direction of some Gentleman in Boston he will attend the office the last weeks before the courts & can attend all the courts. we must take that method which will be least expencive if we can make it any way as advantagous. If we should pursue this plan we shall be greatly oblig’d if mr Adams will permit him the use of his Law Library He will take great care of the Books & I hope make a good use of them He is at present both steady and studious.
        I am glad that so many of my Letters have reach’d you. those by Scott & Folger have done so too I hope before this time if they have you will know that your Trunk came safe & that you have my warmest gratitude for the things sent to me & the children. The Blue cloth is now making for your sons. The Buff will not be made till next winter as it will not be wanted & they grow so fast that it would be folly to make it till it will. as to cousin Tom I can keep nothing to fit him a month I believe he will be as tall as Billy. He is a fine shap’d youth & has more of your countenance than I ever expected he would have—but not so much as my dear cousin JQA. In his Face I can see every amiable Feature of my sister, but tis not in his Face alone that his mama is to be trac’d The perfections of both Parents are most happily blended in him. He has quallities which command the highest esteem & the tenderest affection of his Freinds & you may believe me when I tell you that he has found a way to acquire the affections of his class, & The admiration & approbation of his Teachers, although he possesses advantages at least if not abilities, superior to [most] of them & notwithstanding his most hearty contempt of —— that dignity which is acqur’d by Pomposity & self importance— your advice & his sisters has had its weight I dare say he has had the same from his Friends here. His Talant for satire was all that we had to give us any fears about him. The parts he has had given him in the publick exibitions is a proof of the character he sustains & do him Honour

        27th
        Our children are all return’d to college cousin JQA is much better, says he has nothing to do this Quarter but to ride about & take the air. In six weeks he will return here. He thinks he shall live a little while with mr Dana & study Law with him. His motive is truly Fraturnal. The care & attention of such a Brother will be of no small advantage to your younger sons Tom told me very gravely the other day that a young Fellow must be very steady & very resolute to pass thro college without being often led into some scrape & that if he had forty sons he should be affraid to send one of them to have their education there. “dear youth said I do you not know that temptations are stro’d thick in every Path. being sensible that the one before you is so full of them will make you careful how you walk I hope. Begin right & persevere, you will not find your difficulties so great as you think. after a few dinials to do wrong you will not be solisited again you must not set up to censure or reform, but by your example you will then acquire both the esteem & Love of your class.” he is belov’d by the Family he is in, & he is so attach’d to them that he seems loth to leave it. he is affraid he shall be more in the way of company, & he complains of want of time for his studys now. this is no bad sign. He has his health very well excepting now & then a stif shoulder or knee. he had a complant of this kind when he was here last week, but a few drops of Guiacum & sassafras Tea gave him the use of his Limbs again
        I thank you my dear sister for the Porter, cheese, & the Peas—The two former are prohibited articles however as it could not be known, we shall meet with no difficulty about them. The Court have been call’d together unexpectedly to chuse another Treasurer the Death of mr Ivers rendering it necessary. mr Hodgden is chosen. There were others who had Porter besides us on Board Cushing. they Petition’d the court & had leave to have all landed as the news of the prohibition was not known when he sail’d. The court will be up soon & our worthy Governor will resign his seal to a—not more worthy Man I am sure. you will not form a very high Idea of the virtue of the People I believe when you have a list of the next General Court There are some very good men in the Senate, & some miserable ones it will be so I suppose in the house if so can you think we shall have any thing but quarreling & protesting all the next year—

        Mr cranch is left out of the senate this year, because he is a Justice of the common Pleas, & it has just been found out that it is unconstitutional for any of them to be in the House or Senate— A gentleman of our acquaintance who thought he had no Political Friends in Braintree or weymouth has said it & I believe made it his business to perswaid the People to think so— I hear this was the only reason why Mr Cranch was not voted for in his Town some of them have told me so— mr Morton asserted the same in Boston at their meeting. Why he should do it was a mistery to me for some time. Those who wish’d to annihilate the court of common Pleas have said that while so many of the Judges of it were in the Senate it could not or would not be done. as mr M. was not one of those, I could not concieve his motive untill I recollect’d that a son of the Gentleman before mention’d study’d in his office could I suppose that either of them thought what they said I should think they did right. was it really so I do not believe mr Adams would have had any hand in obtaining his Friend the office & There is no one who assisted in framing the Constitution who understood it better than he— you have been too long conversant with Courts to be astonish’d at any thing that belongs to them or you would be suppriz’d to see the coalitions which are taking place among some of our great Folks. The Bitterest & most inveterate Political ennemys are becoming Friends— He who would not allow a good quallity to be possess’d by a former G-v-n-r has I am told both by himself & children made all the interest he could to get him elected this year, & althou he would not accept the highest office he could have under him formerly, would now accept of a lower if offer’d him The good Lady is made to believe any thing or she would not have asserted the other day in company where she was complaining that her Freind was neglected by the People that mr W r n never askd any Person for their vote or for their interest for himself. A Lady present said to another “she does not know then that he ask’d my Papa for his & that his son wrote to mr Thaxter for his & told him that his Papa would be oblig’d for it—” This gentleman has no longer to complain of having no Political Friends he has found many this year: He has so openly censur’d almost all the late measures of goverment especially those relating to the rebels that he has made himself extreemly Popolar.— “Nothing has gone right since I was in office, when I was there we did more business in a week than is done in a Session now” “I heard a gentleman say last night that the reason you was so neglected was because you was so honest that you would speak your mind let what would be the conseiquence”— “It is very true my dear, I once had the affections of this People so much & was so popolar, that I tremble’d for my self.” “could you have trim’d like some others you might have retain’d them” A modest conversation between a Gentleman & his Lady at a Table full of company—do you not think?
        And so my dear sister I suppose by this time you are a Grandmama. I hope I may give you joy, but it is impossible not to feel anxious at this distance I long for the arrival of more vessels, & yet I cannot expect to hear till midsummer. I wish I could be with you for your sake not my own I am sure. You was never I think with a sister at such a time. what we suffer for our children is more distressing than what we feel for ourselves. dear Girl she has my sincere prayers for her safety—& could I be with her I would convinc her how tenderly I love her. I would if possible regain those affections which I lost by endeavouring to preserve her from being miserable. She did not Love me when she went away. I know she did not. I thought I did right she mistook my motive or she would have thought so too. I shall leave it to her reason & good sense to determine whether I do not desirve a higher place in her affections than what her civillity obliges her to give me as the sister of her dear Mama—
        your account of Bath has entertain’d us much & is Such as I had form’d an Idea of before & at least that part which regards it amusemints—

        May 20th
        I have receev’d a charming Pacquit from you by Scot Barnard & Folger with fresch proofs of your affection & Beneficence. The Lamp I find very useful & how long one of the wicks will last I cannot yet tell you. I have burnt one Ten nights & it does not appear to be half consum’d. The silk I shall not make up at present. notwithstanding we are to have a publick commencment, such it is at last determind to be. your Son has an English oration & ours an English conference with one of his class. these are to be their parts. now as it is to be an ecconimical plan that every one is desir’d to pursue in their entertainment no new cloath are to be made upon the occation. I must therefore only thankfully acknoledge it with gratitude to my sister, & keep my Gown till better times—but I fear I have very far to look for those. such a motly assembly as we shall see this year was never before seen in america consisting of very good & very bad ones some are chosen who were commit’d to Jail by the last years Court. general Warren is chosen to represent milton see now if he does not accept— Coll: Assa White for Weymouth & Coll. Thayer for this Town mr Boydoin for Dorchester & a very good man at Hingham. all these will do right I dare say although one of them has talk’d very wrong—
        I have had a Tailor at work with me for a month almost & have been so busy that I have not had time to reply to your Letters as I wish too. I shall send this to go by the first vesel & write more by the others. I have sent you some meal to scour your hands I would have sent more but I suppose the Freight would be more than the meal would be worth when you had got it & besides I hope you will come home before you want more. oh my Sister I hardly dare to look forward to that time. So many things may happen to sadden our hop’d for scenes of joy, but why should I anticipate evils which may not happen. That dissorder malignant almost as the Plague is raging in a number of Familys in Haverhill Where it has so often raged with unrelenting fury. I mean the Throat distemper in its worst kind. I have receivd a Letter from Sister Shaw which has distress’d me by the accounts of a number of Deaths. Both young & old are seiez’d one Family lost Four Children in one week & it was all they had. every other day they were call’d to close the eyes of a dear child some of them grown up There Grandmother now lays sick of the same dissorder. several of her nearest Neighbours have lost their children I do not wonder that our sister is in low Spirits—Heaven preserve her & hers—
        your Freinds & neighbours are well your Mother Hall & Brothers Family are all so—uncle Quincy not got of his Farm yet—Mrs Quincy & Miss Nancy send Love—Lucy came from Cambridge last evening she carried Betsy & left Her to make a visit among her cambridge Friends. She is now at Doctor William’s. our sons were all well Cousin JQA filling up his Wastcoats fast.
        your Things at your Cottage as you call it are in as good a situation as I could expect, every thing has been done that we could to preserve every thing from the moths your Cloth & carpet were safe a few weeks since. both keep’d pind up in linnen & only took out to be examind, but about thise oil cloths, we will send you the dimentions of your rooms but my advice is not to get them cut to them. you can never live in that house when you return it is not large enough. you cannot crowd your Sons into a little bed by the side of yours now, & you will never inlarg it you had better buy mr Bowlands or Build one. He has offer’d to sell it I hear. The present Posseser cannot possibly have any use for it at new york—but I forbear. the newspapers will give a History the york ones especially of what will not greatly delight you. I want to add one scene. It should be of a man writing comedys in one state while he is suffering his interest in another to be all taken by execution & sold at vendue, even to the Boards & lumber which he had got to repair his House & Mill with. The Boards you have, to fit up the house mr Belcher lives in— we have got nothing yet not even a note of hand & forty pounds is too much for us to lose. I hope his Genious for comedy will not fail him if it does not we may get it. mr Cranch said he would not distress him, but it was ungenerous to go off without settling. It was impossible to make him do it without forcing him. I have talk’d to the Doctor about Buying the House I have mention’d for you. I hope he will write about it. it has led me unawares to say more than I design’d about a person that I know you never wish’d to hear off again, but whatever you may wish it seems he has determind otherways. I want to see this extraordinary effort of Genious. It is said to be very pointed, & that he is affraid to have it printed. those who know him say it was written at least party before he went to york, but I can form no judgment till I see it, but hush, hush this is not keeping my promise forgive me— well but the carpit, had you not better have that on your office painted— I will write more soon Love to every one from your affectionate Sister
        Mary Cranch
        I shall be dreadfully mortified if this Letter does not get to town soon enough to be put on Board Barnard or Davis. what will my sister think to have two vesells arive Tuscorora rice & all without a Letter


Title: John Brown Cutting to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1787
From: Cutting, John Brown
To: Adams, Abigail

          Wednesday Evening 25. April 1787.Portsmouth
          Dear Madam

        It may perhaps afford you satisfaction to learn that Mr Adams and his secretary pro tempore arrived at the Crown Inn within the ramparts of this naval arsenal last evening before eight, after a journey as pleasant as coud be expected considering the unverdant aspect of far the greater portion of the country through which we travel’d. To speak candidly (excepting the farm at Cobham) I never beheld so complete a fulfilment of Churchills prophesy of famine as stares one in the face on each side of the hedge from Kingston to Portsmouth. Mr Adams protests that he will never return by the same road: how chearfully do I acquiesce!
        The culprit Muir was had before us this morning and underwent an examination. His answers were all contradictory inexplicit and evasive. He seems to be either a subtle and supereminent practitioner in dissimulation, or a vulgar villain without capability of mighty mischief or any ingenious system of enormity. I am rather inclin’d to the latter opinion at present. Perhaps he may be the agent of more crafty contrivers. He says he is a native of Scotland. I believe him. He has a hollow, hungry hanging look. The Court of Quarter Sessions, who have conducted with extreme propriety in this bussiness have just recommitted him for three months. This measure is pleasing to Mr Adams since it furnishes time to investigate & detect whatsoever may or can be investigated or detected in London or elswhere.
        Mr Wren guided us to view Fortune Prison this afternoon—and tomorrow if the weather shall be favourable Mr Adams is resolute to survey on horseback the rural felicity of the Isle of Wight. He has just gone to rest in high spirits at the prospect. I believe from circumstances we may condescend to revisit the smoak of the Metropolis within a fortnight.
        Particular compliments to Mrs Smith and little Steuben. from, Dear Madam, Yours respectfully
        John B Cutting


Title: Abigail Adams to Lucy Cranch, 26 April 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Lucy

          London April 26 1787—
          my dear Neice

        I write you a few lines my dear Lucy to thank you for your kind Letter, and to inform you that I am a Grandmamma! my Grandson be sure is a fine Boy, & I already feel as fond of him as if he was my own son, nay I can hardly persuade myself that he is not, especially as I have been sick for six weeks, I cannot however Nurse him so well as his mamma, who is already so fond of him, that I sometimes quote mrs Storer to her. who could have thought it?
        He was Christened last thursday by dr Price and called William after his pappa. in this Country Children are not carried to church, so we had the Christning in the House and about a dozen of our Friends together upon the occasion. we supped & drank the young Heroes Health, & that of our Country and Friends. Mrs Smith dinned below with us, the day 3 weeks frum her confinement, and I have carried little master to ride 3 or four times already. he is very quiet and good, but his pappa is already obliged to leave him, & yesterday morning very reluctantly set of on a journey to portugal, in his way to which he takes France & Spain, & will be absent we expect near four Months, but thus it must be with those who are in publick office. at the same time mr Adams set of for portsmouth in order to hear the examination of a set of villians who have been counterfeiting the paper money of the American States, and mr Cutting accompanied him, so that we are quite alone. as soon as mrs Smith is able we shall make a little excursion into the Country, which I hope will reestablish my Health. My disorder has been long accumulating, & arises from a Billious state of my Blood. it has afflicted me spring & fall for several years, and has at last produced a slow intemitting fever. some days I am able to go out, others not, but it has wholy prevented my attendance upon Routes dinners theatres &c and o Lamentable, I have not been able to go to saint James for more than two months. all this I could have borne with tolerable patience, but what has been really matter of regret to me, is that I have been dissapointed of Seven Lectures out of 12 to which I Subsribed, and which I fear I shall never have the opportunity of attending. they would have afforded me much matter for future recollection & amusement from a retrospect of the Beauties of Nature, and her various opperations manifested in the Works of creation, an assemblage of Ideas entirely new, is presented to the mind. the five Lectures which I attended were experiments in Electricity, Magnetism Hydrostatics optics pemematicks, all of which are connected with, and are subservient to the accommodation of common Life. it was like going into a Beautifull Country, which I never saw before, a Country which our American Females are not permitted to visit or inspect, untill dr Moyes visited America, all experimental Phylosophy was confined within the walls of our Colledges— The Study of Household Good, as milton terms it, is no doubt the peculiar province of the Female Character. Yet surely as rational Beings, our reason might with propriety receive the highest possible cultivation. knowledge would teach our Sex candour, and those who aim at the attainment of it, in order to render themselves more amiable & usefull in the world would derive a double advantage from it, for in proportion as the mind is informed, the countanance would be improved & the face ennobled as the Heart is elevated, for wisdom says Soloman maketh the face to shine. even the Luxurious Eastern Sage thought not of rouge or the milk of roses—but that the virtuous wife should open her mouth with wisdom & the law of kindness dwell upon her Tongue, nor did he think this inconsistant with looking well to the ways of her household, or suppose that she would be less inclined to superintend the domestick oeconomy of her family, for having gone beyond the limits of her dressing room & her kitchen I quote Soloman on this occasion, as we may naturally suppose the picture drawn of a virtuous wife to be the result of his experience & his wisdom, after ranging at large amongst the Eastern Beauties: he pronounces the price of a virtuous woman to be far above rubies & the only character on which the Heart of a Husband may safely rest— the present mode of fashionable education is not calculated to form the rising generation upon the system of soloman. futile accomplishments are substituded in stead of rational improvements settled principals of Truth integrity & Honour are little attended to, Laudible motives of action & incentives to virtue, give place to the form of the Body, the Grace of motion, and a conscious air of superiority which knows neither the Blush of modesty, or diffidence. a Boarding school miss, that should discover either would be thought quite a novice—
        But whither has my subject led me? I must return to the Female sphere & talk to you of fashions— the Sandals which I send, I fear will prove too large, but the shoe maker says they are according to the measure. the Novelty of taste has brought the immitation of the Scotch plad into vogue, Waistcoats Bonets & ribbons are all plad, sashes &C I send you a specimin of their Beauty and must quit my Pen to pay my devotions to the kind goddess of Health; whom I am to seek in the Park, or if warm enough in kensington gardens. Flora & Virtumnus will meet me there. adieu my dear girl. may the best of Heavens blessings rest upon you
        Your ever affectionate
        Aunt A AdamsMay 6th
        from the Character of the reviewers I bought Louissa a novel the story of which is very interesting I send it you for your amusement


Title: William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams Smith, 26 April 1787
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Smith, Abigail Adams

          York House, Dover, April 26th, 1787.

        I dare say, my friend, when you receive this, you will think I have moved with great rapidity.
        There have but two things occurred on the road which are worth mentioning; the one is my having met Mr. Rucker; we stopped, jumped out of our carriages, I into the dust, and he out of it; he had a great coat on, and his beard he brought from Paris with him; I wonder how it passed the custom-house officers at this place, for they are as sharp as need be. As to the other, it happened between this and Canterbury; but I must insist in the first place that you do not receive it as a Canterbury story. Well, silence gives, or at least in this instance must pass for, consent, which being granted, I proceed to this ignus fatuus, or Jack-o-lanthorn story.
        Curioni was perched, bolt upright, in front of the postillions, who were lashing their nags and clattering away, as if ten thousand musquetoes were after them, when behold, we found ourselves upon an extended plain, and the sable curtains of the night falling apace: what was to be done in this case? Some would attempt an answer here, but I, like Will-o-the-Wisp, am above this, and proceed to tell you what I did—I took out my little tin case, and with a match lighted the lamps. The horses stopped, Curioni rose perpendicular and cried: “Sir, I begged them not to be alarmed, but the one to set down, and the other to drive on, that no one would hurt them.” “Oh,” said the postillion, “what’s this?” “Phosphor,” said I; crack went the whip, and they moved with such rapidity, it struck me they were anxious to arrive at some inhabited place, and wished themselves safe home again. I must not practise this in Spain or Portugal, or I may be detained.
        Yours,
        W. S. S.