Title: To John Adams from Peter Boylston Adams, 23 June 1803
From: Adams, Peter Boylston
To: Adams, John

Quincy June 23rd. 1803

The House in Which Mr. Brisler Lives With the Two Barns and Other Small Buildings and About fifty acres of Land Apprized by the Subscriber @$3000House in Which Mr. Whitney with the barn N  and ten Acres of Land}2000Old house and forty Eight acres of Land formaly William Vesey}1500Six Acres of Land formally Cor Quincy @700The Place formally Decn. Belcher Twenty four acres2250Fifteen Acres formally Belcher and Docr  Savils1050Nine Acres Paster Sou of Penns hill Easterly Side of road}270centsThirty Acres and A quarter of an Acre formally Part of the Land Your father gave you And the other You Purchased of Missurs Curtises}907.50Pasture Called Atherton You Bought of Elijah Belcher350About fifty Nine Acres Your Bought of Elkh. Thayer and the Haydens Grand Children of Thomas Thayer}2900Three Wood lots one of 14 acre the Others fifteen Acres Each1150Two Pasters one of which You Bought of the Town the Other of the Heirs of Thomas Thayer decd @ 23 doller pr. Acre}920Two Pasters You Bought of Elknh Thayer and Solomon Thayer}725$16802.50

My Brother At Your requst Missurs Brackett and J Hall Went With Me Viewed the Premises Above Mentioned And Apprized the Same I believe to the Best of our Judgements As Above Stated


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to William Smith Shaw, 23 June 1803
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Shaw, William Smith

Atkinson June 23d. 1803.

I will write again, & believe I have a Son, with whom I should delight to converse, & communicate every little occurrence, that may from local circumstances, & there connections be interesting to friendship, or affection; though from the length of time, since he has written to his Mother, One might conclude, he believed she lived beyond the Alps, in the frigid Zone, where all the Charities, the tender ties of relationship were feebly felt, & Where even maternal love scarce warms the heart of the hard Inhabitant.—
I think you cannot but join with me in gratitude to heaven, for the recovery of your Sisters health. Mr Peabody thought last winter, that she would not live to see the return of another Spring, but she is now much better than I have known her since your dear Sister Betsys death, for it has appeared to me that she has been languishing ever since that gloomy time.
You have heard I presume, that Mr Tucker was removed to Salem. He has obtained an appointment to an Office sufficiently lucrative for the support of his small Family & more certain property than his buisness in Haver hill would afford—That Town would give but One good Lawyer a handsome living. Since Mr Parsons decease a Mr Varnum of popular talents has taken his abode at Nat Bradleys, & by some means has drawn the chief of the buisness. Mr Tucker never spoke at the bar, neither could Mr Parsons, or Thaxter feel courage sufficient. This was always an injury, and sank them in the publick mind. Mr Thaxter ever lamented that he did not accustom himself to publick speaking at his first entrance into buisness.—By the Errors, as well as the Excellences of Others, the Young should learn wisdom.—
Last Saturday I visited at Dr. Saltonstalls, accompanied by a young Lady, the most amiable of her age, & your Sister—We were treated by the family in their usual polite, & hospitable stile. The Drs. mind I found deeply wounded by the premature step, which Mr A. has taken, who wished to be freed from the Parish even as he told the Church “if there were not another in the Universe,” which struck them dumb, almost petrefied, with astonishment, as they had not the least thought of his being uneasy, & had indulged him in every wish, as they thought. Never was a man more happy, than he has been in the affections of his people, & has been a means of making them, espicially the youth, very thoughtful, & sober-minded—& I regret the present situation of minister & parish—He has suggested that Haverhill was too small a sphere for him to move, & it is believed that Brattle-Square is the Orb to which he aspired—But if he could not be contented, surrounded with the comforts of life, blessed with the hearts of a grateful people, who had punctually fulfilled their contract, I fear he will in no place, on this earth, realize the felicity he contemplates. For if his possesions should be greater, his mode of living must rise in proportion, & though he is said to be a rigid œconomist, yet he might not find any sum adequate to his wishes; some better situation, some Mordecai, might still corrode his mind.
His people consider his leaving them, as a most heavy stroke. To be deprived of a good man, under whose preaching, we can sit with pleasure, is no small misfortune. When we are blessed with such an one, he should be amply supported by a generous, & firm conduct, & by a constant, & conscientious attendance upon his ministry, espicially if we assisted in his settlement, & have a family, before whom we should set an example, of order, & regularity. Neither should we permit enthusiasm, nor a fondness for novelty to lead us astray—
I think it must be an happy circumstance to you, to have your beloved friend Channing near you, & so agreeably settled. He has an excellent Character, & as you follow him, & love the Teacher, I hope his Precepts will have a deep impression upon your heart. It is lovely my Son, to be good from Education & habit; but there is something still more excellent, & that is, to be good from a conviction of duty to God,& to ourselves.
Upon many accounts, I feel thoughtful for you my dear Son. When your Friend, & Patron is called to Washington, you will again be cast upon the Ocean; Where will you steer your feeble Bark? Or, upon what shore, will you be driven? Prosperous Gales have hitherto favoured your course, & pointed your way. To the heavens, I will still look;& if you are properly chartered,  take the Christian religion, & “reason for your Card.” I will trust, that they may yet shed there benign Influences, & waft you to the desired Haven, where you may grow, & be eminently Useful.
I have heard several people say, they wished you had been ready to fill Mr Tuckers place in Haverhill. The office is now occupied by Mr Prescot from Salem. But notwithstanding this, it is said, that Mr Jabez Kimbal intends coming & fixing there, in preference to Chesterfield for though he supposes, he shall not get so much property, yet he had rather relinquish that, than lose the pleasures resulting from an agreeable Society, congenial to his Education & improvements. And if he should, it is believed he will draw all the buisness from the other two Gentlemen; as Mr Kimbals Character is so established for probity, knowledge of his proffesion, affability & accommodating manners. Essentials in all—
My family is large, though not so numerous as last Summer—It is very happy, & harmonious—We have some charming Ladies, who attend the academy. With a mind open to Instruction, “One towers above her Sex,” modest, gentle, œconomick; the Virtues, & the Graces are combined, & without beauty, she is beauty’s self.—As you are not fixed in buisness, I would not advise you to make me a visit at present. As you have passed over the most dangerous age of  youth, without a wound, I should be very loth, to have you needlessly alarmed, at the sober years of twenty-five—
With tender sensations peculiar to an affectionate Mother; I subscribe, Yours

Elizabeth Peabody


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 June 1803
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

post 23 June 1803

House Barn and Land 10 Acres 2000}  6500108.House Barns and Land bought of my Brother with the Additn  3000House & Land bought of Wm Vesey150024Place formerly Deacon Belchers22506Six Acres formerly Col Quincys7009Nine Acres of Pasture on Penns Hill—270
443 Wood Lotts 115047Two Pastures at 23 dollars per Acre 47 Acres: 2: 21:109355 Acres of Salt Marsh below Jona Baxters3331/355 Acres of Salt Marsh below David Basses3331/32 3/42 Acres & 3/4 at Penny ferry183250 3/412,8122/312812333333183849
A certain Tract of Land, Situated on the Plain below Pennshill, in Quincy aforesaid, containing by Estimations about one hundred and Eight Acres be the Same more or less, with the three houses and three Barns and other Buildings upon it, and bounded Easterly on the Country Road to Plymouth, North Easterly Partly on a House lott of Mr Heath, partly on another House Lott of Mr Pratt and partly on Land of Mr James Brackett, then Northerly by Land of the late Dr Elisha Savil, now Captain Joseph Brackett, then Easterly by Land of the said Joseph Brackett then Northerly partly on Land of Said Joseph Brackett, where the Line runs below the Farm in within the Border of the Millpond and partly on Land of the Nightingales, then Westerly by Land of Ebenezer and Josiah Adams then Northerly again by Land of the Said Ebenezer and Josiah Adams, then Westerly by Land of the Same then Northerly again by the Same then Easterly by the Same then Northerly by the Same and by the Middle Pasture So called being part of the Dower of the late Deacon Ebenezer Adams’s Widow, then Westerly by Land formerly of Moses Adams now of Ebenezer and Josiah Adams, then southerly by Fresh Meadow of the Heirs of the late Deacon Ebenezer Adams, and by the Lands of Joseph Field, till you come to the Eastern Boundary on Plymouth Road first mentioned, or however otherwise the Premisses are bounded or reported to be bounded
Also another Tract of Land on the opposite side of the Way in Quincy aforesaid containing twenty four acres more or less bounded Westerly, on Plymouth Road, southerly Partly on Land of Mr Henry Hardwick partly on the narrow Lane and partly on Land of Thomas Pratt formerly common Land, Easterly partly on Land of Said Thomas Pratt and partly on Land of Jonathan Bass and Northerly on Dr Phipps, or however otherwise bounded or reported to be bounded
Also Six Acres of Land more or less in Said Quincy, bounded Westerly by Plymouth Road, Southerly by Land of Deacon Jonathan Bass, Easterly Partly by Land of Thomas Pratt and Partly by Land in Possession of Judge Cranch and Northerly by Land lately of Mr Joseph Cleverly deceased.
Also Nine Acres of Land more or less in Braintree near the Top of Pennshill bounded Northerly by the Line between Quincy and Braintree, Westerly and South Westerly on Plymouth Road, Southerly on Land of Saml and Adam Curtis, and Easterly partly on land of the Said Samll and Adam Curtis and partly on Land of Thomas Pratt or however otherwise bounded
Woodlots
Also three Woodlotts in viz, The Lott Number Six, in the third Division of the most Southerly of the North Commons so called containing fourteen Acres, more or less and bounded Northerly partly on the Lott Number One in the fifth Division, and partly on the Lott Number two, westerly partly on the Lott Number one and partly on the Lott Number two in the Second division of the Said most Southerly part, Southerly on the Lott Number five in Said third division, and Easterly on the aforesaid Lott Number three in the aforesaid fifth division. This Lott was conveyed to me by the Committee of the Town of Braintree in 1765
Also Another Lott of Woodland being the fifth Lott in the third Division containing fifteen Acres more or less, bounded Easterly on the Second Lott in the fourth division and partly on the third Lott in Said division Northerly on the Sixth Lott in the aforesaid third division, Westerly on the Center Line So called, Southerly on the fourth Lott in the aforesaid third division. This Lott I purchased of Joseph Crosbey Esq
Also another Lott of Woodland containing fifteen Acres, more or less in the third Lott in the third division of common Lotts So called, bounded Southerly on Caleb Hobards Lott Number two, Easterly on Land lately of Silas Veazie, Northerly on James Bracketts Lott Number four and Westerly on a Line dividing the Second and third divisions This Lott I purchased of Elkanah Thayer in 1793
Pastures
Also a Lott of Pasture, vizt the Lott Number Three in the Fourth Division of the most Southerly Part of the North Common So called, containing Twenty three acres, two Quarters and Twenty one Rods more or less and bounded Northerly partly on Land of the Widow of the late Deacon Ebenezer Adams and partly on Land of late of Mose Adams now of Ebenezer and Josiah Adams Southerly on the Lott Number two in the Same division Easterly on the Lott Number four in the Same division, and Westerly partly on the Lott Number one in the fifth Division, partly on the Lott Number Six in the third division and partly on the Lott Number five in the Same division, reserving a Drift Way, through Said Lott Number three to the Lott Number One in the fifth division, which Drift Way is to be Secured only by Gates or Barns. This Lott was conveyed to me by the Committee of the Town of Braintree in 1765
Also another Tract of Pasture Land, containing twenty acres more or less bounded Southerly on Land of Samuel Veazie, Westerly on Land lately of Caleb and Adam Hubbart Northerly on the aforesaid Lott Number three in the fourth division, easterly Partly on Land of the Said John Adams, or however otherwise bounded, being the Pasture I bought of James Thayer Junr and Mary Wales Thayer his Wife in 1785.
Also that Part of the old Swamp so called, given me by my Father which is now fenced in with the two Pastures before described for the  sake of Water, being four Acres more or less.
Salt Marsh
one Piece of Salt Marsh in Quincy containing about five or Six Acres, more or less, bounded North Easterly by the Town River So called on Jonathan Baxters Land and Samuel Ruggles’s Heirs, which I bought of Leonard Vassall Borland
Also another Piece of Salt Marsh in Said Quincy, containing about five Acres, more or less, Part of which belonged heretofore to James Faxon and the other Part to David Bass and is bounded Northerly on Upland of David Bass, Easterly partly on upland and partly on Salt Marsh of the Said David Bass, Southerly on upland of Said David Bass, Westerly on Salt Marsh of
Also another Piece of Salt Marsh at a Place called Penny ferry in Milton in Said County containing two Acres and three Quarters, more or less, bounded Easterly partly on the Creek and partly on Land Marsh formerly of William Penniman Southerly on Marsh belonging to Dorchester Church or School Westerly  Northerly  or however otherwise bounded being the Marsh given by my Father in his Will to my Brother Elihu and purched by me of him in 1769.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1803
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Brother
Philadelphia 30th: June 1803.

Your favor of the 20th: inst: came to hand yesterday, in the condition, which you have the cover here enclosed, except that the wax was not broken. By some means or other, the packet was sent on to Washington, and the name of J. Adams, on the back of it, must have excited the curiosity of some body, who from appearances, took the very excusable liberty, in this free country, to inspect its contents. I send you the cover, that you may inform me, whether the seal you commonly use was upon it. If the letter has been violated, (& I have no doubt it has) your reflections and mine, on the occurrence, will I trust correspond—I should think the fact ought to be publicly exposed.
From your letter I am able to understand, that my Mother, instead of Billy Shaw’s, met with the sad accident, which he undertook to acquaint me with, in his way. Our dear mother (Says Shaw) met with a most sad accident. I thought of no body in this world but my Aunt Peabody, when I read this, and in my reply to William’s letter, condoled with him upon the disaster as having befallen his dear mother. If William meant to be understood figuratively, I have no objection to his having two mothers,—but literally, I defy any body to prove that his Aunt is his mother.
Your biography is a choice article, and is a full compensation for your late Silence—Except a few squib’s, of late, I have done little. No 26 —speaks pretty plain, and I hope you will not disapprove the manner of repelling a most daring attack upon the freedom of discussion and writing. The controversy will be managed with discretion, and nothing like a personal warfare shall be maintained with a cut-throat desperadoe.
The numbers you want, I have ordered to be sent. The American Lounger, is a kind of omnis-homo & omne-mulier. Scarcely two numbers are by the same hand—Old-school—analized Mr: Gideon’s Elixer-bitters—He has written two or three papers within a short time, which are, I think distinctly marked. Are none of your Boston friends—Loungers? Or is the family exclusively confined to a southern climate?
I expect ere long a mallet will be levelled at my head, as I have been lately told, that I am strongly suspected of being jointly concerned. I must bear it cooly, if I can; but such infamously scandalous & false personalities, as have been published of some of my friends, would if applied to me, discompose my philosophy. To be lampooned in such a vehicle as the Aurora and the Citizen, would not hurt my reputation—indeed I believe it would promote my interest in one shape or other; but to be called hard names, without resenting the affront, would gall me much.
Give my love to my mother and tell her, that I am grieved to hear of the pain she has suffered in consequence of the fall. I was fearful that sickness was the cause of her long silence. I always get a fit of the blue’s if I dont receive a letter from her often.
Our Sister Adams was on a visit, lately to Mrs: John Smith, who accompanied her home to Newark, last week. Mrs: Adams seemed to be out of spirits and not in good health.
I am glad to hear, that your flour came safe. The Supplementary Encyclopædia is not forgotten—
Yours &ca:
1st: July
Your’s of the 27th: has just come to hand, with an enclosure, to which due attention Shall be paid. The publication of the letters of foreign correspondence, was to have commenced this week, but I fear it has been postponed. The Review will be very acceptable; but there is no press for it immediately.
The Saucy & insolent Style, which Duane’s Aurora employs of late against Dennie; and the great abundance of personal and vulgar abuse, bestowed upon him will be Serviceable to him at a distance. Duane thought he could make Dennie commit himself, by Some libellous replication, and the best way to beguile him into Such a trap was to begin by libelling him. Since the reply, Duane has charged Dennie with being in the vocative. Of this he may be induced to doubt. The dread of this Ruffian among all ranks of people here, is So great, that he may be properly denominated a second Abaelino, the great Bandit. Half the federalists Subscribe to the Aurora, as a sort of peace offering to screen themselves from the depredations of this giant of Slander.
The article to which you allude in No. 25—an introduction to the translation of Silius Italicus, was sent from Baltimore—the promised extracts have not yet come to hand.
Your’s


Title: From William Stephens Smith to William Eustis, 1 July 1803
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Eustis, William

Dr. Sir—
NewYork July 1st. 1803

Rufus King arrived here yesterday in the Ship Jn: Morgan 39 days from England—war rages—on the 30th. of April our minister at Paris, concluded a treaty with France—Mr. Munroe’s propositions were accepted, every thing he was authorised to offer on the part of Government, as to cash payments and instalments were chearfully received, and on a full stipulation that the American claims on the french Government for spoiliation &c. should be paid by the American Government the First Consul surrenders the full sovereignty of the Island of New Orleans and The District of Louisiana to the United States as he received it from The Spanish King— This is immense and proportionate arrangements must be made by Government to possess, Govern and retain it—for this purpose New Orleans must be respectably Garrisond and respectfully Commanded—by some high minded men, with powers as far above dull brutes endued in forest, brake, or den, as beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude; a man who his duty knows, and knows his rights, and, knowing, dare mantain—one whom should spain protest against the Cession, can ward off the contemplated blow, and crush the tyrant while he sends the Chain, I wish you would immediately write to Washington and secure the appointment for
W. S. Smith


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 1 July 1803
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Mother
Boston. Ca. 1 July 1803

I grieve to be under the necessity of informing you that I am again to be disappointed of passing next Monday with you at Quincy as the expence of a Carriage is double on account of the celebration of Independance. I shall certainly keep this Anniversary in the full conviction that we are too much the creatures of circumstances to enjoy much of thise boasted blessing or I should not at this moment have to repeat my regret In the hope however that it is only defer’d a short time I am dear Madam your affectionate daughter
L C Adams
P.S. Mrs Welsh will not have it in her power to go out & President will I hope pass the Night with us


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 4 July 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Johnson, Catherine Nuth

My dear Madam.
Boston 4. July 1803 Independence Day.

I have the pleasure to inform you, that this morning at about 3. o’clock, my dear Mrs: Adams presented me another fine boy, after having a very good time, and both are now as well as we can possibly expect—I was myself out at Quincy, spending Sunday
I am, Dear Madam, faithfully your’s
John Q. Adams.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 July 1803
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Brother.
Philadelphia 18th. July 1803.

I duly received your favor of the 8th. inst. with the two last sheets of the Review. Your suggestion respecting the life of Florian came too late, as the paper was already put to press. I do not however think the circumstance of much consequence, since at almost any distance, of time the person, who opened the letter, might recollect when he saw it in print, when & how & where he had seen it in manuscripts.
I communicated your caution to Old-school; he thanks you for it and hopes to avail himself of it, hereafter; but since his prosecution is in train, grounded on a paragraph, which appeared on the 23d. April in his paper, he does not expect to obtain much favor by reserve, at this time.
The further progress of the prosecution I promised to communicate. The Bill was drawn conformably to the presentment—sent to the Grand Jury & found—True? The inuendo’s begin at the words, “it is on its trial here,” meaning thereby the Constitution & scheme of polity established in the State of Pennsylvania, & also in the United States—So that the question of Constitutional principle & form of government will be open for dispute. Lawyer Dallas helped to draw the Bill of Indictment, in conjunction with the Atty General’s deputy. The Atty General himself—good easy man, never concerned himself at all about it; but since Duane called publicly upon the proper law Officer to take notice of the publication in the P F—he feels himself compelled however reluctantly to proceed with the business—He says that Mr. Dallas shall have nothing to do with the trial, as he conceives it to be an American question entirely. O. Lord! O. Lord! O. Lord! What an able law officer is our Atty Genl.
It is lucky for us that we are not involved in so thick & impenetrable a cloud of ignorance & blindness, as our opponents would persuade us we are. The idea is now quite familiar, that the American question will be tried in September, or December at farthest. If in September, it will be just before the election, and if I have any knowledge of what matter will be agitated on this trial, the sovereigns of Philadelphia will be handsomly electrified for the occasion. My greatest apprehension is, that it will never be tried. Surrounded and overwhelmed as we appear to be by democrats & foreign desperado’s, there is at least spirit and energy enough left among the federalists to provoke their opponents to hang them if they are able. They dare not meet this American question, even in the jacobin tribunals of Pennsylvania—at least such is my opinion. And if they do—and if they find my Client guilty—imposing fine & imprisonment upon him for the offence—Shall we fear to meet such consequences, in such a cause? The Revolution is but half complete; our fathers struggled through a long & bloody war—to throw off an oppressive, external foreign yoke and they succeeded; and shall their sons tamely tolerate an internal dominion, exercised by foreigners more ignominious & more oppressive than the first?
Adieu Yours


Title: From Catherine Nuth Johnson to John Quincy Adams, July 1803
From: Johnson, Catherine Nuth
To: Adams, John Quincy

My Dear Sir
Washington. July 1803

last Evenings Mail brought presented me your Welcome letter, announceing the pleasing intelligence of my dear Louisa’s of the Safety of My Beloved Child Permit me to offer my sincere Congratulation on this happy event the memorable day which gave him Birth to the little stranger is I hope a Presage to his own Independence, the greatest Blessing, (health Excepted) this World has the Power to Bestow May your days, and his Mothers, be Continued to form them by your Instruction and Example the Noblest Work of God Honest Men and that they may repay your tenderness and Anxiety with Duty and Affection
Present me in the most Respectful Manner to the President and the worthy Partner of his Heart, and Accept the and his Lady believing me on every occasion your / Faithful and / affectionate Mother
C


Title: From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 August 1803
From: Cushing, Hannah Phillips
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Madam
Scituate August 8th. 1803.

I was in hopes ere this time of having the satisfaction of seeing you here, but from what I could learn from Dr Bourn of Barnstable, who spoke with the President last week, it is to be feared that your unfortunate fall has occasioned a much longer confinement than we flattered ourselves it would. I have several times been determined that another week should not pass without my writing, but my needle &c has a great claim upon me the little time I am resident here, & my pen generally gives place to domestic concerns. If you are able to ride my dear friend do not disappoint us in this wished for visit; a short excursion may contribute to health; I find it necessary for mine to ride at least every other day. We had a pleasant tour to Newport, & returned 25th June. The time fast approaches when we must again quit our home to go the same round over again; By the middle of Octr Mr Cushing’s Circuit begins. We have an agreeable family to us. Sister Phillips, siter Parsons, and five Nieces. My Nephew Samuel Phillips has been with us. We were all much rejoiced to have him return after an absence of four years. He has passed through perils by Sea & Land. Do be so good as to write me respecting your health, & when we may expect to see you & Miss Smith, my love to her if you please. Mr Cushing unites with me in respects to you & the President. Your Affectionate

H Cushing


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 19 August 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

Boston 19. August 1803.

I have received two or three letters from you, which I have not answered for want of a conveyance—My objection to the Post Office, you know—I have two or three pieces by me, in a state of preparation for you; which I purpose sending by the first convenient private opportunity.—Mr. Hichborn brought me last week a letter from you; but I have not been able to see him since, having been all the time at Quincy.—My first object in writing you now, is to let you know the situation of your dear mother, who is dangerously ill—I would not, on the one hand excite in your mind a needless alarm; nor on the other leave you so uninformed of our apprehensions, that the event we fear should come upon you altogether suddenly and unawares. She has been these ten days in great pain, and is very weak—Dr. Warren who saw her yesterday, speaks of her situation as very precarious, though not desperate—It will be as painful to you to read as it is to me to write these particulars; yet it is best you should know them
I was not surprized at the indictments against Dennie & Bradford, for a speculative paragraph upon Democracy—As you appear in your letters confident that it is impossible a Jury should convict them, I am in hopes the contagion is not so deep and universal as I have been apt to suspect. But you see what a Judge and a Jury both have done with Croswell in New-York;—If truth, consistency, Justice or Law could were any restraint upon democracy, and party spirit, I should join with you in thinking your client perfectly safe—As it is—I hope you are not too sangwine—When Democracy has the upperhand, it is like all other tyranny “Its power is as terrible, as its arguments are contemptible.” Now that democracy has the upperhand in Pennsylvania, is apparent by its excesses—It now feels strong enough to commence its career of oppression, and it has selected Dennie, as one of its victims—I have so little confidence in the security to life, liberty, or property in the State of Pennsylvania, that I most sincerely wish you would shake the dust from your feet, and come where there is yet some sense of right, and some government to protect a citizen in his person, character and property, against highwaymen and Jacobins.
If you have not a greater attachment to that residence than I can see reason that you should have, I think you could make a much more comfortable and agreeable one, in your native State—I have made arrangements to make my future abode, at Quincy; in the old paternal mansion; and if you could prevail upon yourself to exchange the noise and bustle of a great city for rural retirement, I have a project in my head, by which you could turn your time to account, better than I believe it possible where you are—But, as I expect to see you at Philadelphia, in about six weeks from this, I purpose to converse with you freely on this subject, and to submit my plan to your consideration,
It is my intention to take my family with me to Washington this Winter—And I shall endeavour to reach Philadelphia about the 5th: of October—Pray let me know whether I shall be able to get lodgings at Mrs: Roberts’s, for one or two days?
We are all well here, and the town is hitherto healthy.
Ever faithfully your’s.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 August 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

Quincy 21. August 1803.

You will be so anxious to hear the state of your mother’s health that I cannot forbear writing you a line—Since I wrote you last no material change has taken place—The danger has not apparently increased, neither can we flatter ourselves that it has diminished—Her pain is not so severe as it was, and she has now little fever: but her weakness is the most formidable symptom—She has little or no expectation of her own recovery, but her spirits have sunk with her strength—Yet none of us dare indulge hopes—We can but wish and pray for the best.
She directs me to remind you of the advice she gave you in her last Letter, and to say she repeats it now—The subject is such however, as being confidential from you to her, she has not thought herself at liberty to explain to me—I shall wait your own time for the explanation, well aware that as confidence is a sacred trust when bestowed, it ought not lightly to be sollicited.
We are in hourly expectation of the arrival of your sister Smith, who left New York to come here, this day week—Your mother is apprehensive she has been detained at Newport, and is anxiously desirous to see her.
In the present State of things, I am unable to employ much of my time, in your service—But I have three Articles, enough to supply my customary contribution for six weeks, ready for delivery when an opportunity for conveyance shall present itself.—I have written nothing these three weeks, for a heavy heart dams up all the fountains of the Muses—When Lord Lyttleton wrote his monody, he had lost his affliction; unless it was all poetical fiction.
Monday Morning 22: August
I did not close my letter last Night, that I might give you the account of your mother’s situation to the latest moment possible—She had last night some rest—But it was with the assistance of an opiate—There is no material change since yesterday—Last Evening your sister Smith arrived, after a detention of four days in quarantine at Newport.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 31 August 1803
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear William.
Philadelphia 31st: August 1803.

Your favour of the 24th: is before me, and I most ardently hope the information respecting the prospect of my mother’s recovery may not prove delusive. I expected a letter from my brother by this day’s mail, but am disappointed. My suspence & anxiety have been extreme for ten days past, and nothing but your letter, which assures me, that my mother was considerably better, has relieved my distress. My brother’s last letter left me hardly a ray of hope and I am yet fearful of having flattered myself too much, that I may Still have a mother living. I would have instantly Set out for Quincy, on the receipt of the first intelligence of her dangerous State, but the crisis of her disorder seemed to be so near, that I had no expectation of being able to reach home before it Should bee too late. God grant, that my apprehensions may not be realized.
You may readily conceive how troubled my Spirit has been, when in addition to the threatened calamity of my Mother’s death, I had to encounter the impression of your’s also; for having read seen in the New England Repertory, the death of William Shaw Esqr: of Quincy, announced, without date or age, I believed, for a Short time, that you must be the person as I could recollect no other of that name in Quincy—I soon after the first panick, remembered, that a Mr: Shaw had bought the place of old Capt Beale and of course concluded  that he was the person, whose death was reported.
I thought that I had acknowledged the receipt of the note of hand against Lt Cox—It came too late for me to take any steps to enforce payment—the Philadelphia frigate having gone down the River, a few days before, with all the crew on board. Shall I retain or return the Note?
I thank you for your attention to my friend—in sending your file of the P F—The punctuality, you have practised in forwarding my letters, has my thanks—I never doubted that you had always availed yourself of the best & safest conveyance—
Present me kindly to all—the Mail will close in a quarter of an hour, or I would write more largely—
Your’s faithfully
T B Adams—


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 25 September 1803
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear William
25th: Septr: 1803

I enclose you a letter for Mr Paine which I will thank you to hand him. Our City is dull and much deserted, on account of the apprehensions, which the appearance of a malignant fever has excited. I have been and still am detained by business in the District Court, which I hope however to Settle on Tuesday. If so, I go out of town on Wednesday to pass a week or ten days in Jersey, and if I can hear of my brother’s approach, I shall go on to meet him, as far as New Ark. You will see by the papers, what Slender cause of alarm exists here, though I know the cases of fever have not been fully reported by any body—not even Dr:  Duane.
Present me kindly to all friends / & believe me your’s
T B Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 28 September 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

Memm: for Mr: Shaw—
28. Septr: 1803.

To receive the money, from John Green—and settle with Captain Brazier for the blinds.
To receive the monies on the Accounts of Mr: Poor, of Newbury-Port.
of Mr: W. Coolidge P. C. Brooks.
of Mr: McIntire
of Captn: Fenno.
To attend to the Exon: of H. College vs Simpson.
Do:—on the actions at Dedham.
To receive on the 18th: of Novr: $140:89—for Rent of the House in Court Street, and $150 every quarter afterwards—
To pay the Novr: and Decr: Assessments on my Canal Shares, and take Mr: B. Hall’s rect: for the payments and forward it to me—
To enter at the Supreme Court—a complt: vs Wild, obtain Judgment and take out Exon: vs him.
To pay Baxter
To receive two Certificates from R. Sullivan of Middlesex Canal Shares.—and give them to my mother.
To receive two Deeds at Dedham, and deliver to my mother.
Memm: A Deed at Dedham belonging to the Neponset Bridge Corporation, for recording which I paid one dollar—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 10 October 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

My dear Sister
Newark Monday 10. Octr. 1803

I wrote my mother from Providence, an account of our progress thus far, but the narrative since that time is so far from being agreeable that it will be more expedient to make the present communication to you—
After being two days detained for want of wind at Providence, where Mr. Otis left us and came on by land, we came down on Tuesday last, the 4th: to Newport—We were there again wind bound two days more; and Friday Morning sailed with a wind which soon became adverse, and kept us buffetting with a smart gale and a heavy sea, for four and twenty hours, in a Packet-boat far from sound either in hull or rigging. I scarcely ever witness’d at sea a more uncomfortable day. We were all sick, and my wife cooped up with her infant in one birth of an after State Room, and George, sick the whole night long in the other, suffered from anxiety, constraint, and alarm, too much for her infirm state of health—Saturday morning we were glad to get into the Harbour of New-London, where we pass’d the day, and promised ourselves a Night of quiet and refreshment—But just as we were retiring to bed, at 10 in the evening we were summoned again to the Packet, as the wind had become favourable. At Midnight we embarked then, and after a run of fifteen hours landed yesterday at 3. in the afternoon at Powles Hook. We found there a Stage Coach which brought us immediately to this Place—We stop’d at Giffords between 5 and 6 last evening; and with great difficulty obtained a single chamber with three beds and a mattress on the floor, to lodge us all together. My wife immediately on coming into the house, went to bed with a violent fever, which has not yet altogether subsided. I called in Dr. Johnson, a physician of the place, whom perhaps you know, and he has administered such medicines as he thought the case required; and they are now in operation. The fever is less alarming than it was in the Night, but far from being subdued. I know not when it will be in my power to continue my journey, but I have resigned all expectation of reaching Washington at the opening of the Session.
I inquired after your husband at the Hook, and heard he was well, a few days since he was out here. I have seen Mrs. Smith and our Sister Adams, who have also called to Visit my poor wife. Mrs. Smith very kindly and urgently invited us to her house; but our patient is not in a condition to be moved, and we are too numerous to quarter ourselves at once upon one family. George however, I have carried there to avoid his troublesome noise and restlessness, which his mother could not now support.
We found here a number of the members of Congress from New-England and New-York, who proceeded this morning upon their journey. Among the rest are Colonel Pickering and Dr. Cutter. The Vice-President and Dr. Eustis, with some others went from this yesterday, as far as Elizabeth-Town.
I wish I had a tale of more cheering import to unfold; but as it is a duty to be prepared for all the Events of this world, I endeavour to accommodate myself as much as possible to this, looking with pleasure to the smiling face of Hope, but leaning only upon the staff of fortitude.
Your’s affectionately,
John Quincy Adams


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 13 October 1803
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear William,
Philadelphia 13th: October 1803.

I received your favor of the 3d: in due course with a letter from Washington for my Brother. I have this moment taken from the Post Office a letter from him to me, written at New Ark, where he has been detained by the illness of his wife, since Sunday the 9th: inst: He expected however to be on his journey again on Wednesday, and hopes to be at Frankford, friday or Saturday.
I will thank you to inform Mr: R T Paine that I have not been able to collect the draft he sent me, on account of the absence of the drawee. He was at Baltimore instead of Bristol, where Mr: Paine supposed he was when he sent me the order—I hope to send him the money ere long—
I have nothing new to add—As to our Elections here—I hope soon to be beyond the reach of all such damned beings as are chosen to office in this State—My Resolution is fixed for as speedy a removal as practicable, from a place—But softly—I scorn to abuse Philadelphia—You will say nothing about my plan, unless you think proper. I have yet much to do before I can quit, and therefore Know not myself how soon it will be—I hope nevertheless before the first of December—
I am, dear William / Your’s Sincerely
T B A—
PS. If you do not deliver the enclosed—put it under a cover.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 October 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Brother.
Frankford. Saturday Evening 15. October 1803.

I presume you had not left Bristol two hours before we arrived there—Your advice to us to stop at the Fox-Chace, we could not follow—For we should not have known how to get forward—Neither can we go into the City, because, if we did they would exclude us from Baltimore.—We are now at Dover’s—The Rising Sun, close by the Bridge—We shall stop here to-morrow, and proceed on Monday—We hope you will be well enough to come out and see us to-morrow—But I write you now more particularly, to request you would engage of Hardy, an easy Carriage and four horses to take us on to Baltimore. He must come out and take us up here, early on Monday morning—Make the bargain as favourable to us as you can—We must have a private Carriage; for my wife cannot possibly travel night and day as we must do if we were to take the Stage—And we must have four horses for we have much baggage, and are four, besides the two children.
Do come out and see us to-morrow if you possibly can—and let us know what bargain you have made for us with Hardy.
Your’s affectionately
John Q. Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 October 1803
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy October 22d 1803

I received your Letter from Providence and rejoiced in the favorable account you gave of your journey thus far, but a Letter Since received by your Sister dated at Newark gave us all much anxiety upon Mrs Adams’s account. We hope her disorder was only occasiond by over fatigue; and that a little rest would restore her. She is a veteran in journeying, and has frequently gone through what would appal Stoughter constitutions than hers. Yet we shall feel a degree of uneasiness untill we learn your safe arrival at Washington.
Your Sister leaves us tomorrow for N–York, ee have not recoverd our Spirits occasiond by your long expected absence which we feel most keenly, and now she leaves a void, without any one to supply her place; Thomas I hope will come to us—yet I fear he will not be happy; he will feel his situation too sensibly to be at ease; I know he will meet with mortifications, of various kinds, yet he had better encounter them than remain where he is. He has promised to converse with you. I hope he has done it with freedom—
We have not any thing new to communicate, except the death of the late Govr Adams—our family were Sent to by Mrs Adams, & yours, to attend as relatives. Your Father Sister and Louisa went, and Mrs Adams rode to the funeral with your Sister in our Carriage; it is said the Republicans were much gratified upon the occasion—We look to your city for the Great and the Marvelous.
My Love to Mrs Adams Caroline & George. A kind remembrance to Mrs Johnson and family. Let Judge Cranch know that his Father & Mother are well as are his Sisters and their families—
My own Health has been daily mending since you left me. I have been three Sundays to meeting, to day all day, and I rode to Weymouth & back the same day last week—
I fear through neglect you left in Louisa’s Room all your Neck handkerchiefs pocket Handkerchiefs &c I found many in a draw there, which I suppose you must have designd to have taken—
Let us hear from you as often as you can—if I cannot Scrible with freedom—I can at least, tell You the State of the weather and the health or sickness of your Friend’s.
your affectionate Mother
A. A.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 5 November 1803
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear William
Philada 5th: Novr. 1803

I have sent off by a Vessel bound for Boston the greater part of my Books, and consigned them to the care of Mr: Smith, to whom please deliver the enclosed. If there be any place to stow away boxes at Quincy I wish you to Charter a Boat & send them right away from on board the Schooner Dexter, as the less land carriage they may be exposed to, the better. Of this projet, you may consider & advise with Mr: Smith. Whatever expence you may be at shall be reimbursed by, dear William Your’s
T B Adams


Title: From Abigail Amelia Adams Smith to Hannah Carter Smith, 6 November 1803
From: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams
To: Smith, Hannah Carter

My Dear Madam
New York Novr 6th 1803

I have the pleasure to inform you that I had a pleasant journey and arrived safe here on Tuesday after I left you. I found Mrs. Pain a very amaible agreeable Lady and Mr P was politely attentive. The accounts that we received on the road were so favourable respecting the decline of the fever that I did not feel any apprehensions of coming into the City—I had the pleasure to find Colln Smith and my Daughter in perfect health.
I have so frequently my Dear Madam experienced your kindness and Hospitalyty—that I feel myself largely in your debt upon the score of friendship and I fear the only return that it will be in my power to make is the acknowledgement of the obligation I feel—which are I assure you strongly impressed upon my mind
Carolina desires me to present her Love to Miss Hannah and to thank her for the Elegant little Baskett, and requests her acceptance of a Lockett with a Lock of her Hair, in it
be so good as to remember me to Mr Smith Cousin Betsy and your Children and believe me Dear Madam your / obliged friend
A Smith


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 November 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

City of Washington 7. November 1803.

I have received, My dear Mother, your kind letter of the 23d: ulto: and it gives me the most cordial gratification to learn that your health was daily improving—I have also the satisfaction to tell you that my wife and children as well as myself are in very good health—As are all the family with whom we here reside, excepting Mrs: Hellen, and she is fast recovering.
My brother has concluded to wind up his affairs at Philadelphia, and remove to Quincy—I presume you will see him there in a very short time; and I hope he will contribute largely to your comfort and enjoyments—If I may be permitted to suggest one idea, which I am sure will contribute to his happiness, it is that he be left entirely, and in the most unqualified manner, to his own choice and humour in his mode of life and his pursuits—I would even wish that no advice upon these subjects be given him unless at his own desire—I am fully confident that the most effectual means of reconciling him both to his removal and to his future residence at home, will be to leave him in the complete satisfaction with his own independence; that sentiment so natural and so powerful upon every mind, and which is of peculiar weight upon his.
We are going on here, smoothly enough—Our Session is to be very short, and we are to rise at latest by the beginning of the new year—
I have enclosed to my father a copy of the Report from the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the finances.
Mr: Cranch and his family are well.
Faithfully your’s
John Q. Adams.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith, 21 November 1803
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Smith, William

Dear Sir.
Philadelphia 21st: November 1803

I have this day, shipped on board the sloop Rachel Captain Raymond Davis bound to Boston, sundry articles specified in the enclosed bill of lading, which I have taken the liberty to consign to your care. There is moreover a small writing Desk which the Captain has taken charge of, not included in the bill of lading. If the quantity of my baggage should prove to great for your Store-room, I must beg the favor of you to deposit it else-where, and if you will have the goodness to pay the freight stipulated & charges I will repay you, when I shall have the pleasure of meeting you, which will not, I hope, long be deferred.
I am, dear Sir, with esteem & respect / Your hble Servt
T. B Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 December 1803
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy december 3d 1803

I did not expect a very frequent correspondence with you when you left me; however interested we each of us feel in the happiness and prosperity of our Country, there is little hope that observation, upon the measures pursued, or anxiety for the event of them, would alter or amend them: The Group which composed the National Counsels as is certainly such an one, as has not heretofore been collected together, they may truly be call’d Birds of a feather: our own papers do not give us the debates. We are indebted to the National Intelligencer for all we know, there are many reasons why I neither ask or expect from your pen any political observations—I am always satisfied with your vote because I know that it will proceed from a sense of what you consider Right, and proper; divested of party Spirit.—
I received a Letter from you in which you mention your Brothers determination to come to Quincy His Books have already arrived, as far as depends upon me, he will be left to follow the bent of his own inclinations: I know it must have cost him many Struggles to bring his mind to quit a place where he hoped to have obtaind an independence, and resided for Life.
We are all in Health, cold excepted. We have had a very pleasent fall, Mrs Adams with her daughter arrived here from N York about three weeks since, & will spend the winter with us.
Remember me to Mrs. Adams and Family, / Affectionatly Your Mother
A Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Justus Bush Smith, 5 December 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, Justus Bush

Sir.
Washington City 5. December 1803.

I have received your letter of the 14th: of last month, and in reply to it will only say, that I should not have been disposed to give you any trouble on the subject, had I received any answer whatever to two different applications made two years ago, through your brother Coll: Smith, and the first of which I am certain, and the second I presume he communicated to you—It was impossible for me, either in person or by an agent to inspect the lands when I could not know whether my proposal was agreeable to you or not.
I wish however to wave all further controversy upon this subject; and as from my present circumstances I could not conveniently take the lands as I formerly proposed, I shall accept your own offer, and between this and the 1st: of February draw an order upon you for $500—The remainder to be paid within eighteen months or two years, in such manner as it may be convenient to you to collect the money—Say $500 every six months, or as you may like better—If instead of my drawing an order on you, it will be equally agreeable to you to inclose me a bank bill or bills, to the amount of $500, by the first of February, I will inclose to you a receipt for that sum—And I am so far from scrupling your perfect honour that if you will agree by the first of February to send me the bills, I will at that time inclose a receipt to you for so much, without waiting untill your letter shall reach me.
I am Sir, your very humble and obedt Servt:


Title: Joshua Johnson—Will, 6 December 1803
From: Johnson, Joshua
To:

6 December 1803

In the name of God, Amen. the Testament and last will of me Joshua Johnson, of the City of Washington made the twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and one as follows
I Give and bequeath to my wife the use of all my household Goods during her life, with power to dispose of the same to my children or any of them in such parts or proportions as she may think fit—I also give to my wife eight hundred dollars yearly during her life to be raised and paid out of my estate and those bequests I intend of every thing I intend in full of every Thing she could claim of my real and personal estate
I Give to my children the whole residue of my real and personal estate to be equally divided amongst them, but as several of them my children are under age I empower my Executors or the survivors or survivor of them in their discretion to sell at public or private sale all or any of my Lands and the monies or Securities thus produced I direct shall go to my children equally; This power to continue until my youngest child comes to twenty One years of age—I hereby revoke all wills by me heretofore made—
I hereby revoke all wills by me heretofore made and appoint my son Thomas Baker and my Sons in law John Quincy Adams and Walter Hellen, executors of this my Testament—In Witness whereof I have set my hand & seal—
Signed, sealed, published And declared by the said Joshua Johnson as and for his Last will & testament in the presence of us who have subscribed as in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other
B. Johnson—Richd. Johnson / Baker Johnson Junr
Joshua Johnson Seal
Frederick County December the 6th 1803.
Then came Richard Johnson, one of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of Joshua Johnson, late of the City of Washington deceased and solemnly and sincerely affirmed and declared that he did see the testator therein named Sign and seal this will. At the same time came Baker Johnson and Baker Johnson Junior the other subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of the said Joshua Johnson (deceased) and made oath on the holy evangels of Almighty God that they did also see the testator therein named sign and seal this will and heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament in that at the time of so doing he was to the best of their Apprehension of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding that they respectively subscribed their names as witnesses to this will in the presence and at the request of the testator and all in the presence of each other—
George Murdoch Register
Maryland, Frederick County to wit:
I hereby Certify that the aforegoing will and probate are true copys taken from Siber G. M. No 3. folios 6 & 6 & 6 & 7one of the record book of wills in the Register’s Office for Frederick County. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Office this seventh day of December eighteen hundred and three—
Test: George Murdoch, Register Wills Fredk Country

District of Columbia: Washington County, Virg.
In testimony that the within is a true Copy of the Exemplication of the Last will and testament of George Murd Joshua Johnson, formerly of the City of Washington decd. I have hereunto set my hand and my seal Office this thirty-first day of January in the year One thousand, eight hundred and eighteen—J. W. Hewitt Register of Wills for Washington County DC


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 December 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Brother.
Washington City 7 Decr: 1803.

I have received a letter from Mr: J. E. A. Steinmetz, Prussian Consul at Charleston South-Carolina, wherein he says he is ordered to make inquiries concerning the affairs of Jacob Mark & Co: and particularly respecting Mr: Engels demand against them.—I will thank you for such information on the subject as you can communicate—I think you told me there was an assignment of Lands for the German creditors and Engel among the rest—Let me know if you please the present State of this affair.
I direct my letter to Quincy, as your last from Philadelphia leads me to suppose you by this time at home—I once more offer my most ardent wishes that you may eventually rejoyce at your removal—It is a source of sincere pleasure to me—
The public business here is as unplesant as any anticipation I had formed of it—There is however great occasion to exercise the virtues of patience and long suffering. Remember me affectionately to our Parents, and write me as often as is agreeable—I have as yet seldom heard from any of my friends.
Your’s most affectionately
John Q. Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 December 1803
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Boston December 7th. 1803

I recieved your letter dear Madam and should have answer’d it had not the illness of the two children prevented me John was very sick for cutting two teeth but is now perfectly recover’d and larger and fatter than ever George has been very ill owing to a severe cold which occasioned a smart fever for several days which reduced him very much he has not yet left his room but is nearly recover’d
Mrs. Pain and Mrs. Morton are both here Mrs. P. looks charmingly and is very much admired Mrs. M. is not quite so much the fashion as last winter I have seen them both several times.—The arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Merry has afforded great satisfaction as they seem inclined to live in great stile and magnificence and which will enliven the society very much. they have taken the houses which my Mother and Mrs. Tom Peter lived in the two are to be thrown into one enclosed with a handsome railing and a large and elegant garden laid out at the back of the house this will certainly be a great advantage to the City.
Mrs. Hellen is in a very ill state of health indeed we are extremely anxious on her account the loss she has sustained preys heavily on her spirits and the illness she suffered so immediately after redoubled her affliction and proves a severe shock to her constitution.
The family all desire their best respects Mama looks very thin and Pale and has quite lost her spirits remember me affectionately to the President and Louisa and believe me dear Madam your affectionate
Louisa C. Adams
P.S. I left some Music in the room I slept in I would thank Mr Shaw to send it me if you can find it and half a dozen lb. of Shells and the same of Chocolate from Ticknors Mr. Whitcomb will pay for them.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 9 December 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mother.
Washington 9. December 1803.

I inclose you a letter from my wife, who would have written you earlier but that George has been very ill with a fever, for several days—He is however, thank God now recovered.
I have not written to you so often myself as I ought to have done, the only reason for which has been the ardour with which I have thoughtlessly thrown myself into the vortex of public business—The only object or use of which is to engross all my time—
We have pass’d an Amendment to the Constitution to designate persons in the choice of President and Vice-President—It is in a strange form, owing to the extraordinary difficulty of getting a Constitutional number of the Senate to agree to it.
We are also going on swimmingly about Louisiana—More swimmingly than heedfully as I suppose.
Your’s faithfully.
John Q. Adams.


Title: From William Smith Shaw to John Quincy Adams, 12 December 1803
From: Shaw, William Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Sir
Boston 12 Nov December 1803

I have received under cover from you two letters for Mr Stokes, which I delivered as soon as received The inclosed letter Mrs. Whitcomb gave me yesterday—The letter from Russel & Cutler I transmit at this request Mr Russels request
You will probably have seen Ben Russell’s paper of last Saturday, a scrap of which I now send you, containing an extract of a letter, pretending to be from Washington to the Editor, which he never received from thence, but was vamped up in his office and I am well persuaded was the effusion of his own idle brain—A few days before the publication of this letter, Russell shew me a letter from a representative of this State in the house of Representatives, inclosing him the a copy of the resolution, which you had laid on the table of the Senate, which stated, what he supposed to be the object of your resolution with several marks of admiration—The writer also mentioned, that he understood, that you would advocate with zeal the proposed amendment to the constitution for designating the votes for President and Vice President, which he also concluded with notes of admiration and then quoted the lines “Quis talia fando” &c. This letter Ben took I suppose—entirely altered the wording of it, added other congressional information and published it in the Centinel as it now appears—Thinking your curiosity might possibly be gratified by knowing some thing more of the letter, than what you see in the paper, I have taken the liberty to give you this information, which I believe to be correct
By the death of a Mr. Harris late notary public in this town, there is a vacancy and in that office and a gentleman will be probably appointed immediately on the meeting of our Legislature—Mr. John Gardner of Milton and Mr. Callender are solliciting the office and the friends of each making considerable exertions to promote the elections of their respective candidates friends—Knowing your friendship for Mr G. I have mentioned his intention of being a candidate for the office of notary, that you might, if you thought proper to interest yourself in his election, write in his favor to some gentlemen of the Legislature, with whom you are acquainted—If you should determine to do this and will inclose any letters to me, I shall be very happy in delivering them, for I feel I confess very much interested in his success, as I am induced to believe, that his circumstances are such, as to require the perquisite of this or some other office for support
Your brother Thomas arrived in town on Saturday & found the family at Quincy all in good health
With respectful attachment I am &c
W S Shaw Enclosure

“I INCLOSE you the Treaty lately concluded between the United States, and the Kaskascia tribe of Indians, which the President laid before Congress the 25th inst. “It will,” says the President, “inform them of the obligations which the United States thereby contract, and particularly that of taking the tribe under their future protection; and that the ceded country is submitted to their immediate possession and disposal.”
“I also inclose for you, a copy of Resolution, which Mr. ADAMS (from Massachusetts) laid on the table of the Senate the 25th inst. as follows: “Resolved, that a Committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and if any, what further measures may be necessary, for carrying into effect the treaty between the United States and the French Republic, concluded at Paris, on 13th day of April, 1803, whereby Louisiana was ceded to the United States; which committee may report by bill or otherwise.” The motive of Mr ADAMS in submitting the above resolution, is, by him, declared to be, that the Constitution should be so amended as to extend its protection over the territory of Louisiana, that the inhabitants thereof may be immediately admitted into the Union, and enjoy all the rights and immunities of citizens of the United States!!
“The Bill to repeal the Bankrupt Act passed the House this morning.
“The proposed Amendment of the Constitution for designating the votes of President and Vice-President labors heavily in the Senate. Two of its members are absent; and it takes 23 to make the constitutional two-thirds. Mr. BUTLER (of South-Carolina) a democrat, but who was a member of the Convention which formed the Constitution, and who knows the wisdom in which the provision was formed, is opposed to the amendment; but to balance this, I am told, Mr. ADAMS, from your state, will advocate with zeal the amendment!!! But for this, those who count numbers say, there would not be a constitutional majority for the proposition.
“Quis talia fando
“Temperet a lachrymis.”
“Messrs. DAYTON, BUTLER and BALDWIN are the only Senators who were also members of the Convention which formed the Constitution.”


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 December 1803
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Brother.
Quincy December 15th: 1803.

I reached Boston on Saturday Evening the 10th: inst: and came out to Quincy on Sunday afternoon, with Cousin Shaw—Our parents are well; my Mother is wonderfully recovered, and seems to me to be as active & busy as ever about her family—this is a great comfort to me, and will help to render solitude in some measure supportable. . I feel, that there will be ample time to reflect on my future course of conduct, but all my thoughts seem to begin & terminate with the practice of law. I dont know but it haunts me like a Spectre for I some times start with terror from a profound reverie—on writs & attachments. Your advice to keep up a show of my profession, I have already determined to follow, and this is all I should be likely to do for some time, with the best intentions of doing more. In short, I must not be idle & without an object of pursuit, and what at this season is to be done in the Country, without it be reading & study? I can think of nothing else, and I design to buckle to with some earnestness, to keep off the Blue Devils. When Spring approaches I will do something at farming, that I may learn a little of practical husbandry, before I undertake to assume the management of a farm. Thus, you see my thoughts have taken a kind of hum-drum-turn in the space of four or five days. I shall look with some earnestness for your return, though I have no expectation of seeing you much before April. In the mean time, if I can make for your convenience any arrangements, preparatory to your return, I shall give my attention with pleasure.
The fame of your Resolution laid on the table of Senate has reached us, and excites conversation; some of which we shall not be in the way of hearing. I believe, that you have seized the right reading of the Treaty and have pointed out the only mode of reconciling it with the Constitution, as it should be. It is doubted here whether the Government folks will second the measure, as they have all endeavoured to support the Treaty on Constitutional grounds; not one among them has had the honesty or the courage to pursue the principles, which some articles of the treaty involve, to the end of the chapter; if they had, they must have arrived precisely at the point, which brought up the Honble member from Massachusetts. The appeal to the people, will not be without its terrors to the Administration; though I concur with you in thinking, that no obstacle would be opposed to the ratification of the proposed amendment, by the Constitutional majority of the States. But, suppose a majority should not consent to the addition? The Treaty will stand at least on as firm a basis as it does now. Your friends anticipate for you a plentiful harvest of abuse & Slander from both parties; but they also presume, that you are prepared to meet & to disregard it. I do not intend to be much in Boston and therefore can promise you few details of the sentiments of your constituents.
The conduct of the descendant of the house of Ormond is thought to be rather extraordinary by some people, tho’ others think they can discover the secret movements of disappointed ambition in his meditated exclusion of the present chief magistrate, from the chance of a second Election.
The projected amendment to the Constitution, seems to linger in Senate, and doubts are entertained whether it will pass. The requisite number cannot, they say, be made up, without the absentees; but Gen: Armstrong has gone on, and Sumpter may probably arrive, so that the resolution may not eventually depend upon your vote, as some people have been heard to say it will. I claim the privilege of writing politicks to you, I do  expect a return in the same coin.
My Books and furniture have reached this place, in good condition, but the embarrassment is for want of a room to hold them. I am rejoiced that my fathers Law Books, which were loaned to me, are returned in as good condition as I received them.
Our friends are all well; I saw yesterday our good Uncle & Aunt Cranch, and my redoubtable namesake T. B. A Norton, who is a pretty lad.
Present me kindly to your wife and the whole family, in which you reside.
sincerely your’s
T B Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 16 December 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir.
Washington 16. Decr: 1803.

I received last evening with much pleasure your favour of the 5th: instt:—I had been so long without any intelligence from home, that I began to be uneasy—And even now, I cannot but wish you had said something about the family at Quincy—I believe it is more than a month since I have heard from thence, at all—I am anxious particularly to know the state of health of my dear mother.
I am much obliged to you for the care you have taken of my business; and have already written to you about the tenth assessment on the Neponset Bridge Shares—As the Middlesex Canal assessments have ceased, I presume Whitcomb’s rent in January with what you have left in your hands will suffice to meet the bridge assessment.
We have done a great deal of business here this session, and are like to have much more to do—I have some pamphlets for you from Mr: Wagner which I will take with me when I come home—
Mr: Gurley and Mr: R. Sullivan are here—The former makes slow progress in his tour to Louisiana.
Your’s faithfully
John Q. Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 December 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mother
Washington 22. Decr: 1803.

I received two days ago your kind favour of the 3d: instt: and it was very precious as containing information of your health, and that of my father, and friends at Quincy.—I have been and am sensible of the inconvenience there would be in any free interchange of political sentiments upon the passing events, by a correspondence which must pass through the channel of the Post-Office—I believe however you will perceive, (indeed you knew before I came here) what would be the extreme delicacy of my situation, between two rows of batteries directly opposite to and continually playing upon each other, and neither of which consider me as one of their soldiers—The effect of being placed in this situation I have already felt, and expect to feel it during the whole period of my service—That I should ever come out from it safe, is not to be expected, but it has always been my opinion that to fall in a good cause, is as honourable, as to share in its success, though not so agreeable—Hitherto my conduct has given satisfaction to neither side, and both are offended at what they consider a vain and foolish presumption of singularity; or an Ambition of taking a lead different from the views of either—All this I cannot help—Nor can I help its manifesting itself by the grossest misrepresentations of my conduct, as in the Centinel of the 10th: instt:— from the editor’s correspondent at Washington—But I have looked all this and much more full in the face before-hand, and prepare my mind with all the fortitude it can command for the consequences.
Excepting the Amendment to the Constitution, which has now pass’d, and the Louisiana Treaty, with its first-fruits, which are yet budding forth we have had nothing to excite very warm party feelings, or much public attention this Session. It appears to be agreed, on almost every side, that Congress have very little to do, and may if they please adjourn within a month from this time—Whether they will or not the Time will show.
My wife and family are well—I have a walk of five miles every day in coming to the Capitol and returning home, which I find very beneficial to my health.
Mr: Merry the English Minister has recently arrived here—Certain questions of rank and precedence are said to have arisen between him and the Secretary of State; or rather between their Ladies.—The etiquette has lately been established that the Ladies of Heads of Departments shall in future precede those of foreign Ministers—Mrs: Merry refuses submission, and refuses declines to associate on those terms—What the issue of this great national controversy will be, must be left to futurity and the wisdom of the Executive—Other causes of personal disgust have been given to or taken by Mr: Merry, so that the appearance of the parties on the threshold does not betoken the prospect of much harmony between them when within.
My dear and highly valued friend W. V. Murray is no more. He died after a short illness say the papers, on the 11th: of this month—But his health has been very low ever since his return to this Country. I had a letter from him since the commencement of this Session, which flattered me that he was getting better; but there was the mark of a wounded spirit in it, which made the intelligence of his death, be less unexpected to me than it would else have been—His wife’s health is such as to promise little of a longer duration—I have given a cordial and faithful tear to his memory.
I shall inclose a copy of Mr: Tracy’s speech on the final question on what is called the electioneering Amendment—It was a speech of great impression when delivered, and I hope it will have its effect elsewhere—For though I stood firm to my opinion long before entertained and express’d, that the principle of discriminating in the electors votes, would really amend the Constitution, yet as the Resolution pass’d, and in the manner it was carried through, I am very averse to its adoption, and hope the Legislature of Massachusetts will not adopt it.
I am ever faithfully yours,
John Q. Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 24 December 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir.
Washington 24. Decr: 1803.

I have particular reasons for requesting you to inform me who the member of Congress was, from whom Mr: Russell received the letter he shewed you, containing remarks on my conduct with points of admiration, and the quotation from Virgil—The knowledge of his name will in every probability enable me to make such explanations to him as will be entirely satisfactory to him and to me.—As Mr Russell shewed you the letter, and afterwards published its substance, there could be no obligation of secreting the name, upon you—I have this day written to him to ask the name of his correspondent, and expect he will give it me—but at any rate I wish to know it, and will thank you to answer this letter as soon as possible.
Congress have agreed not to adjourn over the Christmas Holidays, as was proposed—They are to do as much business next week as any other—There are now two very important bills in different Stages of preparation, one for introducing our revenue system into Louisiana and the other for making a form of government for Louisiana. The former has pass’d the house of Representatives with little or no opposition; the latter is at once in the hands of two Committees; one from the House, and one from the Senate. They will probably both be considerably debated before their final passage
I am faithfully yours
J. Q. Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 December 1803
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Brother
Washington 27. Decr: 1803

I am happy to find by your letter of the 15th: instant that you had reached Quincy; and your determinations respecting your future course are so conformable to what I think prudence and your best interest that it gives me great pleasure to find you have taken them. In preserving an appearance of adhering to the profession of the Law, I would not suffer it to affect my feelings or my Spirits. Consider its business as no object of ambition or desire; but take it as it comes and make the best of it. The transition from the life and luxuries of a large City to the retirement and uniformity of Quincy will be irksome at first; but will soon become tolerable and in time agreeable. Your course is not difficult, and with some patience will certainly be more advantageous than that you held at Philadelphia. If you can enter into the interests of those who will now be your neighbours, you may be sure they will not long neglect to feel some sympathy for yours. Some sacrifices of personal ease and convenience will be necessary. They are so to every man. But they will eventually meet their reward. I shall probably be with you in March, perhaps in February; and I think we can make our native spot a comfortable residence to one another; and to add to the comforts of our Parents.
I am very glad that you write me on the subject of politics; I wish you to write me frequently and freely. I shall indeed feel the necessity of great circumspection in return; but I can occasionally furnish you with documents which will give you at least much more correct information of what is publicly going forward here, than any body among you now appears to possess. The neglect of the federalists in Massachusetts on this subject is unaccountable. I propose to send you the Journals of the two houses sheet by sheet, as they are published: I hope you will devote some of your attention to them. That you will constantly take the trouble of reading them at least cursorily, that you may know what we are about. In the sheet of our Journals I have made short minutes to shew you what part I take in the debates. You will find it perhaps too great for a new member, and so I believe all parties here consider it: but I cannot escape my destiny.
You were right in the conjecture that my resolution for fulfilling the Louisiana Treaty, was not palatable to the ruling party. They liked my principle when it gave them my vote; but they dared not look its consequences in the face. It was supported only by Mr. Pickering and Mr. Hillhouse. But it stands upon the Journals, and I expect to have future occasion to appeal to it. This is what may often make my conduct appear so strange to people at a distance; because they cannot connect a single motion or resolution with the system upon which it depends. There are now two laws relative to Louisiana, coming on for discussion. I shall vote and speak against them. Probably my views and conduct will be as much misconceived and misrepresented in these cases as they were on the Constitutional Amendment, and on my purposed resolution. But I cannot help misconception or misconstruction. I must square every vote I give to some principle, and not say aye or no, as the mere echo to my file-leader. So do not be surprized if you see me stigmatized on all quarters. It is the price of Independence as things stand; and I must pay it.
My wife and children are well. So are all the family with whom we dwell. Mrs. Cranch is very ill, and has been confined several weeks to her bed. The district Court is now holding a Session in the other room. I write you from the Senate chamber, where during this week  and adjourn without doing much business.
Your’s faithfully,
John Q. Adams


Title: From William Smith Shaw to John Quincy Adams, 7 January 1804
From: Shaw, William Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Sir
Boston 7th Jan 1804

On my return last evening from Atkinson where I have passed the last eight days in company with your brother Thomas I had the pleasure to receive your letters of the 23 & 24 ult. with Mr. Tracy’s speech for which I am much obliged to you
At present I have only time to say that Mr Stedman was the writer of the letter alluded to in mine of the 13th—Russel when he shew me the letter did not permit me to see the writers name but I knew the hand writing & Russel has since told John Gardner that the letter was from Mr. Stedman of Lancaster
Very respectfully.
W S Shaw


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 10 January 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir
Washington 10. January 1804.

I yesterday submitted three resolutions to the consideration of the Senate, of which it is probable you will hear more, and perhaps to some federalists in your quarter, they will be thought as wonderful and as lamentable, as one or two of my votes on former occasions. They were rejected by the Senate, with no small degree of indignation express’d by the majority—The yeas and nays, on the two which involved principles, were yea’s 4. nays 22—I only mention this to request that however you may hear this measure treated, you would not be alarmed or disquieted on my account—I did not offer the Resolutions without due deliberation upon their possible consequences to myself.
When the Journals of yesterday are printed, my brother will find in them a copy of the Resolutions and of the votes upon them.
I will thank you to convey the inclosed letter, and remain ever faithfully yours

John Quincy Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 January 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Brother.
Washington 14. January 1804.

The Louisiana revenue bill (of which I sent you some time since a copy) has this day pass’d the third reading in the Senate—But with various amendments so that it must go back to the House of Representatives, where it will probably pass on Monday. The first section has been altered in point of form, and made as I conceive more vague and uncertain than it was at first—In thirty-five days from this, it will go into operation as the law of Louisiana.—I have opposed it at every stage to the utmost of my power as an outrageous violation
1. Of the natural rights of the People of Louisiana by taxing them to pay our debts, and without their consent.
2. Of the Treaty, by which we stipulated to protect them in the enjoyment of their liberty and property.
3. Of the Constitution of the United States, which neither contains nor could possibly contain any authority to Congress to tax the people of Louisiana without their consent.
4. Of the fundamental principle of our own Revolution, and of our national Independence.
5. Of Common Sense and common prudence, which forbid the introduction of Laws in the Mass, in a language which the people over whom they are to operate cannot understand, for the purpose of imposing upon them a heavy burthen of taxation, when we know almost as little of them as they know of us.
The only answer given to all these objections, that had a colour of plausibility was comprized in one word—Revenue—Money—And so powerful has been this single answer that when the yeas and nays have been taken on any question, involving either of the principles to which I appealed, there has never been more than three votes with me besides my own. The Stamp Act itself did not pass more triumphantly through the British Parliament, when first introduced, than this bill will pass through Congress.
As the mere giving a negative vote on this bill could not have shewn on any future occasion, the principles upon which it rested, I introduced some days since three Resolutions, the two first of which contained fully the question as to the rightful power of Congress to pass this Law—They were rejected after very little discussion, without being suffered to lay one day upon the table—The reason given for this rejection was that their tendency was dangerous, and might rouse the Louisianians to a sense of their rights, which they are now too ignorant to comprehend.—All this goes on swimmingly; but if the principles which I advocated are not formed of sturdier stuff than to be put down by votes of a Senate, or even Acts of a Congress, it is time to know that they must be abandoned as solemn impostures—the mere cant of political hypocrisy.—On finding myself almost alone in my adherence to them, I have been diffident of my own Judgment, and fearful of some fallacy in my own reasoning—This I have diligently but fruitlessly sought after—Nor has any one of the majority so strong to outvote me, attempted to point it out—Their answer is what would become of the Revenue?
My reply was—Obtain by an Amendment of the Constitution, as you can with perfect ease between this and the next Session, explicit powers to Congress, to do, what is stipulated in the third Article of the Treaty—That will comprize authority to legislate for and tax the Louisianians with their consent, untill they can be admitted as equal partners into the Union—Obtain also between this and the next Session, the consent of the Louisianians, of which you are equally sure to obey your laws for the sake of your protection—that is, an acknowledgment of allegiance—And then a revenue system may be introduced—Untill then, govern them by their antient laws, without attempting any alteration whatsoever—Receive the revenue collected under them, which will probably be as much as you will eventually get by thus abruptly crowding upon them a complicated revenue system of your own, the work of fifteen years legislation, and in a tongue unknown to them—If money alone were to be the object, this plan would be unwise. But when for the sake of one year’s revenue from the single port of New–Orleans we must trample upon the most sacred laws human and divine—I cannot do it.—Here then the matter rests untill we see what effect the system adopted will produce—If the people there are satisfied with it; my principles will not be disproved; but they will be held in contempt still more than they are at present—Of this I am not unaware. But the  of this must be one of the things for which I ought to be prepared—
As soon as the sheet of our Journals shall be printed, containing my resolutions, I will send it to you; and with these explanations you will be on your guard against such misrepresentations, as my conduct in this case may be exposed to with you, as they have it has been in former instances.—Meantime I am faithfully yours,
John Q. Adams

   The manner of obtaining this consent, of the Louisianians which I proposed was, by giving them an option, similar to that stipulated in Mr: Jay’s treaty of 1794, for the settlers at the British Posts, and requiring them within a given time to declare whether they would or would not be subject to the authority, of the United States; and if not, permission for a limited time to sell their property and remove. This would have sufficed to shew respect for the principle, and might have been effected with perfect ease.—They would all or next to all have staid


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith, 14 January 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, William

Dear Sir.
Washington 14. Jany: 1804.

The inclosed bill is now before the House of Representatives of the United States, and will probably pass there, perhaps with some modifications—As it appears to me to interest most materially the commercial part of the Community I send you this copy, with a hope that you will favour me with your opinion, and those of other gentlemen in trade among our friends in Boston, upon its general expediency and propriety—If you will be kind enough to write me on the subject early, I may receive your letter before the final passage of the bill in Senate.
With my best respects to Mrs: Smith, and regards to your family, I remain, Dear Sir, faithfully your’s
John Q. Adams.
P.S—While writing, I hear another bill, reported and read, for the further protection of American Seamen—As soon as it is printed I will send you a copy of that also.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Justus Bush Smith, 17 January 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, Justus Bush

Sir.
Washington 17. January 1804.

Finding by your letter of 5. December that it will not be convenient to you to send me the 500 dollars, as I proposed in my last, I shall be satisfied with your own offer, and request you would deposit that money with my sister, when you go to New-York in February—I expect to pass through that City myself in March or April, and can then receive it from her—I shall be also content to have the remainder of the note, paid in the manner I mentioned to you in my last.
I am with respect, Sir, your very humble and obedt: Servt:


Title: From William Smith to John Quincy Adams, 25 January 1804
From: Smith, William
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Sr.
Boston. 25th Jany. 1804

Your favor of the 14th Instant I recd last Evg. The Act you inclos’d is one of the most extraordinary that ever was taken up by a Legislature to authorize the P of US. to deny the rights of hospitality to any Ship of Warr upon the evidence most probably of a few drunken Sailors. it is the opinion of those to whom I have shewn it that it will soon tend to involve us in a Maritime Warr with Great Britain—I have herd but of few instances of any Men taken out of our Ships, & I know of some in my employ imprest in a British Port immediately return’d on a proper representation to the Admiral in which my Captain was treated with the greatest attention & politeness—If American Seamen are carefull to have their protection they seldom meet with the least molestation. Nine times out of Ten, the treatment the Masters receive is owing to their own misconduct.—Suppose the Captain of a Man of Warr shou’d conduct in an improper manner are we to hazard all our property afloat merely for the misconduct of one Man or even half a dozen. where is your Treaty if you deny him entrance into your port. It is the opinion of every one, that is the most dangerous Act as it respects the property of Merchants that is afloat of any Act ever yet bro’t out of the Philosopher’s Closet. it is putting the power of Peace or Warr at the discretion of one Man. I hope for the Honor & Interest of my Country that such a Bill will never pass to a second reading. excuse this scrawl—
Mrs. Smith joins me in regards to you & Mrs. A.
Yrs
Wm. Smith


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 27 January 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mother.
Washington 27. January 1804.

Your kind favour of the 10th: instt: came to hand last evening—And I would take this opportunity to request that all letters for me from Quincy, may be put in to the post-office there; without waiting to send them to Boston—I shall thus get them sooner—My own letters too I hope go directly to Quincy.—My brother I imagine will be satisfied with the frequency of my writing or inclosing papers to him—I am often obliged merely to send papers, but write as often and as much as I can with propriety.
We have been engaged for several days in debating upon a question for prohibiting the slave-trade in our new  of Louisiana (I leave the designation in blank for want of a name to call it by)—We have just decided by a large majority, in favour of the prohibition—I voted against this upon the principle that we have no right to make any Laws for that Country at present.
The etiquette question among the Ladies has subsided—But much deeper questions between the same parties (not the Ladies though) are in agitation, for the issue of which I am not without concern.
My wife and children are well, and send their duty—The inclosed sheet of Journals is for my brother.
Faithfully your’s
John Q. Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 January 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

30. January 1804.

I send this day a packet to your father containing the Journals and other publications of the day; with an Intelligencer, containing the account of our festival on Friday last.—That is to say, of the dinner—To morrow evening there is to be a Ball for the same purpose.
One of the toasts drank at the feasts was “An Union of Parties,” which is like drinking the Millennium—I suppose they will come together—The Vice-President was there—And was treated with much coolness.
Our bill for the protection of (deserting British) Seamen still sleeps—But will pass in some mischievous form or other—The Vice-President said to me the other day “I paused longer than usual, before putting the question upon that bill—But if you had not risen to oppose it, the bill would certainly have pass’d without one observation and without one dissenting voice”—The truth was that knowing the topic to be delicate and somewhat invidious, I waited to the last moment to see if no one else would make a stand—But I was forced to come out, and I wrote you what a hornet’s nest burst upon me for it, at the first moment—However, they will find it harder of digestion than they thought for—The fraud, (for it deserves no better name) of calling it a bill for the protection of the Seamen of the United States, came within a hair’s breadth of being completely successful—Several circumstances have since occurr’d to expose the real project, and I hope the federalists will in the end unite in the opposition—Not one soul of them stood by me at the first sally—Mr: Tracy was indeed absent—The opinions however upon which I grounded my opposition are apparently strengthening—And at the last vote I shall at least not be left alone.
The Louisiana Government Bill creeps with the pace of a snail—We have not yet got through the Sections prohibitive of Slavery—We have nothing material else before us.
I am delighted to the utmost to find you Spirits growing lively since your new residence—I flatter myself they will continue to do so.—Interest yourself in the objects around you—Make yourself a useful citizen to the Town—It will occupy your mind, and will soon give your life the advantages of variety—I hope to be with you some time in March or April, and promise myself great satisfaction from being so near you the Summer through—
I grieve to find my dear Mother has again been visited with illness; and hope she has ere this recovered—
My wife and children are well; and I must go home to dinner with them; it being close upon 4. o’clock.
Judge Cushing arrived here last Friday but I have not yet seen him.


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 31 January 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

31. January 1804.

This prohibition of the admission of slaves into Louisiana, is like the drawing of a jaw tooth—We have expedient after expedient introduced to answer this purpose—Breckenridge has at last concentrated all his wisdom on the subject in the Amendment, which I now inclose you. This is a tolerably good device to reconcile the two parties of slave and anti-slave into which the majority are divided. It provides tolerably well for the introduction of slaves into the territory, under the form of heavy penalties against it.—This is now in general the great art of Legislation at this place—To do a thing, by assuming the appearance of preventing it—To prevent a thing by assuming that of doing it.
I intended to wait untill the question on Breckenridge’s amendment should be taken to give you the result—But it will certainly pass.—So I may as well close my letter—
4 O’clock—Breckenridge’s Amendment has not pass’d. Something else must be tried.