Title: From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 3 June 1815
From: Rush, Richard
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					Respected Madam.
					Washington June 3. 1815

				I had the honor of your favor of the 14th of last month enclosed to me by Mr Smith, and upon this, as on all other occasions, was gratified at the receipt of it. There was also one for Mrs Madison, which I will take great pleasure in presenting to her, as soon as she returns to Washington. She is now expected in the course of a few days.I most sincerely hope, that the wishes of Mr John Adams Smith, in relation to the embassy at London, may be promply gratified. Although I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance as yet, I cannot doubt his entire personal merit after your attestations, Madam, in his favor. That point being settled, I know of no other young gentleman of our whole country who unites in himself such a list of claims to the post from the name, blood, and services of those to whom he is near and dear. I hope he will get it, because I think he ought; and so I will take the liberty of saying, in the best way I can and with real pleasure on my part, both to the President and Mr Monroe. I must be allowed to add, in conclusion, that, if he does not, I shall be nearly as much disappointed as he.I pray you, Madam to accept the assurances of my respectful and devoted friendship.

					Richard Rush


Title: From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 5 June 1815
From: Cushing, Hannah Phillips
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					My Dear Friend
					Scituate June 5th. 1815.

				We were highly gratified in receiving a few lines from our dear Susan, to whom my love & thanks are due.I was in hopes ere this to have been with & sympathize with you, for the departure of several of our valued Friends, since we last met; In particular your beloved Sister, whom I esteemed, & venerated. By the strong ties of nature which twines around my heart & draws me close to my Sisters, enables me to feel most sensibly for you my beloved & afflicted Friend, for the privation of yours. How many links in the chain which bind us to earth are continually disolving. But they serve as load stones to draw us to a better World; where we are assured no separation will ever be permited. To see & convers with you is what I most ardently wish, but ever since the weather has become pleasant I have been closely engaged in reparations about my house, which will still keep me at home three weeks longer. When I hope to have a little respite from cares, & enjoy the society of absent friends. Last week Cap H Bowers returned to the great joy of us all, for we had almost despaird of ever seeing him again. He sailed from Portland on Sunday Jany 29th prier to the cold Tuesday & had a most distressing passage, Vessel leaking, Hands frozen, & after all was taken within a few hours sail of his destined port. With Love & regard, to each member of the Family in which Sister Bowers unites with / Your Affectionate Friend

					H Cushing


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 June 1815
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Sir
Quincy June 7th. 15.

Inclosed is a Letter from Judah Alden of Duxbury, a fifty fifth Cousin of yours, on the Fisheries. And another from Freeman Atwood. I have not time to read these Papers but I believe you may depend upon them.
I think I have Sent you proofs enough of the importance of the Fisheries to your Country. And my Advice is to demand your recall and refuse Your Signature to any compact which shall directly or by implication Surrender one tittle or Iota of the Treaty of 1783 relative to the Fisheries. Your Country itself knows not and never did know the Importance of the Fisheries. They are a Secret cunning Monopoly. But, touch them and their importance will Soon be known.
I hope Your Sons are in your Bosom and that of their Mother. Our Anxiety for them cannot be exceeded by yours. We have nothing from you, since 21. March.

A.


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 June 1815
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Sir
Quincy June 8th. 1815

I have requested a number of Friends, to Search and Seek for information concerning the Fisheries, and they have procured me many Letters which I have Sent you. I ought to have recorded in a Book every One of those Testimonies: but you know the impossibility of it, as I have no Clerk. Some of those documents I have been obliged to Send away to you, without reading them.
Inclosed is one from Ignatius Sargent Esqr to Dr Welsh, of the 20th of May.
I cannot Send you Mr Strongs Speech. It makes me Sick. Such a model of Monkish Evasion Equivocation, wrong headedness, and Malignity, well as I thought I knew the Man, I did not expect.
Eustis is going to your and my place, the Hague. You know the Man and his Secretary Everett. You will cultivate a dignified Correspondence with them.
Oh my dear Boys! and their dear Father and Mother! what would I give to See them all once more together?
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 June 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

My Dear Son
Quincy June 8th 1815

Dr Eustice, for so he will be call’d altho now our minister to Holland, came yesterday to make us a visit, and to take leave, previous to his leaving America—he goes out in the Frigate Congress. he requested me to write by him. I replied, that I had written so frequently of late, that I had not any thing to add. he thought a Lady could never be at a loss.
I should not neither, if I had received any Letters from you, of a later date, than that from Paris of March 19th which I had already half a dozen times acknowledged—
you will learn I presume before this will reach you, that govr Strong is reelected, and Leiut govr. Philips. the party made every exertion to support him, in order to bolster up their tottering fabrick and to enable them to hold up their Heads.
Mr Dexter has been most of the winter in Washington, upon buisness. he has withdrawn himself from buisness in Boston, and given it up to his son. he has gone with his family to pass the summer in the State of N york where he owns Lands, and has planted one of his sons. he talks himself, of removeing his Family to Philadelphia, and residing there which I think would be a serious loss to this state; he was offerd an Embassy to Spain, but declined it—If mr Madison declines a Re election, as it is said he will—I wish he might be Elected President. the N England ruling party, have adopted measures so discordent to his feelings, and so opposite to his opinions, that he cannot enjoy communion with them—
you would be delighted, to see the waters again cover’d with shipping, enterprize, and industery thriving, and peace on our borders, and prosperity in our Land. Whilst many of us feel, and gratefully acknowledge these blessings; we look with an Eye of anxious solicitude for the fate of other Nations, with wonder and astonishment upon the Novel scene exhibited in France, and with the hope; that as no step was marked with Blood; peacably may he whom the voice of a Nation, chuses to rule over them, enjoy his power, and authority.
I hope soon to learn that you are in England, and that mrs Adams and your sons, are with you. my Love attends them. I have written to all of them, by vessels going to Liverpool. there are not any vessels to any other port.
your Brother and Family are well I heard from William and his wife, last week.  they with their Babe were well and at Cedar Grove with their Sister, mrs de Wint—but soon expected to go with Col Smith to the valley—your Father is gone, to comply with a request made by you through your Brother, to sit to Stuart for his Portrait—if he gets a good likeness, as I think it promises, you will value it more than if it had been taken, in youth or middle Age, he has promised to finish that which twenty years ago he took for me, but now, no more like me, than that any other person. I am sure my grand children will never know it and therefore I cared not whether he ever finishd it. it has however a strong resemblance of you. two years since, he took your Aunt Peabody, at her sons request. Since her death he has finishd it, and an admirable likeness it is. in some former Letter I requested you to get a copy of a portrait of your sister which mr Copley took of her; I hope if you consider it a good likeness, that you will do it—I think as I had not any thing to write / I have been tolerably adroit in filling my paper—leaving / only room to say that I am your affectionate Mother

A A—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 12 June 1815
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Mother
London 12 June 1815.

Mr. Todd having just called to announce his departure I hasten to write you although I do not think his departure will take place so soon as he expects. You will my joy on arriving in London at finding my Boys ready at our lodgings to receive me although in excellent health the pleasure was too much for me and I was several days before I recover’d my usual composure—We have not yet found a School to place them at as the pressure of business is so great it is almost impossible for Mr. Adams to attend to his private concerns. We shall however attend to this as soon as possible as we are every moment more convinced of the necessity of putting them into the hands of some person qualified for the charge.
My journey from St. Petersburg was performed with as little uneasiness and as few misfortunes as could possibly have been anticipated and I have really acquired the reputation of a heroine at a very cheap rate the only part of it which required unusual exertion was on the road from Strasbourg to Paris owing to the change which was about taking place in France and which had produced a state of enthusiastic rapture which had so much of high revolutionary spirit mingled with it I could not entirely divest myself of fears, which were however without any real foundation; as my passport as an American, proved a sufficient safeguard, and was every where treated with respect.—I arrived in Paris two days after the Emperor and found every thing perfectly quiet much to my astonishment, owing to the great misrepresentations of the fugitives of the Royal party, who had almost made me believe, that I should find myself in the midst of a battle at the gates of Paris.—I found Mr. Adams in very good health and grown very fat we passed two months most delightfully there and I quitted it with utmost regret. My anticipations of a very disgraceable residence in this Country, are likely to be fully proved. the spirit which has for the last two years actuated the Nation, appears to be the same, and under the mask of moderation, and friendship. I much fear we shall find as decided an enmity as heretofore at this moment their hands are tied but should success crown their endeavours against France and they should still possess the means of raising money they will become more insolent and overbearing than ever and woe betide all those Nations who are too poor or too humble to insist upon their right, Sword in hand. The expence of living here is insupportable and it is daily a matter of astonishment to me how the people can support the weight of taxes under which they labour. as I am positively assured that the poorer classes of society do not taste meat once in several months and it is hardly possible to five steps from your door without being surrounded with well dressed Beggars who assure you they have not a bit of bread.
George is a very fine Boy and I hope in a short time when his manners become a little more formed that he will do us honor and credit John is so wild and has taken such a passion for the Navy that I fear which we must relinquish all hopes of his becoming a great Scholar I still flatter myself however that when he becomes a little more steady we may still be able to correct many little errors which may become dangerous if not properly attended to. Charles is still too young for us to form any correct idea of his character but at present he resembles George very much both in mind and person.
Present my affectionate duty to my father and love to all the family and believe me dear Madam with every sentiment of respect and esteem your affectionate Daughter

L. C. A.


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 June 1815
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Sir
Quincy June 13th 1815

The Wars of the Reformation Still go on; and produce very curious researches.
The day before yesterday was put into my hand, by W. S. Shaw “Rapport a l’Institut national, Par A. G. Camus Pluviose An XI. In page 55 and Onwards you will find some Account of the Bollandists and the Acta Sanctorum
I am not enough acquainted, with the present Generation of Men to conjecture, whether this is intended to promote the Reformation; or to restore the Catholic Religion with all its Inquisitions and Jesuits; or to abolish Christianity altogether.
Please to look into your “Nouveau Dictionaire historique Par une Societe de Gens de Lettres,” under the Words Bollandus Heinshemius and Papebrock, and compare what you there read with the Report of Camus.
The Reformation has produced Huss and Wickliff Luther and Calvin, Charles 5th and Maurice, Guises, Elizabeth, Mary, Chatillons Oranges Henry 4th William 3d Louis 14th. Powder Plotts, Bartholomews days, Irish Massacres Robespierre, Buoneparte, and all his Battles, the Conflagration of Moscow, the Treaty of Paris and the Restoration of the Emperor Napoleon.
These are all Puppets and Bubbles. The real contest Conflict and Shock is between, opposite, or at least different Systems of Phylosophy, Religion and Government.And when will be the End.
Love to your dear Wife and my dear Daughter, to your dear Sons and my dear Grandsons
A.


Title: From François Adriaan Van der Kemp to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 June 1815
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear and respected Madam!
Oldenbarneveld 15 Jun: 1815—

How can I express mÿ deep Sense of gratitude for your condescending kindness, in gratifying me So unexpectedly with your affectionate Letter of the 24. last. you art thoroughly acquainted with the art of enhancing the value of a gift. what drooping Spirits would not be revived bÿ Such a powerful tonic? and I owe you the acknowledgment, that theÿ dispelled a while the gloom—But—it has So manÿ nurses, that it baffles often philosophÿ, and can only be Subdued by the irresistible weapons of religion. I presume, that bodilÿ indisposition has a great Share in it, and took—on this Supposition and the advice of mÿ Physical friends an excursion of two days—by a Smart ride—Which I found Some what beneficial. On mÿ return I was pleased with a Letter of the Hon: D. Tyng—favouring me with copies of two Letters from mÿ frend—at his resignation—as President of the Philos. & Agric. Societÿ—and two days after it—I was—honoured with your favour; and now I must endeavour, to make out an answer—confiding on your wonted indulgence.
Mÿ daughter was witness of the impression—which I received in opening the Letter—as She is usually all attention, when She perceives a hand-writing from Quincÿ or Boston—and leaves nothing untried to render this medicine more palatable—by Suggesting, that it appears—that—how much I have lost—I am not yet left alone. She too would not leave me, neither was it her good mother’s wish. It gives me manÿ agreable Sensations, that it has been in mÿ power—to gratify her wishes—of visting her Children—although motives of delicacÿ had prevented her of uttering these Wishes even in a Syllable—She deserves it in full—and Shall be in my opinion a paltry Compensation for the weighty Sacrifices, She made—to follow me across the Atlantick.
You See, how deep I am penetrated by the Sense of your goodness, Madam! in writing thus exclusivelÿ about mÿself; and yet, I Shall return again to the Same topic—what I endeavour—to counteract this bent—It is not So easÿ to follow precepts as to give them—and yet—I might have learnd—from an exalted example of a Ladÿ, wounded in her tenderest feelings—at an advanced age in life and an enfeebled bodily Constitution—I might have learnd—when I witnessed So much firmness and cheerful resignation at Quincÿ—to press Such Steps—but it cost less to admire than to imitate—and yet the latter is a more gratifying offering—I Should be nevertheless unwilling to submitt to an unconditional condemnation Something might be—at least if you would defend me, brought forward, to palliate an appearing weakness. The cases are not paralel—I nearly alone in the wilderness—not longer of use—your Ladyship—tho Struggling with misfortunes thoug bleeding for losses—which are irreparable—yet Surrounded bÿ frends and Dear relatives—beloved respected—by them—yet happÿ to relieve Some wants—to Sooth Some anguish, and administer comfort to the afflicted: Here—Madam! here lies in my opinion that vast Superioritÿ of womankind above our race, and not in a cold—visionarÿ Philosophÿ and imitated manlÿ excellence—at the cost of the graces and Modestÿ—Give me in Sickness a Stella for Attendant—and—when my Spirits are decomposed—one of your Letters will operate with a more irresistible force—than a conversation—of So many hours—of Madame Stael!
Permit me, Madam! to complain of your manner of attack—you appear to Sport with me playfullÿ—convert me nearly as Agrippa, make a concession—that there is a time of mourning—and proves by your own example again—how it ought to be conducted—and leave me the conclusion—if another could do So, at what I ought to aim at—Had my lot been cast in your neighbourhood—tho I often might have been corrected—I Seriously am disposed—you would deem me Some what better—and I dare Saÿ—it was to my advantage, that I Stay’d in 1813 a Short while in Boston and your its neighbourhood—and under your hospitable roof. Madame Stael might have Scorned the undertaking—I return the Lett. of. J. Q. A. with mÿ Sincere thanks—It is in unison with him—it has not risen my opinion of the Lady—not much altered—neither I Suppose—that we varied essentiallÿ—in her appreciation. I have read nothing from her—than Corinna—and her influence of Litterature on Society—
I am ignorant of her Patronage of the American cause against the Brittish—neither Should I have desired it, or prided myself, when obtained, unsolicited. I felt painfully their many wrongs, and exposed them often with Severity—but yet, with all thy faults—I love thee England! If I wanted an auxiliary—I Should rather be willing to implore that aid from J. Q. A. and entrust our concerns to Him. And I live in hope, that by a commercial Treaty He Shall farther deserve well of his Countrÿ. His Letter is to me a clear evidence, that he weighed that Ladÿ in his first visit, and She was found too leight. Throwing of her guard by his admiration, and who could not admire Such an assemblage of Talents and accomplishments, and feeding upon her own Self-Sufficiency his keen eye penetrated through the tinsel gaudy garb—which was assumed not to cover her nakedness but to fascinate the Superficial dillettante. Her Father admired mr Adams’ defence!—and—what did he—to create to model the French monarchÿ after this plan?—She knew not—that the Embassador J Q. A. was his Son! She boasted in her unbelief! this She proved in her influence of Literature in Society—which treatise—with all its merits—would have been considered—to possess nothing uncommon—had it been written by J. Q. A. or—if then approved—it would have been Suggested, that he was not the author of the Lectures on Rhetoric. For my part—I Should be better pleased in the Society of the voluptuous Ninon—than in the converzatione of my Lady Montague or any modern Diplimatic missionarÿ or Embassadress, and the domestic drudgerÿ—as She might call it of educating Daughters—to be a blessing as well as ornaments for rising families—of a Mrs Eliot and Quincÿ—is a more honorable employment—then adjusting the interests of whole Europe—Napoleon’s Question—who educates your children? is the Severest Philippic upon all her Political Endowments—But loan me this Ladÿ! how delightful must become now J. Q. A. Letters from London—and those of your grand-children! what prospects! their grand-Sire—will be renovated in them: It is true—there are cares—but what is unmixed here?
Without our hopes, without our fears
Without the home, that plighted love endears
Without the Smile from partial frendship won
oh! what were man!
but these cares can not disturb your tranquil happiness—no—you art not Satisfied, till you make me Share in it—and expand it all around you. How I am delighted with your honoured disposition! and this gift too I owe in part to the partial kindness of your consort. Continue to favour me with it, and permit me to assure you, that I am with high and affectionate respect—Madam! / your obliged frend!

Fr. Adr. vanderkemp

P.S. will you favour me with your opinion of Dean Swift—not as a writer—but as a man? of Hannah More’s Christian morals? which I perused with pleasure—although I would not Subscribe her dogma’s?


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 19 June 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

				N 39.My Dear Sir.
					London 19. June 1815.

				On my arrival here I received from my Sons George and John, several important Letters from you. Others have since been delivered to me, the latest of them dated 1. May. The multiplicity of occupations great and small which still absorb my time make it impossible for me to answer them at present—I shall not forget them hereafter. Mr John Gore and his Lady, are returning to America in the Galen—He is good enough to take charge of the Seal which I have procured according to your directions, and I shall endeavour to send by the same vessel the other Articles, sent for by my Mother. Possibly however they may miss this opportunity. My children are yet all with us, and as this is precisely the Season of a vacation for five or six weeks in all the schools, they will probably remain with us during that time—George and John, are already home sick, and I have reason enough for being so too.The great Events that are impending over Europe are in the prospect so uncertain, that I find myself unable even to speculate upon their approaching issue. The general opinion here is that the campaign will be short, and that Napoleon will be overwhelmed by the results of a single battle—The probability of that Event now appears to me to be great—I long questioned whether the union or the ardour of the allies would be so steady and permanent as it has proved to be—The symptoms of his internal weakness in France did not begin to shew themselves until his triumph over The Bourbons was complete, and the determination of the Allies to destroy him was ascertained—His second fall will be not to rise again—But the cause of which he is the champion will survive him.—The British Ministry made last week a loan of 36 Millions Sterling, with the most perfect facility—Their National Expenditure this year exceeds 120 Millions—When is this to end?It will end sooner than the duty and affection of your Son.

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 June 1815
From: Rush, Julia Stockton
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					My dear Madam
					Philadelphia June 19th 1815

				Altho’ I have not had the pleasure to receive a letter from you, since I last wrote; yet your goodness to me on all occasions gives me the assurance that you will excuse the liberty I now take to ask a favor for my daughter Manners; she has I suppose sail’d for England before this time, and in her last letter to me express’d a wish to get a letter of introduction to our Minister at the Court of London, who she knew was the frind of her father. She thought I could obtain one from her brother Richard, and I am sure he would take great pleasure in giving it to her, but it has occured to me that it would be much more gratifng to her to obtain that favor from you my dear Madam. Mr Adams and his family are no doubt and will be much opprest in that way—but a wish from you that he would notice my daughter if she should happen to be in London would place her upon a better footing than a ceremonious letter of introduction could do, she will not be in that way at all, but to be allowed to go to Mr Adam’s as to the frend of her father and upon your request, will be very gratefyig to her and to me, to know the most distinguished characters from her own county, cannot fail to be advantageous to her—she regrets very much that the Regt to which her husband belongs is ordered to England, she is so much nearer home in Canada and can live so much more comfortably on the pay and allowances of a Major, indeed it is eaqual to all their wishes in that country, but in England it will be very different, the allowances are all stop’d when they are not in service. If you will have the goodness to enclose a letter to me I will send it to her the first time I write to her.I have had the pleasure to receive a visit from my Son Richard this spring he spent two weeks with us, and I think has regain’d all he lost by his sickness—Benjamin sail’d a few days since for Lisbon, as Super Cargo and owner of a third part of the cargo, poor fellow he has been idle for two years and half by the war.My daughter and Sons join in the most respectful remembrance to Mr Adams and to you / with dear Madam / your obliged frind

					Julia Rush


Title: From William Smith Shaw to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 June 1815
From: Shaw, William Smith
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					Quincy June 24 1815

				Received of Abigail Adams in trust for my sister Abbe A Shaw thirty four dollars, which with three dollars 50 cents, paid by mrs Adams to mrs Foster, is in full for a quarters Rent of the Medford Farm, due in April

					Wm. S. Shaw


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 June 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

My Dear Son
Quincy June 29th 1815

The Milo Captain Glover is to sail on Sunday the Second of July. I will not let him go without a few lines, altho I have not received any return, or acknowledgment of those Letters, I Sent by him in March, nor heard from you, Since your date of the 20th of that Month
All calculation are Set at nought, with respect to the Hostile aspect of Europe—and we look—and wait, listen & anticipate, conjecture, "and hear of all the dread circumstance, and pomp, oft  of glorious war,"—for every benevolent mind, revolts at the Idea of Foreign powers, forceing a Ruler upon a Nation, the majority of which reject him.
Peace in our Native Land, is attended with the returning blessing of commerce. I will not add, with all that good will to Man, which ought to Characterize generous and Noble minds—for much of the Spirit of party, Still Subsists in N England—but it does not leven the whole Loaf.
I hope long before e’er this can reach you; you will have received your dear Sons to your Arms. I long to be greeted with the solacing intelligence.
I have in former Letters, recommended to your particular notice, mr Ticknor, and Everet, congenial Souls will mingle and yours by instinct, would turn towards them, and demand alliance.
Mr Jefferson in a Letter lately received from him by your Father, writes thus, "I thank you for making known to me, mr Ticknor and mr Grey, they are fine young gentlemen indeed, and if Massachusets can raise a few more Such, it is probable She would be better counselled, as to Social right and Social duties, Mr Ticknor, particularly is the best bibliograph I have met with. he very kindly offerd me, the means of reprocuring some of the literary treasure which I have ceded to congress less of than his critical knowledge of Books would hardly be adequate to the undertaking"
I have the happiness, my Dear Son to Say: that we are all well—impatient to hear from England, and of your being once more united to your Family.
Beleive me, as ever / your affectionate Mother

Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 June 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My Dear Daughter
Quincy June 29th 1815

Altho I have not the pleasure to acknowledg any Letter from you of a more recent date, than one by mr Forbes of Sep’ber last, which I only received a few days since, I will thank you for that, and am happy that I can congratulate you, upon a change in the aspect of our National affairs since that date, when they appeard to us in America; in not much less of a gloomy cast than to you in St Petersburgh—
The unexpected return of peace was hail’d by all parties, and the first effusions of joy, flowd with Sincerity whom the Hearts overpowering the Malovelence of party, and the rancour which it fed upon—netted Some Symptoms, have since appeard of the old Spirit. it is evidently disarmd of its poison—
At this auspicious period, I could have wished for the return, of my son and his Family, to his Native country
but it has been otherways ordaind. I hope to produce further benifit to our Native Land, and Sure I am it will have that effect, if a corresponding disposition of Justice, and Equity, Subsists in the British Cabinet.
I have the pleasure to Say to you that your Sister Smith, and my great Granddaughter were well the last week, when they accompanied, my dear Caroline and her Husband to N york from Cedar Grove, where they had past five weeks with mr de wints Mother. Mr and mrs de Wint left them in N york to make us a  visit of a few weeks. Caroline is in charming health and Spirits and promisses that the Family Name Shall not be extinct.I could have wished that your Sister and william could have accompanied them, but she thought justly that a prior duty calld her to washington—
I could not let this vessel Sail without writing to you, and I request to you to embrace every opportunity of letting me hear from you. it will Serve to console me for the long Seperation I have endurd, and Seem to lessen the distance between us.
You know by your own feelings how anxious I must be to hear that my dear Boys, so long my particular charge, have been safely lodged with you. To them, and to their Mother, I send Love.
wishing you every blessing / I am your / affectionate Mother

Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 29 June 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

my dear daughter
June 29th 1815

Altho I cannot have the pleasure of acknowledging any Letter from you of a more recent date than one by mr Forbes last Sep’br, I will thank you for that, altho only received a few days Since—I am happy that I can congratulate you upon a change in the aspect of publick affairs respecting our own County. Since that date—the return of peace was haild here by all parties, and the first Spontanious effusions of Joy flowd with sincerity from the Heart, overpowering the malevolence of Party—and the rancour which it fed upon—altho Some Symptoms have since appeard of the old spirit it is evidently disarmd of its poison—at this auspicious Season I could have wished my Son and your return to your Country—but it has been otherways ordaind—I hope to produce further benifit to our Native Land Sure I am It will have that effect—if a corresponding disposition on the part of G Britain meets it—
I have the pleasure to Say to you that your sister and her daughter were well the last week, when they accompanied Caroline to N–York, who left them there, to make with her Husband a visit of a few weeks to us—I wish it could have been convenient for her to have made us also a visit, but She thought her duty calld her to washington—
I would not let this vessel go without writing to you—and requesting you to embrace all opportunities of Communicating with me. it will lessen the distance—to hear often from you and console me for the long Seperation—which we have endured—you know by Your own feelings how anxiously I must wish to hear from our dear Boys so long my particular charge to whom, and to their Brother give my Love—wishing You every blessing / I am as ever Your affec / Mother

A A


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My Dear Son
					Quincy June 30th 1815

				This Letter my dear son, is to introduce to you, and mrs Adams, the Lady of Major Manners, whose mother has written to me to request it. as the daughter of our much Loved, and highly respected Friend, the late Dr Rush, You will receive her with kindness.Ever since the death, of that friend of your Fathers, and of the family, I have had an occasional correspondence with mrs Rush—and your Father, one, with her son, the Attorney General of the United States, who has always addrest him, with a fillial regard, and respect, so that the Friendship of the parents, is and will, I hope be transmitted fosterd and cultivated, by the descendents of both Families.Major Manners’s Regiment is orderd from Canada, to England—as mrs Manners is a stranger in that Country, she has written to her Mother, to procure for her a Letter to you, and to mrs Adams, that if she should be in England, she may visit you, not in ceremony, but as to a friend of her Fathers. as such I doubt not you will notice her, as well as for her own amiable Character and accomplishments.In doing which you will much oblige / your affectionate Mother

					Abigail Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 30 June 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

				N. 73.

					London 30. June 1815

				Just after the date of my last Letter (7. May) I received orders form the Secretary of State, in consequence of which I proceeded as speedily as possible to this City—A Commission and Credential Letter to this Court had been sent here, where I was directed to come and find them. We came from Havre De Grace to Dover, where we landed on the 24th. of May, and came up the next day to London—Upon our arrival we had the unexpected happiness of meeting our Sons, George and John. They had arrived after an agreeable passage of twenty seven days at Liverpool, and reached London five days only before us. They have both written to you and given their own account of their Voyage and Journey, as well as of their meeting with their Parents and brother—They are still with us, as this happens to be precisely the period of Summer vacation at all the schools—I have to acknowledge the receipt of Letters from you, dated 30. August 1813. 29. Novr: 1814. and 1. 3. and 11. April and 6. May 1815. All these have come to hand since I wrote you last—one of them a day or two before I left Paris—Several by my Sons, and one written three weeks after their departure—I have procured the Broad Cloth and knives and forks for which you wrote and given them to the charge of Captain Tracey of the Galen, who has promised to deliver them to Mr Shaw at Boston—The Seal for which my father wrote, I entrused to Mr Habbard who goes a Passenger in the same vessel; requesting him to give it also to Mr Shaw. I wrote at the same time a few lines to my father, but have not yet found an hour of leisure to write either to him or to you  as I should wish.My Aunt Peabody was next to you, one of the earliest and tenderest friends and guardians of my childhood—Since that time every recollection that I have of her is of acts of kindness to myself and to my children—The news of her decease could not therefore but most painfully affect me, and the sentiment was deepened by that of the impression with which I knew that you must have been affected by the Event. But at the close of a life so blameless and pure ofas hers, Death has no Sting; and the Consolation for the loss of a friend can never fail, when as in this instance we may with equal devotion and Confidence pray not only that our last end, but the whole tenor of our lives may be like that of the relative we have lost.It has given me cordial satisfaction to learn the safe arrival in America, of Mr: and Mrs Smith, with their infant daughter—I have occasionally made you acquainted with many of the incidents which made his residence and political relation with me unpleasant to us both—I most cordially wish him a more prosperous Career than it was possible for him to find in that which he took by accompanying me—With may excellent qualities, he has bee unfortunately deficient in that without which no good qualities can avail—Prudence—His brother has written to me, requesting a recommendation from me to obtain for him the appointment of Secretary to this Legation—This is impossible, because I had already recommended another person—But even had that insuperable obstacle not stood in the way, and had I at any time thought myself justifiable in recommending for public office a person so nearly related to myself in kindred, my experience would have forbidden me to make such an application—I have too sorely felt the evil of nepotism in that political relation, ever to incur it again with my own consent—I anxiously wish it were in my power to promote any of his views of laudable ambition; but as by the Law of the United States as it now stands the Secretary of Legation is altogether Independent of the Minister, and as I have been once entangled in the dependence which the relations of consanguinity establish between persons thus situated, I have been taught in as much as my own agency is concerned to avoid the same cause of embarrassment for the future.I hope in a short time to be relieved from that extraordinary pressure of occupation which has harrassed me ever since my arrival here, and to have the power of writing you more at leisure—We have yet no house, and are left in uncertainty whether the means of taking one will be allowed us—For all public affairs I must refer you to the Newspapers—You will see that Napoleon has fallen again, never to rise—I think it impossible that he should this time escape with his life.Present my duty to my father—My affections to all the friends around you, and believe me in duty and affection ever devotedly your’s

					A.


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1815
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Sir
Quincy June 30. 15

Where Shall the Begining, the Middle or the End of an oration be when the orator has nothing to Say?
We are distracted for News from You, your Lady and your Children God bless you all.
When I was young I read Hobbes and his Antagonists. A terrible Pother was made about his Doctrine, That the State of Nature is a State of War. That it is so, however till every One knows his place, all Nature testifies through all her Works. Beasts Birds and Fishes as well as Men bear Witness.
The Cessation of Hostilities by Sea and Land between England and America has softened, for a time, some of the political Asperities: and now We are threatened with Theological Warfare. Athanasianism and Presbytery are making War upon “Biblical Criticism and liberal Christianity.”
I See not, but you and your Contemporaries, who are not long after me and mine, will be obliged to adopt the Roman Maxim, or at least, practice to involve the Republick in foreign War, when a civil War, becomes otherwise inevitable. G.B. clearly acted on this Principle, when She went to War with France, twenty Odd years ago.
Let nobody See this rant: for I will not justify it. I cannot write Seriously upon public Affairs.
Inclosed is a Letter, on the Fisheries, I know not from whom: for the Fishers are as reserved as Secret s cunning as the Theologians and Phylosophers. Truth Veracity, Sincerity, Where are Ye
A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 July 1815
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					My Dear Mother
					London July 8th. 1815

				Your last kind Letters of the 20 of May reached London only two days since and according to your request I hasten to answer it—I wrote you some time since that I had performed my journey in safety and passed two delightful Months in Paris which I quitted with the greatest regret since which the fate of that unfortunate Country has been decided and it is doomed to return to that state of bigotry and slavery from which it was apparently emancipated forever. Louis the 18th. is once more seated on the throne of the France escorted as before by the Allied Armies. of the fate of Napoleon nothing is yet known but there is much dread expressed of his having escaped in which case the rod would still hang over their heads and keep them in a state of continual apprehension this I presume will agitate the public mind only a few days longer as something positive must soon be heard concerning him. it is to our Country all eyes are pointed as this is the spot to which it is said should he escape he means to bend his course I believe much care will be taken to prevent it and I much doubt the success of such an attempt should he ever have intended it.We are still in Lodgings and as the Drawing rooms had closed before my arrival I shall not be presented til until next should we remain here so long which I am inclined to doubt the Government appearing to think that no outfit will be allowed to Mr. Adams and it being utterly impossible to live in London without it.—It is certainly unnecessary to say to you my dear Madam how ungenerous I think such a step and most assuredly did it depend upon me I would relinquish a place in which it is so impossible even with the utmost that America allows to avoid every species of insult and mortification. even our little Quincy Farm, holds out a far more agreeable prospect than honours so dearly purchased, our Nation has made one great step towards elevation, but unless she acquires a little more liberality in the financial part of her Government, she will ever be viewed with contempt by all the European Nations who have generosity enough to prize great talents, and almost always to reward them by at least a certain independance. We as a Nation have gained a reputation but we have still much to do to establish it upon a solid basis and the changes which are so rapidly overturning Europe may at a period perhaps not far remote prove to us the necessity of maintaining a higher ground than we are at present apparently willing to take. I have been out once or twice since I have been in England and find the manners and tone of society so extremely unpleasant that I do not wish to have anything to do with what is denominated the great World—The change which I perceive is most likely in myself having been so may many years in Foreign Countries; where society and manners are so entirely different. it is not wonderful that in society here I find the manners more particularly of the Ladies rude and repulsive. but I likewise believe that the little intercourse which this Nation has for some years had with its rafter Neighbours, has contributed in a great degree to the naturally cold and harsh tone of this arrogant people.You will smile my dear Mother at my opinions—Present my affectionate duty to the President and Love to Louisa and Susan and believe me ever your affectionate daughter.

					L. C. Adams

				July 9th: The death of Mr. Whitbread at present occupies the public attention there are whispers that his death was not perfectly natural but I believe from what I have heard that he died very suddenly of an Apoplexy—as a man of talents he is unquestionably a great loss to the Nation and I think it will be long before the opposition will be able to replace him.Messrs. Clay and Gallatin have left London to return to America—should Mr. Bayard be alive he must now have nearly reached home the dreadful state he was in when he sailed made it almost impossible to believe that he could live over the passage.—Mr. & Mrs. Perkins with Mr. Tichnor and Mr. Everett are gone to Holland the Children are still with us it being Vacation at all the Schools—They are quite well.Although a wretched correspondent I shall you frequently and endeavour to inform you of all that is passing—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 July 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, George Washington

					my dear George and John
					Quincy July 12 1815

				This is the House that Jack builtAnd this is the curse that lay in the House &cNow George, I hear you Say, what in the world can Grandmother mean by this? why I am so joyfull, that I must Sport a little with you—but to explain, upon the 29th of June, arrived the Ship pacific at N york, from Liverpool 45 days passage and She brought news of the arrival at that place of the New packet from Boston upon the 12th of May—and cousin Caroline DeWint, being upon a visit to us at Quincy, received a Letter from her Brother John at N york, who wrote her, that mr McComick had received a Letter from mr Pitcarn from Liverpool of the 15 of may, in which he writes, that the two sons of mr Adams had arrived there in Health and Safety. God be praised. now my dear Boys you have the whole, and all I know of you, for there is not a line by this vessel from any passenger to any of their Friends in Boston, or else where. I am quite weary of writing, without receiving a line in return. not one has reachd me, from your Father or Mother, Since the 20th March, when he was in Paris, and we are waiting with patience exhausted, to hear from them, and from you directly. I have written to both of you, once before, and to your Father, or Mother by every vessel which has saild for Liverpool—the Milo Captain Glover carried Letters last week—we are all well. give my Love to your Brother Charles—of whom Fame Speaks loudly—Love each other, cultivate harmony, and remember, how good and how pleasent a thing it is, for Breathern to dwell together in unity—you know not, my dear Boys how very near my heart you are; I do not wound it, by any conduct unworthy of yourselves, or those from whom you are descended. I Love the Chamber where you used to play your pranks, Study your lessons and take your repose, even the key You hung up in it, before you left it, I have not sufferd to be removed, and the cain you used to take your walks with from Hingham, I have placed in my closset, and Some of your military accourtrements are Still preserved as they wereJohn too, has left the remembrance of many usefull and amiable qualities, the possitiveness of youth Age and experience will correct. John was always most so, when he knew he was right.George think of all your Grandmother used to Say to you, even at those times, when you beleived it unnecessary. further knowledge of the world, will convince you that She was right, but as I once wrote you, you must be your own moniter.For your health, your Reputation and your Success and advancement in Life You have the prayers / of your affectionate Grandmother—

					A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 July 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My Dear Son,
					Quincy July 13th 1815

				I again take my pen, not to find any fault with you, that I do not hear from you, because I know that many Letters must be upon the wings of the wind, written by you, for me. I have only to regret, that they are so slow, to satisfy my earnest desire to hear from you;I have been made joyfull by learning that your sons had a fine passage, and arrived safe; and I see by the papers mention made of your being present on the 24 of April at a dinner given to mr Crawford by the Americans in Paris. I wrote to you last week by the Milo, and gave Letters to mr Wiggin, and a Book call’d the olive Branch, but I should call it, a caustic for N England. it is an ill Bird &c but I must own we, that is, our boastfull gentry, who have been so ready to monopolize all the wealth, and understanding of the Union: find they have by their conduct, courted an investigation, which does not redound to their honour—made bare subjects hidden even from themselves—I shall send you some Clerical disputes when a private opportunity occurs. it is well to know how the world goes;I am loth to send any blank paper a cross the water. there are so many subjects I might fill it with, but my poor Eyes give out. we cannot last always, and many are the faculties I have reason to be thankfull for at this advanced Age, particuliarly hearing—15thI have waited Several days in hopes that I should hear before the vessels saild, but one has already gone, and the other will go on Sunday. a cartel arrived in Boston from Plimouth with 2 or 3 hundred prisoners—she had 52 days passage, and we get not any news except that Hostilities had not commenced—So to the Sweet dame patience, I must again address myself, quoting the old proverb, that no News was good News—with kind affections and much / Love I subscribe yours—

					A—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 17 July 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

				N. 74.

					London 17. July 1815

				Your kind Letters of 20 May and 4 June have been received together with others to my wife and the children which they have answered and will answer for themselves. Hitherto since our arrival in London, I have been obliged to rely upon their punctuality in answering your Letters, as an apology for the temporary deficiency of mine. Besides the multitude of trifling but indispensable avocations which have absorbed a great part of my time; I have been engaged in the negotiation of a Commercial Convention, upon which my Colleagues, Messrs: Clay and Gallatin had entered before I came, and which was signed on the 3d: of this Month—Mr: Gallatin takes it with him to America. It settles only for four years, and only two of the numerous objects of collision in the commercial Relations, between the two Countries—Whether it will be possible hereafter to find or to promote a temper of mutual conciliation and accommodation on both sides, time only can disclose—The importance of the United States, in the general scale of civilized Nations, increases in the estimation of all Europe, quite as rapidly as in reality—Their naval exploits throughout the late War had made an impression profound and universal, in every part of Europe—The issue of the last campaign by Land, both in the North and South has still deepened and confirmed that impression—It is perhaps impossible for an American who has not been abroad, and witnessed the results to imagine how much the War has raised the National Character—But I will affirm without fear of Contradiction that no American visiting in Europe in 1815 can avoid perceiving how much more individual Consideration he derives from the reputation of the Nation to which he belongs, than he could have derived in 1811—When a friend of mine whose political errors (as I deem them) have been greater, and more lamentable than those of any other of my fellow Citizens, publicly said in Congress that the Administration could not be kicked into a War, he only said of his political opponents, what the Nations of Europe generally thought of the whole American Nation—That identical expression, though I believe it was only an ebullition of inconsiderate anger and contempt, probably contributed to produce the War—It requires a mind very peculiarly and happily tempered in an individual to endure the reproach of cowardice from an adversary, without being instigated by it to deeds of rashness—Such self–controul is still more rare in public bodies than in single persons—The injustice and outrages which we had been suffering for a succession of years from almost all the then belligerent powers, but in a supereminent degree from Great-Britain, and the unavailing efforts which we had made to obtain redress by negotiation and remonstrance had certainly excited a sentiment very general in foreign Countries, that our Spirit of resistance against injury evaporated in words, and that we had not the energy to defend our rights by an appeal to arms—This opinion has been gloriously refuted by the War—I have uniformly lamented the necessity of the War, without being able even to my own judgment to deny it; and among the strongest proofs that it was necessary, has been in my Mind that very expression of my angry and prejudiced friend. For  I hold it to be one of the heaviest misfortunes that can befall a Nation, that an opinion should become generally prevalent that it suffers wrong for the want of Spirit to maintain its rights—Consider on the narrow scale of party the result of War has not answered the expectations of either side of our great political divisions—It has neither disgraced the Country nor overthrown the administration, as was expected and I am afraid hoped on one side—It has not secured the objects for which it was declared, on the other—The Peace has left the great questions of impressments and blockades, as they were before the War, with a prospect that another conflict upon the same  principles  may hereafter be necessary—But the Spirit of the Nation has been proved to the conviction of all mankind—Deeds of glory have been atchieved by Land and Sea, to which Americans may and do appeal with pride—It is not to the Hartford Conventions, nor to inglorious and invidious attempts of a Massachusetts Senate to sully by their resolves, the lustre of their Country’s heroes, that the world will henceforth look for the shining side of the American Character—Whatever junto Statesmen may deem of themselves, if their patriotism should figure in history  as it does in the view of their contemporaries across the Atlantic their highest honour will be to hide their heads, when the names are pronounced of those whose laurels they vainly attempted to blastAmong the advantageous consequences of the War, I wish to believe will be that of having disclosed to the observation of the  wise and virtuous men in our public Councils, who can rise above the smoke and vapour of party Spirit, the strength and the weakness of our public Institutions—I hope that the War has removed a strong and pernicious prejudice against the Navy—That it has proved how powerful a weapon it is, not only for the protection of our Commerce, and the annoyance of an European Enemy; but for the defence of our own territory—That it has inspired us not only with due Confidence in our own capacity of strength upon the Ocean, but with the full conviction that a developement of that Strength proportioned to that of our National growth, is among our most important interests and duties—That it has shewn us the principal defects of our Military Establishment, and pointed us to the remedies necessary to its improvement. That it has indicated the insufficiency of our system for the management of our finances, and pointed out to us the resources upon which in times of emergency the strongest  reliance may be placed—That it has weaned the friends of the present Administration from their fondness for embargoes, non intercourse, and commercial restrictions—And above all, I would hope that its tendency has been ultimately to cement the bonds of our National Union—That when the discordant Passions which have been excited by the conflicting opinions of National Interest for the last nine or ten years shall have subsided, both Parties will have learnt lessons of experience which may be improved to the general benefit of the whole.The termination of the War with Great–Britain has opened a new field of honour to our navy, which has already added to the rich harvest of their and their Country’s glory—Accounts have been received from Carthegena, that on the 20th: of June, the American Squadron, under the command of Commodore Decatur, defeated an Algerine Squadron, took and carried into that Port, the Admiral’s Ship, a frigate of 40 Guns, destroyed another frigate, and were in the pursuit of a Corvette with the prospect of capturing her also. I have no official account of this Victory but have no reason to doubt the fact—I have a Letter from Mr Shaler and Commodore Decatur, dated 13. June off Cadiz mentioning their intention of proceeding immediately off Algiers, and that the Squadron was to be followed by another of still greater force—May the progress and termination of this expedition fully correspond with the splendid success which has signalized its first operations! May the glory of rescuing ourselves and all Christendom from the piratical Barbarians of Africa, be reserved for the American Navy!How shall I speak of the Events which are at this moment taking place in France? when in this climate one cannot indulge mere Sentiment of compassion for the condition of that Country—Napoleon having concentrated his last effort in one desperate Battle has again been betrayed and overpowered—France has fallen—Louis 18th: has again been reinstated as king of France, and the Armies of all Europe, are ravaging and ransoming the Country of which they proclaim him the legitimate Sovereign—Napoleon after a second abdication of the Imperial dignity is skulking from the vengeance of all the kings and armies of Europe, who are panting for his blood, like tygers for the blood of a wolf—France must be blotted from the list of Nations, or she is hoarding a treasure of Revenge, which will be lavished again in the blood of the next Generation—The only security for the rest of Europe is in her impotence.Our arrangements for a domestick Establishment here are still to be made; we are yet at the lodgings which we took upon our first arrival; and the children are all with us—I am under embarrassments of various kinds, among which the most mortifying is that of our inability to receive with due attention the multitudes of our Countrymen, who come recommended to me from all parts of the United States. It is not worthy of me however to complain while the remedy is in my own hands.I have employed George to copy the three Letters which you request me to send you, and I now enclose them with this—I have added to them a copy of my Letter to you from Bruxelles, written on the 31st: of January last. I scarcely know whether you will find George’s hand–writing more legible than the press–copy—I had always thought that the saying of the Clown in Shakespear—that “to be well favoured is the gift of Fortune, but to write and read comes by Nature”—was a joke—George’s handwriting almost convinces me that the Clown is right—I am afraid he will never write a tolerable hand—He and his brothers are taking lessons not only of that elegant accomplishment but of the essential qualifications of dancing and fencing. I know not how George and John will succeed in their efforts to take a polish; but I pray they may ever preserve the ingenuousness of their dispositions and the purity of their morals.Believe me, ever affectionately your’s

					A.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 22 July 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, John Adams

Dear Sir
London 22 July 1815.

I have received your favour of the 13 May, and assure you that it would give me great satisfaction to contribute in any suitable manner in my power to promote your views of laudable ambition—I am precluded however by several insuperable considerations, from the possibility of complying with your request that I would recommend your appointment, as Secretary of Legation to this Court.—The first is, that I had before receiving your Letter, earnestly recommended another person, who I have yet some reason to expect, may be appointed—The second is that I have had two other applications previous to yours, from persons of very respectable character, to one of whom I have promised that I would at least not interfere with his prospects of obtaining the appointment, except in favour of the Gentleman whom I had previously recommended, and to the other of whom I could assign no good reason, for promoting your wishes in preference and opposition to his—The third is, that I have invariably declined recommending any of my own relations to appointments for office.—I took your Brother with me, as my private Secretary to Russia, and as the Law constituting Secretaries of Legation passed while he was there, I have the temporary appointment to him.—But the relation between a Public Minister and his Secretary of Legation is of such a nature that I do not think it conducive to the Service that any relation of Kindred should subsist between them.—It is my earnest wish that you, and every other kinsman of mine who may be desirous of serving the Public should obtain his appointment by his own merit, and not by the influence of my patronage whatever.—Least of all would it comport with my ideas of delicacy or propriety, that they should by any interference of my part, obtain a preference over other Candidates, with superior or even equal claims to merit.
I receive with much pleasure the account of your progress and advancement at the Bar, and with every good wish for your prosperity remain, your friend and very humble Servt.


Title: From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 July 1815
From: Rush, Richard
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					Respected Madam.
					Washington July 23. 1815.

				It would have been a greatr gratification to me if I could have announced to you before this time the actual appointment of Mr John Adams Smith, as secretary to the Legation at London. I have, however, great pleasure in saying that I believe but one thing is wanting to it. Mr Monroe, who yesterday favored me with a conversation upon the subject, did not hesitate to say, that he feels “a peculiar interest” (I use his own words) in the measure; but that an intimation in some form must be awaited from the minister at London himself, before the final step can be taken here. That the nephew will be his choice, Mr Monroe does not at all doubt, from the many motives that combine. Indeed, madam, your wishing it is enough of itself to assure him that he will be. Yet he seems to think, that some intimation to this effect from the minister may perhaps be expected on his part as a previous step; or that it might be well to await it, at any rate, as matter of form.As soon as it arrives, the assignment of the young gentleman to the trust, may, I think, be confidently counted upon without more delay. Such was Mr Monroe’s distinct assurance to me, so far as his instrumentality could go; and I as little doubt that the President is of the same mind.I hope soon to resume my wanted pleasure and priviledge of writing to Mr Adams. This letter I trust will find you both in the enjoyment of your usual health and happiness, and it must convey to you both, Madam, the warm assurances of my respectful and affectionate friendship.

					Richard Rush.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Steuben Smith, 30 July 1815
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Smith, William Steuben

					Dear Sir.
					Quincy July 30th: 1815—

				Our dear Caroline, your sister, is about to leave us and return to you, and I cannot suffer her to depart without some expression of my sorrow, that the first tender of my congratulation to you & Mrs Smith, upon your safe return to your native land, Should be drawn from me by the afflictive event, which has lately bereaved you of a lovely child. It is a loss, sincerely deplored by all your friends, and is felt with peculiar force by myself & my dear Nancy, who have known the pangs of separation from a Sweet & darling Babe. I can name but cannot dwell upon this subject. May you find relief, in this hour of calamity, in the reflection, that many blessings are yet in reserve for you, and, by casting the burthen of your woes, on that Being, who has invited the whole family of mankind to repose on him when weary & heavy laden, you cannot fail of Support. By the lapse of time & change of scene the gloom of despondence will gradually disappear & brighter stars will be discernable in the hemisphere. Present me & my wife, very tenderly to Mrs Smith, and assure her of our very unfeigned & cordial sympathy under this trial of her heart and our best wishes that she may be sustained by the inbred fortitude of her mind, through “this vale of tears.”I am, dear William, with esteem, Your affectionate

					Unckle Thomas.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 6 August 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					Dear Harriet
					Quincy August 6th 1815

				My Eyes have been very troublesome the week past, So that I have not used my pen. I thank you for Carolines Letter, was rejoiced to find She got along so well. the next day was voilently hot, untill the cloud arose in a tempest in Salem in a fine refreshing showr in Boston, but to us barren clouds without water. we have had only a Slight Sprinkle. the heavens are as Brass the Earth powder and dust. This day it is cold for the Season, nothing of the Dog Star. I think of you Solitary, and wish you were with us—I know your Books afford you entertainment. use them while you can, and memory is retentive. time may come, when what you read, will Scarcly leave a trace behind.I think Caroline may Stop a day or two at N york. from thence I hope to hear from her. I think you for the Letters of last Evening, and for your intimation respecting the Seal. the impression Showed that it had been opend. I broke it with great eagerness, when behold, St Petersbugh Janry 2 & Febry 17th 1814 presented themselves to my Eyes. I threw down the Letters much  mortified, and for some time could not read them. after some reflection, I commenced. could they have been received any reasonable time after being written, they would have been Jewels, as nothing which he writes can ever be uninteresting. they Serve as a continuation of the History of Events—within his own time and knowledge The Gallen and Neptune, when they arrive will bring me I trust more recent intellegence. I hear there are Letters from mr Everet, in which he writes that he had seen mr Adams—My Letter from John was written before Caroline reachd N york. it inclosed a coppy of one to his Father from mr Rush, similar to that written to me. he Says that he had written to his uncle upon the Subject Some time ago.Send my Love to mrs Bailey when you write to her and to your Mother. Susan mentions a Lady by the Name of mrs Fowl, who would like to visit Quincy with you. She claims a relationship, by my grandmother I presume—I Should be very happy to See her any day when you can accompany her. it is only getting for me a few pigions, or pr chickins or Mackrel and you need never be diffident about comeing up to dine—you know we cannot always command just what we wish—well I beleive Bona is quite done over, teeth and claws all drawn so that if he should take a trip to America, I do not beleive he would Gut us all up—it would be a Novel winding up, if after so many battles, and so many hair breadth Scapes, he Should lay his Bones in America, the only free country now in Being—poor suffering France, what will the Allied powers do with her now, put the Bourbones upon the Throne again? will France be quiet with them? only from necessity—yet they must be reinstated—Let me hear from you often / yours in Love and affection.

					A A


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 August 1815
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					My Dear Mother
					Little Boston House Ealing Augt. 6. 1815

				Your kind Letters have remained unanswered much longer than I intended owing to the constant employment Mr. Adams found me having no Secretary and the trouble attending the search for a house which we have at length procured at a Village called Ealing, about seven miles from London; the situation is beautiful, the House comfortable, and the distance from the great City supportable, added to which we have an excellent School for the Boys within a mile—the name of the House is highly appropriate, and we enjoy every agrement that can render the Country desirable, and within the compass of our means. We are within an hours ride of Kew, Richmond, Twickenham, Harrow, and a variety of other beautiful places, and the situation is said to be perfectly healthy. I am thus particular as I know it afford you pleasure my boys are delighted at the change, as they could not endure London—Of Public events I can write you nothing my dear Mother but you learn much better from the public prints. the surrender of Napoleon has been the theme of general conversation for some time and how to dispose of him without risking the great reputation of honor and glory which they profess to have obtained is at present the question a Lawyer of considerable fame has questioned the propriety of the measures pursued, by the name of Keppel Loft, and he has been answered (much to the astonishment of the world) by a Lady with great violence; it is not to be disputed that this is the age in which our sex have put forth very high pretentions; upon what ground I will not pretend to judge, not having been educated according to the modern system, which is so vast and extensive, comprising all the Languages dead and living, and every light accomplishment which can adorn the sex, added to which I understand the Ladies are drilled and taught to walk by a Corporal, all of which I presume gives them so great superioriovirty over the women of past ages, that they are equal to controversies of which I have no idea. but notwithstanding we are prepared to duely appreciate their great powers, astonishment has been excited by this Lady’s undertaking to refute a Law point, asserted by (it is said) a very able and distinguished Lawyer.—In her effort to prove the justice of the cause she maintains, it appears that (according to custom) when we undertake more than we can perform, she has exactly started the point, which the great rulers of the age did not wish to have brought forward, by declaring him to be a prisoner of war which according to all former rules only places him in their power while they are at War. the matter having been taken up by a Lady, seems to have wounded the feelings of another professional man, and a piece has appeared in the paper of this morning, maintaining the point of Law urged by Mr. Loft, and throwing out a keen censure upon our sex, and especially upon the Lady’s heart which I must say I think she merits.There is another curious circumstance which occupied the public mind. a young girl of seventeen, accused of having poisoned a whole family; tried, convicted, and hung, though swearing to her innocence even as she ascended the cart, and at the last moment of the execution. it appears that no one died, and the evidence was by no means clear, as John Bull does not take these things quietly, the House of the accuser, has been surrounded every day, and it is still supposed that he will not escape without the punishment due to his offence, if he has really been the cause of bringing an innocent young creature to death—this my dear Mother is a faint picture of the times; and I leave you to draw inferences upon the boasted superiority of this little Island. As to France they have got Louis 18—We are to have a Marriage at Court, but as I have not been presented I shall see nothing of the fine Fétes that are to be given in honor of it; the Princess de Salms, is an old acquaintance of mine, and I did not expect to have seen her become the Wife of any English Prince, she married her last husband while I resided at the Court of Berlin being engaged to the present Duke of C—— she will now be his Sister.My children are quite well and George improving rapidly in his deportment which I am weak enough to think highly important—I fear you will be tired of reading all the nonsense I write you but as I shall become a frequent Correspondent you must exert your patience and bear with me—permit me to offer you many thanks for your kindness in writing to my poor brother whose health I understand is seriously injured by the climate he writes me that your Letters have sustained him under the sufferings he has endured and that they are his chief solace your kindness is not thrown away upon an undeserving object as everybody that knows him unites in his praise—and Mr. Gallatin assured me that during the time he was Secretary of the Treasury, he never saw a stronger weight of evidence in favour of any character, and very seldom any so entirely advantageous. the misfortunes which have befallen my family render such praise delightful, and it must be real sterling worth, that can be forced into light, under the oppressive load of poverty and misfortune with which he laboured, upon his entrance into life. You my dear mother have largely contributed to his happiness, by kindly noticing him in his exile from all his near connections, and I cannot express the gratitude which swells my heart for your goodness my anxiety is dreadful on his account as I fear I have urged him too much to stay at New Orleans fearful lest he should again be thrown upon an unpitying world without the means of support and yet I know not how to advize. his lot is hard but I trust in heaven whose mercy is infinite to grant him strength to support it.—Present me respectfully to my father with love to Susan, Louisa, and Caroline if she is with you and believe me every gratefully and dutyfully yours

					L C Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigal Adams Shaw Felt, 13 August 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Felt, Abigal Adams Shaw

My dear Abbe
Quincy August 13th 1815

I have not written to you for a long time. I heard from you through your Brother, who kept Sabbeth with us this day week. Mr and mrs de Wint have past 5 weeks with us and I have had a large family, which you know brings much care.
They left us last week—Caroline Spoke often of you, and desired me to give her Love to you. She was not well, and went out very little while She was here. the death of her Brother Williams little girl, which took place, while She was here, afflicted her very much: it was named for her: and had past 5 or six weeks with her, after the return of her Brother and Sister. it was 17 months old a very interesting Child. it took the measles and died at N York with it.
I have been very Sick the week past the sudden change of the weather from Hot to cold, affected me very much and has confined me to my chamber for a week. I have not been able to write untill to day. you will be glad to hear that I have heard from the Boys. they had a fine passage. george was Sick, but John was quite the Seaman. Captain Bronson with whom they went and who has returnd, Says John knew every rope in the Ship by Name, and could direct his new Sailors where, to take hold of them, much better than they did. always active and full of Spirits, he was physician too, to mr Saunders the Black Man, who was very Sick & John used to go and consult the oldest Sailors, and prescribe for him. he was captain too of all the poultry—they Say he was the life of the Ship—the Sailors all grew fond of him and calld him the Admiral
I had a letter from George written at Sea, but not any Since their arrival, nor any as yet from their Father.
I have received an other quarters rent for the Medford Farm, and Shall wait your direction how to dispose of it. I believe I have written you, that I paid to your Brother the last as you directed; and he told me, he had purchased Treasury Notes with it
I wish you would give me any hopes of Seeing you here. do you not design it? Remember me kindly to your Father—and to miss Foster—I have it in my mind and heart to visit you, but I dare not flatter myself that I Shall accomplish it—
Mrs Adams proposes passing the next week at Haverhill—She intends to visit you. I hope you will go & See her.
Let me hear from you. I would not forget my Love to Lydia, that faithfull Domestic, that humble Friend—nor will you ever forget her, or see her want, or your Brother who will take care of her I trust—now she is old, deaf, and soon must be helpless if she lives.
I am dear Abbe your / affectionate Aunt
Abigail Adams—Louissa and Susan Send their Love—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 August 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					my Dear Son
					Quincy August 15th 1815

				This Anniversary is So well known to you, that you will not wonder; that it always returns with a Solemn knell to me. how many of these days in a year have we to call to remembrance, when Some Root, or Branch has been Severd from us? and now one of the third generation is added to the number. Catharine has lost her Daughter with the Measles. both Parents are much afflicted. I wished to have Seen her, and the more for her G. Mothers sake, but it is otherways orderd.If you had Still been at St Petersburgh, and the war continued;—I Should not have expected, to have heard from you for 4 or 5 months at a time, but now feeling, as tho comparatively you were at the next door; and knowing your punctuality, hearing from the Country where you are, as late as the 4 July, to have, not a Line, is more than I can account for. Liverpool must be your channel of communication. there, all our vessels from Boston go.Soon after the arrival of the Neptune we received a Letter with your Superscription. with delight I Seazd & opend it: when low! St Petersburgh struck my Eye, Febry 17th 1815. dissapointed, and mortified, I could only be reconciled by the narrative which it containd, of the events of that Day; and the observations upon  them, which apply almost, with equal accuracy to the present period. a press copy of Jan’ry 1st 1815 was inclosed. the original has not been received. the Letters were to your Father. I am the more impatient to hear from you now. not only from the great and wonderfull events which have past before your Eyes in the last Six months, but from private, and Family considerations, for to this hour, I have not learnt when mrs Adams joind you in Paris, altho I have presumed that it must have been Soon after you wrote.The arrival and meeting with your Sons—is an other circumstance which interests me. I Sometimes fear that, you had anticipated greater improvements than they had made. you must not look for old heads upon young Shoulders. Georges Stature had so out run his years, that we were apt to expect the manners and acquirements of Manhood from his Boyish days. I hope you will form, and fashion him; to your mind: and find qualities to mature, and Ripen.That active, full Blooded enterprizing and ardent creature John, only wants the Curb and the Reign. Captain Bronson, with whom he went to England, recited to us, with great delight, and his Eyes Sparkling, Johns acquirements, and knowledge of the Ship, and his activity on Board. he Said he could Name every rope, and point them out to his raw Hands, knew every Sailor by Name, untill they dubed him Admiral.  Thus you See, what delight we garrulous old people take in living over again, in our offspring. if they did but enter into our feelings, they would follow the advise of the Son of Syrac, when he Says, “have regard to thy Name, for that Shall continue with the above a thousand great treasures of Gold—a good Life hath but few days, but a good Name endureth for ever.”I have written So often to you in the last Six months, that I Shall cloy you with my Letters. I Should be ashamed of the little concequence of them, if I did not know by experience, that“There is a land, of every land the pride”“A dearer, Sweeter place, than all the rest”“In every clime, the Magnet of the Soul“Touchd by Remembrance, trembles to that pole”“O thou Shalt find, how’er thy footsteps roam”“That land thy Country; and that Spot thy Home”and that every event, which takes place, and even the every day occurrences; either of a public, or private nature; have their influence upon us in proportion too our attachment. when Lord Bolingbroke, in his banishment, pen’d that fine passage So justly admired, consoling himself, that the Same heavens were Spread over him, the Same Sun enlightned him, and the Same Stars Shed their Lusture, he discoverd the pangs which filld his Bosom, when he thought of his Native land, which put all his Phylosophy to the test. but where do I ramble?I must come now to a Subject, upon which I Should have written to you before, if I had Supposed that you had any voice in the choice. Soon after mr Smiths return to America, finding that he had the offer of Secretary of Legation to London, but which Circumstances obliged him to decline, his Brother wrote to me, saying he wished to obtain the post, and requesting my interest. I had made it a rule, never to ask favours, and as to interest, I did not pretend to have any. he thought it would give him a good opportunity to see the Country, and receive instruction under you. I had learnt from former appointments, that they were made without consulting the Minister. Supposing that a perfect Stranger might be Sent, and knowing that Johns Character was good, that he was correct in his Morals, and Steady in his habits, had a great respect for you, I wrote a Letter to mr Rush in his favour. Gov’nor Tompkins and Several of the Judges and Bar, wrote very handsome Letters of Recommendation to mr Monroe, all testifying to his fair and honorable character Mr Madison has thought it proper that you should be consulted, as it Certainly is. it is an honorable and confidential trust. here the Subject remains. John is not given to habits of expence, and he writes a much better hand than his Brother, is much more accustomed to Buisness than William was when he went abroadour Fleet in the Meditrranean mantains the honour of their flag, and the Glory of their Country, having already captured two Algerine Frigates, and two Brigs.John Bull will not be more ready to publish Jonathans feats by Sea, any more than his Victories by Land. what a dead Silence has been observed, and how Smootherd the defeat at N orleans? It is true, Peace preceeded it there; and Succeeded it here, So that a thick veil was thrown over their defeat, but here Shall the Story be told. Fathers Shall relate it to their Children, and their children hand it down to Succeeding generations—more than  a thousand miles, did those transatlantick, hardy yeomanary march to repell, and conquer, not know raw undissiplind troops, but the veteran Wellington conquerors!I wrote last to George by a vessel going to Liverpool. how this is to go I do not know: mr Bayard Survived only a few days after he landed. I am glad that he came to lay is Body in his native Land. he was a Man of tallents, a free liver I have heard of late but you knew him later in Life than I have.Remember me to my dear daughter and three Grandsons. I am all anxiety for the arrival of the Galen, by which I must have Letters—with this hope I close this Letter / and am your affectionate Mother

					Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 17 August 1815
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					Dear Harriet
					Quincy August 17th 1815

				I thank you for the pamphlet sent me and think the writer more sinned against than sining. I will keep it, so charge me with it. I am glad to find Caroline at Home, after her Letter to me from N York in whih she mentions the packets getting upon the Rocks,  and their taking a Boat to go on shoar I trust, that the packet was founderd did you hear so? She does not mention the circumstance as having much allarmd her—I shall feel anxious for her untill She get safe to Bed. She has more weakness than is usualI have been, or rather I did expect to have seen you with mrs Fave, the only pleasant day we have had this week. I fear you think you must do pennance for having playd Truant.—when did you hear from wiscasset and when do you expect your Mother Home? Susan has got one of her voilent colds, and is quite sick. miss Birdman is here, a Lovely sweet modest girl, no Galen, no Letters—I shall repeat the Song, O what can the matter be? If mr A. did not write from Paris, he has been long enough in England sure; in debt to me five months, punctual as he always is—I know he must have written—will you send me a Sample of brown Sugar-orleans I should like with the price—I am better, tho I do not keep down stairs this damp weather—adieu write a line. we always look for it— / Yours affecly

					A A—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 August 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					N. 75.My Dear Mother.
					Boston House, Boston Terrace, Ealing, 24. August 1815.

				You will imagine that the place from which I now write you has been thus named by us; but so it was not—We found the names already settled—Ealing is a parish in the immediate neighbourhood of Brentford, that “town of mud”—immortalized in the Poetry of Pope and Swift; and the house in which we reside has been thus named by its proprietor, in honour of a kinsman of his, one Lord Boston, who has no more affinity to my dear Yankey Town of Boston than Alexander the Coppersmith had to Alexander the Great—It is a delightful Country House, just eight miles from Hyde Park Corner, which I hire ready furnished for five guineas a week, while we could not have a house with equal conveniences in London for ten—I have taken it from the first of this Month until New-Years day; and may very possibly keep it longer—At the distance of one mile from us is a School, of two hundred and fifty boys, kept by a Dr: Nicholas, where we have placed our two youngest boys, John and Charles. George remains with us, and I am endeavouring to perform with him the part of the Canon Gil Perez to his nephew of Santillana. The three boys together were more than I could master; and I am often on the point of putting George to school with his Brothers.The last packet that I sent you was charged heavily with his labours—I employed him to copy the two Letters to himself, and one to my father; the originals of which had miscarried, and which you had desired me to send you; together with a duplicate of my Letter to you from Bruxelles, written in January last—All this enclosed with a new one of my own dated 17. July was forwarded by a Son of Dr Dexter’s, and has by this time, I hope, nearly reached you—I have not myself been able to write you again since then; but George has written repeatedly. My dear Father has promised me many days of Leisure in this Country, and when they come I promise to write either to him or to you as often as once a week—In the mean time it is as much as I can possibly accomplish to write once in every Month to you—I have not even effected that to him.Since the date of my last, I have received four Letters from you, of 30. May, 8 and 29. June and 15 July. By the purport of the first it appears to have been brought  by Dr Welsh’s youngest Son, who was named, not for me, but for my father, and whom I shall be happy to see—But the Letter was sent from Mr S. Williams’s to my Office at N. 25. Charles Street, Westminster, and I do not know whether Mr Welsh is at London.Your next, of 8 June was forwarded to me by Dr Eustis, from the Hague—He arrived at Flushing in the Congress Frigate on the 13th: of July, and has been received in his Official character by the King of the Netherlands, on the same spot where in 1782. my Father was received by Their High Mightinesses the States General, and where in 1795 in the first year of Batavian Liberty, I was recognized by a National Convention, a Committee of Public Safety, and General Pichegru, with his guard of Representatives of the French People.—And so, as the Clown in Shakespear says, “the whirligig of Time, brings about his Revenges.”That of 29. June came by the Milo, and was received the day after we came out to this place—Mr Edward Everett and Mr Ticknor had left London about the first of July, for Holland. Mr Everett is now at Göttingen, where I understood from him that he intended to pass a year—I greatly regretted that while those Gentlemen were in London, I was so overwhelmed with business that I found it impossible to take the notice of them which I should have wished; and almost even to see them—This happened not only with regard to them, but to many more of my Countrymen who brought me Letters of Introduction, and of warm recommendation from my personal friends, and from the most respectable Public Characters in every part of the United States—I was scarcely able to return their visits, and several of them I did not even succeed in seeing.From the most important part of this incessant occupation I was relieved, after the signature of the Commercial Convention, which Mr Clay and Mr Gallatin have taken with them to America—But there is an Act of Parliament called the Alien Law, under which no foreigner is permitted to come to England, or reside here, or depart from this Country without a licence from the Alien-Office; and with the exception of sea-faring persons, the Alien-Office gives this licence to come, to stay, or to go, to no foreigner unless he be provided with a Passport from the Minister of his Nation residing here—Neither do they allow any foreigner, of whatever Nation to embark for the United States at a British Port, without a Passport from the Minister of his Nation, endorsed by me—From the day of my reception by the Prince Regent, until that when I came out here, I had scarcely an hour free from Applications for these Passports and Endorsements; or from distressed American Sailors calling upon me for relief—We were cramped up in lodgings for which we paid eight pounds Sterling a week, and where we had scarcely room to lodge in—I had no Office, and for the first Month, no Secretary—I went through all this drudgery myself, until it became physically impossible to get through it We were at the same time looking out for a house, and could find none even comfortable at a rent, less than 500 Guineas a Year. My wife at length discovered this place, which is very small and therefore the better suited to our Circumstances—She engaged it, without my having had time to come and look at it myself—The first time I came into the house was to reside in it, and here I find comfort, and some repose—I hired a private Secretary, (for I have yet no Secretary of Legation) and took a couple of chambers in the neighbourhood of Downing Street and the Alien-Office, where I keep an Office—I go there two or three times a week myself, and the remainder of the time my Secretary attends there to receive and transmit Letters, copy Papers, fill the blanks of Passports, and listen to the complaints of the poor Sailors—This Secretary is a Mr Grubb a Virginian, whom I dare say my father will recollect as having known in France thirty five years ago. He was then flourishing in Youth and Prosperity; but has since been unfortunate, and now with a wife and six Children, even the employment that I give him is a relief to him.—In my rides to and from town, when alone I amuse the hour by reading over again Madame de Sevigné’s Letters; the tittle-tattle of ages long past, and of all tittle-tattle, the most deserving of immortality. She repeatedly tells her daughter that trifling details are as interesting when they concern persons for whom we have an affection as they are tiresome with regard to those who are indifferent to us—This remark is generally just, though Madame de Sevigné herself has furnished the most illustrious exception to her own maxim—She has had the talent of making trifles of detail concerning indifferent persons, interesting—She has made Madame de Grignan the daughter of all woman-kind—But as this art, if not peculiar to herself, is at least the exclusive privilege of her sex, it is upon the faith of her general rule, that I have given you all these details concerning us—They will be interesting to you, and the fireside, and will go no farther.Lastly your Letter of 13 and 15 July was received by me on the 14th: instant—It was a concurrence of extraordinary Circumstances which prevented your receiving Letters from me for so long a time after those by the Fingal—The Neptune was to have sailed, first in April—Then the first and then the 10th: of May—She did indeed sail then, but it was only to come from Havre to Plymouth—Thence she was to sail the first of June—then the 14th:—and then the 25th.—She actually went the 18th: but left Mr Gallatin, Mr Clay and Mr Todd behind. My Letters for you were locked up in Mr Todd’s Trunks, and you will not receive them until he arrives in America. I suppose the first you will receive from me in this Country, will be by the Galen, the departure of which was also delayed from week to week for at least a Month. Since then I have written you by Mr Gallatin, and Mr Dexter, and you will hear from the family by Coll: Trumbull and Commodore Barney—Henceforth I hope we shall despatch a Letter from and to some person of the family almost every week.I have not seen Mr Wiggin; but received the Olive-Branch, which should have been called the Thorn-bush—by Matthew Bramble—Matthew was more afraid of the dissolution of the Union than I was—and I thought I was more afraid of it than any body else—Faction is a concave Glass—It gives a comely figure to distortion, and distortion to a comely figure—The Wise men of the East deal in Politics, as needy gamblers deal in Lottery-tickets—They have neither head nor heart to venture for more than a sixteenth or a thirty-second part of a ticket at a time—But they always will be dabbling in 16ths: and 32ds—If they win a Prize it scarcely betters their Condition, and the more they multiply their chances, the deeper they plunge themselves into ultimate ruin.I send you a newspaper and abstain, not without cause, from all speculation upon European Affairs: with my duty to my father, I remain ever affectionately yours.

					A.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith, 24 August 1815
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, William

					Dear Sir.
					London 24. August 1815.

				On my arrival in this Country, I received your favour of 3. April last, enclosing a copy of the Sermon, and other religious performances, at the Ordination of Mr Frothingham, for which I beg you to accept my thanks—I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with that Gentleman; but he fills the place of two of the most valued and respected friends that it has been my lot to meet in life—Dr: Clarke and Mr Emerson—They were men of the most ardent zeal in the cause of their Master; but the fervour of whose piety was never sullied by bigotry or fanaticism of any kind—May their successor be like them!I have neither seen nor heard of Mr Dennie by whom you mention that your Letter was forwarded.—I have learnt with sincere concern and deep  sympathy the domestic misfortunes which have befallen you since our departure from the United States. We have felt them perhaps the more strongly because we too have had our share of the like visitations—Not less cordially have I rejoiced at being informed that both your daughters are happily settled—I pray that they and your remaining Son Thomas may long continue to comfort and gladden the lives of your excellent Lady and yourself.It gives me the most heartfelt satisfaction to hear that the return of Peace has restored in so great a degree the Prospects of Prosperity to our Country—Still more gratifying is it to find that the discordances of opinion and the symptoms of disunion which alarmed the hearts of our friends and fostered the hopes of our Enemies, are subsiding, and giving place to more natural and more auspicious Sentiments—It is perhaps useless now to discuss the Policy, the Justice or the Necessity of our late War with Great Britain—Let us all join in the hope that the glorious atchievements by Land and Sea with which it was illustrated, have by raising the general estimation of our National Character contributed to remove the future necessity of anotherI am, with great respect, Dear Sir, your faithful friend and humble Servt

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 August 1815
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Sir
Quincy Aug. 28. 1815

My perplexities are increased every day, as I fear yours have been and are still. Mine, at present are altogether on your Account.
The Princes Speech, paragraphs in London and Liverpool Papers scraps of Letters from both; all convince me that you have had Severe Tryals of your Intelligence and Integrity. It is universally believed here, that a Treaty of Commerce has been Signed, but there is a doubt whether you have Signed it. I have doubts and Fears, on this head myself. Of your Integrity, Fortitude and Constancy. I have no doubt. Of two apparent Evils to choose the least is a Maxim; but like all other Maxims requires Exceptions, Limitations and Restrictions. Mr Gallatin and Mr Clay, are Said to have embarked at Liverpool for New York and are expected every hour. And the Treaty is expected with them.
It is generally credited that our Naval Heros have acquired fresh Laurells in the Mediterranean: but details and particulars, and all official Information are is wanting. It is a moment of immence Expectation.
“The cause, of which Napoleon is the Champion, will not expire, with him.” What will the Allies do with him? He is not their Subject. They cannot draw and quarter him for Treason. Will they behead him on Tower hill? Will they Strangle, or Starve him in the Tower? or will they poison him? Or will they Send him to Bottany Bay or to the U.S. of America? He is destined to be the most illustrious Example of human Glory and disgrace, that has hitherto been recorded in History. More glorious as the World accounts glory than Alexander Cæsar or Frederick, and not worse than either, his Exit will be infinitely more Splendid than either. Britain, thou art responsible for him! God, and the human Race, will require an Account of him! The Cause, of which he has been the deluded, but tremendous Champion, will Survive him as you Say, and as I know as well as you.
Our Commodore or Captain Hull and Mr Robbert Smith have promised me a Visit this Morning, I will give you, hints of the Conversation
A.