Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 7 March 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Charles Francis

					Washington 7 March 1824

				I am rejoiced my Dear Charles to learn that your journey was so pleasant and that the little accident you met with was soon repaired so much to your satisfaction—That you must be very busy I am well aware but the division of your time will render all your occupations easy and I hope your health of which you now complain will soon be entirely restored—I am much better than I was and intend if possible to get quite well in the course of the Spring which appears to be setting in already—The City is becoming very dull and even the political hemisphere seems to have cleared up so much since the famous Caucus that none but light Clouds comparatively obscure the horizon—Mrs. M is the most active partizan of the Treasury and is earnest to discover among her acquaintance who is “for Cousin Billy” General J—— is the favorite Candidate and the question will soon sink into perfect quietude—Among the novelties of the day I must tell you that Mrs. Hay had an invited party at the great house last Eveng among whom were some of the Corps Diplomatique with whom you know she has so long been at variance upon the ground that they take opportunities to talk politic’s with her—She has perhaps discovered that she possesses enough of Mother Wit to baffle them after her long schooling and is at last prepared for an attack.—She has procured a Situation for Mr Smith which is a very good one and they are to remove to Philadelphia in a short time—Poor Col Freeman is gone and the clamour for his place exceeds any thing I have yet heard Two Senators 27 Members besides a number of private Citizens and two Consuls are applicants and it is whispered abroad that Gov Findlay the leading friend of the W.D. is to be the man notwithstanding the trifling objection of not knowing how to read write spell or keep accounts which in these our modern times are mere accomplishments and not at all essential towards filling the station of Auditor in the Treasury Department.—These subject’s cannot be amusing to you but they will at least show you that there must be something “rotten in the State of Denmark” and that it is no advantage to the Nation to have the worthy representatives of the people so eager for Office in an Elective Government—But—Mum!!!—Van Buren dined with us the other day and Mr T Johnson of Kentucky observed that a Gentleman had told him that out of 48 Senators 46 were now applying for Office V. B. affected to understand that he meant the present vacancy and denied it when Tracy went up to him and said that this was not meant in particular but was intended to take in all or any Offices in the gift of the Government and then said it was understood that he (V. B.) was one of the number—V. B. answered it was UNTRUE I turned my eyes another way lest they should cry “guilty upon my honour”Adieu

					L. C. A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 7 March 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, George Washington

					Washington 7 March 1824

				Although my Dear George I fear that my last Letter was not very palatable to your high spirit being in better health and spirits than I have been for sometime I must seize the opportunity of writing least they should again sink and I should be compelled by dire necessity to abandon once more an occupation more delightful to my heart than all the pleasures this gay world can offer that of free and delightful intercourse with my Children who though men in years yet to me are as they were when in all affection when pressed to the Maternal bosom from whence they drew their nourishment—While this feeling warms my breast you must be assured nothing can be said by me with an intention to wound your Self love or to cause you pain and, if in the ardour of affection or in the anxious desire to correct little errors of character I sometimes urge you more than your pride can well bear think of me only as one who has paid the debt of nature and whose bones have long since been covered by the green sod who while she lived thought only of your welfare and of what would promote it.Mary and I have been sickly all the Winter and she looks worse than I ever saw her—She has been out very little and seems to have taken a distaste to parties altogether She improves rapidly in french and shows by this what she might become if she could once conquer the natural and almost inveterate indolence of her character she may yet make a fine woman but I much fear it is too stubborn to be overcome more especially as emulation has only the unfortunate tendency of souring her disposition instead of promoting improvement—You must excuse my candour on this subject—You have no doubt heard all about the Caucus I shall therefore only tell you a ridiculous anecdote which may serve to make you laugh—It is rather broad but too good to loose lose—It seems some frenchman attended on this occasion and on his return being asked where he had been replied he had been to the Assemblee des Cocus—The pronunciation of the word Caucus in french. This as you may suppose has produced much fun among the wags and I have written it to you to show you that we yet have some wit in our City although it may be somewhat low—It is becoming the fashion to introduce small parties here and we have three or four of a night—Mrs. Hay had one last Eveng.—Mrs. Hersent gave birth to a Son last Night—Dr. Beeson I have not seen since the death of his Wife which was probably a blessing as there was reason to apprehend an intellectual derangement.Among the Constellations of last Tuesday Eveng we had Dr Percival, the Poet and Mr Rembrandt Peale the Painter. So many Stars of first magnitude have shed their benign influence over my house this Winter it has had no opportunity to grow cold and though best mentioned still first in Rank is the venerable Mr Taylor of Carolina who really delighted us with his wit and charming society—Such men honour our Senate and our Country—

					L. C. A—


Title: From John C. Calhoun to Thomas Boylston Adams, Jr., 11 March 1824
From: Calhoun, John C.
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston, Jr.

					SIR:
					DEPARTMENT OF WAR, March 11. 1824

				You are hereby notified, that the President  has this day conditionally appointed you a Cadet in the service of the United States; and that, on repairing to West Point, in the State of New York, in the month of June next, and reporting yourself to the Superintendent of the Military Academy, you will be examined for admission into that Institution, and, if qualified, will be admitted, conditionally, as a Cadet.Your Warrant of appointment as Cadet, to be dated back in June, will be made out and transmitted to you, should the Academick Staff, on the termination of the examination in January next, report favourably as to your conduct, industry, and qualifications; but should the report be unfavourable, you will be no longer considered a member of the Academy.You will immediately inform this Department of your acceptance or non-acceptance. Should you accept and repair to West Point, and report yourself as above stated, your pay will commence on passing your examination for admission; but unless you repair to West Point at the time specified, or render a sataisfactory reason for delay, your appointment will be recalled.Your acceptance must be accompanied by a declaration from your parent or guardian, (as the case may be) giving consent to your signing articles, binding yourself to serve five years, unless sooner discharged, which will be computed from  the time of your joining the Military Academy.

					J C CalhounSecretary of War.

					Qualifications necessary for Admission.Each Cadet, previous to being admitted a member of the Military Academy, must be able to read distinctly and pronounce correctly; to write a fair legible hand; and to perform, with facility and accuracy, the various operations of the ground rules of Arithmetic, both simple and compound; of the rules of reduction; of single and compound proportion; and also of vulgar and decimal fractions; and be above fourteen, and not exceeding twenty-one, years of age.


Title: From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 14 March 1824
From: Adams, John
To: Stark, Caleb, Jr.

Corporal Trim.
Washington 14 March 1824

As it is delightful to be the bearer of good news or to have any hand in their conveyance without ceremony I must commence my letter by stating that the Cherokee lady & her husband as we say do not pull together or in shorter winds they fight—They have been here since his marriage but no one has seen them out. Rumour says they are war-like & I am sure I cannot say I am sorry for the fact. It may deter some others from the same folly: for I understand several marriages have been hatched up by these infernal Missionaries—We have been treated here during the last week with a miraculous cure which has given a new impulse to superstition. An old lady has been sick here for several years & bed ridden for sometime past. An account of many miraculous cures performed by a German Prince was published in the English & other papers & the friends of the good lady saw fit to write to the said prince to request him to use his efforts for the poor thing. He returned an answer that on a certain night at precisely two o’clock a mass must be said by the Catholic priest for the patient & that he would at that same hour offer up his prayers (for he cures by prayers altogether) & that the lady would find herself better. On the appointed day or rather night the Mass was said as directed when lo & behold the lady lifted first one arm & then the other & finally got up & dressed herself since which she has been recieving visitors to the number of some thousands who have been induced to go & see her from the publicity of the affair. That she has been extremely ill for a great length of time or one can doubt & that the improvement in her health has been very sudden is equally certain. To what this improvement may be attributed I know not as I am no physician. That it was some impulse given to her physical faculties by the effect of hope I believe but how it opperates I know not. The case is very similar to many in Europe & on the continent & is to be accounted for upon the same principle as those effected by Perkins’ Tractors & by every thing of the same description. It has however caused much excitement here & as there are many Roman Catholics it has been used for purposes of priestcraft. But this will not do; the age is too enlightened for such preposterous superstition & though the impulse may be momentary it must soon pass over. We are such restless animals that we must have some such nonsense to think upon or we can not live at all. With this exception we have no news of any kind. Caucuses & such things are over & the novelty their only chance taken away—By this time I presume your govenor for the Ensuing year is elected & the passions incident to the election allayed by its determination. I have not for my own part yet seen any account of the folly but expect the news daily & keep a sharp look out for it. Congress is very dull & I am very tired of attending it. It will not probably adjourn till the middle of May. The Supreme Court is still in session & will continue so for the next week—This is one of my studies & arrangements though sometimes very tiresome—But I must bid you adieu for dinner & sign myself / Your friend

John Adams—


Title: From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 28 March 1824
From: Adams, John
To: Stark, Caleb, Jr.

Dear Major
Washington 28 March 1824—

I recieved your last letter yesterday & now sit down to answer it although the times are so dull with us that I find it very difficult to obtain the subject-matter of an epistolary communication. Living as you do in the land of puritanism & steady habits I know not whether it is allowable for me to mention theatrical performances; but trusting that you have not by your short sojourn imbibed religious scruples upon this subject & having no other war at hand I must endeavour to amuse you by a short account of a company of players who have lately opened our Theatre here. They are it is true a most monstrously cruel sett of fellows & murder some of our best plays with as little remorse as possible. Murder as I say is mere sport to them; & so excessively savage are they, that not contented with murdering, they draw, quarter & unbowel, the best plays in the language. Poor Othello was a few nights since so cruelly mangled that I actually pitied both him & his father Shakespeare. Desdemona’s lot was indeed a happy one compared with his. She sweet thing was smothered & there was an end of her; but he was torn to pieces inch by inch & so transformed in character that it was almost impossible to recognize him. It is true he was represented in a most unchristian manner (do you take good major) & considering that he was a moor perhaps this could not be said to be out of character. Indeed had the play-bills not told us that the play was Shakespeare’s I doubt whether many of us, would have had penetration enough to have discovered it. But enough of Tragedy. I have attended their performances almost every night & have seen many of our favourite comedies represented & many of those which afforded us no little amusement when we have met together on some Winter’s Saturday night & with a cheerful glass of wine in our hands & a good cigar in our mouths, have laughed immoderately at the comical characters of Doctor Pangloss, Allafrod of the Galin’s Head, Miss Lucretia MacTabs, Dennis Brulgruddery & others—I can not say the representations have pleased me so much as our reading though they possess all the advantages of female beauty & sweetness & variety of talent in the male performances. Nor do I mean to say that I have not laughed heartily at these characters now; but there was something wanting to give them the chances they had upon other occasions. But enough or to use other words than my own "A little too much of this." The Supreme Court has adjourned after cutting out some work for you & I & other law students. They decided some sixty or seventy cases & many of them very important one’s. They will all be reported & another volume must be added to our libraries & to our readings. Congress is still upon the Tariff Question & is likely to continue upon it for some time to come. They will not rise it is probable till the last of May or first of June. They say they have too much business before them to adjourn before that time. This session it is said will have been an important one. In what respect however is infinitely beyond my comprehension. Burton is going to Mr Taylor’s Law School in Virginia. The Lord prosper him & the other law students of the Country. Such is the prayer of / Your friend & classmate

John Adams Junr.


Title: From John C. Calhoun to William Steuben Smith, 29 March 1824
From: Calhoun, John C.
To: Smith, William Steuben

					WAR DEPARTMENT, 29th. March 1824.

				You are hereby informed, that the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, has appointed you to the rank of Paymaster in the regiment of in the service of the United States: to take rank as such, from the twenty second day of March 1824.—You will, immediately on receipt hereof, please to communicate to this Department your acceptance or non-acceptance of said appointment, and, in case of accepting, you will report yourself in person to the Paymaster General of the Army United States  at Washington.—

					J C CalhounSecretary of War.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 15 April 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, John Adams

					Dr. Sir,
					Washington 15 April 1824

				I have the pleasure of introducing to your acquaintance, Colo. Henry H. Bacot of Charleston S.C. who visits England for the recovery of his health—From the warm recommendation of him by a common friend, I present him to you as a Gentleman of the most amiable and respectable Character; and solicit for him your kind & friendly attentions.I am with the highest regard and / Esteem, Dear Sir, your friend & Servt,

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 17 April 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, George Washington

				N.8.
					My dear Son.
					Washington 17. April 1824.

				I have duly received your Letters N.7, 8 and 9. with their enclosures; accounts and vouchers—When in my last Letter; I observed that the account which you had previously sent me, did not inform me for what, the expenditures which you had charged against me were made, it was not my intention to require of you a full settlement, and a delivery of vouchers, at the close of every quarter—It was a simple Statement of Account, shewing on one side every item received by you, and on the other side every item paid by you, and for what, each item was received or paid and the balance at the end of the QuarterYour accounts since transmitted appear to be very correct, and contain all the information that I had desired—Perhaps they have given you more trouble than was necessary. and in future, while continuing to keep your Bank accounts as regularly as hitherto, and preserving carefully all your vouchers, a simple Statement, such as I have here mentioned, otherwise called an Account Current of Agency, shewing each item on both sides, and for what received or paid, with the balance at  bottom, and carried from each account to the next, will be sufficient—I am much gratified at the assiduity with which you have attended to the theory, as well as to the practice of book and account keeping, and urge you earnestly to persevere in both  till you shall be sure of yourself as a through accountant.I hope you persevere also with equal ardour in your professional studies, as the time is rapidly approaching when you are to enter upon your career of active life—It has been a consolation to me to hear of your preference of the Office and the Study, over the Ball room and the dinner table—Continue as you have begun—Be studious, be punctual; be temperate, and watch incessantly over yourself.I have heard favourably of some remarks made by you at a meeting of the Republican Association, through without any particulars—Your Mother has received a Letter from you, enclosing two slips of political newspaper Speculations—The people of Massachusetts have now, after a year more of experience passed sentence upon that system of politics, of which the Hartford Convention was the Catastrophe—I have read my friend Otis’s defence of that Pandemonian  Assembly; and it reminded me of the faculty which the Poet of Paradise attributes to the Spirits which composed that great Prototype of the Hartford Meeting—The faculty of enlarging and of shrinking in their dimensions at pleasure—Believe Mr Otis’s argument at this day, and“Behold a wonder! They but now who seem’dIn bigness to surpass Earth’s giant SonsNow less than smallest dwarfs, in narrow roomThrong”—It was not so in December 1814—Then“Far withinAnd in their own dimensions, like themselves,The great Seraphick Lords and CharubimIn close recess and secret conclave sat”—In one of Mr Ames’s political lucubrations, published by certain nameless persons who called themselves his friends, after his Death, a very laborious argument was introduced, to prove, that federalism was founded in a mistake—But his proofs were not so conclusive to that point as those furnished by the Hartford Convention and Mr Otis—The federalism of 1787 made the Constitution of the United States—And this was what Mr Ames in the decay of his faculties, which  his fanatical friends afterwards exposed to the world for wisdom, pronounced a mistake—The federalism of 1814 produced the Hartford Convention, and was no more like that of 1787. than the old age of Solomon was like his youth—It was the federalism of the last Stage that was founded in a mistake.I received a Letter some time since from Mr James Murphy, requesting me to order a discontinuance of the suit brought against him by your directions for the rent due by him—Upon the ground of his present inability to pay—the distressed State of his family, and the promise that he will exert himself to make the payment as soon as possible—I have answered him that not being acquainted with the circumstances of the case, I could not with propriety order the discontinuance of the suit. But that after the judgement obtained, you would allow him all reasonable time, and accommodation for making the payment—I wish you to do accordingly.I enclose a copy of a Washington Pocket Almanac, and remain / your affectionate father

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 25 April 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

					My dear Sir
					Washington 25 April 1824

				I take great pleasure in presenting to you the bearer of this letter, Mr Julius de Wallenstein, a Secretary of the legation of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia—He visits Boston & other parts of our Country for the improvement of his health, & with purposes of enlightened curiosity. Upon  the most transient conversation with him, no testimonial will be needed to mark him in your estimation as a person of extensive Literature, profound science, & elegant taste. A longer acquaintance with him enables me to appreciate the urbanity of his deportment & the delicacy of his sentiments. He will be esteemed in proportion as he is known.I am Dear Sir, in dutiful affection, Your Son—


Title: From George Washington Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 30 April 1824
From: Adams, George Washington
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My dear Mother.
					Boston 30th. April 1824.

				By Marys last letter I am told that you are still suffering from illness and Harriet Welsh understood from Mr Smith in New York that St Anthony had tormented you more than usually for some time. This disorder seems to have become very prevalent in this country and Mrs Welsh suffers so much  from it that she is compelled to remain constantly at home. Grandfather had it pretty severely last November but has not since been troubled with it. I saw him last Tuesday and he was then apparently better than he has been since you left him: indeed the winter has been comfortable for him and he will probably enjoy himself as much as his advanced age will allow till the hot weather comes on and then I fear much for his health. He rides out in good weather from five to seven and sometimes even eight miles but this was at first too much immediately after the total confinement of the winter. Uncle Thomas family are well and Elizabeth continues to grow fat. This is one of the loveliest days that I ever knew in Boston and the rain has been so plentiful that the Spring is very forward with us. Our comfortless East winds destroy much of the pleasure of the Northern Spring but bating them it is a very agreeable season. Improvement is hard at work and has made such havoc that there is hardly a street in town in which the hammer is silent. The new houses are handsome and probably built upon a better scale than their predecessors but one can scarcely conceive the march of population to equal that of improvement and if it does not there will be reason to expect a fall of rents. It makes work for working people however, and their work is well paid for which is a considerable advantage to a nation.This day has give a specimen of the Rapidity with which they print in this country. Mr Websters Speech on the Tariff Bill in the pamphlet form arrived here from Washington yesterday morning and in less than twenty four hours these forty seven pages were neatly reprinted here and for sale today at noon. He seems to have taken Mr Clays speech to pieces handsomely and to have gone deeply into the subject. The majority in Boston are much opposed to the bill although a certain portion of our community desires its passage. Congress seems likely to adjourn in a storm for the late news is of a threatening character and the result of their doings will be anxiously watched throughout the country. Politics afford much matter for reflection of a very mingled character. Public life seems like the Ocean in which a constant succession of waves break over each other and whelm every thing that obstructs their path. Men are roused to strong feeling by one thing to day and tomorrow something else turns up to efface the feelings which yesterday produced. Our elections for the house are approaching and will probably occasion much warmth. The closing struggle for the year will settle the points yet disputed by the parties and prove the truth of old predictions. There are many topics of public conversation and many subjects of considerable interest have arisen to agitate the public mind all of them relating to the present session of Congress. Mr Edwards now forms the most prominent object but some are waiting to hear more about Senator Lowrie and General Jacksons famous letter. Mr Giles is blazing away in Virginia and General Hall here, while the whole public is convulsed by the Presidential question and every motion of the nation seems intended to bear upon that. Mr Burke wisely said “What shadows we are and what shadows we pursue.” With all affection your son

					George Washington Adams


Title: From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 2 May 1824
From: Adams, John
To: Stark, Caleb, Jr.

Dr Major
Washington 2 May 1824

You see I have taken the same liberty with your last which you did with mine & what is worse I have no excuse to give for it; therefore I will let the matter rest trusting to your goodness—I was most highly delighted yesterday at meeting very unexpectedly no other person than our late classmate George Peabody. He has just arrived in this City from Salem having come round by water from that place. He is apparently quite unwell & is travelling for his health. I had not had the least intimation of his intention to visit us & you may well suppose was agreeably surprized when I met him. He gave me a great deal of information concerning all our friends at the North all of which was of a pleasing nature. You recollect one Bill Amory? What think you! he has secluded himself altogether from society, has withdrawn from the pleasures of Boston & has actually been reading his law most soberly & seriously at Groton. You complain of not hearing from Bob & I can suppose very justly. I know not what is the matter with him: till within a few weeks he has been very punctual in his communications with me and but I have not heard from him for the last month. My brother Charles writes me that Report says several of our class have petitioned for permission to return to Cambridge & that he was among the number. I do not believe it & shall enquire of himself. If he has done this I can account for his not feeling willing to write to us. My brother informs me likewise that the Government had refused to grant the petition much to my satisfaction. I can safely say now that they have done one good thing in their lives. I do not wish to believe that any of those who behaved so well a year since should now have acted so foolishly; but from circumstances I fear there may be some ground for the Report. At any rate, they have got their reward & so let them do as they please—For my own part I care so little about the motions of the government that I have made no enquiries whatsoever. I see by the Newspapers however that the Legislature of the State has taken from them the allowance they heretofore made & have given a charter to Amhurst both of which they dreaded & both of which were the effects of our revolution—We are in a state of doubt concerning the election in your state. We have several contradictory accounts: some say  is elected, others that he is not. He is of no importance to me all being equal as regards / Your friend & classmate

John Adams Junr.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 3 May 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, George Washington

					N. 9.My dear Son
					Washington 3. May 1824.

				Abby S. Adams returns home in company with Mr Fuller. I have requested him to pay her expenses on the road, and upon his arrival, to give you a minute of them, informing him that you will discharge it—I now write merely to request you to do so, and to charge the same, in account, to me.your affectionate father

					John Quincy Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 May 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

					My dear brother.
					Washington 3 May 1824—

				I have recieved your letter of the 26 ulto. If the proposition which you say has been made to you, is the express desire of my father & it was by his direction that you made it me; & if on the receipt of this letter, he continues to desire that the house should be painted white, I authorize you to comply with his wishes; provided it can be done without inconvenience to the tenant of the house; whose consent may, I suppose, be obtained.Your affectionate brother—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 17 May 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Charles Francis

					Washington 17 May 1824

				I am very sorry my dear Charles that any thing in my last Letter should have wounded your feelings as it was very far from my wish or intention to say any that thing that could intimate so absurd a charge as I have hitherto found you more docile than youths of your age generally are.I hope you propose to pass your vacation at Quincy as I think it will give pleasure to your Grandfather to whom it is our duty to by every means in our power to promote his comfort and amusement. I much fear he has been very much worried by the lately published Pamphlet. but that cause must be a poor one which is supported by such means as are there resorted to—Everyone must feel as I have from better experience that the pangs inflicted by the ill conduct of a worthless relation are sufficiently keen without the Sting of long past transactions being thus dragged into public view for the express purpose of gratifying a mean revenge—It is true the old Gentleman had cause for his complaints but the close of his book disgusted me very much as the affectation of religious cant could not appear with any grace at the close of such an ebullition of passionate and revengeful feelings—This a strange world and I begin to believe that the best rule of conduct a man can adopt is that of acting so as to guard against his own reproaches and to ensure by the correctness of his conduct the approbation of a pure conscience Without caring for the opinion of others—As creatures of this Earthly World we are all liable to error and I know not that human being breathing who can sit down and say “I am pure from all stain”. To error we are by our nature subject and for this very reason called on to be lenient to those failings which none of us are exp exempted from—It is sad thus to see the last years of venerated Age thus exposed to torture by the unprincipled Vices of the Wicked and still more dreadful to see an old man who aims at the vindication of his conduct undertaking to justify an Act which every moral principle must condemn—To vindicate the baseness of Mr Cunningham is a work unfit for any honest man and no sophistry can gloss over so contemptible a deed—I have written much more than I intended therefore shall bid you adieu—We go on quietly here and it is said Congress will adjourn next week—What the Summer is to produce I neither know nor care I will only assure you that I am as ever your Most affectionate Mother

					L. C. Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 27 May 1824
From: Adams, John
To: Stark, Caleb, Jr.

Dr Major.
Washington 27 May 1824—

Congress having adjourned today puts such an quantity of time at a persons disposal that many know not what to do with it—This will never be the case with me when I have a letter of yours on hand unanswered. The first moment therefore is devoted to the purpose of reducing myself from any imputation of neglect. I am the more happy to write you to day as I now have it in my power to contradict the report alluded to in my last at last so far as relates to our common friend Bob Burton In my last letter to him I mentioned the report stating as I did to you that I could give no credit to any such report in the face of such facts as I well knew In an answer to that letter which I received yesterday he most unequivocally & expressly denies any participation in any application to the Government for any favours whatever. I was angry at the report not because I had any objection to any person’s applying if it so pleased them but because were It true, in spite of my vanity, I could but confess that I had made an erronious statement of Bob’s sense. How he, of all men, and perhaps would feel the loss of a degree less than almost any other individual could so demean himself in his own estimation, as to humble himself for a scrip of parchment in itself without value, I could not concieve. I would not believe he had done it. And I rejoice than my estimate of him was not erronious in the slightest degree. He still stands firm & staunch; he is still the same individual he was & although in a fair way soon to become a lawyer is still the same man as when enjoying youth, life & happiness at College—
You are I suppose deeply engaged in the study of the law as well as myself & I fear you are a much harder student than I am. The attractions of the Metropolis are not very compatible with the hard labour requisite for a student of that profession. I must do however as well as I can & if I lose one week I must double my labours the next. Our news here is altogether of a political nature. Some of it indeed from the very state in which you now reside though "a passing guest"—The contractions of political opponents are not very amusing themes either for conversation or writing; & overwhelmed as we here are with them I rejoice always that in my letters I am not called upon either to hear or speak of them. Peabody our friend is still here & has been very gay. I think the trip will be of service to his health & as that was his object he can require nothing more. I seldom hear of our friends North, South, East or West. Few of them correspond with me & it is only by some occasional good luck I get any information from them or of them. I see the Indian Marriage makes some excitement yet in Connecticut. If you know any of the circumstances attending it you will much oblige me by giving me a statement of them. It is said by some that the parents of the young lady were pleased with the match—I have heard far otherwise: but in no way that I remember sufficiently authentic to permit me to assert either the one fact or the other. I have never yet been able to get a peep at the Bride & I do not lately hear anything of her. She is I believe yet in this city; but I am not sure. The delegation of Cherokee’s is still here & I presume the happy couple is with them. Congress as I mentioned adjourned this day at about eleven o’clock after a very long session the importance of which must be estimated by others & not by me. The adjournment at least affords rest to / Your friend & classmate

John Adams Junr.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Margaret Hughes, May 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Hughes, Margaret

					Washington May 1824.

				I write my dear Margaret to enquire after the health of your dear Father, who we all here are very sorry to learn has been more indisposed than he was when Louisa was in Baltimore—Assure him of the deep interest we all as well as Mr. Adams take in his health and tell him that he has our fervent prayers for his speedy restoration—We hope to see him quite recovered by the 14 inst when we propose to pass through Baltimore in our way to Quincy—Be assured of the kindest regard of

					Louisa Catherine Adams


Title: From M. A. Patterson to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 10 June 1824
From: Patterson, M. A.
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My dear Mrs Adams
					London June 10th. 1824

				Allow Me To present To you Mr Steuart Wortley, and Mr Stanly—They are Gentlemen of high rank,  who are visiting America, and are anxious not To run through The County, but To become acquainted with our Society;—and I cannot with The pride of An American resist The gratification of Making Them known To Mr Adams, and yourself—Wortley is the Nephew of Lord Bristol, and Ld Liverpool—Mr Stanley of the Lord of Derby—They are accompanied by Mr  Denison, and Mr Labouchere You could not see better specimens of Englishmen, and Much disposed To be pleased with America, and I am anxious They should receive the fairest light after coming so far to form their opinion of Us—I am sure it will give you pleasure To hear that I found My Sisters, quite well—My health is still very feeble, but I hope with care, and the good Climate of England, To be again restored—I am yet confined To The house, and shall devote the next year To its re–establishment—My Sisters desire Their kindest remembrance To you—and I beg My best respects To Mr Adams—Beleive Me My dear Mrs Adams yrs Most Truly

					M A Patterson


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 June 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Washington 11 June 1824

				I enclose a Letter from Mary to Mrs. Gelbot and at the same time have the pleasure to inform you that we are pretty well—Mr. Todd the M.C. has done me the honour to call on me with two other Gentlemen We have  four invalids here besides ourselves all elderly men three Virginians and one from Carlisle—The life we lead is so quiet we have not a single incident to note excepting that yesterday was so  Cold we could not keep ourselves warm—Write to me soon and believe me ever most / affectionately yours

					L C A.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 12 June 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Charles Francis

					My dear Son
					Washington 12. June 1824.

				Your Letters of 21. February and 6. April, have remained long unanswered—They are both upon Subjects important to your feelings and prospects, and therefore highly important to me—But independent of the occupations which press so heavily upon my time, the tenour of the first of them, written so soon after you had left us, required some deliberation from me to answer it in the Spirit of the kindest affection towards you, and at the same time of the most prudent regard for your welfare—I have been unwilling to tell you my thoughts on this occasion, because it was painful to me to say that which would give pain to you, and because I yet felt that it would be still more necessary for you, than for myself that I should say it—I have now received your Letter of the 1st. of this Month, and have considered its contents, and again attentively perused that of 21st. February—Your proposal that you should receive a Monthly allowance for the payment of all your Expenses would have been acceded to by me, had not the general purport of your remarks, and the specific sum mentioned by you, both appeared to me, to exact more than either my circumstances or your own reasonable wants could require—The sum being at least the double of my own expenses when placed in your situation, and nearly 50 per Cent more than had been required under the same circumstances in the Education of either of your brothers—I must yet pause, before assenting to that sum—But as you say you keep a regular account of your expenses, an extremely laudable practice, which of itself is a continual admonition to economy, I beg you to send me immediately an exact Statement of all your debts, specifying the full amount of each—and certified upon your honour—I shall first see what measure it may be proper for me to take, to provide for them; and after that we may further discuss your proposal for a specific periodical—say monthly allowance, and what it shall be—When this matter is settled, I will revert to your Letter of 6. April, asking advice for the further prosecution of your studies.Your Mother, with your brother John, and Mary Hellen, left me the 3d. instt. to go to the Bedford Springs in Pennsylvania—I have not heard from them since their arrival there—Johnson Hellen is with me on a kind visit, and cheers my Solitude.Your affectionate father.

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 June 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

				1.
					My dearest friend.
					Washington 12. June 1824.

				The day after your departure, Johnson Hellen came down from Rockville, and has been a pleasant companion to me till now. I rejoiced to learn from him that you had not suffered by the heavy rain that came on before you reached Rockville; and that you had proceeded to next Morning in health and good Spirits towards Frederick.But nine days have since passed away, and I have not a line either from you, or from John—I am reduced to hope you did not either of you mark the anxiety with which I requested both him and you to write me; even before you should reach Bedford; and immediately afterwards—I can hardly express the delight with which I should welcome two words from either of you—“All Well,”—are the words, and I would not ask for more.Johnson leaves me again to-morrow, and will be the bearer of this, enclosing a Letter for Mary Hellen, received from Quincy, and one from Charles for John; and also, one hundred dollars in U.S. Branch Bank Bills for you. He will tell you news passing here.—Be sure to stay as long as you shall improve in health, and if Bedford becomes wearisome, go wherever inclination or the prospect of health may invite you—your ever affectionate husband.

					John Quincy Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 16 June 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, George Washington

					My dear Son.
					Washington 16. June 1824.

				Mr Frink Roberts wrote me that General Jackson’s had made present to all his Sons; and I wrote him that I would instruct you to match them for me—If I understood him right, it was a silver half-dollar to each of them, and if so you must give them the same to match them—But you had better enquire of himself, and whatever the presents were, you must match them—You will take Mr W. Foster’s Letter as notice that he will quit, on the first of July, and will advertise the house to be let from that Time—I should have no objection to selling the whole of that Estate, and wish you to make enquiries what it would be likely to fetch.I approve of the plan upon which you propose to write your Oration for the 5th. of July; avoid all party feelings, and party controversies as much and as long as you can.Write me, what balance you will probably have at the close of this Month, for which I can draw upon you.This day completes a fortnight since your mother left me, to go to the Bedford Springs, for the restoration of her Health which has been exceedingly infirm the whole Winter. Your brother and Mary Hellen went with her—I have a Letter from her of the 11th. when they were all well—Johnson Hellen came and spent eight days with me since their departure; but is now gone to join them.Mr Webster will be returning home in a few days. /your affectionate father

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 17 June 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My dearest wife.
					Washington 17. June 1824.

				Since Johnson Hellen departed, last Sunday, I have been moping in Solitude; but the day after he went away, I was made light-hearted by the receipt of your two Letters of the 9th. and 11th. instt. which came together—I suppose Johnson is by this time with you; but I dont know whether that will stimulate or dispel John’s home sickness—The week from the time when you left me, was one of the warmest I ever experienced in Washington—The week that followed, including this day has been the coldest that I ever felt here in June.—I doubt whether Bedford itself has been much cooler.Last evening I spent partly at Dr Thorton’s, with a small party—The first time I had been from home since your absence.18. June Evening.I was not surprized, after receiving your Letters, at meeting at the door of our House, our son John, upon returning from my Office this day to dinner—and was delighted at the account he gave me of the effect of the waters upon your health and Spirits—As he met Johnson within a days reach of Bedford, you will have been, not more than one day without your attendant Cavalier—Mr Benton of Missouri called this morning to take leave; about to depart on his return home—The investigating Committee have gone through the taking of their testimony, and are to finish to-morrow.Your ever affectionate

					J. Q. Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 June 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					19-22 June 1824

				19 June—Although we have no variety to amuse us or nor any striking incidents to relate I must resort to my old practice of journalizing; and will begin, as I know your anxiety on the subject by stating, that I am a great deal better and resuming my usual tone of spirits—We all met at breakfast in a more social manner than common, and Mr Porterfield who is the quiz of the party was congratulating the other Gentlemen upon the encrease of their appetites when they retorted by rejoicing at the prospect of his soon acquiring strength enough, to ascend the Mountain; and exploit which he declares he will not undertake on foot—The laugh was much against him; as he is a very athletic rough Country Farmer to all appearance formed by nature for such undertakings—Dr Watson sat with us nearly an hour, and for the first time entered upon political topics—He spoke much of Mr. Baldwin who he says is perfectly adored in this part of the Country, and at Pitsburg. He says Baldwin was furious against the President for not appointing him to Mexico; declaring that it had been promised to him some time before his visit to Washington last Winter—Jackson is the popular Idol—An unfortunate accident occurred this afternoon one of the men employed in blowing rocks was much injured by a sudden explosion while in the act of placing the Match—his life is however not in danger and the injury not so great as was at first apprehended—Mr Morgan is much worse and Mr Porterfield talks of going for his Wife tomorrow—Col Bell is to send his Carriage to take us to Church & We played Bagatelle with Johnson and Mr. Foot who has become quite obseqious—20 Mr. Walsh seems to have made a ridiculous blunder in his paper, which will probably give rise to some biting jests from his opponents; more especially as he has been such a sharp critic upon the mistakes of other people—I am very glad to see that he handles the, Review so properly; as putting aside all feelings of personal animosity, the morality of that publication is detestable, and more than commonly pernicious coming from an old man who has filled such respectable stations—He has The Author has however published his own iniquity, and said worse of himself than any one can do for him—I must prepare for Church—Mr Buchanan who called on me with his Lady from Hagers Town, is to preah preach; and is said to be very eloquent—We prepared for Church and ascended the Carriage when a part of the Harness gave way and we were obliged to give up our trip, much to our regret and disappointment—Nothing has occurred worthy of Note through the day Mr Morgan is rather better but still very bad, and no hope of his recovery—Col Bell told us a pathetic story concerning Miss Chandler, and a Nephew of his who died of love for her; he, having been driven by her cruelty from his friends and home to the Western Country, where he soon ended his melancholy career—The Col was not sparing of his good wishes for the Lady’s future happiness with her present spouse—22 I am obliged to close my Letter immediately and can only say we continue well, and that I am as ever most affectionately yours

					L C Adams

					The paper is so bad that it blots—Mr Morgan it is thought will recover—Mr Foot has left us and Mr Clagget goes to day—We propose to leave this on Tuesday next—to meet the Carriage Town at Hagers Town—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 June 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					22-23 June 1824

				22 Notwithstanding I have just closed a sheet I shall continue to write, as I know however trifling my subject; you will be pleased to see that I am sufficiently recovered to be amused or interested by the little occurences which pass around me—Yesterday was a day of incessant rain and we were shut up in the House the whole day of course obliged to seek amusement in whatever shape it might offer Mr. Foot a young Lawyer from Virginia, not more than twenty who has  a pretty property independent of friends or Guardians; came here in quest of health, finding the place very dull he quitted us last Evening to return home He is a young man of very good natural abilities; but I suspect of very dissipated habits, and unsettled principles—Mr Porterfield says he will squander his fortune and Kill himself before he is thirty; which I think highly probable—he is above receiving advice, and possesses all the arrogant dogmatism so peculiar to the Virginia characters, blended with many amiable qualities—Mr Caruthers is a Pensylvanian of extremely mild unasuming manners, strong natural powers, not much cultivated by education—His history is a melancholy one. his father, Mother, Sister and brother having been poisoned by a young Woman, a resident in Carlisle in a fit of jealousy; who put arsenic into the butter at breakfast, which occasioned the death of the three former, and an incurable lameness in the latter, who is now an eminent Lawyer at Carlisle—Johnson takes great pleasure in conversing with him; more particularly as he has resided formerly in Carlisle, and is acquainted with many of this Gentlemans friends—He is full of annecdotes concerning the famous Judge Brekenridge; some of which are very good, denoting if not craziness at least extraordinary excentricity—Mr Claggett is a Virginia Farmer very wealthy, very indolent, excessively fond of the good things of this world, but very unwilling to produce them at any great expence of personal labour—his manners are remarkably mild and benevolent; and he appears the very emblem of good nature without possessing any great natural power of mind—He forms a striking contrast to his friend Mr Porterfield, who is shrewd and rough, with a quick discernment and considerable sharp coarse wit—a man of property and a Member of the Virginia Legislature—They are particularly attentive to their sick friend; being both Bachelors devote themselves to his sick bed; and spare his Wife the cares of attendance—Mr Morgan they think will recover so far as to be able to return home before he dies: but there is not much prospect of his ever being well—It is said he is an intemperate man, much given to profane swearing even on what we have thought to be his death bed—Mr. Clagget told us an excellent annecdote concerning a Roman Catholic and Clergyman and a Presbyterian Minister who met one another in the Street at Shepards Town. The Priest was carrying a saddle on his Shoulder, when the Minister stopped, and asked him what he had done with his horse? he answered that he was dead. Upon which the Minister said, he hoped he had said a Mass for him? the Priest replied that had been a useless ceremony, as the Horse had turned Presbyterian a few hours before he expired—22 Mr Clagget left us this morning but is to return in a week Mr Caruthers goes tomorrow and we shall be left almost alone—I wish you could come here for a few weeks as the Water is very beneficial in the complaint from which you have suffered so many years. Johnson brought word from Town that Mrs. Tod intended calling on me to day or tomorrow—the day has passed but she has not paid her visit—I received a Letter with a fine printed silk bill from a Mrs. Smith, requesting me to attend her Concert this Eveng I accordingly made arrangements to go; but could not procure a Carriage—Mr Morgan is much worse, but Mr Porterfield had a Carriage got ready but there came up such a heavy Cloud we would not venture—Mr Caruthers is to leave us tomorrow morning, and our company will be reduced to four—Dr Watson called this Evening and complimented me much of the change in my looks They say that this is the Jouvence of America; and if I believed all that people tell me regarding the change for the better which has taken place in my appearance I should be obliged to admit that these Springs had some of the attributes of that far famed fountain—but I much fear that notwithstanding all this flattery you must be content to find me still an old woman; with half if not all the ails and whimseys which are common to the Sex—If I only keep as well as I now feel, I shall be grateful to heaven and you for my restoration to comparative health—23 Mary was very ill all night in consequence of taking too much of the Water—Unfortunately she is so wilful that it is impossible to make her listen to reason; and I think that although it is probable she will in the end be much benefited by her experiment; it will probably be some days before she will be able to go about—Mrs. Morgan is expected tomorrow—Mr M. is again in a stupor and his death hourly anticipated—Mr Caruthers has delayed his departure Johnson is already in despair, and I fear will derive but little benefit from the Waters on account of his anxious nature—John prophecied correctly, for he is already taking Salts, and will probably soon take Calomel—If you have not sent the Carriage when this reaches you I believe I will delay my journey another week—It is cruel not to write us a line I have heard from you but once since I left you—Yours Ever

					L C Adams.


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 June 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

					Sir.
					Department of State. Washington 24 June 1824.

				In pursuance of a joint Resolution, of the two Houses of Congress, a copy of which is hereto annexed, and by direction of the President of the United States, I have the honour of transmitting two fac simile copies of the original Declaration of Independence, engrossed on parchment, conformably to a secret Resolution of Congress 19 July 1776, to be signed by every member of Congress, and accordingly signed on the second day of August of the same year. Of this Document, unparalleled in the Annals of Mankind, the original deposited in this Department exhibits your name as one of the Subscribers. The rolls herewith transmitted are copies as exact as the art of engraving can present of the Instrument itself, as well as of the signatures to it—While performing the duty thus assigned to me, permit me to felicitate you and the Country which is reaping the reward of your labours, as well that your hand was affixed to this record of glory, as that after the lapse of near half a century, you survive to receive this tribute of reverence and gratitude from your children, the present fathers of the Land.With every Sentiment of Veneration, I have the honour of subscribing myself, your Fellow-Citizen.

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 June 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					24-25 June 1824

				June 24 I closed a sheet last Eveng. to send you and was quite low spirited at not hearing from you or John—This Morning Mary and myself were gratified by the receipt of your packet which gave us an excellent appetite for breakfast and contributed largely to her recovery—I hope George will acquit himself handsomely on the fourth as I am sure it would gratify his Grand father very much—I am pleased to see that Mathews has behaved so well; more especially as I had noticed him while on his visit to our Country, which would have become a matter of reproach had he done otherwise; or as his Countrymen generally do—I have read his trip to America and can hardly conceive how so much nonsense, can give rise to so much mirth as his performance creates—but the very wisest of us like folly in some shape or other—We have been deprived of our exercise ever since Sunday for“The rain it raineth every day with a heigh ho” &c and I assure you our prospects are not embellished by it, as even the improvements which have partially occupied our attention, have ceased; and the melancholy jét d’eau, is the only thing which keeps its steady flow—and wearies us with its dull monotony—Mr Tod has not paid us a visit yet—He is a Yankee, who came here some years since without a dollar in his pocket, he has acquired by industry and an excellent moral reputation a handsome independence; and a high character and standing in the Town and County of Bedford—Johnson has ascertained that the Gentlemen of our party are all friends as well as the Doctor and it is whisper’d, that the late Representative is more so than it is prudent to avow—I like John’s plan so well, I think I will adopt it; and meet him at Hagers Town on the fourth of July—If he could engage a light Carriage for the journey it would save our horses, and the wear and tear of our own, which I think could not bear the test of these roads a second time—Mr Ware has one I understand which perhaps might be procured at a trifling expence, for two or three weeks.—We had one of the heaviest Storms in the Eveng of hail rain Thunder and Lightning I almost ever witnessed, and the Evening Night was quite Cold again—We have only been able to walk to the Spring once since last Sunday—Mr Morgan has been in his senses all day and quite composed—He talked of his approaching death with great calmness, and is perfectly resigned to his fate—It is melancholy to think that his Wife should come so unnecessarily only to see his Corps—Mr. Caruthers  left us to return home, and our table looked sadly diminished at supper time—25. Our small party met at breakfast and we learnt that Mr Morgan was much worse—Johnson looks better but he is too impatient, and evidently feret frets and frightens himself, because he imagines the Water does not produce so immediate an effect as he anticipated—He is in such a constant worry about something or other, that he actually makes himself sick for want of something to do—He has taken medicine since he has been here, and now proposes to take Calomel—His way of life and his unsocial habits are I believe the sole causes of his complaints—We have just had a great alarm, it being announced that Mr. Morgan was dying, which has occasioned a great bustle in the place—Mr & Mrs. Barclay Mrs Tod and Dr Watson—They have been sitting here nearly an hour—Both the Ladies appear to be unaffected pleasing women, and we chatted quite sociably—They have just left us after giving me a polite invitation to go and see them, which I told them I would certainly do if I could procure a Carriage—The weather still continues stormy and disagreeable, and I wish the time had expired for our stay, which I only prolong on account of Johnson as I do not like to leave him alone—The Doctor told us that Mr Caruthers was taken very ill in the Night, and had been obliged to postpone his journey—I send you this Letter because it will probably be agreeable to you to hear from us often. love to John from your affecte

					L. C. A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 June 1824 to 27 June 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					25-27 June 1824

				June 25. Johnson went to Town and on mountain mounting his Horse; the Beast trod on his foot and hurt him very much—26 He went to see Mr. Caruthers who was too ill to admit him—He is beginning to feel the effect of the Water which promises to be very salutary, and is in high spirits at the appointment of Dr. Watkins; I am very glad of it but could not help exclaiming poor Frye! He is also much rejoiced at the resignation of Judge Chase, which is to do wonders in that great Theatre of the World Rockville—This news was all gleaned from last nights Papers; and among the things that you are to go on to Boston, to Address the  Academy of Arts and Sciences—If this is true I wish you would let me know at what time you intend to go, as my return home may somewhat depend on it, being determined not to go to Boston and risque the fatigue of parties Til this Summer—Mr. Porterfield thinking Mary intended staying here with her brother; very kindly offered to take me as far as Shepards town to meet the Carriage—We took a warm bath yesterday for the first time—While in the bath we heard a violent explosion, and Mary observed to me that they must be blowing rocks again; but on coming out of the room we were informed that the Boiler in which they heat the water had burst, and occasioned the explosion—We went into Town to return the visits of Mrs. Tod and Mrs. Barclay; but owing to the difficulty of procuring a Carriage we arrived at one o clock the Bedford dinner time—Mr. Porterfield insisted on our taking Mr Morgans Carriage, which I did as I knew that it was absolutely necessary to return the visits—We returned to dinner an hour after the usual time—Mr Morgan has again revived, and there are again some faint hopes of his recovery—In the Evening we walked over to the Spring, and while there Mrs. Morgan arrived, and we had such a Scene as we it is impossible to describe—I have frequently heard of frantic grief, but I never saw such uncontrouble emotion, I am almost tempted to say such wilful extravagance—I did every thing in my power to assist her; but I soon perceived the thing must have its course, and retired—I am not I hope hard hearted, but I could not sympathize in such feelings which appeared to me to spring too much from selfish unruly passions; as her husbands sufferings had he been in a state to know what was passing, seemed to be very secondary considerations compared with the indulgence of her own violence; and I veryly believe many of the bystanders were more anxious for the effect on some of the bystanders assistants, than as to the consequences to the Lady herself—As the Hysteric fits lasted between four and five hours; precisely in the style of Pattys; all the persons who have been in the habit of attending her husband, were necessarily called off; and her Son a poor sickly boy of fourteen, and whose distress was deep and heartfelt; was left to mourn unpitied and unnoted in his fathers room—They gave her a pint of Brandy, and Mr Porterfield seemed to be accustomed to the thing and though very kind, handled her very roughly and apparently much to the purpose—Mr & Mrs. Bird a Lawyer & his Lady from Bedford came to pay me a visit—but I was too much engrossed with Mrs. M. to be conscious of the honour intended me—After we retired to our Drawing room, they came and sat with us half an hour; but would not be prevailed upon to stay tea to which I invited them—Mr. Page had been in Town all day—and finding us all in confusion when he returned, he sent immediately for the Dr., who soon arrived; and a composing draught which however was sometime before it took effect allayed the Storm, and set us all to sleep excepting poor Mr Porterfield—who passed the time between the Husband and Wife in really devoted attention; The more I see of this man the more I respect him for his kind and amiable heart, which and under the roughest possible exterior, appears to enshrine the best possible feelings—Mr Page informed us that Mr & Mrs. Mark Richards of Philadelphia, and Mr. & Mrs: Jones would dine here tomorrow—It is not vanity to say that I am one of the curiosities of the day—27 Our usual party met to day at breakfast, with the addition of young Morgan—Mr Porterfield told us that Mrs. M—— was quite composed, had seen her husband who knew her, and had conversed with her a short time—He is better again to day, and it is utterly impossible to foresee the event—He says he told her that they had given her a pint of Brandy last night; to which she answered they should have given her a quart—The Lad is handsome but looks very sickly—Mr P. was urgent for us to go to Church, but I felt weak and weary from my exertions of yesterday, and declined, the day being very warm—Among the annecdotes collected here; is a dismal account of the Wife of Judge Holmes of Virginia; who it seems is dreadfully addicted to the use of powerful stimulants—While under this influence she fell into the fire, where she laid some time it is said, unconscious of her situation and when picked up, half her Face was burnt to the bone. Can drink so deaden the faculties as to make us insensible to excruciating suffering? This to me is incredible! utterly incomprehensible!—I fear you will think my brain tediously prolific, and be wearied to death by my prolixity—but writing to you is one of my greatest resources, and draws us nearer together during our separation—added to which it is a faint proof of my return to health, and that the brain which has been so long as it were dried up by head ache; is once more in a state to resume its natural functions—I will close my Letter in the Eveng. Mr Richards is a violent partizan of Mr. Clay. If you intend going to Boston send John and the Carriage to me, and I will remain here a little longer, as the Dr is very earnest for me to prolong my stay—Dr Huntt had better tell Mrs. Greuhm to come here; I am sure she would derive the utmost benefit from the use of the waters; and you must tell Mr Addington that they are thought a cure for Dyspepsia—Govr. & Mrs. Findlay arrived at Bedford yesterday, he has a Liver complaint—A Mr. Crane of Baltimore is also there, but is coming to stay here on Tuesday. Govr Lloyd and family are to be here in the course of next Month—The Negro who attends Mr Morgan, informed Mr Page that his Lady had such fit for every trifle, and it was best to let her alone—The great dinner is over and a most tedious and disagreeable affair it has been—Mr Richards looks like a bon vivant of the Clay School; and Mr Jones is a dapper little Gentleman of much self importance; who the others were I cannot guess, but one was the supposed Candidate for Mr. Tods vacated seat in Congress. I think they said his name was Piper—As it is five o clock I must close my Epistle with love to John; and every good wish from your affectionate Wife

					L. C. A.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 June 1824
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					Washington 27. June 1824.

				Your journalizing Letters, my dearest friend, from the 18th. to the 23d. have been received—And are most of all welcome, for assuring me of your continued convalescence; and of the benefit you are deriving from the waters—In your Letter of the 22d. Tuesday, you ask that the Carriage should set out next Tuesday, to meet you at Hagerstown—But on the next day you speak of passing another week, at Bedford; by which I understand that you propose to leave there next Tuesday week, or the 6th of July,—If you determine otherwise, be sure to let me know when to send for you—Dr Huntt says the City is now uncommonly healthy but I am somewhat prostrated by the heat.The Committee of Investigation have reported, and are gone—Mr Edwards has resigned his appointment to Mexico—The President is gone to Loudoun, and Mr Southard to New-Jersey—Mr G. Sullivan has come back without his family from Boston—Commodore Porter has returned with his family from Matanzas—I believe I have told you all the news, except that of the death of Lord Byron—Bad as he was it struck me as a public calamity—What might he not have been, if he had properly applied his talents?—Mr Crawford’s health continues rapidly improving.Ever affectionately yours.

					J. Q. A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 June 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					27-30 June 1824

				27 I sent to know if Mrs. Morgan would see me but it was so late when I received an answer that I could not go—We took a long walk. Mr Morgan is again worse and it is now thought the melancholy news scene will soon be closed—28 Govr & Mrs. Findlay called with Capt Porter of Easton Pensylvania they sat an hour during which time the Govr was quite chatty and witty—Mr Porter asked if it was not expected that Mr. Baldwin would be appointed instead of Mr. Edwards who is universally condemned for his resignation the Governor said the State of Pensylvania was too much disliked in Washington to expect any thing from the Government—I said I had always understood it ranked very high—Capt Porter said it had lost a great deal in Congress when John Sergeant resigned to which I readily assented—The Governor said he was going to Pitsburg to visit his Brother but he expected to see it announced that he was on an electioneering expedition—Dr. Watson came this morning to see his patient and announced that the day would probably terminate his sufferings—He led or rather forced Mrs. Morgan into the air for a few Minutes; but on her return to the house, we had a renewal of the unpleasant scene before described, and a repetition of the same directions, and the same remedies—I postponed my visit in consequence until I was informed that she complained of my cruelty—The first interview of Saturday had so completely unstrung my nerves I was much indisposed, and scarcely fit for the undertaking—towards Evening I determined to go and as the visit was to be made in the poor dying mans chamber, I trembled with apprehension lest I should be overcome by a sight which I have never yet witnessed, more especially as I was labouring under one of my dreadful head aches—With terror I entered and as I feared was quite overcome by the dreadful agonies throes of the then agonized sufferer, who was even then in the agonies of dissolution, and the dreadful terrible rattling of the gasping breast, produced sensations which my courage failed to controul—In less than half an hour after the Poor Woman was conveyed to another apartment, as she too evidently disturbed the last fearful moments of her Husband; and at half past nine in the Evening he expired as if he had gone to sleep, without a struggle or a groan—It is the first time I have seen death in its most awful form; that is in the person of the father of a family, and a man in the prime of life and manly beauty—The night was passed in great distress by his poor helpless Wife; who says she has never known trouble or contradiction, and has never yet been called upon to curb her feelings in any situation—It is a fearful Lesson; and  loudly declares the necessity of impressing young minds early and strongly with Religion; for it is too awful to behold the hallow’d chamber of death, thus insulted by repinings, and presumptuous reproaches at that feat which has condemned us all to the same end—But enough on this painful theme, and may compassion obliterate the disagreeable reflexions caused by weakness, and the suffering of a subdued mind—All the elements appeared at War during this awful Tragedy; and the vivid forked Lightening; the heavy pealing thunder; the clattering hail and pelting Rain; constantly intermixed with the loud shrieks of the desolate widow; would afforded a subject worthy of the pen of Mathurin, and yielded horrors to his utmost satisfaction—and sent us to bed to dream of death and despair—29 As the Storm continued all night without intermission we found neither rest nor repose, and we met this morning with the unpleasant certainty, that we were again to be exposed to the view of evils which it was not in our power to soften, or mitigate to those whose loss had been so heavy—Immediately after breakfast I visited Mrs. Morgan who I found very low; but still under extraordinary excitement—She had taken 150 drops of Laudanum and the night before, and had just taken fifty more She was feverish and much oppressed—I endeavoured to soothe her; but soon found that her mind was not in a state to hear a word—I therefore talked of her Children, her acquaintance &c—and tried to prevail on her to take food but it was in vain, and I left her after about half an hour much more composed—When I rose to leave her she begged me to come and see her as often as possible, which I promised to do—An hour before dinner I sent to her again, and found her much better though still very low; and fed her with some Custard. She took but a very few spoonfuls, and pressed a very large dose of Red Lavender; saying that she had taken several glasses of Wine, which had soured on her stomach. She told me she had a liver complaint and that she had been confined six Months almost to her bed. I hinted to her that I thought her present remedies were too stimulating; but she said no, that it was astonishing how little nourishment she could bear and that she was always obliged to have recourse to the system she now pursued. While we were sitting there somebody mentioned the funeral; and I was in great terror least we should again be called upon to quiet her fits—She told me her sufferings were incredible, because she was not permitted to indulge her grief—but I tried to persuade her that so far from wishing not to indulge it, we all grieved with her—The best idea I can give you of what she calls indulging her grief, is Miss Oneale in the part of Mrs. Oakly; only with the addition of the most horrid exclamations about Gods injustice and cruelty in making her suffer such severe affliction. All the time, giving the most careful instructions as to what is to be done for her; and answering every observation that is made in the room in the most collected manner—With all this there is much of Methodistic Rhapsody; and it makes the strangest impression on the minds of the auditors, not by any means favorable to herself; besides keeping seven or eight person’s constantly employed in holding her—She kept quiet; as she begins to be afraid of me—and the bell rung for dinner, and relieved me from my uncomfortable situation for a short time. I determined not to go there again until after the funeral, which I attended; and accompanied the procession to the Grave; which consisted of all the respectable people of Bedford, among whom was Judge Tod. When we returned we found that Mrs. M. had indulged her feelings for the two hours we had been gone, and was again quiet—but I defered my visit for a little while, and then went and stayed with her until Tea time, when she talked very rationally and pleasantly, informing me that she was much relieved by the indulgence just mentioned—The Dr had visited her and I am told said she prescribed so well for herself, it was quite unecessary for him to leave any directions, and took leave—As she is to go tomorrow, I likewise took my congie partially; as I was fearful of saying that it was the last time we should meet, and indeed I did not think she would be able to go.30 We have got a new boarder a Mr. Crane from Baltimore a very respectable man—He came just in the midst of our tribulation, and is not of a character apparently to relieve the gloom of our party—Mr Porterfield went away with Mrs. Morgan and her Son this morning, and I really feel concerned to know how she will bear her ride, as she is evidently in bad health and much reduced since her arrival. She has been quite a Belle in her native Town, and is considered a leader of the ton—We are so quiet you might hear a pin fall, and Mr. Porterfield’s loss will be felt by us more than we can well express—As I do not expect any more événemens of any consequence; I shall not know what to write to you; and as we have no news we do not know what is to become of us—I forgot to mention a visit I received from an old man named Moses Guest of Cincinnati, who came to see me because I was your Wife. He forced Johnson to buy a book of his writing, full of the most ridiculous doggrel I ever saw: but he certainly thinks himself equal to Byron; and seems to mourn his loss as that of a Fellow Genius—He says you stand high in Ohio—Yours


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 June 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					29 June-2 July 1824

				29th June—The Eveng was very dull and Mr Crane though in all probability a very good man has not the talent of conversation; or rather of that kind of talk which animates and amuses—Johnson is evidently much better but still thinks himself very bad—His complaints are half of them imaginary in consequence of living too much alone—31 I believe I have gone back a day as I think I mentioned the departure of Mrs. Morgan in my last which took place on this day—In the Eveng we went into Town to return the visit of Mr & Mrs. Bird and sat about an hour. She is said to be a fine Woman but there is something so prim and old maidish about her she cannot rank among the agreeables—We were again cruelly disappointed at not receiving a line from home and are quite at a loss to know how to proceed—I have however concluded not to leave this until I hear from you—The Season is advancing rapidly and poor Mr Page who has been at great expence for the accomodation of his Guests is almost dispirited—In the Eveng we played Whist with Mr Crane—We called to know if Govr Findlay had gone and learnt that he had left Bedford for Pitsburg two days before—Col Bell who we saw told us he had been very ill and still continued quite sick—The weather has been intensely the Thermometer was at 88 in a place on which the Sun never strikes—You must have suffered much more than we did although I think in Vallies surrounded as these are by lofty mountains; the heat is of a very sultry; and confined nature; as there is little or no current of air to refresh us—The Nights however are cool as the Sun is lost to us at least half an hour or probably an hour earlier than with you, and we are surrounded by Trees—July 1st—About an hour before dinner a play Bill was brought me announcing the arrival of the company from Louisville—The performance is to commence with the Honeymoon, which appears to be a favorite piece to be played tomorrow night—Immediately after a family arrived from Anapolis. meeting Johnson on the Porch he told me it was Mr Brewer one of the Council of Maryland and a very influential man—He is a strong partizan of yours and was he says in hopes to meet you here—We have been informed that you were to join a great procession of Free Mason’s at Hagerstown with a variety of rumours equally probable—Poor Johnson is always in a fease about something when he is sick it is about himself and when better as he has no politics to talk it is about my appearance which distresses him as he does not think I dress well enough—This election has taken such a deep hold on his feelings that he is not aware how much it mixes in every thought and he suffers it too much to influence his actions—I have two or three times been almost affronted with him as I am too old to play the fool in this way—A black Gown which I have adapted for convenience is too unattractive—The Ladies added to our party are not likely to render our party us more gay on the contrary they are of that cast that operate as restraints having neither conversation or attractions of any kind—Again we were disappointed—No Letters—2 Dr Watson has just been talking politics at a great rate—He is very anxious to learn who is to be appointed in the place of Mr. Edwards—Johnson is violent against the poor man and though I never was friendly to Mr E—in this business it puts me in a passion to hear him—I know nothing about it but I think very little of what I have seen from the Committee—What had the President to do with it? I thought Congress must Act before it could go before him? Does not Congress always deliberate upon the Reports of Committee’s in common cases before these measures are considered lawful? These are perhaps silly questions but I cannot concieve how Congress could give such a power or how the President can act upon it—Mrs. Brewer told me last Eveng that while at Cumberland the people told her that they were much disturbed by a Ghost, and the Night before in the Village collected at the Mill race to see if they could find this Ghost. Nothing was to be seen but a Child was heard to cry distinctly by all—and the mystery was not elucidated while she staid—Another Romance of the Forrest—Johnson told us a good anecdote this morning at breakfast—A Lady at the Spring boasted that she had drank forty two tumblers of the Water before breakfast. a cold phlegmatic German who was standing by, told her that was nothing for a Cow had just drank three Gallons—There is something very indelicate in such experiments, and not very creditable to the Ladies—We were called to dinner, and the Ladies invited me to ride with them—Mrs. Barber told me she had lost a fine girl fifteen years of age, and that her health had never been good since—Her eldest Son is just married. he is Nineteen and his Wife seventeen—She says she could not prevent it, but she calls them her babies—Mrs. Brewer is an old Lady apparently very much out of health—She has never had any family—We are going to the chalebate chalebeate Spring which is said to be a remarkbly fine one—The Servants are busy decorating the Hall for the fourth—I have endeavoured to find out if they meant to make any bustle on the occasion, but I could not assertain any thing concerning it. Next Week I want to be off as I understand much company is expected—We are all well and I shall close this sheet of nonsense with the assurance of the constant affection of your Wife

					L. C. A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 July 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					2-5 July 1824

				2 July I must continue journalizing for want of something better to do as the time hangs heavily on our hands and we must do something to guard against that all devouring complaint ennui—While we were riding with Mrs. Brewer we met a Carriage going to the Springs with a fresh supply of company—We went to the Chalebrate Spring about two miles from Bedford and drank some of the Water which is strongly impregnated with Iron and some Salt and is so cold it is impossible to take a long draught of it—When we returned home we found our new acquisition consisted of a couple married only a week and we expected to be much annoyed by their fondness. As the Evening was pretty far advanced and they were tired we were agreeably disappointed—It is a Quaker family Mr & Mrs. Wistar Miss Lewis Sister to the Bride & Miss Morris Cousin to the Bridegroom. a Nephew of Dr. Wistar—Mr. Crane brought me a Letter from you which appeared to me not to be written in good spirits—3d We were all much affected by the Water  which we took last Eveng which appears to be too bracing—It is the most powerful tonic I ever tasted and perhaps the weather is too cold for it—Mrs. Barber a Lady who accompanies Mr. Brewer is quite sick—I believe however it is home sickness as she seems very restless—Mr Wistar and party are very pleasant people His Wife and Sister look as if they would not live six Months literally walking skeleton’s while his Cousin and himself carry rather an uncomfortable load of flesh on their bones—It is really a pleasure to look at them they are such a striking contrast to the meagre melancholy looking beings haunt the Springs beings who haunt  the Springs—Our Hall was decorated by the Servants with Evergreens in honour of tomorrow although we do not expect any celebration of the day.—Another arrival a Mr & Mrs. Dike from Stubenville in Ohio—Mr D. is from Beverly near Salem on his way to visit his father and introduce his Wife to his relations whom he has not seen for eight years. He is a greath Cloth Manufacturer and has some specimens said to be fully equal to the finest English. She is a very pretty intelligent little woman. The Quaker party seem disposed to be very friendly Johnson does not speak to the Ladies and we only see him at meals he has got his dose of Calomel and I much fear will derive no benefit from his visit to this place his mind seems to be too much depressed to admit of exertion he can talk of nothing but deseases and enquires the complaints of every one that comes. His time before he came as evidently been spent in the perusal of Medical books and if something is not done to throw him into an active situation his life will be the forfeit—I wish you had occasion for a bearer of dispatches to Europe for I do verily believe that might rouse him by forcing him into new scenes—I do not know that he would go—though he sometimes talks of a Sea voyage but  dreads the expence—Played Whist—4th. Mrs. Barber came down to breakfast but informed us that she had had a very bad dream which had produced a dreadful effect upon her nerves. She dreamt that she saw her Son run until he got himself into a great perspiration and she was so overcome that she determined to keep her chamber the rest of the day and go home to morrow notwithstanding Mr. Brewer wishes to stay as he things the waters are of great service to him. I certainly have had a fine opportunity of observing the amiable weaknesses of my Sex and unfortunately I have discovred that these amiable weaknesses always are the result of the most selfish motives—She is a rigid Methodist—Mr Brewer is likewise a Methodist—Mrs. B. says that wherever he went he endeavoured to produce an impression for his favorite Candidate—Some of the party went to Church I declined not having felt well since I received your Letter which has produced considerable uneasiness in me notwithstanding I see nothing in it which can admit of positive interpretation of sickness or sorrow—I drank Johns health at dinner but the day passed heavily. Dr Anderson the owner of all the property round here dined with us He lost his Wife about two years since and his habits in consequence have injured both his health and his property and his reputation. He is a fine looking man—5 The morning being very rainy we were at a loss what to do with ourselves and we retired our apartments to doze away the time until dinner time. It was so cold we were almost tempted to have a fire—In the afternoon Mr Wistar Miss Morris and Mary took a ride He say’s he is tired to death and they remind me continually of the French after puis rien de trop un dix jours du marriage—In the Evening Mrs. Wistar went to bed at seven o clock one hour earlier than usual upon which Mr Crane remarked the Gentleman must have almost too much of sweets—The paper announces to us that you have had a terrific Storm which has done much injury—There is an Article in the Philadelphia Gazette concerning the Edwards affair that appears to me to be more correct in its conclusions than any thing I have yet seen—Neither of the Gentlemen can be said to be satisfactorily acquitted of the charges brought against them and as it regards veracity I cannot think there is a pin to chuse—That they have proved Mr E——ds C wrong is not exactly proving that Mr. C. right—He has recovered his health very suddenly after the settlement of this business—Mr. W—— seems to be very thourourghly understood and appreciated—Our Dr says there is but one man in this whole County who thinks the award of this Committee just—And the Judge who is a man of great  discretion gives it as his opinion that the charges brought against the higher party were not only true but that the motives for assisting the Banks were obvious—I fear you will think me indiscreet for mentioning these subjects but as I never talk politics with any one I shall not be suspected of writing them—I am very anxious to get home and am hourly in expectation of John and the Carriage—Edwards has proved himself no stickler for truth—Ever Yours


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 July 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Washington Bedford 3d July 1824

				Mr Crane brought me your Letter last Eveng from Bedford but although I was rejoiced to receive it I fancied either that you were not well or that your spirits were not so good as usual—I hope I was mistaken or that it was only a momentary depression occasioned by the heat—John writes that you have been unusually harrassed by business and I am glad to learn that the President is gone as I hope you will now have a little more leisure—I am afraid I have wearied you with my scrawls I shall therefore make my letter short requesting that the Carriage may be sent for me in soon after you receive this should it not have left Washington previously as company is arriving fast and the place has lost its charm—A new married couple arrived from Philadelphia last evening accompanied by two young Ladies and a Lady and Gentleman from the West—If John is at home and should come for me tell him I wrote to him at Hagers Town addressed to Mr. Stulls Tavern desiring he would come to Bedford as I cannot procure a Carriage and the is too rough—Is there a new appointment to Mexico? who is it? is the question every body asks—Some say the P. will give it to one of Mr C——s friends by way of making up the Edwards affair—I dont see why he should meddle with it—Ever affectionately Yours

					L. C. Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 July 1824
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

					11-13 July 1824

				11 July. This day we celebrated and drank the health of my best friend accompanied by every good wish for his future happiness Dr Watson and several Gentlemen dined with us but I did not mention your name to them or give publicity to the occasion—Our company encreases fast we have a Mrs. Dawson Mrs. Lyons an old Lady who came ninety Miles on horseback and a Mr. Baily from Newington Pensylvania and a Mr. Morse from Philadelphia. Mr Tucker an Auctioneer who lived in Washington is also here and a Mr. Sprigg from Montgomery an acquaintance of Johnson’s Mr & Mrs. Wistar have been detained in consequence of the illness of Miss Lewis—In the afternoon I walked over to the Spring and observed some Ladies sitting under the Shed—Supposing them to be some of our party I took no particular notice of them but when we met at Supper I found it was Mrs. Way and her Husband and that she had tried to overtake me but had not succeeded I regretted the circumstance very much but could not help it—We have looked for John all day but in vain—12 It set in for Rain last night, very heavily and this morning the weather is insupportable—This day at breakfast we had an addition to our company a friend of Mr Rankin by the name of Barclay from Philadelphia—Two or three of the Ladies are sick and we are all very gloomy—a Mr. Madeira from Philadelphia on his way to Cincinati dined with us he is I believe a born Quaker full of life and vivacity but it is a queer mixture—Yet why should not thee & thou suit frivolity as well as I and you—to my ear however it certainly does not but there is something very sweet in this style of conversation—In the Evening Genl. Striker of Baltimore arrived with his two daughters—The poor old Gentleman is I fear in a bad way and I sincerely pity the Girls who are alone with him so far from home. He is dying of a Dropsy in the Chest the consequence of a severe bilious fever and he almost immediately told me he knew his case to be desperate—It is awful to see two young and helpless females exposed to such a calamity and I cannot help taking a great interest in their situation—They have selected a very improper apartment for their father and I have taken the liberty of speaking to them on the subject but could not prevail on them to change it—two or three persons have fallen sick to day in consequence of the wet weather which is very sensibly felt by us all—Had some conversation with Mr Barclay who turns out to be an old acquaintance of my Brothers—Mr. Rankin keeps himself much aloof and we seldom meet—Still no John—I am determined I will not make myself unhappy about it—13 With some difficulty I have prevailed upon the Miss Strickers to accept of my chamber for their father as I could not bear that the poor old man should remain in the damp place which they had selected added to which they were too far from assistance in case of accident—all our invalids are better and the weather is at last clearing up. We are still looking impatiently for John—The Quakers are obliged to stay as one of their Horses are almost killed by the journey and their Coachman had a violent attack of Ague last night—The Bride is so devoted to his Sister that the Groom has lost his bed fellow and he looks blacker than thunder and this is much such a honey moon as common without much prospect of this pair obtaining the flitch of Bacon. The melange of company at these Springs is truly diverting but we have hitherto been fortunate in having no bad tempered people to plague us—Mr. Morse affords considerable amusement—He informs us that he is almost dead of dyspepsia and he is without exception the greatest gourmand I have ever met with. Yesterday I was requested not to rise so early from Table as this Gentleman never could get half as much to eat as he wanted—If the Waters are not beneficial he intends to try a sea voyage a thing  which I should be tempted strongly to recommend to give him the chance of emptying his Stomach as I should imagine there was no hope of a cure until this great point could be accomplished—It is quite a matter of astonishment to see so many Philadelphians here This place never having been much resorted to by persons from that City—The Roads are so bad between this and Berkly I think it is probable I shall change my mind and Ride somewhere else but I have not decided what course yet to pursue—I close this that you may hear from us and not be uneasy—