Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 18 September 1817
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					Dear daughter
					Quincy Sep’br 18th 1817

				I heard of you at Providence from mr Fearno, and I was yesterday informd that the News paper reported your arrival at N york on Saturday. I hope tomorrows Mail will give me Some direct intelligence as the two or three first days of your journey the weather was very oppressive, I fear you must have endured great fatigue. By this time I hope you are compensated for it, by the happy meeting of your Relatives and Friends from whom 8 or 9 years of absence, is a large proportion of Humane Life—George I beleive has written to you He is yet with us. the vacation at Cambridge will be terminated on the next week—If not prolonged by the president, it may then be thought Safe for him to return to his Studies—the Sickness has been more mortal Since he left Cambridge. two Students have been carried off by it upon which the President, directed all who remaind to quit Cambridge—Several of the professors left it also—The severe thunder and lightning which we experienced, the fryday after you left us, I trust has purified the Air. it Struck in Several places in this Town, killd a Cow for mrs Black and some sheep for mr Beal—John and Charles are now at School—I Sent them in the week you left us. George caried them in, and returnd to dinner—at Evening I found them again by my Side—I felt not a little mortified. the pretence was to get a Book—I reasoned with them upon the impropriety of their conduct. they promissed if I would permit them to remain till Monday, they would go and apply themselves Strictly—I had too much feeling for them, considering circumstances to refuse. on Monday they took the Stage, and went again—enterd the School, and were Classed—I have had two Letters from John Since. he says Charles does very well, but is rather Home Sick. they Beged me to let them come up on Saturday, and I could not refuse them. I must wean them by degrees as the days will be Shorter & the travelling more unpleasent, once a fortnight or three weeks will be Sufficent indulgence—will you ask mr Adams if he would have them attend a writing Master. John is kept an hour longer in School than Charles that time hangs heavey upon him—and it might be employd in writing—I have not heard from Harriet nor from Susan Since you left us. a Son of mr Maura the Consul dined with us yesterday. he came from Liverpool in the Milo in 35 days.I Sent your trunk & Bed and curtins to mr Crufts. the Bed has good feathers. the tick is just in the State in which it was received here. the Bedstead mr Adams took, and has or must account for it. upon looking for my Lantern, and opening the case I had the mortification to find it Broken to attoms, the fate of one half my China—you must accept the will and the inclination in lieu of it.Let me hear from you and know how you get accommodated. I Shall not venture to ask a Letter from my Son, knowing that he will be overwhelmd at first with buisness—Remember me kindly to your / Sisters—affectionatly Yours

					A Adams


Title: From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 September 1817
From: Rush, Julia Stockton
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					My dear Madam
					Philadelphia Septembr 19th 1817

				Will you permit me at this late period to come before you with my congratulations on the return of your Son and his family to their native country, I have wish’d to do it ever since I heard of their arrival. I am almost ashamed to say, and yet it is the real reason Why I did not, that I feel such a diffidence in writing to you that I cannot conquer, and which induces me forego what I esteem one of my greatest gratifications the liberty of access to you in this frendy way—Mr & Mrs Adams did me the favor to call upon me the evening of their arrival in our City, I am at no loss to know to whom I am oblijed for this mark of attention, accept my thanks dear Madam for your constant kindness to me. my daughter Julia says there are no persons in the world she so much desires to see as Mr and Mrs Adams, she knows how much respect and affection her dear father bore to them, Mrs J Adams told me she saw her venerable father on horse back not many days since; the accounts she gave me of his health and good looks as also of yours was delightful to me to hear. Mr J Q Adams now appears to me just what his father was when I first knew him, and his progress through life will doubtless be eaqually inmenent and honorable from what has already been evenced. Mrs A was kind enough to accept an invitation from me to spend the evening  of the only whole day she was in our City—Mr Adams dined out but came to me the latter part of the evening, they eat out on their way to Washington yesterday.I had not the pleasure to see Mrs DeWin again she either did not return through Philad or she did not let me know she was here—My family all join in respectful complements to Mr Adams and yourself / Beleive me dear / Madam with great / affection your obliged

					Julia Rush


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 21 September 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					My beloved Mother
					Washington 21. September 1817.

				An alternation of six Stages, and six Steam-Boats finally landed us here yesterday afternoon, being the very day upon which I had promised to be here. The President had arrived here on Wednesday, and occupies the official mansion, where I had an interview with him last Evening—But the walls are fresh plaistered, and the wainscoting is new painted; and they render it so insalubrious for present residence that the President proposes immediately to leave it again, and to pass some time at his Estate in VirginiaTo-morrow I expect to enter upon the arduous duties of my Office. Mr Rush has obligingly offered to remain here a short time longer, until I can be properly launched upon the Ocean of business before me. His family are at Annapolis where his Lady has just been confinedWe found our family connections here all well, excepting Mrs W. S. Smith, who was in the midst of the affliction of having lost her second child.The weather is so intensely warm, that I have not yet been out of the house this day.  We are lodging at the house of my wife’s Sister Mrs Frye—We have a house engaged for us, into which we expect to enter on or before the first of next Month.Dearest Mother; my Spirits will often want the cordial refreshment of a Letter from you; and from my dear Father—Let me not thirst for them in vain—How long or how effectivelly I shall be able to discharge the duties of my trust, is in higher hands than mine—Instead of your praises, let me have your prayers.My wife is well, and joins me in assurances of duty and affection.

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 25 September 1817
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

				No 1
					My Dear John
					Washington 25th. Septbr: 1817

				Your Letter my dear Son was received by your father a few days since but he is so extremely busy it is impossible for him to answer it immediately—We are very sorry to observe by your Letter that you are disatisfied with your situation and I must say I think you formed an opinion before you had time to judge either of its advantages or disadvantages.  You must be perfectly sensible that both your father and myself are too anxious to promote your welfare ever to expose you to unnecessary disagreeables and you have yet to learn my dear child that there is no situation however high or however delightful but what has some draw backs. Your father desires me to tell you that he told Mr. Gould that you had studdied the Diatessaron and Virgil which he supposed you had before you left America and that if he has put you into the Class which will be three years before it is prepared you will have the more credit in applying yourself so as to be advanced into the highest class during the present year We have such confidence in your abilities that we are perfectly sure that you have only to exert a little patience and industry to attain every useful and elegant acquirement and I am perfectly sure that you possess a sufficient degree of proper ambition to desire and to aim at excellence. On the subject of your entering the Navy your father says as soon as you have gone through College you should be at liberty to enter but that he looks upon a College education as essential for this profession as for any of what are called the more learned ones and should you ever become a Hero and distinguish yourself as our Commodores have done it will be highly necessary to prove yourself an accomplished Scholar and to know how to detail your exploits with modesty and elegance. As it regards your supply of paper pens  ink &c You father will thank Dr. Welsh to supply and add it to the general charge—Present me kindly to the Dr. his Lady and all the family and tell Charles we were much pleased with his Letter and that I shall answer it tomorrow To your Grandfather, Grandmother George Charles and yourself my and think every thing affectionate from your Mother

					L. C. Adams

					Antoine says your clothes are in the ship that is coming from England and Lucy and Hellen desire to be remembered to you as do all your Cousins


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 26 September 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Cranch, William

					Dear Sir
					Washington 26 Septbr: 1817

				I cannot forbear to offer you my thanks for your kind and affectionate Letter of the day before yesterday, and to assure you how much I feel myself affected by the expression in it of that Sentiment of which as you remark, even friendship is inadequate to convey the idea.Next to brothers as we are by the ties of blood; brothers as we were by the habits and intimacies of childhood and of youth, we have passed the period of active manhood for the most part remote from each other, and deprived in a great measure of the comforts of each others Society.—But that Sentiment which was among the first that took root in my heart, has never been eradicated from it, and during the long and repeated absences from our Country which have been my portion in life, I have never ceased to feel the warmest interest in your welfare and that of your family, nor to derive heart-felt satisfaction from the Knowledge that you also was devoting your life to the public Service, and discharging duties of the highest order, with honour and reputation of the highest degree.Among the enjoyments which I have anticipated, as to result from the new station to which I am called, was that of meeting you again, not in a ceremonious manner visit, which I trust can never happen between you and me, but as we met when Classmates at College; as we met at the Cottages, and on the Rocks of Braintree and Weymouth; as we met at the North end in Boston, before Memory could draw a lasting trace upon either of our minds—Come then and see me, intirely at your convenience, not to pay your respects but to take once more by the hand one, who has never ceased to bear you in his heart.


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 September 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Sir
Quincy Septr 30. 1817

Mr Jefferson has been good enough to Send me the enclosed Pamphlet An history of the restoration of Royalty in France 31, March 1814 by De Pradt. As it has Some pretentions to Authority, and as you may not have Seen it, I Send it to you: and as the owner desires me to return it, I pray you after you Shall have read it to transmit it to Monte Chello, with whose Inhabitants I hope you will have a friendly intercourse.
We have this morning, the agreable News of the Birth of a great grand daughter at Cedar grove more than counterbalanced by the loss of another at Washington. We Sympathise with Mr and Mrs Smith in their repeated Afflictions and hope that better fortune is in reserve for them
With these Sensibilities at the same moment were intermingled an affecting Event in the neighbourhood. Mr T. Greenleaf junior last night in a fit of despondency and despair Shot himself. As this Gentleman had his Education in the Law under our roof as a pupill of your Brother; was in and out of the house like one of the family, and was connected with so many amiable and virtuous Families in the Neighbourhood, the melancholly Event of his Sudden unexpected death, is very distressing. To me he was alway respectful and very obliging. He has done a great deal of Writing for me and always as a chearfull Volunteer.
To moderate, a little, the gloom of this Letter I ought to Say that your three Sons behave to our entire Satisfaction and endear themselves more and more. Indeed George has become so necessary to me, that when the time of his departure to Cambridge arrives I know not what I Shall do without him. With warm Affection to Louisa I am your
John Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 1 October 1817
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					Dear Harriet
					Quincy October 1st 1817

				while I congratulate dear Caroline upon the Birth of a daughter, I am calld to mourn with her Brother, upon the loss of a son. mr Adams writes me, that he found them in great affliction He is with mr & mrs Fry—expecting to get to Housekeeping by the first of this month. He is entering upon the Duties of his office, with fear and trembling. His Eyes and his right Hand threaten to fail him, and all are requisite in his office. mr Rush has agreed to remain with him untill he gets initiated into it. Mrs Rush is just confined, So that the Frankling could not go out at Present, if as is reported, She is to take mr Rush to England.we have all been thrown into great Distress by an awefull Catastrophe in our Neighbourhood—Thomas Greenleaf Junr put a period to his Life by a pistol, at his office about 8 oclock on Monday Evening. he put it into his mouth and blowed his Head to attoms—Mrs Thayer heard the report, went into his Room, and found the Deed done. they Sent for his Father, who upon entering the Room, fell Senseless upon the floor—was carried out, and it was a long time before he recoverd his faculties—I went yesterday as I thought it my Duty, to see the afflicted Family—but what comfort could I offer them? Sympathy alone. the poor Mother in an agony, not able to lie down, fearfull of loosing her Reason—the Sisters struggling to suppress their feelings least they should add to their Mothers, the Father walking the Room Speachless—pale, sick & his stomack heaveing—none of them had either Sleep or food. I prevaild upon mrs Greenleaf to take a cup of Tea, and to consent to have the Body conveyd to the Family Tomb in Boston, without a funeral here; to look upon him, was out of the question—and to have a funeral would only Still more Distress the Family—She heard to the reasons, and last Evening he was burried—I Shall go again to day to see them. Thomas had been melancholy at times, for Several months, deprest in his Spirits—his Father had Strove to remove it, but he would frequently wish himself Dead—He left a paper addrest to his Father, thanking him for all he had done for him, and a farewell to his Mother Brother and Sisters—Saying that he took this method to save them farther afflictionHis having read Law with mr Adams & liveing in Such habits of intimacy with the Family, makes us feel the Shock most Sensibly—on Monday while writing to washington—I was three times calld of to company—and Some of them Staid So unconscionable long that I mist the Mail. I finishd one for the Grove—near one oclock I Saw Stop at the gate a Jersey Waggon with a Gentleman & two Ladies—I imediatly thought they must be Carolines Friends—they proved So—I gave them as cordial a welcome as I could; mortified a little, that I had not a better dinner to give them, and notice of the day—they were proceeding on their journey—and brought with them the best Sense for travellers—a good appetite—Your Grandfather was much pleased with mr Verplank as I was with the Ladies—they will tell Caroline that we were not Stiff with them, but endeavourd to make them feel at their easepoor Louisa being So confined, and requiring constant attention, makes it more difficult for me to entertain company as a good Second is always wanting—on Sunday last I had 21 persons who Dinned with us, and I knew not of more than my own FamilyGive my Love to Caroline & read her as much of the Letter as you think proper—I do not coppy I have not time, nor would what I write be worth it—I thought I should not have any Letters to write to washington but to mrs A upon family Subjects, but mr A Says I hope you and my Father will write frequently and keep me in Spirits—do not let me thirst in vain—and instead of praises, let me have your prayers for the discharge of my duties—Love to all—I write Slow to what I used to—Yours most affectionatly

					A A

   Spelt wrong


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Vaughan, 4 October 1817
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Vaughan, John

					My Dear Sir
					Washington 4th. October 1817

				I am almost ashamed to trouble you on such a subject but depending on your kind and friendly disposition towards Mr. Adams and myself I am induced to request you will have the goodness to procure us a young woman strong and capable of work in the kitchen and house and a Boy to do the usual work in a family under an upper Servant from among the Swiss or German emigrants who are daily arriving I should wish the Woman not to be under twenty and the Boy about fourteen—Should you find any suitable Mr. A– will thank you to send them on as soon as possible in whatever mode you may think best and likewise to let him know the terms of the engagement and and he will repay you immediately.Mr. Adams unites with me in requesting you to accept the assurance of our high Consideration and Esteem.

					L. C. Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 5 October 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, George Washington

				N.1.
					 My dear Son.
					Washington 5. October 1817.

				On the 22d. of September, the day upon which I entered on the Execution of the duties of my Office, I received your Letter of the 16th. which the pressure of business prevented me from answering immediately—Your mother however answered it for me, and now that I am enabled to catch a moment of leisure, I take advantage of it to write to you myself.	Your remarks upon Mr Gilman’s discourses which you heard at Hingham please me well; they shew that you were not an inattentive hearer. And let me exhort you in observing whatever you hear or see, or read worthy of observing, and in reflecting upon it, to fasten your attention upon particulars.—forcible reasoning; fine composition, good but not extraordinary delivery; are general and indefinite terms, which convey to the mind no distinctive character of the objects to which they are applied—They are all mere epithets—relative terms, having reference to other objects than those which they are meant to describe—All just and lively description consists of remarks which apply only to the object described and to nothing else—Remember this as a rule of composition for yourself; and apply it whenever you write; whether it be a letter, or a theme; an Oration or a Poem.I had heard before I left Boston heard of the death of the two Students, M’Kullock, and Canfield; and feeling how distressful it much have been to their parents and friends, I thanked Heaven that you had been removed from the danger, and prayed the giver of life that you and your brothers may be spared to become useful members of SocietyIt is especially grateful to me to have the assurance from you that you are earnestly pursuing your studies, and ambitions to fulfil the expectations of your Parents and friends—My anxious wishes are that you may be both by your proficiency  in learning and by your good conduct an example to others— I know how delightful it must be to you to be enjoying the Society of your Grandfather; and how much useful knowledge you cannot fail to acquire from him—Yet for the special attainments which will be necessary to secure your admission to the proper standing at the University I shall be uneasy till I hear of your return to Cambridge, which I hope may be consistent with perfect safety within a few days.Your friend Mr D. P. Cook left this City yesterday for Kentucky. He thinks his health is improving; but so far as can be judged from appearances, it is much as it has been.I saw Judge Cranch this Morning.  He and his family are in good health.  I am your affectionate father

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 5 October 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

					Dear Sir.
					Washington 5th: October 1817

				Yesterday your kind Letter of 29 September came to hand I thank you for your Congratulations upon my arrival here—My Wife and our family relations at this place are well. I was happy to meet the President here, but had the pleasure of seeing him only once before he departed for his Seat in Virginia.I am breaking in to the business of my Office. I find it even now as burdensome as I had expected, and how I shall be able to get through the Winter is yet a problem for solution.—The moral difficulties have not yet began to present themselvesGeorge no doubt was as much delighted as you were to find your Fanning, and I hope will derive great instruction and benefit from with your assistance from it.—Let me entreat you to keep John and Charles strictly to the rule of returning to Boston, on Sunday Evening so that they may lose no school time.—Their voyages and travels have thrown them so much in arrear in their Classical studies that I am anxiously hoping they will now endeavour to retrieve the time lost.Your political calm will not last long. Even now two of the principal States in the Union Pensylvania and Kentucky are in violent fermentation upon electioneering questions.—The fever as yet is confined to them, but will be very likely to spread before long throughout the Union.—There are several questions relating to our foreign policy in embargo which will be likely to produce heats and dissentions and you well know that in our Country, the Passions always at work, will never suffer opinions for any length of time to harmonize.Should you see Mr: G. Apthorp, will you have the goodness to tell him that I have ordered his Plants, which will be sent according to his directions.Ever faithfully your’s

					7 Octr. I have received your Letter of 30 Septr:


Title: From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 8 October 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, John Adams

					8. Octr. 1817.

				Will you have the goodness to order Mr. Micklain, the Tailor (who has my measure) to make for me two Broadcloth Coats, one black, and the other blue, with metal buttons, and both with internal side pockets, such as he has made for me before? Also two pair of best Broadcloth or double–milled blue Kersaymeer Pantaloons—Let the Package be given to Captain Forman, who returns to London in the Washington; and who will readily take charge of any thing for me—Request him to deliver the Package at New–York to W. S. Clarkson, who will forward it to me. If Forman should chance not to be in London, send it by any other trusty person who may be willing to take the trouble of bringing it. Pay Micklain’s Bill, by a draft upon Sl. Williams.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 12 October 1817
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					My Dear John
					Washington 12 October 1817

				I was very much pleased with the writing  of your Letter and only have to recommend to you now to pay some attention to   your style, which is essential to a gentleman; as he must necessarily through life enter into correspondence either on business or familiar subjects in which a correct and elegant style is expected and more particularly from persons possessing great advantages of education—I know nothing which contributes so much towards acquiring this accomplishment as the attentive perusal of good authors and I am very happy to learn from your Brother that you devote some part of each day to reading—He will assist you in your choice of books and point such as will prove most advantageous—Do not be discouraged by your masters doubts of your being able to enter College as early as your father flattered himself a little more or a little less time can make but little difference provided it is properly employed and your masters account of you hitherto is perfectly satisfactory we have every reason to hope much from your natural abilities and the great facility with which you learn induces us to believe that you have only to persevere and use a little exertion to succeed in the attainment of every useful and elegant requirement.I began this Letter at your Aunt Frye’s and am now writing from my own house in which I shall sleep to night for the first time I do not feel at home at all yet and I fear it will be some time before I shall feel comfortable—I hope before you receive this Letter you will have received your Cloths by the Galen as I am sure you must be much in need of them—Let me beg you my dear Boy to take care of your teeth and to keep them clean you are not aware how much it contributes to strengthen them and preserve them added to which I know nothing so offensive in a young man as a want of cleanliness clean water is always to be had and there is no kind of excuse for such neglect—It is far from my wish that you should become a Coxcomb but it is even father from my desire that you should be a Sloven. either of these failings produce very disagreeable consequences I therefore am anxious to impress you early with the necessity of attending to these little particulars which soon become habitual and from which we derive real advantages. This advice is intended for your Brothers as well as yourself but I have addressed it to you because I know that your example will have the best effect upon Charles and he will naturally fall in to whatever he sees you practice—Render my best Respects acceptable to Dr. and Mrs. Welsh and do not be so inconsiderate as to cause her uneasiness in future by running away to Quincy without giving her  notice otherwise you will seriously grieve your affectionate Mother

					L. C. Adams


Title: From François Adriaan Van der Kemp to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 October 1817
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear and respected Madam!
Philadelphia 14 Oct. 1817.

Had I not been honoured, So often; with proofs of your kindness, with which you was pleased to distinguish me among the numbers, who know, how to value the privilege of paying their homage to truth, I might deem an apologÿ necessarÿ for Sending a few insignificant lines from Philadelphia—From this point of view they would be considered by others—They may reallÿ be Stamped in this manner—your condescension, your urbanity, with which you have been pleased, to encourage me Shall, I doubt not, prompt you to peruse these with more indulgence—when you perceive—they relate to my pleasures and pains. I did meet my children and grand-children—enjoying health and contentment and was received by mr and mrs Busti as a Brother Perhaps it is the last time in my life, that I Shall enjoy this happiness and—Madam! considering—that the period of my usefulness is past—that I continually must receive without the power of reciprocating Services—I am not loath to depart—although I do not court it.
I received at New-york many marks of attention—which was very pleasing to my feelings—and the few, who remember me here—Since my visit in 88—or who had received Some favorable impression about me from partial frends—followed the Same plan—I was peculiarly gratified in becoming personally acquainted with mrs Gibson, who was miss Bordleÿ, who had favoured me in days of yore, to oblige her Brother Mifflin, with drawings of natural curiosities—In the course of a few hours we were on the footing of old acquaintances—I Shall cultivate this happÿ connexion—during my residence here, and endeavour to obtain—through her courtesÿ—a larger Share in her already favorable opinon.
This morning perusing the ms of the traveller Ledyard—obtained at New-york—to  read them—I met in a Letter to William Smith Esq. Irkutsk aug. 20th 1787. with the following passage "the health of Dr. Franklin and General Washington have been drunk at the table of two Governors: and at Irkutsk the name of Adams had found its waÿ."
As I mentioned my pains in the beginning of this Letter—your kindness towards me would require, that I Should not pass these by unnoticed—and—as they are nearly over, as you Madam! as your Dear Consort—my revered and beloved frend will rejoyce in my fortunate escape from imminent danger—for which I am grateful to a bountiful God—I feel a gratification in complying—The Same daÿ I left home—last monday  two weeks past—the Stage—at the fort of Trips-hil was overset—Six Slightly bruised—I Severly from head to toe—on my fore-head—my right left thigh and Shin—my right elbow Severly mangled—my right Shoulder dislocated—hanging at my Side as a Liveless limb. The pains were during an hour excuciating—the Shoulder was replaced—our journey continued—now only the remembrance preserved—except the wound on the Shin of my left leg—and this too in a fair way of recovery—as I Suppose. I wrote the Same night of the misfortune a few lines to mrs v. d. kemp—to prevent, that aggravated reports might give her uneasiness. It was indeed a Serious event—had the horses—in lieu of Stirring—not remained motion-less Still—had my Shoulder been not dislocated my elbow would unavoidably have been Shivered—and my arm lost, if my live had been Saved.
May I Solicit a favour—no—Madam! I know too well—you do not require this to bestow it—I maÿ ask. It Seems to me, that the Letter intended for my Son, returned by the Eliot family to mr Quincey remains yet actually in his possession—I Should regret—if it was passed in other hands—it was not written in this view. Be So kind toward me, and endeavour to obtain it again, When my honoured friend Shall willingly gratify me, in Sending it here to my Son, (J. J. van der Kemp)
It is an exquisite pleasure to reflect, that you do me only justice is being convinced—that I am with the highest consideration and Sincerest respect / Dear and respected Madam! / Your most obed—and obliged

Fr. Adr. vander Kemp

P.S. If mr Adams did not receive from N. york—The Peace-Republican’s Manual—written by Mina Aletta Hulshoff—a very interesting and cruelly persecuted young Lady for her Strenous exertions in the cause of Liberty—in Holland and England—I will Send him a copÿ—When I Shall be returned home


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 17 October 1817
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					dear Harriet
					Quincy october 17th 1817

				Welcome home again—I received by mrs Adams your Note, and Carolines, the Same Mail brought me a Letter from Susan of the 7th from utica, saying that the Carriage was at the door waiting to convey them to Albany, from thence they should proceed to Fishkill—and I suppose would arrive there just about the time Caroline intended Setting out. which may retard them a day or two—I hope however if they come it will be soon as the weather will soon be very cold—and I hope I shall not be sick, altho I have been hard threatned for this week, and to day have not been able to keep up, a most voilent pain in my head & cold chills—I have been unwell more than a week—yesterday Louisa was so low that she did not sit up half the day—but to day with the help of some wine which she had not before used, She seems revived, and has been down stairs, but she can bear no exertion—I shall do as well as I can with my Friends when they come, my head is easier this Evening, which is a good sign, and I hope I shall feel better tomorrow—I have been trying to nurse myself up—If the Boys come up tomorrow they must be very still—and I would have them come, as the next Saturday it will not be convenient for me to have them—will you be so good as to inquire of Callender if he has any good powder Sugar, and at what price—I have a space to add a line in the morning if able—I send a line for you to the post office which I hope you got on Wednesday—my Head is better, but I am weak from it as tho I had a months Sickness and to add to my troubles, my coachman is sick threatend with a fever please to get me half a doz pd Shells Send By mr A in the Basket 3 pd chocolat

					4 g Arrow Root—if you get any News from Caro send it


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 18 October 1817
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					Dear John
					Washington 18 October 1817

				I am so much pleased with your last Letter of 7th. instant that I sieze the earliest of opportunity of expressing my satisfaction at the rapid progress which you have already made in you style of writing and the hand writing does you much credit and Charles’s was likewise very good His turn of thought is evidently french and he requires great care and attention to correct him from the habit of translating his thoughts or ideas too literally. it is pretty and even agreeable in a Child of his age but it would be silly in a man.—Tell him this very cautiously for I would not on any consideration wound his feelings and I wish him to write to me without fear or restraint time and practice alone are sufficient to remedy this trifling defect.Your reading will be of essential service to you as it will from your taste and correct your judgement I do not entirely approve of promiscuous reading at your age and I think you should consult your Grand papa and Mr. Gould upon the subject and request them to point on to you such books as will contribute to the general improvement of your mind and the advancement of your education—History is calculated both to amuse and instruct, and though it frequently depicts scenes and a state of society painfuling to the feelings it yet teaches to view mankind as they really are, full of virtues and full of vices; capable of the most noble actions and of the most depraved; sometimes swayed by reason oftener by passion and frequently blending in one person qualities of the highest order with such as disgrace  man. It shews us the World as it is with all its merits and all its imperfections and renders us better able to support our share of its inconveniences by preparing us for those vicissitudes to which we are ever liable while we are sojourners in this transitory World and by teaching us to prepare for that in which there is no evil or corruption and in  which only peace and happiness pure and unmixed can be found.You will not I am sure think my Letters too serious for you are too well aware how anxiously I pray for your welfare not to appreciate the advice they contain—You have many Cousins here who are desirous of seeing you and making your acquaintance and Mary Hellen is coming to live with me—should your father permit you to come and see me here you will have an opportunity of seeing them. They are all younger than you and neither of them have had  the advantages which you have enjoyed. they are fine Boys and in time I hope will make good men.I omitted in writing to your Grand Mama to mention that we wished her to do what she thought best for your washing but I think Mrs. Dexters prices are rather high for such Boys as you This is a thing to which you must attend as washing is exceedingly expensive in this Country I do not by any means wish you to be dirty or Slovenly I only desire to impress you with the necessity of carefulness which soon becomes a habit and so agreeable we wonder we could ever live without it.I liked your account of the effect produced by the Earth Quake it was very well told with a great deal of spirit and some humour Give my love to Charles and tell him I shall write to him soon I have found the odd volumes of Don Quixotte and Prince Arthur and shall send them on with your Boots which have likewise come to light I shall send them by the Vessel in which Mr. Cruft sends our things as soon as she arrives—The Galen is arrived at last and I hope you have got your Clothes and every thing safe—Present me most affectionately to Dr. & Mrs. Welsh and ever confide in the affection of your Mother

					L C Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 23 October 1817
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John

					dear John
					October 23, 1817

				mr Dexter will come to Boston tomorrow for the Trunks you must go with him to mr Crufts who when you pick out the Trunks will deliver them—I See that nobody here will attend to them if I do not—they are lodged at mr Thorndikes StoreCuster lies very dangerously sick your GM

					 A A


Title: From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 23 October 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, John Adams

				No. 7
					Dear sir
					Washington 23d of october

				My last letter to you was of the 8th inst. and acknowledged the receipt of all your letters that had then come to hand. Since which I have received your numbers 8. 11, 14 and 15 private and no. 8 public—with the huge volume of custom house laws—England’s Ægis (not major Cartwright’s) and the newspapers, Times and all, to the 6th of september inclusive; a bundle of Mr. Owen’s newspaper letter, and another of Mr. Bentham’s letter, to the people of the United States—I believe that is all. The Galen has likewise arrived at Boston with my trunks and the maps.I have written you an official letter, which was forwarded about a fortnight since. Mr. Rush who goes out in the Franklin, as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary at the court of his royal highness the prince regent, will be the bearer of this. You are to continue with him in the character of secretary of legation, and I hope, and have every reason to expect that you will be mutually satisfied with each other.I trust it will be in your power to give him useful information with regard to subjects relating to his domestic establishment, and I would recommend it to you to accompany him personally to visit all the foreign ambassadors and ministers. I propose to give him letters of introduction to several of them.The president after an absence of nearly five months from the seat of government, has finally returned for the winter to this city.—Nothing of material importance may be expected to occur before the meeting of congress.Very faithfully your’s


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 October 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Sir
Quincy Octr. 28. 17

I have not acknowledged your 5. & 7 Octr.
We have had another delightful Family Scene. Madam De Wint her Son your Nice with two of my Great Grand Children and to finish the Picture Mrs Clark all arrived in perfect health.
On the 83d 25th Octr. We all drank “All our Friends and Connections of every generation”.
“Now lettest thou, thy Servant depart in peace” has been So hackneyed that I will not prostitute it, afresh, by applying it to myself: but as two days will complete my 82d Year, and I have lived to See 3 Generations after me, I have great reason to be thankfull that my Family Still affords me So many Comforts.
Your Sons behave very well. They come here and return like Clockwork without a murmur and without loosing a Lesson.
“Political Calms” cannot be of long duration in this Country. As Our Constitutions of Government general and particular are Greehouses and Hotbeds of Ambition: eternal and incalculable Competitions will grow out of them as naturally and necessarily as Grass and Corn grow in a rich deep Soil well Sunned Watered and cultivated. Storms must arise. My Advice to every Man in public Station is to be always prepared and ready to retire at a moments Warning. I commenced my public Life with this fixed and avowed Determination and I have kept it to a Punctilio. I never would be, and never was dependant, for one Moment On public favour. / To all the Love of your
John Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 2 November 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					My dear Mother
					Washington 2 November 1817

				Your kind Letter of 15th. October was received by me on the 20th. from which time, the only possible choice that has been left me with regard to my employments has been what necessary act of duty I should postpone for the sake of attending others still more urgent. On that day (the 20th.) the President returned to the City.—There is a routine of the ordinary department business of the Department where I am stationed, which requires nothing but my signature, yet even that occasions no trifling consumption of my time; but there is business enough which cannot be committed to Clerks or performed by them. The only possible means of transacting much business of complicated character is by some methodical course of arrangement, and as every ones method must be his own, it can only be formed as the result of his own experience—As yet my experience is not sufficient to enable me to organize the method.—Business crowds upon me from day to day requiring instantaneous attention, and in such variety that unless every thing is disposed of just as it occurs, it escapes from the memory, and runs into the Account of arrears.—I am endeavouring gradually to establish a regular order in the course of business for my own observance; but the Session of Congress is at hand which will greatly increase the load of business already so burdensome, and until I shall have gone through that Ordeal it will be impossible for me to ascertain whether my strength will be equal to my task, or will sink under it.I return you Mr. Jefferson’s Letter according to your directions. I sent him back the Abbé de Pradt’s pamphlet on the Restoration of the Bourbons, and took the occasion of writing him a long letter, to which I am expecting his answer.Mr Rush is yet here, but will I hope be dispatched in the course of the week. His family are at Annapolis where they are to embark in the Franklin 74 going to the Mediteranean, to relieve Commodore Chauncey.—Rush prefers going in this Bulwark of our holy religion, rather than in a merchant Vessel.—I think I should not.—But I expect we shall be amused with the Speculations of John Bull upon seeing an American Minister landed upon his Shores from a line of battle Ship.—a 94 gun Ship as he already calls our 74’s—And I hope these Speculations will all be of the amusing kind.—Like the late grave and solemn Resolution and Order of the Lords of the Admiralty that henceforth no ship shall ever be rated in the British Navy shall ever be rated lower than the actual number of guns she has on board.—The Duke of Wellington in some official paper boasted that the allied Powers were giving a great moral Lesson to France by plundering the National Museum.—It is but fair that Mr Bull should shew his readiness to take great moral Lessons as well as to give them.—He discovers all of a sudden, under the discipline of Yankee teachers of morality, that rating Ships below lower than their actual number of guns, though always practised by him in the innocense of his heart, became instantly fraud and duplicity when practised by his Schoolmasters.—So he begins by reforming himself for the sake of setting a good example to others. John has also another very prudent motive for this amendment of his life, namely that of authorizing in future his Naval Heroes to run away from an equal American force, without disgrace and without breach of Admiralty regulations.I have a Letter from George dated the day of his return to Cambridge, which I have not yet found a moment to answer.—Though he has occasioned me to incur very heavy expences this year, yet I never did and never shall grudge any expence in my power, for his benefit, or that of his brothers.—and certainly no expence that you think reasonable & proper.—John has written to his Mother to enquire, if by the agreement with Mrs. Welsh, they, the Boys were to have a fire in their chamber—I suppose it is not necessary that a direct answer should be given to him, but Harriet Welsh’s note to you, says “Mother thinks that as she shall usually have an extra fire made for them to be alone when they study their lessons, that about 4$ 50 will meet the expence of their living, washing &ca. the year through, per week”—It is certainly not my wish or intention to make the boarding of my boys in the slightest degree burdensome upon Dr. Welsh’s family, with regard to expence, but on the other hand, I would wish the boys not to be deprived of any proper comfort, and especially of none essential for the prosecution of their studies.I have written to Mr. Cruft requesting him to send the Portraits which came by the Galen, and a parcel of Maps, to you at Quincy. My fathers portrait which he gave me some years ago, I once intended consented should be put up in the Hall of the Boylston Market.—but I think it best not to confirm that grant, and wish to reserve the Portrait for myself—That of my Sister, I pray you to do me the favour to accept.W. S. Smith has had the excessive imprudence of involving himself in responsibility for his father’s debts, as if his own were not enough to satisfy him.—There are existing judgements against his fathers at New York, for nearly two hundred thousand dollars—there is one of them to the amount of 20000 dollars, for which there is already a Judgment against William, and last Week a Sheriffs Officer from New York came here and took him to go and be surrendered by his bail, in Execution for a debt of his own—He has left his here to be taken care of by her friends, and will of course lose his place unless his Creditors at New York release him in despair of ever getting any thing from himEver faithfully yours

					P.S. 4 Novbr. W. S. Smith has made an arrangement at New York, and returned here yesterday.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 5 November 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, John Adams

					No. 3/8Dear sir
					Washn. 5th of november 1817.

				The letter before the last that I wrote you was numbered one, as being the first after my arrival at this place—the last letter was numbered seven with reference to all that I have written you since I left London.—I shall continue this last numeration for the future as corresponding with yours, and at the same time manifesting a better return of punctuality on my part than the other. Since my last I have received your private letters no. 13. 16 & 17. the last dated 27 september, and making the file complete till that day. your public dispatch no. 10 has also been received, with Colonial Journal no. 5 and 6. Edinburg Review no. 56. De Pradt and an english volume on South America, Sir Robert Wilson on Russia, the Telegraphic system and newspapers. You express an apprehension in your no. 13 that I shall think your communications too frequent—very far otherwise—I am gratified more than I can express at your constant assiduity and attention, and pray your to continue them without intermission.—They have not escaped the notice of m: Rush, who has been at the head of the department of state until my arrival, and I hope will be justly estimated by the president. The books and pamphlets that you have sent have been very acceptable and arrived at seasonable moments.—I have only to urge you to persevere in well doing, and am assured that your own good qualities and services will be the most effectual of all recommendations.Mr. Rush has the intention of landing at Plymouth or at Portsmouth, according to the winds that may be prevailing when he arrives on the english coast.—He will write you immediately upon landing or perhaps even before, if an occasion should offer itself, requesting you to engage lodgings for him and his family in private apartments to save him the trouble and expense of going to and then removing from an hotel. You will recollect how we lived after our removal from Ealing until we left London. If the apartments of the house where you are, should be unoccupied, they will probably suit mr. Rush as well as any that you can engage.—As he will doubtless arrive at London by the Borough road and Westminster Bridge, you can send a letter to be left for him at the turnpike office in the borough nearest the Bridge, informing him where you have engaged lodgings for him; or if that should fail I shall advise him to drive immediately to 28 Craven St. to ascertain the fact.I have given mr. Rush a list of tradesmen whom I have recommended as safe persons to deal with—you will doubtless be able to enlarge the list as his occasions may require—among them is Micklam, who of all the taylors I employed gave me upon the whole the best satisfaction and Pratt the bookbinder and seller in Russell’s court.—I hope you will find both in Mr. Rush and Mr. Tayloe associates with whom you can harmonize as perfectly as you always did with me, and I can wish them no better fortune than that they may find in you as faithful and obliging an associate as my own experience has warranted me in promising them that they will.Your private letters are so valuable to me, that I do not like to tear them by breaking the seals. I will thank you in future to enclose them under a cover; and as  a general practice it is best, except when the cover encreases the expense of postage. I enclose some letters which are to be forwarded. All the De Wint’s are at Quincy and well. I gave your brother William your letter to him.Your faithful friend


Title: From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 10 November 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, George Washington

					N. 2.My dear George.
					Washington 10. November 1817.

				Your Letter of 14. October N. 2. but Post-marked on the Superscription, “Cambridge 21 Octr. was received by me on the 25th: of the same month—my engagements as you suppose absorb so much of my time, that I am seldom able to snatch a moment for writing private Letters to my family and friends. Yet I shall always endeavour to be as punctual a correspondent as possible, and shall particularly exert myself to write frequently to my Children.Your last Letter gives me occasion to make the following remarks—first that the Post mark being dated seven days after the Letter itself, shews that you had either left it unfinished, or kept it after it was finished, all that time before putting it into the Post-Office—Now I would have you remember that a stale Letter, is like stale beef or mutton—Always despatch your Letters as soon as possible after they are written. And bear it in mind as forming one part of a more extensive rule—There are few things in which the example of Julius Caesar deserves to be recommended—but of his good qualities none certainly contributed more to his greatness than the characteristic perseverance of his pursuits.“Nil actum reputans dum quid superesset agendum.”Repeat this line to yourself every morning before you rise from bed, for three months successively, and make it a maxim for the Government of your life; always connecting with it that of engaging in no pursuits but such as may be persevered in with honour, and with innocence.Secondly, you have omitted acknowledging the receipt of my Letter N. 	1. dated, the 5th. of October, and which you cannot but have received before the 14th.—There are persons, Ladies especially, who think it inelegant to begin a Letter by acknowledging the receipt of one from the Correspondent to whom you are writing; and it really has something of stiffness and formality, which those who are studious of epistolary Style are careful to avoid—But then they are equally careful to answer the Letter; or at least to allude to something in it, in such a manner as to leave no uncertainty in the Correspondent’s mind, whether it has been received or not.—Your Letter, on the contrary takes no notice whatever of that which you must shortly before writing it have received from me; and I have to this moment no certainty that you did receive it—Take care here after always to acknowledge the receipt of my Letters, and as you are ambitious of avoiding formality at the Commencement and conclusion of your Letters, let me see how you can vary the acknowledgment so as never to tell me directly that you have received it, and yet to leave me no reason to doubt the fact.I was rejoiced to learn that the epidemic which had prevailed at Cambridge, had subsided, not only from general sympathy with the inhabitants of the place, but because it enabled the Students at the University, to return without danger to the seat of the Muses, and particularly that gave you the opportunity of applying to the particular branches of study, which may bring you again into the standing at College, suitable to your age—I am very anxious to hear some account of your progress, and whether you are likely to accomplish the undertaking of preparation for entering the Sophomore Class, immediately after the Winter vacation—We are well here; your mother received and answered your Letter to her—Mr Rush is to embark this week at Annapolis in the Franklin 74. to be landed in England, where he goes as Minister from the United States—We have Letters from Mr J. A. Smith, London, of 27 September, and from Ellen Nicholas of 22. Septr. The Doctor and his family were all well and present friendly remembrance to you and your brothers. / your Affectionate father.

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 November 1817
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					my dear daughter
					Quincy Novbr 12th 1817

				A long period has elapsed since I addrest a line to you—I have not taken my pen for three weeks—I have been so constantly occupied with my visitors, and a sick domestic, who has been near dieing with a Billious fever the whole time my Friends were with me, that I could not find a leisure moment. mr & mrs DeWint his Mother their children and servants left us last week, about the time when Caroline might have been fit to have undertaken the journey here. She hazarded her Health, and tried her strength too far by the adventure, and I shall rejoice to learn that no further ill concequences ensue than fatigue. The Babe grows finely, at the expence of the expence of the Mother who is both languid and thin. it was Christened here by the Name of Julia. Susan returnd here, with them, and mr Clark went on to join the Ship Franklin. he writes, that while at Washington, he calld twice at the House and twice at the office, without being able to meet with mr Adams, or you. the last time he calld at the House, the Boy told him that you were at home, but waiting untill the Boy returnd, he was told, you were not at home. he left his card, and I presume left Washington for Annapolis, without meeting with any of the Family, which both he, and I regreted. I think you would have been pleased with him—The Seperation at this early period is a cruel trial to them both—under the Jewish dispensation, a man was allowed a years residence with his wife—they knew however upon what terms they engaged, and how loth I was to consent to their marriage untill his return from this voyage—but he was not to be prevaild upon, but chose to take matrimony, and all its concequences—so they must sigh it out apart, tho I who have experienced cruel seperations in perilious times, cannot fail to pitty them—John and Charles went from here last Evening. so joyfull they are to get here, that I cannot say them Nay, altho the days are now short and they make it late to Town on Sunday Evening, I send them to the Bridge—a whisper last Evening, Grandmother may we come next Saturday, received a replie of yes if it does not rain. George has remaind stationary at Cambridge since he went, with once visiting us. mr Gillman was here last Saturday, and gave us a  good account of him—he has gone through Webbers arithmatic, and is rejoiced at it.Not being able to write I have not known how to replie to the inquiry of what part of the city you have taken a House? I know you must be fully occupied in getting your House in order, and mr Adams amply engaged in the duties of his office, so that I have not had the heart to interupt him—I have this morning received a Letter from him, which I shall replie to soonPresent me kindly to mrs Fry who I hope has got over her qualms by this time—to mrs Smith my Love. every heart knows its own bitterness—more people fail for want of Judgment, than deficiency in any other quality—that Sense, which is calld common Sense—what could induce William to take an atlass upon his Shoulders, unless he thought it was as well, to sink by the heaviest weight. Heaven recalld my dear daughter before she witnessd ac sorrows—they wear upon poor Caroline, happy as she is in a prudent discreet Husband—Louisa desires to be kindly rememberd to you. tell mr Adams that the Letter to his Brother has been received in his absence to attend the courts at the Vinyard, that he is not expected back for a week to come which will account for his not writing to him—let me hear from you, and tell me how you all are. have you heard from your Brother since you went to Washington?We have an uncommon Warm Novbr—but our early Frosts robed us of our Verdure—My Love to my dear Son, heaven preserve his health & continue his usefullness is the constant petition of his and / your affectionate Mother

					A Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 November 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy Novr. 13 1817

I must, as long as octogenarian infirmities will permit, Send you a line to prove to you my continued Vegatation
Peter Heigne’s Mother, when the News arrived of her Sons glorious death arrived, Said “Peter was always running about, and She always expected he would come to a bad End.”
Washingtons Mother used to Say that “George would be like the Pitcher which after going So often to the Well, gets broken at last.”
You and I have run about more and longer than Peter: Yet neither of Us have as yet come to a bad End
We have been carried to the Well Oftener than George, but neither of Us is Yet entirely dashed to pieces.
On the contrary I have a comfortable Prospect of dying peaceably in my own bed, Surrounded by amiable and affectionate Children, kind Neighbours and excellent Friends.
You also are in a fair Way. When your Country Shall have worn you almost out and discarded you like an old Beaver, You may retire and enjoy your Farm and your Library. And defy the foul Fiend, Enough of this.
Last Week We committed to the Tomb, our aged De Phips and it was a pleasing Sight, to behold almost the whole Town paying respect to a virtuous Man and Skilful Physician who in the course of almost half a Century had given birth to So many and health to so many more in the Parish.
The Heats of Election in Pensilvania and Kentucky I hope will produce no lasting Fevers. Rheums and Small humours are often chased away by a little bark. The Town of Boston Seems to be taken down or laid up, by a Slight Attack.
Boston like all other Places has three Classes of People.
1. The higher Few. 2. The Midle, more 3 the common, many. This is no News. For many Years, that, Upper Few, have governed. But there has risen a Number of Gentlemen in the midle rank who by great Industry and Prudence have made themselves rich, and as honour usually becomes a necessary of Life to a rich man, they begin to think it reasonable that they Should Share in the Honours of their Country and its Government. These have Selected Mr Andrew Ritchy a young Gentleman who has acquired a large fortune by his Marriage with the only Child of my ancient Friend Cornelius Durant; for a Member of Congress. A kind of Coalition of Parties had nominated Our Friend Mason: but as he had been too wise and considerate a Character to engage the Enthusiasm of either Party, the Friends of Mr Ritchy have thought the Opportunity favourable for bringing him forward.
The late ruling Party are Somewhat apprehensive of a fermentation which may endanger their Power. All Well. Love to all from your / Affectionate
John Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 13 November 1817
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, George Washington

					Dear George
					Washington 13 Novbr. 1817

				It is so long since I heard from you I begin to find it difficult to account for your Silence—Have the Muses siezed upon your imagination? Or is it a touch of the belle passion which occupies your contemplation and makes you forget your Mother? either of these things might perhaps plead in excuse though I can only allow these to be momentary.—Your occupations are I know numerous but one quarter of an hour two days in the Week would enable you to correspond regularly with me and I think would be of essential service to you in the way of improvement.—It is only by writing frequently and without constraint that you will be enabled to form such a Style as it is absolutely necessary for every Gentleman to possess easy, familiar, and elegant, neither pedantic, formal, or flat; all of which are faults soon acquired and difficult to cure. You will laugh when I say that nothing is more advantageous to a young man than a correspondence with a well educated female As they are seldom shackled by the trammels of business their imaginations are allowed full scope, and their feelings guide the pen. hence you must have observed the Letters of Madame de Sevigné and Lady Mary Wortley Montague are the admiration of the world because their ideas seem to flow upon the paper as if they had not room for  thought or reflection and either in the lively or the sentimental strain, they make you feel as if they could not have expressed themselves otherwise than in the Style in which they write. The peculiar studies which form the basis of a mans education and the regular routine of practice by which they acquire the knowledge of any profession has a tendency to render their Style stif and measured not to say dry which is particularly unpleasant in familiar correspondence—and this is the reason why I am so solicitous that you should early accustom yourself to the habit of writing Letters agreably for in fact familiar Letters are nothing more than the art of writing trifles in as pleasant and interesting a manner as you can convey them and amount pretty much to the Art of gracefully turning a compliment which should seldom be perceptible yet always felt.Our old friend D: Tillary wrote me a very kind Letter which I have just answered in fact I find myself drawn into correspondence with so many people I have little time for any thing else. It is singular that I who have always had such a decided dislike to writing should all of a sudden have to launch out quite on a large scale and have more correspondents than I know what to do with I believe I must write your Grandmama in the form of a journal as I suppose events will be continually occurring which if they do not interest will perhaps amuse her in the winter—hitherto I have seen nothing and heard little—The President is fitting up the great House very elegantly but the workmen will be some time longer before they are out of it Mrs. Monroe and I have exchanged visits but neither were visible she has not yet received any one—and some say her health will not admit of seeing company.—The President is much admired for the suavity of his manners.—The Prussian Minister arrived a few days since and was presented by your father on Tuesday.—I have two German Servants who cannot speak a word of English and you would laugh at the  ridiculous grimaces I make when I talk with them and I think if Charles was here he would get to speak German as fluently as ever—I shall send your School for Scandal at the same time I send Johns Boots and Charles’s Nankeen Pantaloons—which I hope will be by return of the Vessel in which Mr Cruft has sent out things. Charles Gil Blas and Don Quixote are likewise found and will accompany the restGod Bless you my Dear Son and render you all that can be wished by your affectionate Mother

					L. C. Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Vaughan, 15 November 1817
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Vaughan, John

					Sir
					Washington 15th. Novbr: 1814

				The German Woman and Boy you were so obliging to purchase for me arrived safe; and I return you many thanks for your goodness for having so readily undertaken and so perfectly executed your my Commission—Mr. Adams received your second Letter acknowledging the receipt of the money and unites with me in assurances of the highest Respect and esteem.

					L. C. Adams.


Title: From John Adams Smith to Robert Stewart, 15 November 1817
From: Smith, John Adams
To: Stewart, Robert

					To The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Castlereagh, His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State, for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
					Craven Street 15th. November 1817.

            The Undersigned, Chargé D’Affaires of the United States of America, presents his most Respectful Compliments to Lord Castlereagh, and begs leave to state to His Lordship, that he is deeply impressed, with the severe Affliction occasioned to His Royal Highness The Prince Regent, to His Serene Highness The Prince of Saxe Cobourg, to Her Majesty The Queen, and to The Royal Family of England; as well as to The British Nation, by the late sudden, and distressing decease of Her Royal Highness The Princess Charlotte Augusta, and being desirous of manifesting  on the part of His Government, a sincere participation in the universal Affliction, which has been produced by the Death of Her Late Royal Highness; would beg leave to request of His Lordship, to receive the Instructions of His Royal Highness The Prince Regent, upon the desire of the Undersigned, if not incompatible with the arrangements upon the present most painful and distressing occasion; that a place may be assigned in the Funeral Procession for the Undersigned as the Representative of The American Government, that he may testify his High Respect for the distinguishing Virtues of Her Late Royal Highness, as also a sincere participation in the affliction which has by the late distressing event been produced throughout The British Empire.Mr Smith begs Lord Castlereagh to accept the assurance of his High Consideration.

					J. Adams Smith


Title: From Robert Stewart to John Adams Smith, 15 November 1817
From: Stewart, Robert
To: Smith, John Adams

					Foreign Office November 15. 1817.

				The Undersigned, His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has received the Note which Mr. Smith, Chargé d’Affaires from The United States of America has addressed to him, expressing his earnest desire of manifesting, on the part of his Government, by his personal Attendance at the Funeral of Her late Royal Highness The Princess Charlotte Augusta, a sincere participation in the universal Affliction which has been produced by the unexpected and distressing demise of Her Royal Highness.—The Undersigned has not failed to lay Mr Smith’s Note before The Prince Regent, and is convinced that the Expressions of Sorrow and Condolence therein contained, on the part of the American Government, will be most grateful to His Royal Highness, but the Undersigned regrets that the Arrangements made for the Funeral are of so private a Nature, as not to admit of the Attendance of the Corps Diplomatique

					(signed) Castlereagh


Title: From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 17 November 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

					My dear John
					Washington 17. November 1817.

				I have received three Letters from you since I have been here, all grumbling Letters; and all very badly written—The first was of the 16th: the second of the 17th: of September, and the last of the 27th: of October—This last I disapprove of the most; and request you to write me no more such Letters—You conclude it by saying that you hope I will forgive any thing rash in my Son; but I shall do no such thing—If any Son will be rash he must take the consequences; and if my son speaks or writes to me any thing disrespectful of his uncle, as you have done, he must not expect to be countenanced in it by me—You boast of your studying hard, and pray for whose benefit do you study? Is it for mine, or for your Uncle’s?—Are you so much of a baby that you must be coaxed to spell your Letters, by sugar-plumbs? or are you such an independent Gentleman, that you can brook no controul, and must have every thing you ask for? If so I desire you, not to write for any thing to me.You say I know that in England the more I indulged you the more you studied and the better you behaved; but that is not my opinion—But this I know, that the more I indulged you the more you encroached upon my indulgence—The consequence is that now when you come to enter at Mr Gould’s you was so far behind what I expected, and even behind the boys of your own age at the same school—If you want more indulgence from me, you must deserve it; not only by close and constant attention to your studies, but by good conduct: by a chearful temper, and by respectful demeanour to your uncle, and to all my friends who have charge of you—Now you see I have answered your Letter as you required—as soon as possible; and I hope you will enable me to answer your next Letter with more pleasure—being always your affectionate, and whenever you deserve it, your indulgent father

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 17 November 1817
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John

					My Dear John
					Washington 17 Novb: 1817

				You will receive a Letter from your father by the same Mail which conveys this Letter to you in answer to the one which you wrote to him last week in which I am sorry to say you assumed a tone highly improper and disrespectful—The tender affection I bear you and the ardent desire (which forms a part of my existence) that I must ever feel for your welfare has induced me frequently while in England to represent to you the danger of indulging an arrogant and overbearing spirit.—You my Dear Son are endowed with a fine natural understanding and quick conception I cannot conceive—how possing these—you can deceive yourself so much as to imagine that any indulgence is to be obtained by threats or a lofty and commanding tone—You must be sensible that the opportunity and the expence of the education which your father has so Kindly allowed you for is a blessing in itself which far exceeds the gratification of any trifling and momentary desire and one which ought to fill your heart with gratitude towards him whose only study is to promote the welfare and happiness of his Children.—You are not aware my darling boy how fatal it will prove to your comport to indulge the natural irritability of your disposition which owing to a quick sensibility and a want of reflexion is apt to magnify trifles of no importance whatever into serious evils which imperceptibly sour your  temper and narrow your heart.—In our journey through life even where the tide of happiness flows most smoothely, we must forever expect and be prepared to meet with crosses and checks, to the moments of felicity we are permitted and to enjoy; and it is wisely ordained by an Almighty power. human nature is naturally selfish, and vain, and did we not meet with these beneficial checks, we should forget our place in the Creation and by the indulgence of our passions call down upon us the vengeance of heaven, and destruction upon our race.—Sensibility is a blessing when under proper controul but when it renders us alive only to the gratification of our own humours or caprices it is a torment and fills every moment of our existence with disquiet and mortification—It is for this reason my beloved Son I implore you to correct this great and dangerous failing which if indulged will encrease to a height which will cause your future misery and turn all your joys into sadness.You will I hope answer your fathers Letter by a Letter of apology as he is much displeased at the Style of your last and it grieves me to the heart when his Children cause him uneasiness A better father cannot exist nor can any children have parents whose every wish and inclination prompt them more to indulgence when meritted than you have in your father and your too fond Mother

					L. C. Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 November 1817
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					dear Harriet
					Quincy Novbr 18 1817

				I return Carolines Letter with thanks and rejoice to learn that she & the Family arrived safe after their Quixot expedition, in which I think Caroline risked her own Life & that of her child—tho while she was here I did not like to tell her so. She certainly made too free with her Health & constitution as her appearence showed—I have a commission from mrs dexter rather I should say petition. It is to request you to Buy for her a pr of Blew kid Shoes for Caroline 3 yds of Blew Ribbon proper for a sash 4 half a yd blew cambrick as near the coulour of the Ribbon as may be without troubling you too much 5 dollars she encloses—and 5 I inclose from which please to take the pay for the cranberries—and get me a peice of wadding 3 Skains white serving silkJohn will want a new pr of pantaloons like those he has now in wear—I shall have to request you next week to get the cloth as mrs Sampson will be here and make them—mr Adams is now at plimouth court. when he returns I will give him the paper you sent—I said not any thing to John of what his Father wrote—I only askd him if he should study of evening if he had a fire. he said he should cypher & study too, and wished his Father would write to him about it—It may be the means of keeping them at home more of Evening—& if they have the chamber your Mother proposed, it will be easy to see that they take proper care of the fire—I should insist as indispensable that they went to Bed when the Family did—I am glad mr Mason is chosen for several reasons—one as it respects good manners, for to ask a Gentlemans consent to be nominated—and then before his face put up a new candidate is not consistant with good habits or principles—if you can get these articles to day osburn will call for them for your Friend

					A A


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 18 November 1817
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					Dear Madam
					Washington 18 Novbr: 1817

				I began to be quite uneasy at your long silence my and was much pleased to find by your Letter of the 12th that pleasure and not sickness was the cause of your delay in answering my last.I am very sorry to hear that Mrs de Wint health is weak and I agree with you in the opinion that she left home too early I hope however that when she returns and resumes her quiet mode of life that she will find her strength entirely restored—On the subject of William I know scarcely what to say—his situation appears so desperate it is hardly possible to know where or how to seek a remedy—yet something must be done and I know of no means which can be resorted to to serve him effectualy. his Uncle can do nothing for him situated as he is and I fear there is little prospect of his keeping the place which he now fills with a Salary of 1000 Dollars a year on which he says he cannot live.—He is heavily involved in debt and is always in advance of his Salary.—I write you thus fully my dear Madam that you may be fully aware of his real situation he has returned from New York with an additional load of debt in consequence of obtaining a respite from his Creditors and has bound himself to make quarterly payments of 100 Dollars a quarter for five quarters successively without knowing where to raise sixpence to wards the payment in addition to which he is involved here to the amount of three or four hundred Dollars which have already been demanded and I fear he will find his Creditors but little inclined to indulgence.—You see my dear Madam that unless you can obtain something more for him it is utterly impossible for him to get through his difficulties and I am so situated that I dare not act in direct opposition to Mr A’s wishes in taking any measures here. Kitty expects to be confined in February and they are at present living in the cheapest boarding house they can find.I regret exceedingly not having seen Mr. Clark and still more that he should have gone away under the impression that I had denied myself being at home—The last time he called I was at Mrs. Hellens who has been very dangerously ill and I passed several days at her bed side until she got better in the mean time Mr. Adams and myself made many enquiries to find out where he resided and as soon as we discovered where he was sent him an invitation to dine with us it was too late for we learnt from Mr Anderson he had already left Washington had he left an address with his card Mr. A would have made a point of seeing him.I hear from the Boys pretty steadily but they complain bitterly of want of fire—I wrote Harriet Welsh a long Letter which she has taken no notice of tell her I am quite affronted with her and shall not write her again until she has answerd it—It was addressed to Mr. de Wints and I am afraid it is lost as I understand she returned much sooner than she expected.Present me most respectfully to the President and kindly to Louisa & Mrs. Clark and be assured of the affection and respect of

					L. C. Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 November 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy Nov 21 1817

The disapointment of the Anglomaniacs and the Antigallicans, who are the same persons, on one hand, and of the Gallomaniacs, Antianglicans and Hyperdemocrats who are all the same people, on the other: in the Choice of Mr Mason a Sound untainted American Republican, for the Representative of the Suffolk district, will give that Friend of yours an Opportunity to present you this letter.
This Election indicates a favourable disposition towards Harmony and Union, and encourages hopes of a return to independent American Principles and feelings
But Mr Lowell has returned from England brim full and overflowing with Zeal, has recommended his indetafatigable labours, and will rally his Scattered troops if he can.
I wish you all an easy and Satisfactory Winter Campaigne, which is all that can be expected in times when no great battles are to be fought no brillant Victories to be won and consequently little Glory to be obtained.
All Well. Love to your deares Friend. / And Respects to the President from / your Affectionate Father
John Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 21 November 1817
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My dear daughter
					Nov’br 21 1817

				I write a line to enclose a Letter from Harriet. George has been so steady at Cambridge that I have had but one visit from him since he went there. I expect Him and his Brothers to keep thanksgiving with us; there is then a vacation of nearly a week—.John will want an additional pr of pantaloons. he is such a wrestless active Being that he is always in motion and his blews which he has worn so constantly are nearly gone—I mended them last week. I shall get Harriet to procure the Cloth, and Miss Sampson to make them, His best suit he must make answer this Winter tho he has grown so much that they are very tight for him & short—he now runs up rapidly, the cloath is very good and the cloaths can go to Charles—Charles says he has a second pr of 2d pr of blew pantaloons so that he will not want—I have only time to add my Love to my Son to whom I shall write next week.yours affecly

					Abigail Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 November 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Sir
Q Nov. 26 1817

The Father of Mr George G. Barrel, Still living at 85 his Uncle Joseph and one or two more were once well known to me and esteemed.
You will find the Bearer So intelligent and So correct that if you have time to converse with him you will find pleasure and Information. Though I presume not to give any Opinion upon this Application or any other; Yet I will venture to Say, that the Pretensions of this Gentleman deserve a thorough Investigation. He had the Warrant of a Midshipman from me nineteen Years ago. There will no doubt, be 20 other candidates of whose Personal qualifications and merits I am uninformed. Inclosed is a letter from Mr B. Joy recommending Mr Barrel.
We have a prospect before Us of a long War of The Feather, between two redoubtable Champions Mr Lowell and your Pupil, Mr Everet. Whether it will be Tragedy or Comedy, who can tell? Entertainment, it certainly will be, for both the Actors have already proved their Resources inexhaustable, their labour indefatigable and their eloquence like the Country mans Stream, labitur et labetur in omne volubilis œvum. Both very wild. It is to be wished, that they may not but perhaps more to be feared that they will regenerate the caustic rancour of the old Parties.
Love to Louisa & Respects to The Prsident / from your affectionate Father
John Adams


Title: From John Adams Smith to Jeremy Bentham, 1 December 1817
From: Smith, John Adams
To: Bentham, Jeremy

					Dear Sir.
					London 1 Dec. 1817.

				I am so frequently importuned for particular information respecting the United States, which is comprised in the little volume, you have in your possession—That I am reluctantly obliged to ask the favor of you to send it to me—If you should wish to see it again I will return it to you or endeavour to have sent to me a copy of it from America to present you with—I was most happy to see Gov Plumers letter to you—I believe it is only a specimen of the successive acknowledgements, you are yet to receive from the gratitude of my countrymen, for your devotedness to the interests of mankind, & to the immediate improvement of the condition of our happy Country—With much Respect yr obt Servt.

					J. Adams Smith


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 5 December 1817
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

					N. 5My Dear Brother
					Washington 5th. December 1817

				Yours of the 24th. ulto. with the draft on the Branch Bank for 3000 Dollars in received.—Messrs: Payne and Co wrote me lately mentioning the opinion of our friend Mr. Jos: Stall Senior, that there would be no dividend upon the Canal Shares next January.—I immediately answered them that if that was now their own opinion, I wished them to suspend further purchases on my account.—I say the same to you.—If there is no dividend, I am confident the shares will fall be down.—perhaps lower than $300 and I am will to wait and see if there will be any prospect of a dividend next year.—Such egregious miscalculations in the Report of the Committee made last April shakes all faith and Confidence in their expectations of the future.I should have begun by acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of 18th. ulto N 3. with the Letter and recommendation of Col Vinson which I have laid before the President.—Mr Armstrong may keep his land and build upon it if he pleases.Mr Cruft has sent me a stock of groceries amounting to 159 Dollars for the payment of which I have referred him to you—At the close of the year, I pray you to send me a statement of the account between us.Yours affectionately


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 December 1817
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Q. Decr 8. 17

Nature did not make me of a jealous disposition; but a dismal experience has made me Suspicious of myself, not less than of others. I often Suspect myself, and that my Imagination deceives me; that I mistake posibilities for probabilities and Non Entities for probabilities; that I See “Au dessous des cartes” many things which in reality may not be there.
Masons and Austins are Old South Sisterhood and Brotherhood Families; may there not be some temporal feelings of Emutation between these great Spiritual Houses? There are young Men of Promise arising in both. And may not old Benjamin, the once Grand Monarque of Sansculotism Still cherish a hope of being His Excellency the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.?
The sudden renunciation by the Federalists, of their own Nomination of Mr Mason, as soon as they Suspected that the Republicans would unite in him, was very natural and Simple. Nothing was less coveted by the former than Coalition or Union or harmony. Their Power, if not the Existence of their Party depended on their preserving a marked line of Separation, a perpetual barrier, between them and their and the opponents: Masons Character is unstained. He is not partial to the English nor intemperately prejudiced against the French. He did not condemn the late War but explicitly disapproved the Opposition to it, by discouraging Enlistments Loans Privateering and was quite disgusted with the Hartford Convention. In short the only wonder is that he was ever nominated. The Truth is it was not expected that the other Party would vote for him, They thought the Republicans as exclusive, unsocial and uncharitable as themselves, and that they would vote for none but one of their own Prostitutes though Sure of losing their Votes.
Mr Loyds character is also untainted. His Talents are acknowledged. He Studies and Strives to appear and to be impartial; but he is not. His Byas is English, as that of his Father, his Uncle his Sister Fitch and her Husband my very good Friend Sam and all his relations, was. They had the habitual Feelings of the English national Church and State. Mr Loyd is also a great Admirer of Mr Cabot, Mr Mason not so great.
I know not what to Say of the Spring Elections. The private Characters of the present Governor and Lieutenant Governor are So amiable that it will be difficult to change. And other Gentlemen equally popular, either cannot be found or Will not Stand.
Mr Sears and his Lady Mr Masons Daughter are to Winter at Washington and you may make them all your Friends if you please. I hope they all are So now.
Your Sons have been with Us, the latter half of last Week, and are all good. Mr Jeffersons Correspondence will be an Advantage as well as pleasure.
All well. Love and respect as Usual. kind regards to Mr Mason. / from your affectionate Father
John Adams
N. B. I ought to have added that Mr Mason is as decided an Advocate for the Union of the States, and as vigorous an abhorrer, of Disunion Seperation and Division as you and I are
J. A.Dec. 10. Thanks for the Tableau parlant of American felicity, which gave me a momentary Sensation like that of Theophrastus who at one hundred and Seven, bitterly lamented, that he was called out of this World, when he had but just learned to live in it. But I have no Serious regrets. I have enjoyed and Suffered as much as any of my Great Grandsons will. I wish not nature changed and am willing to Submit to mine

J. A.


Title: From John Adams Smith to Jeremy Bentham, 11 December 1817
From: Smith, John Adams
To: Bentham, Jeremy

					Dear Sir.
					London 11. Dec 1817.

				The last letter of only two I have from Mr Adams is of 8 Octr. at Washington, he took upon him the duties of his new office 22 Sepr. & tells me that for the present he is so much engaged that probably he would not have time to write me again, for some time. But Sir while Mr. A. has not time to write to me, I believe he will not cease to think of you, & never neglect to make your great exertions as beneficial to our country, as you desire & as time & place & circumstance will allow. Believe that I go heart & hand in the undertaking for the improvement of things in our Country, if you will say to me, do! I will do it, in any manner to aid you in your labors, I can promise only the best wishes for improvement wherever it is needed. I do not despair, that your exertions may tend to make the people of the United States, a wiser, a better and a happier Nation & I miscalculated very much if your labors do not meet in their gratitude the recompense they seek—I am every day expecting the arrival of Mr. Rush; a son of the celebrated Dr. Rush—I shall have the pleasure to continue as the Secretary to the Mission, & I rejoice the more as it promisses the pleasure again of being admitted to your Society & kind attentions.I do not know the correspondence you allude to between Mr. Adams the Ex-President & some of the Governors—If I should be able to obtain it, I will do so—I rejoice that the reputation of Genl. Miranda, will be so far redeemed with a certain class of People, as I fancy it will be by the Article in the Quarterly, upon Spain & her Colonies—Respectfully yr very humble Servt.

					J. Adams Smith


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 December 1817
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					my dear daughter
					Quincy december 12th 1817

				I have been haunted with the Deamon of omission, and a hundred Sprights in the garb of excuses, Such as Company, family avocations Noisy Boys &c &c This morning, being very Stormy, I determined to expel them all, and commence writing a Letter to you. I beleive I had promised to write to my Son. I know that he must be so enveloped in publick Buisness, that he can ill afford time to attend to domestic affairs—and as those of State, are out of my department, I Shall address this to you.please to inform me where you are Situated? and how you are accommodated? &c &c when your good Mother was living She kept me always informed of passing Events. Her Letters are a History of the period in which they were written.—be Sure those were times of danger and Strife. now all is Smooth water—tho I perceive a disposition in mr Speaker to trouble them.There is one part of your Letter which gives me much concern—and the more, because I do not See any possible way for releif If there is a Bankrupt Law in the State of N york, mr S had better declare himself So, and give up to his Fathers creditors, all that by his Fathers will, was given to him—I fear he is as deficient in judgment as his Father was, who by all accounts was indebted much more than it was in the power of any of his connections to releive him from, and vastly beyond any Sums which I had any Idea of—I never knew any thing of his affairs nor did Mrs Smith during her Life. enough was however was conjectured to make her Life a Scene of anxiety, patience Submission, and Resignation for I never heard a complaint, or murmur from her Lips. I know not but that I ought to rejoice that She was taken from Life at the period She was, for greatly indeed would her affliction been increased—at the events which have since taken place.—Labour with my hands, I have never declined, and altho I was reduced to earn my Bread, I could Submit to it, but to Beg—I am ashamedwe had a pleasent Thanksgiving Day a vacation took place upon Wednesday and lasted untill Monday—George John and Charles made three of the Nine Grandchildren present—we wished for their Parents to have compleated the festival—with nine Boys, and Girls we made a full chorus—you know what a vacation means—I have had miss Sampson to Repair Johns cloathing, and make him a new Jacket and pantaloons, his others being quite worn out at Elbows, & knees—our common Friend Harriet procured the materials—His Broad cloth Cloaths which are nearly as good as new, he has So out grown that he can scarcly get them on—and must go to Charles—I hope he will make them do untill Spring, but he has not an outside coat. the coat he wore at Sea, is not proper for him, either the fashion, or the Texture of the cloth it the is very dirty & wholy unfit for him. He pronounced it so, but I did not give into the belief untill I examind it myself—He wants only a spencer which as he is pretty hardy; may answer for him—neither his Father or you would have him drest, but as becomes his Standing and Station. I Shall have a Spencer made for him—He has not got his Boots which he is in great want of. but when he does get them, I think it very probable—he will have out grown them—as Charles has his, but he has two pr and he can wear his Russia great coat, tho short for him—and he has an other which he uses—as is well enough—I am sorry that John should have given cause of complaint. He is apt to think himself too independent, and loves to be his own Master—He must be accountable & Submit to the regulations of the Family—He is a fine Boy, but with such an active Spirit, that it requires a Rein—Charles is by himself, a quiet Solid Boy easily directed—not being well, I kept him a few days. he had a Soar Throat and bad cold—he was as grave and Steady—as an old man, reading his BookI hope mrs Fry has recoverd her Health, and mrs Hellen to whom please present my Love—we are in daily expectation of an addition to our Number of grandchildren. Mrs T B A. look daily to be confined, and in time, I find I may have a Great Grandchild—thus the world goes on—Louisa thanks you for your kind remembrance of her. her health is very poor. mrs Clark also presents her duty to her uncle and to you, and regreets that mr Clark had not the pleasure of Seeing you, before he went a broad—I forgot to inform you that we had a pr of Twins born in our Neighbourhood. mrs Beal got to Bed a week Since, one only was born alive—two Girls. there was 12 hours between them & the first died when the second was born dead—they were two very pretty Children—my Love to William & his wife—my Heart feels heavey when I think of them—I beleive I must write  a line or two to my SonHis and your affectionate / Mother

					Abigail Adams


Title: From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 13 December 1817
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Sir,
					Alexandria Decr. 13th. 1817—

				I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a set of documents, and the second Volume of Wheaton’s reports stiched in boards, which have been sent to me by the department of State.—And to be with high respect / your most obedt. servt.

					W. Cranch.