Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 17 February 1797
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

            London Febry. 17 1797

          I have recieved your letters of Janry. 28. and 31. which have afforded me more real satisfaction, than I have latterly been accustomed to experience—
          I think, I have at length discovered the meaning, of those very disagreeable expressions suspicion, and distrust, and can assure my best friend, if he alludes to what I said, respecting the circumstance that happened in our family, from the moment I engaged myself to him, I banished them for ever from my heart—Indeed my most loved friend, I have always, and do place the most implicit, and unlimited, confidence in you, and should our seperation continue

for years, (which heaven avert) I can never for one moment, admit a doubt of your affection to enter my mind— should I be mistaken in this conjecture, I must request those proofs, however painful, that I may at least endeavor to vindicate myself, and convince you I hope, that they are without foundation—
          You must permit me once more to repeat what I said concerning our visit to Holland. I had no idea of remaining with you, nor did I know till lately, that my Father had written to you on the subject, you know his tenderness for his children, therefore I am sure cannot be surprized at any thing he may have written which was dictated by the utmost affection, and anxiety for our mutual happiness— Ah my dearest friend you cannot concieve how much I regret ever having hinted a wish to meet you as instead of giving you pleasure I have unwillingly caused you great uneasiness You think I have acted with impropriety— I am always anxious to act in such a manner as to merit your approbation, therefore am very unhappy you should see my conduct in such a light— I hope however you will pardon the involuntary error, from the knowledge of its proceeding from the sincerest, and most disinterested affection, and I trust, I shall soon by my unremitting attention, and solicitude, for your welfare, convince you that your Louisa’s heart is entirely devoted to you, and that she does not nor ever can distrust you—
          Now my most esteemed friend let us mutually forget the past, and by a constant, and tender correspondence, endeavor to alleviate the pang of inevitable seperation— believe me I have long ceased to think writing a trouble, it is now my greatest pleasure, and when writing to you, I only regret that I cannot find Language sufficienly forcible, to express my affection, my love—
          How shall I express my grateful sense of the honor your Mother has confered on me— say every thing for me your imagination can suggest, and tell her if the most constant and invariable affection for her beloved Son will secure her esteem, I flatter myself I shall ever retain it, and with pleasure acknowledge myself her daughter—
          Our departure for America is fixed—we are to bid adieu to England, in about three months, preparations are making, though slowly— I have so often been disappointed in this respect that I am become indifferent to going or remaining here— were you there my friend, I should indeed endeavor to hasten our departure, but I really am so ridiculous as to wish to stay here, because the distance between us will be so much encreased— dont laugh at me, you know this said love is allowed to make people very inconsistent, and there

is some reason in this, as I certainly shall not be able to hear from you so frequently—
          I shall however indulge the pleasing idea of your soon being enabled to follow us, should this happen, I shall indeed be happy, and will with pleasure relinquish every thing to share the simple fortunes of my dearest friend. I look forward to our meeting with the most heartfelt delight, I shall see you divested of rank, and shall prove the sincerity of my attachment by convincing you, that it was not your situation, but yourself that I loved—
          It is here universally believed, that your Father is elected President— if I may venture to give my opinion, I think it will be fortunate for America, should he have gained his election— Mr. Jefferson, though a man of very great abilities, is not generally allowed, to possess that calm, intrepid firmness, which the present period demands— your father, has always been accustomed to a public Station, and I make no doubt, he would in this as in every other, acquit himself to the satisfaction of all parties— it is certainly an arduous and difficult task, and by no means to be wished, yet the more difficult it at present appears, the more satisfaction he will enjoy from the faithful discharge of it, for the welfare of his Country—
          You see my friend, I write you every thing I think, because I am sure you will correct my errors, and kindly undertake to teach your Louisa, how to avoid such errors in future—
          I have written so long a letter, that I am almost ashamed to send it, but I think my letters must at least have novelty to recommend them, they are always elegant and well written I sometimes think you will scarcely be able to read them, which is likely to be the case with this for it is perfectly unintelligible—
          Adieu—Mama, and my Sisters, send their love to you still and ever believe in the sincere and unalterable affection of your tender and faithful friend,

            Louisa C. Johnson


Title: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 19 February 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John

            my Dearest Friend
            Quincy Feb’ry 19th 1797

          It was not till last Evening that I received Your Letters of Febry 2d 4 & 7th. the post did not get in which was Due on twesday till

Saturday. I do not know how to pass a week without hearing from You. I received newspapers to the Tenth. in those I have an account of the Declaration. it was a Solemn Scene to You, and an affecting one. You will find by my Letter of the 8th that I was with You.
          I have not taken any steps as Yet preparitory to quitting home. I must tell you a little of Farrming if you cannot give me any directions. Billings has tried various kind of work Since the Weather became milder. he workd two Days on the Wall before the House. he then attempted to break up a peice of ground upon the Hill where you directed this he has accomplishd and carted on the manure. he has since been Sleding Stones, for we had an other Snow which lasted for a few Days and assisted us in that Buisness tho it obstructed other. Veseys time expires this week, and buisness will soon press hard, so that I must have a hand immediatly and two in April if Billings goes on with his Walls. French is inclined to Stay, but wants some further indulgences, such as a little wood, and the use of the cattle wholy to himself except when calld to work upon this place, by which means he could pay for labour, upon the place. thinks the hire of a Man and maid will eat him up, unless he may be thus indulged. he will in consideration of it pay all the Shoeing and will get up some Seaweed into the pens; I have thought we had better consent to this, as we know the Man; and the trouble of looking out a new Tennant who may want as much, have a larger Family and Do us more harm than the amount of these articles. I shall however consult Dr Tufts as you direct, and will Do the best we can. I shall let him have Quincy Meddow and in lieu, Burrel is to take the whole of the pasture.
          I have not yet tried Mears as I thought it would be time enough; for I have no disposition to give the management up whilst I remain here. I will enter into a treaty with him to take it in the fall if I can.
          I conversd with Your Mother upon having a Room to herself, without nameing any particular place. she said she should prefer being with her Children, that she would come and stay with me some part of the time whilst I remaind here, and that when I went away I might make provision for her then if she lived. I told her I should be very happy to have her, and would make her as comfortable as I could tho it was probable my Family would sometimes be an incumberd one. she has spent one week with me, and when I know how matters are to be arranged I shall have her here again.
          I cannot say any thing with respect to Domestick arrangement at Philadelphia untill I know what is in the House. I hope Still, that

Congress will consider the subject sufficiently to add what furniture may be necessary. I want not a stick of it at the close of the Term. You must not worry yourself upon that Head. I Suppose I can collect Domesticks from this way, the principles ones, but whether I could some in the lower departments I do not know I Mentiond in my Letter to mr Brisler a woman as an housekeeper whom I shall try for, but as She is with Jeffry and he is very good to her, and has made her and two grandchildren who are dependent upon her very comfortable I do not know that I shall succeed. the yellow fever has its terrors With many and I do not wonder at it.
          My Dearest Friend as you have been calld in Providence into the chair of Government, You did not accept it without knowing that it had its torments, its trials its Dangers & perplexities. look steadfastly at them, arm yourself with patience and forbearence and be not Dismayed, and May God and the people support You. having put your Hand to the plough, You must not look back, nor ought you I think to wish you had not.
          I presume yu will have a Splnded Birth Day. there are preparations making in Boston to celebrate it. I received a very polite Note inclosing a Card for me & an other for Louissa for the Washington Ball: the Note from the Managers requested me to honour them with my attendance, which they should esteem a particular favour, as it is the last publick honour they can Shew the President. thus circumstanced I have determined to attend—
          I hope your next Letters will be more explicit, and that you will be able to fix upon Some plan—
          I am My Dearest Friend allways willing to be a fellow Labourer with You in all those Relations and departments to which my abilities are competent, and I hope to acquire every requisite degree of Taciturnity which my station call for, tho Cabot says truly that it will be putting a force upon nature I expect many trials when it may be hard work, but as Porcupine Says, I Shall think.—
          communicate to Me what ever you learn of our Dear Sons. there we have pleasures which Washington never knew. one Man ought not to have every thing. adieu there is one plasure wanting to me, that of folding to My Bosom the Dear partner of all My joys and Sorrows and telling him that I am ever his

            A Adams—


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1797
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dearest Friend
            Phila. Feb. 20. 1797

          just rcd yrs of 8. 9. 13th. return sister Peabodys lovely Letter. John’s is gone to the P.— I could not withhold it.
          All thoughts of building a Barn or Coach house I must lay aside for this Year— I cant bear the thought of it.— My head and hands are so full—and Expences so great.
          in March I will send Provision for Taxes, Haydens Note &c
          French may break up the 4 Acres if he will. Brisler will ship the Clover seed this Week, in Captn Gardiner consigned to Mr Smith. French may have the Place for two Years, if he will.
          Mr Malcom arrived here last night and Acts this Morning as my private Secretary.
          inclosed is Mrs Washingtons Answer to yr Letter.
          I believe it best you should Stay till October—but if that is the final Plan I will be with you in June— But you must keep all these Things Secret. The foundation is not yet laid when it is I can set up my Plan.— It is not yet known what Congress will do about house & furniture— When it is, I shall settle my Arrangments.
          Johns Letter, tho in familiar confidence to a Mother is the most beautiful Thing I ever read.
          Oh Thomas I wish I had thy droll face at my fireside. I must have him home. Charles is doing Charmingly. Gets more than he Spends without my help.

            J. A


Title: John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 20 February 1797
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Johnson, Louisa Catherine

            The Hague February 20. 1797.

          I hope we shall never get into a habit of writing to one another angry and kind Letters alternately, for it would be far from promoting the happiness of either. Your obliging favour of the 7th: instt: came to me yesterday. It gave me great pleasure which I will not mingle, with other sentiments by dwelling upon a topic necessarily disagreeable.— I wish it were in my power to write you always what would give you the most delight, or rather as you say, to have no occasion for writing you at all.
          I feel again indebted to you for mentioning the statements that you hear of, concerning the American Election. They are all yet entirely uncertain and not the least dependence is to be placed upon them. Very probably the Event may differ essentially from all.— Soon after you shall receive this Letter that is in about three weeks from this, you will have the proper and accurate statement as the votes shall be found upon being opened in the Senate of the United States: untill then you may consider every thing that you hear or see upon the subject as mere conjecture more or less destitute of foundation.
          That so near and dear a relation of my own is personally concerned in the result, is to me a source of some of the most oppressive cares and anxieties that ever weighed upon my heart. Upon this point Louisa, you can be more philosophical than I: that is if philosophy consists in a state of tranquility and unconcern, which you seem to believe, though it is not the last however it may be the other.
          My friend Hall, you tell me has become a violent politician.— He always took a great interest in the public affairs of his Country, and will doubtless find his attention to them encrease in proportion as they grow more important.— And I too Louisa, am much of a politician.— I wish you could reconcile yourself to consider the public Events of America, as a subject not totally remote even from your attention. In my situation they have a necessary, and not a very indirect connection with and influence upon the most material occurrences of my private life. They have of course a similar influence

upon your’s, and therefore may deserve some part of your observing moments.
          You have more than once intimated to me, that since we have been absent, my affection for you has undergone a change, and that I am not the tender and gentle friend that you found me in England.— I do assure you from my Heart that the sentiments of my Love retain all their force, and have not suffered the minutest abatement.— Nevertheless I will freely confess a material change which absence has produced, and of which I ought to give you notice that you may always be prepared for its effects when we shall meet again. It is the restoration of sober reason, and reflection, which alas! if they did not abandon me were without all the influence they should have, during the latter part of my residence in London. It was indeed a time of delight; but a time of too much indulgence.— The duties of life, my friend are rigorous, and I am afraid to ask myself the question how far I neglected them at that time.— I can however now reflect with the sentiment which ought to accompany the reflection, that I certainly did neglect many.— The fault indeed was not your’s. It was my own irresolution my own indolence, and my own abandonment, to the fervour of my inclinations.— Upon all this I can now think the more justly, for the persevering and uninterrupted exertions of nine months have in some sort filled up the vacancies of the previous five— I am the Man I was when you first knew me, and with the most entire and unlimited disculpation of you, my lovely friend, that Man, is much more estimable, and much more respectable than the Man I was for two or three months before I left you.— I hope you will not like him the less.— His faults indeed are such as may be more immediately unpleasant to a Lady of taste and elegance, but they are not such as can render him despicable, or disqualify him for every species of usefulness to himself or others.
          I have no very late Letters from America.— Nothing further upon the subject of my removal. I should not be surprized if the particular and critical position of our affairs, should fix me here, even longer than I have now reason to expect. This however is between us alone. It is not founded upon any special intelligence.— If I should receive any, you may be depend upon having the most immediate notice of it.
          With my best remembrance to all the family, I remain ever faithfully yours

            A.


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 February 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

            Dear Thomas
            Quincy Feb’ry 21 1797

          I fear to look back to the Date of my last Letter to You, least it should accuse me of omission. There have been but very few opportunities this Severe Winter, of writing to You Rude Boreas laid an embargo, and our harbours have been frozen for six weeks, so that not a vessel could go out, or come in. for about a Week we have had a Thaw. I have received within a fortnight your Letters of October 5th which came by way of New York, and yours of Novbr 20th has just reachd me, after a passage of 99 Days— yet So great was My anxiety to hear from You, and from Your Brother, that I was gratified to receive So late Letters, and to learn from them, that You were both Well. I really Sympathize with your Brother, to whom I shall write. I dare say he commissirates the poor Prisoners at Algiers and from the Sincerity of his Heart, longs for the period when the buisness will be terminated. I presume this is the chief cause of his detention in Holland. tell him the Poet Says—

            “Tis expectation makes the blessing Sweet”

          Polly has received her Letter of licence & replied both to that, and a former one. I inclose it for her.
          Soberly the Girl has a verry good offer, and she had some Scruples upon the Subject. two or three Times I had perceived a disposition to coquett with some, whom I either thought unworthy of her, or was doubtfull of their views. “Grim Williams Ghost” was always held up to her, So that I kept her Steady, tho Sometimes impatient, at an absence indeffinate.
          when the Young Man who now visits her, first made his approaches

She delay’d for some time giving him an answer. she wanted to consult me, but did not know how very well to accomplish it. She therefore made use of a Second, and desired to speak with me alone. accordingly the case was put, with all the circumstances, of “no possitive engagement tho a kind of a liking, but the Letters did not look as if a return might be look’d for soon, and perhaps a visit to foreign Countries might give him a Dislike to a Country Girl.” I had made up My mind upon the Subject, for I thought from Tillys Letters, that he had no wish to be bound. I therefore advised her to write to him and deal candidly by him, and accept the Young Man who offerd himself. She has Done So, and they have both been very Steady ever since. She is to remain with me untill I go to Philadelphia, which I hope will not be untill next Fall. I do not Love that city so well as you do. I fear you will find it Changed for the worse when You return. it is more than any city the resort of Foreigners, who leave most of their virtues behind them, if they ever had any, and bring principles, and Manners into our Country by no means calculated to promote the order of our Government, or the purity of our Morals. I would however make some exceptions to this Rule.
          The result of the Election of President will be known to you before this reaches You. all the Machinations, and intrigue of party, terminated in the Election of mr Jefferson to the vice Presidency. if the people had not been deceived, by the grosest and most palpable falshoods I have every reason to suppose, that their choice of Chief Majestrate would have been nearly unanimous. as the Union is now formed, I am far from thinking that it is an unfortunate circumstance. Mr Jefferson is a Gentleman of abilities, and integrity. if he has his failings, we know them. Hypocrisy is not of the number. I have no apprehension of his acting an unfriendly part towards the President, or any way plotting against him. we are like to have a firm Senate, and it is said, our House of Representives will be more Federal than the former; tho we lose from it, some good Men, we shall gain others.
          The thickest cloud which portends a Storm, proceeds from the Galic hemisphere. the smiles, and frowns, the Enmity and the Friendship of that Terrible Nation, are like to prove equally banefull to us.
          Adets Note, has brought into publick view, the Secretary of States Letter to mr Pinckny our Minister at Paris and fully proves the conduct of our Government, to have been, what it always professt,

perfectly neutral, just, fair, and honorable, consistant with the faith of Treaties, and the Laws of Nations.
          It has unmask’d the conduct and designs of France so fully to the people, that they are throwing off that blind attachment towards a Nation, whom they now consider not less Selfish, usurping, and Domineering, than their old Step Dame Mother Britain. I hope we shall Still be able to preserve our nutrality Next to a war with France, I deprecate a closer alliance with any foreign power, and it must be the Madness of France, if we are driven to that necessity.
          I inclose to you, the Tenth Muse of 98.— it will give You some Idea of what has been passing here. the Wit Whoever he is, bears too hard upon our poor old Govenour, who for the good he has done, ought to be more tenderly handled. the old Gentleman has taken his leave, and declines standing an other Election. His fondness for a Republican Government, and his Love of Liberty, led him to form an opinion of the transactions in France from their professions, rather than from their actions. he considerd them as an oppressed people, strugling for freedom, and not as a people forgeing chains tenfold heavier for other Nations, than those which they were bursting from off themselves. thus has his administration been marked with weakness, and the imbicility of Age
          As to the table Linnen formerly sent, I would not have you say any thing further upon the subject nor would I be the occasion of the lowest being perjuring, himself for any loss I may sustain tho tenfold greater, but untill I can comprehend, how a space, in which it was not possible to pack more than 8 Table cloths, could be made to receive 12, I must be certain that it containd no more than 8. having stood by whilst Brisler opend the Box, otherways I should have supposed that they might have been taken out.
          Do not Despair my Son, there are many fine Girls grown up since You left America. Your Fathers choice is not Yet engaged that I have heard. come and see if she can be Yours?
          Your Father has not mentiond her to me this Winter. I suppose she is with her Grandmamma. I shall want you very much in Philadelphia. You must return with a stock of Patience, forbearence prudence and Humility. how are you for those Comodities. Holland is a country where those plants must flourish, or they could not endure their Task Masters.
          I long my Dear son to fold you to my Bosom, and tell you how very Dear you are to me. as to your Brother I must leave his Louissa

to Do that part, for me, and I hope She will not be deficient, either, in mine or her own. Your Friends all desire me to Send their regards to You. Your aged Grandmother in particular never forgets you, nor does your ever affectionate Mother

            Abigail Adams


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 21 February 1797
From: Adams, John
To: Smith, Abigail Adams

            Dear Child:
            Philadelphia, Feb. 21st, 1797.

          I believe I have not acknowledged your favour of the 20th January, which I received in its season.
          I hope your apprehensions that “the party who have embarrassed the President, and exerted themselves to divide the election, will endeavour to render my situation as uncomfortable as possible,” will be found to be without sufficient foundation; I have seen, on the contrary, a disposition to acquiesce, and hope it will increase. I am not at all alarmed; I know my countrymen very well.
          If the way to do good to my country, were to render myself popular, I could easily do it. But extravagant popularity is not the road to public advantage.
          By the 4th of March I shall know what to do. I cannot build my house till the foundation is laid; at present I know not what house I shall have, nor what means to furnish it. These things will be determined in ten days. At present I believe it will be best for your mother to remain where she is until October. I shall go to her as soon as I can.
          Your brother John continues to give the highest satisfaction to government by his great industry, his deep discernment, his independent spirit, and his splendid talents. I hear such commendations of him as no other man abroad obtains.
          In your solitary hours, my dear daughter, you will have a

delightful opportunity of attending to the education of your children, to give them a taste and attachment to study, and to books. A taste for science and literature, added to a turn for business, never can fail of success in life. Without learning, nothing very great can ever be accomplished in the way of business. But not only a thirst for knowledge should be excited, and a taste for letters be cultivated, but prudence, patience, justice, temperance, resolution, modesty, and self-cultivation, should be recommended to them as early as possible. The command of their passions, the restraint of their appetites, reverence for superiors, especially parents, a veneration for religion, morals, and good conduct.
          You will find it more for your happiness to spend your time with them in this manner, than to be engaged in fashionable amusements, and social entertainments, even with the best company.
          But I must restrain myself, and subscribe the name of your affectionate father,

            John Adams.


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 February 1797
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dearest Friend
            Philadelphia Feb. 24. 1797

          The Presbyterian Congregation have voted me the front Pew in their Church for my Family. It is an elegant new Building and the Pew is large
          I have bought me a Pair of Young Horses for a Carriage and a saddle horse.
          The Birthday was affecting and the Night Splendid but tedious to those who were too old to dance.
          I have now Settled all My Accounts with the senate as you will see by the inclosed Papers.
          I assure you it was a tender Scene at parting. How do you like our Adieus alias Farewells. Nothing yet determined about House or Furniture. Yours with a great desire to be with you, but it is impossible

            John Adams


Title: Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 27 February 1797
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, Abigail

            Plimouth Feb 27th 1797

          It Can be of little Consequence to you my dear Madam wither Your late adventure with me amounts to 8000 dollars or only 8/— Yet it is my duty to let you know how it stands and to take your commands either to vest You again as an adventurer in the next Class—or remit to your order the sum of 8/4—
          as I think it always best to rise in our subject instead of sinking from great to small things—my Gratulations on mr Adams elevation to the presidential Chair are secondary to my Condolence: and may form a perfect Contrast to Your Ill success in H C lottery—the one a small stake in the most precarious Game—the other the best Card in the pack.— a second throw Could make no addition but a Crown—and that you have too much understanding and knowledge of the World to suppose it Could enhance Your happiness.— I hope we shall meet again before You take up Your residence in a southern Clime—
          Was I a Courtier I Could say many prety things in the present occasion both to you and to mr Adams but his old friend will only observe in her usual stile of Correspondence that she sincerly wishes peace prosperity & Virtue may pervade the united states under his administration and may you my dear madam feel no interruption of health nor any of those Circumstances in human life ten fold more painful—that might impede the tide of prosperity in which you have long sailed—
          The bearer of this will wait on You next Tuesday for an answer to this or any other Commands You may have for your / assurred Friend & Humble servt

            Mercy Warren


Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 28 February 1797
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

            London February 28th 1797

          Yes, my friend you have answered me as I deserve, and made me feel the striking difference between us, from the moment I had dispatched that letter, I regretted my folly, and felt sincerely ashamed of my ridiculous conduct— Dictated by anger, without time for reflection, I scarcely know what I wrote— you appeared to think I had not acted with delicacy, and my pride was wounded at the manner in which you mentioned my father, but I have since reflected, and am convinced, you could not mean to intimate the most distant reflection, on his conduct respecting his family, and I feel, how very low I must have sunk myself in your esteem— to be beloved by you is my greatest happiness, but I cannot support the idea of being merely loved, no my best friend I will deserve your esteem, and by doing this I am convinced I shall secure your affection, I entreat you to pardon me never again shall your temper be tried by a formal assertion of my spirit, and I trust you will never again have occasion to write, any thing, but what the tenderest love dictates, and what your Louisa may peruse, without feeling the painful sensations which this moment agitates her bosom— let us my beloved friend endeavor to forget what has caused us so much uneasiness and by a constant correspondence and mutual desire to please shorten the time of inevitable absence and alleviate by anticipation of the future our painful seperation—
          I scarcely know what to say in answer to your letter of the 7th Febry., I think as you do respecting your attachment to your Country, it is certainly a virtue, but like all other virtues may be carried to

too great a height, I believe I ought not to write on this subject— I really am not equal to the task of judging how far this virtue may extend, besides which it is a subject in which I feel myself too much interested to decide impartially—
          As it regards myself, I can answer without hesitation— I had taught myself to expect I should soon be united to you, and the disappointment at first was very severe, but time has reconciled me to our lengthened seperation, and I now think it a fortunate circumstance, placed in a situation so much above that I have ever been accustomed to, I should most likely have been fascinated with the glare of ideal greatness, and it might in time have had charms, which I should have felt unwilling to relinquish— It appears to me from the observations I have been enabled to make, that a fondness for distinction is natural to us, it is a sort of ambition inherent in human nature, and though we may fancy ourselves free from it, no sooner is it acquired, than we learn to think it valuable, and regret the possibility of losing it— therefore my friend, I am happy to avoid what I consider an evil, and will patiently await your return to that retired life in America, so much more calculated for your Louisa, and so much happier for us both—
          You think my friend, I shall laugh at your continual contemplation of the dark side, far from it, the situation appeared unpleasant and the prospect was every way disagreeable but the accounts from America, have led me to hope your father will find the situation less difficult, and more pleasing, than we have apprehended—
          Mr. Jefferson is elected Vice President, and by these accounts we understand, that the people were well satisfied with the election, and that every thing wore the most pleasing aspect— you will perhaps laugh at my attempting to write you intelligence of this kind, but I know how much you are interested, and I believe papa does not write by this Mail, your own letters have been here some time, but there is no Vessel going, therefore I have ventured, to write you all the information I have been able to learn— I know you will excuse the manner, when you consider the motive—
          Thank you my kind friend, for the compliment you intended to make me, it never was deserved by me therefore I did not regret it. my only sorrow is having written that letter, and could I recall it, I should be happy, but it cannot be, and long shall I suffer for my folly, for I cannot pardon myself— Papa is in daily expectation of Mr. Bourne from Holland. I have understood your Brother might

possibly come with him— Our family still continue very ill, Nancy is confined to her room— Adieu, believe me invariably your, tenderly affectionate, friend.

            Louisa C Johnson


Title: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 March 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John

          My Dearest Friend
          Quincy March 1 1797

        This is the first Day of March, and I have no Letters from you of a later date than the 11th of Feb’ry. and then only a few lines. Several things which I have written to upon, and which I wish for directions before I proceeded to execute, are I suppose lost and forgotten by upon, in the Multitude of Your Thoughts. I must proceed with the advise of Dr Tufts, for whom I have this day sent, in order to consult with him. Vintons time is near out. there is an apprizement of the stock which must be made & he allowd for a quarter part of their increased value. a mate is to be procured for the ox we lost. I tell French he ought to buy it, as he expects a further indulgence with the team. he pleads that he is not able. I like French so well, and he seems disposed to conduct honorably that I think it had best be done. I believe I wrote you that I had hired a Young Man, for a Month, a son of Samll Bracket who went from this Town Some Years ago; he is very capable of Business but holds himself very high, so that I do not expect to agree for more than the present Month. Billings has had an other Caper of a week long I fear he will not do to hire again after his period expires. he is now comeing out of it. I shall be a better judge of the Qualities of Bracket at the expiration of a Month. he is large and Stout used to a team, of a good Stock himself, brought up to labour hard, and is now sought after by several persons for the Season, but gold may be bought too dear— prices are not setled untill April & May.
        I yesterday sent for Mears and gave him my proposals in writing. the chief objection he offerd was, that being in a setled way of Business by which he must get his future living, he should lose his old custom, which would make it difficult for him to obtain it again.

to obviate that difficulty I promised to Build him a shop, he to furnish the tools himself coal & Iron to the halves, and to receive half the profits. in Winter he could be pretty constant in it. he has the proposals under consideration, which whether he accepts or not he has promised to keep secreet, but I am more & more convinced that he is the only Person to put here.
        We had as I expected a very splendid Birth Day, an account of which you will see in the paper. His Honours politeness led him to stay untill he had conducted & seated me at the supper table. he however escaped as soon after as he could. I do the Managers but Justice when I say, I never saw an assembly conducted with so much order regularity & propriety. I had every reason to be pleased with the marked respect and attention Shewn me. Col Bradford, who is really the Beau Nash of ceremonies even Marshalld his company, and like the Garter King at Arms calld them over as they proceeded into the Grand saloon, hung with the prostrate Pride, of the Nobility of France. Swan had furnishd them with a compleat set of Gobelin Tapresty. as the Ladies only could be Seated at Table with about 20 or 30 of the principle Gentlemen the rest were requested to retire to the Boxes untill the Ladies had Supped. when they left the Table & took their seats in the Boxes whilst the Gentlemen sup’d, all was order and decency. about half after one, the company returnd to the Ball Room, and I retired with those who accompanied me to the Ball. most of the rest of company remaind untill 4 oclock. neither the Govenour or Lady or Mrs Gill were present. the only person who shewd that they felt mortified & placed in the back ground, was Mrs Scott. how could she expect any thing else? the seat assignd to the Lady of the President Elect was Hung with Gobeline Tapestry, and in the center of the Room, conspicuous only for the hanging. on my Right the Manager placed the Lady of Judge Lowel, and on my Left the Lady of Judge Sumner. Judge Dana, but not his Lady was present. when I was conducted into the Ball Room, the Band were orderd to play the President March. the Toast were only 6 in Number. I presume you will see them in the paper. have the Philadelphians behaved as well? every toast save one, made the Saloon resound with an universal Clap, and a united huza. that was the Vice President Elect. I was sorry it was so cold and faint.
        The scripture assures us, that it is better to go to the House of mourning than the House of Feasting previous to my attendance

at the Ball Room, I performd the last office of respect to the remains of your Aunt Vesey, by following her to the Grave. I received notice of her death but the day before I considered this as a Duty which I owed to your Mother, and I found it a very acceptable notice to the Relatives. at six oclock I returnd to mr smiths, and prepaird for a different scene, not without reflections upon the visisitudes of Life.
        I see by the paper your address of leave to the senate. I do not wonder that you was affected upon the occasion. The Chronical, I am told, assures all good Republicans that they ought to rejoice in your Election, first because you was opposed to the British Treaty, 2dly because you are not Enimical to France, 3d because you are no party man and will have an oppinion of your own, fourthly because Hamilton Secreetly opposed your Election, and 5ly because you and the Vice President will harmonize— Wonderfull Discoveries.! and much of a peice with all their late publications.
        I see there has been an arrival at N york from Amsterdam. I hope Dispatches from our sons have arrived
        present me kindly to the Vice President when he arrives, and if you think it will do, tell him I am glad that he is your successor. I shall now take my leave of the Vice President, and address my next Letters to the President, whom neither Rank or station can more permanantly fix in the Heart of His / ever affectionate

          Abigail Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 March 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

            my dear son
            Quincy March 3d 1797

          Two vessels are notified, one for England, the other for Hamburgh. I will write by both, but the pleasure and freedom of communication, is much damp’d by the restraints of Station, and the apprehension of Capture.
          It is now several Months since I took my pen to address you. I believe my last date was in December. I have since written largly to Thomas, but fear my Letter is still waiting a conveyance.
          Tomorrow the 4th of march, the Government devolves upon the new President, and may he have firmness of Mind, and Health of Body, to enable him, to support himself under the weight, of perplexing cares, and arduous Duties which are anexed to it.
          The President in reply to an address presented to him on his Birth Day by the officers and Militia of Pensilvana, says, “the Patriotism uprightness and abilities of him who is to succeed to the station I now have the honour to hold, will leave you no room to regreet my retirement”
          Your Charming and affectionate Letter of Novbr. 14th arrived safe after a passage of 99 days. as your Father had written me more than once, expressing an anxiety to hear from you, as soon as I had read it, I inclosed it to him, as the greater part of it was a private confidential Letter; when I sent it to him, I had not a thought of its being communicated. he returnd it to me by the last post, and says “it is

the most beautifull thing he ever read. I could not withhold it from the P.” nor can I my Dear son regreet it, for it was returnd with the following, which I must risk communicating. who shall say, that virtue is not its own reward? I will lay up the original as a precious Deposit for your posterity—

            Dear sir
            Feb’ry 20 1797

          I thank you for giving me the perusal of the inclosed— the sentiments do honour to the Head and Heart of the writer and if my wishes would be of any avail, they should go to you with a Strong hope that you will not withold merited promotion from mr J Q Adams, because he is your Son, for without intending to Compliment the Father or the Mother, or to censure any others, I give it as my decided opinion that mr Adams is the most valuable publick Character we have abroad, and there remains no doubt in my mind that he will prove himself to be the ablest of all our diplomatic Corps, if he was now to be brought into that line, or into any other publick walk. I could not upon the principle which has regulated my own conduct dissaprove of the Caution which is hinted at in the Letter. But he is already enterd— the publick more and more as he is known, are appreciating his talents and Worth, and his Country would sustain a loss if these were to be checked by over Delicacy on Your part.
          With sincere esteem and affectionate Regard I am ever Yours—

            G W.

          I see the gratefull, the tender emotion of Your Heart filling your Eyes upon the perusal of this testimony of approbation from the first of Characters. I know you too well to fear any Ebulitions of vanity on the occasion. how different would my Sensations have been, if in your publick Character, I had learnt, or heard, that you had departed from the example, or sullied the Character, of him whose Successor you are. persevere my son and be the ornament and Glory of your Country, and the Solace and comfort of the declining Years of Your Parents.
          our publick affairs, as they respect the conduct of our Allies towards us, wear an unpleasent aspect. America is rousing from that delirium of enthusiasm, which has enveloped her ever since the revolution of France commenced. judgment and not justice, is dealt out to us. how much by our blind adulation we have merited the punishment, is not for me to say.

          Tom Paynes Letter to the President has greatly Served the cause of Liberty and Religion. even the Jacobins are ashamed of him. he is considerd as an apostate an out cast. like Cain there is a Mark sit upon him. he is accursed on the Earth,

            “and his Name shall like his carcass Rot
            alive abhord, and Dead forgot”

          I will send you the secretary of states answer to Adets Note. you will find it a full and explicit answer to all the complaints and charges exhibited by Adet, and his predecessors—
          Your Friends are all well and desire to be affectionatly rememberd to you. Boston shone on the late Birth Night an Elegant Ball, 200 50 Ladies present, and a Magnificent Supper. all was order, and Decorum. Col Bradford, our Beau Nash principally presided as master of Ceremonies. you know he is admirably calculated for such occasions. the Theatre was converted by a platform across the Pitt, into an Elegant Saloon, hung with the prostrate pride of the Nobility of France. mr Swan on the occasion furnished a compleat Set of Gobelin Tapestry hangings, which took all the upper Boxes in. Three Tables extended from one end of the House to the stage, at which 200 & 50 Ladies and about 30 Gentlemen were at one time accommodated. the rest of the Gentlemen took their seats in the Boxes whilst the Ladies Sup’d 600 dishes fancifully displayd and decorated with ornamental Lights made a very pleasing view. The Ladies in their turn filld the Boxes and the Gentlemen took their seats at table. under the orchestra was placed a crimson Canopy in which was a portrait of the President. the opposite view, as a stage scene was an Equesterian Statue of the same illusturious personage all Hearts appeard to be gratified and every person to vie with his Neighbour in expression of Love Gratitude and veneration for this truly Great Man. The writer, and witness of this scene, was you may be sure no unfeeling spectator. every mark of respect and attention was shewn her, which propriety admitted, or Decency required.
          adieu my Dear son. our good Friend mrs Welch is just come to Peace Field, (the Name Your Father has given to his Farm) to pass a week with me. she request me to give her Love to you. Charlot is grown a fine Girl, and Harriot is improved greatly. many of your old Friends and acquaintance inquired kindly after you on the Birth Night. Some were introduced to me whom I did not before know, With the claim of your acquaintance. Dr Clark is always particular. the old Club recollet you with affection

          I make no appology for entertaining you with these domestic occurrences, to bring home to your remembrance scenes in which you once delighted, cannot fail in a mind like yours to excite pleasing sensations, for I judge of yours, by the feelings of your ever affectionate Mother

            A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 4 March 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

          my Dear Madam
          Quincy March 4th 1797

        I received yesterday your obliging favour of Feb’ry 27th. I have been so little a favorite of fortune, that I never once examined my Numbers by the News papers, or otherways, concluding that those who were equally interested would take proper care for me. as I had formd no expectations, I meet with no dissapointment, and am quite pleased that my adventure should be appropriated to the promotion of Science and Literature.
        The few shillings in your hands be so kind as to lay out, in the purchase of some little Books, and present them for me, to the Lovely Marcia as a token of approbation for the Sweet engageing simplicity of manners, which were so conspicuous in her.

        For your Congratulations upon a late important event, accept my acknowledgments, considering it as the voluntary and unsolicited Gift, of a Free and enlightned people. it is a precious and valuable Deposit, and calls for every exertion of the Head, and every virtue of the Heart, to do justice to so sacred a Trust. Yet however pure the intentions, or upright the conduct, offences will come.

          “High stations, Tumult, but not bliss create”

        As to a Crown my Dear Madam I will not deny, that there is one which I asspire after, and in a Country where envy can never enter to plant Thorns beneath it. the fashion of this world passeth away, I would hope that I have not lived in vain, but have learned how to estimate, and what value to place upon the fleeting and transitory enjoyments of it.
        I shall esteem myself peculiarly fortunate, if at the close of my publick Life, I can retire, esteemed beloved and equally respected with my predecessor.
        Old Friends can never be forgotten by me. in that number I have long been accustomed to consider the Gen’ll and Mrs Warren. it will always give me pleasure to see them at Peace Field, or where ever else, they may meet, their Friend and Humble Servant,

          Abigail Adams


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 March 1797
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

          My dearest Friend,
          Philadelphia March 5. 1797

        your dearest Friend never had a more trying day than Yesterday. A Solenm Scene it was indeed and it was made more affecting to me, by the Presence of the General, whose Countenance was as serene and unclouded as the day. He Seem’d to me to enjoy a Tryumph over me. Methought I heard him think Ay! I am fairly out and you fairly in! see which of Us will be happiest. When the Ceremony was over he came and made me a visit and cordially congratulated me

and wished my Administration might be happy Successful and honourable.
        It is now Settled that I am to go into his House. It is whispered that he intends to take french Lave tomorrow. I shall write you, as fast as We proceed.
        My Chariot is finished and I made my first appearance in it Yesterday. It is Simple but elegant enough. My horses are young but clever.
        In the Chamber of the House of Representatives, was a Multitude as great as the Space could contain, and I believe Scarcely a dry Eye but Washingtons. The Sight of the Sun Setting full orbut and another rising tho less Splendid, was a novelty.
        C. J. Elsworth administered the oath and with great Energy. Judges Cushing, Wilson and Iredell were present. Many Ladies.
        I had not Slept well the night before and did not sleep well the night after. I was unwell and I did not know whether I Should get through or not— I did however. How the Business was received I know not, only I have been told that Mason the Treaty publisher Said We should loose nothing by the Change for he never heard such a Speech in Publick in his Life.
        All Agree that taken all together it was the sublimest Thing ever exhibited in America.
        I am my dearest friend most / affectionately & kindly your

          John Adams


Title: John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 6 March 1797
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Johnson, Louisa Catherine

          The Hague March 6. 1797.

        Since writing my last Letter I have received yours of the 17th: of February. It is kind: it is amiable: it is worthy of yourself. I recognize again the temper that I love, the heart that I admire, and the mind that I esteem.— Yes—this Letter I am sure was written by my own Louisa; and its strain is too congenial with her character, and too full of delight to me, for me to believe that she will ever quit it for one of a different description and contrary effects.
        I cannot but be flattered by the motive which induces you to regret your approaching departure for America, and to wish you could stay in England. The encreased distance, and the impossibility of hearing so frequently from each other are indeed substantial reasons for your preference of inclination; but when you recollect that the indispensible interest of your Parent requires his return, and the numerous reasons which make it advisable, I am persuaded that you will easily reconcile yourself to it.— As Events will not accommodate themselves to our desires, it is one of the most necessary arts of human life, to accommodate our desires to Events.— But I am sliding inadvertently again into that terrible thing called Philosophy.— Alas! there is no moving a single step without finding the want of it.

        The Winter has at length melted away, and the charming season of Spring is approaching. My uncertainty of departure from this place continues as it has been for many months past. I have no new Letters from America; but I have one from Lisbon; from the Gentleman whom I am to succeed there. He tells me that the period of his removal is as uncertain as mine.— This is exclusively for your information.
        After what I said in one of my late Letters upon the subject of the Harp, it is perhaps hardly allowable for me to enquire whether your proficiency is more rapid than it has been. I know not indeed but I shall incur the suspicion of growing morose and gloomy, by my opinion so explicitly given upon the subject of music.— Angels! ever bright and fair!— what have become of the raptures, which the Harp and the Piano forte and the voice, were wont to inspire?— They are indeed not forgotten my lovely friend— Memory often repeats to my Fancy, every strain which was once performed by you; it gives an Echo still returning to my ear, to every sound uttered by your voice, or called forth by your fingers.— But after all in rousing from these reveries I am always sensible that they are merely the pleasures of idleness, and that they must never be suffered to usurp an improper degree of importance in our estimate.
        When you tell me that your slow progress in improvement must be attributed to myself because I engross all your time, and that you have not given your Harp as I have my books the primary place in your mind, the compliment possibly flatters my vanity, but it does not satisfy my reason, nor indulge my pride. I should infinitely prefer to have you think less of me, and more of every thing that can add to your own worth.— Besides, My Louisa, I do not think it really necessary that the one should be sacrificed to the other.— I do not think I should be shewing you the highest degree of affection, if I lavished away hour after hour, day after day, week after week, in a dull and lazy insignificance; though you should never be absent from my thoughts.— No— I believe that in employing steadily my time, and dedicating myself even to a painful exertion of Industry to improve the qualities which alone can give me value, I should prove myself a more constant Lover.— Reflect therefore once more my amiable friend, and ask yourself, whether as a means either of acquiring or of shewing sincere affection, it is not better to have it in our power to say “I have possessed myself of another accomplishment”—rather than “I have wasted my time in thinking of you.”— I

must therefore renounce and protest against all accountability, for the consequences of your idleness.— Think of me my charming friend, and employ every moment of your time too. I am sure the thing is not impractible.
        But these observations, are only meant to answer, what I believe was rather intended by yourself as an ingenious compliment, than as substantially true. I always give you credit for merit more than you profess. You will not raise my expectations by acknowledging your improvements, but intend to surprize me agreeably by the proof of them at the time when we shall meet again.— But indeed you will gain nothing by this little innocent design of deception. For as I know you will not boast of your acquisitions, I am convinced of your attention to obtain them, and shall be prepared to find you at least as much improved, as you would be if you had not once thought of me during the whole period of our separation.
        I know not why you should have imagined your last Letter was unintelligible; or that I should scarcely be able to read it. The fault would certainly in such case have been in my mind, or in my eyes, not in your expression or hand.— Since you have written so frequently to me I have been more than ever at a loss to account for your old aversion to writing—more than ever disposed to impute it to the natural though unlaudable origin of mere indolence. Your stile of writing is more than good— It is excellent.— The art of varying your topics of correspondence, which is one of the most difficult parts of Letter-writing, can be acquired only by frequent practice, constant attention, and consultation of the most approved collections of printed Letters, a thing well worthy of some part of your time, if you can obtain a respite for it from your thoughts of me.
        Farewell; remember me affectionately to all, and be assured that I am ever yours.

          A.


Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 7 March 1797
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

          London March 7th 1797

        The package, containing your various beautiful presents, is arrived— I have distributed them according to your desire, and am requested to return the most grateful acknowledgements, and to tell you that being given by you, renders them peculiarly valuable— Accept my thanks my beloved friend, they are the return I can offer except the most tender and sincere affection— As a token of your esteem, the Bracelets will ever be inestimable to me, but indeed my dearest friend I have too firm a reliance in your affection, to require such proofs of it—
        Mr. Bourne came last night, to take leave of my father, he sails for America to day, I know not whether his having lately seen you was the reason, but I was determined to be pleased with him before I saw him, and I really feel a sort of affection for him because he says he esteems, and loves you—
        You tell me, in your letter of the 20 of February, that you are altered, and hope I shall not like you less, though you think it necessary to prepare me for its effects, when we meet—no alteration can diminish my love for you, and I hope yours will be as permanent, as to your faults my friend, they may be unpleasant, to a lady of taste, and elegance, but as I have no pretensions to any thing of the kind, I have no fear of their becoming so to me—
        In regard to your Fathers election, it is impossible I should feel so unconcerned as you seem to imagine. my love for you my best friend, is such that for your sake, I love, and esteem, all your family, and am as anxious for their welfare, as for my own—besides which, do you suppose it possible, I can hear of your anxiety, without partaking it? surely my Adams you can have very little idea of my affection, or you would know, that you cannot feel even a momentary pain without its being shared by your Louisa— Indeed my best friend you should not always contemplate the dark side of things, believe me it will be a constant source of uneasiness, and prevent your enjoying the happiness, already in your power— It is true we should always be prepared to meet disappointments, and misfortunes, with firmness, but we should not encourage evil by anticipation in this instance, I hope your fears will prove erroneous, and that your father will find the situation, easy and pleasant— I make no doubt that he will acquit himself with honor, and satisfaction to

himself, and for the benefit of his Country— let us then instead of indulging painful apprehensions, look forward to brighter prospects, and trust in providence for the future—
        To the latter part of your letter, I have little to reply— I endeavor to be contented, though I confess it is with difficulty, I check hopes, that will sometimes arise, that we may yet meet— I believe it would have been better, to have omitted this proof of my folly, but it is written, and it will only serve to shew the weakness of my best resolves—
        Nancy is recovering, and with the rest of the family, desires to be remembered— Adieu, offer my best respects to your brother, and believe me sincerely, and faithfully, yours,

          Louisa C Johnson


Title: Belinda Smith Clarkson to John Adams, 8 March 1797
From: Clarkson, Belinda Smith
To: Adams, John

          Dear Sir.
          New York, March. 8th.: [1797]

        I hope you will not deem it intrusion to address you upon a subject which is of great consequence to me, and must interest your feelings on the principles of Commiseration and Benevolence: a subject which necessity impells me to expatiate upon—and maternal affection dictates. It is Sir, to solicit, (earnestly) an office for Mr: Clarkson to enable him to support a Family of young Chilldren— his long confinement the last winter with the rhuematism render’d him incapable of attending to any kind of Business— in the spring the physicians proposed his going in the Country as the only probable resource for returning health— my Brother Col. Smith offer’d us his House at East Chester—where we remain’d untill the Fall— Mr: C. was perfectly recover’d—but mercantile Business was so dull and precarious—his friends advised him not to think of Engaging in it— Mr: Wilkes offer’d him an office in the New York Bank—where he has been constantly Employ’d ever since: It was a temporary Releif—but the salary is only 500. dollars pr. year—which will not

provide common necessaries for the family. Mr: Clarksons diffidence for want of a personal acquaintance with you, must plead an apology for his not writing—and has induced me to take the Liberty of making this application which I flatter myself you will not disapprove— If any recommendatory Letters are necessary, I have not a doubt they can be obtained from respectable Characters in this City. as there is no advancement in the Bank, occasion’d by their being so many who have a prior right to Mr: C— I am Impell’d (from the gloomy prospect before me) to make this (allmost) Unprecedented address! which I hope My dear Sir will claim your attention, and induce you to place Mr: C. in a more Eligible situation.—which will always be remembered and acknowledged with gratitude.
        Wishing you all the happiness, and Respect / your virtues, and dignified station merits— / I subscribe myself / with sentiments of Respectful Esteem & &

          Belinda Clarkson—


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 March 1797
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

          My Dearest Friend
          Philadelphia March 9. 1797

        I have no Letter this Week and begin to fear that your Respect to our late P. has laid a foundation for a Sick Spring and Summer. Sometimes too I am jealous of unfair Play in the Post office to prevent me from hearing from you at the most critical Period of my Life.
        The public Papers must give you an Account of Proceedings, which I am wholly unable to describe.
        What Judgment is form’d of my Part in the late Transactions, by my Friends or my Ennemies, I know not. There is a Reserve in both, beyond my comprehension.

        The P. and Mrs W. go off this morning for M. Vernon. Yesterday afternoon he came to make me his farewell Visit and requested me in his own Name and Mrs Ws. to present “their Respects” to Mrs Adams. I believe, that I envyed him more than he did me: and with Reason.
        The House is to be cleared and cleaned, and I am to go into it on Monday next, if possible. I shall make a Small Establishment for myself for the present and wait yur Advice for Ulteriour Arrangements.
        It is now generally understood that I am to go home before Midsummer and bring my Family in October.
        The Business of all kinds and Writing particularly out of the habit of which I have been so long, presses upon me very severely and would endanger my health if I did not make Conscience of riding every day.
        Mrs Cushing will call upon you and give you an Account of what they call The Inauguration. It is the general Report that there was more Weeping than there has ever been at the Representation of any Tragedy. But whether it was from Grief or Joy, whether from the Loss of their beloved President, or from the Accession of an unbeloved one. or from the Pleasure of exchanging Presidents without Tumult or from the Novelty of the Thing, or from the sublimity of it, arising from the Multitude present, or whatever other cause I know not. one Thing I know I am a Being of too much Sensibility to Act any Part well in such an Exhibition. Perhaps there is little danger of my having Such another Scene to feel or behold.
        The Stilness and Silence astonishes me. Every body talks of the Tears, the full Eyes, the streaming Eyes, the trickling Eyes &c but all is Enigma beyond.— no one descends to particulars to say Why or wherefore, I am therefore left to Suppose that it is all Grief for the Loss of their beloved.
        Two or three Persons have ventured to whisper in my Ear that my Speech made an agreable Impression
        I have ventured to Say Things both in that Speech and in my farewell address to the senate, So open to Scoffs and Sarcasms that I expected them in Abundance. I have not yet Seen any. The more may come. I have been So Strangely Used in this Country. so belied and so undefended—that I was determined to say some Things, as an Appeal to Posterity. foreign nations and future times will understand them better than my Ennemies, or friends will own they do.

The Vanity and Egotism, which is so apparent or at least to seeming may be pardoned for what I know lest Satirical Reflections on it should provoke Some one to produce Proofs that if it is Egotism it is no Vanity.
        My dear Wife your Society is invaluable to me and yet I cannot enjoy it, before July I fear. All will depend upon public Events. I shall come to you as soon as possible.
        I am with an affection that can end only / with my Life and I hope not then, Your / faithful Friend & Husband

          John Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 March 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John

          My Dearest Friend
          Quincy March 12th 1797

        After a week of anxious expectation, I received by last Thursdays post, a packet containing three News papers a pamphlet, two excellent Letters from our Dear sons, and fourteen lines from a hand, from which I was desirious of receiving, fourteen times as much. unreasonable do you exclaim! Publick Buisness, publick cares, allow’d, but there is a kind of communication and intercourse which is a relieaf to the burdend mind, at least I conceive so.
        I have read the address the answer, and the reply. upon reading the first period in the address, it Struck me as obscure oweing to the length of the period. I read it a second time, the sense was clear but some how, it did not seem what I wanted to have it; I attempted to throw the Ideas into an other form, but could not succeed, without weakning the force of expression, or greatly lengthing the address. I therefore concluded that you had labourd yourself under the same difficulty. I made no remark upon it, but in my own mind. Three persons have since mentiond to me, the same thing, and one of them told me that he had himself been trying to place the Ideas of the first period in shorter sentances, but met with the Very obstical which I had myself before experienced. the address brought into view a Number of home Truth’s, Evident to Some, unseen by others. as the Sentiments of the writer are known to me, I trace their meaning, end and aim, and pronounce them all wise, just, and Good. the answer of the senate, is Manly, dignified, affectionate and cordial. the Reply will tend to strengthen the bond of union. the whole is calculated to remove the film from the Eyes of those who are disposed to see. I have heard but one remark, and that was from Jarvis. he was glad to see you come out so fully and declare that the senate were equal to the defence and preservation of the constitution, and that it needed not a more permanant counsel. with mischievious men, no honest man would hold communion: but with men who have been mislead, and who possess integrity of Heart, every good Man would be desirious of standing fair. to the latter the

conduct of H——n has been misterious, and they are ready to think that the President is a more impartial Man than they were taught to believe, and that the opposition and Secret machinations and intrigues of a certain Character arose altogether from knowing that the Man whom a majority of the people wishd to succeed the President was too independent in his Sentiments to receive controul. they conclude that they have been mistaken in him.
        I see by the paper received last Evening that the senate are notified to convene, by which I judge there are subjects of concequence to be imparted. are there any official accounts of the reception of Pinckny by the Directory? Such reports are in circulation. I am pleasd to find mr Murray appointed as the Successor of our son. I do not know where a properer person could have been found. Russel the Printer is an abominable Blunderer, he is not fit to publish state papers. no less than three blunders has he made in publishing the address to the senate & in the reply to their answer as you will see by reading it. my mind has ever been interested in publick affairs. I now find, that my Heart and Soul are, for all that I hold Dearest on Earth is embarked on the Wide ocean, and in a hazardous Voyage. may the experience wisdom and prudence of the helmsman conduct the vessel in Safety.
        I am as ever a fellow Passenger

          Abigail Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 March 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John

          my Dearest Friend
          Quincy March 13th 1797

        Dr Tufts has been consulted by me respecting the leaseing our places, and we have come to an agreement with the Tennants, who in proportion to the rise of Labour & produce, Annually expect more & more indulgences. a Farmer cannot be content with the profits he once made. he will tell you, the Day Labourer fares better, which is true. I meet with so many difficulties, that I wish Sometimes that we had not but one Farm. Dr Tufts thinks it would be better for your interest, under certain restrictions to lease out the places for a sum of Money. but this is for future consideration. Burrel I have agreed to find him a yoke oxen & cart, he to be at the expence of keeping them in order French I have agreed to find a mate for his steer. his Father has one of the same Age, for which he asks 35 Dollors. this being agreed to, the next thing was wood, to be found all their Wood. this I absolutely refused, and we came very near parting upon the Subject. after much conversation, Dr Tufts advised to stipullating a certain Sum, to be allowd for wood. I can only say I have Done the best I could. Trask wants employ. Dr Tufts

says that the Bushes behind Belchers House wants clearing up in the medow and Burrel says those in curtis Pasture which our people cut two years ago want again to be attended to. The spring is advancing but the Month of March has been one cold Bluster as yet and greatly impeeds our advance in buisness, which will occasion a press of Buisness Soon. I have several matters which I should wish to Do as Soon as it will answer among the number is painting the House & Fence, and finishing the Chamber in the out House. We shall want it much When you return for the additional Servants you will bring with you.
        I have many more things to Say, but will not at present take up more of your Time.
        as ever / yours

          A Adams


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 March 1797
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

          My Dearest Friend
          Phila. March 13. 1797

        I am So constantly engaged in Business most of which is new to me, that it Seems as if it was impossible to find time to write even to you— Yet I believe I write every Post.
        It proves to be a tedious Business to clear the Presidents house for me. I am now told it will not be ready this Week. You will See by the Gazette how the new Pensilvania House is disposed of.
        The Weather is bad— I have a great Cold— The News is not pleasant— And I have no Society but Statesmen. Mr Jefferson has been here and is gone off to day for Virginia. He is as he was.—
        I cannot write to you, about any Thing at home— You must do as you judge best. I like all that you have proposed to me.
        I must not write about public affairs. I must go to you or you must come to me. I cannot live without you till October. But all will depend upon Events and Intelligence to come.
        My Regards to the Neighbours, Duty to my Mother Love to Relations, &c
        Oh my poor Meadow and Wall &c &c &c— It would do me good like a Medicine to See Billings one hour at any sort of Work.

        Mr Maund writes me that he has sent to Boston an extraordinary Barrell of seed Oats for me. if they come too late What then?
        Mr Beale was here a day or two ago very well.
        I have no Letter to day— But I shall have one on Wednesday or saturday. I find you dont forget your ever affectionate

          John Adams


Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 14 March 1797
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

          London March 14th 1797

        I have repeatedly perused your letter of the 27 of February, which afforded me infinite pleasure, as it perfectly coincides with my sentiments—
        Let me again assure you my best friend, that you shall never more be offended by an assertion of Spirit, that I in reality do not possess, and permit me to request, you will cease to mention a subject, which has already cost me so much pain, and for which I entreat your pardon— no sooner were those letters gone, than I repented my

folly and was convinced my conduct was weak, and ridiculous. I therefore trust in your accustomed indulgence, to overlook and forgive the past, as I have long since and believe me, I shall carefully avoid every thing of the sort in future—
        You tell me that you fear to mention your books, since the success of your recommendation, of Madame de Stael’s new Work. I expected this, and felt inclined to ask you to recommend such books as you thought might improve me, but I was fearful after what I had written, you might suppose I had no meaning in the request, and therefore pay no attention to it—but since you have mentioned it, I wish you would point out such as you think will be profitable, and I can assure you I shall feel myself much obliged— We hear nothing of the Election in America—but by a Gentleman lately arrived from New York, we understand there is a report, of Mr. Madissons being appointed Minister extraordinary to France, to settle the difference between that Country, and America I wish it may be true, as I think a war with France, or any Country, must be very injurious at this period to America—
        All the family desire to be remembered— Mr: Bourne is not gone being detained by contrary winds—
        Adieu— present my respects to your Brother, and be assured of the constant, and invariable affection, of your

          Louisa C. Johnson


Title: Abigail Adams Smith to John Adams, 14 March 1797
From: Smith, Abigail Adams
To: Adams, John

          my Dear Pappa
          East Chester March 14th 1797

        I received some time since your letter of the 21st of Febuary—and am very happy to find that you suppose my apprehensions respecting any embarrassments which may be thrown in your way are premature— I have heard from all quarters that the Choice of President has been highly approved of and is perfectly Sattisfactory to all parties even the most violent Democrats in New York have

expressed their intire acquiessence in the Election and I am very happy to find Mr Jefferson has come forward with such fair and Candid sentiments as his address to the senate discovers— I beleive many persons will be agreeably disappointed with respect to his pursuits
        you must not my Dear Sir judge unfavourably of me—from my silence at this period—when all Connected with you are I presume offering to you their Congratulatory addresses—upon your assention to a Station so highly important—and which you are undoubtedly better prepared to fill with advantage to our Country than any other Man—or suppose that it is the result of indifferance towards you or any want of fillial affection—for I seek with avidity for every thing that is made public to us respecting yourself at this time, and have read with much pleasure your speach at the inauguration—and I Lamented that you should not have had one single Brance of your own family present at the interesting Scene— if I had been in a situation that could have rendered it proper, or Possible, I would most certainly have been present
        that I am retired from all society and have no intercourse with any one out of my family would be no mortification to me—if it afforded me an opportunity of Educating my Children; there is no Personall gratification nor individual advantage that I should not readily relinquish if it could afford me an opportunity of Seeing them improve or advancing in their Studies— but the Place we are in neither affords a school or a Clergyman—and I am much at a loss to know, what to do with them—
        William is now at an age when it becomes necessary for him to have constant and regular attention—and I think every day he passes is a day lost to him—
        what is to be their or our future destination is hid from our view by “that impenetrable veil which you observe covers futurity”— I see nothing in prospect for them but the most undistinguished stations in Life— and I expect that they will have to acquire as much self command and experience as many humiliations and mortifications of spirit as can be necessary for them; or as any one can wish them to encounter— but thease things are directed by an Higher Power and all Human Exertions are inadequate to Counteract them
        whatever fate m[ay be] in reserve for me I hope I shall be supported under [it] without repineing—and that my Heart may be steeled against the misfortunes which seem to await us— but I must

beg your forgiveness for obtruding upon your time, and important avocations
        with every wish for your Happiness I am affectionately your Daughter

          A Smith—


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 March 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

          my Dear Son
          Quincy March 15 1797.

        The vessel which was up for Hamburgh by which I promised to write has changed her Voyage, and the vessel for London is just upon the point of sailing, so that I have only time to inform you that your old Friend William Vans Murray is appointed your successer. This will give you pleasure, because he is a sensible Worthy Man, and a firm Friend to his Country. You will now be released, and enabled to fulfill the most pleasing of all your engagements Heaven bless and prosper you.
        Since I wrote you on this Month by the last post from Philadelphia, your Father sent me the Letters he had received from you, and your Brother. December 17 No 26. No 25 has not reachd here. Thomas was dated Novbr 25 & Decbr 12. both Letters gave us great pleasure. I have Written to Thomas and to you since your of Novbr to me. I do not however recollect whether I mentiond that both mrs Welch and I had received our table Linnen, which proved more satisfactory than the former.

        I Inclose to you the address of the Vice President upon his taking leave of the senate, their answer & his reply. all at present seems Harmony and internal Peace.— the Antis many of them say they are gratified by the Elections. We shall soon see how measures opperate. by the papers I see that the President issued notifications to the senate to convene, the day after he was sworn into office. the Vice President arrived and was Sworn at the same time. May peace and Harmony prevail. French influence declines, America is made to feel, and that has cleard the films from her Eyes.
        It is impossible for any Man to carry with him into retirement, more fervent, more sincere and gratefull testimony of the Love, respect esteem and veneration; of a whole people; than is the happy portion of the Retireing Patriot.

          O ’tis a joy too exquisite, a thought
          Which flatters Nature more than flatt’ry ought!
          The best reward which here to Man is given
          ’Tis more than Earth, and little short of Heav’n;

        I do not know when I shall go on to Philadelphia. I wish to defer it untill the Fall, but that will depend upon circumstances. I have not time to write again to Thomas. His Father says he must have him, here. I shall want him very much at Philadelphia. I hope he will not delay his return. I have a Number of cupons to send, but do not know of any Passengers and am fearfull of committing them to the post I shall embrace the first opportunity. I Should be glad to have Thomas bring me 20 yds of what is calld faun coulourd Sattin I will send him a Bill for the purpose by an early conveyance perhaps Mrs Johnson will undertake the commission for me
        adieu my Dear son. When you arrive in England I hope to hear oftner from you, tho I presume Your stay will not be long there. the consul in Portugal you know when the Dangerous vice was written, the Author little thought of Such circumstances taking place as are now in being. it would ill become a King of France said Henry the 4th to avenge the Injuries of the Duke of Navare. I always admired the Dignity of that sentiment, but this does not prevent a watchfulness and a Distance.
        I know not when to lay asside my pen. it must however be done least I lose the conveyance.
        I am with every sentiment / of Love and tender regard / Your affectionate Mother

          Abigail Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Joshua Johnson, 15 March 1797
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Johnson, Joshua

          Sir
          Quincy March 15 1797

        I inclose to you a pamphlet, The correspondence between the Secretary of state, and the French Minister, for my son J Q Adams. if upon receiving it, you have reason to think he has allready had it; from any other hand, you will retain it, untill his arrival in England. William Vans Murray, of the state of Maryland, is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the Batavian Republick.
        This Gentleman I presume, is well known to you, having resided Some years in England and studied in the temple. he is esteemed a Gentleman of abilities, and has acquired much reputation since he became a Member of Congress. he is considerd as a firm Friend to his Country, and a very able Man. Mr Adams will be gratified by this appo[int]ment of an old acquaintance and Friend, as his successor. he will be particularly gratified, in being permitted to return to England, to unite himself to the amiable Young Lady, whom he is desirious of presenting to me as a Daughter. in return Sir, I present You a son, whose value, requires not Maternal affection to estimate. they both receive my blessing and my fervent prayers for their future happiness.
        your son was well a few days Since when I heard from him, and I believe, I may assure you, that he conducts himself with prudence and discretion.
        Present my compliments to Mrs Johnson. tell her that I hope it will not be many years, before she will feel an additional inducement to consider America as the permanant Seat of her future residence drawn heither by the double attraction of a son and

Daughter. The Letters addrest to your care for my sons be so kind as to forward
        For Your Friend and Humble servant

          Abigail Adams


Title: Richard Cranch to John Adams, 15 March 1797
From: Cranch, Richard
To: Adams, John

          My Hond: and dear Brother
          Quincy Mar: 15th. 1797

        To wish you Joy on your advancement to the high Station you now hold will perhaps, at present, be premature; I shall therefore rather wish you Patience. The comprehensive and clear Views that you have acquired from an accurate Examination of all the ancient Forms of Government and their consequences in actual operation, and your great Experience in the modern Systems that have been exhibited, will often put your Patience to the tryal on hearing the many wrong-headed Projects and half-digested Schemes that will be advanced by Men who really wish the Good of their Country. But the Prejudices that have been infused into the honest Minds of many, who have been duped by foreign Influence at bottom, tho’ they do not know it, will require the exercise of much Patience and a continued course of Alteratives to set them right. Perhaps the most pernicious effects on the last mentioned Class have originated in an artfull address to one of the most amiable affections of the human Heart, I mean Gratitude. No arts have been left untried to make the People believe that they are indebted to France for their Liberty, Independence, and all the political Blessings that they enjoy as a Nation; and that therefore they must be subservient to Her in all their national conduct. As this sentiment is by no means founded in truth, I cannot help thinking that a systematical course of addressing the People on this Subject from time to time in the publick Papers, shewing them that their Liberty and Independence are not owing to the exertions of that or any other Nation in our favour, will have a happy tendency to make them feel their own Importance, and by degrees to free them from that supposed Dependence which is so humiliating to our national Character. Perhaps also the

exhibiting to our People at large, at proper times, the true Picture of that Infidelity and Atheism which have been substituted in France in lieu of the Christian Morals, may have a good effect on many good People whose zeal for french Politicks will almost tempt them to think that Christ may have “concord with Beliel.”
        I sincerely congratulate the People of the United States of America on their having you to take the Helm on the Resignation of the illustrious Washington; wishing you all that Success in promoting the general Good which your Experience, Wisdom, Virtue and Patriotism are so fitted to produce.
        I am, with Sentiments of the highest Esteem, your affectionate Brother

          Richard Cranch.

          P: S. I wish you to let me know as soon as possible your Determination about purchasing my Farm, as I shall not offer it to any other Person until I have your Answer.


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 March 1797
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

          My Dearest Friend
          Philadelphia March 17. 1797

        I have yours of the 6th. by the Post of this day. I have proposed to Brisler to give him 300 dollars and pay the Expences of his Wife and Children to this Place and back again to Quincy, when they return— And He and his Wife and Children are to live in the Family. This is pretty well— I must and will have him. I am peremptorily for excluding all blacks and Molattoes.
        I hope to get into the House on Monday next. But shall purchase no nice furniture, till you come. I shall make a little Establishment for myself, and keep Bachelors Hall for some time.
        We have no Authentic News from Europe. These long East Winds may bring Us some thing.
        I have procured Some Horses and a Carriage.— and ride on Horseback as often as the Weather will permit.

        I sent you the last Letters from our sons dated about the middle of Decr.
        Mr Murray is to go to Holland and Mr Dandridge as his secretary so that Thomas will come home, directly I hope— I would not even Advise him to go France. I hope to have one of my Children near me— It would have given me great Pleasure to have had some of my Family present, at my Inauguration which was the most affecting and overpowering Scene I ever acted in— I was very unwell had no sleep the night before, and really did not know but I should have fainted in Presence of all the World.— I was in great doubt whether to Say any Thing or not besides repeating the Oath— And now, the World is as silent as the Grave— All the Federalists Seem to be afraid to approve any Body but Washington The Jacobin Papers, damn with faint praise, and undermine with Misrepresentation and Insinuation.
        If the Fæderalists go to playing Pranks I will resign the office and let Jefferson lead them to Peace, Wealth and Power if he will.
        From the Situation, where I now am, I see a Scene of Ambition, beyond all my former suspicions or Imaginations.— An Emulation which will turn our Government topsy turvy. Jealousies & Rivalries have been my Theme and Checks and Ballances as their Antidotes till I am ashamed to repeat the Words: but they never Stared me in the face in such horrid forms as at present. I see how the Thing is going. at the next Election England will sett up Jay or Hamilton and France Jefferson and all the Corruption of Poland will be introduced. Unless the American Spirit should rise and say we will have neither John Bull nor Nicholas Louis Boborn— Silence.—
        Yours affectionately

          J. A


Title: Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 17 March 1797
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John

          My dear Sir.
          The Hague March 17th: 1797.

        Your kind favors of October 28. & November 11. of the past year, have been some weeks in my possession. I am not, nor can I

conveniently be, so good a correspondent as my brother, whose frequent and copious communications exhaust most of the subjects upon which I should feel disposed to write you myself, I think it is my duty nevertheless not to suffer any considerable period to pass, without giving you some testimony of my attachment & respect, though I am sensible that my letters can otherwise have but little merit.
        Public report and general belief, have long since conferred upon you Sir, the chief Executive Magistracy of the American Union, and if I have hitherto maintained a rigorous silence upon this subject, I feel no concern lest the motives of it should have been misinterpreted by you. The occasion was too important, and affected too nearly the cause of my dearest relatives and of our common Country, not to call forth a lively interest in my mind with a view to its ultimate decision. If the result be in reality as it has been reported, I shall freely own, that I do not consider it a subject of personal congratulation to yourself. The post of danger however, was neither sought or shunned by you in times of greater difficulty than the present; but you have often been placed in it by the public, when its only honor was its very danger. I feel a confidence therefore that this fresh example will witness an ability a zeal and an activity, proportioned to all its exigencies, and I shall never cease to pray that the issue may prove as honorable to yourself and beneficial to the public, as the exercise of the same qualities has been on all preceding occasions.
        The advice, which your letters contain with respect to my conduct, upon the arrival of certain contingencies, will be my guide, untill I receive those further indications from you which I am led to expect. It is proper that I should observe however, that my present state of uncertainty as to my future destination, considerably interferes with the plan, which I had purposed to pursue respecting my return home. The probability that my brother will remain here some months longer, is nearly as strong as when I last wrote you; the negotiations, of our Minister in Portugal being still in train, as we have lately been informed by him, without a possibility of fixing a precise term for their close. Unless therefore a new arrangement, of which we have yet no notice, should have taken place upon this head, my brother may be continued here through the Spring & perhaps the ensuing summer. The place of Minister here, by this calculation, will not be vacant untill the period, which I had contemplated for my departure, and unless new obstacles should make a further

postponement necessary, choice & preference would then determine me upon it. But I hope that the next letters we receive from you, will put an end to all surmises of the above nature, and unless a successor to the Minister here should already be appointed, under the nomination of the late President, I shall govern myself by your recommendation to return home, when, or perhaps before, my brother leaves this place. Though I should be sorry to “leave the public service unhandsomly,” I shall freely own that neither my wishes or expectations would induce me to seek a more responsible station than that which I now hold; and I rejoyce in the assurance, which was given us some time past from an authentic source, that upon the arrival of a certain contingency, the road of preferment, under the immediate superintendence of the Executive of the Union, would no longer be open to us.
        I am not only desirous but anxious to revisit my native land, for the longer my absence from it is, the more difficult & tedious will be the establishment I should wish to make upon my return. The recultivation of my own language, and that of my profession, and the formation of connections for future benefit in the exercise of them, must be a business of time and labor, and the age of 25. seems to me quite late enough to commence the undertaking.— I owe an apology for engrossing so much of this letter with an exposition of so selfish a nature, though I am well assured of its being received with the same indulgence, that has been accorded to all preceding ones of a similar strain.
        Our latest intelligence from home reaches no further than the middle of December; the most important particulars of it relate to the proceedings of the french Minister which had then just transpired, and which naturally occasioned some concern. The correspondent measures which the Directory have since pursued towards our Government are of a nature still more violent and hostile, and though I am fully confident that our Countrymen are not unprepared to meet the crisis which is thus hurried upon them, I cannot but regret that the present administration in France discover so little remorse in the employment of so dangerous an experiment. It is said by some of our Countrymen recently from Paris, that the Directory are bent upon war with us, and are only waiting a confirmation of the result of our Elections to put in force further acts of rigour towards our navigation. It is notorious that several of our vessels have already been taken by french privateers, commanded & owned by Americans; that they have been carried in & condemned in

french ports, and as many of our London traders as shall fall in the way of these pirates, may be expected to share a similar fate.
        This open encouragement of piratical depredation, cannot I think be regarded with indifference in America; it must rouse resentment against both its authors and patrons; but in what manner these feelings will be manifested, I am at some loss to conjecture. Our intercourse with the french Government is suspended; our wrongs are hourly multiplying, and the only alternative left to us seems to be silent uncomplaining submission, or manful resistance. Painful as this situation is in contemplation, there is to me a sensible satisfaction in the reflection, that we have neither provoked or merited it, for in my mind those calamities which are inevitable are always less irksome to endure, than such as prudence & discretion might have averted. If Sir, it should be your lot, and that of the American people to be forced into a war at the commencement of your administration, I hope and I believe there exists public spirit enough among our Countrymen to second your endeavors to procure a favorable & happy issue. The struggle may be arduous, but the object is such as merits every sacrifice.
        France notwithstanding her “retinue of victories,” may possibly learn too late, that the friendship of a feeble power is preferable to its enmity. The strength of the United States does not consist in the possitive force of fleets and armies, but there is a sort of negative power in her commerce, the efficacy of which can only be appreciated by its deprivation. France may drive it by violence from her ports, but if I mistake not, she will be the first to feel its loss, more especially as her rival enemy, Britain, will benefit in the same degree as she suffers. But plunder seems to be the great object with the french Government, and the question, to whom the property belongs, never enters into their calculation, except, that if any preference is discoverable, it appears to be given to that of their friends.
        A great naval battle has lately been fought between a British and a Spanish squadron, in which the former is said to have lost six ships, either sunk or taken, and the latter four of their first rate line of battle ships. The affair is yet so recent that the particulars of the engagement have not yet fully transpired, but the vast superiority of the Spaniards over the English both in number and rate of vessels, makes it a matter of surprise that the issue was not more disastrous to the latter than it seems to have been. I send herewith the Leyden Gazette which contains the principal details that have yet appeared upon this subject.

        In compliance with your desire, I wrote soon after the receipt of your last letters, to Mr: Tegelaar of Amsterdam, to ascertain whether he had received the papers which were transmitted by you for him. His answer acknowledges their receipt in good condition, and at the same time requests me to convey to you his grateful thanks for the trouble you had taken in his affair.
        I am, my dear Sir, with much duty & attachment / Your Son

          Thomas B Adams