Title: John Cranch to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1787
From: Cranch, John
To: Adams, Abigail

          Axminster, 13. June, 1787:
          Madam;

        I should have addressed your excellency sooner, but that my mind, which is the weakest—(or, as I had rather settle your excellency’s idea of it, the most delicate)—thing in the world, has been for sometime suspended between the contrary fears—of trespassing upon your more important attentions, on the one hand, or against the obligations of gratitude & decorum, on the other: The last has, finally, prevailed; and I will now submit to be thought as “impertinent” as your excellency pleases, provided I may be acquitted of the “ingratitude”:
        But, in presenting me with the “Defence of the political constitutions of America,” what did you, my dear madam, but make me your debtor for one of the greatest pleasures of my life? Should I (then) withhold acknowledgements which it is even duty to make; or should I dare apprehend, from a noble American Matron, such coquetry of benevolence, as first to excite the sensibilities of a gratefull heart, and then either to refuse, or contemn, it’s humble returns?
        This delightfull season being so far advanced, I begin to fear that I may not enjoy the promised pleasure of attending your excursions into this part of England: May I presume to intimate, that the accomodations of my cottage, though humble, and (what is worse) not yet hallowed by the arrangements of a prudent “Goody Baucis,” are not despicable; and that it’s deficiencies can be supplied by very excellent inns: The expectation of entertaining (though but for an hour) the father of American Liberty, will stimulate my endeavours to make that entertainment agreeable;— The remembrance of such an honor will amply reward them: I would by way of inducement, add, but that his excellency already knows it (perhaps better than myself) that, to say nothing of the amusing varieties of Devonshire in general, we have in this town in which I live, some capital peculiar manufactories; and that those of wool, and thin cloths, about Exeter, are also of great consideration: But one hint more will I dare give— “You shall be as public, or as private as you please.”
        I shall be highly obliged to you, madam, or to mrs. Smith, for any information relative to our friends at home—I mean America. Be persuaded, nothing can be trivial, to me, that comes from those friends, & that country.
        Pray accept my respectfull compliments of thanks & good wishes, for yourself & for doctor Adams and mr. and mrs. Smith; and permit me, madam, to have the honor of confessing, and on every occasion demonstrating, myself to be / Your Excellency’s / obliged, faithfull / humble servant
        J. Cranch.


Title: Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 13 June 1787
From: Tufts, Cotton
To: Adams, John

          Boston June 13. 1787—
          Sr.

        In my Letter to Mrs. Adams Pr. Capt. Scott, I mentioned to her, That Mr. S. Q. was negociating for Borlands Place— it was then my Opinion that He would purchase it— Yesterday Mr. Cranch informed me that he had learnt from Mr. Borland that Mr. S. Q. had given up the Matter—and that Mr. B. is determined to make Sale of it as soon as he has settled with Mr. T——r. I conclude therefore that it will be very soon open for any Purchaser—
        We have a new General Court, the House of Represves. made up of new Members chiefly, not more than 50 or 60 Old Members, a majority of the new in favour of the late opposition to Government—A general Indemnity, the withdrawing of the Troops, Removal of the Court from Boston—a liberal Tender Act—Abolition of the Court of common Pleas—payment of public Securities at the going Price &C &c are with them favorite objects
        I suspect there is a Majority in the House sufficient to carry some of these if not all—Notwithstanding the late succesful Efforts of Government—I think there is the highest Probability,—that a Revolution is not far distant. some of our Politicians—friends to a stable Goverment, say it is no matter, how soon— By Capt. Cushing who will sail in a Fortnight or Three Weeks shall write further In the mean Time Am Yours—


Title: John Cranch to Abigail Adams, [ca. 23 June 1787]
From: Cranch, John
To: Adams, Abigail

          [ca. 23 June 1787]
          For Mrs. Adams:

        Substance of miss Palmer’s account of the University exhibition at Cambridge, the 10th. of April: To J.C.
        “—— preceded by a band of Music, consisting of such of the pupils as had a taste for Music—among whom were John and Charles Adams and William Cranch: When the president and governors arrived, the exercises began in the following order:

        1st. Forensic dispute in english:—subject—’whether Man has a natural right to destroy the inferior animals’—Peter Eaton & T. Harris:
        2d—Syllogistic dispute in latin by John Treadwell —— Underwood and William Hill:
        3d. Hebrew oration by James Prescott:
        4th. Greek oration by John Phillips:
        5th—Dialogue from the tragedy of Tamerlane: Oliver Baron and Benjamin Abbott:
        6th. Conference upon divinity—physic & law—Nathaniel Freeman—Moses Little—& J. Q. Adams:
        7th. English oration by Bossenger Foster:
        A grand Musical Symphony & chorus, concluded:
        The gentlemen all performed to acceptation: Those who held the ’conference’ were loudly applauded: Mr. Adams, in the excellent composition, sound sense & unusual candour, of his argument, happily united the scholar, the man of sense and the gentleman: He spoke well, and his action was easy:— In every sentiment he beathed the spirit of his father: Mr. Freeman’s beautifull face, elegant person and gracefull manner were captivating: He spoke well—and what he said was good—Yet Mr. Adams had greatly the advantage, as a gentleman, by the delicacy with which he avoided drawing a paralel between the three professions—allowing them to be equally necessary in a well-ordered community, while the others contended for a partial superiority:
        Afterward the lads assembled in military form &c— &c.”
        Midsummer eve, 1787—
        Madam;
        Among other agreeable informations from America I have just received the above: It reads so interesting, that I really cannot in conscience keep it to myself; and I flatter myself with your pardon for the liberty I take, by supposing, that though you should already be in possession of the circumstances of fact, it may be only from those whom Modesty and decorum will not permit to do themselves justice in their descriptions of this important and pleasing entertainment.
        I intreat my respectfull compliments to mr. Adams, and to Mr & Mrs Smith; and have the honor to be, / Madam, / Your Excellency’s / very faithfull / Humble servant
        J. Cranch.


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 26 June 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Jefferson, Thomas

          London june 26 1787
          dear sir

        I have to congratulate you upon the safe arrival of your Little daughter, whom I have only a few moments ago received. She is in fine Health and a Lovely little girl I am sure from her countanance, but at present every thing is strange to her, & She was very loth to try New Friends for old. She was so much attachd to the Captain & he to her, that it was with no Small regreet that I Seperated her from him, but I dare say I shall reconcile her in a day or two. I tell her that I did not see her sister cry once. she replies that her sister was older & ought to do better, besides she had her pappa with her. I Shew her your picture. She says she cannot know it, how should she when she should not know you. a few hours acquaintance and we shall be quite Friends I dare say. I hope we may expect the pleasure of an other visit from you now I have so strong an inducement to tempt you. if you could bring miss Jefferson with you, it would reconcile her little Sister to the thoughts of taking a journey. it would be proper that some person should be accustomed to her. the old Nurse whom you expected to have attended her, was sick & unable to come She has a Girl of about 15 or 16 with her, the sister of the servant you have with you— as I presume you have but just returnd from your late excursion, you will not put yourself to any inconvenience or Hurry in comeing or Sending for her: you may rely upon every attention towards her & every care in my power. I have just endeavourd to amuse her by telling her that I would carry her to sadlers wells, after describing the amusement to her with an honest simplicity. I had rather Says She See captain Ramsey one moment, than all the fun in the world.
        I have only time before the post goes, to present my compliments to mr Short. mr Adams & Mrs Smith desire to be rememberd to you. Captain Ramsey has brought a Number of Letters. as they may be of importance to you to receive them we have forwarded them by the post— miss Polly sends her duty to you & Love to her Sister & says she will try to be good & not cry. so she has wiped her Eyes & layd down to sleep—
        believe me dear sir / affectionately yours &C &c
        A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Jefferson, Thomas

          London june 27 1787
          dear sir

        I had the Honour of addressing you yesterday and informing you of the safe arrival of your daughter. She was but just come when I sent of my Letter by the post, & the poor little Girl was very unhappy being wholy left to strangers this however lasted only a few Hours, & miss is as contented to day as she was misirable yesterday. She is indeed a fine child. I have taken her out to day and purchased her a few articles which she could not well do without & I hope they will meet your approbation. The Girl who is with her is quite a child, and captain Ramsey is of opinion will be of so little service that he had better carry her back with him, but of this you will be a judge. she seems fond of the child and appears good Naturd.
        I sent by yesterdays post a Number of Letters which captain Ramsey brought with him not knowing of any private hand, but mr Trumble has just calld to let me know that a Gentleman sets off for Paris tomorrow morning. I have deliverd him two Letters this afternoon received, and requested him to wait that I might inform you how successfull a Rival I have been to captain Ramsey, & you will find it I imagine as difficult to Seperate miss Polly from me as I did to get her from the Captain. She stands by me while I write & asks if I write every day to her pappa? but as I have never had so interesting a subject to him to write upon [. . . .] hope he will excuse the hasty scrips for the [. . .] intelligence they contain, and be assured dear Sir / that I am with Sentiments / of sincere esteem your / Humble Servant
        A Adams


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 June 1787
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

          Braintree June 29th 1787
          My dear Sister

        I have sent one Letter on Board capt Cushing but it is so long since that unless I Write again you will not feel as if you had heard from me for a long time— Cousin JQA & Billy have been at home above a week. Cousin charles was here yesterday. he came to wait upon mrs Hilliard & Daughter— your Sons are all well
        We are busy prepairing for commencment for although we do so little by way of entertainment yet their is many things wanted & much to be done. Betsy is very unwell this Summer. a dissagreable complaint in the back of her head gives her not a little trouble. she is going to try a cold bath for it—& ride a singlle Horse. She is grown very thin—
        Miss Nancy Quincy has been here a week upon a visit. She is as chearful as ever & as fond of musick. She plays upon the Harpsicord too, so that we have musick of some kind or other in some of the rooms from morning to night. She is a good girl. What a Pity that she should be older than any of our young Gentlemen—Madam Quincy is well & desires to be remember’d in the kindest manner to you—
        We have taken the dimentions of your little room & the other, but I cannot think you will cut a cloth to them Mr Adams Will be imploy’d in publick business when he returns. that house will not be large enough for you—
        Cousin JQA will want some more cotton stockings soon those he brought with him were thin & fine & will not hold on much longer. I have put three or four pair of new feet to many of them already
        Callahan is not yet arriv’d. I am all impatience to hear from you. Mr & Mrs Smith are rejoicing I hope over their little one, but my dear Sister does it not make you feel old or does it give you new Spirits?
        The news papers will give you Politicks enough but I know you want to step behind the scene & see some of the springs which gives such strange motions to the Political Machine— I have been lately viewing some of its parts— I have been visiting where I have heard every transaction of administration for two years past represented as the result of Passion. The insurgents declar’d to be a people oppress’d to death by goverment Who ought to have a pardon offer’d unask’d, without any conditions Whatever, that the late offers of pardon shakel’d as they were—were an insult to them— “Have you read mr A——s defence of the American Constitutions” “yes—mr —— had one sent him—& I like it, & so does mr —— upon the whole— he thinks in many things as mr A. does—[”] pretty cool however thought I—
        Does mr A. [talk?] of returning soon “yes madam you shall hear what he & mrs —— says about it & their opinion of the measures of goverment if you please—” I never read any thing will a better will in my Life
        “I am sorry mr —— thinks of returning, because I think he will be happier where he is—”
        This is but a part a very small part of the conversation, but I have not now time to give you more of it— M[rs. Q?] was with me & we had a warm afternoon of it
        I wish you would be so good as to send two yards of silk like the patterns I send if you can pattern them two yds of each, & send the price— I have sent the Pattern of your Gowns— your Friends are all well—sister Shaw has been poorly but was better when she wrote me— you will always remember me affectionately to mr Adams I hope & accept of the warmest affection / of your Sister
        M Cranch


Title: Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 1 July 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Tufts, Cotton

          London july 1 1757 [1787]
          my dear sir

        your two Letters of May 21 & 26 were yesterday deliverd. captain Scot has not yet got up. I hope by him to receive Letters from my other Friends. I have been not a little anxious that Barnard and Davis should arrive without a Letter either from Braintree or weymouth as this is to go by the packet, I will confine myself wholy to buisness and as mr Adams has written you respecting mr Borlands place, I have only to second his request that you would purchase it without Delay. perhaps he may be induced to take less for the money in hand, but what can be done respecting the wood Land sold by mr Tyler to mr Webb & an other piece of Land to Deacon Bass, for which I presume he received the Money tho I do not imagine their deeds can be valid. Yet one would not like to get into a squable with ones Neighbours if mr Borland gives a deed he must warrentee us. Mr Tyler always told me that his agreement with mr Borland was, in case he could not give him a Title to the Estate. The money he had paid, was to be considerd as borrowed & he was to be allowed interest for it, if so I should presume the matter might be setled with him. I should be glad to be informd whether the frame he put up was ever coverd & whether he made any repairs upon the House, his creditors I presume cannot take off the frame. Who is now the Tennant & what repairs are necessary? if you purchase it as I hope you will, I should like to know the heights of the rooms & the paper they will take to paper them as well as the bigness of them, painting will be a necessary buisness both without and within. I fancy mr Tyler owes money to mr Cranch would it not be best for him to secure himself if he can by attaching the material for repairs? mr Adams will not hesitate even at the 600. What shall I say to you respecting veseys place? counteract my dears Frinds plan, by no means—it has always been his wish to Buy that place, and he would have done it long ago if I had not persuaded him to the contrary. 300 is certainly 50 pounds too much as money is so scarce & the place so poor. it will not neat 4 prcent do you think it worth more? Suppose you make him that offer but you see mr Adams is disposed to have it, even at the very high price, but I think more of the other place. an other House we must have if it was only to hold our Books. I should speak within Bounds if I was to say that the Books which mr Adams has purchased in order to qualify himself for a through investigation of the subjects he is persueing, cost him within these six months a hundred & fifty Guineys. Many of the Italian Works were very high priced & very scarce, he reads Italian as easily as French, and applies so constantly both to writing & reading that I fear he will injure his Health. Yet it is vastly mended since his residence in England, when I first came abroad he could not write even a single Letter without suffering. now he writes six or eight hours in a day—
        With regard to my own Health I cannot say much in favour of it, a little fever still Lurks in my veins & I cannot get rid of it. perhaps a sea voyage may serve it, but I dread the ocean and yet more the turbulent spirit of my Countrymen. it is a damp to all the pleasureable Ideas of a return to it— God save the people is a prayer in which I can most sincerely join—but I said I would write only on Buisness—yet out of the abundanc of the Heart &C I will send by the first opportunity the Reviews you desire my trangression with respect to porter & cheese were those of Ignoranc I Submit to the chastisement & pray the cheese may be only used as a foil. I will remember in future & put all I send in a trunk with the articles enumerated & the price.—
        Mrs Smith desires to be rememberd to you & all her Friend. Col Smith is not yet returnd from portugal I presume I must have Letters by Scot. as you have not mentiond my Friends I hope they are all well— a Letter came to hand by the penny post soon after Barnards arrival in which you mention Bills drawn in favour of mr Hill, but no such Bill has been yet presented— adieu my dear sir. I will not despair of the commonwealth whilst their is good sense enough to Elect my good Friend into the Senate. The Single virtue of Cato did much towards the preservation of Rome. may your Success be equal to your virtuous Efforts is the ardent wish / of your sincere Friend
        A A


Title: Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 1 July 1787
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, Abigail

          Paris July 1. 1787.
        A thousand thanks to you, my dear Madam, for your kind attention to my little daughter. her distresses I am sure must have been troublesome to you: but I know your goodness will forgive her, & forgive me too for having brought them on you. Petit now comes for her. by this time she will have learned again to love the hand that feeds & comforts her, and have formed an attachment to you. she will think I am made only to tear her from all her affections. I wish I could have come myself. the pleasure of a visit to yourself & mr̃ Adams would have been a great additional inducement. but, just returned from my journey, I have the arrearages of 3. or 4. months all crouded on me at once. I do not presume to write you news from America, because you have it so much fresher & frequenter than I have. I hope all the disturbances of your country are quieted & with little bloodshed. what think you of present appearances in Europe? the Emperor & his subjects? the Dutch & their half king, who would be a whole one? in fine the French & the English? these new friends & allies have hardly had time to sign that treaty which was to cement their love & union like man & wife, before they are shewing their teeth at each other. we are told a fleet of 6. or 12 ships is arming on your side the channel; here they talk of 12 or 20, and a camp of 15,000 men. but I do not think either party in earnest. both are more laudably intent on arranging their affairs.— should you have incurred any little expences on account of my daughter or her maid, Petit will be in a condition to repay them. if considerable, he will probably be obliged to refer you to me, and I shall make it my duty to send you a bill immediately for the money.— Count Sarsfeild sets out for London four days hence. at dinner the other day at M. de Malesherbe’s he was sadly abusing an English dish called Gooseberry tart. I asked him if he had ever tasted the cranberry. he said, no. so I invited him to go & eat cranberries with you. he said that on his arrival in London he would send to you & demander á diner. I hope mrs̃ Smith and the little grandson are well. be so good as to present me respectfully to her. I have desired Colo. Smith to take a bed here on his return. I will take good care of him for her, & keep him out of all harm. I have the honour to be with sentiments of sincere esteem & respect Dear Madam / Your most obedient & / most humble servt
        Th: Jefferson


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Jefferson, Thomas

          London july 6 1787
          my dear sir

        If I had thought you would so soon have Sent for your dear little Girl, I should have been tempted to have kept her arrival here, from you a secret. I am really loth to part with her, and she last evening upon petit’s arrival, was thrown into all her former distresses, and bursting into Tears, told me it would be as hard to leave me, as it was her Aunt Epps. She has been so often deceived that she will not quit me a moment least She should be carried away, nor can I scarcly prevail upon her to see petit. Tho she says she does not remember you, yet she has been taught to consider you with affection and fondness, and depended upon your comeing for her. she told me this morning, that as she had left all her Friends in virgina to come over the ocean to see you, she did think you would have taken the pains to have come here for her, & not have sent a man whom she cannot understand. I express her own words. I expostulated with her upon the long journey you had been; & the difficulty you had to come and upon the care kindness & attention of petit, whom I so well knew, but she cannot yet hear me. she is a child of the quickest Sensibility, and the maturest understanding, that I have ever met with for her Years. she had been 5 weeks at sea, and with men only, so that on the first day of her arrival, She was as rough as a little Sailor, and then she been decoyed from the Ship, which made her very angry, and no one having any Authority over her; I was apprehensive I should meet with some trouble, but where there are such materials to work upon as I have found in her, there is no danger. she listened to my admonitions, and attended to me advice, and in two days, was restored to the amiable lovely Child which her Aunt had formed her. in short she is the favorite of every Creature in the House, and I cannot but feel Sir, how many pleasures you must lose; by committing her to a convent, yet situated as you are, you cannot keep her with you. The Girl she has with her, wants more care than the child, and is wholy incapable of looking properly after her, without Some Superiour to direct her.
        As both miss Jefferson & the maid had cloaths only proper for the Sea, I have purchased & m up for them; Such things as I should have done had they been my own; to the amount of about Eleven or 12 Guineys. the particulars I will send by petit.
        Captain Ramsey has Said that he would accompany your daughter to paris provided she would not go without him, but this would be putting you to an expence that may perhaps be avoided by petits staying a few days longer. the greatest difficulty in familiarizing her to him, is on account of the language. I have not the Heart to force her into a Carriage against her Will and send her from me, almost in a Frenzy; as I know will be the case, unless I can reconcile her to the thoughts of going and I have given her my word that petit shall stay untill I can hear again from you. Books are her delight, and I have furnishd her out a little library, and She reads to me by the hour with great distinctness, & comments on what she reads with much propriety.
        mrs Smith desires to be rememberd to you, and the little Boy his Grandmamma thinks is as fine a Boy as any in the Kingdom— I am my dear sir with Sentiments of Esteem Your Friend and Humble / Servant
        A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson with a Memorandum of Purchases, 10 July 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Jefferson, Thomas

          London july 10th 1787
          Dear sir

        When I wrote you last I did not know that petit had taken places in the Stage & paid for them. this being the case I have represented it to your little daughter & endeavourd to prevail with her to consent to going at the time appointed; She says if I must go I will, but I cannot help crying, so pray dont ask me too. I should have taken great pleasure in presenting her to you here, as you would then have seen her with her most engageing countana[nce.] some lines of an old song frequently occur to me as different objects affect her.

          What she thinks in her Heart
          You may read in her Eyes
          For knowing no art
          She needs no disguise

        I never saw so intelligent a countanance in a child before, and the pleasure she has given me is an ample compensation for any little services I have been able to render her. I can easily conceive the earnest desire you must have to embrace so lovely a child after so long a Seperation from her. that motive, & my own intention of setting out next week upon a journey into the County of Devonshire, has prevaild with me to consent to parting with her so soon, but most reluctantly I assure you. her temper, her dispositition, her Sensibility are all formed to delight, yet perhaps at your first interview you may find a little roughness but it all subsides in a very little time, and she is soon attached by kindness. I inclose a memorandum of the articles purchased [I have be]en a little particular, that you might know how I [. . .]d of the money. if at any time I can be of service in this [wa]y [i]t will give me pleasure. I have desired petit to Buy me 12 Ells of black lace at 8 Livres pr Ell & 1 dozen of white & one of coulourd Gloves. you will be so good as to place them to my account & Col Smith will take them when he returns.
        As to politicks, to avoid touching so dissagreeable a subject, I send you the Boston News papers received by the last vessels.
        Mrs Paridise has just left me and desires to be rememberd to you. She is just upon the eve of departure for Virginia. Whether he can be prevaild upon to go on Board altho their passage is taken, & every thing in readiness, is very uncertain. She is determined at all Hazards, he most assuredly will get a seat in Kings Bench if he stays behind. his affairs are daily worse & worse. mr Adams will write you— he has not a portrait that he likes to send you. mr Trumble talks of taking one. if he Succeeds better than his Brethren, mr Adams will ask your acceptance of it. you will be so good as to let me hear from my dear little Girl by the first post after her arrival. my Love to her Sister whom I congratulate upon Such an acquisition.
        I have not been able to find Mrs Kinlock yet, but hope two, if I Should not, mr Heyward is going to carolina in a few days and I will send the package by him. all your other Letters were deliverd as directed.
        With Sentiments of the highest Esteem I am dear Sir Your Humble Servant
        A Adams
        I have received of Petit Six Louis d’ors [. . . .] What the exchange is, but the remainder you w[ill?] [. . .] as to let him purchase, me some lace & Gloves with the remainder.

        EnclosureMemorandum of articles by mrs Adams for miss Jefferson & Maid

            £
            s
            d

            paid for bringing the Trunks from Tower Hill

            5.
            6.

            four fine Irish Holland frocks
            3.
            10.

            5 yd white Dimity for Skirts

            15

            4 yd checkd Muslin for a frock
            1.
            10

            3 yd lace Edging to trim it

            6.
            6

            To making the frock

            5.

            3 yd flannel for under Coats

            7.
            6

            A Brown Bever Hat & feathers

            13.

            2 pr leather Gloves

            2.
            4

            5 yd diaper for arm Cloths

            5.
            10

            6 pr cotton Stockings

            13.
            6

            3 yd blew sash Ribbon

            3.

            To diaper for pockets linning tape cloth for night caps &c

            5
            6

            To a comb & case, comb Brush, tooth Brush

            1.
            6

            For the Maid Servant

            12 yds calico for 2 short Gowns & coats
            1.
            5.
            6

            4 yd half Irish linen for Aprons

            7
            4

            3 pr Stockings

            6.

            2 yd linning

            2.

            1 Shawl handkerchief

            4
            6

            paid for washing

            6
            8

            Sterling
            10
            15.
            8

            11. 16. 2 should be

        Received Six Louis d’ors, of petit.
        A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Rutledge Smith, 14 July 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Smith, Mary Rutledge

          My Dear Madam
          London july 14th 1787

        I received your agreeable Letter with much pleasure: having only before heard of the arrival of the vessel in which you embarked. I can my dear Madam most Sincerely rejoice with you on the happiness of meeting kind Friends, and endearing Relatives, after the Seperation you experienced. I fancy my Lovely Carolina Eyes Sparking with a joy which adds fluency to her Tongue, whilst her more reserved, but not less amiable sister, feels more than she can express. These Social ties, these family endearments give a zest to all the other enjoyments of Life. “poor is the Friendless master of a World” as the poet expressess it, ours is the Country for a union of Hearts, and conubial felicity. Europe, “for the rich mountains of Peru, who drawn by kindred charms of Gold,[”] look not for any other pleasures than what their wealth can bestow, hence arises that infidelity so common in Europe.
        I hope you find your Health much benifitted by your late voyage. should you relapse, will you permit me to recommend my Native state as a much more salubrious climate than that which you inhabit, and there I should rejoice to find you on my return, which I hope will be the next Spring You gave me some reason to hope that you would visit the Northern States. I think you would be pleasd with the Tour. the dissagreeable Situation of the Massachusetts for some months past is changed I presume for the better, and I would hope the Rebellion quite Surpressd. The discontents of the people cannot be grounded in reason, for there is no Country in the world where the liberties and properties of the subject are more sacredly preserved, nor are there any subjects who pay less for the ease and security which they enjoy, but the Idea of these insurgents is that they ought to pay nothing nor be at any trouble for preserving to themselves the Blessings of Peace & security. to please Such persons is impossible, and the dissagreeable alternative of reduceing them to obedience by force was the only resource this has Stained our annals with a civil war, and gratified the benevolence of our Good Friends on this Side of the water. I hope with you that the united Efforts of our wisest & ablest Countrymen who are now convened, may prove Succesfull in extricating us from our present embarresments, but they cannot work miracles, & unless a Spirit of Eoconomy industery & frugality, can be diffused through the people they will find their labours a mere Penelopean web.
        you Guesd very right with regard to my venerable title. on the 2d of April I was vested with it, & have now a fine Grandson 3 months old Mrs smith is very well & Nurses her little Boy. Col Smith is absent in Spain upon bublick buisness which must apoligize to mrs caroline, for not hearing from him by this opportunity mr Adams joins me in compliments to mr Smith & to your Brother who was your fellow passenger, and to his old associates in congress, whom I have not the pleasure of knowing—
        our Friend mrs Channing continues in poor Health but good spirits. many American have left London Since the spring and we are now going to lose mr Gibbs & mr Heyward. The latter is kind enough to be the bearer of this Letter to you. I propose Setting out on a journey to plimouth next week for the benifit of my Health, having been a great part of the Spring confined by sickness. I hope you will continue to write me during my residence here be assured dear madam that I shall always take great pleasure in hearing of the Health & happiness of yourself & family by a Gentleman lately from France who lodged in the Same House with your Son I had the pleasure of learning that his Health was perfectly restored. be so good as to present me affectionately to the young Ladies & believe / me most sincerely your / Friend & Humble Servant
        A A


Title: Abigail Adams Smith to Lucy Cranch, 14 July 1787
From: Smith, Abigail Adams
To: Cranch, Lucy

          London july 14th 1787—

        most readily my Dear Lucy do I acknowledge the tittle of friend with which you address me—and am very happy to have preserved your esteem thus far in Life— I wish it had been my fate to have enjoyed the Society of my friends more than it has,— three years have now elapsed since I parted with every female friend that I had acquired from my earliest infancy to the age of Nineteen; and I have not been so fortunate as to have acquired any in Europe to Supply their Loss— in America I have gained a Whole family of friends and Sisters My Best friend—has Six sisters—whose friendship I Consider a great acquisition—and promise myself great sattisfaction from a Personall knowledge of them— we already Correspond—and by their Letters and from the affection expressed for their Brother I know them to be very amiable and agreeable— from the manner of their Sollicitude to possess the friendship of their Brother you would imagine them rival favourites Contending by every assiduity and attention, to gain an assendance over each other in his affection—
        You ask me my Dear a very queer question (whether my Husband possesses my whole Heart) but I can answer without hesitation that he does—nor would I have given my hand to any One who did not possess it— but my Dear it does not exclude any other friend who had a prior claim upon it, but has strengthened every other friendly attachment.
        You are I suppose informed that my Parents intend returning to America the ensueing Spring and I dare say will rejoice at an event which must Contribute so much to your happiness, I hope the Period is not far distant when your Cousin will also have the pleasure of paying you a visit and of Presenting to you her friend—and a young Stranger who made his appearance a few Weeks since— he is a fine Boy—and the play thing throughout the House
        my father and Mother intend makeing an excursion the next week into Devonshire and they have persuaded me to accompany them during the absence of Mr Smith who is gone to Portugoll upon some Publick business—and Cannot return before the beginning of September. they intend going as far as Plymouth and I think it is there that some of Your friends reside if we should see them I will give you some account of our visit upon my return, and write you a longer Letter than it is in my Power att Present. Barnard is to sail in a few days and I have many other Letters to write before we set out
        Let me hear from you frequently and beleive me your friend
        A Smith


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 16 July 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

          London july 16 1787
          my dear sister

        If as the poet says, expectation makes the blessing sweet, your last Letter was peculiarly so, as you conjectured I was not a little anxious that neither Captain Barnard or Davis brought me a line. I was apprehensive that Something was the matter some imminent danger threatning some Friend, of which my Friends chose not to inform me untill thir fate was decided. I sent on board the Ship, the Solitary Box of meal was searchd throughout. What not one line, from my dear sister Cranch, she who has never before faild me, can it be possible, uncle Smith did not as usual say in his Letter that all Friends were well. Dr Tufts for the first time omitted mentioning my children, that might be because they thought that they had written, thus was my mind agitated untill Captain Scotts arrival who brought me your kind Letter of May the 20th, but none from either of my Neices or Children those dear Lads do not write so often as I wish them to, because they have nothing more to say than that they are well, not considering how important that intelligence is to an affectionate parent. mr J Cranch wrote me soon after Barnards arrival and sent me an extract of a Letter from miss B Palmer with a particular account of the performances in April at Cambridge, in which your son & mine bore a part. These Young Gentlemen are much indebted to her for her partiality, and the very flattering manner in which she describes them. I hope they will continue to deserve the esteem of all good judges and do honour to themselves and their Country. the account you give me of the Health of JQA, is no more than I expected to hear. I warnd him frequently before he left me, and have been writing him ever since. I hope he will take warning before it is too late. it gives me great satisfaction to learn that he has past through the university with so much reputation, and that his fellow Students are attached to him. I have never once regreeted the resolution he took of quitting Europe, and placing himself upon the Theatre of his own Country, where if his Life is spaired, I presume he will neither be an Idle or a useless Spectator. Heaven grant that he may not have more distressing scenes before him, and a Gloomier stage to tread than those on which his Father has acted for 12 years past, but the curtain rises before him, and instead of peace waving her olive branch, or Liberty seated in a triumphal car or commerce Agriculture and plenty pouring forth their Stores, Sedition hisses Treason roars, Rebellion Nashes his Teeth. Mercy Suspends the justly merited blow, but justice Striks the Guilty victim. here may the Scene close and brighter prospects open before us in future. I hope the political machine will move with more safety and security this year than the last, and that the New Head may be endowed with wisdom sufficient to direct it. there are Some good Spokes in the Wheels, tho the Master workmen have been unskilfull in discarding some of the best, and chusing others not sufficiently Seasond, but the crooked & cross graind will soon break to peices, tho this may do much mischief in the midst of a jouney, and shatter the vehicle, yet an other year may repair the Damages, but to quit Allegory, or you will think I have been reading Johnny Bunyan. The conduct of a certain Gentleman is rather curious. I really think him an honest Man, but ambition is a very wild passion, and there are some Characters that never can be pleasd unless they have the intire direction of all publick affairs, and when they are unemployd, they are continually blaming those in office, and accusing them of Ignorance or incapacity, and Spreading allarms that the Country is ruined and undone, but put them into office, and it is more than probable they will persue the same conduct, which they had before condemned, but no Man is fit to be trusted who is not diffident of himself Such is the frailty of humane Nature, & so great a flatterer is Self Love, that it presents false appearences, & deceives it votaries.
        The comedy writer has been drawing his own Character and an other Gentlemans I fancy. strange Man, would he act as well as he can write, he might have been an ornament to Society, but what signifies a Head, without a Heart, what is knowledge but an extensive power to do evil, without principal to direct and govern it? “unstable as water, thou shalt not excell” I have often quoted to him. I look upon him as a lost Man. I pity his folly, and am sorry he is making himself so conspicuous. I think Sir John Temple was the writer of the Letter from Newyork giving an account of the Play, Birds of a Feather— The House at Braintree which you mention I would not fail of having, & am sorry the dr did not bargan for it without waiting to hear from us. We have written him twice upon the subject, as to building we shall never be able to do that, if the dr should purchase it. I wish you would look it over and let us know what repairs are necessary. I shall not be able to write much by Captain Barnard, as we are prepairing for a long jouney. I have been so very unwell through the Spring and winter that the dr Says a journey and change of air is absolutly necessary for me our intention is to visit Devenshire & to go as far as plimouth which is about 200 & 30 miles. as we take the Baby and a Nursery maid, Esther a footman & coachman we shall make a large calvacade and be absent a month or 5 weeks. Col Smith we do not expect back till September. we hear from him by every post. I am distrest for Sister Shaw & her children the disorder is of the most infectious Nature, and a House, linen, & every thing & person requires as much cleansing as with the Small pox, of which I fear people are not sufficently aware. When Mr Copley about a year & half ago lost two fine children with it, the doctors advised to these precautions, & gave large doses of the bark to the attendance. I think Sister Shaw would have done well to have sent both her children out of Haverhill. I pray Heaven preserve them— I did not get a line from her by either of the vessels. I have had with me for a fortnight a little daughter of mr Jeffersons, who arrived here with a young Negro Girl her Servant from Virginia. mr Jefferson wrote me some months ago that he expected them & desired me to receive them. I did so and was amply repaid for my trouble a finer child of her age I never saw, so mature an understanding, so womanly a behaviour and so much sensibility united is rarely to be met with. I grew so fond of her, & she was so attached to me, that when mr Jefferson sent for her, they were obliged to force the little creature away. She is but 8 years old. She would Set some times and discribe to me the parting with her Aunt who brought her up, the obligations she was under to her & the Love she had for her little cousins, till the Tears would stream down her cheeks, and now I had been her Friend and she loved me, her pappa would break her Heart by making her go again. she clung round me so that I could not help sheding a tear at parting with her. she was the favorite of every one in the House. I regreet that Such fine spirits must be spent in the walls of a convent. She is a beautifull Girl too, my little Boy grows finely and is as playfull as a Lamb, is the Healthest child I ever saw, and pretty enough. his Mamma I think looks the better for being a Nurse. he is very content with being twice a day supplied by her, feeds the rest, and never misses being twice a day carried out to walk in the air when it is fair weather You see what a mere Grandmama I am that can fill up half a page in writing of the child. this I presume is commencment week. I dare say the young folks feel anxious. I dont know whether I should venture to be a hearer if I was in America I should have as many pertubations as the Speakers. I hope they will acquit themselves with honour. mr Adams desires me to tell cousin Cranch that any of his Books are at his service I believe we must send some of these Young Men to settle at Vermont. can they get their Bread in Massachussets? but the World is all before them, may providence be their Guide.
        I send my dear sisters each a tea urn, which must prove comfortable in a hot summers day I have orderd them put up in a Box together and addrest to uncle Smith. the Heater, & the Iron which you put it in with, is to be packed in the Box by the Side of them. whilst your water is boiling, you heat the Iron & put it in to the little tin inclosure always minding that the water is first put in. this keeps it hot as long as you want to use it.— how are English Goods now? cheeper I suppose than I can buy them here, and India much lower, in the article of Spice could you credit it if I was to tell you that I give 2 pound Eleaven Shillings sterling pr pound for Nutmegs—and other Spice in proportion yet tis really so— I cannot write my Neices now, but hope my journey will furnish materials—my Love to them. who owns Germantown now, is mr Palmers family in any way of Buisness? how is miss payne, & where is she?— Mrs Parkers arrival will be an acquisitions to our American acquaintance. she appears an agreeable woman we have a General Stuart & Lady here Philadelphians, lately from Ireland. I knew him when I first came here. he went to Ireland and has been there with her two years, they spend the winter here. Mrs Gardner has never visited me untill yesterday, tho she has been here a Year concequently I have never Seen her, for it is an invariable rule with me to receive the first visit. I have formed a very agreeable acquaintance with a Sir George Stanton & Lady. I know not a warmer American. he cultivats their acquaintance, and is a very sensible learned Man. Lady Staunton is an amiable woman and we visit upon very social and Friendly terms. I must however add that Sir George is an Irishman by birth & I have invariably found in every Irish Gentleman, a Friend to America. it is an old observation that mutual Sufferings begets Friendships. Lady Effingham is just returnd to Town after an absence of a 12 Month. her Ladyship drank tea with me on Sunday, & I Supd & spent the Evening with her the week after. She has traveld much in Russia Sweeden Denmark Holland France Ireland, and has a most Sprightly lively fancy: joind to a volubility of Tongue which united with good sense & a knowledge of the World renders her a pleasing companion, but She like all the rest of the English Ladies, with whom I have any acquaintance is destitute of that Softness & those feminine graces which appear so lovely in the females of America. I attribute this in a great measure to their constant intercourse at publick places. I will see how they are in the Country. I have been gratified however in finding that all Foreigners who have any acquaintance with American Ladies give the preference to them, but john Bull thinks nothing equal to himself and his Country; you would be Surprizd to see & hear the uncivil things Said against France, and all its productions I have never found so much illiberality in any Nation as this, but there are many Worthy & amiable Characters here whom I shall ever respect, and for whose Sakes this Country is preserved from total Ruin & destruction. but I am running on at a Strange rate. adieu my dear sister, remember me to my Worthy Mother Brothers & all my Nephews Neices & Neighbours, and believe me at all times your affectionate / Sister
        Abigail Adams.
        PS having sent you a Lamp I now Send you something to Light it with the directions are with it. I have given these into the care of a mrs Wentworth who came here last Spring in persuit of an estate which I have no doubt belongs to her, but for want of Money She cannot come at it. She is a virtuous well behaved deserving woman. she has been I believe as much as a month at different times in my family, and can tell you more about us than perhaps 20 Letters. Dr Bulfinch recommended her to us, when she came. I tried to get her some employ but could not succeed, and she is now obliged to return much poorer than when she came, and without any prospect of Success. when you go to Town, if you send for her to uncle Smiths, She will come and see you as I have desired her.— Inclosed you find a Louis d’or


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 16 July 1787
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

          Braintree July 16th 1778 [1787]

        My dear sister will I am sure excuse me if I send her now but a short Letter—when she is inform’d that there is but one day between this & commencment & that I have but just hear’d that capt. Folger will sail this week
        It is true we are doing but little but it makes us more work than Ten such entertainments at home. every thing is dress’d here, & to be cut cold at cambridge except Green Peas. we are allamoding Two rounds of Beef, Boiling four Hams of Bacon & six Tongues. They smell finely I assure you. this will be all our meat—cider Punch wine & Porter our drink: we have had our Tables & seats made here, nothing but Boards plain’d, making them hear will save us five or six-dollars we have Milk Bisket & plumb Cake to be eat with our Tea. Betsy Smith from Haverhill has been here some time. She & Lucy are gone to day mr JQ.A. & Billy also. tomorrow mr Cranch & I go. Betsy is not well enough to be in such a Bustle so she will stay at home & take care of the House— her nerves are so weak that she cannot bear to be in the company of strangers without being distress’d she has lost her Flesh surprizingly within two months I feel very anxious about her. was it Lucy I should certainly in a consumtion, but this poor Girl is so subject to dissorders & so apt to recover them that I cannot but hope she will be again restor’d Cousin JQA has lost as much Flesh as she has but he looks much better than he did in the spring he is going a journey to Haverhill after commencment
        I heard the other day by a Letter Mr Gill writ his uncle that mrs Smith was safe a Bed with a son nam’d after the Baron Stubend. I most sincerly congratilate you all upon this event but the same Letter inform’d us you was confin’d to your chamber by sickness— Joy & sorrow follow each other in swift succession in this imperfect state— I fear you do not use exercise enough any more than your eldest son— He will take a journey after the Bustle of commencment is over to Falmouth & then sit down to the study of the Law will mr Parsons. There will be a hard parting on Billys side at least. He wishes to study with his cousin but we cannot pay his Board & the demands of a Teacher also at least for a year or two the expence of the last year has been very great & yet Billy has been as prudent as a child could be, but I hope we shall get through it without injuring any one & that it will not be lost upon him. He has behav’d well & pass’d thro college without a censure Tomorrow he will compleat his eighteenth year— There is no time of Life exemted from temtations, but I have thought that there was none more critical for a Gentleman than from eithteen to twenty two. Passion is then the strongest & is too apt to prove an over match for Reason. we have some melancholy instances of it in our young Freinds upon Milton Hill you will drop a tear when you know what characters they have acquir’d in the world. The Parents have taken it amiss that our sons do not visit them more & that there is not a greater intimacy with their Children—but my dear sister—I have beg’d them if they value their reputations not to have the least appearenc of any with them—I expect to have a complaint enter’d against me before your Ladyship upon the account of it, but sure I am that was you here you would do the same I am greev’d for their Parents— Let us teach our children humility—& not to think more highly of themselves than they ought. Let us teach them that no rank of their ancestors be if ever so high will secure them the approbation esteem & respect of the world without the strictest attention to the rules of honour morality, & Religion
        our sons look a little anxous as the Day approaches—I wish it was over. Billy is too busy assisting us too think much but my Nephew walks about with his hands hung down crying “oh Lord! oh Lord—I hope it will rain hard that all their white wigs may be wet who would not let us have a private commencment—” be compos’d said I, perform your Parts well & you will find that the Honour you will gain & the pleasure you will give your Freinds will over ballance all the anxietys you have experienc’d—
        adieu for the present I must go & pack to send another cart tomorrow one is gone to day. I am almost sick with a cold & cough— I have been pouring down medicene for two days hoping to remove it—but it sticks fast & is obstinate— If callahan should get in & I should hear good tydings from my dear Friends it may do much to help me—


Title: Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 19 July 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Shaw, Elizabeth Smith

          London july 20 [19] 1787—
          my dear sister

        I will not plead in excuse that I have not by any of the late vessels received a Line from my Sister, and on that account omit writing to her. I know she would have written to me if she had known early enough of the opportunity I hope she has before this time received all the Letters I have written to her, & the little matters I have sent her— Mrs Cranch wrote me that the Thoat distemper had broken out, with great voilence in Haverhill it is a terrible disease & frequently Baffles the Skill of the Physician. it is so infectious as to expose every person who attends the sick to it, and therefore taking large doses of the Bark in powder is considerd as a good antidote & preservative, but smoking airing washing & cleansing ever article as after the Small Pox in the natural way, is considerd here as absolutely necessary. it has been known to break out in families after the disease had quitted it, only from some infectious garment. I should have advised my sister to have Sent her children immediately out of Town. as she would from the Small Pox in the natural way burning pitch & Tar, Hot viniger, are all good purifiers of the air; I pray Heaven preserve you & yours— I want, yet feel affraid to hear, from you. I hope the warm weather will be the means of abating and removeing the disease. I am something relieved by a Letter from Dr Tufts of the 15 of june if any of my Friends had been sick, he would have mentiond it.
        I am going tomorrow to set out in a journey of between 2 & 3 hundred miles in hopes that it will essentially serve my Health. I have been very frequently ill through the Spring & Summer, and am advised to this journey as a restoritive. we shall be absent about a month. we mean to visit Devonshire & to see the place of our dear Brother Cranchs nativity. it is said to be one of the finest counties in England Mrs Smith & the little Boy accompanies us, Col Smith we do not expect back till Sepbr. I have by Captain Barnard Sent you a Tea urn, it is packd in a Box with one for Sister Cranch. you will find an Iron calld a heater. This when the water is boild, you heat red hot & put in the tin middle peice which keeps the water hot during the whole process of tea making. I have also sent you a little contrivence for lighting a candle when your fire is out, the directions for useing are round the case— The Box is addrest to uncle smiths care. I think you will find the urn of great service in Hot weather.
        I have only to add my regards to Brother Shaw & a Book which was forgotten by the last opportunity Mr Adams joins me in affectionate Regards to you and yours Mr Sparhawk was so good as to call & offer to take a Letter I am Sensible of his civility, but as I Shall be absent when he Sails. I think it best to commit all my Letters to captain Barnard. I am my dear Sister with Sincere wishes for / your Health & happiness / your ever affectionate / Sister
        A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams Smith to Elizabeth Cranch, 19 July 1787
From: Smith, Abigail Adams
To: Cranch, Elizabeth

          London july 19th 1787—

        to what Cause my Dear Eliza am I to attribute that Air of Mistery which reigns throughout your last Letter to me,— you ever Possessed my friendship Esteem and affection, nor do I know that you have ever intentionally forfeited either, why then my Dear Girl do you imagine them estranged from you,— there is one Epoch of our Lives which I Consider as the Ordeal of friendship, if we are so fortunate as to Pass this Period and retain the friends of our Youth I think we may flatter ourselves that the attachment will withstand the future vicissitudes of time, Happily my friend has your Cousin passed and She hopes in Possession of your affections, and those of her other Partial friends, and She can form no wish that can more promote your happiness than that She may soon have the pleasure of returning your Congratulations so Kindly expressed in yours of November the 18th which Letter should have been long ere this acknowledged had not indisposition the Last Winter prevented me from returning those attentions to my friends which their Letters really demanded from me—
        Should you not be amused my Dear Eliza to see your Cousin performing her part in the Character She has lately become an Actress in I wish it was in my Power to Present my Son to you—for he is a cleaver Boy—and I think resembles my Brother Charles—but a quiet Soul just like his Mamma—he is not however wanting in sprightliness—
        It would greatly Contribute to my happiness were it in my Power to partake of some of those Cares and attentions which you are so kind during our absence to undertake for my Dear Brothers their judicious and manly Conduct would I am sure be a full recompence for any little trouble they might occasion, the Worthy and amiable Characters which they Sustain is a scource of great Sattisfaction to us—
        I dare say the parting of the Happy friends which will I suppose take place within a few days from this time will be with mutual regret— if the day for Commencement was yesterday and we may form any idea of your season by this you were very fortunate—for it was very Cool and pleasant here—we thought of it much—and wished to be transported to the scene—
        tomorrow we set out upon an excurssion into the West of England— we propose setting our faces towards Plymouth—to traverse the County of Devonshire and to take up our quarters for some time at Exeter, Plymouth, and wherever elce we may find it inviting the season is fine—and the weather not so Cold as Usual—which reminds me more of my own Country than any season I have ever passed here—& this is no small inducement to render it agreeable—
        Whilst on our Tour or after our return I will indeavour to give you some idea of it— I should anticipate more Plasure if my friend was to accompany us—but he is absent upon Public Business in Portugal—and cannot return these six weeks— there are always upon Such excursions little if not great difficulties to encounter and he Possesses the Happy faculty of removeing them and rendering every thing easy to those who accompany him—
        Barnard is expected to Sail before our return which makes me sollicitous to write to as many of my friends before we set out as I can and will I hope be a sufficient appology to my Cousin for the Haste of this—
        be so good as to Present my Duty and respects to my Grand Mamma—and add those of her Great Grandson my Compliments and regards as they are due—to Nancy Quincy I ought to write and did intend it but have not time left by this opportunity—remember me to her and beleive me / yours sincerely
        A Smith


Title: Abigail Adams’ Diary of a Tour from London to Plymouth, 20–28 July 1787
From: Adams, Abigail
To:

        MS (M/AA/1, APM Reel 197). PRINTED: JA, D&A, 3:203–208. AA’s Diary of the family’s trip through west England describes only the first nine days of their month-long excursion. For the period it covers, the Diary provides considerable detail on the family’s activities. AA notes all of their stops, where they lodged (and the quality of those lodgings), and who they met, as well as historical facts about some of the sites. Not surprisingly, she also takes the opportunity to comment on the impoverished state of English society: “Through a Country as fertile as Eden and cultivated like a Garden you see nothing but misirable low thatchd Huts moulderd by time with a small old fashiond glass window perhaps two in the whole House. . . . On some lone Heath a Shepeards Cottage strikes your Eye, who with his trusty dog is the keeper of a vast flock owned by some Lord, or Duke. If poverty, hunger and want should tempt him to slay the poorest Lamb of the flock, the penal Laws of this Land of freedom would take his Life.” The journal breaks off abruptly, mid-sentence, in the midst of AA’s description of their visit to Exeter, where they met with members of Richard Cranch’s family.
        JA and AA2 also kept journals of their travels. JA’s notes (printed at D&A, 3:208–212) contain only one lengthy entry and are otherwise fragmentary. AA2’s comments (printed in AA2, Jour. and Corr.Journal and Correspondence of Miss Adams, Daughter of John Adams,... Edited by Her Daughter [Caroline Amelia (Smith) de Windt], New York and London, 1841–[1849]; 3 vols., 1:84–94) are more extensive, but no manuscript copy is extant, and the printed version is somewhat unreliable, therefore it has not been reprinted here. Still, both supplement AA’s Diary, as well as the correspondence printed below, in recording the family’s tour.


Title: John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 July 1787
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

          London July 20. 1787
          My dear Son,

        We Suppose, that you had your Degree last Wednesday, and upon that Supposition, I congratulate you upon it. it is hinted that you think of studying Law with Judge Dana till next Spring. if you can have the Honour and the Priviledge of studying under, two such great Masters as Judge Trowbridge and Judge Dana, I approve very much of the design. You cannot be in so good hands. but will the Gentlemen of the Bar, be willing that you should enter, under the Judge and compute your three Years from the time you begin?— You should be frugal of that Article of time.— if you like it, I will take you into my own office, next June, by which Time I expect to be at Braintree, and to undertake the Pleasing Office of Preceptor to my own Sons, and perhaps you will find upon the whole as many Advantages in this as in any other Plan.— I do not however mean, to divert you from your own Choice.— At all Events I think you ought to be entered on the Books of the Bar, as a student as early as possible.— My love to your Brothers.
        John Adams


Title: John Adams to Richard Cranch, 20 July 1787
From: Adams, John
To: Cranch, Richard

          London July 20. 1787
          My dear Brother

        I have only the time to inform you, that this morning I am to Sett out, with My Wife and Daughter, with her little Son, to See your Country of Devonshire.— The air of London like that of Paris and Amsterdam, is in Summer, tainted to Such a degree, that all who can possibly get out of it; fly it, like a Pestilence. Mrs Adams, has for the last nine months been affected by this Climate, with Complaints that are common in it, and is advised by her Physician and by all her Friends, to make a Tour. it is not less necessary for Mrs Smith. Nor should I dare venture to Stay in London thro the Summer. We propose to see Plymouth, Exeter Axminster &c— This will probably be the last Excursion, We Shall make, till We bend our Course, to Braintree. I hope Dr Tufts will buy me, Mr Tylers House: if not We shall return to the old Place.— The Voyages that have been commenced in February have been so long and distressing, that I shall not dare to expose my Family in their tender health, to embark before the Spring Equinox.— We shall take our Passage in the first ship that Sails in the latter End of March or beginning of April.
        The Accounts We have of the Uneasy State of the Minds of our Countrymen: their innumerable Projects, and fluctuating Politicks are perhaps more distressing to Us, than they are to you who are on the Spot.— Are We all to become Champions and soldiers for a Bowdoin or a Hancock, a Livingston or a Clinton, a Morris or a Franklin &C &c &c. Is every State to have two or three families Scrambling for the first Place, and the disposal of the Loaves and Fishes, and is every Body to be obliged to take his side, and Scramble for one or the other.? Let Solon who compelled every citizen to take a Side say what he will, I cant see the moral Obligation on any one to take a side in Such Squabbles. if our Constitutions are Such as produce necessarily Such Contests, Let Us correct and amend them. and if the People will not consent to such Amendments: but are so in love with Blood and Carnage that they will have it, What shall We Say? It is no new fault in the World. Most Nations have been infected with it, and have suffered accordingly.— I Shall soon Send you a Volume of Romances, for Such you will think them, tho they are true History, which Will show our People what they are about and what they may expect.— if they are determined to go down the Precipice, it is fit they should see it, before they take the Leap and prepare for Death.— For my own Part I am too old and feeble, to fight.— They must put me to death for my Neutrality: for I will not be a Party Man. The Laws and their Defence, must have my Wishes and all the little Efforts I can make in my own Way. But I will neither be a Game Cock for Bowdoin nor Hancock, Lincoln nor Cushing. My Duties and Affections where they are due
        John Adams.


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 21 July 1787
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

          My Dear Sister
          Boston July 21d 1778 [1787]

        The Day—the mighty Day is over, & our Sons have perform’d their Parts—& receiv’d the Honour of the college in a manner which will do them credit while they Live— never did you see two Happier Faces than theirs when they return’d from meeting— I do not believe they will ever feel so happy again— If to excell where all did well—can give pleasure your Son must feel a peculiar one. He has a faculty of throughing expresson into his countinance beyond any person I ever met with— I was not in the meeting house, but I am told that he excell’d in his manner every one who ever Spoke in it—The performences of the Day are said by every one to have been the best composition, & the best spoken of any since the universitys were created—
        Every thing was conducted in our Chambers with the greatest order & regularity— Mr Beals who lives on our place at Weymouth had the whole care of delivering out drink & we had uncle Smiths Primus—& a Black Servant of cousin Willm. Smiths & our Pheby to attend the Tables— she was exceeding useful to me after dinner in washing up the Dishes & clearing the Tables we had two chambers one for the Tables & the other for our company to Sit in. We made no Tea but had cake & wine carried about in stead of it which sav’d us a great deal of trouble
        We din’d above a hundred People & treated with cake & wine above four hundred I am very certain we were honour’d after Dinner with the company of His excellency the Governer & L—— Govr. & a number of the Senate—The Resident Professor & Tutors, who all came to congratulate us— In short I had enough to do to set & receive the congratulations of our Friends & acquaintance I most sincerly wish’d you with me to have taken your share— We were not only congratulated that we had a son & Nephew who had done themselves such Honour, that day but that they had sustain’d such amiable good characters during their residence at college— I had as much small Talk to do as their Majestys upon a presentation day—but they never felt half as much pleasure your sons all felt like my own & I presented them as my adopted ones till your return & proud enough I am of them—
        Although we had so much company we had enough & to spair of every thing we made 28lb of Flower into cake & fine Plumb cake it was. I sent mrs Hall a nice one & several of our common Frinds a slice who could not attend. I hope I have given general satisfaction to all our Freinds we ask’d general Palmers Family two days before commencment they took it into their Heads to be mift because they were not invited sooner & would not come, but if they knew how little I car’d & how little notice I should take of such unreasonable affronts they would keep them to themselves. Cousin Polly poor girl is not long for this world I believe. she fails very fast— The rest of the Family are well. The general is very busy erecting large salt Works upon the neck— I hope they will answer his expectations.—
        To add to my happiness callahan arriv’d two days before Commencment & brought me an account of your being better than my imagination represented you. I long more than ever for your return—You must take more care of your health these complaints of yours are hard to be cur’d— I have suffer’d much in the same way for the two last years but have injoyd. my health finely sinc last summer till this ugly cold I have now got I was sick enough to have been upon the Bed on Wednesday but I got thro better than I expected too, & am going home this afternoon to be nurs’d up & to rest a little.—
        I rejoice to hear of the Safety of my Niece & her little one. I hope her health is perfectly restor’d by this time. pray give my Love to her & to little master & tell him to grow firm enough to receive a hearty Squeeze from his great Aunt when she sees him— If Colln Smith is returnd tell him I had the pleasure of Colln. Humphrys company at our chamber on Wednesday last. That he talk’d of his Friend & that we both wish’d him & indeed all of you with us. The Coll. has promis’d to make us a visit at Braintree with Coll. Hull, Who is a great favourite of mine & Elizas. mrs Hull has just got to Bed with her fourth child I have lately been to see them
        I have again to thank you for your kind presents to our children They have not time to write by this conveyence, but will soon but my sister why did you procure such costly Scandles. I fear it will not be in character for them to wear them. The maker has mortified them in the length of them for they cannot possible wear them. I wonder what kind of Feet he thought we had in america. I have not seen the chintz but dare say it is pretty. I believe we should have made up our silks if it had not have been for the peculiarty of the times but we did not think it prudent to do it— To say I thank you for all your goodness to us will not express half what I feel— I have receev’d the wastcoats & the linnen for cousin Tom we have not yet made up the fine Piece you sent him before, but are making some for him of the coarser Piece you sent by Scot. he will want them for winter & we thought if best to make it of this because the frost would not cut it as if it was finer, & we can only make him just enough for present wear he grows so fast— I shall fix cousin JQ.A well with every thing to last him till the spring. he will lay by his shirts & other matters that will require much mending till he makes us a visit— I wish to have it all done here but some little matters must be done there
        Sister Shaw & Sister Smith have both been with us but are return’d without going to Braintree. Sister Shaw looks very well for her—her children are well—but the Sickness prevails yet but it is not so mortal as it has been—
        I was call’d off just now to your Friend mrs Rogers for the first time since she return’d. her health is poor. she rejoices to hear from you & mrs Smith hop’d for a Letter sends her Love—
        I must leave a thoussand things to say for the next vessel as mr cranch is waiting to put a Packet a Board Folger mr cranch is much gratified with his Letter, thanks you will write as soon as he has time
        tell Colln Smith he must not live in new york. we cannot spare my Niece & her little Family—& Grandmamma will not be able to do it I am sure
        My Love to mr. Adams—as to you my sister I know not how to bid you adieu— may God preserve you & bring you once more safe to my arms— This is the constant Petition of you / affectionate Sister
        M Cranch


Title: Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 22 July 1787
From: Shaw, Elizabeth Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

          Haverhill July 22d 1787
          My Dear Sister—

        The last Week has indeed been a Week of Joy to me— We have “eat our Bread with gladness, & drank our Wine with merry Hearts—”

        My dear Nephews have done themselves, & their Friends honour by their publick Performances— And Mr Shaw, & myself shared in a very particular manner, the general satisfaction, & Festivity of the Day—
        William Cranch had a Dissertation shewing the Utillity, & necessity of three Branches in the Legislature.—
        Your Son spoke an English Oration upon the importance of preserving publick Faith, &ce—
        Leonard White had a Conference with Loyd, & Amory upon the Question, which had the greatest Influence upon Mankind, Wealth—Power—or Fame—
        Freeman from Sanwich spoke a most excellent Oration, both as to matter, & manner, & I should be too partial, if I had not preserved a Wreath, to bind around his Head—
        I think both the Orators (for I cannot now recollect, & separate each part) represented to us the honourable, happy state we were in, at the close of the last War—marked out in very striking coulours, each footstep by which we had fallen into our present state, & shewed that Idleness, & Luxery ever did, & ever would bring on loss of Credit—Scorn, & Derission—Civil Wars—Anarchy, & all its dreadful Consequences—
        J,Q,A, & Freeman were the Competiors of the Day, & seemed to vie with each other who should excell the most— The young Ladies charmed with the gracefullness of Freeman, would no doubt have presented him with the Palm—But more accurate Judges, & the admirers of dignity of Sentiment, & Composition would at least have debated upon the Preference—
        I am sure no one could be a Judge of Mr Adam’s Eloquence unless they kept their Eye fixed upon his Face, & saw each Passion, & each Feeling called up, & most strikingly, & happily delineated there—
        It is 17 years since I have attended a Commencement before this— They speak now, there Performances cheifly in English, & of late years have greatly improved in the Art of Speaking— I have thought Oratory was too little attended too by this University—& many of our most sensible Youths have suffered sadly by the neglect— I wish they may not now run into the oposite extreme— For whoever expects now to be noticed, & wishes to make a Figure, reads Sheridan, & Blair with the greatest avidity, to the too great neglect (I fear) of Classickcal Authors, & more substantial knowledge— For after all, it must be considered only, as an exterior accomplishment as an elegant Dress to a fine Woman, rendering her more conspicuous, & strikingly lovely—
        The Centinel I see, has conveyed to the World with its usual good-humour some strictures upon Commencement Performances—But malevolence shall not cast a shade nor Scurility pluck the Laurel from their Brow—
        The Young Gentlemen may well content themselves, with the ample applause of the Day—
        The Monday before Commencement we had a very fine rain, & the weather was uncommonly pleasant the whole of the week, I believe there never was so cool a Commencment known— Mr Shaw, & I, lodged at Professor William’s— He rose early in the morning to take a walk anew over the classick ground, & found People who were making Booths upon the Common, thressing their Arms acros’s their Breasts, to keep themselves warm—A curious sight this upon our Commencment Day—
        Dr Tufts, & Mr Cranch had provided a very elegant, & genteel Entertainment— There was quite a large Company at the Chambers; but there was enough of every-thing, & to spare— There was not anything wanting but you, & part of you, to grace, & crown the whole—
        It was exceeding pleasant for me, to see, & to recognize so many of my former Friends, & Acquaintance— I stood above an hour answering, & passing the usual Compliments of the Day— I thought of you at the Levee—Though there was this difference I suppose—Complacency & all the social affections of the Heart shone in their Countenances, which is never, or very seldom seen, in a Company of Strangers, wholly uninterested in each others welfare—
        The Family Tenants were all there—Belcher—Beale & Pratt—who were very necessary, & useful— But as I returned from Meeting, passing the Colledge Entry, there sate in state our sable Domestic, accompanied by her solemn faced Partner, with his sabbath Day Coat, & tie Wig full powdered, looking like a piece of mock majesty— I could not but be diverted after Dinner to see him devouring the delicious Fragments—now mouthing a sweet crumb of Bread—now a fat slice of Bacon, & Tongue—now a rich piece of alamode Beef—& now a fine spoonful of green Peas—Lettice—Pickles &cc—clearing Plate by Plate & handing them, to his charming dewy, oderiferous Phebe, who was so kind as to wash them—
        But what (my Dear Sister) gave a relish to every other enjoyment was the arrival of Callihan the Monday before, which brought us Letters announcing the welfare of your Family, & the Birth of your Grandson— May you ever have Cause to rejoice in the Day— Kiss the sweet Fellow once—twice—three & tell the little Cherub his Aunt sent all she could—as a Token of her Love, & ardent Wishes, that his Life, & Health may be preserved— And in this Wish is included a sincere Petition, that its Parents may be surrounded with every Circumstance that can render Life delightful—smooth the Brow of Age—or sweeten the Bed of Death—
        Your Letters gave me peculiar pleasure, for though they informed me of your poor Health, yet you was so much better than I feared, that I really felt releived—For my whimsical Brain had suggested to me that something was the matter— Last Fall, my Sisterly Spirit crossed the wide Ocean, & carefully attended you in your Illness—& early this Spring it went forth, & was siting by your side, nursing you night, after night, & kindly endeavouring to alleviate every Pain—
        You may say, many wise Things upon this Subject—That I ought not to “believe in lying Vanities, & forsake real mercies—” I feel its force—But had much rather hear all were well, than read whole Volumes, upon the Folly of Enthusiasm—
        Judge Blodget deliverd to me your Packet, filld with every Expression of kindness To say I thank you, does not convey half the gratitude I feel— Mrs Allen too sends her Love, looked quite pleased & gratified when I presented her with the Box— She has been a little unwell with Billious disorders—but expected every Day those little matters would come in use—
        August 21st.
        When I began this Letter I hoped to have sent it imediately, but could not get it into Town soon enough— Mr & Mrs Evans have spent a fortnight with us— He is a worthy, good, sensible man, though the People of Weymouth can hardly say as He passes, “the Lord bless & prosper you”— He was reading in the Book you sent me, (which is an excellent one) the Authors opinion of early marriage He dissaproved of it greatly— I did not think his reasons sufficient— I told him very few had, or could have those Opportunities for improving which Mrs Evans had been favoured with— I was pleased to see they were not lost upon her— She is really a fine woman— An equality of Age, I see is as nothing in the Eye of Affection, for I know of no persons who seem more delighted, & happy in each other company— He is now gone with her to Exeter, & is preaching there—

        Your Sons have each of them favoured us with a visit— Thomas has grown so much; you would scarce believe it was the little Lad you left with us— He is as good as ever— The Misses think Charles a mere Adonis—a perfect Beauty— I said to him one Day “Charles the Girls fancy you are handsome”— [“]Do not forget it is a Gift of Nature, & as it is not your own acquisition, you can have no title to be vain— We would wish you to be esteemed (& I think we have Cause) & admired for the more lasting, & valuable Qualities of the Mind—” I hope I shall not make my sister anxious, she has no reason to be—but at a critical age— May Minerva with her broad Sheild, preserve the dear Youth, from every Guile— They are happy in having one who knows the dangers, & Temptations


Title: John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 August 1787
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail

          Braintree August 1st: 1787.
          Dear Madam.

        At length the scene of my collegiate life is closed, and about a fortnight ago I made a public exit from the university: by the public papers you will have some account of the performances of the day. In one of them (the centinel) you will see it very positively asserted that Freeman, who spoke the other oration is my indisputable superior in style, elegance and oratory. in another paper that account is said to be ridiculously partial; those of the audience, who were friendly to Freeman, perhaps all thought like the writer in the centinel: my friends who were present, perhaps thought me worthy of the preference; but an observer perfectly impartial, might not be willing to give an opinion on the subject, but might say, like Sir Roger de Coverley that “much might be said on both sides.” The critic in the centinel, you will easily perceive is not entirely guided by the hand of candor; especially when speaking of me: he mentions my being the son of an Ambassador, & the favorite of the officers of college, as if those circumstances were any thing to the purpose at that time. You perhaps may think it much to my honor that I should be so much in favor with the College government; but it was in fact the most invidious circumstance that could have been mentioned: but the compliment or the accusation, whatever it be, is not true: I have it is true been distinguished twice by allotments for Exhibitions, and by that of an Oration at Commencement. but Freeman perform’d at the same exhibitions, and had likewise an Oration at Commencement. these are the only marks I ever had of their favor. In all other respects they have always treated me, as they do every student who behaves with propriety towards them; I have often laugh’d at the awful superiority, which most of them assume when in company with a student: and at other times I have expressed my opinion freely upon certain transactions, in which they were not wholly justifiable; and further, that opinion has been reported to them: so that abstracted from the characters of preceptor and student I know I am far from being the favorite of some of those officers.— I have a warm and sincere friendship for Freeman; his natural abilities are very good and his disposition is amiable. his oratorical talents are great; and I should never wish to be considered as his rival or competitor: if however we must be view’d in that light, I have not the most distant pretensions to superiority, nor am I conscious of a decided inferiority. our manner both of writing and speaking is very different, and— but I have already said too much on this subject, and hope you will forgive these effusions of vanity, and attribute them to the desire of convincing you that I have not entirely neglected to improve those advantages, which, by the kindness of my parents I have enjoy’d.
        I consider as one of the most fortunate circumstances of my life, that I came from Europe, as I did. it has been of great and real service to me in many particulars. It has reduced my opinion of myself and of my future prospects to a nearer level with truth: so that making allowances for the general exaggerations of youth, I do not overrate myself more than people in general are apt to do. it has enabled me to form an intimate friendship, with a number of worthy characters of the same standing in life, with myself: and it has been the means of turning my attention to several important branches of study, which otherwise I must have neglected.— There are at the university two private Societies form’d upon a similar plan to that which you mention in one of your late letters. of these Societies, friendship is the soul, and literary improvement the object; and consequently neither of them is numerous. I was received as a member of both these Societies, very soon after my admission at the university; and I am certain that the institutions, are of great service to those who belong to them. In short I am now so firmly persuaded of the superior advantages of a public education, that I only regret I did not enter the University a year and an half sooner than I did.
        And now having closed with the University, you will naturally Enquire, what I am at present about;?— I have engaged to study with Mr Parsons at Newbury-port, and expect to fix myself down there in five or six weeks from this. I should wish to get upon the business sooner, but Doctor Tufts advises me, to ride about, and remain idle, for a month or two, in order to recover and establish firmly my health, which has suffered by my living so much retired, during the last eighteen months.
        And now, my dear Madam, after having talked so long entirely about myself, I will acknowledge the receipt of several letters from you. I have received both sets of Blair’s lectures, and according to your desire shall present one of them to my cousin. the vessel by which the first set was sent was driven from the coast in a storm, and was sometime, in one of the West India islands: so that I received it but a short time before the other set came— I read with pleasure the pamphlets which came by Callahan, with your letter of May 6th: the name of the author of one of them is kept secret, but from the peculiarity of the stile, I strongly suspect they are both the productions of the same pen. Affairs seem to assume quite an extraordinary appearance in France. And I see by the papers that the Marquis de la Fayette, has got his finger in the pye; (to use a vulgar expression.) it was well for de Vergennes that he died as he did; though probably had he lived, he would have prevented any assembly, which might take his conduct into consideration. The marquis appears to me, to be venturing “like little wanton boys who swim on bladders,” and I shall be surprized, if he does not in the end, find himself “far beyond his depth.” It is dangerous to tread upon a snake, and if the marquis is influenced merely by disinterested patriotism, that circumstance, in a court, will only be the means of making his enemies the more numerous.
        I wrote to my dear father about 3 weeks since; and will write soon to my Sister. in the mean time, will you please to present to her my congratulations upon her new character, and tell her I hope she will fulfill the duties of it as well as she has those of all the characters in which he has appeared before. I would complain of her if I dared: I would remind her that seven months have elapsed since I received one line from her; but as I fear she might in some measure retort the charge, I will e’en be silent and wait with patience.
        But my paper stops me, and I can only add, that I am, your dutiful and / affectionate Son.
        J. Q. Adams.—


Title: Lucy Cranch to Abigail Adams, 18 August 1787
From: Cranch, Lucy
To: Adams, Abigail

          Braintree August 18— —87
          My dear Aunt—

        I wrote you a few hasty lines, from Boston the Monday before Commencement, inclosing two news-papers which Mr Jinks was to carry, I went to Cambridge that afternoon: I heard in the evening that Calahan had arrived. I never hear of a ships arrival from London, but what I feel a mixture of pain with the pleasure, ’till we have got the Letters— I always tremble when they are opened. I never felt the sensation stronger than at that time, I had so many things to make me happy, that I trembled least I should hear something that would make me otherwise, the last we had heard from you was, that you was unwell.
        Cousin Charles went to Boston Tuesday Morning. I watched his face when he returned before he was half over the Common. it wore the same pleasing smile it ever does. I never felt happier than when he gave me a letter from his Mama—
        I hope your health is perfectly restored, before this. your anxiety for Mrs Smith was too powerful for your Nerves, and made you worse. we all rejoice with you, that she is so well over her illness—and that you have so fine a grandson.
        You will have so many accounts of Commencement that I shall have little left to say—but what others have said before me. it was impossible to have a finer day. it was so cold in the morning that the Men on the common were glad to clap there hands against their sides to warm them. the meeting House was not crowded so much as usial, it is said the assembly was the most respectable, that has been known for many years, every thing that belonged to our part went on with great regularity. we had a large company to dine yet we have had much more hurry with a small party. every thing was done at home, that could be— Tables and benches were made here, that there was nothing to be done at Cambridge but set the Tables which was done on Tuesday— what we had and all those matters Mama will inform you—
        I went to meeting all day. I think that the performances in general were better than ever I knew them—
        Your Son gained deservedly great applause—he spoke with great fire and energy, with a spirit that did honour to the Son of a Patriot and Statesman, had his Father heard him he would have felt young again.
        Tho’ Mr J.Q.A. resembles you more than either of your Children, yet I never saw the likeness so stricking as when he pronounced his oration. it was your mouth that smiled when he addressed the Ladies. it was your eyes that glistened when he bad his Classmates adieu—
        My Brother spoke better than I expected—as he is not naturally fluent. you will know the subject of his dissertation by the Newspapers,—they say too, that it should be remembered as an excuse for his encomiums, of the Defence of the American Constitutions that the Auther of that was his Uncle—

        No person presumes to say that Mr Freeman who also spoke an English Oration had an equal. perhaps it was because I felt more interested, and partial, that though Mr Freemans voice was more musical, and his action might, be more gracefull, yet his Oration did not give me so much pleasure, as Mr J.Q—A’s—
        Billy Smith is quite settled down in the family way Mrs Smith cannot boast of beauty— she has those more valuable qualifications of the heart which will be more lasting, and which enables her to make her husband happy and give pleasure to her friends—
        They live in Mr Gores House, which makes it very agreable to both families especially to Betsey Smith, who is now quite alone she is a fine Girl, and behaves with as much steadiness as possible she pays the greatest attention to her Father, and conforms in every thing to his wishes the family goes on with the same pleasing regularity it used to. Uncle has not recovered his spirits since my Aunts death. he is himself very unwell. he has a bad Leg—from scraping a peice of the skin off—
        You my dear Aunt are so continually loading me with favours, that I fear it will never be in my power to return them half. the will shall not be wanting— the Chints I think extremly beautiful, the Sandals are much too large. if the ribband had not come from England, and the dispotic title of fashion—anexed to it, I should think it was very ugly, one would think we had been rumageing the trunks of Mr Wibirds Grand-mother, we had thoughts of making him a present of it to tye up his gown—
        can you believe it Madam that this same good Gentleman, did not go to Commencement. you will not easily guess the reason, the very important reason—his Chaise was broke and he did not like to wear boots in warm weather:
        You have given us hopes my dear Madam that you will return next Spring, do not disappoint us. your return will add happiness to many, many hearts, among which will be hers who is with every sentiments of respect and / esteem, your obliged and grateful / Neice.
        Lucy, Cranch.