Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1808
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Brother
Quincy 24th: March 1808.

Although I have recently written you a letter of some length, I will not therefore refrain from a prompt acknowledgment of your favour of March 12th: which particularly deserves my thanks for the variety of intelligence it contains, of a nature not to be derived from any other source. The detail you have given of the various intrigues supposed to be in operation at head quarters and elsewhere for the accomplishment of particular objects, is amusing to those who consider themselves only as lookers-on, and purposely avoiding to take any part in the plot. You know how strong the prejudice of the federal party in New-England generally, and in this State in particular, always has been against a Virginia President, since the time of Washington, and though the Democrats have yielded the precedence to the antient dominion and supported the Administration of Mr: Jefferson, with great zeal, it may be questioned whether there will be equal unanimity among them in the choice of a Successor. I rather incline to think that Mr: Clinton would obtain more votes for President than Mr: Madison, at present, through the N. England States, but how it may be six months hence is another question. It is to be presumed that a pledge will be required of the Electors to support some one of the Candidates and to this end care will be taken to select fit men for Electors. Much of the success of any Candidate will depend upon the state of the Country at the moment of chusing Electors—If we have war, it is understood that the present incumbent will be forced to continue; and if we have peace, it is my humble opinion that the party will, for fear of accidents, persuade him to stand another poll. I do believe that the sentiments expressed by the Protestors against Bradley & Co and their nomination, will create such divisions among the Democrats, that the Federalists may yet prove a more formidable phalanx than the protestors themselves are willing to admit. The votes of Connecticutt and Delaware may yet turn the scale against the favourite Candidate, and there is no doubt of their being thrown into that which would disappoint the greatest number of the Democratick party.
We are to be drummed up, once more, in this State, to show our teeth against Govr. Sullivan. I have been nine years constantly voting and making myself busy in the cause of Federal against Democratick Governors. What shall I do this year? This is more than I can tell. I cannot vote for Mr: Sullivan, for several reasons, and though I am personally friendly to Mr: Gore whose character is altogether unexceptionable, so far as I know, I am well persuaded he cannot be elected. The Circular letter alone would be sufficient to defeat the prospect of his success, though it is expected to produce most wonderful effects in the Sea ports—In Boston it will not do to express a doubt as to the success of the Federal ticket—I am not disposed to defeat it and if silence on the subject will do any good, I am content to hold my peace. But in opposition to this it seems to be the opinion of some of your best friends, that you ought not to keep your peace. The Letter from the “Venerable,” has stirred up some-old-blood, which at times circulates with considerable rapidity—I need not particularize....The conclusion seems to be, that you must act your own sound discretion, as to the expediency, of communicating, any information you may possess, relative to our foreign relations, directly to your Constituents. There is a disposition in many to think and act right, but they want information; not as the clamourers for correspondence in Congress want it, for the sake of mischief, but honestly, for conscience-sake. This class however is not very numerous, for between those whom no information would satisfy, and those who want none to be satisfied with the conduct of the Administration, the men of influence are generally divided. On your return home you must expect to find yourself in a strange land. The sour looks & spiteful leers will not be few, that you will have to encounter, but they will be seen on the faces of those who have long harboured a secret heart-malignity against yourself as well as against your father. By relying on the efficacy of the “Venerable’s” prescription, at this particular crisis of our National malady, the Junto will most inevitably fail in their expectations of a cure. The address from the federalists of Boston in this days paper is but an Echo of the Senatorial Manifesto—It condemns the Embargo as a “desperate remedy,” and declares that no other probable ground or motive, than to gratify the wishes of the Emperor of the french, is competent to account for that measure. As no electioneering purpose would be promoted by an address from you before your return, I have thought fit to suggest such a step for your consideration, rather as a borrowed than an original idea of my own—though I have some recollection of having urged it upon you a year or two ago. By Governor Sullivan’s curious replications to your Colleague, you will observe, that his Excellency tells the Venerable, that his view of National affairs and yours are widely different, as “the world knows.” Now the world has not seen your view of National affairs, but only a few individuals, unless the Summary of the substance of your letter to H—— which got into the Chronicle should pass for such. This would be an injustice to yourself, as the Chronicleers have only selected what they thought useful to their purpose. Indeed, neither the federal nor the Democratick presses would be pleased to imprint all your sentiments but I would undertake to make the same types subservient to a letter of your writing, as were employed in the first Epistle of Timothy. This will be fighting the Junto with their own weapons.
I thank you very kindly for your congratulations upon the birth of my daughter. It had escaped my memory, having informed you of the fact; so you will find the intelligence repeated in my last letter. We are all well, and I presume you will see us on your return, still members of the same family & under the same roof, which I very much regret as it is induced by necessity rather than choice. If I remove at all, it will be to my own farm, but to this there are so many obstacles, in addition to my own aversion to the place, that I must submit to be a pensioner for a time to come. Our nephew William, having completed the term of his School engagement, has left us to join his parents. His views are for the Army, in which he would accept a Commission if it can be obtained. The Miranda discipline has not, I trust, disqualified him for the service of his Country, though it may possibly prove some impediment to his obtaining a desirable rank. If the men are to be raised, which you mention as having been voted in Senate, I wish you would feel the pulse of the Secretary of war, on the subject of a Commission for the young Col; If he were personally known to me I should have no hesitation in making application for a youth of so much real merit, as I know he possesses.
Present me very kindly to your wife and all our friends at Washington. We shall not look for you till the last of April, by which time the Roads will be fit for travelling with pleasure & dispatch. Our friend Shaw is dolefully mortified that I betrayed to you his sapient criticism upon the metaphors—I took some little delight in his fidgeting because he is too easily wrought upon by the last speaker, upon most subjects. His Associates, literary and political are full of Boston notions; a very partial, prejudiced, self sufficient & locally attached set of people, with pretentions to a character & reputation the very reverse of all this. I never held and never shall hold much communion with them.
I am truly your’s.


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 24 March 1808
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My Dear Niece,
Atkinson March 24th. 1808

Your Letter did not reach me untill several Weeks after it was written, & as I had a few days before addressed a letter to Mr Adams, I presumed upon the reception of that, your minds would be rendered less anxious, but notwithstanding this, I should immediately have replied to your polite friendly letter, & to your questions, respecting Master George, if we had not been so unhappy as to have a number in our family taken sick one after another, with fevers, & my duty called me to unremitted attentions to the beds of Sickness, & to do all in my power to soften the pillow of distress—You need not my Dear Niece have made the last appology for writing to One, under whose care a “Darling Child” had been placed. He is in fine health & spirits, & is indeed a lovely Boy—His mind is strong, & penetrating, with great facility he commits things to memory, & applys them with uncommon judgment—The other day he was playing with one of his mates who endeavoured to deceive, & cheat him—He soon perceived his design, & said, “William I have somewhere read in a Book, that he who endeavoured to cheat Others, cheated Himself.”—His Father observed he had some propensities which ought to be checked. Where the soil is fertile, we may expect to see the “weeds & flowers promiscuous shoot,” & it requires a most skillful, judicious hand, to know what to erase, and what we should permit to flourish; for flowers have sometimes poisonous qualities, as well as Weeds, & Virtues, if not rightly directed, may degenerate, & grow into Vice.
Master George reads, parses, & spells well, but he learns to write very slow—He wished to write to his Father, I gave him paper, he soon came to me, & read a very affectionate letter, with his duty to you, & love to his little Brother Charles—hoped he should soon see you all in Boston—I looked at it, but could not read a word, he wondered what could be the reason, for he met with no difficulty himself—
Congress has had a long Session. The conduct of some of the Members, have not escaped many unfavourable remarks. But the Integrity of Mr Adams, was in my Mind, unquestionable. I firmly believed, that he was not actuated by sinister motives, nor party Spirit, but would think, judge, & act, from a sense of the highest Duty—
My Dear Nephew & Niece may be assured, that both Mr Peabody, & your Aunt, will tenderly watch over your child, & do all in our power to make him good, that he may be a Blessing—With esteem & affection / Your Aunt, subscribes
Elizabeth Peabody—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 25 March 1808
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

My Dear Sir.
Washington 25. March 1808.

Your favour of the 5th: instt: never came to my hands untill yesterday—I have long noticed the characters of the factions which were excited among all the antient nations, in their relations with the Romans—It has been particularly remarked by Montesquieu, and its application to our own Affairs is no new thing in my mind—Modern History is full of the same phenomenon—The English and French factions in Holland, were among the earliest occasions for my observations on living man—The hats and the caps of Sweden mark the same features in human character—But there as well as in Holland the Spirit of faction was envenomed by the distribution of money, by both parties, among the principal leaders—I hope nothing of this sort has occurr’d or will occur with us.
We are at the fourth day of reading dispatches; with a Message from the President containing all the documents of Negotiation with France and with England for several years—Mr: Rose is gone—But Mr: Erskine remains here, and Mr: Pinkney has lately been re-appointed to England.
We are all well here—I am as ever, your’s
John Quincy Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 27 March 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

my Dear Daughter
Sunday Eve. Quincy March 27th 1808

William left us on thursday, and on fryday set his face towards you. we parted with him, with much reluctance his whole conduct has been so Satisfactory to all of us, that our Blessings and good wishes will follow him, where ever he goes, or what ever his destination in Life may be. to the reading Law he appeard averse; and he offerd weighty reasons against it. the bent of his mind appears to be for a military Life. the present State of our country bodes employment in that department more than I wish it did, what arrangements will be made, a little time will disclose. his Grandfather will write to the proper Authority in his favour, if he should decide for the Army. if any thing should present in a civil line of Life; it would certainly meet my wishes in preference—Several Letters arrived on saturday for him—which agreable to his request, his uncle has coverd and returnd to him one of them, from its back, I fancied might have an inclosure for me but I did not feel myself at Liberty to open it. if so I shall regret that it was returnd.
I sent by William a few articles which I presumed would be acceptable to you, and to Caroline, my commission should have extended further, if william could have delayd his return longer, or into April—I might sometimes forward you a few necessaries if any mode of conveyence could be pointed out.
The Season here is mild, and we have the appearence of an early Spring—we have begun to prepare our Garden. there is a general Stagnation of buisness. the farmer knows not how to hire labour or to pay for it rather. commerce is dead and agriculture is chief mourner. not a ray of light brakes through the Gloom. information is arriveing that Napolean is hunting out new inventions to draw tighter the restriction with which he has bound commerce and oblige us if possible, to take a part for or against him. an other unhappy affair has taken place in the East Indias between the British and Americans upon the old griveance of impressing Men, and Blood has been Shed upon both Sides: the Anti Anglonianes Seize with eagerness every cause of uneasiness, and work it up to a pitch of voilence which must terminate in war. the British are very insolent and haughty—and exercise their power, without much regard to right.
all events are under the Controul of a Supreem being who will order and direct them, I hope trust for our best good: and may it please him to avert from us the horrors of war—
I have not much of a local nature to relate to you. William will tell you all a bout us, of uncle and Aunts, little folks and great—his uncle Cranch he did not know was Sick. he is seizd with one of his old Lung complaints, which his advanced Age makes very allarming—he has had a Strengh of Constitution which has carried him through much sickness, to a very good old Age in vigor and usefullness. So good a Man is ready to depart when calld for, Yet we wish to keep him here longer. Col Hubert of Abington died a few days since very suddenly. Who that knew what a frail feeble being his wife has always been, would have Supposed that she would have Survived him?
You must write to me frequently. I shall want to know how you come on, when you begin to vegitate, what Success you have had with maple Sugar? &c what help you have, what sort of people you have as neighbours? whether you can use a wheel carriage—you have a Physician near you.
I saw Miss Hinkly in Boston—She regreted very much that she did not know that you was in Northhampton William has taken Letters to her. and his Grandfather gave him one to Govenour Strong—I suppose he will be with you by the time my Letter reaches you.
My Regards to Mrs St Hillair, and Love to the col. Louisa is in Boston. Mrs Adams will write to you.
all the domesticks join in Love to the dear Caroline—Mary always has her dear Souls over, when ever she talks of her—So Caroline may skip light as the faun—since she is always rememberd as the dear delightfull Girl whom every Body loves. and no one more than her affectionate Grandmother
Abigail Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 March 1808
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Brother.
Washington 30. March 1808

I thank you for your kind attention to my affairs, as detailed in your last Letter which I have received within these two days— I confide entirely in your judgment and discretion, and shall approve of any arrangements you shall make for the present disposal of my farm—
R. Dexter holds or held a note from me of a little more than three hundred dollars—I left a request with Shaw to pay it as soon as he should be in funds—If he has not paid it, I will thank you to discharge it, with the interest due upon it immediately—If you have not money enough in your hands, Mr: Shaw will furnish you with as much as you may want for this purpose; and will charge it to me in account.
We received last week a budget of papers from the President containing all the negotiations both with France and England, for two or three years past—It has taken us six days to read them; but some of our Gentlemen are not yet satisfied—They think there is yet more behind—They will have it that we are acting under french compulsion—
The french compulsion, has been of exactly the same kind as the English compulsion It has been by public decrees, and not by secret negotiations—But the compulsion began with the English—The French only followed their example, and improved upon it—Between them both it is very clear that there is nothing like neutral Commerce left—I expect to prove this to your satisfaction before long.
We have this day received additional messages, enclosing further dispatches from France and England, received since the Communications of last week—but they have not yet been read.
Among the papers sent last week, is a long vindication of himself, for signing the unratified Treaty, written by Mr: Monroe since his return to this Country—The transactions respecting this Treaty form a great foundation for electioneering.
I have sent you the pamphlet containing the negotiation respecting the attack upon the Chesapeake—You will see the ground taken by the British to evade making any reparation whatsoever for that outrage—
My wife and child are well—We hope that our children in your neighbourhood are also well, as you do not say any thing to the contrary—We should have been glad had you thought of them to say so positively—We have heard nothing express of them, longer than parental anxiety brooks without uneasiness.
Remember me affectionately to all the family, and believe me ever yours

J. Q. Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 31 March 1808
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir.
Washington 31. March 1808.

I will thank you to give the enclosed manuscript to Oliver and Munro, to be published immediately—If they do not chuse to print it you may get any other printer to do it whom you please—It is not meant for electioneering, but for self-defence; and to give the public my views of public affairs—The printers will give perhaps a few copies, for the manuscript—I want only half a dozen—One of which I will thank you to present in my name to Mr: H. G. Otis—one to Governor Sullivan, and one to my father—The three others I will thank you to send to me, as soon as possible, that they may reach this place before the adjournment of Congress—When I say that you may give it to the printers, I ought to add that there must be no copy-right—And above all no puffing preface.
Ever faithfully yours
John Quincy Adams.P.S—I must request you to be particularly attentive to the correctness of the printing—And to get the printers to preserve the manuscript.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 April 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

my dear daughter
Quincy April 4th. 1808

It is a long time since I wrote you, or rather since I sent a Letter, for an unfinished one has lain by so long that like an old Almanack it is out of date. The writing Spirit is not always present, and it is shy and coy. If you do not frequently solisit it, neglect is sure to be followed by indifference, and indifference by disgust; I need not any other prompter at present than the desire I have to write of your children from whom you have not heard for some time. By a Letter from Atkinson I hear that George is very well, and a very Good Boy. Abbe Shaw has been very sick, even to an allarming degree, seizd with a puking which could not be checked for several days untill She was reduced almost to the grave. I have my fears that it will terminate in a decline which will be to my poor Sister a heart rending stroke, which and will break it I fear. She has never recoverd the loss of Betsy, altho like a good Christian, she has bowd with Submission, and devoted her time, and all the powers of her mind to the improvement of those young persons committed to her care; by which, as she has some times Said she has alleviated her affliction. John is very well now, but he was sadly troubled with fits of the cholick for some time, so as to wake from his Sleep and cry. Some medicine which he took gave proof of the cause and he has been relieved by the discharge of several living creatures and I am now pretty well convinced that the gasping for breath which at times has been so allarming, arose from some knot of those vile reptiles.—We are all in pretty good Health. I cannot add Spirits. The aspect of public affairs throughs a gloom over the approaching Spring. The Husbandman can neither till or sow with a prospect of gain; as his handmaid commerce has both her hands lop’d of and her feet tied. She is laid prostrate, and her Lovers go about the Streets mourning. We may truly say add we are beset on every Side—who is wise enough to say what ought to be done? I have thought the administration more blamed by the Federal party than they merrited, during these critical times. They have too closely imitated their opponents during the former administration—I cannot defend very many of the measures of the Government; I think they have brought us to the present crisis of our affairs. Yet those who see but, in part, and know but in part are not the most competent judges.
I cannot see how can congress can be be permitted to rise. The Country is so critically and so dangerously situated, that every man should be at his post. Every wind may waft as tidings of vast importance—
Mrs Allcut mentiond to me when She was here, that She thought the Rooms of your House ought to be open’d and aird and the furniture looked too, if you did not return early in the Spring would you have her do it, if she should be at leisure? You will write me what you would have done;
William Smith left us last week, and is gone to his Father. His attention and punctuality to his School gave great Satisfaction, and after it closed he could not bear to remain idle, and there were not any prospects for him here. His inclination leads him to the Army, and he is desirious of obtaining a commission there. His Grand Father told him he would write for him, both to the President and mr Madison and the Secretary of War—I should like to know his Uncle’s opinion, and if consistant with his judgement, whether he would mention him to Mr. Madison as a young man of regular habits, modest, discreet & I believe brave. I should hope that his engagement with Miranda would be no bar to his employment in the Army. He was under age, and was placed with him by those in whom he naturally confided, and knew not Mirandas views—
I should have written to mr Adams myself upon the Subject, but shall wait to hear further from William and I only mention it now, merely to know if any Scruple lies in his own mind against recommending him.
Mrs. Adams is well and her little ones, with me desires to be remember’d to your Sister Buchanna.
Louissa has been in Boston this Month—or She would request a Remembrance also—to you and your Friends a kiss for my Boy Charles. I suppose when I know him, he will claim an equal Share of the Love and affection of his Grandmother with his Brothers—He must be very good to get as large a portion as John—I shall write next to my Son.
Your affectionate Mother
Abigail Adams


Title: From William Smith Shaw to John Quincy Adams, 9 April 1808
From: Shaw, William Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Sir
Boston 9 April 1808

I had the honour to receive your letter to Mr Otis on Thursday evening last, and have attended to its publication, with as much expedition as possible—The printers have published an edition of a thousand copies and the sale of them commenced this morning and the whole are now disposed of. Oliver & Munroe are now printing a second edition of a thousand more on their own account and have contracted with several of the democrats, with Eben Larkin bookseller at their head, to print three thousand more for general circulation in the Country. In consequence of the great haste with which they were printed—some few errors have escaped us, which I shall see corrected in seco the second edition. I sent you several copies last evening and now send you several more by this mail—I have also agreeably to your direction sent a copy to Governour Sullivan & to Mr Otis
What shall I do with your tenant Guerney. I have never been able to collect a cent from him since your absence. Your order for $350 on the branch bank I have received and deposited to your account. I have paid your father eleven hundred seventy two dollars and forty nine cents agreeably to your direction
With most respectful attachment and ardent gratitude / I am very sincerely / your hum Sert
Wm. S. Shaw


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 April 1808
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Brother
Quincy 10th: April 1808

I received your favor of the 30th: ult. on the 7th: current and also the pamphlet containing the documents respecting the Chesapeake. I have read the whole with attention, and am particularly impressed with the concluding letter of Mr: Madison, which is universally admitted to be a very luminous and correct State paper. That it could not be answered or refuted, is very apparent from the replication given to it, by the Envoy Extraordinary; and I feel confident, that it will diffuse a proper and just sentiment on the subject of our disputes with England, among the people; this was a thing much to be desired, in this quarter; for, I verily believe, that the federal newspapers have created great doubts in the minds of many, as to the justice and propriety of our pretentions upon the great questions, which have been agitated between our Government and Great Britain. The appearance of an undue influence on the part of France & Spain has been such as to create distrust and jealousy, and as the sources of correct information, on this point, were hidden from the view of the world, it is not surprising to me, that suspicions should grow out of a state of things, which prudence might have enjoined upon Government, as the best policy. There seemed to me in Mr. Quincy’s speech upon his motion for more information upon the subject of our relations with France, sufficient grounds for such a call, and I was not at all displeased at any thing which he urged on that occasion. There has been too little apparent sensibility in the Executive to French Tyranny; too anxious a solicitude to wink at insults and to smoother complaint against injuries of a very aggravated description to which our National interests have been subject for two years past, on the part of France. To what reasons of State this policy must be ascribed, is not for me to say. I can only find one apology or palliation for it— viz the Naval impotence of France and the Naval preponderance of Great Britain. The idea of a deeply rooted hostility to Commerce, existing in the dispositions of the South, obtains fresh credit in the North, from the first imposition & long duration of the Embargo; though many other indications have been given, which tend to a confirmation of such an opinion here, this measure is viewed as the first practical illustration of a very broad theory, and I think the feelings of our people have, in many instances, been successfully assailed by the outcry which has been made on this subject. Its effects are not visible so much in those places, where we should naturally look for them, (the sea port and fishing towns) as but among the farmers; there may therefore be some falacy in the inference that the Embargo, has been an unpopular measure, even in this quarter of the Union. It is too plain that without such a precaution on the part of Government, a vast proportion of our Navigation would have encountered other perils than those of the Sea, to the utter ruin of all the Insurers on the Continent.
So much has been said among your constituents of your agency in the passage of the Embargo Act, from which your Colleague dissented and has taken so much pains to condemn, that I feel much rejoiced at the prospect of a publick appeal on your part, which I understand is now in the press and will appear tomorrow. Whether you adopted this idea from your own sense of its propriety and expediency, or whether the step first taken by your Colleague forced it upon you; it is a general opinion among your friends that it had become absolutely necessary. To a certain class of your Constituents it will afford no pleasure, but to those who are well intentioned towards you, it will be very grateful. It appeared to me very clearly that the disposition to appretiate the conduct of your Colleague was greatly quickened by an opposite disposition towards you, and the freedom of remark in which some Gentlemen have indulged upon the course you have pursued during the present Session, of which I, of course, have heard only a small proportion, has not been calculated to inspire your friends with any very conciliatory sentiments towards them. Their language has been full of reproach and very much in the style formerly used towards your father upon his continuing to treat with the French Government in 1799. I need not add that it has proceeded from the same sources and from a similar policy.
For electioneering watch-words the Junto adopted the very significant phrazes “Gore & no Embargo”—“Gore and free trade”—“Sullivan and starvation.” If Mr: Giles has not got the right scent for cabalistick words, in his late speech, I think he might perceive the odour very strong here. The whole pack opened with this view holla, and have been in full cry ever since. I was thrown out in the first start and have never been able to come up with the hunters or even get a view of the game. I am but a poor Country Squire and ill-mounted for this kind of chase.
To me it was and yet is quite incomprehensible, how the election of Mr. Gore could effect the raising of the Embargo, and as to free-trade, so long as the foreign pressure existed upon our maratime rights, I could discern no other method of extricating the Nation from these difficulties, but by unconditional submission to the law of the strongest. For this step I did not feel prepared, and being rather dubious whether the non-election of the Junto favourite, would necessarily be followed by starvation, I concluded to take my chance for one year longer, under the present Governor, if he should be re-elected, leaving that event however to any body’s agency but my own.
The votes given in are more numerous than I expected and the increase for Sullivan less. In many places there is a visible change, but as frequently in favor of one Candidate as the other. According to returns already published, Mr: Gore has a majority of two thousand and upwards, but from a paragraph in yesterday’s Sentinel I infer, that Major Russell thinks Mr. Sullivan will prevail in the end. I regret, that the principles on which Mr. Gore’s election was advocated were of a nature to cause the with holding from him my vote. Personal considerations had no agency in it; for surely I have no cause of dislike or enmity to the man; on the contrary I have a great respect and esteem for his character and an opinion of his talents which he would not think derogatory, himself being judge; but the party abused and vilified you for holding opinions such as Mr: Gore was said to disclaim, and as I had not passed sentence of condemnation against you for those opinions I could not sanction by my vote, those who had. Another thing, Mr: Gore was not in my judgment, the man to whom the federal party were preeminently indebted, nor for whom this mark of their favor ought at this time to have been reserved. If any other motives deterred me from voting, they were such as would receive no quarter from federalism, of course I have no pride in recording them.
Since the fever of Electioneering is over, for the present, and the publick pulse is reduced to its usual beat, you will not expect a very rapid circulation of your communication upon the State of the Nation. No Six-thousand copies of editions will find a sale in a few hours, though it is possible some of the Newspapers of one side or the other may reprint it. With a view to the May Elections it will find its way gradually through the State, most probably by the help of the Democrats, who will father it as a refutation of the Epistle of Timothy, if for no other reason; but so many have already believed in Timothy that the gospel of John will labour hard with them. To convince the unconverted, (as our Braintree Minister who preached for us to day, would be likely to say) is as hard a task as to convert the unconvinced.
I have made provision for discharging your Note to R Dexter, having received of Wm Shaw $130 towards it. The amount of principal and interest is $337:90; and I expected ere now to have had sufficient funds collected from your tenants here, to discharge the debt; but only one has yet paid me and that a small sum; before your return I shall settle with them all; whether for cash or approved notes is somewhat dubious. Money is said to be scarce— this I presume you have heard of before now, but I begin to think there is some truth in the story as I find it impossible to collect any for myself.
Your children are well. John dined here to day and sends his love and duty to his parents— We heard from George a few days since, who was then in good health. My wife and children are also well and send much love to you and yours.
Farewell.


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 April 1808
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy April 12. 1808

In your favour of March 25th. you express a hope that nothing like a distribution of Money, among the Principal Leaders of our Parties, has occurred or will occur, among Us. I agree with you in this hope and I will add that I Still entertain this belief. At least there is no one, on whom I can fasten even a Suspicion. But that foreign Money has been received by Sebastian, has been adjudged: that it has been offered, is proved by Judge Innis’s deposition. These were not leaders you will Say, true, but where did Burr obtain the Sums, adequate to his vast Expences? What Shall We Say of the Affair of Blount? Burr and Blount have been leaders. We know that certain Powers of Europe have no Scruples to employ Money with Such as will receive it, when they think they can carry any Point by it: and is not Money as well beloved and as much wanted by Some among Us, as by any in Europe?
our Elections run very near the Wind. I have been neutral though neither Nations nor Parties will allow of Neutrality. I expect to be captured by one, or burnt or Sunk by the other. For myself I care not which. For you and your Children I am anxious. Your Letter to Mr Otis is expected to day. The Effervescence is past. The Men of twelve per Cent a Month, will not be able to afford Money to pay for printing and diffusing twenty Editions of ten thousand Copies each. What Should you Say if it should fall dead from the Press, as David Hume Says his Essay on Human Nature and his first History of England did? I believe that very little will be Said about it. Our Brutus’s have not forgotten, that Cicero would not Send fifty Horse, to compel their Creditors in Cilicia to pay Eight and forty per Cent Interest. You remember how he quarrelled with the orator. Yet Brutus you know was a pure, virtuous and disinterested Republican, though a rich, haughty and covetous Aristocrat. Our Speculators have not forgotten your opposition to their Bank in the Senate of this Commonwealth.
sour Son John dined with Us yesterday in very good health and Spirits. George is very well and a good Boy as Mrs Peabody writes in a very late Letter.
The Embargo tingles in every Vein. The Clamour against it will grow louder and louder and every Man who voted for it more and more unpopular with the Party who oppose it. We cannot give the Law to France nor England by this measure, and nothing is done to lay the foundation of a Navy, the only Arm that can protect Us. I See no System in the Conduct of Administration or of Congress.
From  the government of John Bunyans Honourable Mr Penny wise, Pound foolish, good Lord deliver Us.
A Repeal of the Embargo Laws, would instantly expose, many rash Adventurers to burn their Sails. Arming their Vessells would be of little or no Use, without Frigates to convoy and protect them. The present Congress will never declare War against England or France. Neither of those Powers will declare War against Us, any more explicitly than they have done already. Are We then to remain for years in this Situation? We may be more disposed to War among ourselves, for what I know, than we are to fight With any foreign Power. The present humiliation of the northern States cannot long endure, without producing Passions which will be very difficult to restrain. I am weary of Conjectures.
My Love to your Family and all your Friends.


Title: From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 15 April 1808
From: Adams, John
To: Smith, John Adams

Quincy, April 15; 1808

You ask me whether “an armed Vessel of a belligerent Nation has a right to search a vessel of a neutral.” I answer No, except for contraband of war. This exception is established by the law and practice of nations; and confirmed by Treaties. But there is no right to search for men. The King of England acknowledges that he has no right to search for men a neutral ship of war even for deserters from his own Navy. You may ask his Majesty where he finds a distinction in this respect between a ship of war and a merchant ship. He who claims a right must shew a law. Is there any divine, human, or moral law, which distinguishes Merchant ship from Military ships? Both are under the laws and Jurisdiction of the nation to whom they belong and are subject to no other, and are entitled to all the privileges of their own Country and their own laws.
The English nation says their men of war have no right to impress seamen from their own merchant men. Judge Foster has laboured hard to maintain that right. But the nation does not agree with Judge Foster. No act of Parliament; No Judgment of any court of law appears upon record to justify impressment. Espriella says it sometimes costs the government in Cutters, Luggers, and hired pressgangs, an hundred pounds sterling a man. The pressgangs are resisted, fought, and Leiutenants, Midshipmen, and boatswains often killed. Yet no inquisition of murder is made. Nor would any Jury in the kingdom, I beleive, find a man guilty of murder, who should kill a pressgang in defence of his liberty. Impressment of seamen in England is always a civil war. But if the right of the English to impress their own subjects from their own ships was clear they would have no right to impress even their own subjects from foreign neutral vessels ships. The pretence to this right is a shameless effrontery unprecedented in all time and in all space.
If a belligerent had a right to search neutrals, a neutral would have an equal right to search belligerent merchantmen. Think of the consequences. An American Gun boat would have a right to search a British East Indiaman of a thousand or twelve hundred tons burthen, mounted with fifty guns. On the contrary a British cutter or lugger of ten swivels, would have a right to search an American East Indiaman or any other American merchantman of whatever tonage.
Think of national delicacy and dignity. Think of the spirit and courage of seamen. Can American seamen bear? ought they to bear? Ought they to submit to the tyranny of British Seamen? Will not such impressments break their hearts and put petticoats on them all? Can we ever expect to have a navy, that will stand against foreign seamen, if ours are habituated tamely and patiently to bear such indignities and injuries? Take away from a seaman his pride and his spirit, and he is no more than a Spaniel. You ask very pertinently what constitutes this right? I answer—nothing—there is no such right. You cannot surely ask the Question seriously whether power constitutes right. You might as well ask whether wrong constitutes right.
The Gambler says in a play that I read at your age “Fools are the natural prey of knaves: Nature made them so, when she made lambs for wolves.” Upon this principle, and on this principle only can Britons ground a right to impress seamen from any American ships. The simplicity of this country in their total negligence of naval preparations may well entitle us to the character of lambs, if not of fools. And the Britons are welcome to their choice between those of Knaves or Wolves.
The federalists have made a great exertion in this state as well as in yours. If their object is to defend our rights, I wish them success. But if their intention is to give them up, I hope they will fail.
&c &c
J. A.


Title: From John Adams to William Steuben Smith, 15 April 1808
From: Adams, John
To: Smith, William Steuben

My dear William
Quincy April 15. 1808.

I thank you for your agreeable letter of 31st March from Albany.
Grumbles at the Embargo appear to me to be mere electioneering artifices. The orders and Proclamations of the King of England, and the Decrees of the Emperor of France at Berlin and Milan, ought to be and would be an embargo, if our Government had not interfered. Perhaps some Merchants would have adventured; but it would have been only to augment the Spoliations of one power or another. It is said that Merchants are the best judges of their own Commerce and the risks they may run. As far as respects their own private individual interest this may be true of some not all of them. But none of them are the best judges of the effects of their Commerce upon the great interests of the Nation. There are higher interests in Society than Commercial interests, great and important as they are. The interests of National defence involves the lives, liberties and property of the people, and these are surely of more consequence than trade. The Agricultural interest too, is of an higher order than the Commercial, though both are naturally useful to each other at all times and necessary at some. To shew you the genius of Mercantile adventure, there is a Dutch anecdote well attested in history, which may convince you what sort of Judges some Merchants are of their own projects and of National duties, as well as interest. Prince William Henry of Orange laid siege to Antwerp, invested the City on all sides and blocked up the Port. Nevertheless, notwithstanding all his vigilance and activity, he found the inhabitants were from time to time supplied with provisions, ammunition, arms and even Cannon. With much anxiety and probably at great expense of spies & informers he at length discovered that Antwerp was supplied by a company of Merchants of Amsterdam. The Prince sent for those Merchants and reproached them severely with their ingratitude and treachery to their Country, asking them how they could be so base as to sacrifice their Country to its enemies for a paltry profit. The principal man of the Company answered that “trade ought to be free; and if it was necessary to go to Hell in the course of his Commerce he would run the risk of burning his sails.”
I wait for a letter from you at Smith’s Valley. My love to your father and Mother and sister; compliments to your Uncles and Aunt. We are all well and join in regards to you all. I have had two kind letters from your brother, who writes in good spirits and seems to have a mind awake with a laudable curiosity for knowledge and ardor for study.
I am with warm affection your Grandfather


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 17 April 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

my dear Daughter
Sunday Quincy April 17th 1808

It is So long since I received a Letter from you; that I am anxious to hear from you. I have written twice Since, once before william left us; and once Since. I hope he has arrived in health and Safety; we received his Letter from Albany and heard by way of miss Hinkly, that his visit to Govenour Strong was very pleasing to the Govenour. I feel anxious for him the times are very discourageing to a young Man just entering upon the Stage of Life—they cannot remain in this Stagnant State much longer—we are driven up into the close corner and cannot move, but to our own loss and destruction—our government seem determined to Stand Still, and wait for the Salvation of the Lord; the public are now in possession of all the documents respecting our foreign Relations. candour will allow them to be liberal, wise and just on the part of our own government, and can see nothing but forbearence Moderation and patience towards those who have abused our Moderation and insulted our patience—Mr moses mission could never seriously be intended to make reperation, clogd with conditions which as an independent Nation the President could never acceed to with out a degradation of which an injured Nation, could not possibly Submit to. your Brother Thomas has inclosed to William, a Letter from your Brother JQA to mr H G otis, which will give you a fuller view of our Difficulties with England than have been known to you before I presume, and will give you his reasons for voting for the embargo, a measure he well knew which would render him very unpopular. The Letter is such as an honest upright Man, need not blush to own, disclosing facts which the Nation ought to know at this critical juncture. it is however so bitter a pill, that the Anglo Americans cannot Swallow it So they resort to revileing, and abuse, calumny and Slander to injure the writer, and to draw down vengence upon him—but the curse causeless Shall not come. I never expected to see what are calld the federal papers So blindly attachd to any foreign Nation—english partizens & French partizens (tho they are fewer in number) divide our country whilst the pure and Native American can Scarcly find a spot, upon which he may place his foot, and make a firm Stand against these encroachments—we may truly say, we are in a strait betwixt between two—
our respective families are all well. mrs B Adams has a daughter—our little ones are well. The Chinese Chatterer grows daily more interesting. we begin to look quite verdent here, the gooseburry Bushes have leaved, and our daffies are in Bloom
My Love to Caroline I hope an other Saturday will not pass without bringing Letters to your / affectionate / Mother
Abigail AdamsRemember me to the col to william and all the rest of the family—I hear mrs Long is gone to Scotland with her Husband


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 April 1808
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mother
Washington 20. April 1808.

My wife received a few days since a letter from you, and I had the happiness of receiving one also from you, yesterday or the day before—In the former there seems to be an intimation that on our part, we had not been so punctual in our correspondence with you, as our duty and affection justly requires—My wife had written you not long before—As for myself I have not indeed written you so often as my inclination would have dictated—But I hope you will impute it to any cause rather than to a failure in the dearest of my duties—Among the severest of the trials which have befallen me during the present Session of Congress (and they have been severe beyond any that I ever was before called to meet) that of having incurred in some particulars the disapprobation of both my Parents has been to me the most afflictive.—Totally disconnected with all the intrigues of the various parties which have been in such a violent electioneering fermentation, I have been obliged to act upon principles exclusively my own, and without having any aid from the party in power have made myself the very mark of the most envenomed shafts from their opponents—Although I attended at Mr: Bradley’s Caucus or Convention, yet it has been very explicitly understood by the principal friends of the Candidates that I had no intention to become the partizan of either—This neutrality with regard to persons, has of course neutralized the men of both sides in return, and having taken an active and decided part upon much of the public business, it has on one side been convenient to load me with the burthen of managing as much of it as I would assume, and on the other to leave me to defend myself as well as I could from the assailants of another Quarter—Hence there has been scarcely a measure of great public importance, but I have been obliged to attend to in Committee as well in the Senate; and in addition to all the rest a question of expulsion of a member has been imposed upon me, of great difficulty respecting the forms of proceeding, and the merits of the particular case, which I have been compelled to carry through almost alone—The question was taken about ten days since and the vote for expulsion was nineteen to ten. The Constitution requiring two thirds to carry the vote, it failed by a single vote—I could tell you though it may not be proper to say upon paper, by what a curious concurrence of parties the ten votes of acquittal was compounded—
The Letter of Mr: Pickering, is another document of which I could account for the origin from circumstances perhaps not known to you—I was not named in that letter, but it was hardly possible for me to avoid noticing it. My Letter to Mr: Otis was written in great haste, and of course in point of composition is incorrect—It touches only upon the leading inaccuracies of his statement, because both my own want of time, and a regard to the public patience, made it necessary for me to be as short as possible—Yet it engrossed every leisure moment I could command for a fortnight—I mention these things by way of excuse for not having written more frequently to you—
I have had no intention or desire of influencing Elections by what I have written—If an impartial person will consider the situation in which I was placed by Mr: Pickering’s letter, I think he will perceive that something from me was indispensible—The effects of my letter, will I hope, be what was intended—To promote Union at home, and urge to vigour against foreign hostile powers—If federalism consists in looking to the British Navy, as the only Palladium of our Liberties, I must be a political heretic—If federalism will please to consist of a determination to defend our Country, I still subscribe to its doctrines.
My father and brother write me that my letter to Mr: Otis will not have much circulation—I know very well that argument for Embargo, will not be so catching as invective against it, and if my countrymen are not Inclined to hear me, I must bear their indifference, with as much fortitude and philosophy as I can command—I should hope at least that in future, the Legislature will not be taken by surprize, and driven to imprudent measures, by having a fire-brand thrown into their windows, in the midst of their Session—
We adjourn next Monday—In a fortnight from that time, I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you, and at least at Quincy I shall be sure of meeting no altered faces—I will take care of Alliborne’s Bill, which you enclosed—My wife and child are well.
Your’s dutifully
John Quincy Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 23 April 1808
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

My dear Sir.
Washington 23. April 1808.

I have received your two letters of last Week, with a dozen copies of my letter to Mr: Otis—And Mr: Gardiner’s fast Sermon—But the copies which you mention as forwarding with your’s of the 15th: instt: have not come to hand. I thank you most cordially for the promptitude with which you executed the charge of publication—I find the federal newspapers in Boston, which began with a system of silence about my letter, have at last found their tongues—Of the use which their opponents make of this paper, I cannot be surprized—But if there be such a person as a candid and impartial federalist (and I trust the great majority of them are such) I ask him to say who is justly chargeable with my publication, and all its effects, whatever they may be—I had no party purposes—No electioneering views—But an attack so violent, and at such a time—and in such a manner, was a strong call upon me for notice—Yet I have most truly said that this alone, I would have overlooked—My Motives were altogether of a public Nature—
I expect to reach home about the 10th: of next Month—I would thank you to see that the family in my house, have it opened and aired a day or two before that time—Mrs. Alker mentioned to my mother that she would attend to it; and I will be obliged to you to speak to her for that purpose.
Your’s faithfully
John Quincy Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, April 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear son
Quincy April 1808

A1tho I have not so frequently written to you It has not been oweing to Your having been less frequently in my Thoughts than formerly; I found it so difficult to determine from a partial view, what were the wisest and best measures for the government to pursue, in a day so dark, and in times so perilious, that Silence was best for me, after having once given my opinion upon a subject where we had differd in judgement, altho from a more clear view of the subject, and the circumstances attending it, I have been led to think of it, in a different light. We expect tomorrow to have your full view of our national affairs. Altho you must expect that it will raise a Hornets nest arround you, the Consciousness of having uprightly discharged your duty to your country, will serve to shield you from their Stings. Your Father has various times exprest a wish that you would come out, explicitly, and avow your Sentiments, and opinions, and since the publication of another Senetors celebrated Letter he has thought it a duty which you owed to yourself and your constituents—as the Election in this State is now decided, it cannot be said to have been written with a desire to influence that. Both your Father and Mother attended the meeting here, but neither of them voted for Govenour. From personal Friendship they would both have been willing to have given Mr. Gore their vote, if other reasons and motives had not opperated more powerfully in their minds. Some which led them to think a Change at this critical moment might not prove favorable to the true Interest of the State. Many things may be said, which it is improper to commit to paper. To us at a distance, we cannot but look with astonishment, that no effective measures are adopted for defence even the Gun Boats are thought useless, by striping them of their men and at this eventfull crisis congress are about to rise! as tho it was a time of profound peace. I own I cannot see through the wisdom and policy which directs the counsels of the Nation.
I will quit the Subject and say something respecting our domestic affairs. When William Smith left us he exprest a desire to obtain a commission in the Army. I knew not whether you would think it consistant with your Ideas, after what had past respecting his Father, to mention him yourself to Mr. Madison, or the Secretary of war and I should not wish, or desire you to do any thing which would look like asking a favour from any of them. I had much rather write myself to Mr. Jefferson as I shall not have any scruple in doing  when I hear from William.
Your son John is very well, grows fast. He dinned with us with us to day. George was well last week.
I inclose my flower account which I will thank you to settle for me, as you come through Philadelphia.
My Love to Mrs. Adams—I wrote to her about a week ago. We are all well, and shall be very glad to see you return, if you can do so, consistant with the public good.
Your affectionate / Mother
Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 8 May 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

My dear Daughter
Quincy May 8th 1808

I took my pen to write to you this morning in a placid temper of mind; the news papers of yesterday lay by me, which I had not lookd into comeing late last evening from Boston: papers bearing the title of Federal. I  found in them such a bitter Spirit of Party, such uncandid constructions, such false conclusion and, such mean crinching to one power, and such bigg Blustering against an other, that I own I felt my indignation strongly excited against the writer tho unknown to me. In every paper and upon every occasion they attack your Brother with a Venom and Spight, which shows fully how much they dread his tallents, and how keenly they feel the force of his replie to Col. Pickerings Letter. So totally devoted to the essex junto are all the Federal Printers in Boston, that they have refused to publish a single line in answer to the false and scandelous publications with which there papers have teemed ever since the Report in the case of John Smith appeard—This is the fate of every public Man who wishes to do his duty with fidelity to his country, to  impartially administer equal justice to all—the Spirit of party has become so Rancorous that a civil war  will break out, unless some method can be devised to subdue the base passions of envy, jealousy, and moderate the contending factions—candour, liberality and that Charity which the Gospels so highly recommends—which suffereth long and is kind, which envieth  not which vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself  unseemly seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil   rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. this truly Christian Spirit seems banished from the Hearts and pens of Men, and in lieu  of it,  Calumny and evil  speaking, falsehood and deceit prevail take the lead. can the cause  of truth and justice prevail when thus borne down! this is no new thing under the sun. the History of the world is full of Such base ingratitude, and for this   the judgements of heaven are abroad in the Earth, and for these Sins we shall like other Nations  be scourged. in proportion    as our Family have been engaged in public Life have they shared from one and the other party, their full proportion of  oblique and ill treatment, but I challenge   either party, in their hour  of calmness to produce a single instance, or one action  where the honour independence and safety of the Country has not been the ultimate object  of every member of the family where personal safety has not been hazarded, personal property Sacrificed and the Whole long Life of its most ancient Member Solely devoted to the public interest. Having given vent to my feelings excited by news paper revileings I quit the Subject, and its Authors, and ask forgiveness for them as I am instructed in holy writ—and notice your kind Letters of March 6th and April 24th which I received both together and thank you for them—to hear often from you is a great pleasure to me, one of the few left me in the decline of Life, when the days approach in which we are told there is no pleasure. there is an innocent pleasure to be derived from the renovating Season of the Spring which Charms us even in age. I feel its influence in the vivid Green which cloaths the Earth, in the beautious Blosom which adorn the trees, and in “the Charm of Earliest Birds” these are all before me. the Grass waves in the wind. I never Saw it more forward at this Season. on the 24 of April we cut our first assparagrass. on the 25 our Daffies Bloomd. our peach & pear & plomb trees are in full Bloom. peas ready to stick—I did not expect to hear from you, that your peas were up; I should like to have you State the progress of your vegetation that we may compare notes—our Barley is also up. I am glad to find that you have been so successfull in making maple Sugar. every manafactor which will render us less dependent, is a valuable aquisition.—My Immagination frequently visits you, and always find you occupied. to be Idel would be novel altogether to you. we cannot be sufficiently thankfull to our early employers instructors for teaching us habits of industery, training us up in the way we should go, that in age we may not depart from it—it is a true saying, that the devil will find work for those who have not any employment. the mind is naturally active and the body requires it also—
“Born to no end, we worse than useless grow
as waters stagnate when they cease to flow.”
Mrs TBA desires me to ask you if you have not received a Letter which she wrote you in Feb’ry. our little Abbe grows a little charmer. how she would delight to ramble with Caroline, and feed the chickins. She is a daily visitor to the puppy children as she calls them and runs as fast as a quail when she gets out. the little one is a very beautifull Baby, quiet as a Lamb, fine dark Eyes, and black Hair. She bids fair to out shine her Sister in personal Beauty—Mrs Adams’s Sister Foster has a Son about a week old—Mrs B Adams has a daughter—So we increase and Multiply and replenish the earth
Charlot Welch has been with us this fortnight—Susan rambles with her. She wants Caroline too—Susan Scolds because Caroline does not write. your Father received Williams Letter and was satisfied with his reasons. William must continue to write. tell him it is a habit the pleasure of which increases with the practise, but becomes urksome by neglect—Your Father Sends his Love to you all. Louisa Susan and all the domesticks desire me to make mention of their high consideration—I believe I wrote you that Mrs Dexter and family were removed to their own House—we expect your Brother and family to arrive this week. inclosed is a Letter for Caroline—
affectionatly Your Mother
Abigail Adams


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 9 May 1808
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Sister
Atkinson May 9th. 1808

Last Wednesday Miss Livermore was conducted by her Brother, from this House, as far as Haverhill, accompanied by Mr Eliot, for she told her Brother she would not ride with him, he looked so plaugy homely, & cross—Mr Eliot should go with her, certainly as far as Haverhill where they would stop one night, for she was not able to go further—The next day was fine weather & Dr Clapp was good enough to take his Horse, & go with her to Newbury.—Dr Clapp, Eliot, & her Brother, arrived a thursday P.M. with her safe at her Fathers house—for which I am more than glad—Though I could not but reprobate her Temper & conduct, yet I could not sometimes, but lament her unhappy Situation, with tears of sincere pity—She is indeed an unhappy young Lady—infirm, irratable, sick—Self-exiled—from a Parents hospitable protecting Mansion—She has found many who flatter, but few who are real Friends, few, who will perform the energies—the realities of Friendship—Unhappy Girl! Blessed with Opportunities, & with Intellects superior to the generality of your Sex, you have suffered them to lie dormant, or applied them to triffling Objects.—You have gathered some of the flowers of Literature, without benefiting yourself, or Others by the richness, or variety of its Fruit—
Unhappy—Sick—Wicked—Child—still reverberates—& dwells upon my mind—All that I have done, in every attention I have payed Miss Livermore, my motives have been such as my reason approves—All I regret is, that my endeavours to render her amiable, useful in life, & happy—has not proved more successful—
I am thankful she is gone for my Boarders sake; for she was always saying something to vex, and corrode—And for Abby, too, for she had gotten well enough to get into her chamber, & I know it hurt Abby, though she was unwilling to own it. She would sometimes cry, and tell her all her troubles—& all her love affairs, & all her romantic brain could suggest,—of wounded hearts—& unrequited Love— Fortune ever proving, an unrelenting Foe to her—Those that liked her, she hated—& those she approved were inveterate towards her—In one word—she was ever uneasy, her temper, like an evil Genius—tearing—& tormenting—Soul & Body—Abby got so that for several nights she slept none, or an hour or two—She is very feeble yet does not puke near so often, & passes more days without—I fear it will be a long time before she perfectly recovers—exercise in the air, is what I most depend on—but I cannot go far with her at present—& we hate to go puking about—Nature yet assumes great regularity—for which we are glad—She has had a terrible cough for a fortnight, but is now better—wholly owing to the irritation by puking—& the wind seems like a pump—My Letter thus far, is a doleful ditty—I do sometimes extend my views, dear Sister, a little further than the sick Chambers—& think of my Country—though her prospects do not afford me a pleasant view. It is said that when knaves fall out, honest men will be righted—But when men of integrity are opposed in sentiment, & conduct—what will be the consequence—I have always said Mr Adams, would do what he thought just & best—though he knew he should be sacrificed—I thank you for his Letter, I will return it when Mrs Adams makes her visit—Mrs Harrods says she expects her soon—I hope shall be able to have more of her company, than when she was there before We are very sorry cousin William could not make us a visit before his departure—I always loved him—There was a sedateness that pleased me. It was a Trait—upon which discretion would naturally grow—
I wish I could do exactly as I pleased—I wish I could exchange, if Abby should be well enough—& have Cousin Susan come, in the way of exchange, for three months—I have not said a word to Mr Peabody—nor I do not know, that Abby will ever be well enough to go from home—I have no Lady with me, but Mary White, & I have so many Lads, that I do not intend to take more than one female to be her company—
I should have finished this before, but the Boarders return, brought much company to the house—I will send it to Haverhill by Mr Peabody who is going to attend the funeral of my much esteemed Friend Mr Atwood—Alas! how frail, how uncertain, are all things here—He was the Benefactor, of the widow, & the unfortunate—We feel our loss—& sympathise with his bereaved Partner, & her weeping Children—But she has the Christian’s Amour, may she find it a shield, & a firm Support—I can write no more than / that I am ever yours affectionately
E P—Love where due—


Title: From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 11 May 1808
From: Cushing, Hannah Phillips
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Madam
Scituate May the 11th. 1808.

I had the happiness of receiving your excellent letter at Middleton, for which my heart is alive to gratitude. My dear Connexions were thankful for your kind rememberance of them. We returned home last week, & expect to set out for Portsmouth next Mony, when we hope to have the satisfaction of passing some social hours at Your Mansion. Excuse the brevity of this my Dear Friend, as many cares devolve upon me at present. My Dear Sisters Mrs Bowers, & Mrs Jackson are hear. They unight with me in every sentiment of respect to you, & the President
H Cushing


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 28 May 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: De Windt, Caroline Amelia Smith

My Dear Caroline:
Quincy, May 28th, 1808.

Your letter of May the 8th, your grandpapa brought home with him from church, on Sunday the 20th; owing to sickness I was not able to go, and am yet confined to my chamber. My fever and cough are both leaving me, and I hope a few days more will give me health sufficient to enjoy the fine season.
I have been reading a novel called the Wild Irish Girl. Why the term wild is given, I know not, unless as a ridicule upon those who imbibe national prejudices, merely from vague report. She is represented as living in an ancient barony with her father, who in the wars had been despoiled of his property, and had retired with his daughter, her old nurse, and Father John, a learned, polite, and liberal minded priest, from whom she received her education. Here she lived, a recluse from the world, but with a lively imagination, a sportive fancy, a devotion to music, which she practised upon her harp, the favourite instrument of her country. She studied, and was perfectly versed in the historic knowledge of her native land; as a resource, she became a botanist, and on a thousand occasions, displayed such a love of nature and its productions, which she describes so artlessly, with such a vivid display of superior powers, that she charms and enchants the reader. She had gathered the first rosebud of the spring, which she had watched with much care, and presented to a young stranger, whom chance had led to the barony, and who had for some months been an inmate there, and who at the request of her father had been her preceptor in drawing. In return she repeated to him a little ode from the French. “Oh beautiful! beautiful!” exclaimed Glorvina, “I thank you for this beautiful ode; the rose was always my idol flower in all its different stages of existence; it speaks a language my heart understands, from its young bud’s first crimson glow, to the last sickly blush of its faded bloom; it is the flower of sentiment in all its sweet transitions; it breathes a moral, and seems to preserve an undecaying soul in that fragrant essence which still survives the bloom and symmetry of the fragile form which every beam too ardent, every gale too chill, injures and destroys.”
Your little darling A. has been sick, and looks like the flower or the bud in its faded form, which I have just been describing; more interesting in decay than bloom—one exciting all the pleasing sensations, the other a softer and tenderer sentiment.
Our friends here are all well. To-morrow will be our general election day; the embargo should not be complained of by the federalists, for it has increased their number ten fold, and will be like to give them such a weight in the councils of the nation, as no other measure of a peaceable kind could have effected.
With the love and affection of the whole family, jointly and severally, I close my letter to my dear Caroline, and am her truly affectionate grandmother,
A.A.


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 June 1808
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Sister—
Atkinson Jun. 15th 1808

I received your kind letter, with the sum enclosed for Mr Little. Butter has, since yours was engaged, fallen to fifteen Cents pr pd—but we have had none yet, under a shilling—It is very mortifying to the Farmers to bring their produce so many miles, & have to take a quarter less than they expected—An high price, has for many years sweetened their Labour—& their heavy toils have been lightend, by increasing Wealth—
Every Class of People seem to be hanging their Harps upon the Willow, suffering, or foreboding Evil—But none feel distress more immediately, than those who do buisness upon the mighty Waters, & have ploughed the Deep, to get their bread—Totally unaccustomed to fell the lofty Forrests, or to dig, the Earth—& sow the grain, how shall they gain subsistance for their dependant Families—Was there just Cause for War, was it to defend virtuous Liberty, our natural Rights, our Country—with pleasure, I could see our Sons, gird on the Sword, martial their Hoste, & like Cornelia, I would contribute my all, for their Support—But now—how puerile, how weak, how impolitic the pretext—Alas! what can feeble Woman do to avert the uplifted Sword, but ardently petition Heaven, to “Send forth the saving Virtues round the Land, In bright Patrol”—
I find your eldest Son shares the same fate with his predecessors in public office, that is, have his best motives misconstrued—But I trust his integrity will uphold him, and his knowledge of National Interests, eventually convince all, that he is not actuated by sinister motives, but that their best good, is his Ultimate Object—Mr Quincy is very eloquent in Congress, & appears to be an able advocate for his Constituents—
The above has lain this fortnight for Time, to give me one kind favourable moment, to finish what I had to say at present, & send it on Post haste—Since your last Letter, we have had Cold, & Wind, & a dreadful Storm—enough to satisfy all the “Croakers,” that Winter would not perish in the Sky—& that the serene, pleasant Sunshine, was only the Halcyon Days, which we too often find the prelude to dark, & tempestous Seasons, both in the natural and moral World—
I am very glad to hear Cousin William is with you, as he had not opportunity given him to finish his Collegiate course, he can now take hold of them, perhaps, to greater advantage, under the Patronage of his venerable learned Grandfather, than he could, even, at the best University—I am fully convinced the advantages my Son, received from a like situation, under your parental beneficent roof, priviledged with the best Society, & the best of Books were more than he obtained the whole four years he spent at Cambridge—It is true, that I believe, he looks back, with regret, & thinks his Time & opportunities might have been much better improved—“have borne to heaven more welcome tidings—It is greatly wise, to talk with our past Hours,” & I hope he does not neglect this important duty—Nor would I have him forget, to look forward, and secure a prudent, virtuous, sensible, partner, to partake of his joy, & of the Sorrows, which are inevitable, in this Vale of Tears. How does our distressed Phebe do? I have thought much of her, in this cold weather—When she leaves this, I hope she will arrive at a better Country—where pain, & sorrow never reach—
Master George is well—sends duty, & Love. When it is weather he cannot attend in the Academy he studies at home, Abby assists him in parsing, & is very fond of him—
We had a few days of fine travelling, and we were full of company all the time, since that we have had bad colds, & one of my family taking with puking, & incessant sickness of the Stomack which lasted four days, & to day, is full of pain, & fever—This must apologize for my not writing before, & sending Mr Little’s Bill to you—
With sincere love, & affection for you all of both dear families, I am ever yours—

E—Peabody


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 18 June 1808
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Atkinson June 18th. 1808

Mr Lion and his intended I suppose so, as the modern phrase is, called here last Wednesday—I was very glad to see any one from your house, that could give me any information of my Dear Sisters health & welfare—I told Mary, she I fancied, was going to add one more pair to the Nuptial Circle of your Dometicks—She with down cast smiling simpers, blushed the Affirmative—
She talked as if she could not return to Quincy, but said you did not know of her tarry at home—I then urged her to return for this Summer, as I presumed it would be a disappointment to you, & leave an unfavourable impression upon your mind,—respecting the fairness of her conduct, as she acknowledged you, & the family had treated her with the greatest kindness—
I was very glad to have my Son come, though his Visit here was short, as Abby was very desirous of seeing her Brother, and would often wonder why he could not come—He sees her so little, that he cannot love her half so much as he ought—Dear Girl, if pain, and sickness long and peculiarly destressing, give her any claim to his esteem, & attention, she stands high on the list—Her patience under suffering, I hope, arises from a better Source, than a mere happy temper—
I have not heard one word how our dear George does, since his return to his Parents—He certainly was as extraordinary a Child as I ever knew—I regretted Abbys sickness upon his account, for she delighted to assist him in English Grammer—& he seldom forgot what she told him—He was apt to be peevish sometimes, but we could always talk, & reason him into good humour—
Mr Peabody & I have been called to attend his Sister Mary, to the house appointed for all the living—She died sudden at last, though she was very unwell for several weeks—I hope her exchange of worlds, has been happy— she was a kind, inoffensive, worthy woman—In early life met with a sad dissappointment—& been like a lone solatary Dove ever since—Out of eight Children Mr Peabodys Brothers and Sisters, only three remain—& we are all, aged, & are swiftly “marching downward, to the Tomb”— That we may stand, with loins girded up, ready to obey our heavenly Summons, is devoutly to be wished—
My Dear Abby remains very feeble, has a fever every day, and is unable to set up all day, She rides out, & always feels better—but seems too sick yet to go as far as Quincy—
It requires not a little self-Government, to see in the papers, & to hear the unjust Censure, & the reproaches cast upon a Man, who I believe has been actuated by no sinister motives, nor a disposition to change, but from reflection, and agreeably to the dictates of his conscience, & best Information he could obtain, from the best Authority—I cannot believe that he wished any one to yield implicit obedience to the mandate of a Despot—or even to the best President—If any thing droped of the kind, it must have been qualified—I think.
I find people differ in their Opinion respecting the policy, and wisdom of Mr Adams’ resigning his seat in Congress—
In great haste I must  with proper regards to the President, & all your family, your affectionate
 Eliza. Peabody


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 19 June 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

my dear daughter
Quincy June 19th 1808

Here we are Sitting by a good fire in the parlour, and wearing, our winter coats to meeting, whilst our windows are coverd with a profusion of roses, our Wall’s decorated with flowers expanding their Beauties to the cold Northern blast, which rudely lacerates their delicate texture, unmindfull of their Beauty; and headless of their fragrance.
I rose the other morning delighted with the visit I had made you; and the pleasing interview I had with you, and the Coll. William your Brother Mrs. St. Hillair, all but my dear Caroline not least beloved, whom I did not see. Your Father accompanied me, and we came rather unexpectedly upon you, but were not the less joyfully received. I was quite delighted with your situation, and found you so cheerfull and happy, that it augmented the pleasure of my visit which was only interrupted by the strikeing of the clock at the morning hour when I usually rise. Altho only a dream it left upon my mind so pleasing an impression, that I could not refrain communicating it at the Breakfast table, and calling upon the family to participate the pleasure.
It is some time since I received a Letter from you. Susan received one from Caroline of May 25th a few days since, full of her lovely lively spirits which delighted us all. I have been much confined at home from indisposition, for three weeks to my chamber with a bad cough and some fever: it has now left me, altho a change of weather produces a hoarsness. I have not been in Boston since your Brothers return there. He comes to Quincy almost every Saturday, and passes Sunday with us, but yesterday the rain and storm prevented him. Miss Kitty Johnson has been with us the week past, Altho she has not so many personal Charms as Eliza, her manners are more correct, and pleasing to me. I think she resembles her Mother in person and manners more than any of her other of her daughters. Our little Abbe is gone with her Aunt Mary to Haverhill. You may easily immagine how much we miss her. Mrs. James Foster has an other son—thus for domestick occurrences.
You have no doubt seen that our state Legislature and senate have a federal majority, and that they have elected Mr. Loyed a Senator to congress in the room of your Brother. Mr. Loyed is the only son of Dr Loyed, a Merchant, a gentleman of tallents & Education, of a fair and honorable Character, whom I presume will not discredit the State—How much of an Essex Man he is, Time will disclose. During the present session of the House, a number of Resolutions were brought forward, and adopted, with instruction to the Representitives and Senators, to use their influence in congress to carry them into effect. Those of them which recommend a Navy for the defence of our harbours and commerce, and fortifications for our security, not only your Brother, but every Man who is sensible of our exposed Situation, and the allarming State of our Country with respect to Foreign powers, would most readily assent to, but these resolutions were connected with others which calld for a decided opposition to the National Government, and in the view of your Brother, relinquished our Neutral Rights, and deserted our Seamen Subjects which he had ardently mantaind, and strenuously asserted against British orders, and French Edicts, and which he considerd as essential to our independence. Consistant therefore with his principles, he could not any longer hold his seat in the Senate. He resignd it, by a Letter to the two Houses, like an honest Man and true American.
The Federal Party have acted towards him a most ungenerous part—one which no honest Man can justify. They have vilified, abused and calumniated him because he could not adopt their principles, and become a party man, because he would have an opinion of his own. Every federal printer in Boston, refused to publish any thing which was written by way of justification, or explanation of his conduct. Let us pull him down, by any means, and any falshood, was the language of their conduct: the Republicans saw this, and eagerly caught the occasion to place him upon their side, and support him by their votes. This exasperated the federalist—and they rejected a man whose conduct and principles will reflect honour upon his country in Spight of all their mean jealousy, and narrow views. The Republicans have acted towards him, with more candour and liberality than they usually practise. They have not resorted to flattery but represent him as he really is, a man of a candid liberal mind, free from party views, of a pure heart, and unblemished Character, of distinguished tallents and integrity.— I cannot say that he has not felt, being wounded in the House of his Friends, yet his elevation of mind will enable him to bear with mildness and patience the jealousy of his equals, Which upon this occasion has been very conspicuous, the ill treatment of his fellow citizens, and the calumnies of his Enemies, being fully sensible that true greatness of Soul consists in Suffering these Trials without complaining, or abateing any thing of zeal for the public good. Plutarch observes that the ill usage of our Country, like that of our Parents, should be borne with Submission.
I must close this Letter with my best Love and regards to the Coll, who has Shared largely in these Bounties of his Country and who knows how to estimate good report, and evil report.
Verily there is a Reward for the Righteous. Let us act consciencously and leave the event.
With Love to every Branch of your Family from every twig of ours—I am my dear daughter / Most affectionately / Your Mother,
Abigail Adams—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 31 July 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

Quincy July 31. 1808

Do you know my Dear Daughter that the date of your last Letter was the 3 of June, since which I have not received a line from you. Perhaps you may have been occupied as I have been by a large family—Providence has been so bountifull to us this Season in the rich and ample supply of Grass, that we can neither procure sufficient hands to cut it; or Barns ample large enough to contain it. we have already cut 50 ton of English Hay, and shall nearly make an hundred. such a Grass Season was never known before. the misfortune is that labour is higher than I ever knew it, it being now in such demand, and Hay so low as to be sold at 7 dollars pr ton—we have employd 12 Men for three weeks past, and for them were obliged to send more than 20 miles. I hope we shall finish in a week more—but the Season has been so wet, that the Farmers have had bad luck in making their Hay. fruit will be very scarce, partly oweing to the rain and partly to a late frost which occasiond it to drop from the trees—corn looks well. Barley not so good. whilst Heaven is pouring down upon us plenty, and abundence, blessing us with a season also of Health, we are murmuring and contending at our Rulers, at their Laws and restrictions—that we have had a weak, timid cowardly administration is most certainly true, and that these measures have brought us into the present difficulties under which we are now suffering from the unjust decrees of one power, and the Hostile orders of counsel of an other power, I have no doubt—these led to the oppressive Embargo, which has cut up our Commerce; dispersed our Seamen; and brought distress upon the whole country, which and will terminate I fear in disobeidence to the Laws in insurrection and civil war, if a Foreign war does not prevent it—The Embargo must be repealed, and the vessels permitted to arm. the people of the Northern States will not suffer it to continue much longer.
We are, says a late writer the inhabitants of, a wicked and avaricious world. To grant one privilege and to submit to one insult, is proved by a thousand instances only to be the invitation to others, to proclaim aloud that, we will not defend ourselves or our property; that we will even destroy our implements of defence is the plainest language for the assassin and the Thief.
Does all History present us with an other such picture as Spain—a Monarck resigning, his crown, and commanding all his subjects to submit without a struggle to a foreign power?
August 8th
My Letter has lain for a week because I could not find time to fill up my paper. the weather has been intensly hot; and we have had company almost every day; there is not any Solitude or retirement in our House now. Abigail is as wild as a Bird, and flies in all directions, and I have little John here too, he came sick from Boston a month ago, fallen away so that you would not have known him pale as a corps and so languid I thought he was going into a decline but he has finely remited, and is driving round, now with Abbe enough to —here sits Susan too, for, I have fled to your chamber as the quiet spot in the house, writing a Letter to her mother, interupting me every few moments with some question (hold your peace, Hussy) whom I expect here soon with Abbe—I suppose you are not unacquainted with her dissapointment—the Gentleman has lost all his property—if he ever had any; I own I have my Doubts—there are so many imposters in the world that I think the greatest caution necessary inquiry ought to be made; every man can tell his own story, but who knows, more about him than what he relates of himself? his employment in this country must be known here—His story is that his Brother has ruind him, and that he has lost 80 thousand Dollars—he returnd according to his engagement, and I presume offerd to Mary, from what she writes, but I believe Sally declind at present; I do not know sufficiently respecting the Gentleman to make up an accurate judgement. She is comeing to make me a visit. I shall then learn more about him—our Friends are all well Your Brother J Q A has become a private Man again to my intire satisfaction. I never saw him in better health or Spirits. The responsibility he felt, the weight of buisness which devolved upon him the last session of congress, being upon every committee but three during the whole Session, kept him always anxious, and thinking differently upon public questions from his constituents. They sacrifised him to party views with a Malicious jealousy which will disgrace them in the Eyes of all those who are not devoted to Mammon. a more upright or honest man they never will find—but in times like the present, the post of honour is a private Station—
we know not one day what an other will bring forth the whole world is in a turmoil. Since I began this Letter accounts have reachd us, of the resistance of Spain to the usurpations of Beuonaparte. I most cordially wish them success—we shall feel the effects of the revolution and find new arguments for removeing the Embargo.—the office of president has ever been Stuck with thorns. It daily becomes a more difficult one to weild—A wise Man would find it a Hurculean task—who will Guide the helm upon the tempestous ocean I know not—there will be a Struggle I presume—Give my Love to William and tell him to write to us. I have a Letter from Caroline—I shall write next to her
I inclose a Letter for her which came from Newark—write to me my dear daughter, if it be only to tell me of your various occupations. Love to the Col. to William & Caroline
From your truly affectionate / Mother
Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 29 August 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

My dear Daughter
Quincy August 29 1808

Do you know how long a time has elapsed since you wrote a single line to your Mother? You did not use to be thus neglectfull of your pen: I am myself frequently tardy, but I believe unless the post has failed: that I have written twice, Since I recieved a Letter from you. Caroline has written once to me: and once to Susan so that my mind has been releived from the apprehension that you were sick. I have had an ill turn, and been confined to my chamber for a week past, with complaints similar to those which at this Season usually afflict me, an irregular intermitting fever, and Rhumatic complaints united—my head much affected, which has prevented my writing before. It is so common for me to be indisposed that it Seems a matter of course: but your Aunt Cranch has been much more sick than I have; being confined to her Bed with a Virtigo in her Head, so that she cannot bear a Ray of light, or walk or Stand a moment. She has taken an Emetic and been Blisterd, but is not yet relieved. You will easily conceive how much her sickness has added to my anxiety and distress—that she to whom I am so much indebted for the tenderest care, and assiduity, when I have been brought low. should herself want that aid, I am unable to afford her: it has so happend; that this is the  Season when Mrs Greenleaf and family make their visit; she is there fortunately, alltho encumberd with 5 children, and near being confined with her Sixth. Yet why should I say encumberd; doth not the Scripture Say, that children are an Heritage of the Lord? and is not every married person desirious of building up a family. Is it not their duty to do so. He who says, or lives as if he thought that “it is good for man to be alone gives the lie to his Maker; sins against the constitution of his nature, dishonours his Parents; defrauds another of one of the justest rights of humanity and exposes himself to commit offences against Society,” says good Dr. Hunter in his sacred Biography or history of the Patriarchs, a course of Lectures which I have lately been reading, and with which I have been highly pleased. I wish I could convey them to you. they are instructive, and entertaining, excellent family Books. I should be delighted to have my Caroline read them. You must read Uncle justise this admonition—Altho seperated from you as appears to me, a much greater distance than when you resided in the city of N York, my imagination follows you: and I think of you hourly, regret the Seperation, and mourn that my only Daughter cannot more frequently visit her Parents. yet I check myself, and say am I not ungratefull? Has she not been with me through many of my most Dangerous, and painfull sicknesses, a solace and comfort and consolation to me. might she not be placed in circumstances much more distressing for me to reflect upon?
How is my dear William, laid aside his pen for the implements of Husbandery. Can the wilderness make him forget the social fire side of Quincy—the Slate and pencil of his Grandfather over which he last Winter spent so many—shall I say pleasent, or usefull Evenings? From John we hear pretty often, He and his Grandfather are still correspondents—He writes for information, and instruction, which his Grandfather readily communicates—I expect Susan’s Mamma & Sister every day to spend some time with me. She seems to be unfortunate in her expected connexion, and Sausy Susan says, sighs and groans, as much as if she was a young Girl—for the slut got her Letters to me and read them. You know she is too knowing in some things for her years. Caroline says to Susan—write me any thing but politicks—If you say so too, I shall hardly know how to comply. yet they are very vexatious topicks. But who can feel indifferent when the prevalence of Party Spirit, distorts every effort for the public good into a conspiracy to overturn the constitution; and native Americans unite with foreigners to degrade the hand which gave them Birth and Humiliate themselves to become tributary vassels—The vile spirit of Party, Sacr has sacrificed at their shrine, honour integrity and talents. That corresponding opinions prevail in other states, I will coppy from the Newspaper an Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in South Carolina to his Friend in this State “The shamefull neglect of talents of integrity and manly candour and firmness, which has occured with you in leaving out John Q Adams as Senator, excites here universal Sympathy in his favour, and a corresponding disgust at the conduct of his opposers. I hear him spoken of with enthusiastic admiration, and I make no doubt but that the ill usage he has received, will in the long run, prove highly advantageous to him”
With respect to the Letter so much the subject of federal censure and abuse, there is every thing in it, which constitutes an upright honest candid Man, who loves his country better than Gold: and who dared to Strip the mask from the face of deformity—and hold up to public view the true and real picture—I consider it as a family trophy—as a coat of Arms and pride myself more in being the Mother of such a Son, than in all the honours and titles which Monarch could bestow
I am disgusted when I see low artifice substituted, for candor, falshood for truth, and the same arts resorted to support a good cause, which were used to accomplish a bad one. it has been publicly asserted that your Father has said that he fully approved of the present Administration. nothing could be more false. He must first condemn all the great leading principles of his own which were neither weak, or timid, rash or voilent, cruel or vindictive—they were the Halcion Days of America. What is to be our future Lot—Heaven only knows. May the Righteous few save our Land—
our Friends here are well, save those I have mentiond.—Remember me affectionatly to the Col., to William and Caroline. I hope Mrs. St. Hilliar has recoverd from her fall. For a sprain when first done, a Tea Kettle of cold water poured upon it in a Stream; is the best thing, I ever saw used, tho painfull it is salutary.
Our little Abbe is a delightfull sensible forward child, but Eliza is the Beauty—fine large chesnut Eye, black hair, and fair skin, short Limbs round face and a quiet child
I must bid you good night or I shall get a sleepless night—and then it will all be attributed to writing—Your ever affectionate / Mother
Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 1 October 1808
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir
Quincy october 1st 1808

Shall we ever have the pleasure of a visit from you at Quincy. I can Scarcly credit that you Should be so intirely weaned from a place, and Friends whom you once loved and esteemed. I know your avocations are numerous—your time fully occupied, but you may have leisure to visit the Atheneum, when your Friends here are to be no more seen. your uncle and Aunt Cranch have both been very sick. your Aunt more so than I ever knew her; Save once She is still very low. your good Sister is with her, administring to her comfort. A dear amiable Girl she is. you do not know her worth
I expect your mother next week—
I inclose you a Letter which came under cover to your uncle—I think it is time to remind our Tennant that he must pay up his Rent in october. He will cry out the Embargo—but milk has not borne a less price than formerly, and he was very neglegent before the embargo commenced—it is no favour to a man to let him run behind hand. I am not for being hard with him and we have waited upon him patiently—it would be well for you to inquire into his circumstances, and whether he was a punctual man where he formerly lived—if he cannot pay his Rent, he had better quit the Farm at the expiration of his year. can you procure for me corrinna in Itally? affectionatly Your Aunt

Abigail Adams