Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 20 January 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

N. 73.
My dearest wife.
Ghent 20. January 1815.

I received yesterday Morning your’s of 27. December number 54—and readily excuse the omission of a Letter on the Birth-day in the satisfaction of reflecting that you were at that time partaking in the celebration of a day memorable in the annals of Russia, as it will henceforth be memorable in those of our Country, and particularly memorable in the days of my life—It is yet for my Country to judge how far it is to be considered as a day of joy or of sorrow—I do not apprehend that it the Treaty signed on that day will be rejected; but that it will be as unpopular in America as it is said to be in England is not improbable, and such is the operation of party Spirit that it will be most unpopular in my own State of Massachusetts, where it was most earnestly desired and where the War which it is to terminate is the most obnoxious—I wrote you more than once before the signature that the only remaining obstacles to the conclusion were objects of little value in themselves, and in which the People of Massachusetts alone had an interest—They are three small islands at the Eastern extremity of the United-States, the title to which has been in dispute for several years between Massachusetts and the British Province of Nova-Scotia; and a liberty to fish on the coast of the British Provinces, and to dry and cure fish upon their desert shores—You have seen in the published papers that at the outset of the Negotiation the British Plenipotentiaries told us that the Islands in question were as clearly their own as Northamptonshire, and that their right to them was not even a subject of discussion—They had however been several years prior to the War in our possession; had been recognized as ours by Great-Britain herself, in a Convention concluded between Lord Hawkesbury and Mr King, in 1803. and had only been taken by an expedition from Halifax last Summer—After the British Plenipotentiaries had demanded of us about one third part of the territory of the United States, under the name of an Indian-Boundary, and had been flatly refused they fell back upon a demand to keep all that they had taken—that is the Eastern Counties of Massachusetts to Penobscot River—When beaten off from that ground they made a forlorn hope of these three miserable Islands, the whole territory of which is not equal to the ground covered by the City of St: Petersburg, and the whole population of which does not amount to two hundred souls—Small and insignificant as the object was, you will easily conceive however, that for me, the only native Citizen of Massachusetts in the Mission, it was impossible to sign a Treaty renouncing the right of the State to them—It was finally agreed that all the questions of disputed territory should be referred to Commissioners to be appointed by both parties and if they cannot agree to the decision of some friendly Sovereign or State—Even then an attempt was made by the manner in which the Article was drawn up to exclude those Islands from that reference—They were at last formally and expressly included in the reference, but nothing could prevail upon the British Government to restore the possession of them, together with all other territory taken, until the decision should take place upon the title—The question left for us was should we continue the War, rather than leave the British in possession of these three disputed Islands, until it should be decided whether they belonged to them or to us—We concluded not to break off upon that point, and assented to an exception which leaves the intermediate possession to them, unless we should have retaken them before the ratification of the Treaty—This sacrifice was a painful one to me, and I yielded to it with great reluctance—The fishing right stood upon a different foundation—It had been secured to us by a stipulation in the Treaty of 1783. The British Plenipotentiaries gave us notice, that Great-Britain would not renew the stipulation without an equivalent—But there was also a stipulation in the Treaty of 1783, that the British should enjoy the free Navigation of the Mississippi River, a right of which the British Plenipotentiaries demanded the renewal—We had no equivalent to give for the fishing liberty, and our Instructions forbad us to make it a subject of discussion—We declared to the British Plenipotentiaries that our fishing rights and liberties needed no new Stipulation—We did not consider them as abrogated by the War; and that they by the same reason needed no Stipulation for the Navigation of the Mississippi—If however they chose to have one they must give an equivalent for it. We would consent either to a stipulation confirming the liberties on both sides, or to say nothing in the Treaty about either—They then proposed to us an Article, that the parties agreed to negotiate hereafter, for an equivalent, to be given by Great-Britain for the Navigation of the Mississippi, and by the United States for the fishing liberties—The only effect of this Article would have been the acknowledgment by both sides that both the rights were abrogated, an acknowledgment to which I had fully determined not to subscribe. We rejected it, and the last reference of the British Plenipotentiaries to their Government was to ascertain whether they should sign the Treaty without that Article—It was omitted, but with a reference by them to their former declaration that the liberties of the fisheries within their exclusive jurisdiction would not in future be granted without an equivalent—This is the worst feature of the Peace, because it leaves the right asserted on one side and denied on the other; so that the moment the fishermen resort again to the fishing grounds within the British Jurisdiction, they are liable to be forcibly driven from them, and there is a new cause of War—This also is a privilege in which the People of Massachusetts alone have any interest; they have therefore more reason than any other part of the Union to be dissatisfied with the Peace, and as a native of the State they have a right to hold me more severely responsible for it than any of my Colleagues—On the other hand they had no particular Interest in the Indian Article—That bears exclusively upon the Western and Southern States—Its most pernicious feature is the consent that Great-Britain should be allowed to treat for them—As however it only replaces them in the condition they were in before the War, and as the relative strength both of English and of Indians, compared with the United States must diminish and dwindle to nothing in time of Peace, I hope that Article will have no important evil consequences, and I have some reason to believe our acceptance of it has not been disapproved.
I doubt whether I shall get away from this place so soon as next Tuesday; but if I do not I shall write you again—I could not imagine who you meant by our old friend Corbean, and it is not half an hour since I discovered that it was “Monsieur du Corbeau”—The last three days we have had what they call cold weather—The Canals are frozen over—the ground is covered with Snow, and once in a while a person looks out of the window, and says “Ah! voila un Traineau.”— I condole with you upon the excessive prices of finery at St: Petersburg, and rejoice with you that the extraordinary rise of all the necessaries of life, will no longer be of any importance to ourselves.—I think you will have no chance of seeing the Emperor again, as is still at Vienna without a symptom of departure—
Love to Charles; who has not answered the last Letter he received from me—I shall count the days, till I see him and you; remaining ever affectionately your’s

A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1815
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

No 5
My best Friend
St Petersburg Janry. 20 1815

Conceive the astonishment your Letter caused me if you can and still more the Treaty which is published in the English Papers I think it is indeed pointed at the Eastern States and that our good Friends the Yankees have some ground for discontent but I must learn not to say all I think—
I know not what to do about the Selling of the goods and I fear I shall be much imposed upon this is a heavy trial but I must get through it at all risks and if you receiving me with the conviction that I have done my best I shall be amply rewarded
I am in so much confusion that it is hardly possible for me to write you and my letter will be very disjointed I missed two Posts in consequence of Mr: Harris’s receiving the news of the Peace by estafette and the idea of your being here before you could get my letters—I regret it now very much but I could not foresee—
It will be impossible for me to leave this place before the 10 or 15 of February, you will therefore be able to judge of my arrival I shall probably stay two days in Berlin to rest myself and to pay my respects to one or two of my old Friends and I shall endeavor to get on as fast as possible as my impatience to meet you is really and earnestly very great—We have both passed through disagreeable Scenes and shall only be able to forget them when we meet.
Lady Porter has just called to pay her first visit this is odd but this visit has been formerly announced for some time and her husband is an old acquaintance There has been no trainage this year and I am advised by every body to go upon wheels if I can I shall put my Carriage upon Runners and go on in that way as far as the Roads will admit—
I shall probably ask for my Congi on Sunday next the Emperor it is said will be here the 25 I hope to have done with all of it—
God Bless you Charles is well and in high spirits at the thoughts of seeing I had grown so fat every body was astonished but this load of care has reduced me to my usual standard.—ever yours
L C A.


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 January 1815
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear Sister,
Atkinson Jan 24th. 1815

You will now have no occasion to wish for more Snow, if at Quincy you are favoured with as much as we are in Atkinson—I find it adds much to the coldness of the Atmosphere, though it has made it better travelling—I hope I feel grateful to Heaven for preserving us as yet, in so much better health than we had in our family last winter—
The spotted fever, I see by the papers, has again commenced its direful progress—& it is very distressing in a number of Towns above us; & in Vermont State—as well as in others—Several here have been sick, with billious fevers, & upon the lungs, & several have died in town—but the spotted fever has not reach’d us—I pray heaven we may be preserved from so terrible a Judgment—
I am glad Mrs Foster, & little Mary were well enough to spend some time at Quincy—You did not say whether Mrs Greenleaf had got the Coat—I hope it was safe, I feared it was lost out of the Carriage, or left in it—I conveyed Miss Fosters Gloves to you, thinking they would go to her the safest way—
I enclose the receipt—I did not expect the money so soon, but was glad of it, for now is the best time to purchase Grain—though we had to give two Dollars a bushel for rye, & six, & half a hundred for loose flour
The farmers have been enriching themselves the whole of this war—now they begin to feel, & I fear will not be very patient under the  accumulating Taxes—our Hamshayed—had to return home pennyless—& to , from the hospitable doors—This is poor policy—how will Government get collect another Season a sufficnt armament to secure our sea board?—There was a woe pronounced upon those who cryed—peace—peace—When there was no peace I fear it will extend to us in a political view—though I had little faith in the report, because it came from Halifax, & I feared it was done to slacken preparation for carrying on the war—ever your affectionate
E P—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 January 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

N. 75.
My dear wife.
Bruxelles. Hotel de Flandre 27 Jany: 1815.

Me voici, at length out of Ghent; though I believe it had not been for the shame of fixing so many times a day for departure, and still postponing the act I should have stayed there a fortnight longer—The natural philosophers say that inertness is one of the properties of matter—By which they understand the aptitude of remaining in whatever situation it is, whether in motion or at rest—Thus they affirm that if a house or a tree were once put in motion, they would continue to move forever, if they were not stopp’d by some external impediment; and that if any thing ever so addicted to motion, (Mrs ’s tongue for instance) were once set to rest, it would be forever immoveable, unless some external impulse should again give it a start—Whether I have more of Matter in my composition than my neighbours, I shall not inquire; but of that inertness which when once at rest requires an external impulse to be put in motion, I certainly have my full share—You know how long I have lived in Russia, almost without passing beyond the bounds of St: Petersburg, and now I have been upwards of seven months at Ghent, without making an excursion of a single day to visit any of the neighbouring Cities. It has been to me, one of the labours of Hercules, to take my departure, sixteen days after the time that I had fixed, and now that I am safely lodged at Bruxelles, it is highly probably that the five days, I had allotted to this place will be extended to ten or fifteen—The attractions of Paris, are not an impulsion strong enough to put me in motion.
At the moment when I left Ghent there was a peculiar reason for preferring rest to motion; yesterday was the coldest day there has been this winter; and it was continually growing colder the whole day—There are three stages on the road; and the distance is six Posts and a quarter, or about 30 Miles—I left Ghent at eleven of the Morning and arrived here at half past five in the afternoon. The Country which I had seen so beautiful in June, when I came from the Helder, was now one continual sheet of Snow—When I arrived here last Night, I almost fancied myself in Russia—The Thermometer I am told was at 17 degrees below 0. But this morning it has moderated; there has been a new fall of snow, and it now scarcely freezes.
They day before I came away I recollected that in one of your Letters last Summer, you had mentioned table linens as one of the Articles of which it would be proper to make a provision in this Country—I therefore purchased two pieces for table Cloths—Two pieces of the same patterns, for 20 Napkins each, and one Service—A Table Cloth and 26 Napkins, of better quality—I took them, as I must every thing of this kind, upon trust—They are packed up together with two pieces of linen pour Chemises, one for yourself and one for Charles, and a piece of dimity likewise for you that I had purchased some Months since, and two pieces of Cambrick, for you and myself, in a Trunk, which with two others of Books and Papers I have left in the care of Mr: Meulemeester to be forwarded to England or America, according to what our next destination may be—The keys are also in his hands, as the Trunks must be opened whenever they shall be exported.—I sent on board the Neptune, to be under the care of Mr Smith, one piece of linen for my dear Mother, and one for shirts for each of our Sons George and John—I had one piece made up into Shirts for myself by the Beguines—So that I hope we shall all be stocked for two or three years in that Article. I had purchased so much table linen so shortly before I left St Petersburg that I had not supposed more would be so soon wanted.—But I have no doubt it will find its use.
My Letters have informed you time after time of the hospitable, kind and even affectionate treatment that we all experienced from the inhabitants of Ghent. It was continued to the last, and I have left the place with such recollections, as I never carried from any other spot in Europe. The interest which the People took in our cause, was the source of their attentions to us, and it was the more sensibly felt by me because I had come from and travelled through Countries, where a very different Sentiment prevailed—You have written me, and Mr Harris writes the same that our Cause has of late had many friends likewise in Russia; but if there had been any before, they had judged it most prudent to keep the secret confined to their own breasts; while the partizans of our adversary proclaimed their partiality on the house-tops—Of Sweden, which I had seen in its happier and better days, I would willingly lose the memory of having seen it again—Its National character has undergone a Revolution more disgusting than that of its Government—A close alliance with Russia; a French Soldier of Fortune, supplanting the children of Gustavus-Vasa, as hereditary successor to the the throne, and the lust of conquest corroding every heart for the acquisition of Norway; had so totally corrupted, perverted and debased every natural Swedish Sentiment, that there was no room left for any just or generous feeling in favour of America—There was no such feeling to be seen; but short as my stay in that Country was, I saw so much of the contrary; of the vilest subserviency to our Enemy, that I could only ask myself with astonishment, is this the same People whom I saw in 1782—brave generous, and warm-hearted like the king who then reigned over them? Is it the mildew’d ear that has spread the blast over a whole Nation?—No; Sweden is not in its natural state; nor do I believe the present order of things there calculated to be permanent—It is but a breed of barren metal from the Iron Crown of Bonaparte; and on the fall of that from his brow, was struck with the rust under which it will moulder into ashes.
As I was about stepping into the Carriage, I received your Letter of 3. Jany: number 1. of the present year—I hope and trust that according to the wish expressed by you our correspondence in writing will shortly cease to need numbering; or rather cease altogether—That I do not return to St: Petersburg will I hope be no dissatisfaction to you, and I flatter myself that we shall soon meet in a warmer climate—You will also be relieved from your perplexity where to place Charles.—If we are to remain, beyond the next Summer in Europe, we shall have no difficulty in finding a suitable School for him which at the age he has now attained, Mr Fishwick’s would not be—
I had not even time after receiving your Letter to deliver your message to Mrs: Smith; but the Post-day before she had received the one, you had enclosed to me for her—She and her daughter have both had bad Colds, but were better when I came away—She has made an acquaintance and become very intimate with a Lady from Bruges, who lodges in her neighbourhood with her daughter a young  Lady just out of the Convent.—They are persons comme il faut, and she finds them very agreeable Society.
Saturday Morning. 28 January 1815.
I have two or three Letters for Gentlemen in this City which I have not yet delivered—As it snowed the greater part of the day yesterday, I confined myself to my chamber until it was too late to deliver letters—I took a walk about the City, which I had not seen these thirty years, and of which I have scarce a recollection left—The Sovereign Prince was to have arrived here on the 26th: but is not yet come. Last Evening I went to the Theatre and saw Charles’s play of Blue-beard—Raoul Barbe Bleue, with the charming Music of Gretry.—The Company are upon the whole not better performers than that of Ghent. Give my love to Charles, and always believe me affectionately yours.

A.


Title: From Meyer & Bruxner to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 30 January 1815
From: Meyer & Bruxner
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

St: Petersburg the 30th: January 1815.

Received of Mrs. Adams through the hands of Levett Harris Esq:
Two Silver Loan Obligations of 5000 R Silver each
Seven do. do. of 1000 R: do:
Twelve do. do: of 500 R: do. with the Interest Coupons belonging to them, making in the whole Twenty Three Thousand Rubles Silver as Capital further Five Thousand Rubles BA. which we shall hold subject to the orders & at the disposal of His Excellency John Quincy Adams
Meyer & Bruxner


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 31 January 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

N. 60My Dear Mother.
Bruxelles 31. January 1815.

I wrote you a few lines on the day that the Treaty of Peace was signed, which I sent by Mr Hughes the Secretary of the American Mission, who was the bearer of one copy of the Treaty. A second copy was dispatched the next day by Mr: Carroll, who had been private Secretary to Mr Clay; and by him I, wrote a long Letter to my father—Mr Hughes embarked at Bordeaux in the Transit, the dispatch vessel which had brought Mr Boyd to Europe. Mr: Carroll embarked at Plymouth in the British Corvette Favourite, in company with Mr: Baker, the Secretary of the British Commission, who was sent out with the Prince Regent’s Ratification of the Treaty.— From unfavourable winds or weather the Transit did not sail from Bordeaux until the 6th. Instant, and was not out of the Garonne before the 11th: but the Favourite sailed from Plymouth on the morning of the 2d: and is I hope at this Moment safe at New-York.
On the 12th: instant, I received from St: Petersburg your Letter of 29. August—How it reached that place, and by what vessel it came from America I have not learnt—I had been much disappointed at receiving not a line from you by the Transit, or the Fingal, or either of the Dutch vessels which came in September and October direct from Boston to the ; but I had on the 12th: of December received from my brother a letter dated 2d. October, from which I learnt that you were then in possession of my letter of 30th: June from Ghent—The John Adams arrived a very few days after at New-York, and I have now heard of the arrival of the Jenny, and of the Chauncey both after short passages, and by both of which I had written to you—Since my arrival at Ghent therefore you must have heard from me as frequently and as recently, as in the state of Communications has been possible. If I have not been equally fortunate in hearing from you, I am persuaded it has only been because the opportunities by which you might have written were not known to you—Henceforth I flatter myself they will be as frequent and safe as they have these three years been rare and insecure. After a residence of seven Months and two days, at Ghent I left that City last Thursday the 26th. instant, and came to this place, on my way to Paris—My Colleagues had successively departed  and Mr Russell’s intention was to spend three weeks at Paris to and then to return to Stockholm: Mr. Gallatin went to pay a visit to Geneva—Mr Bayard and Mr Clay proposed to pass a Month in Paris and a Month in London—The Neptune is at Brest waiting for them—They have fixed upon the first of April for her departure; but I think it will be protracted until information shall be received of the determination in America upon the Treaty, and whether it will be necessary for them then to return—Mr and Mrs Smith are still at Ghent, with a charming infant of ten Months—After missing the passage by the John Adams, they received a Passport to go in the Neptune, and are still waiting for her departure—If she goes from Brest they have a long journey to go there by land—But the Gentlemen who have that vessel at their disposal, had some thoughts of sending her over to wait for them at Plymouth—As I know not whether it will now be the President’s intention to send me to London, my own future movements are uncertain, but I depend at all events upon being recalled from the Mission to Russia, and if I obtain the permission to return to the United States which I have requested, I hope to go myself in the Neptune. My wife and Charles I trust will join me at Paris, before the end of March; but I am in great anxiety for the long and dreary journey that they have before them—My latest letter from St: Petersburg is of the 3d: instant, when they were both well, but had no anticipation of coming to me.
I intend to proceed in the course of the present week to Paris from whence I shall write you again. At present I write, chiefly to avoid breaking through the rule of never suffering a month to pass by without writing to you. I will enclose my Letter to Mr Beasley at London requesting him to forward it by the first safe opportunity from thence. There will doubtless be vessels going, on the presumption that the Treaty will be ratified in America; and I observe by the latest English Newspapers, that facilities are granted for the purpose by the British Government. I pray you to present my duty and affection to my father and friends around you; my love to my Sons, and believe me ever faithfully yours

A.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 31 January 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

N. 76.
My dear wife.
Bruxelles 31. January 1815.

From all that I have yet seen of Bruxelles, I find it so agreeable that I almost regret not having determined to stay and wait for your arrival here; without going to Paris at-all; or at least not without having your company—But the impulse of motion being given, the power of inertness operates upon me so forcibly that I find myself uneasy almost without knowing why; and have determined to proceed upon my journey, the day after to-morrow, as I intended when I came from Ghent.
On Saturday I delivered my letters of Introduction, which were only three—Two to Merchants, and the third to a lawyer of eminence, named Vlieshouwer—He is a bachelor, and took me to dine with him the same day at the Club of the Literary Society; where I found a great variety of company, and newspapers and public journals to read—The next Morning Mr Vlieshouwer sent me a verbal invitation to go and dine with a Gentleman whom I had met at his chambers the day before, and to whom he had introduced me—Mr Vilain quatorze—A name which however singularly it may strike you, is among the illustrious nobility of this Country. It was already familiar to me, because I had while at Ghent visited a Country Sear belonging to a Lady of the same name, an Aunt of this Gentleman—I committed however now an awkward blunder in supposing him to be a bachelor like his friend through whom I had received the invitation—I went to the dinner in boots, and was not a little abashed on finding myself in a house very elegantly furnished, and with Ladies of the genteelest and most accomplished French manners—The party was small—eleven persons at table, and fortunately one of the Gentlemen, as if to keep me in countenance, was also in boots—but then again as if to aggravate my embarrassment he apologized most formally to the Lady for not being more suitably dressed. For my own part I had no apology to make which would not have made the case worse than it was—and Madam Vilain quatorze, by her politeness and ease of manners relieved me from some part of my distress—She began by telling me that she had been unwell all the morning, and having a grossesse très incommode, had been taking a morning walk for the benefit of exercise—After dinner she invited me to play a game of billiards with her, and notwithstanding her grossesse beat me in less than a quarter of an hour—There was a young English Officer in the company, speaking French so well that I was long in doubt whether he was English or Hanoverian. I retreated at six and went to the Theatre, where I had the honour of seeing at a distance the Hereditary Prince of Orange, the Commander in Chief of the British troops in the low Countries. The Sovereign Prince his father is expected here about the 15th: instant; and they flatter themselves that he will establish here his Court—Bruxelles had always been accustomed while under the Austrian Government to have a Court in Miniature, and the prospect of having one again, is among their strongest ties of attachment to the new order of things.
Yesterday I went to see a private Collection of Pictures, and without exception the choicest I ever beheld—It belongs to an old Gentleman of 72 named Burtin; not only a Connoisseur of the first rank, but an author of two large Octavo Volumes upon the subjects of Pictures, which he assured me would make me Master of all the mysteries of the Art—Since the English have obtained access to this Country, they have taken so many copies of his book, that he had scarcely any of them left—He did however spare me one, and with that in my possession he told me I might throw all other books upon Painting into the fire. It was acknowledged even by the French Critics to be the first Treatise upon the subject, extant—theoretic and practical—From this sample of Mr Burtin’s Conversation you may judge that he is not deficient in a sense of the excellence of either his taste or of his Collection—He prides himself especially upon not having one indifferent picture—He has the walls of four small chambers covered with master-pieces of the Flemish Dutch and German Schools—And then to crown the whole he has four pictures in a separate apartment, each of which is alone worth a whole Collection—Among them a Holy Family by Guido, superior to that of Murillos at the Hermitage, and surpassed by nothing that I ever saw upon Canvas; but the great Picture by Raphael at Dresden—I should almost be tempted to give the Virgin’s head in this the palm over that—After seeing it I could not have looked at Mr Burtin’s pictures in the other chambers, and had no admiration left for the three neighbours of this Heavenly Madonna. It is one of those Pictures before which if I was a Catholic, I should instinctively fall upon my knees.
I had devoted this morning to the Museum, the Public Library, and the Cabinet of natural History belonging to the City; but by some accident I could not get them opened in time, and have been obliged to postpone my visit to them until to-morrow.
Wednesday Morning 1. February.
I went again to the Theatre last Evening and saw Moliere’s Etourdi, with the Caliph of Bagdad—The former of these Plays I had read with exquisite delight when I was about Charles’s age, and I know not by what accident I had never before seen it performed on the Stage. It was the first Play written by Molière, and though strongly marked with his Genius, far inferior to many of those which he afterwards produced—It is full of bustle and intrigue, like all the Plays of Spanish descent, but it is impossible to take any interest either in the characters or in the incidents of the plot—It is a a perpetual struggle between the knavish ingenuity of a valet, devising means to purchase a female slave for his young Master, and the headlong blunders of the Master disappointing his own purposes—This purchase of girls for young men, might be a representation of real life among the antient Greeks and Romans; and it forms the plot of almost all of the plays of Plautus and Terence—The Spanish Dramatists adopted it, without considering that there was no longer any prototype to the action of the scene in the manners of the age, and contented themselves with multiplying the incidents and in complicating the intrigue—Moliere began by imitating the Spanish Drama, as the Spaniards had imitated the antients, without discrimination, but he soon perceived how widely this was departing from the real object of Comedy, and began to paint from the life the Vices and follies of the age—The Caliph of Bagdad was very badly performed—As all the interest that can be taken in this play arises from the magical operation of the name, I have been surprized both at Ghent and here to see how wretchedly they fail in the execution of the author’s idea—The performance was incomparably better as I saw it in German at Reval.
I requested you in my Letter of 27. December, to deposit in the hands of Mr Harris, or of Messrs: Meyer and Brüxner, the Imperial Obligations which I had left with you—I wrote yesterday to Messrs: W. and J Willink of Amsterdam, authorising them on a certain contingency to draw upon Messrs: Meyer and Bruxner for the sum at or about which I suppose the Obligations will fall in the market. And I write this day to Mr Harris giving him notice of this disposition—As I conclude we shall either go to England or return home in the Spring, I have thought it necessary to have our funds nearer at hand than at St: Petersburg.
My next Letter to you will I trust be from Paris, though I am doubtful whether it will reach you in Russia—God grant that our reunion may be speedy and permanent; and in the mean time, with love to Charles believe me your ever affectionate husband

A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 January 1815
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

No 8
My Dearest friend
St Petersburg Janry. 31st. 1815

I am sure you must have thought me mad from the date of my last letter I was so teazed with Muziks of every discription that I found it utterly impossible to write any thing like sense I however thought it better to send my letter bad as it was than suffer the Post to leave Petersburg without a few lines which would at any rate prove that we were well and preparing to join you as soon as possible—
I am turn’d woman of business but I much fear you will find your affairs in bad hands even in the best hands you know how difficult it is to dispose of any thing with any success
I am much obliged to you for your verses I think Mr. Jefferson would say you have not lost your talent for Amatory Verses I am happy to observe that both your health & your spirits are entirely reestablished—Your lines are beautiful and even comparing them with those I used to receive formerly I can trace no diminution of either the fire or the tenderness which was former which render’d them so beautiful and so flattering—
I hope you have long e’re this left Ghent and that you are safely arrived at Paris I propose it possible to leave this on Sunday next you will stare at the expence which this journey will occasion it is not my fault and it only the consequence of the first error I wish it was possible for me to prevent it but the government will perhaps be in good humour with the Peace and make it up to you—
God Bless you Charles is quite well but a little neglected by the business I am obliged to attend and which does not leave me one moment of time ever affectionately yours
L C AdamsBabet who lived with Mrs. Colombia will accompany me.


Title: From Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway to Sarah Smith Adams, 3 February 1815
From: Treadway, Susanna Boylston Adams Clark
To: Adams, Sarah Smith

My Dear Mother
Quincy February 3rd 1815.

The promptitude with which you, complied with my request, merits my warmest thanks, and I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your kind note, and its contents. I beleive I promised to inform you of this careless affair, which stands thus; I was playing with a ring, that had been placed upon my finger, and which I was to return, in three weeks, when unfortunately it fell from my hand, into the fire, and was entirely ruined, before I could extricate it, from the flames: I was determined to repair the loss, if I parted with some of my own trinkets; but having two dollars by me, I thought best, to apply to you, for the rest, of the sum, and I could repay you shortly. I hope soon, by saving as I go along, to restore to you, what I borrowed. This is the whole affair. I fear it will not be in my power to forward Hume’s history of England, as there is a law, against sending any thing by the Mail, beyond a particular weight, and as this is the case, the post masters will not forward large books, but I shall endeavour to find a conveyance for it. I have now the satisfaction to say, that your friend Mr Daniel Greenleaf, is better, which I know will be glad tidings for you; he has indeed had a most severe fit of sickness, and we are all, rejoiced at the prospect of his recovery.
I suppose you have heard before this, of the loss, of the President. it is most severely felt, in this part of the Country, as she was  one of our finest Frigates. For my own part, when the sad tidings, reached my ears, I felt, as though I had experienced, some dreadful calamity. but our national glory is not tarnished. Decatur has conducted bravely, nobly; becoming the dignity of a patriotic American; yet all this will not compensate for our loss, and it has afforded me the highest gratification to learn that she was lost in the storm, and that the English, will never have the satisfaction, of bringing her forward, to act against her native Country. we have been successful thus far at New Orleans, and the inhabitants there, entertain the most sanguine expectations of victory. the French and Spaniards, are assisting and aiding us, with great fervour, and although the English are superior in numbers, we have already experienced the truth, of this assertion, that “the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” I think sometimes, my dear Mother, that you must smile, at my warmth in politics, but when the interests of our Country are at stake, I feel too warmly concerned, to stand a silent spectator of the scene, and I generally write, what is uppermost in my thoughts.
I wish you would let me hear from you, more frequently, and tell what you are doing, and how you spend your time. Mr Johnson has an idea, that Sister, informs me of all the passing events, in Utica, but he is mistaken; she very seldom mentions any thing that is going forward. and I think the most interesting letters, we can receive from friends, at a distance, are those which informed us, of what they are doing, and of events that mostly concern themselves. Grand mother has been very sick, the last fortnight, she is still confined up stairs, and her absence, makes every thing appear dull. I long to see her, once more in the parlour, diffusing happiness around her. we should really be very stupid, of an evening, were it not for our good friend Henry Marston, he comes, to see us twice a week, and brings us all the news from the great City. his Father, also constantly passes Sunday evening, with us, and makes many enquiries, respecting you, and Abby. Aunt Martha left us, yesterday for Bristol we shall feel her loss, as she often visits us.
The weather has been intensely cold this week, on Tuesday last, the Thermometer, was 20 degrees below Zero, the coldest day, we have had for thirty five years, so the old people say. I hope it has been more moderate with you. George Beale, and his wife, have just come in, Mrs B, desires me to send her very best love to you, and Mr B, desires to be remembered. Pray my dearest Mother, write to me soon; and remember me with the sincerest love, to all our friends.
I am respectfully and affectionately / your DaughtertSusan B Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 4 February 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

Dear Harriet
Quincy 4 Febry 1815

I received last Evening, all the articles you were so kind as to purchase for me. they were perfectly to my mind, and your Mem. accurate, expect in one particular, which was Seventy 5 cts Sent back to me by Charles, which is not charged, and which I Shall insist upon your doing, because I will not allow of any Such pranks—let me be proud as well as you. I also am daily calling upon you for acts of kindness, and receiving them from you. yet you are unwilling to receive a Small act of Justice. I Shall take it all out in Shoe letter Leather—
I was dissappointed too, in not getting a Letter from Caroline. the P. had one from John, who said De wint and Caro. were well. I had a Letter from Mrs A. from Utica, in replie to one which I wrote her, when you was here I beleive—but of all the Letters which I ever received I am the most at a loss to conceive the meaning of this, and most puzzeld to know how to replie to it—a Stranger to read it, would concive, that She had been the most opprest injured woman in the world. She talks of having been “She had been afflicted, most bitterly afflicted.” but She was at last Settled down; Shelterd from the Knocks and Shoals which for Some years past, had been ready to “crush her to atoms attoms” then all this is interwoven with Religious reflections, and texts of Scripture, as tho She was just now brought to See her own lost estate and converted—I can Scarcely beleive that a women who was not deficient in understanding: and who used to write and converse Sensibly Should be so strangely bewilderd. I would Send you the letter to read and See what you can make of it, but I fear it would not to. You shall See it however—and my replie if I make one.
I am very glad to learn that miss Sumner is like to be so Eligibly Settled, and mr Wells so happily united
Mrs P. and Mrs Smith will be more agreably Situated together than apart. Let me hear from mrs Cruft, poor Quincy Tufts I fear will fall through at last, I wish it was possible to get him home, for Gen’ll Brooks we are anxious, and So I am for mr Rush—who I hear, is yet very ill.
a Letter was Sent to the post office for the Gentleman you named. I opposed its being published—I did not want to See a public controversy—
pray can you get Some patterns of Baby caps and the drawings for them? who for, is the next question? why poor little thing, she writes to Susan, that a Friend of hers, had applied for Such an article—then Says She has So much Sewing to do, that She has not time to write. I beleive She has got the Start of Caroline—or Caroline will not let even you know—so much Sewing! why her Mother Said that mrs Johnson told her, She Should not let her work at all—She Should only keep her to look at!! Nancy is gone to housekeeping. the reason given, She had So many Servants that She chose to keep House—I think her right, with or without Servants; I do not think the Man aught ought to marry the whole Family. what queer fish they are!
Miss Elkins is with mrs Adams—She is a fine woman, very Sensible & unaffected you would be much pleased with her—
much depends upon the issue & fate of New orleans—if any thing more reaches to day, let us know tomorrow be so good as to get 3 bobkins—I inclose a dollor for to pay mr Perkins. dont Send any change out. I Shall draw when I want. Susan never found the Memo about the Sugar, till yesterday. I inclose 5 dollers for a quarter and a Bag Callender may Send it to your house—I want a Sample of powder Sugar and the price—if you meet with any muslin handkerchiefs in your works let me know, what kind of Silk handkerchiefs are those Winn advertizes
I did not fancy Dews Calicoes. they were not thick enough for winter. if you meet with any better Send me Some patterns
thank you I am  well enough to go below—but they will not let me. every thing froze last week my Ink in the well, and the pump So that we have not been able to work it Since. I never knew it so cold—
I have written to mr Vanderkemp, and told him, that you Seeing his request, had more than fullfilld it. I inclosed the Book; and expect you will have Some flattering compliment in return. I inclose you Madam De Stael, with one condition, that you make a coppy of it, and do not let it go out in the Slovenly manner in which it now appears.
Burn my Scrawls, they are only made to live an hour. beleive me dear Jewel of a Girl, as I heard a Gentleman call you a day or two Since / your Friend
Abigail AdamsIf there is any difficulty with the Bill be so good as to get mrs Foster to Change it. I took it, or rather Susan did of her in change for the Shawl I bought of her


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 February 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

N. 77.
My dearest wife.

Paris. Hotel du Nord, Rue de Richelieu—Saturday 4. Feby: 1815.
I arrived here at one O’Clock this afternoon, having left Bruxelles on Thursday Morning between five and six. It has been a solitary journey, and the roads, which are paved the whole way, as bad as they could be—If it were not for the pavement they would be nearly impassable—There was here and there a remnant of snow, at the sides of the Road, but with that small exception the ground was entirely bare, and the frost just out of it—The Aspect of the Country was generally as dreary as I had found it from Ghent to Bruxelles, though then entirely covered with Snow; yet there were many spots of the finest verdure where the wheat was just shooting above the surface—I lodged on Thursday Night at Cambray, and last Night at Gournay-sur-Aronda; but the days are yet so short that I was obliged to travel much of the way before daylight in the morning, and after dark in the Evening. I have been very much favoured by the weather; which though not pleasant, was moderate and without rain; though it has been pouring a continual shower from the time I have been housed at this Hotel, to the present moment 8 in the Evening—I came here, at the recommendation of Mr Gallatin, who had lodged here in the Summer, and was satisfied with the people of the house—But the contrast between my situation here, and that which I had at Bruxelles has renewed my regret that I did not conclude to wait for you there—I had a spacious chamber, neatly furnished, fronting upon the Place Royale, the finest Square in Bruxelles; and one of the handsomest to be seen any where—Here, I have to ascend a dark and narrow back stair-case, and have five chambers, the whole of which do not cover the space of the single one I had there; and the hire alone of which will cost me as much as the sum total of my expences at the Hotel de Flandre.
The day before I left Bruxelles was celebrated there as a Holiday—It was the anniversary of the entrance of the allies in that City, or of what they call the deliverance of Bruxelles—The firing of Cannons and ringing of Bells at intervals the whole day through, and the illumination of the City in the Evening, brought back to my mind the multitude of these manifestations of joy which we had witnessed at the time when the great denouement of the European Tragedy was disclosing itself. There was a splendid Ball in the Evening, where all the noblesse of the City were assembled, and at which the Hereditary Prince of Orange attended—I received the same Morning an invitation to this Ball, but having come to the determination to leave Bruxelles at five the next Morning, that evening was necessary for my preparations of departure—I had also neglected to obtain a previous presentation to the Prince, and it was too late to ask for it on that day.—I therefore declined accepting the invitation, as I had already declined two invitations to dinner received after I had fixed the Resolution of quitting Bruxelles on Thursday Morning.
I visited the Museum, the Public Library and the Cabinet of Natural History; which are all kept in one Edifice; the old Palace, where the Austrian Archdukes formerly held their Court.—The Holiday took from me much of the comfort with which I should have surveyed the works of Art and the monuments of Science at those Institutions—They are open to the Public three days in every week, but on the Holiday I was obliged to have them opened specially for me; and as there were no fires, I not only suffered something from the Cold, to gratify my Curiosity, but took some of it away with  me, a remnant of which I still find troublesome.
The Library, like almost all other Public Libraries in Europe, contains a very large Collection of old Books—but scarcely any published within the last thirty years—As the librarian was not there, I could not get a sight of the Manuscripts, which are kept in a separate Apartment, and I had not time to examine, or even to seek for the Books which might be objects of peculiar curiosity. The Cabinet of Natural History, had nothing to distinguish it from others of the same kind, excepting two machines, for explaining the theory of the transmission of sound; and which disclose the secret of those impositions still practised upon the public, in Europe and America, under the name of the invisible Lady—If Mrs. Radcliff, or Schiller, or any other of the novel-mongers who deal in the marvellous for the sake of explaining it away, had been acquainted with these machines they might have made great use of them.
The Museum is a very large and excellent collection of Pictures, by the Flemish and Italian Masters—Almost all those of the latter Class are presents, sent from Paris at the time when the Museum was formed—There is one Picture by Raphael, one by Titan, several by Guido, but none of them that could be imagined to proceed from the same hand with the admirable Virgin at Mr Burtin’s—a Picture which if it were mine I would not give for the whole Museum of Bruxelles—As for Rubens and Van Dyke and Jordaans, there are many large and Capital works of theirs in this Collection; but none of them that I should ever take much trouble to look at again—There is also the most numerous collection I have seen of antient Pictures; painted before the invention of oil-colours—They as well as the greater part of the other Pictures at the Museum, are the spoils of the suppressed Monasteries, which were almost innumerable—The greatest fault of the Museum arises from this; the uniformity of the subjects—Scarcely any thing but Church Pictures—Crucifixions—Miracles—Martyrdoms—Saints—Apostles and Priests—Another disadvantage attending this transfer of such Paintings, from the places for which they were destined is that they are not presented to the beholder at proper distances—An Altar-Piece of a large Church suspended together with a multitude of other pieces, in a Hall comparatively so much smaller, and where the light must be so differently disposed, loses all its effect, and unless to the practiced eye of a Connoisseur becomes the shame rather than the glory of its author.
Sunday Morning 5. February.
I called last Evening, at Mr Crawford’s Hotel; but he and Mr Clay who lodges at his house, were both gone to the Opera—I likewise visited Mr Bayard and Mr Russell, but found neither of them at his lodgings. Mr Gallatin, I learn from the Valet de Place who served him stayed here only three days, and then proceeded to Geneva. I have as yet made no other visit, and have seen no American—I was mentioning to this Valet de Place, how long it was since I had seen Paris; when he assumed a grave countenance, and said Ah! Monsieur! combien de choses malheureuses; bien malheureuses se sont passées depuis ce tems la! I said yes: but that now, every thing had come round, exactly as it was when I was in France before—Eh! bien, Monsieur, replied he J’ai toujours prévu cela.
Your Letter of 6. January was forwarded to me from Ghent, and I received it the Evening before I left Bruxelles—I cannot help hoping that Mr Hazard’s departure will be delayed so that you can have travelled at least part of the way in company with him—I cannot believe that the person you speak of has taken any interest to the prejudice of Mr Fulton’s privilege, and I still flatter myself that Fulton will not lose it—I have written to him upon the subject.
I enclose this Letter under cover to Mr Harris, with the expectation that you will have left St: Petersburg before it can arrive there; and I shall not write to you again for the same reason, until I receive your answer to mine of 27. December—With my Love to Charles, and ardent prayers that you may have a safe and prosperous journey I remain ever affectionately your’s
A.2. O’Clock P. M. Sunday. Mr Crawford has just put into my hands letters from my father and mother, dated to 18. October. They and our Sons George and John were well.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Levett Harris, 5 February 1815
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Harris, Levett

Sir
Riga St Petersburg Febry. 5th. 1815

I hasten to inform you of our safe Arrival at this City after as pleasant a journey as the Season would admit and thank fortune with out the most trifling accident
Permit me to offer my thanks for the polite Letter with which I was furnished for the Governor from whom I have received the most flattering attention and to request you will in my name assure Mr. Kosudavlow of the very high sense I entertain of the obligation he has confer’d on me which I certainly had no right to expect and for which I feel truely grateful—On my arrival at Narva the Commandant came to visit me and inform’d me that he had received notice from Mr. Kosudavlow of, my intention to pass through Narva and he waited on me to offer appartments at his house during my stay with an invitation to pass the next day. I had already order’d my Horses and was under the necessity of refusing his offer’d Kindness. As he could speak nothing but German, I explained myself very ill. I will request you to notice this likewise to the Minister of the Interior!
Mr. Mitchel called on me last evening but I just going to the Theatre with the Governor he said he would call to day at 12 o’clock and I expect him every moment as soon as I have settled my money Matters I will give you the proper information it
It has poured with rain all night, and we were obliged to take the runners off about 150 V. from here, as the Ground was perfectly bare. I am told however that beyond Mittan, I shall find Snow in abundance
Mr. Mitchel and his Lady have just left me I have given him notes to the amount of one thousand eight hundred R. he says that this Sum will be sufficient to take me to Memel I have therefore requested him to change it for the proper Money for the rout—
Accept my thanks for your polite recommendation with best wishes for your happiness and prosperity—
Louisa Catherine Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 February 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

Dear Harriet
Quincy Feb’ry 8th 1815

Your Theological queries, you must consult with your Learned minister. I am not able to solve them. there is certainly a difference in the two tables, in the new Testament. I do not recollect but one reference to the ten Commandments That is in the tenth chapter of Luke, when the Lawyer consulted our Saviour, asking what he Should do to Inherit Eternal Life verse 26 & 27 & 28th He said unto him what is written in the Law? how readest Thou? and he answering said, Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, with all thy Soul and with all thy Strength & with all thy mind, and thy Neighbour as thy Self.— And he said unto him, thou hast answered right. this do and thou Shalt Live. Then follows that beautifull explanation of who is thy Neighbour. This I call true Religion the love of God, and our Neighbour, in the enlarged sence of our Saviour, not confined to Country Nation or party,  altho as pope expresses it, “Friend, Country first, and then all humane Race”
ought I to desend from these lofty and solemn topicks to the trifling concerns of Ribbons & tapes pins and bobkins? I will not, but our Country, that demands our sympathy, and we may feel for that, as for our Neighbour, I am fearfull some disaster has befallen the expected vessel with dispatches from our Ministers, or Lord Liverpool has been so  at the publication of the Dispatches, which have disclosed to the Nation terms proposed by the ministery, which were never contemplated by them, that they may have refused to let a vessel come, during the negotiation, yet that is contrary to the usage of all civilized Nations.
upon the Head of that Nation, be all the Blood which is Shed; in concequence of their wicked shufling, and delay. I beleive the publication of the dispatches have produced the petitions from the manufactors of peace.
I trouble for Orleans. the British will push to extremity there.
I inclose you a Letter, which you will return when read. I have concluded to take the whole of it in a Religious point of view, and as Such have replied to it.
I had one yesterday from Abbe. a very good one, not quite so much of the Spirit, as the one I inclose
I have a good my to Send them Murrys works.
adieu your affectionatly
A A—I never coppy to you—


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 10 February 1815
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw

Dear Aunt,
Haverhill Feby 10th 1815.

We availed ourselves of the good Sleighing to visit our friends here, and it would have given us much pleasure to extend our ride to Atkinson, but as we can allow ourselves only this day, in Town we must deny ourselves the gratification of a personal interview. My wife & two of our children came with me from Quincy yesterday, in a Single Sleigh; we left our friends in usual health, and we shall return to them tomorrow.
I have the pleasure to enclose you the sum of Fifty Dollars on account of Wood which I lately Sold for the heirs of our Late Unckle Quincy, for which I will thank you to sign the Receipt enclosed; either by yourself or Mr Peabody in your behalf. When the Notes become due, which I took for the residue, I Shall make a remittance of your Share; in the mean time, I hope the enclosed will be acceptable, from / Your Affectionate / Nephew

T. B AdamsPS. Love to all friends. The Rect may be enclosed under cover to my father.


Title: From Ann Thompson Gerry to Abigail Smith Adams, 10 February 1815
From: Gerry, Ann Thompson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Cambridge Feb 10th. 1815

I received with much Gratitude my dear Madam your Affectionate, & condoling Epistle of the 8th. Dec. last, & should long ere this, have acknowledg’d your kindness, had not the situation of my mind, in addition to my ill State of health, rendered me unable to perform the task; you, my dear Madam I hope, will make Just allowance for me. I know no friends for whom my dear departed Husband felt so great respect as for the President & yourself, & in every Situation, he took pleasure in expressing his feelings. Sudden has been his Exit & the affliction it has caus’d his family will not easily be remov’d, & however gratifying it might be to our feelings, to have had, him with us, at that time, yet the reflection that he was spar’d the anguish of a lingering illness, consoles us in some measure for the distance between us at the time of his departure. myself & family my dear Madam will ever be happy in expressing personally our respects for yourself & the President & am / Madam / with sincerity / yours
Ann Gerry


Title: To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 11 February 1815
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Adams, John

most respected Sir
Washington Saturday Feby 11th. 1815—

you and your dear family may have wondered at my silence for some weeks past, but I have been very, seriously indisposed, this I have not communicated to my Children at Newyork nor to our family at the Valley or Utica, it could only tend to excite painful sensations to them, therefore I have been silent—It is of course a satisfaction to me, to state to you, that I feel as if, I had perfectly recovered, tho’ in a state of partial embicility, Oh my dear Sir, what a helpless creature by himself, is the proud Lord of this extended world—the commoners of Nature, each wing that flits along the spacious air sky, is less dependant, than its boasting master—
The enclosed hand bill, will will fully inform you of the Success of our Arms at New Orleans, I congratulate you most sincerely on the important event, There can be no man so dead to the emotions of benevolence as not to feel a congratulating glow of soul when his Country is crowned with success, if there is, I wish not to associate with him, I discard the cold unfeeling politician who can laugh to hear a Nation groan—T.P.
With affectionate regards to Mrs. Adams—and polite remembrance to the Judge & his Lady, Cousin Louisa and Love to sweet Susan, I am with great regard & respect / Yours.
W: S: Smith


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 February 1815
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My best Friend.
St Petersburg 12 Febry. 1815

I am this instant setting off and have only time to say that nothing can equal my impatience to see you some of my business is necessarily left undone but I hope that you will forgive all that is not exactly correspondant to your wishes and recieve me with as much affection as fills my heart at this moment for you. I could not celebrate my birthday in a manner more delightful than in making the first step towards that meeting for which my Soul pants and for which I have hitherto hardly dared to express my desire but in the full conviction that the sentiment is mutual I leave this letter to be forwarded after my departure
and be prepared to expect your most affectionate Wife, & Child

L C & C Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Steuben Smith, 13 February 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, William Steuben

Dear Sir
Paris Hotel du Nord 13 February 1815.

I received only last friday your letter of the 5 Instant and have been since then endeavouring to find lodgings for you I have finally taken chambers in this Hotel for you one week at 80 francs—If you stay longer you will without difficulty procure in other parts of the city apartments at a more moderate price; but as it would have been necessary to engage them immediately had I taken them elsewhere the difference of the first week will be balanced, by the time that will be saved here as the payment will only be from the day of your entering the apartmt.
            I am ever truly Yours

J. Q A


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 13 February 1815
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Sister,
Atkinson Feb. 13th. 1815—

Thanks be to kind Providence we are all alive though the cold Tuesday our blood seemed congealing, & it was hard for me to respire—I do not know as I ever felt more thankful, than when the rigor of the weather abated—but we have still severe cold of long continuance—as the quantity of Snow makes the air more pungent; I suppose we feel the cold much more than you at Quincy for the Snow is over the fences here & it is very difficult traveling—I was very sorry not to see your Son & Daughter when at Haverhill—I hope they got home well, & did not get sick by the extreme cold north air—
Your Son was so good as to write me a few lines, enclosing  fifty Dollar—I wish I could converse half an hour with you, & your Son—& ask you what I shall do with it—or what is best to be done with it?—I could in a moment dispose of it here, but I think justice demands, that original Property, should be safely deposited, Where it may accumalate, to answer future necessities—I have thoughts of sending it to my Son, as the sums may be collected, to lessen the demand he may have for advancing money to build my part of the medford Barn—but I thought I would not, till I had written to you—& asked, your advice— at any upon any consideration I think it best not to have it sent here, I drew five hundred Dollars out of Dr Tufts’ hands to answer some pressing calls—which lies dead as to interest—I wish to do justice to every one, & to both my Children, & I do not think it would be right to let any more property lie useless to them—My good friend does not know that I have this, & therefore will not think it unpleasant, or unkind that he does not have it—I desire to be thankful that his Embarrassments have not arisen from his vices, or any immorality, but from too great benevolence—this is a comfort—
My Son has security in his hands, & a note which is to draw interrest. I think it will not injure him, to have some real Estate secured in this time of danger, & if it continues vested with him, it may be my only Asylum—
Please to always dispense my respects, & love where due—& if you are not frozen as I am, pray write soon to your affectionate Sister
E PeabodyThe receipt you will please to give your Son—&  letter a passport—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 19 February 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: De Windt, Caroline Amelia Smith

Quincy Febry 19th 1815.

my dear Caroline must be informd that her Grand mothers Eyes are so much afflicted as to oblige her to put on the Green Shade which her dear Mother made for her Grandfather, and this prevents her reading or writing for the present, Yet she cannot refrain from addressing a few lines to her to acknowledge her welcome Letter of and to congratulate her upon the Restoration of peace to their beloved Country; an Event altho earnestly desired, was yet unexpected as to the Time—may we receive It, as becomes an Independent Nation, asscribing, It to that Being who Ruleth amidst the Inhabitants of the Earth, who maketh our Enemies to be at peace with us, and who at the same time has given such success to our Arms, as is wonderous in our Eyes. History does not furnish us a parelell to the victory at N orleans, I mean as it respects the Numbers slain of the British, and the very few in number who fell upon our side—The loss of our Ship the President, I lament as a sacrifice of Lives, but not of National honour to surrender to such superior force, & after engageing and silencing a frigate of equal force, with as , not a single Ship of war belonging to us has but has gatherd fame and renown for our Country—and our forces by land, have retrieved our Reputation so much injured at the Commencment of the War by Genl Hall and others for a short period, the victory at N orleans closes it with Glory to American valour
and what with her thousand Ships and her tens of thousands troops has G Britain to Boast, will the destruction of an Infant City, weak and unfortified almost unmann’d Emblazon her prowess or transmit her Glory to posterity, No exulting as she did at the Deed, translating the Glorious feint into all  the foreign Languages of Europe and sending the Gazets to the different powers. how was it received—with disgust with abhorrence. Not a foreign minister in France would attend Lord Willingtons Dinner of or Ball tho invited Guests
If the loss of that City will remain as it must a Stain, and a Shame upon the annals of our  Country & upon our Administration—it will reflect no honour upon the British Nation—History I hope will impartially Recount the Truth—
and now my dear Girl we will say Something of our domestic affairs, upon the 23 of Novbr your uncle in a Letter to me Says mr and Mrs Smith are here and well with a lovely Infant 8 Months old. in an other Letter of 26 December to Your Granfather, he says that he shall go to Paris in about ten days, and send for mrs Adams to meet him there and he shall wait there for further orders from the P—that the other Gentlemen will embark the beginning of April for America. he does not make any  mention of Your Brother. you or your Father I should suppose must have Letters from him. If so let me know
As to the treaty, I shall make no comments untill I See it. If all has not been obtaind which we wished for at the door of N England lies the blame—her opposition to the Administration, and every measure of National defence and her condemnation of the war as unjust, gave G Britain courage to insist upon terms which she would not have dared to have done if the whole Nation had been united. with such obsticals I wonder so much has been yealded as has been obtaind,
tell your Brother that your Grandfather was much pleased with his Letter, and intends writing to him, but  a new correspondent has lately sprung up who keeps him employ’d for the present, and he writes very slow, which Susan is very glad of You know how dearlyshe loves to coppy—Harriet releived her some when she was here. but now we are all imprisoned, for yesterday we had Such a fall of Snow and so banked that I do not beleive we shall see the last of it these three months no mails yesterday and no meeting to day Sunday as it is people are turning out with Teems and Shovels to dig out.
my dear Child, when any Friend desires You to procure some patterns for to work Small caps be so kind as to send to me for them.
I cannot say how much I long to see you, and to hold some hours of sweet converse with you—may I live to see the day which will give joy / to your truly affectionate / GrandmotherA A


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 19 February 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

N. 78.
My dear wife.
Hotel du Nord, Rue de Richelieu, Paris 19. February 1815.

After informing you by my last Letter of my arrival in this City, and of the Hotel where I had taken up my abode, I have suspended my Communications to you, under the expectation and the hope that you will have left St: Petersburg, before any further Letters from me could reach you there by the Post—Even that Letter may have to travel back after you as far as Riga, if you take your departure so soon as I have anticipated—that is, just about this time—Since writing it, I have received your Letters of 11. January. N. 3. still directed to me at Ghent, but which was forwarded to me, first at Bruxelles, and afterwards at this City where I received it, on the 11th: instant; and of 20. January N. 5. the expected answer to mine of 27. December. which I received on Thursday the 16th:—It was addressed to the care of Mr Crawford; but was brought to me directly from the Post-Office; where my place of residence is now known—I am rejoiced at your determination to come on as soon as possible, and as you thought it impossible to leave St: Petersburg before the 10th: or 15th: instant, I still fix upon the 20th: as the time when you will be able to accomplish in effect your departure—Allowing fourteen days for your arrival at Königsberg, and about the same time for this Letter to arrive there, I hope it will meet you upon your arrival—But as it is possible you may have passed through that place a few days sooner, I will enclose the Letter to Messrs Schwenk and Koch, with the request either to keep it for you if you shall not have arrived when it comes to their hands, or to transmit it to you at Berlin if you shall have already gone through Königsberg—I shall direct a future Letter to you “Poste restante,” at Berlin—Send to the Post-Office for it on your arrival there.
If your Letter of 20. January was not numbered 5 by mistake, there is one between it and N. 3. which I have not yet received; but something for which I find it more difficult to account occurs while I am writing—Your N. 7. dated 1. February is put into my hands since I finished the preceding page—It must be dated four or five days in anticipation at least; for it has all the Post-marks upon it, and the Post never comes from St: Petersburg in less than 23 days—It is also incorrectly numbered, or there is a number 6. yet outstanding—I am now more uncertain about the time of your departure than I was before.
Mr and Mrs Smith left Ghent the 9th: instant and arrived at Paris last Tuesday the 14th. I suppose they will stay here a Month or six weeks.—I should not have advised them to come here at all—They will find it difficult to get along, and will not have their difficulties diminished by a visit to Paris.
My own visit here has not hitherto given me much satisfaction—I have had the pleasure of meeting several of my old acquaintance, of being presented at Court, and of seeing the Museum, and some of the Theatres—But life is here a perpetual tumult; the forms and manners of society are contrary to all my habits; and the waste of time is so insensible, and so great, that after a full fortnight elapsed, I find myself as much a stranger, as on the first day.
I am apprehensive that I shall not be able to procure in the house where I now lodge, Apartments to accommodate us when you arrive—Write me therefore from Königsberg and Berlin; that I may know when to expect you, and be prepared with lodgings for your reception—We have news from America to the 4th: of January; but nothing important.—Give my love to Charles, and believe me your ever affectionate husband.
A.


Title: From François Adriaan Van der Kemp to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 February 1815
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear and respected Madam!
Oldenbarneveld 19 Febr. 1815

Again I owe an increase of my happiness in my Solitude to your kindness in honouring me with your interesting letter of Febr. 3d—with which I was So unexpectedlÿ favoured. It is true, I owe it in part to an unwelcome guest, but it would be in me ungrateful—to defraud him of mÿ thanks, how unpleasant his appearance may have been to you. That visitant at least is in So far good natured, that, although he now and then may vex his entertainers, he does not restrain them from doing good How then can I Sincerily Sympathyze with Rheumatism intrusion in your familÿ—there without it you might perhaps have dilay’d longer to follow your inclination. Alas! what would have been my lot—had you—Madam! been haunted by the malignant Spirit of head-ache—which keeps me in a continued thraldom! This winter—Scarce one daÿ in the Seven, have I been freed from its torturings— An affectionate Letter of Mr Eliot drove him this week from his Strong hold—and your’s Madam, and another of my friend Busti have—I hope—routed him So Successfullÿ—that he Shall not dare to renew his attacks. It is now two days—Since I am perfectly free of it. Consider then Madam! how much I am obliged to your kindness! it is Something—and maÿ to you appear nothing Surprising, to do good to all around you—but to exert benevolence at three hundred miles distance would compell malice to paÿ its homage.
How Should my ambition be flattered, was it in my power to answer in the Same exquisite Strain, in which you communicate your thoughts and feelings—but to wait till that happy event, and to write not at all would amount to the Same point; rather I prefer to proceed in mÿ usual careless manner, and throw my Self rather on your courteous indulgence, in the persuasion—that a Lady, who could wink at defects in conversation, can not be over-rigid towards a well-meaning Correspondent.
How comprehensive—and I Suppose you art Serious Madam! the few words “that I consider a companion more desirable than a rival” are, you expressed my opinion at full lenght—and am inclined to believe, that as much as you Should despise a man, who undervalued the Superior abilities of his Spouse, you would pity the woman’s imbcillity, who would displaÿ her talents at the expense of an inferior Husband Once I witnessed a Similar contest—the parties known to mÿ Excellent frend—a Sister of our frend Luzac and her consort W—— Fynje— She—wantonly provoked—he—humbled in the dust, and foaming with rage—and insulting her in the rudest outrageous manner—till She bathed in her tears—the contest was a rivalship in wit—Madame Stael deserved in my opinion Napoleon’s rebuke—Her conversation with Goethe does not place her in a more favorable light—I place her in the list of those, whom we admire but wish to keep at a distance—bÿ a nearer approach they burn in the place of communicating a congenial warmth—I presume—that I am So happÿ, that your Lady Ship’s Sentiments are in unison with mine. The learned pedant Shall not be compared by mrs Adams with the man of deep judgment and Solid knowledge—and—as often these last enrich a woman’s mind, and are adorned with graces—and Spread a new lustre over her virtues—then I deem a woman So high accomplished that She Soars above Superficial—learned flutterers; Such women where-ever I meet these—I revere—and can not resist the impulse to love them—as far they may condescend, to accept Such a paltry tribut to exalted worth—without these we Should be in a dreary wilderness—with them the wilderness becomes a fragrant bower—without my wife and daughter and I know—although I am not vain or partial enough, to give them that Superior excellence—you will not condemn my acknowledgment of what I owe to them—this drearÿ Solitude would become insupportable.
“in woe
in poverty, in Soul Subduing toils
in patient tending on the Sick’s man’s bed
In ministerings of Love in bitterest pangs
faithful and firm, in Scenes—where Sterner hearts
have crack’d—Still cheerful and Still kind”—
Although I never had idea of female excellence without virtue wisdom—I was pleased with your Luminous explanation of Solomon’s virtuous woman. I took the Liberty in reading it to mrs v. d. k. and mÿ daughter—to whom it appeared new—tho So natural—that it raised their Surprise—wherefore theÿ had not been Struck with the Same thought—Thus I experienced—when I first read J. Q. A. observation against praÿing with closed eÿes—I know—not one argument in its defence—
Accept my warmest thanks for the verses of J. Q. A—N. & Fr—I did read them to my frend Mappa and his Daughter—raised first their grief and drew a tear from their eyes—then Suddenly changing the Scene—and reading the winters day to Louisa—joÿ beamed in their countenances—and theÿ coincided with me in the Opinion of the happiness of a Mother with Such a Son. Praÿ do not forget, to give my thanks to Miss Welch for her civility—when ever I visit Boston again—and I have Some forebodings—that I Shall be So happÿ—I Shall try to pay a visit to Her—but I Shall not be able to discover then a Miss Welch—except you would guide mÿ Steps—to find out the abode—where She enjoy’s domestic happiness.
Mr. Adams—Shall not Shake me of—not even if he can not write—I clinch too fast to Him—and know him too well—to fear or Suspect—that I could be forgotten.
You ask me—if I have Seen John Randolph’s Letter and mr Lloyd’ reply? what a comprehensive Question? and yet—I hope—you Shall be Satisfied with mÿ answer—If I give an incorrect verdict my apology must be—that I had only a cursory view of both. (14 Febr. 1815)
I am unacquainted, personally, with either of them—but hath conceived Some high notions of the Character of the first. It did Seem to me, that he was a man of considerable talents and independent well Stored mind—I regretted that he was—at once—placed at the top of the Ladder by his party, and was, if I may use a Dutch homely phrase, as it were lifted over the Saddle—Had he—for Some time remained in the ranks—and gradually ascended, guided and tutored by a Solid—prudent—veteran Politician, he might have arrived of at a height of eminence, without which he can now not reach without conquering nearly invincible obstacles. It Seems to me further—how far he really maÿ have been averse of this end, that his Letter—rather than aiming to recall his erring Brethren in New-England—to a more Sure road—at least in his opinion, was an electioneering address to the free holders at Ranooke, to Secure his election. If this—tho unintentionally—was the case, it might Somewhat abate the rigor of the deserved censure on this wild and inconsiderate effort, which I dare Say, he now repents of; but even this—tho it might Spread a veil over his unexampled egotism, can not palliate his ungentleman like—to Say not, unmanlÿ attack—in Such coarse language—So dishonorable to a Scholar—of mÿ noble friend, Mr. Lloyd, whose Letter I admire, who could not remain Silent upon Such an uncourteous address—has given him his due—a Strain of cutting ironÿ and keen reflections are Spread through the whole composition—and it will imbue every one with great circumspection, before He dares to canvass N. England’s politics and manners, when one reflects, how triumphantly One of the Proudest of the Virginians had been mauled bÿ a humble Yankee—you perceive Madam! I can only beg you for the continuance / of your condescending favours—on your obliged Servant
Fr. Adr. van der Kemp
P.S. Be So kind and look once at 11 St. of a Winters daÿ to Louisa—“And throwing Straight aside my pen”Did the copiest not omit a word? it Seems So:


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 February 1815
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son.
Quincy Feb. 20. 1815

I have recd. your Letter of Oct. 27. 1814. and that of 26. of November. I congrtulate you on the harmony between you and your Colleagues an inexpressible Felicity of which I have not always been So fortunate as to enjoy the Sweets. I congratulate you also on the Peace and the glorious moment in which the News of it arrived. The Raptures of Joy I leave the Newspapers to describe. It is my Opinion, as it is yours that the Rights and Liberties to the Fisheries, and to the navigation of the Missisippi, remain by your Treaty, whatever may be their value to either party, precisely as they were by the Treaty of 1783. It will be very impolitick in the English as well as very injurious to put a different construction upon it: for the construction will be illegal, will not be obeyed and will infallibly produce another War and a Stronger Incentive to Us to augment our Navy. The metaphysical distinction between a Right and a Liberty is not very obvious: A Right is a Liberty, and a Liberty is a Right. They may as well Say that the War has extinguised our Right to Fish on the grand Bank and all the other Banks of Newfoundland, as our Liberty to fish on the Coasts.
I know not what Price, Great Britain may Set, upon their right to navigate the Missisippi: but whatever it is, it is hers. Our Rights and Liberties in the Fisheries, I know to be so valuable that they never will be Surrendered. Our Right to the Fisheries is no Grant from Great Britain; We do not claim it, from the Treaty of 1783. We only demanded and insisted that She Should explicitly acknowledge under her hand and Seal, and under Oath in the Name of the “Holy and undivided Trinity” our Rights and Liberties in the Fisheries.
Neither Nature nor Art, have distributed the Sea, into Empires, Kingdoms, Republicks or States and as they have the Land. There are no Dukedoms or Earldoms or Baronies or Knights Fees there. There are no Farms, Pleasure Grounds, Ornamented or unornimated Freholds Gardens Parks Groves or Forrests there, Appropriated to Nations or Individuals. The Ocean is the common Property of all Mankind. We insisted on our natural Right, in common with all Mankind to navigate the Ocean and to fish in it, whenever and wherever We pleased. We insisted farther, that We had a right as Subjects of the British Empire, while We were under its Jurisdiction, in common with all other British Subjects to fish in all Places in the Sea, where British Subjects had fished or had a right to Fish.
We asserted moreover, that We had a Stronger and clearer Right than any Britons or Europeans had or could have; for they were all indebted to Us and Our Ancestors for all these Fisheries. We had discovered them; We had explored them; We had Settled the Country at our own expence Industry and Labour, without Assistance from Britain; We had possessed, occupied, exercised and praticed them from the beginning. We had done more towards exploring the best fishing Grounds and Stations, and all the Harbours, Bays, Inlets, Creeks, Coasts, and Shores where fish were to be found and had discovered by Experiments the best means and Methods of preserving, curing drying and perfecting the Article and done more towards perfecting the Commerce in it than all the Britons and all the rest of Europe.
Again We asserted that We had conquered Cape Breton and Nova Scotia had dispossessed the French both hostile and Neutral, and done more in proportion towards the Conquest of Canada, than any other Portion of the British Empire: and would and could have done the whole at an easier Espence to Ourselves both in Men and Money if the British Government would have permitted that Union of the Colonies which We projected planned, earnestly desired and humbly petitioned. In Short We had done more in proportion than any part of the British Empire towards protecting and defending all these Fisheries against the French. For all these Reasons, if there was a People under Heaven who could advance a Coulour of a Pretention to exclusive Priviledges in the Fisheries, or any Rights in one Nation more than in another, that People were the Inhabitants of the United States of America and especially of New England. But We Sett up no Such partial Claims. We assert only equal Rights. These We do assert and these We will have.
Such, my dear Son, were the constant Topicks of my dayly and hourly conversation in private Companies as well as in more public Conferences with Oswald with Fitzherbert, with Whiteford, and afterwards with Hartley and his Boy Hammond. I was too fluent for them. Not a Man of them could deny a Fact, or question the Consequences to be drawn from it. I added, if you insist on excluding Us from the Fisheries or any Punctillio of them you will be the Dupes of French Finess. For, depend upon it, in proportion as you quarrel with Us against our Rights in the Fisheries, in the Same proportion We Shall join with the French in quarralling against your Pretensions. Let Us alone in the Possession and Enjoyment of all We have possessed and enjoyed in the Fisheries and We will leave you to chicane with the French, as long as both of you please.
Of the importance of the Fisheries, my dear Son, I have a Volume to write. But how can I write it? The Fisheries on the Coast of Labradore of Cape Breton, of Nova Scotia of Newfoundland are of immense importance. Look into the Books of Geography, under the Words, Labradore, Cape Breton Nova Scotia, Belisle, Newfoundland: Even Morses Geography which you may easily obtain in England or from England, will give you Some Ideas.
But of the immense Consequence to Us, of all these Fisheries, I must write to you hereafter. We must not yeild an Iota. We must insist demand, assert and maintain, even at the hazard and certainty of War, the whole Extent of our Rights and Liberties in the Fisheries established by the Treaty of 1783.
As to their Equivalent, if their Navigation of the Missisippi, is not enough they have right to fish on all our Coasts from Nova Scotia to Louisiana. But I must pause, I hope you will not return / to Petersburg. the first Wish of my heart is to have you / near to your Affectionate Father
John Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 21 February 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

Dear Harriet
Tuesday mor’g 21 Febry 1815

It was not untill the afternoon of yesterday that the post of Saturday reachd Quincy, and then it was the labour of an hundred Men to dig there way through. the high wind of yesterday has lowerd the Snow banks, and admits of some passing today and the South wind brings us the Ringing of your Bells, and the South Roar of the Cannon, from which we conclude that the Ratification of the Treaty has arrived; I hope it will be more pleasing to the Nation than It is to Some individuals. I am certain our Commissioners obtaind the best terms they could, as the Fisheries were ceded to us by the Former treaty. they were considerd as much our own, as our Teritory. accordingly the Instructions to our Ministers, were that they Should not allow them to be brought into question. but the British, insisted upon an Equivalent for them, and upon that article they had more trouble than all the rest. it was not untill the Evening before the treaty was Signd that mr A agreed to put his hand to it, and then it was by mutual consent that the British finally agreed to Say nothing about an Equivalent, and that the other point respecting  Moose Island was agreed to be left to future negotiation. Still these Subjects were very distressing to mr A as Matters belonging wholy to this State, in which their Interests are more particularly concernd
yet when he considerd the opposition of N England to the War, the Difficulty of Raising and Supporting an Army, the Mercantile distress, and the ardent and universal desire for Peace, and above all, that the negotiation must be broken off and the war continued He reluctantly Signd the Treaty, as the least evil of the two; this is however between ourselves, the report of mr A’s writing or intimating a doubt of the Ratification of the treaty is altogether groundless no persons have Seen or heard his Letter, except mr Everet and Shaw who brought it up, and the Judge, neither of whom I presume have mentiond the contents—mr J. G has not heard a word of it, if you were here you Should See it. I expect it the treaty will be attacked. the Centinal is prepareing to assail it—
I think with you; that the people of Castine could not defend themselves, and Situated as they were, who can wonder at their conduct. yet these Same people would have fought well, if they had been properly assisted.—I have not a Single Word to Say in excuse for the conduct at Washington. mr Madison I beleive thought himself and the city Secure. Armstrong I beleive deceived him and I know not but he merits a xxxxxx. It is all disgrace to the assailed and assailents—I rejoice that our Arms have obtaind honour and Glory every Since, and that the War has closed with So much honour to America—
I inclose to you a Letter from Caroline I had not one. Let me know how She does. we yesterday had a Letter from the Col who has been, very, Very Sick, which he has kept from his Family as well as from us. he Says he is better, but very weak.” I know his Thoughts when he writes thus “Oh my dear Sir what a helpless creature by himself, is the proud Lord of this extended world”
I hope he is really better, but he writes in low Spirits; does not Say what his Sickness was—I Shall write to him—
our Bell has caught the joyfull Sound of peace, and is Ringing away merily. Susan is craked, you will See her on a Broom Stick tomorrow. I Should like to look at the fine Scene, but I can rejoice at home—I want a black Barcelona handkerchief. I Saw Some advertized in the paladium, but forget by whom.
adieu dear Hariet / yours affecly
A AHarriet I am not cracked, I have only broken Sampsons bones, and knocked a table over.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 21 February 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

N. 69.
My dear Mother.
Paris 21. February 1815.

My last Letter to you, was of the 31st: of January, from Bruxelles; and I enclosed it to Mr Beasley at London, requesting him to forward it by the earliest possible opportunity. By his answer he informs me that he dispatched it by the Packet which was to sail on the 15th: instant from Falmouth—Two days after it was written I left Bruxelles and came to this City where I arrived on the 4th: instant—The next day I received from Mr Crawford your two Letters of 7. September and 16. October, together with one of 16. October from my dear father.— By the list which you give of the Letters received from me, I think upon the arrival of the Chauncey, the series will be complete, with the exception of N. 47. dated 5. June 1813. which I suppose is irretrievably lost— I sent it from St: Petersburg by a young man named John W. Smith, who was then in a deep consumption, and who died in London a few Months afterwards. I presume he had forwarded it by a vessel which must have been captured or lost. Your Letters to me have been more delayed than mine to you; and I believe that many of them have failed of reaching me at all. Between the 16th: of March, and the 29th: of August, I have yet only one from you, which is dated 1st: May.
Three Months more would have completed thirty years since I last saw the City of Paris—It was in May 1785 that I left your house in Auteuil to go and embark at L’Orient for New-York. Thirty years is the period upon the average of one generation of the human race— When I departed form the City, its Streets its public walks, its Squares, its Theatres swarmed with multitudes of human beings as they do now—And in walking through the Streets now, they present so nearly the same aspect as they did then; this Rue de Richelieu, where I now lodge, looks so exactly like the Rue de Richelieu, where I first alighted with my father in April 1778, thirty-seven years ago, that my imagination can scarcely realize the undoubted fact, that of its inhabitants, certainly not one in a hundred, probably not one in a thousand, is the same.—That very Hotel de Valois where my father had his lodgings, still exists as a public Hotel, and a few days ago I had the curiosity to go and look at the apartments, which he then had. That house however is no longer what it was, and the chambers and the furniture equally indicate the depredations of Time—The Hotel du Roi, Place du Carousel, another house in which we lived, has been demolished, and great changes have been made in the whole of that quarter of the City neighbouring upon the Tuileries. I have met here however three or four acquaintances of that date—General La Fayette—Count Marbois and Mr Le Ray de Chaumont—Madame de Stale, I had not the honour of being acquainted with them; but you will certainly recollect her husband, who was Swedish Ambassador here, and to whom she was afterwards married—She has now a daughter shortly to be married, and General La Fayette’s children, whom we used to see at his house as infants have now families of their own nearly grown up—I met them all yesterday at the house of the Count de Tracy, one of whose daughters is married to General La Fayette’s Son George—A brother of this Lady Mrs Victor de Tracy, was a major in the French army in the campaign of 1812 and was taken prisoner at the time of the retreat from Moscow. It was some Months before his family ascertained where he was; and they found he had been sent to a remote and not very comfortable part of Russia—Count de Tracy, and General La Fayette, wrote to me, requesting me to endeavour to obtain either the exchange of Mr de Tracy, or the permission for him to return to France upon Parole—I found it impossible to obtain either of these favours, but the Emperor Alexander in consequence of my application gave orders that Mr de Tracy should be permitted to come to St: Petersburg, and reside there as Count Romanzoff told me, under my special custody—He came accordingly and spent the last Winter at St: Petersburg—He was still there when I left it in April last, but was shortly afterwards released with all the other French prisoners in Russia, and returned home—He and his father and all the family, appretiating their obligation to me, more by my intentions and good-wishes, than by the trifling service which it was in my power to render him have manifested their sense of it in the most affecting manner—General La Fayette, who resides at La Grange, a Country Seat about twenty Miles from Paris, came last week to the City, for the particular purpose of seeing me, and yesterday I had the pleasure of dining with him, and his Son and Daughter, and their children, at Count de Tracy’s, together with the Major, the Countess de l’Aubepin, another Sister, her husband and Children, and to receive the thanks of the whole of this amiable and respectable family for a good-office to one of its worthy members—Count de Tracy was a Senator under the late Government, and is now a Peer of France—The General is in no public Situation— He was always obnoxious to the late Emperor, and it is extraordinary, though perhaps not altogether unaccountable that the restored family have taken no notice of him.
Count Marbois is likewise a Peer of France, and first President of the Court of Accounts—I have been several times at his house, and met there his daughter the Duchess de Plaisance—She has this title by her marriage with the Duke Charles de Plaisance the Son of the late Arch treasurer of the Empire; who in the previous Consular Government was the third Consul.
In the Autumn of the year 1812 Madame de Stael was at St: Petersburg; and I then had the honour of becoming acquainted with her—At that time she was among the warmest friends to the Cause of the Allies against Napoleon, and inclined to favour the British, as his principal Enemies, more than could entirely meet my concurrence—She then gave me an invitation, if I should ever again be in the same City with her to go and see her; of which I have now availed myself—And the more readily, because, since the overthrow of Napoleon, and the European Peace, she has been among the most distinguished friends of our Country, and contributed in no small degree to give the tone to the public opinion of France and of Europe, with regard to the Vandalism of the British exploit at Washington—She has a Son, who as she says is très aimable, and a beautiful daughter soon to be married to the Duke de Broglie.
I have met here some other and more recent acquaintances, of my own Countrymen, and Russians, and formed a few new ones. My Colleagues, Messrs: Bayard, Clay and Russell are here—the two former expect to go in a fortnight or three weeks to London—Mr Gallatin is still at Geneva, but expected shortly here—We are all waiting for the decision of the American Government upon the Treaty of Peace; and for the subsequent orders which may be transmitted to us.
I have had the honour of being presented to the king, and royal family—Monsieur, Count d’Artois, his sons the Dukes d’Angouleme, and de Berry and the Duchcess d’Angoulême, the daughter of Louis 16.— The king spoke to me in English, and asked if I was related to the celebrated Mr Adams—I have paid a visit to my father’s old friend the Duke de la Vauguyon, but he was ill, and sent me an apology for not receiving me and a promise to call upon me, when sufficiently recovered to go abroad.
Among the new acquisitions of Paris since my former acquaintance with it is the famous Museum of the Louvre, which I have visited several times, but in which the collection of Pictures, Statues, and other Monuments of Sculpture and Painting is so vast and extensive that I have not yet been able to examine with attention the tenth part of them—As the Museum is open to the public every day I shall devote much of the leisure I may yet have to visiting it.
I have received Letters from my wife to the latter end of January—She was still at St: Petersburg, busy with preparations for her departure to come to me—She expected to quit that City by the 10th: or 15th: of this Month, and I suppose is now just about setting out— She cannot arrive here before the last of next Month or the beginning of April; by which time I presume I shall receive orders from the Government which will determine our future movements.—If the treaty should be ratified, and my next destination should be to England, I renew the request already made in a former letter that my Sons, George and John may be sent to me—I shall probably soon be weary of a residence in England, for which I have now very little propensity—But I wish to give my boys the opportunity of seeing a little of the world, while I have it in my power; and a longer total separation from them is insupportable both to their Mother and to me.
Mr and Mrs Smith remained at Ghent about a fortnight after I left it, and then came on to this City, where they arrived last week, and are waiting to be enabled to take their passage in the Neptune. They will remain here, perhaps a month or six weeks longer.
I am, my dearest Mother, with every Sentiment of duty and affection, your Son.

John Quincy Adams.