Title: From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 3 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Smith, William Stephens

Dear Sir,
Quincy July 3rd. 1813

Your letters give us information as well as entertainment. Your reception at head Quarters & at the war office, augur well for the public. It is impossible that your ideas, your conversation, can be wholly lost to either
Dearborne is really to be pitied. He is worn down and tormented by the disease that humbled the great spirit of Louis 14th; not to mention the misfortunes of the first year of war; or the fatigues of body or distractions of mind, that errors of Government, or Indiscipline of Militia Volunteers or regulars must have occasioned. General Hampton succeeds. You know better than I whether the change is propitious. One merit he certainly has. Jefferson & Madison owe the existence of their administrations entirely to him. And a bright Laurel, a splendid distinction it is. Posterity, I hope will know it.
The great Comedy of Errors has arisen from that immense Error of the first Concoction attempting Canada without the command of the Lakes. I expect soon to see the Southern & middle States as enthusiastic for a Navy on the Lakes, as I have been for 38 years, for such an arm on the ocean. If they are not I shall despair of their understandings or their sensibility. An hundred thousand Lives & two hundred millions of taxes can only be saved by a decided irresistable superiority on the Lakes.
The hopes from the negotiation at St Petersburg are of a character with those sanguine hopes held out by Lord Drummond in 1775. Perhaps you remember not the name. It is too deeply impressed on my memory, and heart ever to forget it. Mr Jefferson I warrant you remembers it well. Carlisle, Eden & Johnstone, may be more generally remembered. “Our Country is in a deplorable condition.” Nothing but patience and perseverance can preserve it from a temporary disgrace. Ruin, is out of the question Nothing short of divine power can ruin it; or the blindness & Fatuity of its Inhabitants. In this latter case it deserves to be ruined & will be ruined; & it will not be worth while for you or me to endeavour to save it.
The taxes must come; They ought never to have been repealed. I will not advise, or exhort, or instruct you: but I very seriously say, I would vote for every one of them.
My kind regards to the Vice President. I am happy to find you have conversed together; He can understand, & will hear you. It is difficult to collect your letters. What we shall do with them, I know not as yet.
Col Humphries has very suddenly & unexpectedly become a conspicuous character in war & politics. Your case and his shew, that old services are not wholly forgotten. I will now instruct you as my representative. Let him alone; or encourage him. You know not New England so well as I do. His appointment is no trifling event. Connecticut under him will defend itself; and bye and bye do more. Such an appointment, by his Excellency John Cotton Smith, in Connecticutt has meaning, & will have Consequences. Connecticutt will be alive. I am
John Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 7 July 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Rush, Julia Stockton

Quincy July 7th 1813

“The Chamber where the good Man meets his fate
is privileged beyond the common walk
of virtuous Life, quite in the verge of heaven”
Your Letter my dear Madam of June 23d, afforded me that painfull pleasure which we feel in contemplating the virtues, the tallents and the endearments, which altho the dear possessor is no longer with us, the sweet remembrance still remains, and will bloom arround the Tomb, embalm the sleeping dust, impart their influence to Childrens, Children, even to the third and fourth generation
No Man liveth for himself, and surely no Man lived more for others, than he whose death we mourn.
Your Narative was most pathetic, you waterd it with your tears when writing it, I did so when reading it—
But my dear Madam,, what is the voice of our Friend from the Grave? weep not for me, my beloved wife wish me not back again, where I must suffer and endure, I had finished the work assignd me, and am now with the spirits of the just made perfect. your duties are not yet fullfilld—your Children claim your care, a double duty devolves upon you, let not unavailing grief for the dead, deprive you of the power to fullfill them—Submit with humble confidence to that Being who has promised to be the Husband of the widow, and the father of the fatherless
Reflect upon the blessing’s which yet surround your virtuous affectionate and amiable daughters—sons who do honour to their parents, and stand high in the confidence of their Country, their ospring like olive plants rising around you, a competency for your support, and the blessings of thousands which now arises like incense to my memory—in the midst of your sorrows let these comforts delight your soul.
My dear Friend, I feel for the delicate situation in which this unhappy war has placed your two daughters—what ever their feelings may, and must be towards their native Country, it is their duty to follow the destiny of their Husbands I am sure they will never be deficient, in humanity and tenderness towards those, whom the fortune of war may place in the hands of their Enemies, but will always bear in mind
“That mercy I to others show
That mercy show to me.”
The Bonds of Friendship and consanguinity, ought never to have been severd between the two Nations, but whence come wars and fightings?
Shall I burden your mind by a communication of my own troubles? No. I know you will participate them—my dear daughter whom you recollect two years since, had a cancer taken from her Breast, is again in affliction from a similar complaint in her other Breast, added to this she has been confined ever since last december—with the Rheumatism. attended with violent pains so as to reduce her, and in a great measure deprive her of the use of her Limbs—Her great and earnest desire is, to get if possible to her parents, and Friends—the Col, being absent in Congress, and leaving her in a state as he judged of convalescence, intended to accompany her here upon his return from Washington, since his absence she has been much worse her son went on from Nyork as soon as learnt how ill she was and he has made every exertion to obtain exercise for her, which has so far succeeded, that he wrote me last week. he should attempt to get her on by slow degrees if possible—I live in continual fears and apprehensions that every post will bring me some disastrous tidings. the weather is so very Hot, and She So weak & low—I can do no more, than commit her to kind providence sure that whatever is allotted for us, is wisest and best
I close my Letter with assurances / of the Sincere Regard and Friendship / of,

Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 7 July 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

Dear Harriet
July 7th 1813

I inclose you two Letters received yesterday I do hope that John will be able to comply with and accomplish the only wish which he Says his Mother has, that of getting to her Fathers House once more.
altho he Says She has mended for these two last weeks, yet he give me no hopes that the complaint in her Breast is not Such as must prove fatal. Nancy writes that it is one hard cake—my mind is you may well Suppose much distresst—but of what can it avail?
I hope the time not distant when you mean to return. my Love to your Sister from / yours &c
A A


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 11 July 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

My Dear Madam
Quincy July 11th 1813

I received your obliging favour, with the Letters inclosed, and was gratified that the Sentiments which they contain’d met your cordial approbation, and exited congenial feelings in the Bosoms of your Sons—if I may judge from the marks which distinguish them—
I have indeed great cause for pleasure and Satisfaction, in the ability, integrity, and fidelity with which my Son has devoted himself to his Country, and if in the hand of Providence he may be instrumental in Restoring Peace to it, it will enhance every other pleasure, and compensate me for the loss I Sustain in his Company, and society, with would be most dear to both his Father and Mother, who knew that they have but a short Space of time left to enjoy it—
Read my dear Madam the inclosed Letter, which altho written more than a year Since, I received but yesterday, and as usual opened—I rather wonder, when it containd Such eers, that they were good enough to forward  in the account of the Characters which are  for any political information which it contains. what favorable issue can we expect to negotiation with a ministry formed of Such Characters? May not British faith bear a parallel with Galic?
I am extremely greived at the party voilence which prevails, and which leads to Such disgracefull outrages as that committed upon your Son—I hope the injury not so great as you at first feard—pray let me hear how he is—there is yet Law and I hope justice, to punish such offenders—and to bind them to good behaviour—the Scripture calls for an Eye, for an Eye, yet even that will not restore lost Sight.
Since I received your Letter in which you so kindly interest yourself for my dear daughter Smith, I have received a Letter from my Grandson John A Smith, who writes to me, that it is his Mothers most earnest wish to be brought to Quincy, and that altho for Six weeks she has not been able to get across her Room, Yet he thinks She has gained Some Strength, and in compliance with her desire he has undertaken to journey with her by Slow degres, and if possible get her here, which will releive my mind of that constant anxiety which I daily have to know how she is. her Son gives me but a melancholy account of her health. I hope the journey and change of air, Society of her family and Friends, will have a favourable effect.
“God tempers the wind to the Shorn Lamb. Sterns tell us, and all our troubles in this Life, are no Doubt assigned for Salutary purposes—with them is blended goodness and mercy—and with Jobe, I would say, altho he Slay me—I will trust in him—
with an affectionate remembrance to / all your family / I Subscribe yours as ever


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 12 July 1813
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Atkinson July 12 1813

You know my Dear Sister, that my Heart is ever prone “to rejoice with those who rejoice, as well as to weep with those who have cause to weep.” And I most sincerely lament that your Daughter is afflicted in so grievous a manner, while I rejoice, that she has so amiable a Daughter to attend arround her Bed, & a Son to comfort, & “prevent the asking Eye,” now in the absence of his Father—It is indeed an heavy affliction my Niece is called to sustain—Dear excellent Woman! How I hope, & pray that she may have such views of the divine Government as may be consoling, & lead her mind into such a train of thought, as may be productive of all those Graces, & Virtues, her peculiar Situation requires—I wish much that she was able to ride, & come to her dear Parents at Quincy—Yet why do I wish it!—“An Angels arm can’t save us from the grave.”—An omniscient God, is ever near to comfort, support, & strengthen her upon the bed of languishing, in one place, as much as in another, & without his permission to heal, vain are our utmost Efforts—“vain is the Help of Man”—“With Him, is the residue of our Days,”—To Him, who is the great Phisician of Soul, & Body, let us humbly repair for all needed mercies, in this day of Calamity, & severe Trials—
I was much gratified in reading your Grand-Daughter’s Letter to you, by observing the easy Stile, the Justness of her Sentiments, & the goodness of her Heart so visible in every Line—What a Blessing is such a Child!—I am thankful her Brother John is situated so near, as that he can afford his filial & fraternal attentions—It must serve to sooth & alleviate their Sorrows—I dare say, you perceived the gentle, & affectionate manner in which Caroline, expressed her wishes that she might be so happy as to receive a visit from her honoured Grand-parents. I sincerely wish you were able to take such a Journey—O what a solace to be folded to a fond Mothers Bosom!—How would it soften the bed of Sickness!—But if you think it would injure you—I know she would not have you take so long a journey—It would not be a duty, unless you feel able—Happy that you can write, & administer to her all the consolation dear, affectionate Parents can bestow—
As Caroline thought her Mother more comfortable when she wrote, & might she hoped soon be able to ride out, there beams, a perhaps, that she might recover So as to come to you—but if she should not, & you too feeble to venture upon So long a journey, would it not to be a comfort to all, to have cousin Louisa go?—would it not relieve Caroline’s anxiety, & lessen your own if she could, & would be willing to go?—You know how tender, & good a Nurse she is, in Sickness, I shall always love her for her kindness to our dear Sister—
But why do I say one word—you know all the circumstances, & what is duty, & best, better than any other person—
Your Information respecting our worthy Cousin Betsy, was indeed news to me—And I believe it was to her, for it is not more than a month since she made us a most friendly visit, & I thought placed the most unreserved confidence in me—Surely she would not keep back in her own bosom, a circumstance so important, & so pleasing a Prospect?—Where such Friendship has so long subsisted—reserve would wound—No—I will believe it all new to her—at least his proffered Love, & protection—His long & intimate acquaintance in the family, precludes all necessity, of what Uncle Selby,—would stile formality, & prudeish Delays—& I heartily congratulate all the solotary single Ladies, who have been sought out, & united to men of real merit, religion, & Property. They have been in the course of the last year, almost numberless—It must be consoling to those who yet remain—for they certainly marry better than those who are young—So they may wipe the lonely Tear which in Silence strays adown their faded cheek—nobly magnanimous rise above the Sarcasms of the illiberal Coxcomb, move worthyly on, seeking the Good of all, untill their benign Influences, irradiate, & warm the Heart of some lorn Traveller, who has been deprived by Providence, or “lost his fellow on the road,” & seeks another Partner to nourish his nestlings & brighten his future days—United by Esteem, merit, & true dignity of Character, may the Sun of Prosperity ever smile upon their mansion,—their frequent Interchange of kind office sweeten the lapse of Time—& rejoice their numerous Friends—
The vegetable world not only smiles arround us, my Sister but the little Hills, and Groves are vocal, & the “Valleys laugh”—O! may our hearts rise in Gratitude in some proportion to our great mercies, to Him, who causeth the “rain to descend upon the Just, & the unjust” & “hears the young Ravens when they cry”—
adieu, dear Friend, & Sister—write as often as you can,—yours affectionately

E P——
PS Present our united respects to the President, Love to your children, & to Mrs Greenleaf—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 July 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear son
Quincy july 14th 1813.

I know how good a recent date is from a far country. accordingly my heart leaped with joy at receiving a packet the other morning dated in June, without recollecting that it was now only july, and that I could not get a Letter in so short a space of time, and 1812 Soon convinced me of my mistake. it came as usual with a patch upon the Seal, altho not endorsed, and if you turn to the date, you will see it was a history of the variety and candour of Seal breakers—
I have already written to you buy this vessel—the delay of it has given me the opportunity of telling you that we are all well, except your Sister Smith, who has had a very Sick winter. She has So far recoverd, as I hope, to be upon her journey here again. John has undertaken to get her here at her most earnest request. I fear it will be, to be laid by her Ancestors. Such are her complaints; that I fear I Shall have one of the most distressing and trying scenes of my Life to go through
To heaven I submit, trusting that as my trials are, so will my Strength be—
I wish I could write you one cheering prospect, either of a private or public nature—the War goes on just in the manner prescribed by mr Canning. Ravaging our Sea Coast, with fire and Sword, burning sinking and destroying our vessels where ever they meet with them, and Blockading our Sea ports—enough to Satisfy British vengeance—where has fled the honour and justice which once was the Glory of that Nation?
is it to be found in the fidelity and domestic virtues of the Prince regent? dwells it in the British Parlement? does it display itself in a Canning or a Wellesly?
there are British hearts where I beleive it may be found. there are Characters in the Nation who possess virtues which I respect. would to heaven they governd the destiny of the Nation—
our Navy is some of it at Sea—Some Blocaded in port—our Army—the public dispatches by this vessel will tell you all necessary truths
The President has been dangerously Sick, but is on the Recovery—Congress is still in Session—
we have a fine Season—the Earth promises to yeald its increase; and there is not any mortal or contageous disease prevailing—for these mercies we ought to give thanks and be joyfull, that we may, Soon be able to add—and peace is within our borders— / is the most earnest wish of my Heart / and the constant prayer of your /affectionate

A Amy Love to mrs A. and to my dear Boy Charles—Whose Brothers are well, and were at dancing School yesterday—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Hendrick W. Gordon, 15 July 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Gordon, Hendrick W.

dear sir
15 July 1813

your favour of July 12th is before me I forward to your kind care a few lines more to my Son merely to Say that we are all well. the aspect of our public affairs is so unpleasent, and the conduct of our own State So mortifying to every real uncontaminated American, that I turn with disgust from them when I take my pen to write to him, knowing how grievious to him they must appear.
The Letter you inclosed from mr Calhoun, in which he mentions reports in circulation respecting mr J Q Adams—are I presume Such as you mentiond to his Father in a former Letter respecting the Justice of the War—
In my last Letter from mr Adams dated 18 Febry 1813
He has this Sentance “The cause against the pressgang is Righteous, if there ever was one Since the hand of man was armed against oppression”
In an other part of the Letter he says a Nation long at Peace Seldom fails to become degraded Symptoms of this Species of corruption were visible in our Country.— God grant that in Suffering the unavoidable calamities, we may recover in all their vigour the energies of War! in Several of his Letters he regreats the necessity of the war and adds that his most earnest wish is for Peace. yet in no one is their an expression  Censuring it as unjust or impolitic that it could have been avoided with honour—
altho personally unknown to mr Calhoun, I respect his Character and have read his Speeches in Congress with much pleasure—and Should regreet that mr Adams Should Suffer in his opinion from Sentiments which he never utterd—and opinions which he never entertaind—
You are at Liberty Sir to communicate these extracts to him if you think proper.
I am Sir your / obliged Friend
A Adams


Title: From William Allen to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 July 1813
From: Allen, William
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Respected Madam,
Pittsfield July 15, 1813.—

I have received your letter of the 11th, with the enclosed sermons, & communication of your late brother in law, Judge Cranch,—& for your condescension in writing to me & in imparting information so acceptable I beg leave to return you my most cordial thanks.—The facts, which you have communicated, will contribute to improve the second edition of a work, compiled almost entirely without literary aid,—a circumstance, which will account for the omission, to which you allude. There are yet other omission & defects, for a supply of which from the valuable & abundant stores of your family I should be truly grateful.
I am, honored Madam, / With Great Respect, / Your obliged & Humble Servant,

Wm. Allen.


Title: To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 15 July 1813
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Adams, John

My Dear Sir—
Washington City July 15th. 1813. 5 oClock P.M.

An Express arrived last night at 12 oClock from Point look out, advising that the Enemy had entered the mouth of the Potomac with five Ships and one leading armed Brigg, Mr. Granger the Post master General who lives but a few yards from me gave me this information, immediately—an universal alarm in the district took place this morning, what few Troops are here have marched, down the River—a proclamation was issued by The Mayor of the district at noon for the militia to meet in front of the Capital to chuse their officers, they are now in front of my Window
The House have been debating with closed doors for three hours,—all is confusion and consternation amongst the inhabitants—at 4 o:Clock an express arrived from Annapolis bringing the Intelligence of the landing there of 2000 regular troops, this you will readily see, from your knoledge of the Geography of the Country, is a combined & correspondent movement
I believe I expressed to Mrs. A three weeks past my apprehension of this movement—I am a most unfortunate Prophet—Mr. Wood the member from Wiscasset, advises me not to come to Salem, for they will try me for a Wizzard & he will witness against me
W.S.S.


Title: From Hendrick W. Gordon to Abigail Smith Adams, 16 July 1813
From: Gordon, Hendrick W.
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Madam,
Boston 16th. July 1813—

I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me the 14th inst. Immediately after I was informd that a report was in circulation, that Mr J Q A. had written his father that the war in which we are engaged, was unjust & unnecessary, I wrote my friend Mr Calhoun, to pay no attention to such a report (if such an one should reach Washington) ’till he heard from me again, adding, that I beleived it untrue & that I did not doubt I should have it in my power to say that it was so.—I stated to the President the report, who, was good enough to write me, that his son had not written him any thing of the kind—In conversation with Judge Adams who handed me the letter above alluded to from his father, he expressly said, that a letter lately published in the Boston Patriot “from a distinguished American in the North of Europe,” was from his Brother, that letter I cut out of the Patriot & have forwarded to Mr Calhoun—The fabricators of the falsehood are completley defeated in their object; the report was wounded in its early flight, and has fallen harmless to the ground—
For myself I cannot think that Mr. J Q A, is capable of erring politically, and it has given me great pleasure to think I have prevented Mr Calhoun from being deceived—
I have sent Mr C. all the writings which were known to be Mr A’s & some that were supposed so—viz, “Review of works of Fisher Ames.” &c. &c.
I have the honor to be with great Respect, / Madam, your Obedient Servant

H W Gordon.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 July 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

N. 48.
St: Petersburg 19 July 1813

Mr: Gallatin and Mr Bayard reached Gothenburg Roads, on the 20th: of June. A Russian Gentlemen who had come as passenger in the same vessel with them, and then proceeded by land to this place, brought me a letter from them dated 21 June, and arrived here, eighteen days since—They wrote me that they intended to proceed as speedily as possible upon their voyage—that they had letters for me from my family, as well as despatches which they kept, in the expectation that they might arrive here as soon as the traveller by land—From that day to this an almost uninterrupted series of East Winds has prevailed here, in the Baltic and the North Sea; so that I am still waiting for their arrival.
I cannot say it is now entirely without impatience; as it from the dispatches which they bring that I am to ascertain whether I have the prospect of returning to my Country and friends this Season, or am to be detained another Winter in Russia.
The appointment of this new mission, and the solemnity given to it by the selection of the persons associated in it (I need not use with you the affectation of excepting the one who was already here) may serve as an additional proof of the earnestness and sincerity with which the American Government wishes for the restoration of Peace, and of the readiness with which they avail themselves of every just and honourable expedient for obtaining it. The disposition of our Enemy however appears to be very different—All the accounts from England lead to the belief that the British Ministry will ultimately reject the Mediation of Russia, and that this pacific overture will be not more successful that those which preceded it.
There are many circumstances which indicate a probability that an effort is now making to effect a general Peace in Europe—In the course of the last Winter, after the tremendous Catastrophe of the immense army that  had invaded Russia, Austria offered her mediation to all the belligerent powers; and from having been an auxiliary to France, assumed a neutral position—The mediation was immediately accepted by France—It was not positively rejected by the others, but was treated as subordinate to another Negotiation to draw Austria into the new Coalition against France. Whether Austria had really promised to join the Coalition, or had only held out flattering hopes which the sanguine temper of the times had received as promises, certain it is that England, Russia, Prussia and Sweden did in the month of April expect with undoubting Confidence the Co-operation of Austria, to dissolve the Confederation of the Rhine; to recover Hanover and Holland; and to circumscribe France within her antient boundaries, if not even to restore the House of Bourbon.The Battle of Lutzen was claimed by both parties as a Victory, and was here celebrated as such by a Te Deum—But in its consequences it was the most important Victory ever won by Bonaparte—for it proved to all Europe that France was still able to cope with her Enemies, and even to make head against them—A second Battle three weeks after, had a similar and more unequivocal result—Between the first and second Battles Napoleon had proposed that a Congress should be assembled at Prague in Bohemia, to which all the powers at War, including the United States of America, should be invited to send Plenipotentiaries for the purpose of concluding a general Peace; and he offered to stipulate an Armistice, during the Negotiation—After the second Battle, Russia and Prussia, with the concurrence of Austria, accepted the proposition for an Armistice, limited however to the term of six weeks, probably with a view to receive the answer from England, whether she should choose to be represented at the Congress or not—This Armistice is now on the point of expiring, but is said to have been prolonged for six weeks more—In the mean time Napoleon has quartered his army upon the Territory of his Enemy in Silesia, is levying a contribution upon Hamburg of about ten Millions of Dollars, is doubly fortifying all his positions upon the Elbe, and receiving continual reinforcements to be prepared for renewing an offensive campaign—He has made sure of the aid and support of Denmark and Saxony, and strongly confirmed Austria in her propensities to neutrality—If the War should be renewed, his prospects, though infinitely below those with which he invaded Russia, last Summer, will be far above those with which he entered upon the present Campaign in April.—If the Congress should meet he will not have it in his power to give the law to Europe; but the Peace must be the effect of reciprocal and important concessions.
There has nothing occurred since the commencement of the French Revolution which has occasioned such astonishment throughout Europe as this state of things—There are many examples in History of the extraordinary defeat and annihilation of immensely powerful armies—But the reappearance of a second overpowering host, within five Months after the dissolution of the first, is I believe without a parallel—
The family with me are all well—We have had nothing that deserved the name of Summer untill within these ten days—The weather is now fair and warm—Charles is coming to an age when a school is indispensable—I intend to place him at one in a few days—He has hitherto probably learnt as much at home as he could have done at any school—He speaks and reads English, French and German with facility; but has made no progress in the Russian language; perhaps because of the four it is the only one for which he has had a Master. He has also begun to write and cypher—He resembles George both in person and disposition.
I hope it will be very few days longer, before I shall receive your letters by Mr Gallatin; and if we do not ourselves return home in the vessel which brings them, she will at least offer an opportunity for writing to you again In the mean time with affectionate remembrance to my father, and children, and all the family around you, I remain ever yours
A.
P. S. The pecuniary aid which was written for, which gave my Sister some concern as mentioned in your last Letter was very much needed, though I never expected it would be obtained—The result, must heavily fall upon me. But as I am not totally without hopes of the future, I abstain from all useless comment upon the past.—I cannot be more explicit.


Title: From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 23 July 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Smith, William Stephens

Dear Smith
Quincy July 23rd 1813

Your favour of 15th is alarming. Remember the fate of Cassandra. The prophet of ill ’tho’ as true as a goose’s bow is always detested. I also have been now and then reckoned among the minor prophets. Not a bone of any Goose ever picked by Jo Green, Nick Boylston, & Master Lovel on a Christmas eve, tho’ they had Nat Gardner for a guest, and exhausted all their wit, Gibes, & Jokes upon it, ever foretold an approaching winter, with more certainty that I have foreseen two or three small events in the course of my Life, such as the American Independence, & the result of the french revolution for example. But I was always execrated for it; & persecuted worse than the hebrew prophets, when they were set in the stocks.
I do therefore instruct you as one of my Representatives to Have a care. To take heed. To give attention.
Our Country is indeed in a deplorable condition! If a burnt Child did not dread the fire I should be tempted to prognosticate, that you will be compelled to mount your horse at midnight, & trot, canter or Gallop, to Fredericktown, Yorktown, Lancaster & philadelphia, as I did in 1777, from Philadelphia, to Trenton, Lancaster & Yorktown. But Sobrius esto.
I live in the joyful trembling hope of receiving my Dear Nabby, the lovely Caroline, the worthy Nancy, & the manly John, in the course of the next week; & Col Smith my Representative, tho I do not approve all his votes early in August.
Your “discreet ones” are not so correct Prophets as you & I. N.Y. cannot be managed without De Witt. You know the three rocks, on which he stands. His Uncle stood 30, years & more the winds blew, the rain descended, & the floods came, but he fell not, for he was founded on three rocks.
When you come here, we will settle the nation; but after all, we can reason, conjecture, conjure we shall find ourselves prophets in fault, as much as ever you found two hounds in fault, in a hunting chase.
If you are possessed of second sight enough, to understand the letter, it is more than is pretended by your father in Law & Constituent, for qui facit per alterum facit per se

John Adams
PS. Q. Are the terrors, Confusions, Alarms, Consternations, Horrors, greater now than they were under the immortal Hancock, & the immortal Washington? Ask General Pickering & Vice President Gerry surely if they can sleep together in the same bed, it is no incivility to ask the same question of both. JA.


Title: From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 July 1813
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mrs Adams,
Plymouth July 23d 1813—

Our mutual Friend Mrs Cushing called upon me a few days since and informed me that she expects you at Scituate in a short time.— Have you not in contemplation a design to extend your rout as far as Plymouth? I need not say it would give me great pleasure to see you, here before Mrs Smith can rationally be expected at Quincy. I most sincerely wish she may safely arrive there in due season, and that she may long live there beneath the smile of her earthly parents before she is summoned to the arms of her heavenly father.—How mixed is your lot as well as mine!—You look with rapture to a distant part of the globe on your worthy son and anticipate his return crowned with prosperity and honor, while you turn your anxious eye to a nearer distance and stand trembling, least you should not meet your dear, your amiable, your excellent daughter.—She has few friends that love her like myself—therefore, name me to her when you write again.—
My afflicted Son, after whose health you so tenderly enquire, has gained some strength within a week—has been able to ride out several times—but is very feeble—of his wounded eye I dare not say much—it remains doubtful whether he may again recover sight—to me there is little hope of a perfect restoration of the optics to former usefulness.—He has suffered excruciating pain, sleepless nights and wearisome days.— Do we not both suffer more for the inflictions of pain on our children, than for ourselves when our tottering fabrics are attacked?—
With thanks I return a letter from your Son—I read it with pleasure, and anticipate amusement, information, and delight, from your kind attention in permitting me to participate in such a pleasing correspondence—I think Mr Adams’s Letters, from the aspect of public affairs, will be more and more interesting, and I hope our British friends will soon transmit some of them to you, if you do not receive them in some other way.—
A very fine British Brig—prize to a New York Privateer was brought in here Yesterday—her cargo is very valuable—we hope the pirates on our coast will not think it worth while to hunt after her to the borders of the Plymouth Rock.—
The respects of my family to yours accompany my feelings of regard in the pleasant epistolary intercourse which, so long as she is able to dictate a sentence, will be cherished and supported by, your feble friend
Mercy Warren—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, July 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear Son
Quincy july 1813

altho I wrote to you on the 14 of this month I know that my Letter will have a dubious conveyance as it had to first make its way to France & then to find a passage to you—mr Gordon who is ever attentive to us, has just informd us of a sweedish vessel & a passenger going by whom I might forward Letters to you—if you do not hear from us often it is oweing to the obstructions occasiond by the war
I cannot yet calculate that the Neptune has arrived with the Ministers I give them 14 days longer. they I have written you twice since by them. I again acknowledge the receipt of all your Letters to the 18 Feb’y—the last containd intelligence unexpected to any of us, upon which the least said, will according to an old proverb be the Soonest mended. Domestic occurrences are those in which as individuals we are most interested in—therefore I shall begin them by saying that the Boys are well, and closely following their Studies. I Saw them last week, and John has the promise of keeping his Birth day at home. Georges growth is very rapid, he is nearly as tall as you are—John is Still Small tho both are Healthy. they are both trying to acquire a good hand—and Say they will Soon write to you—our Respective Families are now well. your Brother has a Son about five weeks old whom he has named Isaac Hull.
of your sister, I can write only in afflicting terms. dear woman She has endured nine months of Severe pain & Sickness which has reduced her So low that She cannot walk or write they have calld it Rheumatism, and it has had much of the appearance of it, but I have reason to think that her Blood has has been essentially injured by her former omplaint, and that She has an other of a Similar kind. Heaven only knows to what Sufferings She may yet be doomed—my heart bleads—and my anxiety has made me Sick—I cannot get to her, nor She to me—to the will and disposal of heaven I commit her
“Safe in the hand of one disposing power
or in the Natal, or the Mortal hours”
I fear she has nothing before her in this life but increasing trouble. my only Source of Satisfaction Says Dr Pristly, and is a never failing one is my firm persuasion that every thing, and our oversights & mistakes among the rest, are parts of the great plan in which every thing will in time appear to have been orderd and conducted in the best manner—
who finds not Providence all good and wise,
Alike in what he it gives and what denies?
From domestic occurences Shall I turn to those of a public Nature and here I am lost in a laberinth almost without a clue—involved in calamities from which the advice of Hercules to the Farmers Seems wholy lost to our Native State. not a Shoulder  will they voluntarily put to the wheel—but like the leave it to Stick fast, or be drawn out by others—whom they try by every method to dishearten and discourage—even to passing a Resolution in the Senate of this State, brought forward by a Friend of ours—who amid the cloud of party prejudice discernd not the disgrace which history will attach to it, a Resolution in these words that it is not consistant with a Moral or Religious poeople to rejoice at any victory obtaind by Sea or Land over our Enemies—engaged in a War of Ambition Resolved as the Sense of the Senate of Massachusetts, that in a War like the present, waged without justifiable cause & prosecuted in a manner which indicates that conquest and ambition are its real motives. it is not becomeing a Moral and religious people to express any approbation of military or Naval exploits which are not immediately connected with the defence of our Sea coast & Soils! I know not how to express my contempt of such a mean daisterdly mercinary resolution


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, July 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Greenleaf, Lucy Cranch

ca. July 1813

Mrs Smith reachd here yesterday at about ten oclock was like your dear Mother taken out of the carriage in a chair and carried to her chamber—She is indeed a very sick woman, spasms draw her up, cannot take food. every thing oppresses her—any Indian meal and water—her stomack seems to have lost its tone. how she got here is a marvel to me, a constant worry upon her nerves, so that at times she cannot be in Bed, riding saved her when she rode that stages—I thank you for your kind offer. I shall have occasion for all the kindness and attention of my Friends I fear, as well as their support—
come and see her in a day or two—at present quiet is best
yours affec’ly
A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 August 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

August 1 1813

Recd: Quincy August 1st: 1813 of T B Adams Esqr the sum of Twenty-five dollars and fifty Cents, being a Quarter’s interest on J Q Adams’s note.

$25.50
Abigail Adams


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 5 August 1813
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Sister,
5 Aug. 1813

your good grandchildren are just gone to repose in the arms of sweet Sleep, soothed by the consciousness of having endeavoured I trust to perform their duty to one of the best of Parents—I was so pleased with their coming to see us, that I could not bear to deprive myself of one moment of their company till they had retired to their bed—And now I embrace one moment, to assure you, of my tenderest sympathy—& pray that your strength of body, & mind may be equal to all your Trials—It is a great comfort to you & to all Your Daughters Friends, that she has been enabled to reach her Fathers house even though labouring under such distressing circumstances—There is a melancholly pleasure, attending those poignant feelings—in the assurance that all is done, that humanity can do—To the great Healer of Soul, & Body we would commend her—
I am thankful, that her Parents lives are lengthend out, to comfort their greatly afflicted Daughter—She must think of this mercy, with gratitude & that her children are so good, & affectionate now when her husband is absent—I wish I could come in & set with you, soften, or release one pain, or lessen one care—it would rejoice my heart if I could—pray assure her of my kindest love—
I am grieved for Mrs Adams, her health appears very feeble, she told me last fall, she never felt well in Massachusetts—Her sickness at this time is peculiarly unfortunate—Mr Peabody is quite unwell, he has been obliged to work in the Hay, too hard this hot Season, he calls & I must bid my dear Sister, good night—may angels whisper peace, & calm resignation to all your anxious, troubled Minds—my Ink, & my pen is so bad, I fear you cannot read it—adieu, adieu


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 August 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

N. 40.
St: Petersburg 7. August 1813.

By the arrival of Messrs: Gallatin and Bayard, I have had the pleasure of receiving your favour of 25. April last, numbered 28/19— Your last preceding letter, dated 6. Decr: 1812 has the same numbers; and in the interval between the two I have received the duplicate of your Account for the year 1811.—dated 2: March 1813.—The Account for 1812 I am still expecting, and regret that it missed both the opportunities by which it would have reached me safely.—I shall however according to your advice be of good cheer; always trusting that you do for the best with my affairs, and always grateful for the attention and care that you bestow upon them.
It happens a little untowardly, that I wanted and yet want the statement of your Account for 1812. for the purpose of founding upon it, had I found it practicable, an order to you, which would not have been entirely without profit to yourself—It is my constant wish, that the trouble you take with my concerns may have some compensation besides the pleasure of obliging me, and it is only upon the view of the Accounts, that I can take measures to express to you my gratitude in something better than words—I am obliged now to postpone this intention; but I request you particularly to send me as soon as possible the Account for 1812, and also that for the present year 1813, by duplicates—And in order to save you the trouble of making the copies, I will thank you to put that task upon my Son George, to whom it will be a useful exercise, and it may give him an idea of the manner of keeping correct accounts—
The receipt of every scrap of paper from you, that has come to my hands since I have been in Europe, has been regularly and punctually acknowledged by me—Your numbers 18. 20. 21. 24. 25. 26. and 27. are yet all missing. It is not probable that the chances of safe conveyance for letters will be more frequent for a long time to come than they have been since the War commenced—I recommend it to you therefore to send me duplicates of all your future letters, and to make George your Secretary for the copies—There are numbers of neutral vessels gone and going from Gothenburg to the United States; and when they return you can write by any of them—Enclose the letters under cover to the Consul at Gothenburg, who is now Mr Thomas Fosdick—or if Mr Russell comes out as Minister, you may enclose them to him at Stockholm—
You will perceive by these requests that my present expectation is of remaining here another Winter—Of this however I am not absolutely certain. The accounts direct from England will ere this have given you sufficient Evidence of the dispositions there to convince you that the Extraordinary Mission from the United States at this Court has little prospect of accomplishing the principal object of its appointment. I can say nothing more to you than what is matter of public notoriety.—In case of failure it is the intention of my Colleagues to return home in the same ship in which they came—Mine is to remain in my prior station, unless some occurrence of which I am not aware should settle me in the determination to return with them.
There has been at Midsummer, a feeble attempt, or perhaps it would be more correct to say, the pretence of an attempt for the negotiation of a General Peace in Europe—It immediately succeeded the unexpected issue of the two Battles of Lutzen and of Würschen with which the Northern campaign of the present year commenced. Austria was with one hand offering the olive branch as Mediator, and with the other raising a most formidable armament to join the Coalition in an Alliance offensive and defensive against France. Her preparations were not quite completed, when Napoleon rushed into the field with so much precipitation, and effect after the disasters of the last Winter—The two Battles had weakened and exhausted both the belligerent parties so much that a time for breathing from the work of butchery was necessary to both—Austria then in her mediating character talked of Peace—Napoleon very readily answered, Peace—The allies strained so hard at the word that they have not yet distinctly pronounced it, but they agreed to an Armistice—first for 30 hours—then for forty days, and finally for three weeks longer—The parties have all been employing the interval in preparations to renew the War, in which Austria is now said to be ready to take her part—The term of the Armistice is six days Notice from the 10th: of August, but we are told the hostilities between France and Austria will begin before that date. They may have begun at the moment while I am writing—The English victory in Spain has doubtless hastened the resolution of Austria to drop the Mask of Mediation—The storm is now bursting upon France in all its fury—It is however so late in the Season, that no very important progress is likely to be made by either party, in the short remnant of the present Season—None of them will I believe be ambitious of another Winter Campaign.
We are anxiously waiting for intelligence from our own Country—the latest we have is the unpleasant account of the loss of the Chesapeake Frigate—As usual we receive it first in its English garb, which we suppose to be as all our experience warrants us in expecting, falsely coloured. It would be presumptuous to hope, and perhaps worse than idle to wish, that in every contest with such an Enemy upon the Ocean we should be blessed with a triumph; but unless the English narratives of this affair are gross misrepresentations, there must have been some mismanagement or want of skill on our part, to which they were more indebted for the victory, than to their prowess, or even to the unfortunate chances of War—The capture of the Guerriere, the Macedonian, and the Java were obviously accomplished by good conduct, no less than by valour.—I hope and believe that our gallant naval Warriors will not suffer themselves to be elated even by their unparallaled successes, into rashness—that in every defeat as well as in every victory they will find a lesson to make them more and more formidable to the foe. How formidable they are already, needs no other proof than the riot of exultation which the news of the Chesapeake’s capture excited in England—Among the many motives which I have for lamenting the War in which we are involved, I have one great source of consolation—There are energies in the Constitution of Man, which a long protracted Peace always weakens, and sometimes extinguishes altogether—Occasional War is one of the rigorous instruments in the hands of Providence to give tone to the character of Nations—We had in America too much of “the cankering of a calm World and a long Peace”—As Providence has seen fit now to visit us with the Calamity of War, it behooves us all, and most especially those whose opinions and examples have the greatest influence over those of the Nation, to direct the public Spirit towards those Virtues which it is the peculiar attribute of War to display—Of these, cool and deliberate Valour is the first, and closely connected with it is the perserving Fortitude “not to be overcome”—the stedfastness in adversity, which is superior to evil Fortune—We have a powerful, stubborn and insolent Enemy to deal with—The Event is with God—may it be the triumph of eternal Justice, and propitious to our Country!
Yours faithfully.
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 8 August 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

my Dear Madam
Quincy August 8 1813

I cannot let my Son visit Plimouth without bearing a few lines to my old Friend who has always taken a kind interest in the welfare of my dear Daughter Smith, who reached here a fortnight Since with her Sister Son and daughter, but So helpless in her Limbs as not to be able to walk across the Room, obliged to be carried in a chair from the Chamber to the Carriage—If this was all the melancholy circumstance attending her case, hope might be left to comfort and flatter her Friends—I had flatterd myself that her disorder was a Rheumatic affection—but that hope is extinct. all the Physicians who have been consulted agree in opinion that it proceeds from a Schirrous Cancer Seated in the Breast and extending itself over the Stomack contracting the mussels both of that, and the Bowels so as frequently to create Spasms over the whole Surface, like being as She expresses it cased up in Armour. it has not yet burst out, but there are appearnces which indicate it—
She is perfectly Sensible of her Situation and resignd to it—as She expresses herself—She gets a temporary relief from the use of opiates. how in her helpless debilitated State, She had the courage to attempt a journey of three hundred miles, I can Scarcly realize
I Should think it a hazard to take her for the great desire She had to reach the Habitation of her parents and to be with them, gave her courage and Strength—to have her with me was my most earnest desire. to mitigate Sooth and releive her distress as much as human aid can, will be a Solace to me amidst the anguish I am call’d to Sustain in my advanced Age—it is the will of Heaven and I desire to Submit without a murmur—however dark the ways of Heaven appear, to us in the dispensations of Providence, they are undoubtedly designd for our moral improvement
My daughter request me to present her Duty to you, and to Say Love and Respect for You will continue as long as her Life.
During the last ten days my affliction has been doubled. my daughter in Law mrs Charles Adams has lain dangerously Sick in the next Chamber to mrs Smith, with one of the most painfull obstinate and dangerous of diseases—an inflammation of the Intestines. it baffeld medicine for Several days, but has we hope at last has yealded So that the Physician considers her out of Danger—altho much reduced and weakend in the midst of my troubles—I have my Blessings kind and Sympathizing Friends and Neighbours—and my own health altho feeble, yet I am able to attend the Sick; and look to my Family—
I hope to hear that you Still preserv your health and that cheerfull Spirit, which is yet willing to live and not affraid to die—looking to the unseen world for brighter prospects and clearer views of its almighty Framer. there may we meet, and renew that Friendship which Death only can disolve for a Short period
I hope your Son has recoverd from the late unhappy voilenc offerd him, without So great injury as was apprehended
I am Dear Madam Your / affectionate Friend
Abigail Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Walter Hellen, 9 August 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Hellen, Walter

Dear Sir,
St. Petersburg 9. August 1813

Mr. Gallatin upon his arrival here, delivered me your obliging favour of 20. April, from which I perceive with surprize that you had not then received my letter of 5. October last. It was forwarded by Mr. Jackson an American Gentleman, who arrived in the United States early in March, and by whom I sent many other letters, some of which I know have been received.— How it happened that the one for you failed of coming to your hands I cannot imagine, and it leaves me in concern for some others,which must by the same person and the receipts of which has not been acknowledged—I hope that this, and the inclosed copy of my letter of 5. October will be more successful in reaching you.
We have sincerely sympathized with you, in the severe afflictions which have befallen you, and are deeply concern’d at the low and infirm state of health with which you are still troubled—We hope that your alarm and despair of recovery will prove only to be the dejection of spirits, naturally proceeding from your long and repeated confinements—that you will yet recover to enjoy happier days, and many years of health, and that many comforts are yet in reserve for you even in this life—It gives us much pleasure to learn the health of your children.
The appearance of Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Bayard here was not unexpected, for we had heard of their appointment nearly six weeks before their arrival.—They had a tolerably good passage as far as Gothenburg; but from that time had a constant succession of adverse Winds, and finally landed at a Port in the Gulf of Finland, about 200 miles short of this place; and came from thence by land.—They have been arrived nearly three weeks.
Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Smith, yesterday received letters of some time in June, from Mrs. Buchanan which were brought by Mr. Smirnov of the Russian Legation. Genl. Moreau arrived in the same vessel, the Hannibal from New York to Gothenburg—We had learnt last week, from England the importunate loss of our Frigate Chesapeake.
With the warmest wishes, for the restoration of your health, and for your happiness, I remain, Dear Sir, / ever faithfully your’s.


Title: Abigail Adams Smith, obituary notice, 15 August 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

August 15th. 1813

In Quincy, on the Sunday morning, Mrs Abigail Smith, consort of the Hon’ William S. Smith, of New york, and only Daughter of his Excellency John Adams, aged 48. Funeral will be this afternoon at 3 oclock, from her Fathers House, when the connection and Friends of the United Families, are respectfully requested to attend the solemnity.
Mrs Smith possessed a mind firm, cultivated and delicate, a temper gentle and sweet; a spirit composed, in difficulty; patient, in suffering; humble, in prosperity; cheerful, in adversity; a demeanor chastened and regulated by clear perceptions of duty and high standards of propriety. As a Child, exemplary of filial reverence; as a Wife, for conjugal tenderness: as a Mother, for parental affection.—Forgetful of herself  and situations only of the happiness of others, it was the effort of her being to please and to support; comfort and to bless.—Her death, in unison with such a life, was full of resignation and hope. She departed, expressing her strong confidence of a Blessed immortality through the merits of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and her gratitude, that she had been permitted to close her days in the mansion of her Father, sur surrounded by her venerable parents, her husband, Children, and dearest relatives.
There are no consolations for the death of such a person, but those which religion proffers. And religion forbids us to lament, except on account of the bereavement of friends, the transition of a spirit so elevated and pure to the places, prepared for its eternal felicity and reward.
“Heaven lifts its everlasting portals high,
And bids the pure in heart behold their God.”


Title: To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, 15 August 1813
From: Tufts, Cotton
To: Adams, John

My dear Friend
Weymt August 15. 1813—

Under the present afflicting scene of Providence that you Mr. Adams and connections of the deceased, may enjoy the consolations of religion and every needed support is the devout prayer of / Your symathizing Friend
Cotton Tufts.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, 17 August 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Greenleaf, Lucy Cranch

My Dear Mrs Greenleaf
ca. 17 August 1813

My dear Daughter Survived but a few hours after you left us—She lay much in the Same State untill twelve oclock when after a few Struggles her Spirit was releasd to join those of your dear Parents and many others of the just made perfect—whilst I mourn for her I bless God, that her Sufferings were not greater, and pray for divine Support


Title: From Mercy Otis Warren to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 August 1813
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Sir,
Plymo. August 17th. 1813—

Your very friendly and very afflictive Letter reach’d me this day just as I was sitting down to take the repast of the dining hour—it was received by me just as might be expected by yourself, your Parents, the children, and the husband of the dear deceased, who are all well acquainted, with my affection for your departed Sister, from her earliest youth.—It is not a moment when I can say much on the unexpected tidings—my tears have flowed too copiously & my mind is too deeply touched to command my own sympathizing expressions—I have felt too much for myself this afternoon—yet I have accompanied my friend at Quincy thro’ the solemnity of the day, and shall this night contemplate the feelings of the weeping parents, while I turn my own thoughts back to the graves of my own deceased Children.—Fortitude may do something for us—Philosophy something more—but it is only religion, the Christian religion exemplified in the life and death of your Sister that
“teaches to sustain
“What nature bids us feel,
“’Tis Piety relieves the pain,
“Which time can never heal—”
You ask in yours “Shall we lament or shall we rejoice? that on wings of exultation the Saint has reach’d the mansion prepared for her by her Redeemer—but while we rejoice that the pure spirit is sublimated amidst Angels and the Spirits of just men made perfect, yet we cannot forbear to weep for ourselves while in this state of mortality.—
May we all practice the resignation you express in yours and the effort to conform our faith, that we also when summoned hence, with equal tranquillity with that which we have seen in others that have gone before us, may die the death of the righteous & our last end be like theirs!—
You will say  every thing on my behalf to your good Parents, to whom I shall write as soon as I am able, & bear my sympathizing regards to all the mourning family, and wipe a tear for me from the eye of my lovely Caroline.—
I will thank you, Sir, again, when you let me know the situation of your mother—of the effects of this afflictive stroke on her health.—Shall I wish I could be with her—no—because it is impossible at present.—
I only add the sincere regards of an affectionate friend to you, to them & to your own Mrs. Adams, in which my Sons & family accompany me, before I add the signature of
Mercy Warren


Title: From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 18 August 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, George Washington

N. 16.
My dear Son
St: Petersburg 18. August 1813.

I received with much pleasure your letter of 15. March last, written in French; for although it bears some marks of carelessness, it proved to me two things, about which I am not a little concerned—The first that you have not wholly neglected the French language; and the second that you have made some improvement in your hand-writing.—
The words of your letter are all good French, but there are in it a great many grammatical faults—When I was a school-boy it was what we used to call breaking Priscian’s head.—for example, you say Je suis content avec ma situation; which is not the French idiom—it should be de ma situation—J’etude Virgile—is a barbarism—it should be J’etudie.—de que j’ai fait mention—should be dont—Un nouveau Barriere is a false concord—Barriere is feminine—Au milieu de Quincy et de Hingham should be entre, instead of au milieu—I must therefore recommend it to you to add to your studies, that of a French Grammar.
I approve very much your having written this letter in French—let the next you write after receiving this be in English, and the one after that, if you are able, in Latin—I shall then see  what proficiency you have made in those two languages—I hope you have studied English Grammar, though it is not included in the list, which your letter Mentions—Virgil, the Greek Testament, Arithmetic, and writing, are all of great importance, but I flatter myself English Grammar is not omitted. Whenever you write to me, whether in Latin, French or English, take care to write as well as you can, but do get any person to correct the letters—let them be all your own—I had rather find twenty faults which may escape your attention, than to receive a letter entirely correct, by the assistance of another hand—
You have told me of reading a letter from Pliny to Marcellinus, on the death of a young Lady; but you did not say whether you read the original letter, or a translation—I do not recollect the letter to which you allude, and have not a Pliny at hand to turn to it—But he is a very good letter writer, and well deserves that you should read all his Epistles with attention—The most perfect of all epistolary writers however is Cicero—of his letters as well as of all his other works, I say to you and to your brothers
nocturnâ versate manu, versate diurnâ—
I have just now been making a purchase of several Greek Classics, of the most useful Editions—Among them are the Collection of the Greek Orators and the Plutarch of Reiske—and the Diodorus Siculus of Wesseling—They belonged to a Gentleman who was lately Spanish Minister here, and a very excellent Scholar—He died last Winter, and his library being for sale, I selected these books, more for the use of my children than my own.—If it shall please heaven to restore me to my Country, and to indulge me with leisure, it will be my happiness to go through these and other Oracles of Antient wisdom with you But if I should  never have this pleasure, I hope you will qualify yourself to use them with advantage and make yourself master of them, alone
Your brother Charles goes to school, to an English Master, named Fishwick—He goes at Nine O’Clock every Morning, and comes home at five in the afternoon—He learns English, German, Russian, Writing, and Arithmetic—I was myself his principal teacher, (excepting Russian, which I do not understand) untill about three weeks ago—At present I have not the time to spare.
We took Charles the day before yesterday, to see the Palace and Gardens of Czarsko Telo, which are about fifteen Miles from this City, and which we had not yet seen—It was formerly the favourite Summer-Residence of the Empress Catherine; and the present Empress is now there—We took a day when she was in the City, that we might see all the apartments of the Palace—There are many curiosities, and among the rest a Collection of Busts, cast in Bronze, and copies from Antiques—There is also the Bust of the late Mr Fox, placed between those of Demosthenes and Cicero—This was a compliment paid him by the Empress Catherine, for his Eloquence in opposing a War with Russia, for which Mr Pitt was then making preparations—It was in 1790—A year or two afterwards, Mr Fox made speeches in Parliament which did not so well please the Empress Catherine—So, instead of removing his Bust from its honourable Station between the Princes of Grecian and Roman Eloquence, she merely had the date of the year inscribed upon it, and now it stands there to signify that as Demosthenes and Cicero are the Orators of all Ages, Mr Fox was an Orator in 1790.
Give my love to your brother John to whom I intend to write though it is a long, very long time since we have received a letter from him—Your Mama, and I were quite disappointed that there was none from him, among those that were brought by Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard.
I am your ever affectionate father
John Quincy Adams.


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 August 1813
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Sister,
Atkinson August 19th 1813

If all the tenderest sympathy of a most affectionate Sister, could soothe your afflicted Breast, sure mine would impart some healing Balm. But though it may have some power to ameliorate, yet, unless aided by divine Consolations, it can have but little efficacy—Thanks be to Heaven, the resources derived from Christianity are open to you, my venerable Brother, & Sister,—& dear bereaved young Friends—And I trust, you receive largely of the heavenly Unction,—which alleviates our Sorrows, & qualifies us with Patience & Resignation, cheerfully to sustain the allotments, assigned by Infinite Wisdom—Nothing my Sister, can have greater tendency to check our rebellious Sighs, than to think, your dear deceased Daughter possessed those Virtues, which in the “sight of God, are of great price”—that she filled with dignity “the Circle marked by Heaven.”—And though the recollection of her filial Piety—her Talents—& amiable Life—of Beauty, in its most attractive form, while it gives poignancy to the Bereavement, yet, we do not “mourn, as those without Hope,” but trust, she is received to realms of purer Bliss—
After Cousin John, & his Sister, left us, I was daily anxious to hear from Quincy—though, I had no Idea, of the melancholly Event, taking place so soon—But by your silence, not writing by the Mail, I was apprehensive of the Sufferings of your Family—for I know how very reluctant I have felt of the Sufferings of your Family—for I know how very reluctant I have felt, & how painful it is, to sit down, & recount the agonizing Scenes to which we are called in the Chambers of the Sick, when an incurable Disease, has obliged the recital of, “worse, & worse”—how often has it been obliterated by a flood of Tears—& sent me from my Pen, in silent Grief, to pour out the anguish of my Soul—yes! my Dear Sister, I fully know, what a fond Parent suffers, at beholding a beloved Child, fatally arrested,—smiling in anguish—& secretly suppressing a groan, lest it should wound her Mothers Heart—It makes Nature bleed at every pore, & can never be effaced from my memory.
In such a Calamity, when we have reason to believe, that through the mediation of the Redeemer, their habitual Conduct has qualified them for “a better Country,” have we not cause of thankfulness? & to bless God, that pain, & distress has been shortened, & that their life has not been protracted in misery—
The excellent Hymn which your Daughter appeared to adopt as her own Sentiments, & aspirations, must be consoling to her dearest Connections—The lovely Character she deserved, & has been justly given to the Public, will I hope, serve to soften the bitterness of your Grief—Though we feel & deplore the loss of a Woman so amiable in every relation of Life, yet, we trust for her, “it is far better”—
To find that she had strength given her to rise from the bed of distress, & long Confinement, & travel two hundred & eighty miles, & reached her Fathers House, to be folded & blessed in the kind embraces of Parents, Husband, & dearest Friends, must have soothed, & solaced her latest moments—And that you, my beloved Brother, & Sister, were in so much Health as to be able to see that she had everything for her comfort, & restoration, that the tenderest parental affection could suggest, must extract some arrows from the pierced Heart—
But though these Considerations may console our minds, yet, my Sister, the believing, humble Disciple of Jesus, can find no better motive for acquiescence under Sufferings, than what arises from the contemplation of the divine Attributes, & the Example of Him, who said, “not my Will, but thine be done”—
I was much gratified that Abby A. Shaw, had an Opportunity of seeing her Brother, & her Friends at Quincy—Could circumstances permitted, she would gladly have tarried, to have paid the last tribute of respect  worthy Niece—But she thought a short inte you, was better than none—She returned  & Cousin Richard, got here safe, a Tuesday
Abby A— Shaw found her Brother very feeble, & left him unable to walk—The family are very kind, & attentive to Him, but still I wish I were with him, or that he would come here—Poor unfortunate Man—every disorder falls into the weakest part, & makes him almost helpless— Mrs Salles , says he is a pattern of Patience—unwilling to complain—I wish he would leave smoking, I verily believe it injures, & drys up all his Blood—How careful should we all be of Habits, when it is so difficult to reform—& quit them—I had some thoughts of accompanying Mr Peabody, if he went to Boston, but Abby, said, you had rather I should come, when your family was less—& I now could not tarry more than a day—The Col. Smith, Cousin John, & Miss Nancy I suppose, must soon set off for New york— The dear Caroline, I trust, will tarry with you, as long you live, or she wants your Protection—I hope, Mrs C. Adams health is recovered—Pray write to me, as soon as you can—& believe me, to be whether present or absent, your truly sympathizing Sister

E— PeabodyPlease to present my kind regards, to all your dear family—


Title: From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 August 1813
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear Madam
Monticello Aug. 22. 13.

A kind note at the foot of mr Adams’s letter of July 15. reminds me of the duty of saluting you with friendship and respect; a duty long suspended by the unremitting labors of public engagement, and which ought to have been sooner revived, since I am become proprietor of my own time. and yet so it is, that in no course of life have I been ever more closely pressed by business than in the present. much of this proceeds from my own affairs; much from the calls of others; leaving little time for indulgence in my greatest of all amusements, reading. Doctr. Franklin used to say that when he was young, and had time to read, he had not books; and now when he had become old and had books, he had no time. perhaps it is that, when habit has strengthened our sense of duties, they leave no time for other things; but when young, we neglect them, and this gives us time for any thing. however I will now take time to ask you how you do, how you have done? and to express the interest I take in whatever affects your happiness. I have been concerned to learn that, at one time you suffered much & long from rheumatism. and I can sympathise with you the more feeling, as I have had more of it myself latterly than at any former period; and can form a truer idea of what it is in it’s higher degrees. excepting for this, I have enjoyed general health; for I do not consider as a want of health the gradual decline & increasing debility of which are the natural diathesis of age. this last comes on me fast. I am not able to walk much; tho’ I still ride without fatigue; and take long & frequent journies to a distant possession. I have compared notes with mr Adams on the score of progeny, and find I am ahead of him, and think I am in a fair way to keep so. I have 10 1/2 grandchildren and 2 3/4 great-grand-children; and these fractions will ere long become units. I was glad to learn from mr Adams that you have a grandson far enough advanced in age and acquirements to be reading Greek. these young scions give us comfortable cares, when we cease to care about ourselves. under all circumstances of health or sickness, of blessing or affliction, I tender you assurances of my sincere affection and respect; and my prayers that the hand of time and of providence may press lightly on you, till your own wishes shall withdraw you from all mortal feeling.

Th: Jefferson


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 August 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

N. 49.
St: Petersburg 23 August 1813.

Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard have been here a complete Month. They had arrived at Reval, a Port just at the entrance of the Gulph of Finland, about 250 miles from this place, at the date of my last Letter—The next day I was informed of their arrival; and the day following they reached this City—They are accompanied by a Son of Mr Dallas of Philadelphia, Mr: Milligan of Delaware, Mr. Todd, Mrs: Madison’s Son, and Mr Gallatin’s eldest Son
They brought me your very kind letters of 5—and 23. April—The last of which is numbered 5—the other not numbered—I have heretofore acknowledged the receipt of the number 1. and 2. As the second of these has two dates 25 and 27. February I suppose you allowed 2 numbers for it—otherwise there is yet one letter from you, outstanding—and written in March—Although a greater proportion of your letters to me have failed to reach me than there have miscarried, of mine to you, yet I have not lost the benefit of your punctuality—I have no other correspondent from whom I have received so many or so frequent letters, and when as has more than once happened I have been seven or eight months without a line from any friend in America, yours have always been the first to prevent a still longer interval.
We are indeed never long without news of some kind or other from the United States; but the channel of its conveyance is such that it is not always welcome—The English Newspapers, are always ready to tell us, what we should desire not to know—they are seldom in haste to report any thing that can be agreeable to us. We have had one opportunity of hearing directly from the United States since the arrival of the Envoys—A vessel was dispatched from New-York in June, probably with English Passports, to bring General Moreau to Europe—He arrived at Gothenburg, about the 25th: of July, and proceeded from thence to the Emperor Alexander’s Head-Quarters—A Mr Swienin, a Gentleman attached to the Russian Legation in America came with him, and brought letters and Gazettes, to 22 June.—We had already heard by the way of England of the loss of the Chesapeake Frigate—Prodigies cannot become object of common occurrence—Our naval successes had so far exceeded all rational anticipation that we were in danger of being too much elated by them—the Fortune of War will maintain its supremacy, and even where there is proportion between the forces of contending parties, will favour sometimes one side and sometimes the other—Our officers and Seamen have proved to us, and to the world what they can and will do, if their Country will support them—But we are not to expect with five Frigates to make head permanently against the British Navy.
We still continue to furnish materials for the merriment of mankind upon the land—At the commencement of the War of our Revolution we committed blunders, and met with disasters enough; but there was more excuse for them then, than there is now—Our means and resources were incomparably less, and we had infinitely more to accomplish than we have at present.—We did then learn the art of War, in the school of misfortune—A whole Generation has since passed away, and we have the same unpalatable lesson to learn again—The school has amply proved itself to be the same—God grant that its severe instruction may not be lost upon us!
The armistice in the North of Europe, which was agreed upon at the beginning of June has been successively prolonged untill the 16th: of this Month, and although a full week has elapsed since the expiration of that term, it is yet unknown here whether a further prolongation of it has taken place, or whether the hostilities have recommenced—The armistice itself was very generally disapproved, and the passion for the renewal of the War is extreme—As the co-operation of Austria is relied upon with certainty, the interval during which hostilities have been suspended was employed in securing it—you cannot be surprized at the bitterness and exasperation against the French, and especially against Napoleon, which prevails in this Country; and as his last Winter’s disasters had inspired a very sanguine hope of his destruction, they are now very unwilling to relinquish it—His first operations were so much more energetic and successful than had been foreseen by any body that for a time they threatened the disappointment of his Enemies; but the English Victory in Spain, and the entrance of Lord Wellington’s army on the French Territory has revived every flattering expectation, and placed his fate and that of France again upon the Chapter of Accidents.
To me the failure of a Negotiation for a general Peace is the serious disappointment; because I long most fervently for the moment when humanity will be allowed to repose—But I have another motive in the belief, that untill the general pacification there will be no Peace for us.
We are in as good health as we can ever expect to be in this climate—I have put Charles at last to a School where he can learn writing, arithmetic, and a little grammar—He speaks English, French and German, about equally well, and begins to understand something of the Russian—His school is about two miles distant from my house, and I walk to it with him every Morning.
Ever affectionately your’sA.


Title: From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 29 August 1813
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Plymouth. August 29th. 1813

I cannot longer be silent while my friends are mourning the death of such a daughter as was our much loved Mrs Smith.—But why mourn?—She is happy and soon shall we also meet the termination of time, when, may we unite in the universal harmony of love and gratitude which attune the song of the righteous!—
Mr Adams’s philosophic view of the changes of time and his belief in the sovereignty of the supreme Ruler must teach religious quietude under the severest affliction—yet the tear of nature may sometimes start when contemplating the privation of the amiable converse of his recently deceased, lovely Child.—It is not in my power to say any thing to him that would hush the anguish of his soul for a moment. To my dear Mrs: Adams I feel no restraint in pouring out the expressions of sorrow, when we look back and weep over the graves of our deceased Children.—Surely this may be done without a murmur against the designations of Providence.—Her progress in the Christian life and her long disciplined heart has taught her that resignation to the will of the Deity, which ought to be a useful example to her friends.
If I dwell on this subject I may expose my own weakness without giving the smallest consolation to those whom I love, and I might reap much for myself in personal converse with them—I long to fold the sweet Caroline in my arms.—Will you not again bring her forward and let us talk a little of her mother before we meet her in heaven?—Impress my affliction on her young heart—let her not forget the faithful friend of her Grand-Parents, & her mother.—May the dear Girl, live to comfort those to whom the care of the orphan is committed, and to smooth the pillow of age for them as they tread down the declivity of time!—
As I shall ever be interested in any circumstance that redounds to your comfort and satisfaction; I have been gratified the week past by  hearing of an arrival from Gottenburg.—Doubtless, you will have letters, and shall I not be a sharer in the pleasure the American Minister conveys to his friend, whenever he takes up the pen?—
I hear you have a large family around you, but of whom composed I am not precisely informed. Is Colo. Smith still with you?—I was charmed with the expressions of Judge Adams relative to him.—May his good wishes be realized and may he ever rejoice in the opportunity of seeing how a Christian could die!—
My Sons have felt as they ought in the solemn scene through which you have recently passed.—You will accept their respects & condolence on the loss of a dear friend whom they also loved.—
With affection to each member of your family you will name / Yr. Friend.

Mercy Warren


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear Son
Quincy August 30th 1813—

your Sons are well. your Parents are still living. your Brother is well—
O my full Heart, shall I wish for Life for her who is releived from pain and Sufferings, which wring my heart with anguish, and was daily increased by the anticipation of Still greater Sufferings? No, I will bless the Being who had compassion for her: and who was pleased to take to the Arms of mercy as I fully beleive, the Dear departed Child, whose loss I weep, but whose death, I consider a blessing to herself—
I have in Several Letters to you by various ways; given some account of her previous illness, which I had considerd Rheumatic, and therefore was not greatly allarmed at it, hopeing the warm weather would restore her. In the month of May I received a Letter from Nancy Smith, informing me of a circumstance of which I was before ignorant—your Sister not willing to give pain to her Friends, had kept the Source of all her complaints to herself. having endured one opperation, She found the other breast deeply affected. when the Physician examined it, he gave it as his opinion to her Friends; that the disease was without remedy, having contaminated the whole mass of Blood, and that all her complaints and Sufferings loss of use of Limbs; and pains had arissen from thence. her Life might be protracted, but with an increase of suffering
you will more easily conceive, than I describe the affliction this occasiond us. I had been pleasing myself with the expectation of her passing the time when the col. was in Congress with us—to see her ever again, I now despared of—Yet Such was her earnest desire to be with us—to see again her Parents, and other relatives that She had courage and resolution given her, to be taken from her Bed, and placed in a carriage where after a Journey of 15 days and three hundred miles, She reached her Fathers House upon the 26 day of July attended by her dutifull Children, and her affectionate Sister in Law—
Emaciated, worn down with pain, still she appeard delighted to again embrace her Parents, and feel herself Surrounded with all that Love, respect, and affection could afford.
Immediatly the best medical aid and advice was obtaind, but alass the decree was gone forth—and the Same opinion was confirmd by the Physicians here, and opium was the only paliative, the only releif She could obtain, to releive the spasms which as She described it, cased her up in armour. She told her Physician, that She was perfectly Sensible of her Situation, and reconciled to it, that She was both ready and willing to die.
when she had a temporary ease she was cheerfull, conversing of her Friends abroad, and wishing that She might have Seen them again—altho she was bolsterd up in her Bed & could neither walk or Stand. She was always calm collected, patient, and Submissive—
Her Sufferings were terminated upon Sunday morning the 15 of this Month, just three weeks after her arrival here
Heaven be praised, your Father and I have been Supported through all this Solemn afflicting Scene with fortitude, and I hope christian resignation, but to heal the wound which nature has received, time is necessary, and religion only can give consolation. a day or two previous to her death, She calld for a Hymn Book, and read the 1093 Hymn & turnd the leaf, it is so expressive of her Life, and the turn of her thoughts, that I transcribe it for you, and a Character which appeard in the paper, drawn as I have Since learnd; by a Friend who knew her well—and was not unacquainted with her various changes in Life—
Her Remains were deposited in the family vault from the house of worship, attended by a numerous concourse of Relatives & Friends, as well as others. Mr Whitney in his prayer, did ample Justice to her Life Death and character, and his address to the throne of grace for her absent Son, and Brother was most pathetic—
She was permitted to live untill all her wishes were accomplishd, save that of Seeing her Son again. the week before her death, the col returnd from Congress, where he reluctantly went but she had insisted upon his going—we did not, any of us think that She was so near her end, untill two days previous to it—
I cannot but consider it as the Benignant hand of Providence which Supported her through a journey of Such length, and gave us an opportunity of witnessing her calm resignation, her patient sufferings and her peacefull death.
whilst my full heart bleads, and the recollection deepens my sorrow, I bow Submissive to the heavenly  mandate, and ask for you my Son, that consolation which you need, under this additional Stroke of Providence
The amiable Caroline we have adopted to Supply the place of her Mother—whom She nursd through a long and tedious winter, with all the affection and assiduity of fillial piety—and who behaves with all the propriety of more mature years, watchfull of every look of her Father, attentive to every want and care to lessen his loss—John too, when he heard how ill his Mother was quitted his office and buisness in Nyork, and went with all Speed to the Valley, exerted himself to procure every end to assist her upon her journey—and attended her here. having paid the last rights to her Remains, he has returnd again to Nyork. the Col will remain with us, untill congress meet again—
there was one circumstance which added to our Family distress during your Sisters Sickness. Mrs Charles Adams two days after your Sister arrived was seazd with a dangerous disease which for near a fortnight threatned to terminate in a mortification but it happily terminated and she has since gone to the valley with her Sister—
I have written to william So has his Brother his Mother never heard of his marriage, in which we all wish him happiness; we have just heard of the arrival of our Peace Makers  at Gottenburgh. No Letters have been received from you of a later date than May.
you will easily Suppose that we are anxious for intelligence—the President of the united States has had a Severe illness, a fever which has brought him low—God grant that he may recover—
I know of no conveyance, but through mr Michell at Halifax by a cartel—and from him to mr Beasley American Agent in England—my Letters will I Suppose be Subject to inspection but as they relate only to Family affliction, I presume they will be permitted to reach you—
My kind Love to my daughter to whom I wrote Some time Since, and gave my Letters to mr Wire, lately appointed Consul to Riga
I am my dear Son with every sentiment / of the tenderest Love and affection / your afflicted Mother
Abigail Adams Enclosure

Died in Quincy on Sunday morning August 15th. 1813 Mrs Abigail Smith, consort of the Hon’ William S, Smith, of New–york, and only Daughter of his Excellency John Adams, aged 48. Funeral will be this afternoon at 3 oclock, from her Fathers House, when the connections and Friends of the United Families, are respectfully requested to attend the solemnity.
Mrs Smith possessed a mind firm, cultivated and delicate; a temper gentle and sweet; a spirit composed, in difficulty patient, in suffering; humble, in prosperity; cheerful, in adversity; a demeanor chastened and regulated by clear perceptions of duty and high standards of propriety. As a Child, exemplary of filial reverence; as a Wife, for conjugal tenderness: As a Mother, for parental affection.—Forgetful of herself and studious only of the happiness of others, it was the effort of her being to please and support; comfort and to bless.—Her death in unison with such a life, was full of resignation and hope. she departed expressing her strong confidence of a Blessed immortality through the merits of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and her gratitude that she had been permitted to close her days in the mansion of her Father surrounded by her Venerable parents, her Husband, Children, and dearest relatives.
There are no consolations for the death of such a person, but those which religion proffers. And religion forbids us to lament except on account of the bereavement of friends, the transition of a Spirit so elevated and pure to the places, prepared for its eternal felicity and reward.
Heaven lifts its everlasting
Portals high,
And bids the pure in heart
Behold their God.—


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1813
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My Dear Son
Quincy August 30th. 1813.

The Meloncholly History of the last Journey and the last days of your Sister will be given you by the your Mother. My Eyes, my hands and my heart are too weak to endure it, I can only Say, May my last End be like her’s. From the Cradle the most healthy of all my Children, till the last two years; during which she has Suffered, with all that patience fortitude and Equanimity which She uniformly preserved in Prosperity and Adversity, in Opulence and Indigence, in crosses disappointments and humiliations as well as elevations and hozannas, through her whole life.
The loss of Children is not new to me: nor of Grandchildren Relations and Friends, have fallen around me; all my days, and in these last Years, as you may know, many who were very near my heart.
Death has never been a Stranger to my Sight or to my Imagination or to my Reflections, The Death of my dear Partner, and of all my Children, and what is more affecting her Widowhood and their Orphanage, in Poverty confiscation, disgrace contempt and Ignominy have been familiar to my Contemplations as probably Events. When Congress was flying from City to City, and from Province to Province; when you and I were tossed in the Gulph Stream or Sinking in a leaky Ship: or climbing the Austurias and Pyrenées; when for more than a year in Holland I was in danger of worse mobs than that of Baltimore: my meditations on the miseries of my family, in the case of any fatal Accident to me; were the most cruel sufferings I ever under went in my Life.
Thus familiar with the thoughts of Afflictions, the glorious Life and Death of my dear Daughter have been the greatest consolation to me under her loss that providence could have given me. I am gratefull and resigned. Resignation in all such cases, is our Interest, our only consolation, our Happiness, no less than our Duty.
Col. Smith and the lovely Caroline are with us: so are your Sons, in good health. John Smith a dutiful Son, is gone to New-York.
Judge Vanderkemp is in Boston, came to see Charles Elliot, Son of Samuel Elliot Esqr, at the request of the Father—and the Son a learned and ingenious Youth, who is following Buckminster and so many other noses cropéd at the first opening of the bud,
We are all remarkably well. Love to all.—
Your affectionate
John Adams—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 August 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

My Dear Son.
St: Petersburg 31. August 1813

When Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard arrived here, they brought us letters from many of our friends, and among them one from your brother George, which gave me much pleasure—But I was sorry there was none form you; and the more so because George’s letter was in answer to one which I had written him last September; and at the same time I had also written one to you—Now I have the satisfaction of knowing that George received the letter for him; but I do not know whether you received your’s—I suppose you did because they both went together—and yet I can hardly think that you would have lost the opportunity to answer my letter if you had received it.
I was very glad to learn from your Grandmama, that Mr Kimball was well satisfied with your application to your studies, and with your progress in learning—But if you had written yourself I should have seen with my own eyes how far you had advanced in your hand writing.—The last letter which we received from you, was dated at Atkinson 2. March 1812—and this is the fourth letter that I have written to you separately since that time, besides those to your brother which are meant for you as well as for him. You are now a year and half older than you was when that was written—and I wish very much to see how much better you can write than you could then.
Your brother George tells me that you had begun to learn Latin; and that he himself had begun the study of the Greek Testament; which I hope you will also have entered upon when you receive this letter—Perhaps you will think the study of Greek and Latin hard at first, but it will become easier every day, and you will be abundantly rewarded for all the pains you take in learning them.
But neither this nor any other learning that you may acquire will avail for the happiness or comfort of your future life, unless, now in your earliest youth you begin to form habits of serious reflection, and the resolution to follow steadily throughout your life the paths of virtue—The value of the Greek and Latin Languages, for which they are taught to children so long after they have ceased to be living Languages, is because the Nations by which they were spoken, distinguished themselves above all others by the loftiness of their Sentiments, by the vigour of their genius; by the ardour of their Patriotism—Because their history, though full of the melancholy proofs of human depravity which blacken the annals of all mankind, offers at the same time more examples of the virtues that adorn and dignify the character of man, and deserved to be admired and imitated by others—Because by their more assiduous cultivation of the Arts and Sciences, their languages acquired a greater degree of perfection, and their Poets, Historians and Philosophers have become the models and teachers of all succeeding Generations. It is to the wisdom and virtue locked up in those antient caskets, that their Languages must give you the key—Be careful my dear Son to procure it, and when you procure it, use it faithfully to adorn your heart and mind with the precious jewels they contain; never ceasing to remember that all your faculties are given you, for the benefit of your Country, and your fellow creatures; and that “to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.”
I am your affectionate fatherJohn Quincy Adams.