Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My Dear Son
					Quincy May 5th 1816

				It was not untill this morning that I received your Letter of December 5th No 79, just five months from the date. where it has been ever since, I know not. it came to me from Nyork, and had just arrived there. The subject of it, you will Remember by turning to your coppy. There is not any reasoning which can convince me, contrary to my Senses, that Three, is one, and one three. Is it possible for the Humane mind to form an Idea of the Supreme Being, without some visible qualities, such as wisdom, power, and goodness. The creator, preserver and Govenour of the World, the first commandment forbids the worship of but one God.—That Jesus Christ was sent into the world by the Father to take upon him Humane Nature, to exalt redeem and purify the world, to sit an example of to all his followers of sinless obedience, and holiness of Life, and conversation, and to bring Life and immortality to Light, The Scriptures fully testify, and that a conformity to his precepts and example, as far as humane Nature is capable of it, will be rewarded by future happiness in the world to come, is my firm beleif.Is there not a subordination to the Father manifested in the whole Life and character of Jesus Christ? why said he, call ye me Good. there is none good but one that is God. again, I do nothing of myself, but the Father in me and when Jesus Christ, applies to the Father. If it be possible let this Cup pass from me, and again, in his agony upon the Cross, my God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? from these and many other passages of Scripture, I am led to beleive, in the unity of the Supreme Being, and that Jesus Christ was divinely inspired, and specially delegated to communicate the will of God to man; and that after having fullfild his Mission upon Earth, he assended into heaven, from whence we are assured he Shall come to Judge the world in Righteousness, all power being given him, by the Father. we are assured that those who fear God and work righteousness Shall be accepted of him, and that I presume of what ever sect, or persuasion, after all our inquires, we are permitted to see but through a Glass darkly.And must say with the poet“Thou great first cause, least understood,“whom all my Thoughts combine”“To know but this; that thou art good”“And that myself am blind”May 9thI had written thus far, and put by my paper, when your Letter of March 4th arrived—the Sentiments of affection which you so powerfully express, and which are so dear to my Heart, have always been manifested by you, towards your parents, through your whole Life, and will I hope be rewarded by similar, Love duty, and affection, towards you by your own offspring.—my Health has mended since the spring commenced, much more than I had Reason to expect, from the great debility to which I was reduced, but my constitution has past through so many trials, that I have little reason to expect my continuance for any long period—your Father fails in his Limbs, and can encounter but little care, wants frequent Rest, and repose, yet he enjoys his Book, his pen, and society, when he can meet with those who can enter into his literary amusements—of this Sort Quincy has few to Boast. what pleasure do the delightfull scene’s of Nature afford to those, who have no one, to whom they can say How pleasent it is? participation is the Root of pleasure. in reading a fine passage, how greatly is the enjoyment heightned by communicating it to one who can equally share in it? it is Sterns who say’s he would have a companion, if it was only to say how the shadows lengthen as the sun declines—all the reasoning and Eloquence of Zimerman, could never reconcile me to solitude. it is a cold unsocial feeling,“for where are the charms”“which Sages have seen in thy face?“Eden was tasteless till an Eve was there”I have to thank you my dear son for your very entertaining Letter of the 4th March, and rejoice that your visit to Paris was so well timed, and that you received so much gratification from the works of Art, which were there collected. one cannot help feeling a regret; that after being so well arranged, they should be again dispersed, without inquiring, by what means they were obtaind. the Bourbones in exile, were more respected, than upon the Throne, holding it as they do; by the power and courtesy of foreign Nations—I see by the papers, that you was a Guest, at the Lord Majors feast. the Toast you gave, is very popular here and considerd, judicious, concilitary, and honorable to both countriesI send you a new paper, containing a speech of mr Calhouns during the debate upon the direct Tax. I should often send you News papers, but most of our vessels go to Liverpool, and from thence, the postage would be heavy. the English papers which we receive some times contain interesting debates, but the most of them, make me Shrink with horror, at the catalogue of crimes which they detail we have in this country crimes sufficient, to call for humiliation & Repentance, but I may venture to assert, that the criminal callender of the whole united States for one year, will not exhibit as black a Catalogue of enormus crimes, as the annals of one Session of old Bailey of these which excite my greatest Regret, is the prostration of the Female character, and the frequent infidelity, of those who hold in their hands, the honour and dignity of the Nation, and posterity all conjugal principles, appear to have lost their weight, and the seduced, and seducer compromise their iniquity by a fine, by a payment of a fine for damages.—Reputation, Reputation, oh She who has lost her Reputation, has lost the immortal part of herself,—lost that, which not enriches the spoiler, and makes her poor indeed“Beauty like the fair Hesperian Tree”“Laden with blooming gold, hath need the gaurd”“of dragon watch, with uninchanted Eye“To save her Blossoms, and defend her fruit”“From the rash hand of Bold incontinence”My pen has ran away with me I must close or my paper will fail me. ever your affectionate / Mother

					A Adams—


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 6 May 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

				N. 49.
					Dear Sir.
					Ealing 6. May 1816.

				I keep a constant search on foot for the books which in any of your Letters, you have expressed the desire of procuring; but the excessive prices at which all books are held, deters me sometimes from taking those that I find, and I am not always successful in finding those for which I am on the lookout.—The Translation of the New Testament by Beausobre and L’Enfant is in two Quarto Volumes, and there is an additional Volume of Commentary. They ask for the whole 2 1/2 Guineas, which I have not paid, having the expectation of meeting with another copy upon better terms. I have not yet discovered Balthasar Bekker’s Monde Enchanté—But I have met with one odd volume of an English Translation of it, under the title of the “World Bewitched”—If the work had been complete, I would have taken it, and sent it to you; though on the Blank leaf of the Volume that I met with, there was a manuscript anonymous caution against the impieties, contained in it; with the remark that they had been often refuted—Bekker was a clergyman, and was not perhaps aware that in writing down the Devil he was labouring to demolish his own employment.It is impossible to find any separate first Volumes of the Defence of the American Constitutions; but complete sets of the work, are to be had of many of the Booksellers—Little, if any thing under the original Cost of the second Edition—Stockdale has been some time dead—His widow still keeps a shop; but his establishment opposite Burlington House is broken up. I have found two Copies of my Silesian Letters; one of which I shall send you, and keep the other, as a curiosity for my children—Copies of it are easily to be had; but at a price beyond what I am willing to pay for them—To collect an hundred of them would cost as much as to print a new Edition at Boston or Philadelphia.I have no Letter from you later than of 9. February, and no accounts of my dear Mother’s health, later than of the 19th. of the same Month—We are all well, and anxiously waiting to hear again from Boston and Quincy.Ever affectionately

					A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Katherine Dexter, 12 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Dexter, Katherine

					Dear Madam,
					Quincy, 12 May, 1816.

				How can I address you, or offer human consolation for a wound which must bleed afresh at every attempt to assuage it?Yet if the tears of friendship, and a nation’s tears can afford any relief, be assured, dear Madam, they flow from all honest hearts, for you, for your children and for a country which mourns one of its brightest luminaries extinguished. A great man, fallen in the zenith of his glory—and in the estimation of his ancient friend, the ablest statesman of his age which his native state could boast. It is no common loss we bewail. Such an assemblage of powerful talents rarely meet in one individual united to such an upright and independent mind, which soared above all low concerns, and was elevated beyond all selfish considerations and party views.In domestic life, your own heart alone can do justice to his memory. The news of the death of Mr. Dexter so sudden, so unexpected, was felt by Mr. Adams and myself with the keenest anguish. Out of your own immediate circle you have not any one who more sincerely, tenderly and affectionately sympathizes with you, or who more fervently supplicates the Supreme Being to support and sustain you than your sorrowing friend

					Abigail Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 13 May 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

				87.
					My dear Mother.
					Ealing 13. May 1816.

				I have had the pleasure of receiving your kind Letters of 22. March. and 7. April; and at the same time my wife and children all received the like tokens of your affectionate remembrance. The last is to Mr J. A. Smith of 13 April.—They ought all, and I hope will answer you more at length, than it is in my power to do. For the last six weeks, besides the pressure of my correspondence, which is in no degree relaxed, the attendance at Court, and various other occasions have obliged us to go into London four or five times a week instead of twice; and it absorbs so much time that the inconvenience of residing so far from town has become almost unsupportable—It is but just now that the Season for a Country residence is commencing, and having worried along thus far, I intend to remain here through the Summer. But I expect the next six weeks will be more troublesome than the last, and that half our time will be passed upon the road to London. The enclosed Newspaper may amuse you, with the particulars of the Royal Nuptials lately celebrated at Carleton house, and at which as you will perceive we were present. I had dined the preceding day with the rest of the foreign Ministers at the Prince of Coburg’s and had then been presented to him—To-morrow the Prince Regent holds his first Levee for this Season and on Thursday the Queen holds a Drawing Room, to receive CongratulationsThe Portuguese Minister, the Chevalier de Freire, often requests me to present his respects to my father, and to you—And I have now a similar message from Mr and Mrs. Liston, in company with whom we dined last week—Mr Liston is Ambassador at Constantinople, and now here upon a leave of absence—Lord St: Helen’s, whom my father knew at Paris as Mr Fitzherbert, was likewise of the party, and enquired particularly concerning my father.I will send you the Edinburgh Review, and write you again as soon as possible—mean time, I am ever affectionately yours

					A.


Title: From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 15 May 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Charles Francis

Dear Charles
Quincy May 15. 1816

you are a frolicksome little fellow; and I delight in your Fun with your School mates as heartily as you do, because it proves that you are all good natured and good humoured and live together in harmony.
When I lived in Holland, the Dablers in English laughed a little, sub rosâ at a question put by William the fifth Prince of Orange to a Stranger who Spoke the Language “What for a Countryman are You”! The Hypercriticks thought this Phraseology not neat. I did not approve their Mirth, but contended that his Highness Spoke English generaly very well.
And to this day I am So little disgusted with the Style, that I will take the Liberty to apply it to You.
Charles! “What for a Country man Are You”? Are you a Russian? A German? A Frenchman? An Englishman? or,! or,! or! An American?
Do you remember the spot where you was born at the Corner of Boylston Street in Boston? The Houses in which you lived in Russia were American Ground while your Father held them. His House in Ealing is your Domicil and American Territory. You have been always an American Citizen and I hope you will never renounce or forget that Character or neglect any of its Rights or Duties.
I know not whether you will ever see me: but whether living or dying you will never cease to have the Prayers for your good conduct Health, Prosperity and Happiness of your / Grandfather
A


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 17 May 1816
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Mother
Ealing 17th: May 1816.

Within a few days I have received your two very kind letters of April and am sincerely grieved to find your health still continues so poorly the fine season will I still flatter myself restore you to your wonted strength and entirely relieve you from your present complaints.
In my last I mentioned to you, that I expected to attend at the Royal Nuptials which took place on the second of May—We were invited in form and arrived at Carlton House at eight o’clock where we found  a select company, consisting of the great Officers of the Crown and Ladies, the Queens Household, Princes &c &c. and the Foreign Ambassadors and Ladies, The Queen and Princesses came in at 9 o’clock and a few minutes after the bride and bridegroom. The Princess is very fair and very much like the Royal family. The Prince of Cobourg a handsome man about five and twenty the ceremony was performed by the Arch Bishop of Canterbury immediately after which they retired and the Queen sat down to cards the rest of the company partook of refreshments and remained there until twelve oclock.
Yesterday there was a Drawing room at the Queen’s which was the most crowded and the most splendid ever seen in this Country The Queen stood during the whole of the time from two o-clock to half past five I who had the advantage of standing by an open window the whole time I was at court was so completely exhausted I could scarcely stand when I got home and I cannot conceive how her Majesty got through the fatigue with out suffering materially. The Dresses were richer than they have been for many years and of course very expensive mine was a white net petticoat embroidered in Silver with draperies of spotted silver net looped with Silver tassels, the train rose colour trimmed with silver to correspond. It was generally admired for its richness and simplicity. The Dress I wore at the Wedding was likewise white net richly embroidered in Silver with an elegant Border Silver Lama the train Blue embroidered to match and trimmed with a rich trimming of spotted net the train very long worn down and the Dress without a hoop. I have been thus particular because I thought it would give you pleasure Mr. Adams wore a Blue Cloth Coat richly embroidered in Gold with white Waiscoat he his is in full health and looking better than I ever saw him he presented Mr. Smith, and Mr. King. The Princess Elizabeth made many enquiries after my father who she said she perfectly remembered.
I dined one day last Week in company with Mr: & Mrs: Liston who requested me to remember them most particularly to you Mrs: L. said she had passed many very happy days in America and she should always retain an affection for that Country They are just returned from Constantinople on a leave of absence Mrs: Liston is so unwell she has just gone to Bath with a view to her recovery, she has a bad cold which has settled on her lungs.
I see by a Washington Paper that the Bill to encrease the Salaries has not passed. the members of Congress it appears only understand the art of taking care of themselves If they ought to be ashamed of doing so little as they proposed how much more ought they to blush at having done less?
Adieu, my dear Mother present me most respectfully to the President and kindly to all the family and believe me ever yours

L. C.Adams


Title: From John Adams Smith to John Quincy Adams, 17 May 1816
From: Smith, John Adams
To: Adams, John Quincy

					Dear Sir,
					17 May 1816.

				Mr Walker has just been here, to submit to you the enclosed letter, & for the purpose of requesting your intervention on the subject of the Nanina.your very obedient

					J. A. Smith


Title: From Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway to Sarah Smith Adams, 18 May 1816
From: Treadway, Susanna Boylston Adams Clark
To: Adams, Sarah Smith

My Dear Mother
Quincy May 18th. 1816

I can hardly believe, that such a length of time has elapsed since I have written, or heard from you; be assured, I should not have remained so long silent, but through necessity; for the last three weeks, I have been deprived of the use of my right hand, by a violent attack of the Rheumatism which settled there, and has rendered me absolutely useless. I have thought constantly of you, and sincerely sympathized in all your afflictions. Your trials my beloved Mother have indeed been severe, and must have called forth all your fortitude, to enable you to sustain them without repining. but we know that “God tempers the wind to the shorn Lamb,” and “as our day is, so will our strength be.” May the Almighty put underneath you, his everlasting arm, and may you experience that consolation, which the world cannot give.
Caroline writes us, that her Father has been very ill; severely painful to his affectionate bosom, must have been the scenes, he has so recently witnessed, and we are anxious to hear that his health, is reestablished.
It is now, the first wish of my heart, to see you and my dear Sister here, and fervently do I pray, for its realisation; change of scene, would I dare say, be of service to your health, and you can judge, with what delight, I should see you again. It has pleased Heaven, to restore my dear Grand Mother to health, and strength, she now, appears charmingly, and is better, than she was the last Spring. Grand Papa has been quite sick with a cold, our East winds, are trying to the constitution, and the season, is uncommonly  backward.
Let me hear from you, very soon, my dear Parent, and that you are perfectly recovered, from your indisposition. I cannot write very well, as you will see, this being the first attempt. With my tenderest love, to my dear brother, and Sister, and a Kiss to my sweet little nephew, I am most affectionately your / Daughter,
S B Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 20 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Sarah Smith

My Dear Daughter
Quincy May 20 1816

I have hoped to hear from you by every post, and to learn how your Health is. I have not heard from the valley Since the 22nd of April. William’s account then of his Fathers Health left me anxious for him. he wrote me, that as soon as his Father was able, he designd taking a house, or lodging at Utica. he will then be near to you, and in the midst of a society, which may enable him to recover his spirits, and restore his Health; for two years past, he has had breach upon breach. The ties of affection are loosing upon Earth, “String after String is sever’d from the heart”
May we be supplied with power, and more durable, pleasures from above. While we are passing off the stage, a new generation, succeeds to supply our places, and your own Family are not tardy in this respects. I have to acquaint you by Susans desire, that there is an officer, a Lieut. from the U.S. Independence with whom she became acquainted at Hingham, who first saw her at a ball there. altho no dancer himself, it seems he was Seriously Smitten, as the good Hingham folks say, got introduced to her, and whenever she retired from the dance, placed himself by her, entering into conversation with her. While she remaind at Hingham, he repeatedly visited there; there asked permission to visit here. after repeating his visits here several weeks, he has declared his attachment, and she referred him to me. His Name is Clark, Native state Maryland. his whole deportment, has been solid, modest and pleasing, his understanding improved, having received a Liberal Education, his character, so far as I have been able to learn it, is correct and amiable. He is not what is call’d Handsome, he is well made, tall & slender, his Age 24. His parents both dead, one Brother who is married and has a Family, and one Sister single, what his property is I know not. The included Letter will give you a further insight into his character, it is written with much plainness, without the least mark of deception, and yet with every mark of respect, and attachment. I am referred, you will see, to Commodore Bainbridge  & others who is now absent in Washington. in my replie to his Letter you will see my objections to his profession, that, he has offerd to quit, if required—but Susan is too much of a patriot to require it.
The Letter to me and my replie you will be so good as to return, as I have not a copy—you are at liberty to keep a coppy of both. I shall take the Liberty of making some further inquiries respecting him through a Friend at Washington, he has been six years in the Service, 4 as a midshipman, 2 as a Lieut.
a Letter from him to you will I presume accompany this—You will not defer a reply, as his visits are become public. It is now proper that should be discarded, or approved
I am with Love to Abbe, and a kiss for my Great Grandson, whom I hope to see in the approaching SummerYour affectionate Mother
Abigail Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 May 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My ever dear Sir
Quincy May 20 1816

“Je vienné de perdre le plus grand Homme de mon Reoyoms” said Louis 14th, on the death of the grand Condé.
“Ah! tout est perdu” Said the same great little, Strong weak Monarch on the death of Marshal Turenne
I repeat both these Ejaculations, with a heavy heart; on the premature and unexpected death of Mr Dexter.
I cannot enlarge on this Subject. But I will Say, Mr Dexter and the late Chief Justice Sewall, were to me, Friends in need; when a barbarous Noise Surrounded Us Such as had Surrounded me for more than twenty Years before of Owls and Cuckoos, Asses Apes and Dogs; When Perfidy and Treachery, Imbecility, Ignorance Fanaticism and Fury Surrounded Us; all, Puppets danced upon the Wires of a Bastard Bratt of a Scotch Pedlar. That Period never will or can be explained to Mankind. Characters must be drawn, that I Shudder to contemplate: Facts must be stated that no man dares to insinuate. Idle is the Talk of Freedom of thinking, Speaking, or writing. There is no such thing in this Country, or in any other. Never was; but I will not say never will be, for hope remains after all the Evils have evaporated from the Box.
“Vieux et malade,” were Voltaires Motto for twenty years before his death: and I might adopt it, with equal Right. Eyes hands and all fail: but what is that to any Body. I think and grieve more for your Eyes and hands than my own. Yours and mine have been worn out in ungrateful Services, which never were and never will be acknowledged. I hope We did not perform for the Sake of Acknowledgment.
Your Account to your Mother of our dear Boys Affects Us most tenderly. George has been in a Sort; my Friend and Companion. My Strong Hopes have been in him. His Indisposition afflicts me most grievously. There is a bilious effect of the Climate where you are, that I never could cure but by a Tripp to Holland and the Mal de Mere between Harwich and Helvoet.
Give yourself no trouble about the Books. I have enough, In Six months I have read 15 Volumes of De Grim, four of the History of the Jesuits, and almost four of Ned Search.
This last has Suggested a Curious Problem or Theorem in my Mind. And what is that? Why! it is whether this immense Work of Seven Volumes is a greater Effort of Genius than Gullivers Travels, Daniel de Foes Robinson Crusoe, Cervanteses Don Quixotte Rabellais’s Garragantua, or Richardsons Sir Charles and Clarisse, or Spencers Fairy Queen? These great Works are all worth reading; and perhaps Neddy more than all the rest. I believe as much of all of them as I can and no more.
I must write to George John and Charles. George is a Sage, John a Hero and Charles both I hope. They have all been very good to write to us. Love to Louisa
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy May 20th 1816

 I have already written to you by the Galen, my Letter was anteriour to the calamity which the inclosed papers will full soon, inform you of.—what can we Say? but Lord thou destroyest the hopes of man. I know not how to describe the Gloom which has overspread the public mind—To departed worth, the tear of Friendship flow’s. Party Spirit is Silent, and drops her veil, and bows acknowledging those Superiour Talents, which can no longer excite Envy, but are hallowed as a Sacred deposit, to the State which gave birth to so great a man, to the Nation which he has Served, in Numerous offices and capacities, and from which he is taken, in the Plentitude of his power, and in the height of his influence, and usefullness. taken and left neither Rival, or equal of his Age Years, to compensate for his loss.
In the supreme Court of the united States this last winter, where he received his bane, he shone beyond his usual Lusture, and has gone out, in a blaize of Glory; he was engaged in Many Causes in which the united States, was a party. the accounts which reachd us from thence, were full of admiration at the display of his wonderfull powers—I inclose to you, Some of the Tributes offerd to his Memory—I Shall write to the Children by the next vessel—my health is better than I ever expected it to be again—your father too, is comfortable for his years—
affectionatly your Mother A—

Love to Mrs Adams—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 May 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

				88.
					My dear Mother.
					Ealing 20. May 1816.

				Mr: William Cranck Bond, a relation of ours, with whom you are no doubt acquainted has been some months in this Country; and is now upon his return to America—I shall endeavour to send you by him the last number of the Edinburgh Review; and the Newspaper now enclosed will give you a copious account of the Nuptial Drawing Room, which was almost as crowded as the Lord Mayor’s Easter Monday Ball—My wife has given you her account of both; but as for me; after informing you that I was there, I have scarcely any thing more to say—Dr Rush remarks in his last work, that a rapid succession of a multitude of different objects passing before the mind, constantly exciting and diverting its attention has  a tendency to produce madness—I never felt the force of that observation so much as at this drawing room; where we stood four hours seeing all the great and noble of this Land, pass in succession before the Queen—I presented to Her Majesty, Mr Smith the Secretary of Legation, and Mr Charles King. I had two days before presented them to the Prince Regent at his Levee—The important article of the Ladies dresses, is very fully discussed in the Newspaper.We have no Letters from Quincy later than yours of 13. April—General Brooks it seems is to be Governor of Massachusetts—Mr Erving however, who has arrived in France writes me, that in Boston the Trinitarians are increasing, and the federalists diminishing, and putting water into their wine. Their liquor will require much more diluting yet.—I have nothing to say against General Brookes—much against those whose Candidate he is—By the returns that we have seen his majority will be meagre enough, and too consumptive to be lived.We are like to have war again with Algiers—I thought as much when the Peace was made. I hope at least that we shall not return to tribute paying, and that the next Peace we conclude, will be without any more gratuitous restitutions.Ever faithfully yours

					A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Adams, 21 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John

					my Dear John
					Quincy May 21 1816

				I always feel gay, when I take my pen to write to you. it is the recollection of your ardour, your intrepidity your and your Sparkling Eyes, and rosy cheeks which appeard to me the other Night, heightned by your return to your Native State & country which animated your whole frame, when you ran eagerly into the Arms of your Grandmother, which so gratified me, that I regreted when I awoke, and found it was but a dream—Can you keep a Secret John? can you beleive that your cousin Susan, whom you know always favourd the Navy; had enterd on Board the United States Ship Independence, as mate to a Leiut.?! In Sober truth, an officer from that Ship, was So Smitten with her, upon Seeing her at a Hingham Ball as to Surrender at discretion. it appears that a certain Sly urchin in revenge for his having escaped powder and Ball from the cannons Mouth, undertook to try the fire of an arrow, and Shot him to the Heart. The wound is not like to prove mortal, but may be healed, if he can obtain a certain Balsam, called Success—of which he has some flattering hopesThe Gentleman, whose Name is Clarke is a Native of Maryland, has been Six years in the Service, appears a very modest, Solid, Sensible Gentleman, and Stands high with his Commander Commodore Bainbridge. He is an orphan, has one Brother and one Sister only—who reside in Maryland, has received a Liberal Education, and commenced reading Law, his Father having been of that profession, but fell into bad health, was obliged to quit it, and entered the Navy. he is not quite 24, tall well made, a good face, not handsome however. I cannot yet Say, how the matter will terminate.I have expected mrs De wint, and my great Grandaughter Caroline Elizabeth, for some time. they have not yet arrived the weather has been uncommonly cold—and the Spring very Backward—I was pleased to find you forming Some intimacy and Friendship with your school mates. in many Respects English Men and Americans, are of the Same Family, Speak the Same language venerate the Same principles of Liberty, and Independence, and the Ashes of our Ancesters repose in that Island, and their descendents can never be wholy alienated from them. I wish to See a mutual Spirit of Love & good will, so honorable to human Nature—substituted for that Spirit of bitterness, which is too much encouraged, upon both Sides of the Atlantic and which is so contrary to the precepts, and example of him, who exhorted his followers, to prove themselves his deciples by Loveing one an other—Since you left me, I have received from you Six Letters, seven I Should Say, of the following dates. May 2d 1815 21 May—June 25th july 18th & 26th Sepbr 11th 1815 and March 10th 1816 your Last Letter Shows great improvement in your hand writing—You think you have arrived on an Age when a Boy ought to behave as a man, but Nature made you a Boy first, and while you are a child, you wilt think as a child, and act as a child—I do not wish you to be prematurely a Man—but a discreet Boy—of manly Sentiments honorable principles, and hold yourself accountable to your Maker for your conduct, and you will then learn to bear the troubles of Life, when they assail you, with firmness—I am dear John your affectionate GM—

					Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to George Washington Adams, 23 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, George Washington

					Dear George
					Quincy May 23d 1816

				with this Letter I inclose to you a list of those Letters which I have received from you, with their numbers and dates.I am sorry to learn that you suffer from ill health. I would have you refrain from the use of the flute, while that is the case. it is very injurious to the Lungs while the Body is weak. You Should rise early; and ride on Horse Back previous to going to your studies. your Fathers health was delicate, after he left colledge and he remaind in a weak State, untill he went abroad, by from a too close application to his Studies—I want you, Dear George, when you sit down to write to me, to feel as tho you were conversing with me, never hunt for a subject, but relate whatever strikes your imagination—tell me of the plays you have seen, who are the most celebrated actors upon the stage?I find by a late publication, in the Gentlemans Magazine for 1815, that it has been long customary at West-Minster School, for the Senior Students, when about to leave that Siminary for the university, at the Age, of 16 or 18 to get up a play of Terence, as by a Letter from you, I find was done at the School, of which you  are now a pupil. you recollect some observations which I made in my Letter to You, upon the morals of the play, in which there was much to condemn, and little to approve. It cannot have escaped your observation, that the Morals of Terence, are not the morals which you have been taught to respect, and with great reason—The plots turn for the most part, on the attempts of dissipated Young Men, and thoughtless Young women, to cheat Parents, and Gaurdians, and of servants to blind the Eyes of their Masters, and these are always represented as Successfull. are these the Models for Young Men just entering into Life, “whose pulse are rioting and whose Blood is glowing” when the passions require the Strongest control? these exhibitions to be sanctioned by the presence of the Heads of departments, Ministers of Religion, pious instructors of the rising Generation—Princes and Nobility? can one touch pitch, and not be poluted? however pure and classical the Latin of Terence may be esteemed, by those most capable of judging, it is much to be regreted; that his Morals are so vicious, and impure the poison is not less destructive for the gilding—I should not have taken up this Subject again, if a late publication had not brought into notice an Epilogue, pronounced by one of the Young performers of Westminster in the Phormio of Terence—in which by way of dialogue the young Gentleman undertakes to abuse and vilify our Country, and that in the most false, and scandalous manner. as a specimin, “Bridewell and the Stews Supplie us with Senators, and our Respectable Chief Justice is a worthless Profligate a country Barbarous itself, and inhabited by Barbarians, our Language is that of the Choctaws, Cherokees pawwas, Chickesaws—and yankee-doodles. The highest praise of a Merchant is his skill in lying” such is the low and vulgar abuse, exhibited before the Spectators, Nobility, Gentry, and Clergy—this Epilogue has been translated into English here; that even the unletterd American, may know how basely their Country, and themselves, their first and most revered Characters, are Libeled, and abused by English writers—If this had been the hasty effusion of a political partizan, or the Scurrility of a Callender, writing for his daily Bread; it might have been passed over, as intended to prevent Emigrations to a Country of more freedom and happiness than there own, but such opinions and sentiments, deliverd under the Superintendance of the reverend Preceptors in the first School of Education that Great Britain can boast, deserves no quarter—the original Lattin Epilogue you will find, in the Gentlemans Magazine for 1815—If Such malignant and contemptuous feelings towards America are thus infused into the minds of the Young Gentry of England, the they will become to the rising Generation of our country, a hating, a hatefull, and a hated Set. for Americans are not, as the British have lately experienced; the tame Servile, abject Beings they would represent us—and cannot but feel the indignity thus cast upon them, and the Remembrance of it, will sharpen the swords of our warriours in the next conflict, come when it may—I hope my dear George that you will Support the Character of an intelligent, virtuous Man, and show your Masters, and School mates, that your Language is as pure, and classical as their own—and your Manners and behavior as correct as the best of them—this is a laudible Revenge, and the only one I can recommend to you, in a time of Peaceaffectionatly your GM

					Abigail Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Adams, 26 May 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John

My dear John
Quincy May 26th 1816

It gives me much pleasure, to hear that you have a Taste for Numbers, because this quality or faculty, call it which you will, is commonly connected with a curiosity for Quantities, and leads to Algebraical and geometrical Studies
You think you have and an Inclination for the Sea: but, my dear Child, you know not, as yet, your own Propensities. You must learn to think before you decide; to deliberate before you Act. Your Father and Mother are your best Friends and ought to be your first Oracles. Nature and Natures God have made them your first Guardians. I consider myself only as a kind of Godfather whose duty it is to advise you, and assist you and protect you, to the Utmost of my power, in the Absence of your Parents and in Subordination to their Authority
Now, I will make a fair Agreement with you.
When you shall have obtained the Consent of your Father and Mother, and not before, I will give you my Approbation, upon the following conditions; somewhat difficult, to be Sure, and Such as you may Suspect to be designed to defeat the whole Scheme
1. You must make yourself Master of Spherical Trigonometry, And Great Circle Sailing.
2. You must make yourself Master of Barrows, Euclid, and you must read Barrows Sermons.
3. You must Study Newtons Principia and the whole Science of Astronomy, besides Geography, Fortification, Gunery, Hydraulicks and Gnomonicks &c &c &c.
4. Above all; If your Object is the Navy, you must profoundly investigate the Principles of War; and the Uses and abuses of a martial Spirit. Neither Avarice nor Ambition, nor Fame nor Glory, must be your Objects or your Motives. Pure Benevolence, exalted Christian Charity must be your only Consolation. You must devote your Life to laborious Studies, to Severe hardships, to violent Exercises, to continual dangers, to diseases Wounds, mutilations and Death. For what? For Plunder? For Fame? for Popularity? For Freedom of Cities in Gold Boxes, for Medals? for Swords? For Hozannas? Ah! No! All these are Trinketts and Baubles. Procul, oh, procult este prophani.
Your Motives and  Aims must be Benevolence and Charity, Christian Charity! for that is the purest of all Charity.
Defence against Wrong is the only just Cause of War, and the only principle of a Martial Spirit, for though inroads may be made upon an Enemy, the Principle of Self defence can alone justify them.
I See you hop and Skip, and hear you cry “What! is my Grand Father laughing at me”? What then? Ridendo dicere Verum quid Vetat?
But, oh! No! These are no laughing matters. They are Serious Solemn Truths. Never hurt the hair of the head of an Enemy, however, treacherous malicious or cruel he may have been, any farther that your duty to God and your Country renders indispensible.
These are the Sentiments of your Grandfather; and upon these Conditions he will not withhold his approbation of your Thoughts of going to Sea.
You ought however, to consider for yourself, whether your Constitution is robust enough to Sustain the fatigues of so boisterous a Life
A.


Title: From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 26 May 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Smith, John Adams

My Dear Sir
Quincy May 26th. 1816

I thank you for your sensible and feeling letter of the 7th of February.
If you and I should take a flight to the North Star, and after a years residence, meet a negro, a Tartar or Indian, or a Hottentot from Earth; I verily believe we should embrace him as a brother.
There are no doubt, hundreds of young men in the United States, who envy your situation because they know nothing of the painful duties and laborious employments, connected with it, nor the dangers, temptations, sacrafices & privations, with which it is surrounded. For my part, I pity you, If Governor Tompkins & New York patrons, should fail you, your prospect, after the termination of your present mission, will be discouraging enough.
The miserable accommodations of the Courts of Judicature, in Westminster, have astonished, & afflicted me, as well as you; but your neighborhood to Parliament, and its evening, and nocturnal orators may be a source of entertainment, and instruction to you.
Neither you nor your Uncle, with all his experience & sagacity, can be too much upon your guard against swindlers, and imposters. All Europe abounds with them. I have had trials enough with them, the race is not extinct, nor diminished I presume in the last thirty or forty years. “A burned Child dreads the fire.” I presume I need not hint to you a caution against gamblers.
The afflictions in your family will be related to you, by your brothers and Sisters, or by your Grand mother in more authentic detail, than is in my power. I can only sympathise and condole with you, as I do affectionately and sincerely. We are anxious for your Father, having heard nothing from him for sometime, since we heard he was unwell
Learned men & books are plenty in your neighbourhood. Reading and conversation you may always have, when you have time, and taste for either “Reading is to the mind what your majestys cheese Cakes are to my Cheeks” said Vendome to the King.
The taste you, gave us of a debate in the house of Lords, especially a specimen of the speech of Lord Holland, excites an appetite for more.
Write as often as you can. God bless you
A.


Title: From Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway to Sarah Smith Adams, 26 May 1816
From: Treadway, Susanna Boylston Adams Clark
To: Adams, Sarah Smith

My Dear Mother
Quincy May 26th 1816

I enclose a letter from Mr Clark to you, which he gave me yesterday. May we hope for your approbation and blessing? it is a subject, which I cannot write upon, at present.
I feel very anxious to  hear from you, my dear Parent and may your precious life be prolonged many years, to witness the happiness of your children. Most tenderly you daughter
Susan B Adams


Title: From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 27 May 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, George Washington

My dear George
Quincy May. 27th 1816

The Accounts I receive of your Indisposition, excite much Grief. Your Father by Precept and Example will recommend Exercise, and he will be right: but ask him, if he has not been Sometimes intemperate, even in the Use of this Salutary Remedy. Moderation in all Things is indispensable. Riding is excellent; Walking more so; a Mixture of both is better than either. Renouce your Flute. If you must have Musick, get a Fiddle. Regularity in all things is most indispensable. I fear that too many of my hopes are built upon you.
You have, or think you have, a Martial Spirit. And what is a Martial Spirit? Is it a Love of Cockades and Epauletts? Is it a desire of plunder? An ambition of Command? A hankering for Laurells Tryumphs and Hozannas? Oh! No!
It is a Serious devotion of Self, of Time, to Studies and Labours and Exercises to learn all the Sciences Subservient to War; a Solemn determination to brave Clymates and Seasons, Wounds, Imprisonment Captivity and Death. And for what? For a blast of the Trumpet of Fame? For A Service of Plate? A Freedom of a City in a gold Box? for a Sword or a Medal? No these are all Trinkets and Baubles.
What then, is a Martial Spirit? It is a Devotion to Equity and Humanity; to the defence and Protection of injured or endangered Innocence. It is perhaps the most exalted Spirit of Phylosophical Virtue and of Christian Benevolence and Charity.
But there have been Alexanders, and Napoleons. Aye! So there have been Cæsar Borgias and Ignatius Loyolas.
What is the Sacerdotal Spirit? The Ecclesiastical Spirit? Is it not the Instruction of Mankind? Yet Priest and Eccliasticks have conspired to deprive Mankind of the Means of Instruction.
Which have most honestly conformed to the Spirit of their Professions? Priests or Soldiers?
Fifty years hence, you may find it necessary to Apologize for your Grandfathers Sentiments concerning a Martial Spirit But I have little Solicitude on this head.
Your Propensity to a military Life gives me much greater Anxiety. In addition to all the foregoing Considerations You ought Soberly to think Whether your Constitution is made for the Hardships and Fatigues of a Soldiers Life.
You have been very good, in Writing Us Letters; but you might be a little more particular and Circumstantial.
Your hand Writing is so much improved that I will not scold you again upon the subject.
Sterling Love, without Alloy to Pa, Ma and Brothers
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					my Dear Daughter
					Quincy May 28th 1816

				Altho’ I have repeatedly written to you Since I received a Letter from you, I am not critical in that respect. judging from my own feelings, I think a Letter from a Friend always acceptable and altho’ they cannot be so interesting to you, as when your sons were with me, yet they may convey the assuriance of the Love and regard of which I bear you; and the interest I take in whatever concerns youSince I last hear’d from you; I See by the papers, and George has written me, that you have been presented at the drawing Room. I have Some curiosity to know, whether the old fashion of large hoops still prevails; and how the head is decorated in my day, cushings caps, and feathers were worn and those so high as to render it difficult to sit upon the Seat, of a carriage ruffels and Ruffel cufs were worn also, if still continued, they must make an awkard appearance. the Queen must have grown pretty old, and the few personal graces She ever had; Time must have diminished. I often think what a figure I Should make, if I was obliged now to hold a drawing Room—but constitutions in England wear better than in our climatewhat is the appearance of the princess Charlotte? I have heard that She is not beautifull, that her features are large and masculine. I should judge so of her Character, if the Story of her going on Board the Ship like a Sailer, is true—I am much delighted at hearing, that your health is mended by change of climate. it was a fortunate circumstance that mr Adams was call’d away from Russia when at the time he was. from the account of his health, he could not have got through an other winter. my heart Sinks at the thought. what is the matter with his hand? he writes me that his hand was lame from a hurt, but now he says that it is a weakness which he perceived in it, while in Russia. May it not be Rheumatic? that is bad enough but if the joint is not affected,  will releive it. Rheumatic humours are, almost as bad as the goute—. there is not any part of the Body which they do not attack—I am this day Suffering in my Eyes, with it; and much of the weakness which brought me so low, the winter past has been oweing to that cause;Georges rapid growth requires much attention he is at a critical Age; and must not be pushed pushed beyond his Strength.I hope you hear often from your Friends at Washington. I was in hopes of hearing from your Sister Smith, before I closed my Letter, but the last I heard was from Caroline, who wrote me of on the 5th that mr de wint had just returnd from N York—and left her and Baby well, that mr Smith had not got back from the valley where his Father remaind Still Sick—the two last mails, have not brought me any Letters, which leaves me anxious—I fear what I may hear respecting the Col. His Heallth has been very precarious for some time; and the Death of both his Brothers has most Sensibly affected him—with Sincere affection / I am as ever

					A—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 5 June 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: De Windt, Caroline Amelia Smith

				To Mrs. De Windt.

					Boston, June 5th, 1816.

				After a year’s absence I came yesterday to make a visit to my friends for three days. Our anxiety to hear from you, led me to send to the office this morning for letters; there I found yours of May 31st, containing tidings that my fears had anticipated, as you will find when you receive my last letter.My dear child, you will be again called to severe and afflictive scenes; may you be prepared, sustained, and supported through them, by that Almighty Power, which calls you to the trial; I feel the stroke as a renewal of what I have passed through, and as an anticipation of what I may be called to endure, yet a little while, and I also shall join the great congregation.If your father should survive for you to see him, and receive this letter from me, before he departs, give my kindest love to him, and say to him, I hope to meet him and my dear daughter, in the world to which we are hastening. I can add no more, my heart is full; ever your affectionate grandmother,

					A. A.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 June 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					My beloved Mother.
					Ealing 6. June 1816.

				Yesterday I went to London, to the anniversary dinner of the Society of Friends of foreigners in distress; of which Society our old friend Mr William Vaughan is Treasurer; and being in Town, I found at my Office, in Craven Street, three Letters Post-marked “Liverpool ship-Letter,” and superscribed to me, in one of the Quincy hand-writings; but on opening them I found myself accosted first as “My dear George,” and secondly and thirdly, as “my dear Daughter”—However, as the external covers were to me, I trusted you did not intend to make me crack the shell without allowing me a taste of the nut; and therefore indulged myself with a perusal of the Letters, but without trespassing upon the seals of the enclosures, from Mrs Hellen to my wife; and from Claudius to George.I sent you lately by Mr W. C. Bond the last number of the Edinburgh Review—Mr. and Mrs Perkins are now about returning to Boston, and have taken charge of the Antiquary, a new Novel by Walter Scott, which I hope will afford you and my father some Amusement—Its predecessors Waverly, and Guy Mannering are already so well known in America, that I presume you are acquainted with them—Whether Scott has withheld his name from the Public, from shame, considering it a degradation to sink from a Poet into a Novelist, or from the Pride of rising a second time from nameless obscurity into eminence, I am not informed; but the celebrity of these three novels, which ought perhaps rather to be called Romances, is not inferior to that of his most admired Poems. Your friendly admonitions, to forbear overplying the tender Constitutions of our Children with Study, come most opportunely to them at the eve of a new Vacation of six weeks, which the too ready indulgence of their Masters and Parents will widen into two Months—Your own authority that we must be content to take children for children would have had the greatest weight with me—But that of Dr Priestly which you quote, is in my scales lighter than his own dephlogisticated air—I have no faith either in his Religion—his Politics—or his Morals—“Unstable as Water,” is the motto of them all. If I could inspire the Souls of my three boys, with the sublime Platonic idea of aiming at ideal excellence—If I could persuade them to soar for their standard of emulation to the lofty possible, instead of crawling upon the ground with the dirt–clogged real, there might be danger that in cheering an ambition already over–eager, I might expose their health to suffer from the excess of their application—But my own time is too short for the discharge of my official duties—I have not one hour of leisure in the 24 to devote to them—I must and do leave them to their teachers and Masters—They are all, thanks to God, boys of good tempers, and good dispositions—But the great and constant effort of them all, including George, is to escape from study; and to this effort I have given up all opposition as vain—I comfort myself with the reflection that they are like other children; and prepare my mind for seeing them, if their lives are spared, get along in the world, like other men—I certainly can imagine something more flattering than all this—Quintilian’s description of the boy that will make a valuable man, is very different from that common place personage, that Dr Priestly’s wisdom is for humouring into value. But I am well aware that no labour will ever turn a pebble into a diamond—If the pursuit of knowledge, at or very soon after George’s age is not a Passion, which will seek its own gratification, I know how useless it is to impose it upon youth as a task.It is probable that at the very moment while you were writing the Letter of 2. May to my wife, in which you anticipated the nuptials of the Princess Charlotte, we were listening to her responses in the marriage ceremony—The service was extremely well read by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Princess answered as if she was resolutely determined to “love, honour, and obey.” I never had heard a Lady so distinctly and audibly pronounce the answers, as she did.This marriage we are told, is to be followed in a very few days by another between the Duke of Gloucester and the Princess Mary—They were both children when you were in this Country; but since the commencement of this year they have both turned the corner of forty—The Princess Sophia of Gloucester, the Duke’s Sister, though three years older, and quite a handsome woman, still lives in single blessedness. The Duke of Cumberland has, to make assurance doubly sure been twice married to the same Lady. She is a Sister of the late Queen of Prussia, and we had seen her at Berlin, as the young and beautiful widow of the king’s brother, Prince Louis of Prussia—While we were there, she was married to a Prince of Solms—The Duke of Cumberland is her third husband. But although the marriage had the official sanction of the Prince Regent, which by the Laws of this Country was necessary to make it legitimate, it has not obtained the approbation of the Queen; at whose Court, the Duchess has therefore not made her appearance—The reasons of the Queen’s objections have not been made public.  The Duke of Kent has a Country-Seat at Castlebar Hill, within two miles of this house—I have of late frequently met him and the Duke of Sussex at public Meetings and Dinners, of Charitable and Scientific Associations, at which one of them usually presides.  The Duke of Kent intends very shortly to leave this Country, to reside three or four years at Bruxelles. His object in this determination is said to be, to reduce his establishment, and apply part of his income to the discharge of his debts. We had known the Duke of Sussex at Berlin, and found upon meeting him here that he still retained the recollection of our acquaintance—From some misunderstanding between him and the Prince Regent, he does not appear at the Levees, although he does at the Queen’s Drawing Rooms—He sides in politics with the Opposition; as do the Dukes of Kent and Gloucester, though not to the same extent.—There was lately some coolness between the Regent and the Duke of Gloucester, who as well as the Duke of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland, was not present at the marriage of the Princess Charlotte—There was I believe, some question of the rank and precedence to be assigned to Prince Leopold—whether it should be immediately before, or after, the Duke of Gloucester—it was however ultimately determined in the Duke’s favour, and Prince Leopold follows instead of preceding him—This has produced a reconciliation, and perhaps led to the Duke’s Marriage with the Princess Mary.—He bears a very respectable character, and is much esteemed by all Classes of People.Among the persons whom I had formerly known upon the Continent, and whom I have again met here, is Lord Holland—His Summer Residence is on the way between this place and London—I have been the more indebted to him for his civilities, as they had been rather avoided by me, than sought, and as I had little reason to expect them—I owe him a reparation, without exactly knowing how to make it—and I feel the more forcibly the obligation, because I believe him to be one of the most respectable noblemen of this Land, and one of the best men living—He is now as to politics, in the opposition, but in my estimation his conduct in Parliament has done and does honour to himself and his Country.  He is also distinguished by his love of Literature and the cultivation of Science—The Library at Holland House is one of the finest that I have seen in this Country. An American Minister, is an object of more willing and friendly notice, to the City and Opposition parties, than to the Court and the Cabinet—But in the politics of the Country, I of course take no part, and manifest no opinions—Among the ministerialists, I find occasionally old acquaintances of Berlin, who are yet willing to know me, and from the Ministers,   I have received every personal attention that I could pretend to, and more than can be desired by one, who for reasons well known to you, cannot stand with them upon the equal footing of reciprocal hospitality—An American Mission abroad, is a perpetual lesson of humility; not to say of humiliation—It fixes a man in the condition of a parasite; and then tells him to maintain his self–respect, and the Consideration of his Country—Among the advantages of our residence at this distance from town, I reckon that of being relieved from many invitations, which we could not avoid there, and which we never could return—I know very well, the benefit to a public minister of associating with the people of rank and consequence in the Country where he is accredited, but I feel that he ought rather to shun than to seek such Society, when he can appear in it only as a retainer, receiving unrequited favours, and not as an equal sharing and dispensing by turns the interchange of social good-offices. If I cannot join in the Chorus of the convivial song “and let him spread the table to’morrow,” I would fain not be listening to it at the table of another. We are all well—George is to preform a part in Terence’s Andria, at the school, next week; after which he and his brothers will write—All send Love and Duty to my father and to you.

					A.


Title: From William Steuben Smith to William Richard Hamilton, 7 June 1816
From: Smith, William Steuben
To: Hamilton, William Richard

13 Craven Street 7 June 1816.

Mr Smith had the honour of waiting on Mr Hamilton this morning, for the purpose of requesting the favour of an order to the Custom House at Dover, to admit a small box from France; addressed to —John Quincy Adams Esqr. American Minister at London, containing articles of dress for Mrs Adams. Mr Hamilton will much oblige by permitting such order to be given.


Title: From Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway to Sarah Smith Adams, 8 June 1816
From: Treadway, Susanna Boylston Adams Clark
To: Adams, Sarah Smith

My Dear Mother
Quincy June 8th. 1816

Your two kind letters of May 25th and June 1st received this morning, with the one enclosed, Oh my Dear Parent, how gratifying to me; is this assurance of your approbation, You think I have decided in favour of Mr Clark; indeed I have never given him any positive answer, but have invariably, requested him, to forbear urging me upon the subject, untill I heard more explicitly from you; Never, believe me, my beloved Mother, will I marry, without the entire approbation of yourself, and my Grand Parents. it is true, that Mr Clark by his amiable manners, and strictly honourable conduct, has made an impression upon my mind; his morals are correct, and his character, as an officer, and a gentleman, stands unimpeached; “his are the lasting virtues of the heart,” and I know they will have more weight with you, than any other consideration; he is sensible, that I have small pecuniary expectations; his property is not large, but he has enough to live comfortably and proposes residing in Boston; this is not so agreeable to me, as a permanent establishment in the Country, but his home, must be mine and it is immaterial where if he does not carry me, out of the reach of my friends; his ship, being stationed in Boston, I shall be near my Grand Parents. Oh what comfort, would it give me, to converse with my dear Mother, and introduce her to one, whom I know she will love for his own good qualities independent of everything else. I did hope to see you this Summer, and have fondly imagined, my wishes would be realized, but you have destroyed them for this season at least.
To my Dear Sister I am indebted for a charming letter, which I shall answer immediately; to hear of her happiness, always delights my heart and most sincerely do I wish, it were in my power to visit her, but I have a great deal of work in hand, and expect to realize the truth, of what you, used to tell me when I was busily employed for other people, "My Child you will never find others so ready to assist you"
I expect Mr Clark here tomorrow, when I shall give him your letter. if it prove favourable to his wishes, I shall then require a thorough statement of his affairs, which I consider it my duty to acquaint you with immediately. Abby Shaw is staying with us, and desires to be affectionately remembered to you, and Sister; she is to be married in the fall.
May I my Dear Mother under every  situation deserve your blessing, and may you be as happy in the connexions of your children, as your fondest wishes can suggest.
I am with the tenderest affection ever your / Daughter
Susan B Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 9 June 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					dear Harriet
					Sunday Eve—’g June—1815 1816

				keep yourself quiet. caroline will come Shortly, and then be sure you shall have a carrier after you, but I do not look for her, untill I learn that She is come to Nyork—I return your Letter and request that you would come up Say thursday or fryday and bring mr Hinkly with you to eat some Strawberries fresh from the vines. my best Love to Your good Mother and pray her to take a kind remembrance from me to mr and mrs Bailey—Let me hear from you, and of you. mr G Shaw is close by you, and goes to Town every day—yours as ever,

					A


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 June 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My Dear Son
					Quincy June 10th 1816

				Altho I have written to you, more than once since I have received a Letter from you, I know how gratefull it is, to absent Friends to hear from each other, especially when to learn, that they are living; can be added, the agreable circumstance of their being in health. with gratitude to Heaven, I can Say; I was brought low, but I am raised up. I have this week visited my Friends in Boston, where I have not been, before for more than 12 months. I hope to learn for what good purpose my Life has been prolonged; and faithfully discharge what ever duties are yet required of me.—your Father is writing to you, altho with weak Eyes, and trembling hands. his Health is goodI wish I could add, that not a cloud obscured our domestic Hemisphere. two Brothers have gone down to the Tomb, in the Short Space of one fortnight, and the other if living; is apprehended near his End. a Letter from my Dear Caroline de Wint, of the first of the Month, inform’d me that instead of visiting me, as she was prepared to do, She was Sitting out for the valley, to See once more her dear Father if living. a Letter which She had received from her Brother William, who has been with his Father ever since the death of his uncles, requested her to come immediately to the valley, and Stated the dangerous Sickness of his Father. a Liver complaint, and the Gout, are the disorders under which he Suffers. he has been Sick ever Since he lost his Brothers. I feel this event, as a renewal of that which I have past through before—this is one of the afflictions to which long Life is Subject; nearly all our early associate, and many of our mature Years, leave us, like Trees striped of the leaves its and branches, a witherd Stock—I have not written to mr Smith, and leave you to mention it, or not, as circumstances may render it proper.I cannot hear again before the Milo capt Glover Sails, which he proposes to do tomorrow, but by an other vessel which will go in three weeks—I will write to him.The political Hemisphere is quite calm in this State. Gen’ll Brooks is chosen Govr. his political competitor, is gone to a world, where his virtues and his tallents, are better known, and appreciated. The Attorney Gen’ll of the US in  a Letter to me, Says “alass for the Great and the Good dexter. out of his own State, and the Circle of his own Friends in Massachusets. no one has more Sincerely mourned him, than I have done. we have all had the right to mourn. He did not belong to you alone. his death has been the Nations loss; and the Nation mourns him. It was at the last Court here, that I first became acquainted with all the Treasures of his mind. what is yet more importent; I was getting a nearer view of the immence worth of his Heart. But a Being wiser than us all, has Snatched him away from us.”In a late National intellengencer, Some one undertook to Characterize the American Legation; of your Excellency it is Said, “mr Adams, who is at London; is at once Solid penetrating, and assidious. he possesses in an Eminent degree that diplomatic Phelm, which is suited to the Atmosphere of St Jame’s. he will Note every thing, weigh every thing, and never be taken by Surprize”My Love to all the Family who Share my affections with the Same warmth, and tenderness, as tho it was in my power to Say to each, how affectionatly I am their / Friend

					A A—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 10 June 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					Dear Harriet
					Sunday Eve’g 10 June 1816

				As I consider you as a part of my own Family, I Send you the inclosed, which you will return with care tomorrow morning tuesday I mean—we have Letters from Mrs A. from Utica and Susan one from Abbe of 2 June, in neither of which is any mention made of the Cols Sickness, or Caroline could not have reachd there, I think at that time yet I wonder as the distance was not further, that mrs Adams had not heard of his dangerous Situation.I got home well and without taking cold—have been out this afternoon. In the fore noon wrote a Letter to mr A. which Harry Marston will put on Board for me; I am glad to learn that your mother continues better—thank you for the intelligence respecting the child. I felt anxious for the little creature—I want to know how mr Shaw is? can you inform us. his sister as well as I am anxious for him. I hope you will come out before you go away. If you miss a handkerchief—I have it. it shall be sent you when washed—yours as ever

					 A A


Title: From Katherine Dexter to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 June 1816
From: Dexter, Katherine
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					Dear Madam,
					Boston June 14th. 1816

				I lament that indisposition should have obliged me to defer so long acknowledging your kind letter; it was received with a deep sense of gratitude, with a mixture of feeling only to be produced by so generous a sympathy in a loss so severe as I have been called to meet.You have offered me Dear Madam, all that a wounded heart can ask—the sympathy of friendship; and to the departed the best encomium,—the approbation of the good and wise, You have relieved our sorrows by the kindness with which you participated in them, but you have sanctioned them by the testimony you have born to the worth of their object. Our affliction has been heavy indeed; and it has fallen with the greatest weight where the world can see it  least—it is no light consolation to us that Mr. Dexter’s life has not been useles to the public; but our Country can yet look with confidence to many of her Sons for exertion and to some of her fathers for high examples; but to his family, his loss is one not to be replased—not to be forgotten.—His political career was short, and rather the result of a peculiar crisis of public affairs than of his own choice; and it is a happy reflection that amid all the opposition he meet, there were many of his friends and those whose principles he most respected, and whose approbation he most valued, knew his motives and were satisfied.— If your health will permit you to make us a visit, we shall be highly gratified My Son and daughter’s unite with me in most respectful and affectionate regards to the President, and Your Self.I am Dear Madam with sentiments / of esteem Your devoted / friend,

					Katherine Dexter


Title: From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 16 June 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, George Washington

My dear George
Quincy June 16th 1816

You cannot easily imagine, how much Grief, the news of your Indisposition has given Us. our most chearing hopes are built upon your Foundation. Give your closest Attention to your health, for on that every Thing depends. You must Study Physick; not to practice but to be your own Physician. Pray your Father to buy Dr Cheynes Works, on my Account. Neglected, despised and forgotten as he is, I owe my Longevity to him. Nevertheless, he must be read with caution like all other Writers and his Advice followed with Judgment and discrimination.
I agree with your amiable young Friend Claudius Bradford in his opinion that Nature designed You for the Senate rather than the Field, and that you will be more at home in the Cabinet than in the Camp: Your Parents have given you, a great Name, that may mislead you, from your natural destination or rather Vocation. I know that Gratitude, not Ambition dictated your Christian Name. But have a care that you do not make it an Object of your Idolatry. We are pretty well, give my Love to Parents and Brothers and Cousin.
A.
P.S. Do you remember The Reverend Mr William Clark who was deaf and almost dumb. His Effects have been lately sold among which were four Bushels of English and American Newspapers during our Revolution. They went off, for Waste Paper at a dollar a Bushell. How attentive out Countrymen are to their own History? I never knew nor Suspected the auction till it was past. An abundance of curious Documents.? As I am informed.
A.


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 June 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear, very dear Sir
Quincy June 16. 1816

Your N. 48. April 8. arrived last night, and put our little family Circle into the best possible humour. The Gaiety of Spirit, the perfect good humour the delicate Satyre and the perfect Knowledge of Persons and Politicks, delighted and astonished Us all. If you had more of Juvenal and less of Horace; more of Swift and less of Adison, more Caustics and less Emolients, you would be the Terror of our Nation and Age. If you had the vulgar Malignity, the ferocious Brutality of Paine Callender and Hamilton you would compel all the Blackguards to hide their diminished heads.
But to be very Serious. I have had a long Experience of this Nation, her Parties and Politicks. I have never had one moments Apprehension for “our national Union, or the unutterable horror of civil War.”
I have thought it possible, that a Shaises Rebellion, a Gallatins Rebellion, a Freises Rebellion, might be faintly imitated in New England, by a John Lowells Rebellion: but I was confident that the last would be Sooner Suppressed than either of the former three. Nor did I ever Suspect that any Man concerned in it, native or foreigner would ever have merited by his Rebellion the Secretaryship of the Treasury or an Embassy to Ghent or France. Such a Short Sighted Mortal am I.
Your Letter and a Bottle of Porter Shared between Mrs Welsh Louisa Abigail Shaw Suzan and me with a Sip from Madam your Mother carried me to England, introduced me to You. And a ravishing Interview it was to me. You introduced me to my old Friends Freire and his Lady, the best bred Woman in the World, and to my “recent Correspondent and more antient Acquaintance Mr Sharp. Pray how does his History of the American Revolutionary War proceed? I dined with him once at Dilly’s with Wilks Cumberland Boswell and Bancroft, a curious group as ever met, and I was perhaps the most Singular Persona of the Comedy. My Sincere Regards however to the Ambassador and Ambasssadress and not less to the Member of Parliament.
For mercy Sake Send me La Harpe, L’Espinasse and Deffant Voltaires “Aveugle Clairvoyante.” I know enough of Grim, from his 15 Volumes and from Jefferson who was intimately acquainted with him, at the Baron D’Holbachs. I knew enough of the Phylosophical Coterie when I lived at Passy Paris and Auteuil, and from the Correspondence of Frederick with D’Alembert &c, which I read when it first appeared. D’Argens has thrown Some Light upon it.
Let me ask you a Serious Question. What is the difference between Calvinism and Dideronianism? Eternal Decrees and eternal Mechanism? One devotes 99/100th of the Species to eternal Misery the other does not So certainly. But it may, But if Madam Deffande believed either of these Systems it is no Wonder She regretted her Existence. My dear Son! The Philosophy and the Religion of our little terrestrial Universe, is in a fair Way to be more thoroughly investigated; Brama Confucius Pythagoras Cicero Logauta and Voltaire and Priestly and Farmer will be read, and compared. The human Mind cannot be much longer muffled as it has been by the old Artifices of Politicians or Priests the Worst of Politicians. What New Ones may be invented I know not. But I wish that Forbearance Endurance and Univeral Charity may Supercede all Tricks and Crafts. When will Men be convinced that the Universe is too large and too old for Sparrows Wrens and Humbirds to comprehend its Cause its Author its Original, its Evil, its Liberty and Necessity: And that their Duties are contained in a narrow compass obvious and easily understood. Charity may,  one day make a question whether Greeks Romans, Mahomitans and the greater Part of Christians differ materially on Metaphisical Subjects form the Dogmas of the Atheits of the 18th Century. The discrepancy may be thought chiefly in Words. Society, and consequently Government has no Right to hurt a hair of the head of an Atheist, for his Opinions. Let him have a care of his Practices.
You may perhaps know, that I am not a personal Enemy to His Excellency Governor Brooks. I have known him more than forty years. I nominated him to be a Major General in the Army of U.S. Goodhue Sedgwicke, Hillhouse Bingham Pickering and Hamilton, would not approve him, nor Suffer the Senate to approve him.
Poor Gentleman! I pitty him! He has already tasted the bitter Cup. His own late officer of Adjutant General is to be disposed to Some one. Who shall be the happy or the miserable Man? Nine or ten I am told have been named and I dare conjecture that 99, or a hundred more wish to be named. Among the nominated are General Sewall, Col. Apthorp, Col Sumner, Major Fitch Hall &c, &c, &c. The Hypers, the Ultras, are at their Witt’s Ends. Their Runners Setters and Flyers are all out. The Governor will make thousands of Ennemies and possibly one ungratefull.
You laugh at my Affectation of Indifference; and I must acknowledge, very justly. But I tell you very Seriously, and without Affectation that Old Age grows every Year more and more indifferent: and the constant Vigilance of Phylosophy or Something better, is necessary to guard Us against it. Fontenells Asparagus, is no Fable.
Dexter the Sublime who notwithstanding all my indifference had my cordial Vote in preference to my couzin and Friend Brooks is taken away from the Evil to come. He was imprisoned in the political Cage and could not get Out: but the door was opened and the Snare was broken by an invisible hand, and the Bird has escaped.
We expect every day News of the departure of Col. Smith. Death is Sweeping his Scythe all around Us, cutting down our old Friends and brandishing it over us: but our time, though it must be at hand is not yet come. Our Neighbour Beal is thought to have few days to live
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 21 June 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: De Windt, Caroline Amelia Smith

					Quincy, June 21st, 1816.

				It was with a heavy heart and trembling hand, that I yesterday broke the seal of your letter to your uncle. I knew that he was gone to Boston, and as I had not any letter myself, I could not wait in such suspense; the contents of the letter has left me little expectation of hearing that the lamp of life is not nearly extinguished.I had written thus far, when Louisa brought me the paper, with the notice of your dear father’s departure on the 10th.Have I lived to this day, to mourn with my dear child the loss of both parents? little did I think the last winter, that I should have been the survivor; I weep with you, and pray you may be supported by that Almighty Power, who has called you to this trial.I have not expected you to write to me, distressed as you must have been. How much we have all wished we could have been near you, to have alleviated some of your sorrows, by sharing them with you. Thus my dear children, you have all honoured your father and your mother; may you all inherit that blessing which is promised to those who keep that commandment. Mercies are mingled in your cup. My heart is too full to write. I am, dear child, your affectionate grandmother,

					A. A.


Title: To John Adams from Charles Francis Adams, 23 June 1816
From: Adams, Charles Francis
To: Adams, John

					Dear Grandpapa
					Boston June 23rd 1816

				I have received your letter dated May 15th. 1816 which I was very much interested with, and pleased me very much.As to your question of what country man I am, I think you ought to know that I never would desert my own country not for any thingWhere I was born I do not remember nor I think never knew till you told me, that was in your last letter and so I take the liberty to fill my letter up with this nonsense but Mamma told me to write as I talk so I will send this I hope you will excuse it because it is so badly written to what my others are and I am in such an awkard place to write one and have some more to write so.With love and duty to all at home / Believe me Dear Grandpapa / I remain / Your affectionate Grandson

					C F Adams


Title: From John Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 25 June 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Charles Francis

Dr Charles
Quincy June 25. 1816

I give you credit for finding time to write me in London where there are So many Objects to engage your Attention
So! you have Seen, the Lion in the Tower! And how many more, of your and my Fellow Creatures? Pray did you See, as I did, the Phyal of holy Oil, with which Kings are anointed? That little bottle and its Contents were to me the most curious Objects that I saw upon Tour Hill; made the greatest impression upon me while I was there, and have Suggested the most serious reflections every Since.
So! You have Seen Westminster Abbey! I wish, they would call it Westminster Temple, or Palace, or Castle, or Edifice or any thing rather than Abbey.
You was too young however to know the importance of the place. The Monuments of immortal Genius there deposited could not be fully venerated by a Child of your Age,
So! You have been to the Theatre! I have not learning enough to Speak of the Castle Spectre, or the Pitcairne Islands. Je n’en Seais rien. If you had Seen Othello, Lear, Mackbeth “Southerne Sure or Rowe” or Racine, Voltaire or Corneille I Should have understood you.
I must close this Letter in a more Serious manner. Your Uncle Smith the Husband of my only daughter is no more, The Father of your Cousin the Secretary of Legation, with whom I Sympathize.
It is impossible, that you Should live, without being compelled to study the Character and History of this good hearted, unfortunate Gentleman. The Vicissitudes of human Life have not been more exemplified in the Biography of Napoleon than in that of Col. Smith.
My dear Child! I can write no more than the / Name of
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 June 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My ever dear Sir
Quincy June 25th. 1816

Your Mother who was Sick, all Winter, is recovered and restored to her characteristic Vivacity, Activity Witt Sense and benevolence. Of Consequence She must take upon herself the Duties of her Granddaughter Neice, Maids Husband and all. She must be always writing to You and all her Grandchildren which is as dangerous to her health as her domestic Exertions.
I say She must because She Will. This gives me more Fears than Reason will justify: for there can be but a few minutes before both of Us must depart, and but a few Seconds between her departure and mine, or between my departure and hers.
The Valley has enhumated three Brothers in three months. The last of the Three was the widowed Husband of my only Daughter. To his Virtues ever kind: to his faults a little blind. The World will never know all the good, or all the Evil he has done. I have recd from him a Series of Letters, within three or four years past, which I wish were published: but I could not get them printed, unless at my own expence by a Printer who would choose to be unknown: I would be at this Expence, if I did not know they would make a great Noise, without any certainty of doing any present good. possibly and probably much Evil.
Although he undesignedly did more Injury to me in my Administration than any Other Man: Yet His Biography is necessary to explain the Intrigues of Pitt, King, Hamilton Miranda &c &c &c which embarrassed and distracted the U.S. in the last Years of the Last Century. There is an Olavide in the History of the 18th Century to be contrasted with Miranda Smith. know nothing of him. You knew him not. I knew him well. I have dined with him in Company with the Hereditary Possessor of the Titles and Estates of Sully, with the Duke de Rochefaucault, Mr Malesherbes, the Bishop of Langres and others the first Witts and Nobles of France. Olavidé had too much Sense to be taken in by Miranda or  Pitt; though Hamilton and Smith had not.
Dexter and Smith are gone, and with them many Memorials important to U.S. as well as to
A.


Title: From John Adams to John Adams, 27 June 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John

Dear John
Quincy June 27th. 16

I know not whether I can ever consent to your being a Sailor Boy. I have already prescribed to you Geometry, Astronomy Algebra Geography &c as one would think enough to discourage but I have still more to Suggest to you.
Are you willing to go to calledge take a Degree and After that be admitted to the respectable Rank of a Midshipman? As the Czar Peter did. Are you willing to Study Homer and Virgil & other Classicks where Style as well as Heroism are taught? Can you Submit to learn the style of a Naval Commander which, to avoid Criticism, must be pious moral Short neat, absolutely void of Affectation, Vanity, Pedantry; and yet full and compleat; in short a style more difficullt to acquire than that of Xenophon or Demosthenes.
But this is not all; You must Study Ethicks, the Laws of Nature and Nations, History Policy, Customs and Manners
Last of all you must make a Covenant with yourself and your God, never to do Injustice or be guilty of Insolence or Inhumanity to Subordinate, Equals or Superiours, whether Friends or Enemies. Upon these Conditions, I consent, that you Should leap at the Moon and Seize her by the Horns, when necessary, as your Grandfather, and your Father have done before you.
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 June 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My Dear Son
					Quincy June 29th 1816

				If I write you ten Letters, to one from you, Still I Should be your debtor, for one of yours is worth ten of mine, and one over—yet in Love, and affection, the account Shall be balanced—I Shall always recollect with a pleasure, which I cannot describe, the Sensation I felt, when mr Woodard returnd from Russia and came to see me. I know well his Father, and Family, but him I had never Seen before. is this mr Adams Mother Said he? to which I bowed assent. O Madam Said he, with a warmth and ardour, your Son Loves you much—Yes he does Love you most tenderly.—of this I never doubted, but Some how, at that time, thus exprest by a Stranger, it found the tender place in my Heart, where it has remained, and will depart but with the Life Bloodyour Father in his Letter to you; has been So jocose respecting me, that I am at a loss how to return the compliment but he represents me, as of more consequence, & more business, than I really perform–it is true, that I have large demands upon my pen, from my Children, & Grandchildren—and other occasional correspondents—I hope I may Some times do good in this way.your Father retains his faculties, and his hearing wonderfully—his Spirits are generally good—but his Limbs fail him—he is less fond of exercise—tho he walkd to your Brothers yesterday, & back, which is three miles—Yet our decayed Tenements must Soon Crumble to dust, but I hope we have an other and a better Country to repair to, whose builder and Maker is the most high—and where I trust we Shall meet those Dear to us, who have gone before us—the last of whom is Col Smith he died upon the tenth of the Month—after a confinement of two Months following two Brothers in rapid Succession—I have written to you before his dangerous Situation, so that the event will not meet you unprepared, or my Grandson to whom I have also written—much of this Sympathy. I have in the course of the few last years of my Life been calld to partake of, and I have frequently been assured, that I have mitigated the pangs I could not wholy assuage and healed the wounds I could not cure.This Letter will be deliverd to you by the Rev’d E Tuckerman of Chelsea, who like many others of his Cloth, have had recourse to a Voyage for the restoration of their Health. I hope he may be more Successfull than those, who have gone before him—I thank you for Pauls Letters, which I have not yet read through; having received them only a few days Since Walter Scott is a character in which we in America, have taken much interest from his Poems—as well, as in those, of that Strange half mad Man, and poet—Lord Byron—we look in vain for any fixed prAs to politicks, we have left off wrangling about politicks—even our approaching Presidential Election, scarcly moves the waves—I Shall expect to have some account of the Royall Marriage—the news paper be sure which contains it, and I Should like your opinion of the Allied pair? I have a fancy that the Lady, has a Character, which will, if circumstances call it out; make no ordinary figure upon the Page of History—I will however ask nothing improper. If I do I know you will have prudence enough to withhold it.I pray you to be very carefull of Georges health. do not let him blow the flute. he must use gentle regular exercise and take nourishing food—no danger of Such a Stocky, Stuffy Chap as John unless of a little Roguery—how he would be delighted with a Book which I dare not Send him. I mean the journal of a young Man of Massachusetts who was captured by the British, first carried to Melville Island Halifax & afterward on Board the Prison Ships & then in dartmore Prison—it is a wonderful Book of 3 or 4 hundred Pages—I can Say with the Lady in the Patriot “that I have never read a Novel, that arrested my attention more than this Singular production.” I must Still further quote the Lady in her dialogue for She has exprest my Sentiments of the Work—“the work is Strictly moral and even Religious—It is patriotic, humane and gallant, with all the Spirit of ancient chivalry; and I am curious to know if it can be all true—for it Strikes me, that there are more traits of extensive reading and accurate knowledge of character than can be Supposed to have fallen to the Share of a young Surgeon of a privateer”I will add that the real American Character is wonderfully preserved through the whole narative and your Father and I have laughd more in reading it, than ever we did, over Hudibrass or don Quixot.—four thousand Copies have already been Sold and a new Edition call’d for—I wish the Same hand which Sent one to us would Send you one,—I dare not. Such a Book found in the House of the Peace Maker, would not do—but I beleive the whole narative to be true—I know from accurate information, that much of it is so—It is Said that Alexander Selkirk who resided Several Years on a desert Island, put his manuscript journal into the hands of daniel de Foe, who made out of it the renouned history of Robinson Crusoe—I fancy the Young Surgeon, has found Some de Foe here—your last Letter was very Short the 18 AprilI hope you will find more leisure Soon—but I should be ungenerous to complain, knowing Some of your avocations, and how fully Your time must be occupied—I am my dear Son most / tenderly and affectionatly your— / Mother

					A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My dear Son
					Quincy June 30th 1816

				The east wind of this day, will prevent the Sailing of the Galen, and it gives me the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of May 13th No 87; and the papers containing the Royal Marriage which came to hand last Evening: by the arrival of a vessel at N york; this interesting, and important intelligence, had been partially communicated to the publick a week before—Some foolish, and improper paragraphs had been inserted in Some of the republican papers upon the occasion. I regret any low ribaldry Should disgrace our papers; whether it respects foreign countrys or our own—My respects to the Chevalier de Fréire whom I remember and Respect, both when I was in England, and in Philadelphia. by Your not mentioning his Lady, I fear she is dead. She was a very fine woman. mr & mrs Liston have my kind regards. we used to agree very well even upon politicks, an Instance of conjugal attachment, after 30 years of courtship—I have only received a few lines from you, no other Letters came—but I can excuse it. mrs Adams must have been much occupied with the Great affairs of the Nation, in which I perceive they have more than once distinguished her—not having noticed, the Lady of any other foreign Minister—is this compliment personal, or National, or both?I inclose a Letter for George with my Love to him. tell him the young Ladies who have written to him, accuse him with not having noticed their Letters, and are mortified that they made the first advances. their youthfull innocence must plead for them—ever your affectionate Mother

					A A


Title: From B. Bezerra to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 July 1816
From: Bezerra, B.
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					Rio de Janeiro July 2 1816

				How very kind of you my beloved Mrs Adams to answer my dull letter so immediately You can form no idea of the pleasure I felt at knowing that so far from forgetting us that time or distance has not lessened that friendship I valued so much—let me endulge the hope that change of scene has softened the woes we are all born to endure—it is now 26 years that I lost a sweet baby a little younger than your sweet little Angel, my tears fall when I think of her but you have still many comforts left in your other children & they tell me that you have been confined since you arrived in England I hope it is a little give—I hear from every one that you are very much liked, you are formed to be so—but I must say that in England, they know better how to appreciate merit such as yours  more than any where else—happy and comfortable and nearer home—I guess you cast no longing lingering look to the frozen regions of the North—Your last Months were so uncomfortable,—I have just sent of letters to all my friends there—but ‘tis such ages before one can have any answer—the Betancourts write me that they are comfortably settled they are dear pleasant people the Young Ladies highly accomplished, but alas I hear that no one comes to woo—in the mean time the  Bloom goes of the plum—I shoud not wonder if the fair Clementina was to accompagny the Young Princess of Orange to Holland This is only a romance of my own contriving, but it seems plausable & possible—The eldest Miss Bode has had a very agreable Tour with the divine Empress and her amiable sister—she wou’d I am sure give a very entertaining history of her travels she is greatly liked by both the Royal charming sisters—as you say Countess Colombi goes on in her own mild quiet way—I must ever think her Husband very wrong in not leaving it in her power to marry and keep at least a part of her fortune—The prohibition  is enough to give the inclination—Petersburg must have again been very gay with the return of Mme Inbert Emperor & the Angelic Empress after so long an absence, the marriage of the Grand Duchess—who appeared so amiable that she will be greatly liked in Holland; what a pity that your friend the enchanting Queen of Prussia did not live to see her Husband & Country restored to splendor her daughter married to the Grand Duke, who is so handsome & appears so perfectly amiable—I regret that he is not the next heir to the Throne or that the Empress should have children, she merits every good for never existed a more perfect character I was sorry to hear that our superb whiskers neglected those friends that had received him so kindly—all for Love and the world well lost seems to have been his maxim indeed I was afraid he was getting spoilt even before we left him—the fascinating charms of Madame V led him astray—all his means were not sufficient to satisfy this fair frail rapacious Lady—surely his person and devoted attentions ought have satisfied her—perhaps she was the cause of his not marrying the Young Lady in question—but of all this I know nothing but by hear say for not a line have we received these 3 years—My Husband is still much attached to him—& has not ceased to render him essential service,—& is sure in the end he will be grateful, I hope so too for he appeared to me to have an excellent heart,—& if he was spoilt it was Petersburg that did the deed a very dangerous place for so young a man:—I want my dear friend to follow you in imagination in all you do—do you live at Ealing, have you appartments or a house in town—do you mix much in the gay world, if so you turn night into day and Summer into Winter with whom are you intimate I shou’d wish you to be so with my friend Madame de Freire—she is so agreable so charming and Lady like that she wou’d suit you much—do you see much of Countess Leiven who I  am  is quite an high —Madame Nicolay is a most pleasant unaffected woman—her husband uncommonly pleasing as well as Mr. Rehansen the Swedish Minester, his Lady less so from what many men wou’d value her taciturnity, if it is the same Madame Esherhazi Trinain Holland she is a very enchanting woman but I beleive not—they are rich & will dash away; What does Mr Adams say to all the wonderful changes that have taken place—particularly in Holland a country he was partial to as well as ourselves—Pray say every thing kind to him from us both—& tell him it wou’d be quite a treat to me to hear him read Lord Birons poems that seem so interesting from what I learn from the papers he seems to be to be a far better Poet than a Husband, what is this strange story about them—to be the Hero of ones own dismal tale seems extraordinary at least—but Poets have the priveledge of being a little mad—and very excentric—I send this letter to Madame Freires care because I know not how to direct to you—tell me how in future I may send my letters I hope you will some times let me hear from you—for I am greatly interested in your happiness—when you write Mr Smith remember us kindly has he given up the Diplomacy—in what part of America do they live—Mr Bezerra   is much mended of his dreadful complaint but he suffers much occasionally with a flying Nerveous Gent, his dear Mind retains all its former activity as enthusiastic a patriot as ever, most sincerely attached to his adored Sovereign & Country he misses your pretty hands & has not forgot how sweet how agreable you are—Adieu My dear friend—forever your very devoted affecte friend

					B Bezerra