Title: To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 21 August 1822
From: Boylston, Ward Nicholas
To: Adams, John

					My Dear Cousin
					Princeton Augt. 21st 1822

				When I rec’d your Letter dated from Badimage Hall, I then read it, according to the meaning of the French term—but I since find by the News paper of Saturday last, that it was in plain English—no joke—but that you have carried your truely magnificent Intention into immediate effect—the object as announced in the papers do not exactly define the purport of it as your Letter Mentions—no doubt the Editor had only heard the outlines from some one not precisely inform’d of yr. plan—the particular I shall be happy to receive from you—or any one authorized by you, to favor me with it.—Haveing as I have already said consider’d both from the date of Place & Signature of your Letter that it was the offspring of your sometimes playfull Imagination—I attempted something in reply in the same way in allusion to the conduct wch Mr R was pursueing towards my beloved Fd. your Son J Q A.—and since receiveing your Letter, I begin to fear I have unwitingly, and certainly most unwarily, given you offence—This Idea sinks deep into my heart where no peace can dwell untill you absolve me, for this my Sin (of Ignorance alone—)—or say what attonement I can offer if indeed, I have offended.—I see by the Bussiness wch. Mr Secretary A. has announced to the Public that he is preparing to lay before them—I have no hope of seeing him here this season—the occasion I regret, and the dissappointment is to me severe but I hope you will not add to a still greater disappointmt by denying me the Happiness of seeing you here next month—my carriage with the same Coachman Thos Alker shall come down at any day you will fix—and attend your orders to travel as you feel able 10 to 20 miles or more as you may determine as a days ride—to wait as you once proposed at Worcester one or two days or longer, and to bring Miss Smith with you, who will be happy I am persuaded in attending you—and when here Mrs Boylston & my own exertions will be employ’d to make your sojorn as agreable as the place & our anxious desires are to render it acceptable to you—receive, and grant I beseech you the petitions of Mrs B & my self, and give answer of Peace to / your ever affectionate Cousin

					Ward Nichs Boylston

					PS—I omited to mention in my last, that Mrs Adams’s & yr. former acquaintance Mrs Hay & her oldest niece Miss Farnham were on a visit here to the Niece, whom you mentiond who is keeping a School here,—as far as I could I have shewn them every attention during their stay, the professed object of their visit they said was the restoration of health  they said or was fully attaind.—but I mistrust that was not the sole object—she has undertaken to solicit subscriptions for a fund to enable missionaries to travel over the Holy Land to convert the Jews to Christianity,—she solicitd my aid, but I did not contribute—persuaded that Calvanistic Doctrines would be less likely to make proselites to the Christian faith with the Jews than any other—she seem’d very fervent in her duty as a petitioner, & carries with her printed circulars from the Society of wch. she is a member; & left this place after a visit of 3 weeks to visit Shastesburry Springs and from thence down Connecticut River to Boston—where she proposes to be in a fortnight—Mrs. Boylston desires her affectionate respects to you & unites with me in our regds to judge and Mrs: Adams—and the young Ladies of the family and Miss L Smith—I find by the experiment I made last June that I shall not be able to be in Boston, or Cambridge at the approaching Commencemt.; I feel old age warning me.—and strength failing me, that I am at present unfit for crowded Hotel’s, or large assemblies; to both I must submit.  Therefore prudence jogs my my elbow, and says, “you had better keep quiet at home.”—the better reason is, I have been teazed for a month past with a slight feverish habit wch. traveling would increase;—and seeing you, here would be the best remedy I can think of.—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 August 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					August 22, 1822

				22 It every hour threatens rain but no rain falls. Mr H— says his Corn Crops will be very fine but it is only a small part of New Jersey that has not suffered—It is three weeks since my brother has been out of the House, and I cannot prevail on him to stir abroad—Indeed it requires no trifling exertion to get him out of his room—The novelty of seeing his friends has worn off, and he is again sunk into a state of total indifference—I really do think if his Physician would send him a voyage across the Atlantic, the variety of new objects which would present themselves to his imagination would be of infinite service, by drawing his thoughts from himself and exciting new and more general interests—The mind is perfectly sane—but the habit of dwelling on his sufferings and the removal from those active duties which occupied his attention in New Orleans, have concentrated all his thoughts into one great point, and that point his health: and it being out of the nature of things to restore it immediately it is scarcely possible to persuade him, that he can ever be reinstated—

					Change the enclosed Note for four fives the bank will not take it—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 23 August 1822
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My dearest Louisa.
					Washington 23. Aug. 1822

				All your journals have been duly received, and I should not have failed writing to you   for the exception which absorbs all my leisure—When I first began the remarks upon Jonathan’s duplicata, I told you it was to me an affair of more than life and death, and so it is still—The plot has been seven years hatching, and its whole history has not yet been told.Your advice to treat all place-hunters courteously is excellent, but you know there is a Scylla, as well as a Charybdis—One of the first objects of those worthy Citizens is to obtain a promise—and many of them are not at all scrupulous in their modes of address to that end—Some ask it with downright importunity others like elderly maiden ladies construe a civil word and even a smile into a promise, and then if not on the first possible occasion gratified, charge one with giving delusive hopes and expectations—It is the bent of my nature to be rather more willing to be thought harsh than insincere.I was diverted with the Article of intelligence from Philadelphia that I wear neither waistcoat nor Cravat, and sometimes go to Church barefooted—Some unknown friend of mine in the City Gazette has gravely undertaken to justify me against this charge as if it were true—As for the cravat, you know I must plead guilty, and vouch my black ribband, in mitigation—But for the rest I take some comfort in the thoughts that even affairs of the importance attached to dress, my back–biters are obliged to lie, to abuse me—The truth, that I am careless of dress will not serve their turn—Mr and Mrs Smith are with us, and I have of course not recommended to them to take lodgings at my neighbour Whereas not knowing what you are to talk over with her I say nothing about it— enclose you a Letter from her.I have just had a visit from Mr Livingston of New–Orleans, and Judge Johnson, the Louisiana Senator.I have a very friendly Letter from Mr Walsh dated at Bordentown—Adieu—I am ever yours

					J. Q. A.


Title: From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 24 August 1822
From: Adams, John
To: Boylston, Ward Nicholas

my dear Sir
Montezillo August 24th. 1822.

I will not loose a second before acknowledgeing your favour of the 21st. which I received this minute—I wish I could send you a Copy of all the papers, that is the Deeds by which I have given to the Town of Quincy one hundred and sixty five Acres of Land. And my Library. For the purpose of building a Stone Temple, and a Stone Academy, that Academy to be built over the Cellar of the House in which your Master John Hancock was born—so much for this mighty matter.—now for another not quite so grave.—
I learnt from Horace dulce est decipere, and from Dean Swift vive la bagatelle—These I consider sometimes as moral precepts for their is in this world so much of dullness, and dismals that it is a moral virtue to have recourse to any innocent folly that may devert your attention from gloomy contemplations which might otherwise make you melancholy mad—You give me offence? is it possible, you can never do, or say anything to offend me? No, say and do what you please, I never will be offended.—
On the 12th. of August I wrote you a very grave and sober letter in answer to yours concerning your Castle of despair on Wachusetts Hill, and Mount Desert.—
I am grieved to hear that Mrs Hay is a fanatickal enthusiast—I rejoice that you have resisted her importunities I will do the same to every one that comes to teaze me—
As to sending your Carriage, I must humbly thank you, but I cannot accept the favour—
My love to Mrs Boylston—I cannot write any more at present, but assurances of affection from your Cousin
John Adams
P.S. The Ladies of the family unite in respectful rememberance to Mrs Boylston and yourself—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 August 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Philadelphia 24-25 Aug. 1822

				August 24 As there has not been one incident which could induce me to write I have omitted my journal altogether. We had a visit yesterday from Mr. Saul and I determined to send Coachman home with the Carriage and Horses as we had made no use of it for three weeks; and it is no longer safe to ride in the environs of Philadelphia—When he arrives I beg you will desire him to see after Ben, who much be almost starved at Pasture if he is alive—The weather has at length changed and we have had a gust, which has produced a very favorable change in the air, so that I hope the Summer is at last broken up—My brother is again much better, and has been very cheerful all day—Dr Lawrence has visited him, and announces the recovery of Dr Physick, who has had a severe attack of Rheumatism—We shall expect him in a day or two to renew the operation, which I hope will now soon be terminated—It is in itself very trifling, but its prolongation is tedious to an excess, and produces the worst possible effect upon the system, and the spirits—Com Patterson has given up his plan of going to Washington,—When is the Book to appear? I am impatient to see it. Not that I expect to understand it—but because the publick are eager to get it, as it promises something new—Mr Walsh mentions a publication in his paper of a journal by Mr Wood an Englishman, which at last seems to give some satisfactory account of this Country—The extracts are very fair—The Country fever is taking a fatal turn and it is said that there are four and five person’s sick in a house—We must however make a little allowance for exaggeration—Mr Connel paid me a visit and I was quite astonished to see him, supposing him in France—He seems very much surprized at the attack of Mr Russell, and says that the resolution in Congress had just reached Mr Gallatin when he left France, and that Mr G– could not imagine what it could be about—Mr G is not likely to return home, and he is so useful, it would be an injury to the Country to remove him; as he has infinite sway with Monsieur, the present Ruler in that hemisphere—It is said that Mr G. might be President of the Bank, as he is very popular among the Stockholders; but it is too late—Mr. C. is to visit Washington in about three weeks; and then to return here to embark for France with his Wife, where he is to remain a year—Mr Dallas, Mr Ingham, and Mr. Roche are at the head of the Calhoun party here, and Mr. Cheves of the Carolinians, who form a considerable Clan—He is however very unpopular, and has influence only among his own people—There are a variety of opinions concerning his fortune, as some rate it very high; and others at a base independence—He is thought both arrogant and weak—synonimous terms—Mr. Dallas has never got over some affront he met with from us in Russia—and has quarrelled with Mr Gallatin, concerning some nonsense or other—I have some recollection though faint of his playing, the great man; but Kitty I dare say recollects better Than I do—These three leaders are the writers in the Franklyn Gazette—The ostensible Editor does little or nothing—Connel has a very ill opinion of our friend Walsh, and does not in think him a man in whom much confidence can be placed—He does not admire his Paper, and finds his tone too presumptuous—W–s treatment of his Wife, and Mother, has made him many enemies—Among other news he say’s W. Lewis obtained a testimony in England concerning Count H– Levily, which is of such a serious nature, as to admit of little doubt in the effect upon the pending suit—as it proves the Count to have written to desire, certain Letters to be destroyed, which would have proved too much against him—This voucher is said to be in the Counts hand writing—Our friend seems to think, this will make the Count withdraw his suit—It is in the possession of J Ingersol—John Smith was in fine health doing the greater part of our great Man’s business in London—he talked of wanting a leave of absence, but the Minister could not possibly spare him—John Randolph was affronting every body by neglect of invitations, &c &c and was hourly expected in France by Mr Gallatin—It is probable he will be less talked of there than in England, as he does not speak much french—Mr Rodney expects to go to Buenes Ayres but will not move until Congress ratify his nomination; as he has twelve Children: a family too large to enable him to risk any thing—Mrs. Connell, and Mrs. Harrisson, and Mrs. Fisher all called on us in the Evening—The latter laughed at the talk about   but I believe there is a good deal of truth in it notwithstanding—Mr Harrisson is almost well—and they are going to Boston in about three weeks—Poor Mr. Delavand! Miss Otis that was, is here in the last stage of a galloping consumption—She was married last November and will soon be no more, as the Doctors can do nothing for her—She is the daughter of Samuel Otis, and a Niece of H G. Otis—a beautiful flower cut down in the midst of love and youth and happiness—25 Mary is still at Borden Town—Doctor Physick called this morning; he looks very weak and feeble and has been severely indisposed—His life is precious to so many, his death must would be considered a publick calamity—love to all—My brother is better—Mr Dening at the head of the Bible society—become very good!—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 August 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Philadelphia 25-26 Aug. 1822

				August 25 Went to the Presbyterian Church with Miss Pardon; and heard a tolerable discourse from 12 Chapter of Paul to the Romans. Mr. Arbuckle is a very inanimate cold Preacher, and his style remarkably plain, and his language almost coarse considering the general refinement of modern language—He told us that Satan was the master of all knowledge; but that he knew nothing of love! That was a passion belonging only to the good. He then touched upon the meaning of this word in all its extent; and proceeded to the end of the Chapter, explaining its different parts and meanings—Altogether I was not pleased—There is a want of sanctity, an unpleasant familiarity in this mode of worship, which in a great measure destroys that sense of respect and deep adoration, with which we should approach our great and Omnipotent Creator; and without which Religion loses half its sublimity—All that has a tendency to encrease the natural arrogance and vain glory of aspiring man, inspires me with disgust! We see that real superiority either in mind, in virtue, in person, or in station; excites respect; and a certain degree of awe even in this our nether world; and if such is the effect produced by man, how can we think of a great and good God, in whom all power exists, whose sway is eternal; to whom the earth is as a speck, the worlds that he himself has formed as nothing; how can we enter into his presence, without a strong sense of our littleness; without feeling our hearts filled with the conviction of our insignificance; and without that profound feeling of humility, which teaches us how entirely we rely upon his unbounded mercies—These are the impressions with which I hail my maker at noon, at night, each morning of my life at home or abroad, and I would not lose them for the wealth of worlds—Of the show of religion I have been too remiss; but it is long since I have learnt that it does not consist in  externals only, and that the mere act of going to Church, was not all that was necessary to save our souls—26 Yours of 23 is just brought me when I wrote concerning Wheaton’s I did not know that the Smiths were with you; but of course I am glad you said nothing to her concerning it—I meant to have persuaded her not to go to housekeeping, as I thought boarding would be more eoconomical, and limit their expences—This was all I had to say to her when I met her; and I thought if already established she would be more easily advised—I shall sincerely heartily congratulate you when your present labours are terminated—and I sincerely trust that you will do yourself ample justice, and crush the adder which whose sting is aimed at your destruction—A gentleman mentioned to me the other day, that this enmity had originated in an observation made by you to some person in Europe, that Mr. R— “was a very insignificant member of that Mission, and had little to do with the business”—This report mortally wounded the great man, and is the cause of the present attack—I have some reason to believe that this originated with the Tale bearer of the Mission, who was too fond of stirring up strife, by misrepresentation, even while at St Petersburg—However if you did not say this, others did for I heard it repeatedly I perfectly agree with you on the subject of promises; there is no respect due to a man who is ever ready to promise, and seldom to perform.—It is said to be the peculiar nature of great statesmen, to fall into this error—To me nothing can be so unpardonable as deceptions of this kind; which lead to unforgiving bitterness, and the keenest disappointments—It is true men are often angry when they are refused the boon they ask; but few of them on reflection condemn a man for honestly refusing that which he cannot perform, and he does not, as in the former case, entail the career of a generation, for having kept applicants in suspence, which have blasted their opportunities, and totally destroyed their prospects—You took no notice of what I asked concerning our boys? I hope not with a view to deprive me of the pleasure of seeing them? The manner  of denying a favour is every thing, and of course should be in the mildest possible form, as harshness and disappointment together, are sufficient to rouse the feelings of the most insensible—It is long since I have seen Walsh: but I am rejoiced to hear that you have heard from him—I shall not be surprized if some ridiculous turn is given to my visit here; but n’importe, after the attack upon your dress, we can wonder at nothing however absurd. The scribblers who condescend to such meaness, are happy that they can shelter their pitiful attacks under so mild a term as absurdity—Take care they dont put you to Sleep—Mr. Paul and Major Jackson have called, and I have just received a Letter from John, who tells me that your father is a good deal exhausted by his late exertions; but he hopes that he will soon get better, as it appears to be nothing more than weakness—They were about to move to Quincy for the vacation—I grieve I cannot see them this Summer—poor fellows they are much disappointed—It will soon be a year since we parted!!—They have suffered much from the Dysentery at the Norwich School but Tom has escaped—My Brother is wonderfully better within a few days but the operation is not over—You must be heartily tired of the journal of your

					L. C. A—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 28 August 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					Philadelphia 28 August 1822

				I am much pleased my Dear John by your Letters and hasten to answer the last which was received the day before yesterday—It was my intention to send you Miss Aikens Elizabeth but there is not a copy of it to be procured and I have not yet fixed upon any thing to supply its place—The books you mention have not fallen in my way and I have hitherto had no opportunity of perusing them but I agree with you that they are better than common Novels though they too often place mere matter of fact history in a romantic point of view and give false impressions to young minds regarding the immediate  concerns and relations of common life—As I never yet made any difference between my Children you must expect your book some day or other and in the mean time be assured that all my children live equally in my heart and mind—I should have delighted to have had you pass your vacation with me in Philadelphia and intimated a wish of the kind to your father although I fear you would lead a dull life as you must attend upon the sick and not live in the land of feasting but as he made no answer to the observation and as the Fever is so bad in New York you might have been exposed to danger which would have made me very unhappy therefore it is better as it is—Your Grandfather will derive much pleasure from your visit and I hope he has entirely recovered from the fatigue occasioned by his munificence—As the enjoyment has been equal to the fatigue I dare say it will not injure him and he will live to see the edifice erected which is to form future Popes Milton’s Newton’s and Burks to enlighten and adorn our western hemisphere—I might have added Locks but I am afraid that it will produce more Malbranch’s and Voltaires than Locks or Paley’s and I wish we may have no Shaftsburys or Byron’s to disgrace its foundation—I think it is not improbable that the gift of the Books may furnish another massacre of the Greeks and that the young infidels may destroy the works of this polished Nation—But in these our days we must be content to do good and abide the risks happy in the hope that some benefit to a few individuals may result from our really praise worthy exertions—The library was certainly sufficiently valuable to have suited and been desireable to an Institution which had already attained that age of adolescence but the perils of that age are not few and the Greeks though not persecuted to death might have been doomed to bondage and if ever released from their shackles at best in a very maimed condition—Thus you see my beloved Son in all conditions there is good and evil and even the most Holy Alliance (for such exists in the two donnations) can not always preserve us from danger—That your mothers prayers for your happiness and safety could save you from every evil is the ardent wish of

					L C Adams

   I did not mention a Rousseau because neither the Climate the habits or the Scenery of this Country are calculated to produce great sentimentalists—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 August 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Philadelphia 28-29 Aug. 1822

				August 28. One of the companies having turned out in the State House Gardens, makes the view from our house quite picturesque, and the scene very animated, as they are all in fine Uniforms Drums Fifes &c &c—There is something so gaudy, and imposing in the display of Military pomp, even under its worst aspect, that it is not surprising that the people under Military despotisms should be so servile and so humble—Like the Pomp of the Roman Catholick Church, it subdues the imagination, and let what will be said to the contrary, these stately shows have a prodigiously powerful effect upon mankind in all stages of society—Proud reason may boast, but the senses will have sway—Nature itself is gaudy; look at the Birds of the air with their variegated plumage; the Beast’s of the Field with their spotted, striped, and motley garments; and that inexhaustible beauty, of the richest, most glowing, and brilliant harmony of colours, which almost dazzles the eyes of the beholder, in a cultivated Garden, where the Flowers of every rank and description seem to vie with each other in the gayest attire, reposing on the broad Green lap of their Mother Earth, which seems to be spread purposely to heighten and magnify their many and ever changing beauties—How to view such objects perpetually, how is it possible for us not to acquire congenial tastes, and delight in all that is splendid—Again I am run away with, and must stop my flighty pen—Has Van Coble prop’d up the sinking floor in the Drawing Room? If not pray have it done directly; or they will say we want to knock Congress in the head, and crush them at one stroke—This would be too cruel a loss to the Nation; such talents generally speaking could not be replaced—Who is the Author of Old England—There is a good deal of affected simplicity in it.—and some vulgarity—and many old scraps not very interesting—But I have not finished reading it, and an opinion is not fair at present—it is quaint enough to be Alexanders, if not his perhaps it belongs to the race. can it be brother John’s?—If it is Alexanders, his Europe is to my taste a better thing—Mr. Biddle called again and Mr Saul The first of is these Gentlemen is a remarkably pleasant gentlemanly man & the mildness and suavity of whose manners render him a most agreeable companion—This is a man who would shine in an elevated situation as he possesses an easy self confidence, and a degree of fashionable refinement, calculated to fit him for what is termed the great world—One of Chesterfields favourites, practicing the “suaviter in Modo” and doing every thing in minuet time—In Mr B. this seems to spring from an easy temper, and an amiable disposition, and not from habitual disguise, or studied polish—He was so polite as to bring me some books which however I have not yet perused—Duane is selling off, and is to quit Philadelphia for South America; I suppose to visit his dear friend Emperor Iturbide, who I hope will keep him at Mexico—I expect however if his Imperial Majesty does not present him with a mine at least, old D— will make every exertion to undermine him—Mr Saul leaves this for Boston tomorrow—Evening alone—your Letter enclosing the order came to day and I notice the remark concerning blank covers, and sealed Letters—As mine to George was merely a Letter of advice which as you have experienced, I am too fond of giving—I sealed it that it might not pain his feelings, and I sent it in a blank cover because having written to G— I supposed you would hear that  all was well: and I am really afraid of becoming wearisome to you by bestowing all my tediousness upon you—I thank you most sincerely for your kind expressions concerning my journal; but am fully aware that it requires all the affection which I flatter myself you feel for me, to enable you to read it—It is an excellent transcript of a mind, that is “every thing by starts and nothing long” much given to rattle and to very little purpose—29 I have just received a Letter from Charles who has had a severe billious attack, and who was still confined to his chamber by order of the Doctor—The poor fellow writes a pitiable account of his loneliness over at the Farm house, as John could not leave Cambridge; and deplores the loss of the books with bitterness, as nothing was left but a controversial book of Mr. Clarks, and the “Rights of Woman” which are rights he dont seem inclined to study or to understand—He says he has a visit from his Uncle once a day; but that he is no favourite in that quarter—That Louisa when she appears amuses him with complaints, but that Mrs. T. B. chats in her way for a few minutes, and then he is left to view the prospects till he is ennuyée a la môrt. But he is a Sophomore, and that makes up in part for his confinement—He expected John out in the Evening with Shaw—His Letter is dated 24th—I am very sorry to hear of the indisposition of Mr. Smith and Carolines family—My Patient is I flatter myself rapidly recovering, and I sincerely pray to God that this favourable change may be permanent—Many enquiries are dailey made about the promised book—You have I fear undertaken an arduous task; but mountains to you are mole hills; and I have no doubt of your accomplishing it most successfully—The subject however is of a nature which few will thoroughly understand; as I presume from its nature it requires some acquaintance with the Law of Nations to comprehend the question—

					As I keep no copies of my journals you are exposed to constant repetitions which you must excuse—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Philadelphia August 30 1822

				After closing my Letter yesterday Mr G. Harrison called on us and sat with us near an hour—He is a singular being and has a very energetic style of conversation thickly beset with ornaments now nearly exploded—There is however something odd in his manner—Speaking of the Post Master here—He said that he was a defaulter to a large amount and that he believed it was only for the  sake of his Wife that he was kept in Office—I observed that many persons were styled defaulters who did not deserve it; and that perhaps that was his case—Editors of News papers were not delicate on this subject—Mr. H— immediately answered—by G——d if any of them treated him so, he would “clap the grace of God upon their backs, and make them pay for it—I just give you this as a specimen—He is a very old friend of my family and contrary to custom has always remembered them with gratitude for past attentions—This case is so rare it is sufficient praise—His House and every thing about him is a miniature of elegance and comfort so happily blended, that all that is desireable is to be found within this small compass—Mrs. H—is a woman of fine mind and charming manners—beloved by her family and highly respected by every body—They are in very affluent circumstances and use their wealth like Christians, in other words by contributing largely to the comfort of those branches of their family and connections who stand in need of their assistance—They leave the City for Boston on the 12 of next Month, to place Mr. Fishers Son at Harvard as Princeton is quite out of fashion—The Sketch of Old England which I mentioned last time I wrote is I find written by Paulding—I begin to like it better—He has certainly preserved much of the quaintness of brother Jonathan in his cuts at the Old Country—This however does not appear to me to be quite the style to correct the evil we complain of in the British Reviewers; truth without any exaggeration is the best remedy on our part; and Farmer Wood’s little book will do more than all the good jokes that can be invented—besides which there is something mean in copying the errors which we so freely condemn in others; and following an example which we ought to scorn—added to which it is giving consequence to the broad falsehoods which they take such pleasure in asserting—Write what we will we cannot out do Pillet—He left us nothing to say—In the Evening Mr & Mrs. Walsh and Major and Mrs. Jackson called—The former are going to Baltimore on a visit of a few days—He was very anxious to know who it is that is writing against you in the City Gazette—I could give him no information—Mr. Forsyth is taking a leading part in Spain which seems to be in a dreadful state again—That poor miserable weak Ferdinand will hardly find the beautiful petticoat he worked for the Virgin; prove a shield sufficiently strong to shield protect him from his own people—It would indeed have wrough a Miracle if it could teach him wisdom—Who is the Duke del Infantado? is he not related to the Royal Family? What a disastrous scene does Europe display—How can all these events terminate—I am no prophet and cannot look into futurity but the prospect at present is very gloomy—The fever in the Country is very bad and Mrs Jackson told me last evening that the Physicians have pronounced it to be the Country fever of South Carolina—If so it is indeed a sore affliction, as it must proceed from some extraordinary change of our Climate; from which we can have little hope of relief—Our Rivers are so choacked by large Masses of vegetable matter; which as the waters recede are exposed to the rays of a scorching Sun; and thus send forth putrid exhalations; it would seem to me that the causes of disease might be traced to these noxious weeds; and some of the Money now expended upon Canals, which will contribute to encrease the evil, might be expended in filling up and banking the sides of these small streams, and by deepening and narrowing the Channels produce a more rapid current, which would wash away their impurities and render them salubrious—This might be a laborious experiment but what will not man’s labour produce atchieve?—Few undertakings of this kind are too great for his powers—. If our soldiers in time of peace were employed in such undertakings; the peoples money would be well spent; and mankind at large materialy benefited by their services—I think I hear you cry out how the old woman does rattle? This is touching on the great question of internal improvements; and absolutely contrary to Executive doctrines—Be it so—but that man is wisest who can give up favorite opinions for the benefit of his fellow creatures—30 The Doctor has just prescribed for me as I have again a visit from my old friend St Anthony—as mercurial preparations will not answer he is trying Salt of Tartar—This complaint is so obstinate it even puzzles him—it is my old luck—every thing he does for me seems to baffle his wishes—This you know has happened to others—and you have often laughed about it—To use the Doctors words I must be “singularly constituted”!!! So much the worse; for some of these days I suppose I shall be killed by Calomel as my poor Mother was—I am impatiently expecting the Postman every minute, having had no Letters from any quarter yesterday—My Brother is so much better that the Doctor intimates that no farther operation will be necessary: he will however decide in a day or two—He is very very much better and I hope soon to get home—

					I send a Book for George


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 September 1822
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

				18.
					My dearest friend
					Washington 2 September 1822

				Your journals down to the 30th of August inclusive are received; and this day the memoirs of Lord Waldegrave for George—It comes quite apropos; for we are now all enjoying the Memoirs of Horace Walpole embracing the same and a longer period, Lord Holland the Editor of this latter work sent a copy of it most magnificently bound as a present to the President who has been kind enough to lend it to me—It is a golden pepper and salt box, as full of wit and scandal of all sorts as Horace could cram it, and has been for several days my delight—It wont do to read much of it at a time for almost every sentence in it is an epigram—The quintessence of newspaper lampooning, seasoned with a relish as hot as a Turkeys leg bedevil’d. Horace left it as a legacy not to be opened till thirty years after his death which have but elapsed time enough for the publication.I did not notice the hint in one of your former letters that you could wish our sons John and Charles to come on to Philadelphia to spend this summer vacation because it would have been painful to assign my reasons against it, which I was apprehensive would after all not be satisfactory to you—The Winter vacation will so soon be upon us and will be so much longer that I thought it best to wait until that time until then to give them permission to come here. My anxiety and concern for them is so great that it serves at least to blunt my feelings to my own situation—The Physicians say that two vital diseases seldom prey at the same time on one constitution—My heart melts at the thought of Charles’s illness and is almost as much distressed at the turn that his temper and disposition have taken—My alarms for my children are in looking forward to what their present qualities and propensities will bring them to—They are I am afraid not formed to tug with the world as I have done and am doing and as my Father did before me yet so long as their morals are uncontaminated I do not despair.We all rejoice to hear of the improvement of your brothers health as well for his sake as for the prospects it gives to us of your speedy return home. We are here yet blessed with health and the City is so generally though not without cases of bilious and intermittent fevers.—Among them is Mr Meigs the Commissioner of the Land Office who is very ill and much alarmed having never been sick before—There is a foolish story in circulation that his alarm is occasioned by a Letter received the day before he sickened, from Mrs Forsyth expressing much apprehension for him on account of dreams with which she had been disturbed.I am told that the writer of the paragraphs in the Washington City Gazette against me is a man named Richards from Connecticut. He was in the army during the late war not much to the advantage of his reputation—He has been two or three years hovering about the Departments here in search of a place and circulating proposals for setting up a newspaper of his own—His character was for a long time an obstacle to his pretensions but he has lately been taken into favour at the Treasury Department where he has obtained a place.The City Gazette for some time past has alternated in its treatment of me with its praise and its abuse—A kiss to day and a fillip tomorrow Would you know the object of this? It is to show me what it can do—I was told a day or two after its defence of my summer costume that Jonathan Elliot asked an acquaintance of mine whether I was his friend.—observed in substance that he could not afford to be a friend for nothing—intimated that I had not lately given him any jobs in his way—and boasted of the power of his press to affect the prospects of Presidential Candidates adding that he had been serving me by putting down Mr Calhoun as he had effectually done—I told my informant that Elliot had not put down Mr Calhoun, and if he had neither did it nor intended to do it to serve me—That in the way of his business I had heretofore served him as well as I could—I had given him jobs for which his charges had been so excessive that I had told him I should not employ him on public account again. That I purchased no Editor or writers for newspapers with the public money nor with my own.—Whether this was reported back to Elliot or not I cannot tell but it is from about that time that the Treasury scribes appear to have had his paper to themselves.We have had young Mr Briggs one of Georges classmates with us since Friday—Mr Smith is waiting for the seat of the Secretary of the Treasury about his place in the Land office.The theatre gives us a surfeit of Tragedy—Cooper begins tomorrow with Macbeth.Mr J Cook desired me to inquire whether you had received from him a letter enclosing a draft for 100 dollarsever affectionately yours.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 September 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Philadelphia 3-4 Sept. 1822

				Sept 3. The Evening closed with a very heavy thundergust After which we had a most delicious evening—During the last Night there was an alarm of Fire, and for two hours the City was in an uproar—I do not know to what extent the damage amounted, and have only heard that it began in a Blacksmith’s shop and had been smothering throughout the day of Sunday—King Joseph and Mr. Anduago met it seems at the Springs—They are old acquaintance it seems, and the latter had received some services from his Majesty, which circumstance placed him in a very awkward situation, as Minister from Ferdinand—After some hesitation he decided to know Joseph at a third Houses; but not to visit him—What a pleasant state of things As Joseph is now a mere individual, and to all intents and purposes a Citizen of the U.S. the Foreign Ministers as Ministers, have no right to make any questions whatever—Anduago’s case was however a peculiar one, and must have been mortifying to both parties—A propos! His Majesty seems to think that he would not be allowed to visit Washington—Do you know of any interdict? If you do answer the question as it has been put to me once or twice—The Count from what I understand is so modest in his manners, and affects so little, that I should suppose a visit could not produce any consequences, and it appears to me, that refusing it, admits a rank that no longer exists; and makes that of importance which is nothing in itself—That Dynasty is pretty well crushed—Mr Walsh is very kind in furnishing us with the Newspapers every day—Yesterday we received some English ones, and among the death’s I found that poor Mrs. Hewlett had departed from this earthly sojourn—in which however she appeared to love to linger—She never would tell her age, and kept the secret apparently to the last: but she must have been considerably passed seventy to my knowledge—He was fifteen years younger—As an old acquaintance I regret her loss; but there was something in her reception of me in England, which I never could not forget—She is gone—God be with her—Mr Keating called and rattled with Mary for some time, about her Borden Town friends—I have been very uncomfortable about a Book, which Connell lent me, the second Volume of which has I fear been stolen out of our sitting room, and I cannot find it so as to return it—If his name had not been in it, it would not have fretted me so much, as I could have replaced it without leting him know the circumstances at all; as it is I cannot avoid it—In the evening we took a long ride after which I played Backgammon with Mary—I do not think much of Franklyns Letters—They are affected and Pedantic, and ape Peter’s too closely—He talks perpetually of his shabby dress; and leads us to believe that it required good Clothes to induce people to believe him a gentleman—It is true at first sight. dress does, and ever will produce great effect: but it is likewise true, that manners soon contradict any external deficiency; where these are wanting every external aid must be resorted to as a cover to ill breeding—Our good friend Everett I am afraid would require even more than a good coat to make him pass current—I agree with Ewing that dress is very imposing—Who is the writer in the Boston Paper who has been drawing the characters of different Presidential Candidates, under on the pretence of some striking failings; who is the Atheist—The Gamester speaks for itself—You probably noticed the piece. I saw it last night in Walsh’s Gazette; which is miserably poor now, in consequence I presume of his absence from the City—He is in dreadful health—Dr Darlington is I see a candidate for the next Congress. He is one of the great and active partizan’s of Mr. Calhoun—I was a little surprized the other day, to hear a gentleman assert the other day that Duane, was a man who in private life bore  the most unexceptionable character; an excellent Father, Husband, and friend—But in Politicks he thought no latitude too great, as every thing was admissible in party matters—This is a doctrine very universal it seems, at least in this state—Politicks is a trade, in which those who can make the best bargain, think themselves the wisest politicians. This is an excellent way of accounting for the perpetual bargain traffick carried on in Congress; which I have been foolish enough to think disgraceful—Experience teaches Wisdom; and perhaps if I live to see a hundred; I may acquire it—4 Doctor Physick and I have had quite a long chat—a think to be commemorated—He was very curious upon the subject of ettiquette in Washington; of which he had heard indistinct rumours; and from that, to the same subject in Europe. He supposed our Ministers were entirely exempted from any attention to the subject; and thought that they were quite independent, and not subjected in any respect to the rules of the Court—He hates every thing like company; and was quite astonished to hear me say that in Washington we had parties almost every Evening—He said that he thought in regard to visiting, his life and mine must be very much alike, and that was necessarily very disagreeable—There is a mildness and simplicity in this man’s manners truly extraordinary—Fashionable people would call it imbecility at his time of life; yet he in his line is one of the greatest men of the age—Thus it is that extremes meet—All well and doing well—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 5 September 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					Philadelphia 5 Septr. 1822

				Do not suffer your failure to mortify you too much my dear John—It was accidental and must not prevent your future efforts—Fortune will at length smile propitious and reward your amiable exertions—I feel most sensibly for the pain you must have suffered and only wish I had been present to alleviate it—Your Father will perhaps be a little disappointed but your desire to excel will meet with its reward—He has declined the proposal I made to him for your visit to me here but says you are to pass the next vacation in Washington where I hope again to press you both to the heart of your affectionate Mother—I am much hurried and obliged to close my letter with love to Charles—George has had so much copying to do for his father he has had no time to write

					L C A


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 September 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Philadelphia Sept 5 1822

				Mr. J. Hopkinson; Miss Dale, Mr Ewing; Miss Meredith, Miss Frazier, Mr Connell, and Mr N. Biddle, and Mary Mr. Knight, all called and delayed our dinner until three o clock—We had of course the greatest variety of conversation on almost all subjects excepting politicks; of which to my great satisfaction we had not a word—The Sketch of Old England is quite the rage but Ewing says Paulding is not capable of so much, and asked if it was not you—I have not read it yet, but was very much pleased at the observation’s on the English Prisons—as I candidly confess, I think there is much romance in the fashionable system of reclaiming Sinners to repentance—It is unfeeling no doubt, but there should be a medium in all things—I have as much faith in this charity, as I have in our Orphan Asylum; in which all the illicit Children of our indefatigable members, have a home, as far as the Institution has means to support them; and Congress only takes this share in promoting the foundation. This is a charity without limitation more honoured in the breech than the performance—What would Mrs. Van Ness say to this could she see it?—N. 18 has come and I wish I could have participated in your perusal of Horace Walpole, in whose book I know I should have found much to delight me—I will not say I envy you the pleasure—Poor Mr. Meigs; I am very sorry for him; and still more that Mrs. Forsyth should have written any thing to him concerning her Dreams; more especially as you know that I am superstitious enough to wish to believe, that human nature however cultivated by art; and however improved; is so addicted to it; that it is almost impossible totally to eradicate the propensity—It is only fashion, which leads us in this sceptical age, to suppress feelings which we are ashamed to declare, for fear of the stigma of folly or weakness—being attached to our understandings—I hope he will get over his present indisposition, and as it must necessarily be some time since Mrs. F— “dreamed a dream” the danger may be over—Like all place beggars however, I wish if any thing should befal; that the President would exchange my Brothers Office for his, as I do not think he will ever be well enough to return with prudence to New Orleans—Judge Johnson is solicitous on this subject, as I believe he has a friend he wishes to serve in N.O, and the Office is there must more valuable; as it gives opportunities of investing private property, very advantageously—I could not help smiling yesterday morning to hear our good Land Lady give an account of Cheves—You would have thought she was repeating her lesson from Connell, so exactly did they agree in their details—He is hated by the Clerks to a great degree for his extreme arrogance—One day he sent to desire that one of them would attend him immediately, for some trifle, who was very much engaged—After waiting some time he sent again to know what was the reason he did not attend; when he was sent for? The Clerk sent for answer “that he was busy for the U.S., and could not wait upon Mr. Cheves”—Connell told us to day that Baron Roschild gave an immense party at Paris, and that Marbois went to it at three o clock in the afternoon; and sat in his Carriage until four o’clock in the morning, without ever reaching the door—I have heard of people cooling their heels in antichamber, but I do not know what this may be termed. If such things could occur frequently, they would give European Statesmen time for reflection; and be as serviceable as solitary Cells—At this party or in its environ’s, there were fifteen hundred person’s—Our modest five hundred friends now adays can count for nothing—If ours are stiled a jam. This must be called a Crush—My Brother received Mr. Cooks Letter safe with its enclosure, which I forgot to mention—I have scarcely seen a pretty girl since I have been in Philadelphia—I am told they are all out of town—The present style of dress is surely very unfavorable to ladies—I declare the Black Fair who dress very much à lá mode, look the best of the two—Their manners in general do not please me as they are almost too much at their ease, and though not absolutely masculine, there is a want of retinue that conveys an idea of want of virgin modesty and purity, that is unpleasantI however view them with the eye of a critic as I am so anxious to make Mary what I wish her to be; I am keen eyed to the defects which may operate as examples—I have had very little opportunity of judging of their conversation—their minds are more improved, or rather cultivated than they are with us; but I hope I do not judge them harshly when I say, I do not think them more chaste or more pure—Why am I alway’s seeking for Paragon’s? luckily my boy’s will not be so fastidious as their Mother; who for their sakes is nice to excess—I observe what you say about my boy’s—I felt tempted to go on to Boston immediately when I received  Charles’s Letter, but I knew of no Gentleman going, and could not go quite alone—I am rejoiced you did not agree to my proposal, as I was not aware when I made it, that the Fever was so bad in New York; and as people are running from it in all directions they might even in the Steam boats have been liable to infection; and I should have suffered from anxiety—God be with you my Dear Doctor; is it better late than never—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 September 1822
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My dearest friend.
					Washington 6. September 1822

				Yesterday afternoon at four, we performed the last sad offices of mortality to the remains of Mr. Josiah Meigs—It was but the Sunday week before, that happening accidentally to attend the Morning worship at the second Presbyterian Church I had seen him there ordained a Ruling Elder—He was suddenly seized yesterday was a week, immediately after returning early in the morning from Alexandria, where he had passed the Night—He had never been sick before, and from the first attack, had been under a strong impression that he should not recover—I saw him about four hours before he expired, when he had the appearance of being asleep, with no other indication of disease than breathing hard—He is greatly and generally lamented—The more as his widow, an excellent woman is said to be left in straitened circumstancesWe had the same evening before last, an affecting and painful incident at home—Young Briggs, who is with us, upon looking into a Boston Newspaper, saw in it an account of the death of his elder brother, in Rhode Island—A sudden stroke; for he had not even known that his brother was ill—George has invited him with my approbation to remain with us some weeks longer—He is a modest, well behaved young man; reserved and silent in my presence; but these are characters to me among the most prepossessing—I am glad to find him among George’s friends.Your daily journals have been received, with the exception of one day, which brought an enclosed Letter for Mrs Smith under a cover not quite blank. We are delighted to hear of the rapid, and we hope steady convalescence of your brother—So long as Philadelphia continues healthy, I do not urge your return home, though Hariett told me yesterday that it continues remarkably healthy here—Mrs Smith says you speak of returning by the close of the month—I will make Patience, to wait for you till then—Let us know the day when you finally fix upon reaching Baltimore; and I will send Joseph with the Carriage, to be in waiting for you there.I have observed your advice to take no notice of the Newspaper attack of Mr Floyd upon me; but before I received your Letter, I had, as you will have seen very briefly answered him; and have no doubt he will reply. I shall notice him further in my book—He is not mad—In the Cabal against me, Floyd has been a very active personage—He called for the Ghent papers, under the mask of his Bill for the occupation of Columbia river, with the hope and expectation that they would enable him to demolish me—When he found that his blunderbuss had flashed in the pan; that his aim had been discovered, and commented upon, not to his advantage, and that his accomplice, Russell, was in the mire, he came out-upon me, on a new trick, pretending that I had wronged him, by stating that his Call for Russell’s Letter had been suggested to him by Russell himself—His main objects now are to continue his assault upon me and to come in aid of Russell—And he was instigated to this publication by the Richmond Enquirer, a paper, by and through which a gang of intriguers there govern the State of Virginia, and give the tone to her influence throughout the Union. There was a paragraph in that paper some weeks since, when they saw Russell was going down, spurring Floyd to come out and in publishing my answers to him, they have added an insidious remark to give him his cue for a reply—The Richmond Enquirer and its inspirers, Floyd, and Russell, are in this affair all subservient to others, yet behind the curtain—Floyd now wishes to be understood as disavowing any intention of attacking me by his Call for the Ghent papers, that he may have the advantage of fighting under neutral Colours—This I shall not allow—I well know with what disadvantage I am continuing-alone, against a pack, and with the minds of half the Nation prepossessed against me, before the explosion, by seven years of undermining—How I shall come out of it, God only knows, and upon him alone I rely—At every step I take, I want a friendly adviser; and have had none but you—The book, will form a critical point in the controversy and most probably will bring out new combatants—Hitherto the Public had seen in this affair only Russell, and me—I have plucked the mask from him—Mr Floyd has now made himself a party to the strife and I will pluck the mask from him. Perhaps I may shew glimpses of yet another face; and how that will be taken is yet to be seen—The first mover  of the whole machine has not yet been disclosed to the public eye—I shall dare him out in my book, and if he comes you have seen only the first Act of the mellow–drama. Now do not dissuade or discourage me—nor be discouraged for me yourself—The imposthume must be probed to the bottom whatever may be its discharge—Be assured I have had from the first production of Russell’s Letter, besides this no other alternative than that of sinking a passive victim, to as base an intrigue as ever was plotted, against a public man—Adieu! take special care not to mislay this Letter—Burn it, or keep it so that it may not fall into the hands of the Philistines—or reach any of those friends of mine, whom you liken to the autumnal Evenings of this climate—Ever affectionately your’s

					A.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 September 1822
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My dearest friend.
					Washington 12. Septr. 1822

				The day before yesterday after an anxious interval of two days without a line from you, brought me your Letter announcing your confinement to your chamber by the visit of that Saint far famed for the success of his Sermons to the fishes. I hope he has not taken offence at my partiality for the fisherman, and resolved to avenge my attachment to them upon you—If Dr Physick can give a final dismission of his Sanctity from your apartments and vicinity, I shall say blessing upon his name—This day, I am greeted again by the reappearance of your Journal. I am sorry you did not see Mr and Mrs Bache, with Mrs Dallas, and Captain Biddle, and hope you will see Mrs Bache, and be as civil to her as possible—Your box was given to the charge of Mr F Dana who is here, and who informed me that he was going on to Boston last Thursday (this day week) and should pass through Philadelphia. But four days afterwards he informed me that he had postponed his journey, perhaps for a fortnight, and returned me the box, which is now in waiting for another opportunity.There is a Newspaper, just opened here; called the Washington Republican, published Wednesdays and Saturdays—said to be under the auspices of Mr Calhoun—Certainly not under those of Mr Crawford—It is already at War with the Intelligencer and City Gazette—the Richmond Enquirer, New–York Advocate and Boston Statesman—all of which have manifested much discomposure at its appearance and Contents—all have attempted to run him down at the start—Gales and Seaton by coaxing—Noah by Quizzing, Coll Orne by skulking—Ritchie by hinting—and the City Gazette by downright base scurrility, and flinging dirt, hot from the Treasury, not only at Mr Calhoun, but at his mother—All will not do—He will give them all, thread to unravel—I have neither lot nor part in this affair—The Washington Republican professes to support and defend the Administration, and says he will defend me in case of need—or the Secretary of the Navy—or the Attorney General—But his real object is to identify the Secretary of War, and the Administration, as one and the same—which object has already been found out, and divulged—Now the Franklin Gazette has given me a sample of the defence I am to expect in case of need, from Calhounite Editors—All I have to say to them is hands off Gentleman—“Non tali auxilio”—Mr Noah—or Mr Jonathan Elliot shall defend me rather than you—In the hour of need, I found no one to defend me but myself; and so I well know it will be again.The heat has returned upon us “In all the fierceness of Autumnal fires.” Fahrenheit’s thermometer at 94. Mr Daniel and Mr W. Brent are both ill with bilious fevers—I was last Evening at Mr Frye’s—Robert Buchanan has recovered. Little Tom is fretful–sickly. I enclose you a letter from Mrs Hellen—We are all well at home.faithfully yours

					A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 September 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Philadelphia Sept 12 1822

				Yesterday passed without any material change—Mrs. Harrison called and Major Jackson and in the afternoon Mr. & Mrs. Walsh but I did not see them—They have just returned from Baltimore—Doctor Physick informed me that he hoped my brothers health would be firmly re-established in the course of a short time—I think it probable however he will operate once more—This morning I ventured down stairs to the great astonishment of the Doctor, who immediately shook his head, and said though he could not bear to find fault with me, he must not allow me to remain, and ordered me back to my room. You must not fancy me very sick, as this only proceeds from the fear of cold, as he says St Anthony is only subdued not completely  discomfited. The unwearied kindness and attention of Doctor Physick will ever entitle him to my gratitude and respect—. Experience of a bitter kind appears to have given him a very unfavorable opinion of our Sex, and if the world say true, he has still some lesson’s to learn which his daughter is preparing to teach him—He is a cold inflexible looking being—one of those who inspire a feeling of fear and dread, we cant tell why; but the sound of his voice is very agreeable, and when he is pleased his smile brightens up his countenance, and entirely changes its general expression—Among those with whom he is acquainted he is very much beloved; but the feeling most generally expressed towards him is fear—This apparently is a tax that great superiority of any sort must pay; for externals are all in all to little minds of which the world consists—The Philadelphians are very proud of him; as he is the most conspicuous great man they have; and his is a wide spreading fame—He has twice attempted to retire from business, but has found it impossible—Walsh is an enthusiast about him—A number of visitors called to day, and among them Miss McKnight, who is anxious to get on to Washington, to which place Mrs. Decatur has returned, and desired them to join her—I told her if she could wait I would take them with me—I have just had a very gay Letter from Charles, whose health is however not quite restored—From his account, the great quantity of fruit at Quincy has proved a temptation which has been injurious—I have cautioned him very much, and I hope he will attend to it, as the diseases of this Summer are of the very worst kind—A large Whale has come on shore at the Farm at Mount Wolaston, which has occupied the attention of the publick—John had measured it assisted by Miss Abby Quincy, with whom he is very intimate; and it measured 27 feet without the tail—Mrs. & Miss Lewis had been to Quincy to visit your father, accompanied by Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd—I have been reading some more of Old England and am much better pleased with it than I expected to be—I think with Ewing, that there is a solidity and depth of reasoning in it infinitely beyond Paulding—His observations on the Charitable Institutions, on the Slave Trade, and on Parliament as well as on the state of society and morals in that Country, are excellent—They must be mortally wounding to that Nation as it is a true picture, which traces both causes and effects—I have only read the first Vol.—Among other things his account of the Theatres, Actors, and Authors, is inimitable—Bombast, Fustian, and Trick are the chief ingredients for modern taste, calculated to make a strong impression on the Senses, and then to fade without leaving a single trace upon the mind, to excite a momentary pleasure—. It is the age of horrors, both real and imaginary; but the deep and awful tragedies exhibited hourly in different parts of Europe, do not appear to produce so much sensation, as an Ambassadors Ball, or the Sale of Tilney House—Connell say’s that Paulding wrote it, and W. Irving sent the Notes—je doute—The latter seems to be so enchanted with poor little Albion, he would not have put his hand to such a work; added to which his descriptions of English Scenery are all bright and glowing; true to Nature, and to fact, which I cannot say for this. In works of this kind, Authors should be careful to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth, or they defeat their own intentions—You will probably think my opinions are biased by old and partial recollections; and perhaps they are, for there are some good things in the world I never would forget—The City Gazette I observe has a hit at poor Mrs. Calhoun—I only wonder she has escaped so long—However among her extensive charities, she has only to take up Mr. Elliot, and he will puff her to the skies, and seat her among the Angels—And she is so zealous a christian, she will not shrink from Martyrdom, if her gifts are not accepted; of which however there is no danger—I have just received Georges Letter, and am sorry to find that Mrs. Smith and the Coachman are both sick—I am afraid you suffer the latter to be too idle, that is the foundation of all his maladies, and should be rooted out—.So the darling G. Graham is still to be palmed upon the publick; notwithstanding the Senatorial struggle—well be it so—“A friend in need is a friend indeed,” the old proverb vulgarly but justly say’s, and his Majesty shows at least  that he can be steady sometimes, though it is rare—As I pride myself on the reverse you will ever find me affectionately yours

					L C A—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 September 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Philadelphia Sept 14 1822

				Nothing worthy of Notice occurred yesterday, excepting a visit from Mrs. Hopkinson; and a Letter from Hariet Welsh brought by Miss H. Otis, who is come to this place to Nurse Mrs. Delavand whose recovery is deemed impossible—Miss Welsh informs me in her Letter, that John is gaining in standing at Cambridge: but I do not know what sources of information she has, although she states it to be from authority—Charles was recovering but had been very sick—She say’s she is much pleased that Mr Cruft has your Fathers picture, and intimates some fear concerning it, had it been in the old Gentleman’s possession—Those which are at Quincy I trust are safe; but it would perhaps be worth while to take precautions, as your fathers memory is becoming weak—I see by last Evengs. Gazette that the Yellow Fever is at Pensacola—I think Mr. & Mrs. Smith are fortunate in having quitted it—The Paper likewise That Judge McLean is appointed in Mr Meigs’s place—Is this the Mr. McLean who was a Member of Congress? I suppose not!—I believe he was from Kentucky—It is however of no consequence to me—I was perfectly sure that I should not obtain my wish; and I cared not who had it—I never had warm friends!!!—and my brothers place is so excellent an one, he would have lost by the exchange—and I trust his health is so far re-established that he will be enabled to endure the horrors of the Climate to which he has been so long exposed—Favours alway’s sit badly on my stomach, and produce dyspepsia—To call this a favour would however be an absurdity; as his conduct and services entitled him to a reward—But for some special purpose I suppose Ohio must have another sop—I wish your Book was out—It ought not to have been delayed so long—but if people who (like myself) write ill; grow fond of it; I am not at all surprized those who write well can never leave off—The heat has been almost unsupportable this week past and the sickness in the Country has driven every body into Town who can get in; as the City is considered healthy hitherto, although the sick from the Country are numerous—This morning we had Thunder and Lightening and one slight shower of rain—but the heat still continues excessive, and the air sickly and very oppressive—No news of the box yet—I do not however despair—It is said that the Fever is very bad in Baltimore—These rumours often are without foundation; but 30 deaths are stated in the last week of billious Fever, which is a very suspicious circumstance—I see that the visit of the Whale is noticed in the papers—If they came often they would considerably add to the value of the Estate, and I wish this first visit may be followed up—My Brother has just got a very friendly Letter from Judge Johnson; in which he mentions the appointment of Judge McLean; which is too wise, and too just to be disapproved by any one—The hot weather made me pettish; and you must only laugh at the manner in which I vented my spleen—The great Land Mark lies in the Western States; and my own reason teaches that a Western man is alone proper to fill the Office—I used to like this man when a Member of Congress; for I find it is the same. He appeared to me to be a good well meaning creature, without any of those arrogant pretensions that most of his Colleagues possess—I hope the Judge Johnson sometimes dines with you—He is a plain man; but I have a high opinion of his honesty and rectitude of principle; and he ranks very high in his State for these particular qualities, as well as for indefatigable industry—He is not one of the Nabobs of New Orleans, but barely independent—His kindness to my brother is uniform and steady, and I really should  be glad to evince my sense of it by particular attention—There is great electioneering going forward here, and every where—but I have heard nothing of it—The Albany Argus say’s, Mr Calhoun is going to France, and Mr Gallatin is coming home—Mr. C— is engaged in a higher game; and I should suppose cannot be spared—Mr. Plummer has also got into difficulties about his travelling expences; and the farce is about to be performed of “Secrets worth Knowing”—For I presume he is not the only Member whose accounts might be found incorrect—Genl Parker has likewise come out, and set himself up as a Candidate—Why does not Mrs. Smith write me? Mathews is said to be in Philadelphia, but will probably not begin for some time—New York is in too dreadful a situation, and the accounts are worse, and worse every day—My brothers name has not been mentioned to the P—

					I shall not write till the weather is cooler—To be given to Elizabeth for me—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 September 1822
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					21.My dearest Friend.
					Washington 15. Septr. 1822.

				No Journal received this day—But there was one yesterday, and I hope for one to-morrow—We have had now a week of heat as oppressive as any of the whole Summer, and two or three of the Nights have been more so. Though I have no doubt, you find it equally insupportable at Philadelphia, it reconciles me to your stay there; because I would have you come home to a temperate climate, as well as to all other comforts that give a relish to home.The new Commissioner of the Land Office is a judge McLean of Ohio. I have no personal acquaintance with him, but he was a member of Congress during the late War, when he was well known to the President, and to Mr Calhoun—I was a little surprized at the suddenness of the appointment. The Land-Office, being an appendage to the Department of the Treasury I had expected the President would have waited to consult Mr Crawford in the selection—But the place has been filled before Mr Crawford could have heard of the death of Mr Meigs; and by a person probably more friendly to Mr Calhoun than to Mr Crawford.And so the Whale, has run himself ashore upon my Land and has been despatched by another’s Spear.—I suppose that by the Law of the Land, he belonged to me; but the Newspapers say that by the Custom of the Coast, he belonged to the first finder.  As I am not on the spot to claim or maintain my right, I am not disposed to make a question of it—He is not the first whale, that has got himself cut up and tried, by floundering upon my territories.I have received a Letter from Mr Henry Meigs, who is at Perth Amboy, and requests me to aid his mother with my advice; which I have very cheerfully offered her. He says he cannot come on here himself.The theatrical campaign closes here this week—Cooper, finished last Thursday with Virginins—I think the best English Tragedy since Cato—As soon as the Play was over, Cooper was told of the death of one of his own Children, which had been known it seems before but was withheld from him—I was very much pleased with his performances, with the exception of Bertram, a character and a Play so disgusting to me, that I could not take pleasure in seeing it performed by any one. Mrs Smith has been some days complaining, but is on the recovery—Coachman’s illness like that of his horses is over-feeding and under workingMonday Morning 16. Septr.Mr Robert Clarke of the Washington Asylum has just called upon me with a Bill which I have paid of 14 dollars and 33 Cents, for nine weeks and two days Board for Rachael, till the 20th. of August, when she died, and for the expenses of her burial. I had not before heard of her death.Mrs. Meigs of Philadelphia, was to leave the City this Morning to return home—She takes your box with herEver faithfully your’s.

					A.

					I enclose a Letter for Mary.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 September 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Borden Town 16-18 Sept. 1822

				16 Sept Finding myself very weak after my tedious confinement to my chamber I determined to accept the invitation of Mrs. Hopkinson, and took my passage in the Steam Boat accompanied by Mary—The day was fine but contrary to our usual good fortune, we found no one with whom to have a chat, excepting an old Quaker Lady; who was on her travels for the first time in her life; and full of terrors, and evil anticipations—who we however landed safely at Burlington—We arrived at three o-clock and found that Mrs Hopkinson had gone to Bascon ridge, in consequence of a bad accident which had befallen her Son, who had injured his leg very much, by the bursting of a small brass Cannon—Miss Mease and Elizabeth however were at home, and Mr. Hopkinson who received us with a hearty welcome, and insisted on our remaining here some time—In the Evening we had a very merry party of young Ladies mostly Carolinians; Miss Gadsden, Miss Huger, The Miss Wrights, and Miss Drayton;—all most of them as wild as unbroken Colts—They came while we were taking our Tea, and Mr. H— declared he could not stay with us, as he must go to the Galls; whom he immediately joined, and the shouts and laughter resounded through the house, re-echoed by merry peals from the young folks, who were left with us. After we joined the young company, Elizabeth treated us with some imitations of acting; and dancing; and then we had musick by Mrs. CAton, a singular looking little English Woman, who is left in this Country in a melancholy situation; in very bad circumstances her husband having joined the Patriots in South America—Miss Mease has kindly taken her by the hand, and she gives Lessons in Italian and French to the young ladies, who have visited this place, as a means of subsistence during her husbands absence. She is really an accomplished little Woman and behaves very well—She played and sung the greater part of the evening, and accompanied the young performers who took part in the concert, and the evening terminated with a ludicrously sentimental parting, something like an Irish howl—17 This morning Mr. Hopkinson was obliged to go to Philadelphia on business of importance before the Court—He is getting into practice again, and likely to recover much of the business which his friends feared he had entirely lost, much to the serious injury of his family—Our morning passed very quietly and after on a fishing party, in which we were tolerably successful; and after dinner we set out to walk to the Spring—We had got about half way when we met the Count Survillier, who stopped and spoke to the Ladies, and was introduced to me: when he politely asked us to walk with him through his grounds to which I assented—I however as usual behaved very much like a fool on the occasion: for their Kings and no Kings place us in a very awkward situation; between the fear of wounding their feelings, and the natural antipathy which I have to courting, what the world call great folks, and of appearing to arrogate upon my own elevated station; which though, it may be transient, is while I possess it thought much of by others—I spoke sometime to him in English, but at last addressed him in French—He showed me two very fine paintings, and displayed all the beauties of his grounds with much attention, offering us flowers which he cut himself, and Peaches which he selected and presented to each—As the eveng was rapidly setting in, I was anxious to get home; but he was so urgent for me to see his daughter that I consented to walk in, and was introduced to her little Ladyship, who I thought a very pleasing and well bred young woman—She is not handsome; though I think her countenance very expressive, and the style and character of her face pleased me, although in general it produces a contrary effect—She was urgent in her invitation to me, to stay; and expressed a desire to become more acquainted; to all of which I answered suitably declining her civility, on the plea of leaving Borden Town immediately—The Count has a charming countenance, the form of the face very much like Napoleons, but the expression entirely different—He is friendly and unceremonious in his manners; in his person very much like the Emperor when I saw him, large and heavy, though he moves about with a good deal of activity—He performs the civilities he offers like a man who has been used to do so by proxy; and seems when he wishes to mark attention, to look round him, rather with a view of ordering it to be done, than with readiness to do it himself—But there is so much easy good humour about him, and he looks so much like a good fat substantial farmer, that were we not pre-acquainted with his history, no one would suspect he had ever filled a throne—In this little village he is adored; for he has made “the Widows heart to sing with joy,” and has been “a father to the fatherless” and tho’ a King has showered blessings around him, thus proving himself far more than a King—a good man!!—General l’Almand accompanied him—He was riding in a common Jersey Waggon with two Horses—We returned home and I was lectured by the Ladies for my impoliteness in not having spoken french in the first instance, and not having been more courteous to his Majesty, whose peaches I refused upon the plea of ill health—I acknowledged my fault, and promised to behave better the first opportunity—We returned home laughing at our adventure, and the young Ladies renewed their sports with “quips and pranks and mirthful glee” until we retired to rest—18 I rose this morning very stiff after the violent exercise of yesterday; but determined to persevere in the same course by way of care: and immediately after breakfast went out again on a fishing expedition, although my hands were already blistered by the labours of yes our former party—We rowed about a long time without any success, and returned just in time for dinner—In the afternoon I walked with the Ladies to see Mrs. Stewards house, which is beautifully situated, and to which she is crazy to return; but the Com say’s, “She chose to go with him spite of himself, and he’ll be d——d if she shall leave him.”—There are no shops on board Ship!!!—Her character here is very low indeed—When we returned we found Mrs. Hopkinson and her Son, returned from Bascon Ridge, and were all glad very glad to see her—All the curiosities which had been  collected were immediately shown her, and among the rest a curious insect, with large gold spots on its back; on which “she observed she had often wondered how her gold went, but it was now explained, for it took wing and flew away”—I have consented to stay two days longer—but it requires some courage to leave this mansion of cheerful mirth and hospitality, in which you really meet the “feast of reason and the flow of soul” happily blended with the arch playfulness of wit, and the innocent vivacity of youth—Yours is just sent me—Walsh is in the midst of War with Gifford; both show their wounds too much—Adieu I will write again soon, and no place however good can to me equal home with you


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 September 1822
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Borden Town 19-20 Sept. 1822

				19 Sept My last I believe closed on this day; I will therefore continue the account of our proceedings—While we were at Table the Count and his daughter paid us a visit and left Cards—and in the Evening we received an invitation to a water party at four o’clock tomorrow afternoon; and to spend the Evening which we graciously accepted. After which we strolled to the burying ground, where Miss Mease showed me the spot she had chosen for her last home—It is a little retired square, in which the maues of the Hopkinson family repose; out of the sight of vulgar mortals. and I like it for its plain unostentatious simplicity—On this subject I have often reflected; and wondered how people could delight in adulating the dead, by displaying their own vanity, and flattering their own pride—Death is the doom decreed to man, and we should  make no more parade about it than we do about a change of Seasons; and the more silently and quietly we take possession of our last mansions, the nearer we follow the dictates of nature; and the less we torture those who are left to mourn a departed friend—The idea of respect which is attached to these ceremonials, is altogether false and incorrect; for the dead are insensible to it, and the living are generally injured by it—The custom originated in man’s vanity, and love of fame; and from that insatiable desire which he ever evinces of leaving something after him; that he may not be quite forgotten—The best thing however that can lessen to a large proportion who have not even wit enough to make themselves remembered, while they lived—The Sand was so deep and the walking so unpleasant, that we hastened home and arrived there just in time to save ourselves from a wetting, as the rain began to fall as we reached the door—I forgot to mention that I was weighed, and I assure you fill in my own conceit, and was found wanting; at least by the scale in which I usually measure myself, which you know is vast—You may readily imagine my mortification, when all the Girls outweighed me, and Mary had the advantage of me by four pounds, her weight being 106 mine 102.—Thus I have learnt how small a space I fill in the Scale of human beings—Never mind; little folks have been the greatest some years back; so I wont droop on the occasion—Passed a delightful Evening playing Whist—20 The morning was truly inauspicious, and the Ladies were all beset by the most anxious doubts and fears, lest the torrents of rain should oblige, us to decline the Evening party—It was however agreed, that a Note should be dispatched stating that if the weather admitted we would go at six instead of four, if and the Cards were consulted as the Ladies have discovered my talent of fortune telling—At abot about one o clock the rain began to subside, and every countenance looked bright excepting mine: for as the others cleared mine unfortunately thickened, as I felt all sorts of disagreeable forebodings of stiffness, ceremony, and what not—We dressed and at the proper time departed, the Carriage being obliged to go twice, in consequence of the number which amounted to eight—The Count and Countess received us in a very friendly and sociable way, and we chatted on various subjects, until we were called to what he terms Tea; that is a dinner in all its forms with the addition of Tea and Coffee—He is very handsome I think—I have already said very much like Napoleon, the form of the face being nearly the same; but the whole countenance expressing good humour, and benevolence without those strong characteristick traits, which rendered the Emperors so striking—There is a want of care in his manner au premier abord,  that wears off immediately in conversation, and his voice is very pleasant—His daughter is very small with a countenance which I admire very much, it is rather pensive; but when she smiles there is an animation and sweetness in her eyes, that makes her quite handsome—Her manners are extremely modest and unassuming, and she is too diffident to converse freely at first; but improves every moment on acquaintance—She is just eighteen, very simple in her dress—At dinner I had some conversation with the Count; he enquired particularly if I knew Pardo, and Mondragone? both of whom he spoke of with affection, but particularly the last—He told me he knew Mrs. Crawford; and was very inquisitive about Washington, which he said he heard was very brilliant in Winter, and a pleasant residence—Mentioned that he was acquainted with Mrs. Hay, and that she was so fond of France, that he believed she would do any thing to get there again, but that he understood she had an old husband who would not go—He asked me a good deal about the Corps Diplomatique, said he had seen Anduaga and Mr. Canning at Ballston Springs; and that the latter appeared to be a very pleasing man—When we rose from the Table he showed me his fine pictures, and regretted that I had not seen them by day light, entreating me to come again; and politely saying he would take no denial: after which we seated ourselves round a table, and examined his daughters drawings, and some curious paintings on copper of natural history, from all the known parts of the Globe—We then talked of the Theatre, and he asked me if I had seen Talma; and I took the opportunity of hinting how much I should be gratified if he would read a tragedy to us, as I had heard that he piques himself upon his Talent, having studied with La Rive, who he told me he had taken to Naples with him, and made him director of the French Theatre there—He seemed much pleased at the request, and immediately sent for his Book, and chose the Tragedy of Andromaque—I was almost sorry for the choice as I could not help thinking that in the fate of Marie Louise, there was a little similitude; for both her Son and herself became hostages to Austria, though under different circumstances—He desired his daughter to read with him, and she took the parts of Andromaque, and Hermione, and it is long very long since I have had such a treat; for you certainly enjoy your present situation at the expence of all our old and quiet pleasures, and enjoyments—I most ardently wished you had been of the party, and our Tragedy would have been delightful—The Countess reads elegantly, and they have both the style and manner of Talma, with a little less energy; which he told me was more the manner of La Rive. to me however this was an improvement as I do not love to see the passions “torn to rags and tatters;” and do by no means think ranting an embellishment, or an expression of true feelings—I am not connoisseur enough to say any thing more of the paintings, than that they are many of them in the finest style, and that to you they would afford a treat—There is a Titian that is exquisite; some Vernets and Teniers and Murillos that are beautiful; besides many other that which it is almost sacrilege to the fine Arts for such a blunderer as I am to speak of—The young Countess has two young Ladies with her, who are not of a piece with the establishment—They are the daughters of a french Physician in Philadelphia, and it is seldom you meet with Girls in our Country whose manner and appearance have been so little cultivated—They however speak french which is at present an object; but one which will soon cease to be of any consequence, as both the Count and his daughter begin to speak french English fluently.—This is a pretty correct account of our visit; he remade several allusions to his former situation, and told me that he had restored the fashion of Bull fights in Spain, for which he had often condemned himself; but it was to court popularity with the people—Naples he cannot speak of without regret; but if he grieves for the change in his situation, it does not appear; for he looks the picture of happiness and content—We all laughed heartily when we got home; for intending to invite Miss Mease who is not handsome, but a most charming Woman to stay the night; in English; he said “will you sleep with me.” You may suppose this occasioned a complete squall among us we were all so diverted—. Mr. Lee had been there in the morning. I wonder what he got? They are all to be here to night, as the families visit on the most social footing and we expect of course a very charming Eveng. When I shall get away from this fascinating family I dont know, but I fear they will utterly spoil me before I get home to you—Nearly ten weeks of my time since I left home have been spent in pain and anxiety, but this week has been one in which I have lived a year—Do not however imagine that any pleasures can wean me from my darling home, to which alas! I have always been too much attached for a woman of the World, and the Wife of a Secretary of State; but no matter what you are or what you may be, you will always find me your affectionate Wife and Sincere friend

					L. C. Adams—


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, Jr., 20 September 1822
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston, Jr.

My dear Grandson Thomas B. Adams—
Montezillo Sep 20. 1822

I have received much satisfaction from the reports of your conduct since you left me. I have received still more pleasure from the constancy & punctuality of your correspondence  with your parents, sister & Brother: & your letter to me of 12 crowns all. I thank you for the pamphlet you sent me containing the journal of your excursion to Concord which is very particular entertaining & instructive. Such a march for a person of your age is a great atchievement. In short Thomas I think your whole behaviour since you left me has been manly & generous—Persevere to the end. I need not give you any other advice than such as I have frequently given you when you was here. Pay a strict attention & veneration to the government & governors of the Academy; a proper respect & deference to those Cadets who are before you in age & class; friendly affection to your equals & class mates & invariable kindness to all your inferiors if any such these be—
I have no news to tell you except that we are all well & that yesterday the 19. Sep the family all attended the Ordination of Mr B. Cutler to the Office of Deacon in our Episcopalian Society: with power to christen, bury, read sermons & preach when the Bishop will permit him: but not to administer the Sacrament.
 Let me give you a little advice concerning your handwriting. Your letters are all pretty well written but the characters are too small— a habit of writing in such capillary strokes will ruin your eyes & be very inconvenient to you through life.
With respects to Captain Partridge &  / Your Tutors / I remain / Your Affectionate Grand Father
John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 20 September 1822
From: Boylston, Ward Nicholas
To: Adams, John

					My Dear & Hond Cousin
					Princeton Sepr 20th 1822

				Nothing but the want of Sight has delay’d the acknowledgement of your most kind Letter of the 24th Ultimo—it reminded me of an Inscription Cut out of the frontace piece of a Church, I went to see at Millnor viz Full, & Intire Indulgences, Granted for all Sins, Past, Present, & to come—what can I say in return—only that it is impossible I thus can say or willingly do any thing Not for a moment, could suspend, or Change the good opinion, wch. it is both my Boast, my pride, & my greatest happiness to hold a share in your kind affections towards me—the few old attachments I have left me fasten more, & more strongly to me the older I grow, and as the links break off—my attachmts. to life are shortend with them—your Days I hope will be yet lengthend with as much comfort to your self—as it certainly will be of solace & happiness to me—I regret however that I have now no promise of seeing you here this Autumn. Mr Secretary Adams has written me, that his engagements are such at Washington as to leave him no hopes of being able to leave it, before next Season—before then what Events may beset us—neither of us can foretell—I hope you have not suffer’d so much from Drought as the Towns in this vicinity—The springs have never been so low for many years—& I never saw the earth so much burnt up since I own’d this place—tho’ I do not suffer’d so greatly as they have done in the towns North, South, & East of me—yet I have been obliged to send my grain Nine miles to Mill & wait a Week for my grist—many of the manufactories, which depended on water power to carry them on, now stand Still—There is however great Cause of thankfullness—all our Grain in every direction has been well got in, & in abundance—Corn is safe from early frost, & that likewise is of good Quality—yours Crops I hope deserve the same Character—I have been a Constant indweller at in Princeton since my return from Quincy except a few miles excursions on Bussiness, which could not be avoided—I have nearly finish’d all the Building Intended—my Farm House is completed & occupied a month ago—I wish you could See it the Cellar is as much visited from its size & convenience as the Heidelburgh Tun—in Germany—its dimensions is are 50 feet square & 15 feet deep, with a costly passage way—into it—Ten feet wide, with Bisin’s for Potatoes, & upper Room for other vegetables—of the former I have about 27,000 Hills yet to dig—I am satisfied we have no substitute for Corn truly better—Rootabaga &  to the contrary—notwithstanding all the encomius & recommendations of agricultural Societies—my own experiments wth them has fully satisfied my mind, at least on my farm that they are very inferior to Potatoes—My Barn is nearly full of excellent Hay—about 146 Tons—my second mowings would have been considerable, had the season been favourable—My Health I think is improving, and Mrs Boylston’s severe affliction in her Face by Ague is relieved, & she is recovering her Strength & spirits—I hope all at Quincy that is you & your Family have enjoy’d uninterrupted Health thro’ the Summer—an article I saw in the News papers mentions a Whale haveing made you a Visit at mount Wallaston—I think as Lord of the manor you ought to have received the full benefit of his Visit—I hope at least you shard some part—besides seeing it—Mrs Boylston desires her affectionate respects to you, & unites in her kind regards to the Ladies Judge Adams & the young Cantabs—who I suppose are now with you—& am My Dear Cousin, / most truely yours—Ward Nichs Boylston