Title: John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 May 1798
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dear Mother.
            Berlin 4 May. 1798.

          I have a day or two since received your favour of 10. Feby: by which I perceive that my last Letters from London, had reached you, though I know not what was the fate of several that preceded them, and none of those which I wrote from this place had come to hand. I have not however since my arrival here been altogether negligent, and I hope that before this time you have received the proofs of it.— I have always endeavoured not only to make my correspondence frequent but as expeditious in the conveyance as possible. For this however I have never been well situated, and at this time am worse so than ever. The circumstances of the times too render an unusual degree of caution necessary.— I propose for the future not to sign my letters as you will know very well from whom they come: nor to name any date of the place except in case of removal.
          My wife has received letters from her mother and brother of 19. January, the latest we have from America, excepting this last of

your’s. She is now thanks to God, in good health, as well as my brother.
          It is probable that before this letter can reach you, Mr: Marshall will have returned home. Genl: Pinckney would have done the same, but for the illness of his daughter, which has induced him to go to the South of France, where he has a permission to remain only one hundred days. Mr: Gerry stays behind alone!— It would not perhaps become me to give all my sentiments upon this extraordinary measure, as I have not heard from himself upon what grounds he thought it justifiable.— Of this however I am confident. He will gain nothing for his Country by staying. There is not a Nation upon Earth with which France has chosen to differ, but she has degraded and oppressed in making arrangements of settlement.— She has indeed deeply injured her enemies, but she has utterly and irretrievably ruined her friends.— If Mr: G stays to put his hand to such a Treaty as was forced upon the Batavian and Cisalpine Republics, or to subscribe to such terms, as the unhappy Swiss have been compelled to submit to, he stays to the unspeakable misfortune of the American Union; if it is only to protract an unavoidable rupture untill the time shall exactly suit the Directory, and to keep the United States in that state of listless impotence, which will soon make them the fable of Europe, they will have little reason to be satisfied with his obsequiousness to their implacable enemies.— One thing in my own mind is clear as a midday Sun.— Under the present Rulers of France, no settlement of our affairs there consistent with our national honour and safety can be made. Mr: G. ought long since to have been unequivocally certain of the same thing; and if he was, he is much to blame for such a desertion of his colleagues, and for throwing out such a new apple of discord in the midst of his countrymen, the People of America.— The policy of temporising, will not answer with men of such character as those with whom he has to deal. It was tried by Venice, by Genoa, by Geneva, but most especially by the Swiss Republics— They trusted to professions of friendship, and gave up one point of controversy after another, without making adequate preparations for defence, until the enemy was at their very gates.— What has been the consequence: they were left only the option of accepting a Constitution made for them at Paris simply without alteration or amendment, or of defending their Independence by force of arms.— They fought, but it was too late— Their antagonist had palsied all their strength by division, and to complete the conquest had only to butcher some thousands of their

People.— The victory has been followed by every species of tyranny, of depredation and oppression. The only free and happy Country in Europe, has been turned into a field of desolation, wretchedness and servitude slavery, forced to take the mockery of a Constitution made for them at Paris, and to hymn the deadly gloom of their servitude as the new dawn of their freedom.— After such an example as this, a Citizen of a free Republic, who places any sort of dependence upon the generosity or Justice of France must be the veriest dupe on Earth, and cannot even claim the privilege of ignorance or stupidity.
          The expedition against England which has so long been threatened, is yet unattempted, and by many People it is yet a doubt whether it ever will be. You will see much in the public Papers about a great armament upon the mediterranean, principally at Toulon, and the numerous conjectures as to its destination.— Egypt, Greece, Sicily, or Portugal.— General Buonaparte who has been appointed to the supreme command of all the forces both by Land and sea, employed against England is said now to be gone to embark at Toulon, and his wife goes with him.— Toulon is by no means in the direct way towards England, and so they say that Buonaparte and his army are going to Egypt; to cut a canal between the mediterranean and the red sea. Then to march over land and attack the british settlements in India— But extravagant as the undertakings of the french Republicans are, this report is ridiculous.— Others say that the object is to reestablish the Grecian Republics; this would easily be effected, but in that Country there is little plunder, and therefore few inducements for the great Nation to carry its fraternity to them. The island of Sicily or Portugal may be more inviting. But time only can decide.
          Since the definitive Peace between Austria and France, the Directory had sent General Bernadotte as their Ambassador to Vienna.— On the 13th: of last month, he fixed a three coloured flag in the balcony of his house.— The People of Vienna were not accustomed to such a sight— A large crowd of People gathered round the house and insisted upon its being taken away. Upon the refusal of the Minister, they pulled down the flag and burnt it in the street, broke the windows of the house; broke into it, and destroyed the furniture and carriages of the Ambassador. It was several hours before a large body of troops could disperse the mob. Two days after, Bernadotte left Vienna, and is now waiting for further orders from his Government, at Rastadt.
          In England every preparation has been making to meet the case of an invasion, and it is generally wished by the friends of the

Government that the attempt may be made. Several members of the opposition in Parliament have declared their determination to give all their support to the Ministry upon this occasion; the overpowering influence of the public opinion appears to have forced this measure upon them. The Habeas Corpus act is suspended, and great numbers of suspected persons have been imprisoned. Several are now upon trial for treason. All Ireland has been declared in a state of rebellion and put under martial Law.— But you will undoubtedly have English-news, more directly from that Country, than I can give them you, at this distance.
          This Country is in a state of perfect apparent tranquility, though rumours of approaching War are freely circulated.— I believe them unfounded. There is an army of two hundred thousand Men, always on foot here, and they are now ready to march at a week’s warning.
          I have written to you heretofore, how much of our time was indispensably engrossed by the necessity of frequenting the continual rounds of Court company. This inconvenience is now over for this Season, and we are left as much to ourselves as we desire. The king and queen are at Potsdam, about twenty of our miles from this City, and will not return to reside here untill the Winter.— The king is to go on the 25th: of this month for Prussia (here you know, is the electorate of Brandenburg) to receive what is called the homage of his subjects there. He is to return here for the same ceremony by the last of June, and spends the remainder of the Summer at Charlottenburg, about three miles from Berlin.
          I wrote you some time ago, proposing a mode whereby I could place in safety my library, which is now at Lisbon, causing me constant expence for storage; I cannot send for it to come here, for the voyage would be as long and more dangerous than to America; and by the time of its arrival I should have to pack it off again.
          Mr: Pitcairn is now at Hamburg, and you may safely direct to him any Letters for me, which upon receiving, he can forward by the Post every day. You can also enclose letters for me under cover to Mr: Bourne at Amsterdam from whence the Post is only five days coming here. I will thank you to mention this circumstance to my brother Charles from whom I have not heard these many months.
          I am your ever affectionate Son.


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 7 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

            my dear sister
            Philadelphia May 7th 1798

          mr Black got here on thursday night. I was rejoiced to see him. it seemd next to being at home. I yesterday received your Letter of April 29th. I had heard before both of Sukys’ death and my dear little Mary’s. I felt hers the more sensibly, because she was more endeared to me from having been more with me than either of the other Children. my Heart is grieved for mr & Mrs smith who for this month past have seen one continued scene of affliction from the repeated Bereavements of Friends, and Relatives. if any thing can effectually wean & detach us from this world, it is the loss of those who render Life pleasent and agreable to us. yet we are apt to cling closer to those which remain, and Even What are call’d Mrs Thrails three warnings in her dialogue between death and Man, are insufficent too frequently to find us ready to depart, loss of Limbs, loss of sight & loss of Hearing— I recollect my Mother once Said to me after she was Eighty four years old, I really believe if I was now sick, I should want to get well again— so strong a principle is the Love of Life, if it was not for the sure and certain hope of a superiour state of existance beyond this transitory scene of Noise Bustle pain & anxiety—We should be of all beings the most misirable— The Present state of the world exhibits in the Revolution of France one of the most astonishing spectacles ever acted upon the stage to scourge the Nations of the Earth. Voltair Predicted that Popery should be overturnd by Atheism.— what is to be our future Lot, and destiny, remains to be unfolded— I hope we may still Continue to be “that happy people saved of the Lord” that we were sinking into a state of Langour of Supineness of Effimanancy & Luxery is but too evident from our Standing in need of such severe & repeated Scourging to arouse us to a sense of danger; and to compell us to rise in defence of our Religion our Liberties & independance. We are to day at 12 oclock to have a moveing and stricking spectacle, no less than between 7 & 8 Hundred young Men from 18 to 23 in a Body to present an address— upon this occasion the President puts on his uniform, and the whole House will be thrown open to receive them. a number of Ladies will be present upon the occasion with me. the address and replie will appear in the paper and I will send it you—
          I was pleasd with mr Nortens choice of a Text for the Subject of

his Fast Sermon. Peter I see in his paper of Saturday has been thinking upon the same subject that Man is a very extraordinary Creature. when he pleases he writes admirably, and is the greatest Scourge of the french Faction which they have in the Country. his shafts are always tipt with wit, and his humour is such as frequently to excite more of good than ill.
          I inclose to you a number of Letters from my son’s; Some I have sent for mrs Johnson to read, who has not yet received any Letters. mrs Johnson in her last Letter writes me, that mr Johnson had invited mr Cranch to come to George Town and take an office vacant by the death of a mr Cook a Nephew of mr Johnsons. she says mr Johnson had put all his papers into mr Cranchs Hands. I hope mr Cranch will find in mr Johnson an alleviation for the loss of mr deakings. has he written you any thing upon the subject? mr Greenleaf has liberty to go out daily which he does. he may be attended by an officer, and I believe he is—but his confinement is not close as it was— I have ever been an advocate for his intentions, but it is very hard for those who are smarting under the presure of a loss of all they possesst, and that without the least beneifit derived from him, to be reduced with their Families, from affluence, to poverty and indigence, to refrain from bitter reflections, and imputations inconsistant with candour and a confidence in the integrity of his heart. I never knew untill this week, that our Friend mr Smith of Boston was a looser by him to the amount Eighteen thousand dollors— do not however mention it to mr Smith, as he never hinted the thing himself to me— What a Besom of destruction is this Spirit of Speculation?
          I hope our people will proceed with the buildings as tho I was to be at Quincy the beginning of June. I regreet as the Roof is raised that the building was not continued the whole length of it, but the dr did not think of so extensive a plan, any more than I did at first, and the plan which he writes that he inclosed, to me never came to Hand— let me know how it progresses— have you got the Box I sent to Betsy? the weather has been as Hot for this fortnight past as it was last year in June. the Country looks delightfull. I ride almost every day and enjoy it. I fear we shall be detaind here much longer than I wish. I would have the building painted a stone coulour, and I hope the dr poor man if he is able will have the out side of the House painted over white as it now is, but it wants a new coat— I wish the dr would try calomil upon himself. I have a great opinion

of its efficacey. return me the Letters as soon as you have read them— Love & respects to all inquiring Friends from Your / affectionate sister

            A Adams


Title: William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 May 1798
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dear Madam
            Annapolis May 8th. 1798

          It has not been from want of the most affectionate Respect that I have suffer’d your kind letter by Mr. White to remain so long unanswer’d. The sickness and death of a late worthy friend of mine, Mr. James Cook of Georgetown, and the business which has fallen into my hands in Consequence of that Event, have occupied my whole attention and must be my apology. Mr. Cook was about my Age, and was the only native young man of this Country with whom I had form’d any degree of friendship. He was Nephew to Mr. Joshua Johnson, and to the late Govr. Johnson, and of Course his Connexions were extensive and respectable. His great industry fidelity and attention to Business, without any very Briliant talents had thrown an uncommon share of business into his hands, & he was in a fair way of making a rapid fortune. His fees for the last year could not have been less than 3 or 4 thousand dollars. Two days after his Death I call’d on Mr. Johnson to pay my respects, which a variety of accidents had obliged me to delay till that time— On mention of the death of Mr. Cook, Mr. Johnson said he did not know, among all his acquaintance any suitable person to supply his place. Mr. Ray, who was present, mentioned my intention of immediately taking an office in Georgetown, to which Mr. Johnson replied that it was a very good opening, But that I must move into Georgetown, if I expected to get any of the Business. Nothing more pass’d at that time, but on the next day Mr. & Mrs. Johnson came to my house— Mr. Johnson took me out to walk, and then told me he had come on purpose to ask me whether I had determined to move into Georgetown. I told him I had, provided I should go with the full approbation of Mr. Cooks friends, & that I had sent an express to Govr. Johnson & Mr. Thos. Cook, with letters to them on the subject. He then said he came to tell me that no time was to be lost, but I must go into town instantly, & that if I did so he would put all his business into my hands, which was considerable—that he consider’d our families as connected, and that it was his wish to see me succeed in my profession, and at the same time brought me an Account to be put in suit upon immediately.— I mention these things to shew how friendly Mr. Johnson has been & because it is undoubtedly oweing to your friendly kind representations, that he has taken an interest in my affairs. As soon as Mr. Thos. Cook came into town, I found him very

well disposed to assist my views, and I instantly agreed to take the office his Brother lately occupied and to purchase his Library and office furniture, and he agreed to get me as much of his late Brothers Business as he could, and that I should take the general Charge of all his unfinished Business. In Consequence of this I took immediate possession of the office and wrote circular letters to the principle Clients of Mr. Cook, informing them of his death and assuring them that their Business should not be neglected and that if they thought proper to continue it under my Care it should be attended to with diligence & fidelity. By these means I have secured a considerable part of the Business, and there will be a good deal more which will devolve to me in Consequence of the Clients not employing any one else. As soon as I return from Court I shall move my family into Georgetown.— Mr. Cooks Law-Library, consisting of 322 volumes mostly folio’s, is as good as any, if not the best, in the state. It was collected by Govr. Johnson, and has been considerably augmented by Mr. Cook. It cost me only $500, and is paid for, by Mr. Ray’s notes, who owed me that sum, so that if Mr. Ray pay’s his notes, which he is abundantly able to do, I shall be totally exonerated. I have taken an Account of the first Cost of the Books in London 30 years ago, by a Catalogue in my possession and find it to amount to upwards of $900. In consequence of my purchasing the library entire, I have duplicates of several books, which I can easily dispose of.— This with what I purchased in Philadelphia, will make a very complete Library, and put me on an equality in that respect with my Brethren at the Bar. A few months ago Mr. Luther Martin the Attorney Genl. of this State, appointed Mr. Cook prosecutor for the State in the County Courts of Montgomery and Frederick. The Emoluments of the office were considerable, perhaps a thousand dollars per Annum. I have had some acquaintance with Mr. Martin & he has discover’d a good Disposition towards me;— One of my motives for wishing a letter from the President to Mr. Carroll, was, that it is possible through him my name might be mentioned to Mr. Martin, in a general way; such as to say he should be glad Mr. M, would give me such Countenance & support at the Bar as he should find me to deserve; or something of that kind not looking too particular.— and that Mr. M. may know something of my Connexions Education & habits of life, & that he may know I have removed out of Prince Georges County into Montgomery County, & have taken Mr. Cooks office & business &c.— As the President is not personally acquainted with Mr. Martin, I am obliged to try this roundabout way.—

          I am much obliged to you for the pamphlets you was so kind as to send me by Mr. White.— Peter’s Judge afforded us a good deal of Amusement. The promptness which the President display’d in sending to Congress the Instructions and dispatches, & the public disclosure of their Contents, have silenced the voice of faction, every where, but in Congress, and have excited an Enthusiasm in favour of the measures of Administration, and indignation against France.
          I am delighted with the manners of Mrs. Johnson. So much spirit and so much gentleness are rarely united. Mr. Johnson seems cool, collected, and decided—a most valuable friend or a dreadful Enemy— I hope to know him only as the former.
          Mrs. Cranch and her Children were well this morning. Richd. was inoculated for the small pox about 4 days ago, and it seems to have taken well, but he is going to have more teeth, which I am fearful may render the Disease troublesome.
          I know not what to think of my father’s selling his farm. It seemd to be a comfort to him, and a kind of security from absolute want, the loss of which I am afraid will [. . .] him anxious.— I have not yet written [to my] Parents respecting my late movements [be]cause I wish’d in some measure to ascertain the degree of Influence they might be expected to have upon my Affairs. It will give them great pleasure to know that my prospects brighten, and that I have purchased & paid for so good a library.
          I am sorry to hear that your son T. B. A, & Mrs. J. Q. A. have been ill. Mrs. Johnson is very anxious to receive letters from her daughter.—
          I am, Dear Madam, most respectfully and / affectionately your obliged Nephew

            W. Cranch.


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 10 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

              my dear sister
              May 10th 1798 Philadelphia

            Rumour at a distance magnifies, and seldom reports truth. I have not written you a word upon a subject which I know would have made you at least very uneasy. about three weeks ago, a Letter was sent, or rather brought here of a sunday Evening by two young women of the City, one of whom said passing the House a few day before She took up a paper in a small alley which runs between our house & our Neighbours. it was wet by lying at the Edge of a gutter which passes through the passage. the Girl finding it in this way opend the Letter, and read it, but being allarmd at the contents knew not what to do. her mother who was absent at the Time, returning & finding what she had done, directed the Girl to bring it herself & relate the circumstances. the purport of the Letters was to inform the President that the French peeple who were in this city had formed a conspiracy, with some unsuspected Americans, on the Evening of the day appointed for the fast to sit fire to the City in various parts, and to Massacre the inhabitants intreating the President not to neglect the information & the warning given, tho by an Annonimous Hand, signd a Real tho heretofore a misguided American. the President conceived it to be an incendary Letter written to allarm & distress the inhabitants. an other Letter of the same purport was sent ten days after, thrust under the door of mr Otis’s office. these with some Rumours of combinations got abroad, and the Mayor Aldermen &c kept some persons upon the watch through all parts of the City, & the Govenour gave orders privately to have a troop of Horse in case of need. the Young Men of the city as I wrote you, on Monday to the amount of near Eleven Hundred came at 12. oclock in procession two and two. there were assembled upon the occasion, it is said ten thousand Persons. this street as wide or wider than state street in Boston, was full, as far as we could see up & down. one might have walk’d upon their Heads—besides the houses window & even tops of Houses. in great order & decorum the young

men with each a black cockade marchd through the Multitude and all of them enterd the House preceeded by their committe, when a young Gentleman by the Name of Hare, a Nephew of Mrs Binghams read the address— the President received them in his Levee Room drest in his uniform, and as usual upon such occasions, read his answer to them, after which they all retired. the multitude gave three Cheers, & followd them to the state House yard, where the answer to the address was again read by the Chairman of the committe, with acclamations they then closed the scene by singing the new song, which at, 12 oclock at night was sung by them under our windows, they having dinned together or rather a part of them; this scene burnt in the Hearts of some Jacobins and they determined eitheir, to terrify, or Bully the young men out of their patriotism. Baches publishd some saussy pieces, the young men resented and he would have felt the effects of their resentment, if some cooler Heads had not interposed. yesterday was observed with much solemnity the Meeting Houses & churches were fill’d. about four oclock as is usual the state House Yard which is used for a walk, was very full of the inhabitants, when about 30 fellows, some with snow Balls in their Hats, & some with tri coulourd cockades enterd and attempted to seize upon the Hats of the young men to tear out their cockades a scuffel ensued when the young men became Conquerors, and some of these tri coulourd cockades were trampled in the dust. one fellow was taken, and committed to Jail, but this was sufficient to allarm the inhabitants, and there were every where large collections of People. the light Horse were call’d, out & patrold the streets all Night. a Gaurd was placed before this House, tho through the whole of the Proceedings, and amidst all the collection, the Presidents name was not once mentiond, nor any one grievence complaind of; but a foreign attempt to try their strength & to stire the inhabitants if possible was no doubt at the bottom. Congress are upon an Allien Bill. this Bache is cursing & abusing daily. if that fellow & his Agents Chronical, and all is not surpressd, we shall come to a civil war I hope the Gen’ll Court of our state, will take the subject up & if they have not a strong sedition Bill, make one— Before I close this I shall send to the post office
            Quincy address and a Letter from Brother Cranch News papers but not a line from my sister. well I trust the next post will bring me some;
            I must now close my Letter or the post will be gone. the Nurse & childern and Nabby Hunt are all going on Board this morning. Nabby

holds me to my word that I would let her go home this Spring. no difficuly or uneasiness on either part. she is wrong for herself— I have given her a dollor pr week ever since she has been with me paid her doctor, and she is now going to ——— she will find the difference. I suppose she thinks she may get a Husband—at home. here there is no chance— your ever affectionate

              A. Adams—

            mr Black was here & well to day—


Title: George Cabot to Abigail Adams, 11 May 1798
From: Cabot, George
To: Adams, Abigail

            Dear Madam
            Brookline May 11th. 1798—

          I feel too sensibly the obligations you have laid me under by the letters you had the goodness to write on the 3d & 4th.— they deserve a better return than it is possible for me to make; while I can only offer the effusions of a grateful heart I see too plainly that those alone wou’d not be acceptable— you require a Serious engagement on my part which I am forbidden to make by motives that cannot be resisted.— it is impossible for me to make a different determination & yet it is with infinite pain I declare it.—
          no one can estimate more highly than I do the importance of a naval force as connected with the safety of our commercial property & as forming an essential ingredient in the national Defence— if the restless ambition which is destroying Europe shou’d bring us visitors we ought to be prepared to receive them on our coasts & to take advantage of those accidents to which all Fleets are liable, but the creation arrangement & direction of a force for this purpose cannot proceed from feeble hands— if my friends cou’d have endowed me with the requisite energies, I wou’d have made every sacrifice to the public service, but you must allow me to judge exclusively on this point & I will always yield every other.—
          Mrs. Cabot desires to be rememberd with every sentiment of esteem & respect in which I pray to be united.—
          I remain Dear Madam / Your most humble & obliged servant

            George Cabot.


Title: Hannah Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1798
From: Adams, Hannah
To: Adams, Abigail

            Madam
            Medfield May 12th— 1798.

          My knowledge of your condescension and goodness emboldens me to address you at present. I have at length prepared my History of New-England for the press, in which I have mentioned your

illustrious partner as one of the first and most active promoters of the declaration of Independence. I have given a sketch of his speech on that important occasion from Ramsay. the whole is not inserted in any of the Histories of the American Revolution. I should be exceedingly gratified could I publish it entire, this induces me to request that you Madam, would be so good as to mention my desire to the President, and, if he could find time, amidst a variety of important avocations, to faver me with the speech for publication, it would lay me under the highest obligations. I wish to make the public sensible that the same illustrious character who is now engaged in supporting the dignity and independence of the United States was the most active instrument in procuring our emancipation from Britain.
          I would also request information respecting the share the President had in forming the Federal Constitution.
          I expect my book will be put to the press on the 16th of May, this induces me to request the faver of early entilligence on the above mentioned subjects.
          Be pleased, Madam to present my profound respects to the President. My desire of contributing one mite to the just tribute of praise from a grateful country will, I trust, exculpate me from arrogance in this address.
          I have the honer to be with the highest sentiments of admiration and esteem, / Madam, / Your much obliged, / and very humble servant.

            Hannah Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, 13 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Greenleaf, Lucy Cranch

              My dear Neice
              Philadelphia May 13. 1798

            If I have not written to you my dear Neice it is not because I have not frequently thought of you, through the winter. your good Mother has often informd me of your Welfare and that your little Girl was well. I have sent by mr Black a little token of my Remembrance to her, not because I thought you had not pretty things in Boston, but merely that she might have a slip of my giving her, if she is in short coats, and what I send would make two, with the addition of half a yd more, pray inform me and I will procure it. mr Black goes from hence this morning it has been a Great pleasure for me to see him, both as a friend and Neighbour. I hope he will get the little orphan safe Home it will not then suffer for those it has lost.
            I mourn with you & with all who knew, your Faithfull, Learned good and Benevolent Pastor, Your loss. many of my Friends and acquaintance are gone, since I left Home, tho only six months since. my Love to mrs smith when you see her. I most sincerly sympathize with her, under the repeated Shocks She has sustaind. my dear little Mary, is amongst the number of those I shall miss, when I return, which I hope I may be able to, in the month of June. my kind regards to mr Greenleaf
            From your affectionate Aunt

              Abigail Adams

            Your uncle & Louissa desire to be rememberd


Title: Abigail Adams to William Cranch, 16 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, William

            Dear sir
            Philadelphia May 16 1798

          I received your Letter of the 8th dated Annapolis I congratulate you my dear Sir, that altho the clouds have been darkned round you, and you have been recently call’d to mourn over the Graves of

departed Friend’s, it is a consolation that others are rising up to supply their places. The opening which now presents itself to you, is such as may give you Sanguine hopes, and bright prospects, and I sincerely hope they may be succeeded, by solid and durable advantages, and that you may find in mr Johnson and Family, steady, and firm Friend’s mr Johnson has been long in buisness, and has always sustaind a fair and Honorable Character; nor has he, that I ever heard, been engaged in Wild Speculations of any kind
          you have been so great a sufferer from your connection with those who have, without being yourself personally engaged, that I most heartily rejoice to see you Reassumeing the Profession to which you were bred, and escapeing from a vortex which has swallowd so many. I hope You will be able to liberate yourself from the weight, which appeard to bow down your Spirits, when you were last in this City
          I know You will not neglect advice given you by one who so sincerely interests herself in Your happiness. let me then intreat you, not to suffer the benevolence of your Heart, to conquer Your judgment, and the duty which you owe to your own increasing family Become not surety for any one. If Providence blesses your Labours, and you have any thing to spair, let the Aged, and the blind, be your first objects, but let the young exert themselves. whilst you are clog’d in any way of responsibility, you are not independant.
          With respect to the sale of your Fathers Farm, I thought with you, when he first offerd it, and your uncle declined purchasing it for more than a year, your Father said he was determined to part with it, and that the Taxes and labour devoured the whole of the Profits. he found himself daily less able to labour himself in the season of it. he exhausted his strength and spirits. I conversed with Your Mother, and told her Land could not so easily vanish as money, but she thought the money at interest, would afford them much more clear profit, and that without any trouble; Your uncle paid the full sum which Your Father ask’d 800£ pounds for 42 or 45 acres, I am not sure which, but it was a much larger price than he would have given to any other person. for altho some of the land is good, the Hill part which adjoins to your uncles Farm, is very poor. for two years past it has been broken up, and the first year Eleven acre’s did not produce 30 Bushels of Corn. the 2d it was rather more productive; but did not pay the labour it requires much manure and was so distant from your Fathers home that he could do but little in that way. the manuring a Farm is a very expensive thing. the Canker worm has

destroyd the Trees in such a manner, that not more than 4 & 5 Barrels of cider have been made from it, for two years past.
          I have written to your Mother to impress upon her mind, the necessity there is, that she should not have any part of the Principle touchd during your Fathers & her Life, that the Children could better contend with difficulties, than those who were advanced in years.
          I hope you will enforce this Idea when you write to them. having determined upon the disposal of it, I have not a doubt, that it is gone where you would rather have wisht it to, than into any other Hands. tho I was averse to your uncles purchasing any more land, it is properly to us a sinking fund, and will ever prove so to us—
          Present my compliments to mr & mrs Law when you see them. I really contracted a sincere regard for her, whilst she was here
          Let me hear from your little boy. the season is favorable for the Small pox.
          The publick mind has indeed undergone a Change since you was here, and the people are leading their representitives. I hope such an other set is not to found as most of those who come from Virgina & several of the other states. false wicked and malicious, the Clabourns the Clays the Cloptons, the Findley & Gallitin, with N—s & G—s, have done the Country lasting mischief— their circular Letters which have been sent here, & publishd, are one continued tissue of misrepresentations and falshood’s
          Truth is Great, and I hope will prevail
          we are however in a very unpleasent situation in this City. Emissaries are thickly scatterd, and for the vilest purposes. we have an influx of Foreigners, from all Nations, and very feeble Authority to restrain them;—or to punish them, in proportion to their crimes for as Peter say’s poor Pensilvana keeps no Gallows, and the utmost difficulty is now experienced to get through the Alien Bill in Congress— it will be curtaild, & confined, in such a manner, as to render it a mere nulity. the City has been threatned with fire; and with Massacre. the Inhabitants are constantly upon the allarm & watch. we had a fire last night about Eleven oclock which broke out in a stable, and which is suspected to have been done with design. it consumed a Barn & House and caught several others. during the fire the troop of light Horse patrold the streets. nothing but the Awe of the Military, will keep these wretches in order.
          I inclose you the last dispatches from our Envoys. alass! alass! why are they not at Home? the decree of the directory respecting

Nutrals ought to have been there signal for quitting the Republick in 48 hours— they know not the feeling of their Countrymen— they have tyed their Hands. they prevent such measures as ought to be taken for the safety and security of the Country, and I fear we shall not see them at all
          adieu my dear sir. present me kindly to Mrs Cranch. tell her to keep up her spirits, and to aid in supporting yours. better days await you. I wrote to mrs Johnson last week, and inclosed some Letters. if she has not returnd them, you have my permission to read them— there was a publick Letter from Mr A. received by the Secretary of state as late as 24 Feb’ry but no private ones—
          Most affectionately / Yours—

            Abigail Adams


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 18 May 1798
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

              My dear Sister
              Quincy May 18th 1798

            I too have taken my pen with the rising Sun. I have been so disturb’d with the account of the allarming riot before your Door on the fast day evening that I have not had a moments quiet sleep this night. I had no Idea the faction would have tried their Strength So oppenly I suppos’d the Letters which had been thrown into your house were mear threats. but I hope they have but Staid their time— had there been such an attempt before the Instructions &

dispatches had been published they might have found more Support. They are in the gall of bitterness— they have long been in the bonds of iniquity. our goverment are yet without walls & fences Sufficiently Strong to oppose with Spirit those gogs & magogs which the Divel has stir’d up against our Country. Their end however will be perdition they are permitted to Scourge us for our Sins. but their end will be destruction. darkness well over Shadows us for a time. but the Clips will I hope not be total light will arise & Mercy be remember’d for us my prospects would be brighter if I could see as great a morral as a Political change in this people but alass my dear Sister! tis easier to cure the errors of the head than the heart. congress must do something more effectual to Seperate the Sheep from the goats these Judas’s must be sent to their own place or we Shall never be safe. you ought to keep a Strickt watch—& if possible catch some of the people who are bringing those Letters. there is a Hellish plot I know by Some who yet keep themselves out of Sight— most ardently most fervently do I pray God to take the President into his holy keeping & may no weapon form’d against him prosper
            I fear you have been much distress’d, more than you have been willing to own oh my Sister I wish you were in Quincy here you might Set under your own Vine & fruit Tree & have none to make you personally affraid

              10 ’clock

            mr & Mrs Black have just left me. he get to Town last evening mr Cranch was in Boston & Say him mr Cranch told me of your kind present to Mrs Gr–nleafs little girl & Mr Black handed me yours to me. oh my Sister! the recording Angle will never never cease from labour while you have breath & ability to exeercise your benevolence— thanks is all I can offer. but a reward awaits you beyond what mortals can give I am Sorry you should think my head worthy So costly a clothing I fear none but my Sister will estimate it So highly
            Captain Beal wishes me to inform the President thro you that he expects his Son Richard from Sea every moment— I have ingag’d Mr Lane to do the painting on your House. would you have the Library paper’d? the Doctor proposes only white washing. we have got a horse & now I should be able to go oftener to see after your Affairs.
            Betsy Shaw is something better but her cough has not left her nor her fever I am full of aprehension about her. the loss of her would

be almost too much for her Mother tis strange when we see what brittle thread our Lives hang upon that we Should plan for an hour but as tho the chance for executing it, was against us. this life is but the embrio of existance, & ought not rationally to be desirable at least long life with its attendant burthens only as it give us an opportunity to improve the noble powers with which we are endow’d, & to exerise the best affections of the heart in a manner by which we may be qualified for more exalted Stations in a more perfect State
            thank you my dear Sister for sending your amiable Sons Letters the Picture of the contending nations which they draw is dark indeed the demorralizing System darkness which can & will be felt— will nothing rouse the neutral powers to make a common Stand— your Son must not Shrink back. he must not refuse his Fathers appointment his dignified republican manners fit him for the important Stations in which he is plac’d, & his accurate knowledge of men & the real designs of France & his unshaken integrity Will render him respected & fear’d I would return the Letter this post but I want to read them again & to let more of our Friends do the same, but I will not keep them long when you write tell them both we feel an encreasing affection for them—& your new Daughter that She has an aunt prepair’d to love her
            Mrs Cranch has written me that mr Johnson has taken a Friendly & paternal interest in my Sons welfair, & had advised him not to lose a moment in debating the propriety of removing to Georgetown & Steping in to mr Cooks business— he has follow’d his advise; Mrs cranch is charm’d with the Family Mrs Johnson in particular She felt so depress’d before that She did not know how to assume courage to visit the Family. I know She is oblig’d to you for the first visit. nancy wants incouragement
            we are delight’d with the Presidents answers to the numerous addresses— I do not know how he finds language to vary them as he does. that to the Boston address was not So Strikingly understood as I wish’d. In stead of discovering the high complement contain’d in those words: “It must be an unnatural State of things to make it necessary or even proper, &c” many Supposed that the President was not pleas’d & censurd rather than approbated their addressing him with their professions of Support— the complement was too delicate for their uneducated minds— tis dificult for a man of Science to form an Idea how hard it is for those unus’d to Letters to discover

those delicate Strokes in composition which charm a cultivated understanding
            adieu my dear Sister I must close the Stage will be upon me before I shall have time to say / I am at all times your affectionate / & grateful Sister

              Mary Cranch


Title: Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 20 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Johnson, Catherine Nuth

            my dear Madam
            Philadelphia May 20 1798

          I received a few days past, Your obliging favour of May 7th, inclosing the Letters of my sons, and one from the God Mother of Mrs Adams, which contains a pleasing and agreable picture of the mutual regard, and affection of our Children. Mr Adams never writes me, but he expresses the satisfaction which he derives from his connection long may they live in the full enjoyment of those domestick attachments which sweeten the Cup of Life, and without which, Paridice itself would yeald no solid pleasures.
          Mr Adams’s mission to Berlin, tho much envyed by some of his countrymen, has never met his approbation, more however from the circumstance of his receiving the nomination from his Father, than from any other cause. If it had been an advancement of him, either as it respected Rank, or emolument; he would not have been advanced by his Father, but the President conceiving that he might render to his Country more essential Service at Berlin than Lisbon thought proper to change his destination, and for this single act, he has been caluminiated and abused, with all the bitterness of Party spirit the disorganizers of our Country, have represented it, as the

advancement of the Presidents own son to a pecuniary office, and a Member of Congress during the present session, has written a Letter to his constituents containing the grocest falshoods which he knew at the time to be such, saying that, the President appointed his son to Prussia, before he met Congress the Jounals of the Senate prove, that the appointment took place in June near the close of the Session. he then adds that he had, had a new outfit every year since he went abroad. I inclose you the Letter as publishd if you will give yourself the trouble to read it, as one specimin amongst ten thousand others, that the Jacobinic party stick at nothing to answer their own views.
          You must have noticed in one of those Letters which I sent you, an apprehension of mr Adams’s least an honorary distinction, conferd upon him by the Academy of Arts and sciences, originated from his Father. tell him, says his Father, that I say he is a very proud young Man, but that I had no hand in, or lot or part in his Election as a member of that academy, nor knew of it untill I saw his Name upon the Books.—
          I cannot however blame that spirit of independance, which chuses to rest upon its own merrits & individual foundation.
          I presume my dear Madam, that you will not consider me acting an improper part, if I mention to you, that as mr Johnson has concluded to place his son at the college in Annapolis, it will be expected by the President, and mr T B Johnsons Tutor, that some notice should be given to them of it. The Age of the University; the Respectability of its institutions, the Number of its students, and the Character of the President, the Corporation and overseers, justly entitle it, to the first Rank amongst the seminaries of Learning in the United States.
          Inquiries have been made of me, knowing the connection between our Families, whether mr Johnson was not soon expected to return, as no intimation had been received to the contrary and his Chamber is still held for him.
          Mr Otis who is here as a Member of Congress, to whose care your son was confided, mentiond to me that he had not received a line from your son since he left this place
          If you should wish for information upon any point respecting the usages and customs of the University, mr Cranch can inform you— Mr Johnsons behaviour and conduct whilst at Cambridge not only endeared him to his fellow students, but engaged him the particular

regard of the President, as I have been informd. it is natural for me to have partialities towards the university where my Grandfather, Father Husband and Sons received their Education. You will pardon me then if I regreet that your son will not finish his Education there. it must however accord more with your feelings to have him near you & with your connection—
          There is a publick Letter, from mr Adams to 12th Feb’ry there is nothing to the contrary of their being well at that time.
          accept my dear Madam, my thanks for the obliging present inclosed in your Letter. it has an intrinsick value as the work of your own Hands, and on that account I shall value it much more, than if it did not possess that merit, even tho it had been ten times more costly.
          your Letter to mrs smith, I forwarded to her, and I shall not fail to communicate to her, the favourable sentiments so obligingly exprest by you to me. The col has been unfortunate. Mrs smith has retired to a Farm about 20 miles from the city of N york— her spirits are not what they once were. her prospects are not pleasent.
          alass my dear Madam, Who of us are without our troubles, and our anxieties, what ever our situation or lot in Life?
          I pray you to make the Presidents and my respects to mr Johnson Mr Cranch had written us an account of Your Friendly visit, and of mr Johnsons Patronage towards him. I trust he will prove worthy of it. my Love to the young Ladies & to your son, from Madam your Friend and Humble servant

            A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to William Smith, 21 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Smith, William

            my dear sir
            May 21. 1798 Philadelphia

          I received by way of Providence last week Your kind Letter of the 11th sent by Mrs Barret, together with the sermon for which accept my thanks. if mr & Mrs Barret had come to Philadelphia, it would have given me pleasure to have noticed them, as it does all of my Friends & acquaintance, or those who are introduced to me by others.
          I take this opportunity by mr spear to send you two or three Coppies of the last dispatches from our Envoys. the next time mr Russel receives a Letter like that which he has now publishd from mr Bourn; he would do well to take advise before he publishes it. mr Bourns

Letter I conceive to relate only to the intercourse which our Commissioners had in Feb’ry with X & Y—and mr Gerrys with Tallyrand, for we have Letters from mr Murrey to the 30 March, which contain no such intelligence, or give the least reason to suppose mr Bourn Letter well founded. Such a publication at this time only distracts the publick mind, unnerves the Hands of some who are ready to catch at straws, and puts a Temporary stop to the whole buisness of Government. our best negotiaters are the Voices of the People as expresst in their numerous addresses, and our Armed ships. I hope my Friends who are at a distance will not be allarmed at the Bug bear stories they hear, from hence I believe there is not any danger at present. I do not apprehend any. the Vigilence of the Citizens is awake; & the Voluntary Choirs who are now enrolling themselves, will keep sedition in Awe. Two Month ago, with as many threats, I should have really thought danger was to be apprehended, but when the Youth of our Country, exhibit such a spirit as they have in the various Capitals, the Arm of Government will feel strong— could you procure for me sir, the oration Which mr J.Q Adams deliverd on the 4th of July, & send me by the next post, You would oblige me.
          I long for the period when Congress will rise. our season here is uncommonly dry. the Grain & grass suffer much. yesterday we had Green peas—
          My Love to Mrs Smith & the Children I hope she has recoverd her tranquility of mind and that her Health is better. both of you should go from home as much as you can. I experienced the benifit last year of being obliged to make exertions— yet the pained mind will return to the source of its affliction. Time and reflection must be had, before nature can be conquered. how much more wretched must the deciples of Paine be, who look not beyond this Life for comfort & consolation. what believer would relinquish his hold, for a Phantom, for a nothing?
          Love to Cousin Betsy— believe me my dear sir your affectionate & sympathizing / Friend

            A Adams—


Title: Susanna Warner Tufts to Abigail Adams, 22 May 1798
From: Tufts, Susanna Warner
To: Adams, Abigail

            Weymouth May 22 1798

          The recipt of your affectionate and friendly letter my dear Madam Claims at once my gratitude and love.— how good is that heart that feels for others woes Such is yours,—and may Heaven bless you with health and long life, and may you still Continue to fill every Station of Life that Providence shall Call you to with that dignity humanity and sensibility which has ever been your Characteristick

            “Sickness and Death’s the lot of all
            that breath this vital air—[”]

          Suckey is gone to that world from whence no travillar returnes her immortal spirit I trust has took posession of one of those Mansions that our blessed Saiour has prepar’d for those that love him.— I had evry Consolation in her Sickness from her and those around me that I Could wish her good Uncle she found a Physion for Soul as well as body. Miss Jones was very kind and attentive so where my good Neibours—
          Suckey discover’d a firmness patience and resignation through her Confinement to me Surpresing she never groand except in Sleap. I ask’d her to disscribe her feelings to me, o’ Aunt, they are destresing but not worth a thought, why should I Complain, when if my heart does not deceive me, I feel that I shall be accepted of my Saviour I long to be gone oh! for patience
          She was like the dying Swan, She Sung her one Dirge—

            Vital Sparke of heavenly flame
            Quit o’ quit this mortal frame trembling hoping
            Lingering flying oh! the pain the bliss the bliss of dying

          She was belove’d by all that knew her and has left a fair and Spotless Charicter Pleasing reflections— these are Consolations Madam that will Support Surviveing friends and blunt the edge of the Sharpest Sorrows

            The Sesons as they fly
            Snach from us in their Course year after year
            Some Sweet Connection Some indearing tie
            The parrent ever honour’d ever dear
            Claims from the filial breast the pious tear

            A brothers urn demands the kindred tear
            And gentle sorrows gush from friendship eye.

          the Deaths which you mention the year past Calls for our Serious reflections o! may we be prepard to take our Jorney in to that heavenly Country where we Shall meet our pious parents who when on earth put up so many firvent and heavenly petitions for the welfare of our Souls and bodies the religion of Jesus will Support us and Cary us to them—and what a blessed reflection that his religion is pure and simple by no means Clouded with Metaphysics and vain Speculations to perplex and discourage the willing mind—

            “religion never was design’d
            to make our pleasures less—[”]

          You must be extreemly happy in your Children Madam to see them support Such good Charicters in such a disapated world as this is, and to see them fill such important places with honnour and fidility long may they live and when their parents Shall Slope gently down the hill of life may they with Chearfulness Rock the Cradle of declineing years.—
          present my best regards to the President tell him he must not expect his reward here— may that venerable head and heart that has been abuse’d here for its integrity and fidility be Crown’d with honnour and glory in the last day
          the Doctor thanks you for your love and gratitude to him and wishes his regards presented to you and your best friend he has been very much out of health this Spring but is Recruting he is a friend indeed— Such friends grow not on evry tree. he may with propriety be Call’d father and brother he has prov’d himself So to numbers. I think he has too much Care for his years and delicate health. Heaven grant that his life may preserve’d to all those that put Such unbounded Confidence in him—
          With Sentiments of love and respect / your friend,

            Susanna Tufts


Title: Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 25 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Tufts, Cotton

            my dear sir
            Philadelphia May 25 1798

          I received yesterday your kind Letter of May 12th and was rejoiced to learn that you had recoverd from your late indisposition so far as to be able to ride out. have you ever tried the use of Calomil for your complaint, or Bleading? this climate is not so subject to disorders of the lungs and Breast, as ours, but much more so to other inflamitory complaints which call for speedy aid. we have had some very Hot weather; which has been suceeded by three weeks of dry & cold in which the Grass and Grain have sufferd, but for two days past we have had plentifull showers which I hope will restore it in on some measure. as yet we hear nothing of any remarkable sickness, but I expect the fever will come in the usual season for it is with that, as with our foreign Enemy. the people appear loth to take vigorous measures tho they have every reason to believe that the one will enter our houses & the other our harbours. the Representitives in Congress do not keep pace with the Sentiments of the people without. in the senate they are pretty strong, but there are there six Members always wrong sometimes 8. the two virginians would not be persuaded to do right, even tho one rose from the dead to warn them. every wise and firm measure, is opposed by them. they talk & talk consuming time and when beat of upon one ground, they will take an other & if they were in the pay and service of France, they could not more strictly adhere to her. I know you will be glad to learn that your old Friend Goodhue is as firm as a Rock, and as honest as a good Heart and pure intentions can make him. such oppositions frets him. he always comes to see us in the same familiar manner that you would, and is realy a very valuable member. no man has the real good of his Country more at heart. he frequently inquires affectionatly after mr Cranch & you. when you come to look at the House; that is much more equally divided. the Anti party, tho struck dumb at first by the disclosure of the dispatches & instructions, have rallied again, & persue with equal

industery the same measures: they always hang together, and tho some of them think and talk differently, they dare not vote against their Party. it is not so with the Federalists, for amongst them are some timid men, who tho honest dare not assume the decisive tone, & act with vigor: whilst three of our ships the Frigate the Ganges & the Hamburgh packet now calld the Deleware are now Man’d and ready for see waiting only for Congress to pass a Bill to render them usefull, when they are out. a motion is made to postpone the consideration of it till the 2d of June, whilst the Coast is swarming with French Privateers, and even our coasters are in danger. It is true it was rejected, but I mention it to show that those who would do good, always have the evil present with them in the persons of the Antis— and you know how disheartning it is, to be fetterd, when every Limb & Nerve should be in full exertion. there is an other thing which disarms the Federalists. I mean the unaccountable stay of our Envoys in France. whilst it furnishes arguments to those who would not care a stiver if they were hang’d, it obstructs the Arm of the Executive, and weakens the real Friends of the Country
          If addresses would defend our Country, it will be well fortified. they however contain such pledges and assurences, and that in the most solem and decisive language as gives us reason to belive that our Countrymen will not be backward to defend their Rights, and Liberties. it gives the President a great additional share of writing. tho not more than one in 5 have yet been publishd, there have enough appeared to manifest the spirit of the people. I think no state in the union, have manifested a more perfect confidence in the wisdom & integrity of the Executive, and more warm and affectionate personal attachment, than the addressess from North Carolina a state which has but one Federal Member in Congress—and he has been uniformly so from the beginning against all his collegues. there is a very striking address from the Govr & officers of N Jersey, but your Boston papers are so small they cannot Print a 20th part of them— I hope they will all be collected and Printed in a vol’m It is a remarkable Fact in the French Revolution, that with swearing hatered to Royalty; and Friendship to Republicks, they should proceed to the total destruction, and dismemberment of every Republick, whilst as yet every Royal Government, their own excepted, stands. I hope and trust that Great Britain will be able to withstand them. in that Kingdom there is yet some virtue, Liberty and integrity, publick spirit & Energy— poor Switzerland! alass where are the William Tells of the present day?

          I have almost filld my paper with politicks and left but little Room for my private affairs. I transmitted by the last post inclosed to mrs Cranch a Hundred dollors I will send you in June what further you may want. I have a paper in the house which was formerly purchased for one of my Rooms I think it will do for the Library it is a red Grund paper and is in the Garret in a coach Box I think. You will exeercise your own judgment as to the hire of help upon the place.
          Your question respecting my sons Property I cannot answer as his buisness was all left in the Hands of dr Welch, but I rather think he had realizd his property, that is he ownd a share in the Theatre, which he has lost. he has some shares in the cannals, that with his House is I believe all he ownd in Boston, but I fear he has intrusted some in N york which has not been conducted with the discretion in the disposition of it, which it ought to have been. I hinted something of the kind to him, and recommended to your trust whatever in future he might have, but I believe he will not find more than a bare support in future. Berlin is more expensive than Holland: and I am sure he cannot save any thing. I will here if possible & I now want the President to place some in your Hands which I know we may spair, beside what I squeze from my monthly allowence
          I wish he did not Love Land so well, because I know we have enough to torment us. when we come to look to that for support, we shall find it difficult enough to procure it, and very much swallowd up by taxes & Labour. I am for having as little trouble as possible as we pass down the vale of years we shall want repose if we live— I have no objection to mr Clarks having the House an other year—
          My kind regards to mrs Tufts, and to mr & mrs Norten as well as your son and daughter. I hope, but know not when to say Congress will rise. it depends much upon Events which may turn up. they talk of the middle of June. I fear it will be later. when ever it is, I am determined to bring on the President if we can only stay a fortnight, for he stands in great need of a journey. I order the carriage every afternoon & take him out, but tis only a few miles, and he does not these long days get a walk once a week. he is thin & pale but in good spirits, indeed he has not time to groan. he however smoaks more segars than I wish he did.
          on the 11 of May the President nominated samll snow of the Eastern states to be consul at Canton—
          I am dear sir with Sentiments of / Sincere esteem & affection / your

            A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

            my dear sister
            Philadelphia May 26 1798

          yours of the 18 I received on Thursday 23— and I rejoice to hear mr Black got home so soon, as I think he could dissipate your anxiety on our account. I may be too confident, but I do not feel as if any body wanted to hurt or injure us. bearing neither malice or ill will towards any one, not even the most deluded, I cannot be particuliarly apprehensive. I wish the Laws of our Country were competant to punish the stirer up of sedition, the writer and Printer of base and unfounded calumny. this would contribute as much to the Peace and harmony of our Country as any measure, and in times like the present, a more carefull and attentive watch ought to be kept over foreigners. this will be done in future if the Alien Bill passes, without being curtaild & clipt untill it is made nearly useless— The Volunteer Corps which are forming not only of young Men, but others will keep in check these people I trust. amongst

            the many addresses have you particuliarly noticed one from the state of N Jersey with the Govr at their head, as commander in chief. it is from all the officers, and they are not vain and empty tenders for a deputation from their Body is comeing to Present the address on monday next, and to tender their Services as a volunteer Corps— I wish with you that I could see as great a Change for the better in morals as in politicks, but it is a part of Religion as well as morality, to do justly and to love mercy and a man can not be an honest & Zealous promoter of the Principles of a Free Government, without possessing that Good will towards man which leads to the Love of God, and respect for the deity, so that a proper appreciation of our Rights & duties as Citizens, is a prelude to a respect for Religion, and its institutions. to destroy and undermine Religion has been the cheif engine in the accomplishment of this mighty Revolution throughout Europe. we have felt no small share of the balefull influence, of the Age of Reason—but to have a through Idea of the deep laid system, you must read a Work lately publishd calld proofs of a conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe, by John Robison Professor of Natural Philosophy in the university of Edinburgh. this Book I have sent to dr Belknap with a request that if he possesst a Copy, that he would send it to mr Cranch. if he has not, he will lend it to him. you will read the Book with astonishment. What led me to send the Book at this time, was from a Letter from my son at Berlin, who I know from his manner of writing had not seen the Book. it was first publishd last sep’br in Edinburgh in his Letter he mentions a society calld a Theo Philanthropick, and describes it as a Theological & political mixture of deism, morality and Anti Christianity—that to propogate these doctrines, Persons had been sent lately to Hamburgh; and that dupont de Nemours was talk’d of as comeing out to America to establish such societies here—
          I have made the extract from his Letter at length, and sent it to dr Belnap together with Robisons Work, which fully unfolds the whole scheme, and displays the effects of the Principles in the Revolutions in Europe to their full extent. I thought I could not do a better service than to put our Country men upon their Gaurd. the son of this dupont has just arrived in this city from Charlstown S C where he was Consul. he is now sent here in order to Superceed Le Tomb, as consul general. He told a Gentleman who mentiond it at the drawing Room last Evening that his Father was gone to Hamburgh in order to embark for America, which corresponds with the account

given by mr A— and he added that he found the spirit of the times such, that he should be very sorry to have his Father come out. the intention was that he should have come out to accompany the Marquiss La Fayett & Family. by this means you see, he would naturally have been cordially & kindly received, and have crept unsuspected into the Bosoms of Americans, untill he had bit like a serpent and stung like an Adder. was there ever a more basely designing and insidious people? Burk was right, when he described the French republick to be founded upon Regicide, Jacobinism and Atheism, and that it had joind to those Principles: a body of systamatick manners, which secured their opperation.
          Robisons Book will shew you how much the corruption of manners has aided in the destruction of all Religions and moral Principles— all the new institutions strike at the root of our social nature. mr Burk goes on to observe in his Letters upon the Regicide directory, “that other Legislators knowing that marriage is the origin of all Relations, and concequently the first Element of all duties: have endeavourd by every Art to make it sacred.” the following observation ought to be indelbly written upon every mind.
          “The Christian Religion by confineing it to pairs and by rendering that Relation indissoluable, has by these two things, done more towards the peace, happiness, settlement and civilization of the world, than by any other part in this whole Scheme of divine wisdom”
          I objected to the answer to the Boston address upon the same Principle you mention. I did get an alteration in it, but between ourselves, I think the address itself as indifferent as most any one which has been sent, but this is confidential—
          inclosed is a Letter for mr Black which I return as he requested— I hear nothing yet of the Box sent for cousin Betsy— I hope it is not lost
          we have had some delightfull rains these two days past. I want to escape the cage & fly to Quincy but know not when to say it will be— I am my dear sister / affectionatly Yours

            A Adams—

            Ps Louiss desires me to inquire when you expect her sister back my Letter to you are first thoughts, without correction


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 May 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

            my dear son
            sunday Philadelphia May 27th 1798

          As the vessel by which I have already written to you, did not sail yesterday, I can now inform you that the Bill for the protection of our commerce past yesterday in the House of Rep’s 50 to 40— it impowers our vessels of war to capture, and bring in all French cruizers and Privateers which shall be found hovering upon our Coast.— it will pass into a Law tomorrow.
          We are still in the dark why our Envoys remain in Paris— we have reason to believe that they were there as late as the 8th of April, tho the Government is without any dispatches of later date than those, which I have Sent you by this opportunity
          I inclose the latest paper to you. Mr dayton the speeker of the House of Rep’s, has been through the whole of this session as firm & steady as a Rock. This state appears to have had an astonishing Change of sentiment. it is in the City, more united in sentiment than Nyork
          The Levingstone aristocracy dominers there, tho according to there Education, and there means of dissipation & allurements they are apt scholors of the Orlean Faction. an insatiable Ambition devours the Chancellor. To see mr Jay stand higher in the publick estimation, and Elected Chief over him; fills him with the same sensations, which Milton puts into the mouth of the Arch fiend. “Better

to Reign in hell, than serve in Heaven.” If you wish to order your Books to America, and think it safe, I will find a shelter for them. most affectionatly Your / Mother

            A Adams—

            Ps To mrs Adams Love & to Thomas—


Title: Francis Dana to Abigail Adams, 27 May 1798
From: Dana, Francis
To: Adams, Abigail

            Madam
            Cambridge May 27th. 1798.

          In my letter of the 27th. of last Decr: I took the liberty thrô you to recommend my friend Major John Hobby of Portland to some appointment in the stamp department of the revenue but I find that business has been annexed to an existing office. I have now to solicit for him one which probably will take place soon, I mean that of a purchasing & issuing commissary for the troops which are to be stationed at Portland & elsewhere in the District of Maine.
          I shall enclose you a recommendatory letter from Genl: Knox to the Secretary at War, with whom I have no acquaintance to my knowledge, which I pray you to send to him. Of the character of the Officer mentioned in it nothing need to be added by me: but it is proper to say Genl: Knox has misconceived his wishes in supposing him to be desirous of an appointment of a Field Officer of Infantry with a prospect of promotion. This he does not incline to accept, being during our revolutionary war constantly employed in the Artillery Corps, and in the Laboratory; with which he feels himself well

acquainted. He supposed a body of Artillerists wou’d be stationed, principally in Boston, under the command of a Majr: or Lt: Colo: Commandant, whose command wou’d be extended over the posts in the other sea-ports of this State, or at least the neighbouring ones. This was the appointment he wished to obtain, or if such an one shou’d not be made, but a Laboratory shou’d be established there, or in the vicinity, or a commissorial department for purchasing & issuing for the troops stationed for the defence of our Sea Coast, an appointment in either of these departments, thô he wou’d prefer the first, he wou’d willingly accept of— Madam, I will not again trouble you with applications of this nature, they being exceedingly disagreable to my disposition: but I shall positively decline ever making one, for any friend who shall apply for such purpose.
          Suffer me to suggest to you, one matter not of the least consequence to the public interest. I mean that of displacing forthwith every officer of the United States, who in this crisis of affairs, shall refuse to come forward in support of our national Government. I have a particular reference to some in Portsmouth, whose dismission, I may venture to say, is in a sort demanded by the public voice, and whose continuance in office has become exceedingly disagreable to the firm friends of our Country. Their names & offices have been published in our Newspapers, otherwise I shou’d not have been particular in my suggestion.— I view our public affairs in too serious a light to admit of an indecisive line of conduct in our Administration. They will now find their measures supported almost universally. This therefore is the moment for Action, as well as Deliberation, and if not improved may be the cause of discouragement of the present active friends of Government. In my opinion, it is impossible to stand on better ground. I know who does not want the disposition to do all that is necessary or expedient for freeing our Country from foreign influence & a vile domestic faction more hateful because more wicked than all our foreign enemies, if possible.
          I am with the greatest respect / Madam your obedt. hbl: Servant

            FRA DANA


Title: Stephen Peabody to Abigail Adams, 30 May 1798
From: Peabody, Stephen
To: Adams, Abigail

            Dear Madam
            Atkinson May 30th. 1798

          Your letters of the 18th. of last December, and the 4th. of March following, with the contents, came safe to my hand. I should have acknowledged the receipt of them sooner, but I have been “Cumbered about many things” and knowing that your Sister had informed you of their safe arrival, I have neglected to write answers. Tho’ this is but a poor apology, it is the best I can make, consistent with truth.—
          I send you, accompanying this, your grand-children’s three first quarter bills. You will see that I have received more money, than to pay their expences. But this shall be accounted for upon our Settlement. They enjoy very good health, and appear as contented, as could possibly be expected. They recommend themselves to their Preceptor, and are quite attentive to the rules of our family.— William is pretty attentive to his Studies; John has no aversion to study; he had however, rather play, and is a good, Sensible, generous Soul.

We indulge them as we think proper, and they are not now impatient under restraints. At first they were not fond of observing the Sabbath, in all respects, as we do, but they are reconciled; and we think bid very fair to make respectable figures in life.—
          Your Sister, (who I esteem the best woman in the world) enjoys tolerable health, tho’ she has of late been full of anxiety for her daughter Betsy Quincy, who really is very unwell—but I think a little better, and in a way to recover.—
          We have no news remarkable here but that which we find in the Papers. The conduct of the French astonishes every person of Sense, in our quarter; and the wisdom and firmness of the President of the united States, meet with universal approbation. You will please to present my best respects to him, and in my name, wish him Godspeed; that by perseverance, he may direct our political Ship over the Present boisterous Sea, that we may in due time be anchored in a peaceful Haven.—
          With Sentiments of high esteem, / I am / dear madam / Your affectionate friend, / and brother

            Stephen Peabody

            P S— Mrs. Peabody joins me in presenting our best regards.—
            A few days since I received, a number of Pamphlets, with a letter from you to Mrs. Peabody; for which I am much obliged. I have not had time to read them all, but as far as I have proceeded, I am highly pleased—


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 1 June 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

              My dear sister
              Philadelphia June 1 1798

            I was indeed greatly afflicted by the contents of your last Letter. I received it yesterday, and having a large party of Ladies and Gentlemen to dine, I felt but Little spirit to receive or entertain them. I did not communicate it to the President untill the Evening, when he insisted upon it, that I had some dissagreable News which had affected my spirits, so least he should suppose it greater or of a different kind, I told him. he most Sincerely participates with the distresset family. It hurts him, as you know all, & every thing which afflicts his

Friends does. I have all anxiety for our worthy Friend mr smith, least he should be materially afficted by it. his loss by mr Greenleef was very heavey. like his Father, he is the Friend in secreet, as well as openly, and his own troubles he surpresses. I fear mr JQA must be a sufferer. I know he left his little all in the drs Hands— he has since his absence directed his Brother Charles to draw upon him for a sum; I do not exactly know how must & vest it in real estate; this he did, but afterwards was prevaild upon to let it go—& what security he now has I know not. knowing the Family difficulties, and that it is a hard thing to keep clear of them, I got some knowledge from a Quarter which I dared not disclose, that the property was in Jeopardy. I then wrote to mr JQA, advising him to employ dr Tufts in future as his Agent. he then wrote me that he had written to dr Welch to lay out his property in a freehold in Boston; I know not what to do. I believe I had better write to Charles, and if I find he has the property secure, to hold it untill he can hear from his Brother—
            The longer we live in the world, the more do troubles thicken upon us, yet we hug the fleeting shadow. have you heard from Haverhill or rather Atkinson? I am anxious for Betsy Q Shaw. I think a change of air might be good for her—
            I am glad to learn that the buisness goes on so rapidly at Quincy. I do expect to see it, the beginning of July. I fear not Sooner— pray desire mrs Porter not to use the Bacon, but to have Beef procured I found so much difficulty to get any good when I was at home that I should be loth not to have enough in about 6 days I will remit what the dr wants. I should like to know that what I sent to you for the Dr had arrived safe— I have not learnt how mrs Blacks little Girl got to Quincy. I think Nabby Hunt was a foolish Girl to go home and relinquish a dollor per week which I have given her ever since I first hired her, for a very easy kind of Buisness—and go home to Poverty— I did not send her away, for Nabby was a solid honest Girl, but for the buisness; I have got a much better one— let me know how far the building is compleated. I hope it will all be finishd before I get home and all the workmen gone— if you think the walls will not be sufficiently dry for papering that can be omitted untill an other season— with the kindest Regard for all our dear Friends and a sympathy in their troubles / I am my dear sister / Your Ever affectionate

              A Adams—

            Mrs Brisler is much afflicted at the death of her Mother the answer to the Quincy address tho short was from the Heart


Title: Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 2 June 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Shaw, William Smith

            my dear Nephew
            Philadelphia June 2d 1798

          I have duly received all your Letters, and thank you for them. your last of May 20 came on the 30th. the answer to the address from the students, I presume they must have received. it was addrest to Your clasmate Welch, as one of the committe. it would have been jointly addrest; but mr Malcom had mislaid the Letter which accompanied it, and their Names could not be recollected in order— the Address was handsome, and will make a valuable part of the collection which it is designd to publish when they are all collected together as I am informd. the call which the answer makes, “of to Arms” [“]to Arms” was not made but upon the maturest deliberation, and the fullest conviction, that the rising generation will be necessitated to use them, or submit to a similiar degradation with other Revolutionized Countries
          In a Letter yesterday received from a distant Friend, dated the 4 March, T B A, he observes “if the progress of Jacobinism is to be arrested at all, it is by fighting it. it will not be treated with upon peacable terms, and if there be a Nation on Earth capable of going the necessary lengths, and making the proper Sacrifices to stop its course,—it must be one that is already possesed of substantial Liberty, that knows how to appreciate it, & how to distinguish between it, and that Sort of Liberty which France is trying to propogate

throughout the World. To every other Nation & people, the french liberty is perhaps equal, if not superiour to their own, at least the difference is not worth contending for. When therefore it is offerd accompanied like the pistol of the highwaymen with the alternative of surrender or death who shall dare to reject it?[”] Speaking of the late decree of the directory agains Neutrals, he asks “will the house of Representitives persist in their refusal to authorise arming of Merchantmen least it should interfere with, and influence the negotiation with France? they may persist! but not from those motives, for the negotiation they talk of has never commenced. they may continue to repeat that defence will be hostility, but if such arguments are received in lieu of facts if such treatment of their suffering Countrymen produce no resentment—no indignation, I shall begin to believe, that the syren song of Liberty equality and of fraternity has captivated all minds, and prepared both Governours & governed to receive a French garison as soon as it can be made, to reach the Continent. From that moment—come when it will—I have no longer a Country!! I professedly belong to mr Burk’s class of obstinates and can never consent to a compromise with Jacobinism, even should it be disposed to pardon my herisies”
          Tho absent from his Country for near four years he has not lost his American feelings, and justly appreciates the spirit of his Countrymen. he will indeed rejoice when the accounts reach him, of the determined stand which American are resolved to make. Rely upon it my dear Nephew, and impress upon the minds of your young Friends, that France has setled her plan of subjugating America: her system is fully known. She will aim at getting possession of Louissana and the Florides and of Cannady. from thence she can pour in her Armies upon us.— she can as she has done, Arm the slave against his Master, and continue by her Agents and Emissaries, whom with truth & reason she bosts of having thickly scatterd through our Country, saving her Principles, her depravaty of Manners, her Atheism in every part of the united States. by these means she will seduce the mind & sap the foundation of our strongest pillars, Religion & Government. these are not visionary Ideas of future events, they are now active. they have already proceeded to a most allarming height. it becomes every individual to rise, and unite, to stop the progress, to arrest the poison before it contaminates our vitals. let not the Question be ask’d what can I do? but what may I do? unite, unite

            “As a Band of Brothers joind
            peac and safety we shall find”

          Form Voluntary Corps, let every citizen become a soldier, and determine as formerly on Liberty or death! let them seek the blessing of the most High, and acknowledge God in all their Ways:
          I cannot answer you when Congress will rise. they are but beginning to do Right. I hoped to have had the pleasure this Year of being at Commencment but I do not now expect it— our Envoys were at Paris on the 4 of April!! what infatuation—but hush—they know not how they have tyed the Hands here—
          How is your dear sister Betsy? I am very anxious for her. your uncle will call for You as soon as we reach Quincy. my Heart aches for the Distress of the Family you mentiond. I had no Idea of the thing. it comes very near my Heart and affects me much. I could not sleep after I heard it—
          You must let me hear from you when you get to Atkinson. if I do not always write you in return; attribute it to my having many correspondents to attend to, and other occupations which necessarily engrose much of the time / of your ever affectionate

            Aunt A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 June 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

            my dear sister
            Monday Philadelphia June 4 1798

          I received on saturday Yours of May 28th I wrote you on saturday previous to my receiving yours I am very sorry if the Box I sent should be lost. it was a square Box coverd with canvass, the same you sent my cap in last summer, addrest to mr smith— the dress in it together with the handkerchief Ruffels &c was of 30 dollors value. I intended it for Betsys wedding dress— the vessels Name the Sally & Polly cap’ Bradferd

          I was rejoiced to learn that mrs Blacks little Girl was safely arrived. she is not very fair—nor do I think her So pretty as she was when younger, but she was tand with the water no doubt. I did not have any conversation With Mr Black respecting mr Whitman. I thought as he had been so constant and determined in his opposition, that it would be to no purpose, and if the thing cannot work its own cure I do not believe persuasion will. a prudent discreet conduct on the part of mr Whitman will have the greatest effect yet we must suppose that mr Whitman has his feelings—& that he cannot go to mr Blacks without a new invitation after having been so much opposed by him. I think the first step should be taken by those in opposition towards mr Whitman, unless affliction assails any of them. then the Man should forget his feelings, and the true spirit of Christianity induce him to do good even to those who have despightfully used him. when mr Black lost his Brother & Sister mr Whitman should have visited them—then was the time for him to have won them. mr Black has a tender feeling Heart, all alive to distress, and actively benevolent— I will however when I return use my good offices to unite them.—
          I have not heard from your son nor from mrs Johnson Since I wrote you last. Mr Johnson I understand has sufferd very much Since the War, between France & England and he is obliged to attend very closely to his affairs here, where he had large Sums oweing to him—
          Dr Welch and Family are never out of my mind. I know not what to say to them by way of comfort or consolation— I have written to mr smith asking his opinion of sending Thomas to Berlin to Mr Adams, in lieu of T B Adams who is determined to return home this fall, and who begs me to send some body in his Room— Thomas is a solid Lad; Loves mr Adams was brought up with him, and it will be a living for him for a year or two, and prepare him for future buisness, and I should suppose the Proposal would be agreable to him at this time, when he must be dejected with his Fathers situation I would have him go to Hamburgh—and from thence, he may soon proceed to Berlin— I would have him go directly after taking his degree
          we are distrest at the stay of our Envoys who seem to be in a delirium. they will assuredly suffer in some way or other; if the knowledge of the dispatches arrives there, and the concequent temper of the Pople reaches, before their orders arrive for comeing away. my only hope is that the Winds of Heaven were propitious in carrying

their orders to them, but my astonishment is, that after the decree past the Directory for seazing all Nutrals who should have any kind of British Manufactor on Board, 24 hours should not have past before pasports had been demanded. they ought not to have hesitated a moment what part to have acted. do not however repeat these censures from me. they may be asscribed to a higher source; but I greatly fear the delay occasiond by the obstinacy of one Man; you will hear reports, I suppose, but they shall not come from me, nor will I give Ear to them, untill more solid proof, more demonstration, obliges me too— the News Papers say that dispatches have arrived from our Envoys to the 4 April. it is not so. there are dispatches from mr King, & from mr Adams but not a line to Government since those which have been made publick from our Envoys in France. there is a private Letter from mr Pinckney to mr King, which mr King has sent a copy of, but it is not publick, but a private Letter from one Gentleman to an other. by some means or other this has leakd out—and given rise to the report of publick dispatches
          I think our next accounts from England must be highly important. God Grant the fate of Pharoah & his Hoast, to those who attempt to cross the channel— England is the only Barrier between France & universal domination. there I trust is some true Religion, & piety; some respect to Law & Government Some Rational Liberty Benevolence & Philanthropy for whose sake I hope & trust the Nation will be saved—
          Braintree address is received, and answerd So is Cambridge & Medford which last is an admirable one who drew it? it is out of the common stile. it is designd by some Gentlemen to collect them all together & publish them in a Vol’m I pray you present my kind and affectionate Regards to all my Friends. how many of my acquaintance I shall miss when I return! Mrs Field is relieved from the infirmites under which she sufferd, and having acted well, very well her part in Life will I doubt not have her reward. as a Neighbour I loved valued & esteemed her—& all who belonged to her, as I have fully proved by my connection with so many Branches of her Family considering her Education few women have exhibited more Prudence; industery, patience under trying afflictions equinimity of temper, and indeed every christian Virtue I experienced her kindness from my first becomeing her Neighbour, when I was young and unexperienced her Benevolence was always manifested without any boast or expectation of reward. I never wanted help, eitheir in Sickness or Health, when some one of her Family was not ready to

afford it, and that long before I was in a station to do more for them than others. I shall ever revere her memory—
          How is Brother Adams, Suky & Boilstone? not a word of them, or from them have I heard but by mr Black. mr Adams wrote to his Brother & told him he must write him word about his Farm and Town affairs—but he has not. You say we must not Sit our Faces towards you this Month. I fear it, I do not expect to get from here untill the last of June. I hope all will be accomplishd then—
          My Love to mrs Black, & kind Regards to dr Welch and Family. I would write if I knew what to say—
          I do not hear from Haverhill atkinson I mean. the Children write to their Parents which Letters I forward; but not a line to me. Louissa is quite out of Patience with Betsy She has had but one Letter from her, since she left Quincy my Paper says—leave off. Yours as ever

            A Adams—


Title: William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 4 June 1798
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dear Madam
            Georgetown June 4th. 1798.—

          I should have answer’d your kind letter of 16th. ulto. before this time, but I have only this morning return’d from the General Court at Annapolis. I thank you most sincerely for the interest you take in my affairs, and for the parental advice you have given. I have already suffer’d enough by becoming surety for others, to know how to prize that advice, but it requires a kind of hardness of heart, which mine had not yet fully acquired, to keep myself totally free from every kind of responsibility for others. But the Considerations which you have suggested, will tend to give fortitude to the Resolutions I have made on that subject, and I hope will render me obstinately inexorable in my determination.—
          Upon the whole I am satisfied with the propriety of my fathers selling his farm; but I agree with you, that not one farthing ought to be spent of the Principal, and I pray God that I may have it in my power, to lend them such assistence as may prevent it, which I have no doubt of doing if I could once get clear of the Consequences of Mr. Morris’s delinquencies.— I have engaged a house just on the other side of the bridge which seperates this town from the City of Washington, and is about half a mile from my office—the Rent 275 dols. per Ann The house is large and airy with a good stable &c Mr. Thos. Peter who married Miss Custis lives in the adjoining house, & it is also near Mrs. Dalton. I expect to move my family into it in about a week.—
          My Richard has had the small pox finely, although he was cuting teeth at the same time, & is perfectly recover’d.— William has recover’d his health & spirits & begins to look quite ruddy again.— Nancy & myself seem to enjoy perfect health.—

          The true American Spirit seems now to be perfectly rouzed. Not a single french Cockade is to be seen in our neighbourhood. I am told that in Fredericksburgh Colo. J. F. Mercer has opposed the Address, and has actually carried through a set of resolutions in direct opposition to the prevailing sentiments of the Nation.—
          Please to thank the President for his letter to Mr. Carroll— Unfortunately Mr. C. had left Annapolis again before I recd. it, & is gone to spend the summer at his Country seat at Elk-ridge—
          Mr. & Mrs. Johnson are mortified that you should disapprove of their taking their son from Cambridge, but I imagine you will justify them upon the Reasons they give.— Young Mr. Johnson is now 18 years old, he would have to spend 18 months more at the University before he could get a degree—which when obtain’d is never heard of afterwards in this Country. It is necessary by the practise here that a student in Law should have read law 4 or 5 years before he is consider’d as qualified to be admited into the Genl. Court, or indeed into any of the Courts— this would have made him nearly 25 years old before he could begin business; and the name of an Education at the University is nothing here. It is the wish of his Parents that he should live in this state, and indeed the Interest of the family Estate, would absolutely demand it, in Case of his father’s death. Mr. Johnson has a great many old concerns yet to wind up, and much of his Estate depends upon a proper settlement of his old partnership affairs in this Country. It was an object therefore with Mr. Johnson, that his son should become acquainted with People here, & accustomed to their manners. He has therefore sent him to a lawyers office in Annapolis, where he has been pursueing the study of the Law for some time past; But Mr. Johnson had no Idea of sending him to the College there—for it is not more respectable than our Country accademies in New England. Mr. Johnson entertain’d no Disrespect for the President or Government of Harvard University, but acted simply on the grounds I have mentioned, which added to Parental fondness, appear to me a sufficient apology for taking his son home.—
          I thank you for the Copy of the last Dispaches from our Envoys— & feel alarm’d at your fears for their safety.— It is the general opinion that three vessels were dispatched by the President to order them home, before the late first Dispatches were disclosed to Congress; and under that Idea I felt easy.
          It is said that some officious person had informed Mrs. Marshall

that her husband had been arrested by the Directory & thrown into prison—& that this information had such an Effect on her as to deprive her of her senses, and that she has remained delirious ever since. I do not know what reliance to place on this report, but I have heard it often repeated and never denied— It is now a month or 6 weeks since I first heard it.—
          Mrs. Johnson has been for some days much troubled with bilious Complaints— I shall dine with them to day. With my affectionate Respects to the President & Love to Louisa, I am most affectionately your grateful Nephew—

            W. Cranch.


Title: Abigail Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 5 June 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Belknap, Jeremy

            Sir
            Philadelphia June 5th 1798

          The President received yesterday your obliging favour of May 29th: accompanied by two of your Fast Sermons. permit me sir to

be the organ of his acknowledgment to you for them; A Friend had Sent him one a week before; which he read with pleasure and Satisfaction. It is indeed, a consolatary reflection amidst the weight of cares which press upon him from every quarter and the dangers which threaten our Country, that in the Hand of Providence he may be renderd instrumental of

            “Vindicating the Ways of God to Man”

          I had permission a week ago to transmit to you an extract of a Letter from my Son J Q A. Since which, the President has received from our youngest Son; the Letter which by his leave, I inclose, to you—
          The intelligence which it contains may be usefull to the publick. it is thought best that it should be publishd in a Boston paper, rather than in one at this place for Reasons which your own mind will sujest. You will if you think proper, begin the extract, with, “our intelligence from Home” substituting, America, for Home, and Friend, for Mother, the extract to go no further, than the passage which closes, “Should it be disposed to pardon my Herisies”
          You will be so good as to return the Letter to the President when you have done with it.
          The subscription paper You will give me leave to retain to an other opportunity, and inclose me a few more. I shall take pleasure in aiding the prosecution of a Work which will undoubtedly be renderd valuable, and usefull to the World, particuliarly so to our Country.
          With my Respects to Mrs Belknap / I subscribe myself, Your / obliged Friend and Humble / servant

            A Adams