Title: John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 19 March 1790
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Newbury Port March 19th: 1790.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of two Letters from you, of the 9th. and of the 19th: of last month; the former of which I received, about three weeks ago, while I was at Boston, attending upon the Session of our Supreme Court; and the latter came to hand, but two days since. I hope I shall ever feel suitably grateful, for the tender solicitude, which you express with respect to my future prospects, and I trust I shall always be sufficiently sensible of the weight and importance of your advice, and directions to regulate my conduct— The principal subject of both your Letters, has been long a matter of contemplation to my own mind; I have been for some months expecting the judicial appointments; upon the presumption that some vacancies might be made, which would open a way, for making a more advantageous settlement in some part of the Commonwealth, than there could be while those Gentlemen who were best qualified for seats upon the bench were still at the Bar.— But the appointments are now made, and have not produced the smallest alteration in the prospects of a young candidate for practice. Mr: Paine, the late attorney general, never did any other business than that of the Commonwealth; though Mr: Sullivan, to the same office, unites the greatest quantity of civil business of any gentleman at the bar. Mr: Cushing was not even a practitioner; so that notwithstanding the disposal of those three important offices, the state of practice remains almost wholly as it was before.
It has become necessary however for me to determine speedily upon the spot of my future residence. And in reflecting upon the subject, my mind has chiefly hesitated between, this town, Boston and Braintree. It was at one period expected that Mr: Bradbury, who lives at Newbury-Port, would supply the place upon the bench which was vacated by the removal of Judge Sewall. Had this circumstance taken place, I should have been strongly inclined, to make an experiment in this place, where a residence of three years has already made me better known than I should be in any other situation; and where an agreeable circle of acquaintance, would render the station peculiarly pleasing, so far as respects the intercourse of Society. But with the small proportion of business which is done in the County of Essex, it must be a folly to expect encouragement for a youth, in a town, where besides Mr Parsons and Mr: Bradbury there are two other gentlemen of the profession. As I could live at less expence at Braintree than in Boston, and perhaps should have less avocations from my studies, I should without hesitation go there, and reside at least for two or three years; but my Cousin Mr. Cranch, will be there, and by opening offices in the same town, we could only divide the small pittance, which either of us singly might obtain. I could not in that case board in his father’s family. There is not another family in the town (at least in that part of the town) where I could board with any convenience; and to live alone in one of your houses; besides the unpleasant circumstances of a life so solitary, would I think be quite as expensive as to live in Boston; especially when it is considered that it would be necessary for me to be as much as one third part of my time in that Town to attend upon the Sessions of the several judicial Courts— Boston therefore remains alone, upon which I am by a kind of necessity, constrained to fix my choice. I cannot say I am pleased with the manners of the Town; and I trust the opportunities and temptations to dissipation, which I shall probably find there, have no influence upon my determination, unless to increase the reluctance, with which I make it— I have consulted with Dr: Tufts, with Judge Dana, and with Dr: Welch upon the subject; and they all agree in the opinion, that I can do no better, than to fix upon Boston, and as you have in one of your last Letters express’d your approbation of the measure, there remains little doubt in my mind, but that I shall put it into execution. The Prospect it is true is not encouraging; but if a resolute determination to make my own way, in conjunction with the small talents which have been allotted to me, are sufficient to procure me even a moderate degree of success; I hope I shall not be much longer a burden to the kindest and most generous of parents.
With respect to the article of board, it would not I imagine be easy to find a family, who would resign the front room and chamber as there is but one of each in the house; and unless some advantage could be derived from the circumstance of living and keeping an office in the same house, I think it would be preferable to do otherwise. If a tenant can be found, who will upon consideration of a suitable abatement of the rent, resign the front room in your house; Dr: Tufts has promised to secure it to me for an office. And Dr: Welch, has made me an offer to board me, and let me have a chamber in a house to which he expects to remove, before I shall have occasion to go into Boston. I did not agree with him upon any settled terms; but I presume he will not demand more than three dollars by the week. In this town I have always given 2 ½.
Should my present expectations and intentions be confirmed, I shall probably get settled in Boston sometime in August; and I shall request your permission to remove thither your law Library, which is now at Braintree. the advantage of having such a collection of books around me, will give me perhaps some opportunities, which few of the young gentlemen of the profession have possessed; and they will at least enable me to employ to some purpose a great portion of time which must otherwise lay heavy upon my hands.
I believe I have said quite enough upon a subject of so little consequence as myself.— I wish my information in the political line, were such as would enable me to supply you with any interesting communications. The public mind here seems chiefly agitated by the late discussions relation to discrimination, and to the assumption of the debts. The decision upon the former of these subjects, meets with the approbation of almost all the persons with whom I have had opportunities of conversing; but I am very apprehensive, that unless the consent of the States in their respective legislatures is requested by Congress, to the assuption, that measure will be extremely unpopular; even in this Commonwealth, burthened as it is with one of the heaviest debts in the union. And if that consent should be required, I am informed by those, who are more connected with political affairs, that even our general Court, will never grant it; though in their late Session they have not made provision for the payment of a quarter part of the interest upon their debt. New-Hampshire whose debt is comparatively trifling will be still more opposed to this measure. This opposition is not confined to the party who were termed antifederalists. Some of the most strenuous advocates for the constitution, are alarmed at the prospects of a consolidation of the States and of the disolution of the particular governments. And they dread to see an article so weighty and important as the State debts taken from one scale, and added to the other.
The internal politics of the State, are in a state of tranquility, very unusual at this Season. The opposers of the Governor discouraged I presume, by the ill success which they have always experienced, seem determined to leave him in quiet possession— He has been confined as usual, all winter with the gout, and his judicial appointments, have been the only public circumstances which have for some time past been the subject of animadversion. The appointment of Mr: Paine was rather popular. That of Mr: Cushing was far otherwise. The friends of the Governor only insist upon the disinterested magnanimity, of nominating a man who it is said has been invariably opposed to his measures: while his enemies, are so far from acknowledging his disinterestedness, that they censure him very highly, for nominating to one of the most important offices in the State, a man totally unqualified to sustain it, merely to be freed from his troublesome opposition as a councillor. The late chief Justice, revered as his character universally is, does not altogether escape censure for recommending so earnestly his cousin, to an employment, to which he is almost universally said to be very inadequate—
Your dutiful Son,
J. Q. Adams.


Title: Rebecca Leppington to Abigail Adams, 20 March 1790
From: Leppington, Rebecca
To: Adams, Abigail

Boston March 20th 1790—
Encouraged Madam, by your condescention in answering a letter I not long since took the liberty to write you, And relying on your candour to pardon my forwardness, I again take up the pen tho’ not without fear that you will deem me an intruder on your time & patience; In your answer to the letter I have reference to, you gave me all the information I cou’d desire, & I felt myself honor’d that you noticed me as one who formerly thought herself happy in being ranked among the number of your humble friends. Without any further preface Madam, give me leave to forward another letter accompanied by one from the Gentleman with whom I have lived for Several years, to the Vice-President, soliciting his recommendation (as many others have done) for some place of trust whereby he might be usfull to the Publick & himself; I beleive few Gentlemen wou’d more faithfully discharge any obligations, You will think me partial, I acknowledge that in the four years acquaintance that I have had, I have reason to esteem him, as well for his private Character, as his universal Benevolence; And I beleive there are not many who solicit for a place under Goverment, if fidelity & honesty are requisits, who have a better claim, His own letter to the Vice-President will suggest the motives by which he is actuated, it is therefore unnessary, & might be thought impertinent in me to repeat them; You doubtless will be at a loss to account for my addressing you on this subject I am full in the beleif that many Ladies have been as instrumental in promoting both Publick & private good as the Gentlemen— And as I know from the personal acquaintance that I have with yo. Madam, you are a well-wisher to all the deserving; I thought it wou’d not be amiss to ask your interest in a matter that through a multiplicity of business might be overlook’d— Your penetration, before you have read thus far, will discover that I feel particularly interested, Some future day perhaps may prove your conjectures are not groundless— You well know my fondness for little folks & once upon some occasion said, that had you a young family to bring up you shou’d like that I shou’d have the care of them while in that State, this I esteemed a much greater compliment than I deserved, the same Compliments however have been paid me by the person who has had an opportuinity of making observations and let it Suffice for me to say that the little family I now have the c[harge] of, are too dear to me easily to part from But le[st I] trespass on your patience, I will close my [. . .] and after all proper respect for a Lady in your exalted Station subscribe myself / Madam / your very humble Servant
        Rebecca Leppington
        my sister desires her respectfull Complts. & equally regrets that she has never had an opportuinty of seeing Mrs Adams since her return from abroad. My love to Louisa, the young Ladies wou’d esteem it a favor to receive a line from her—


Title: John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1790
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear son
New York April 1. 1790
I have this morning received your agreable Letter of the 19. Ult. and am pleased with your prudent deliberation and judicious decision, upon the Place of your future residence.
The Promotion of Mr Sullivan, will lead him out of Town upon the Circuits and give room to others to take his Place upon occasions. You are not however to expect a run of Business at first.
Your Project of boarding with Dr Welch is very agreable to me— and that of taking the best Room in my house for your office is equally so. The good Will of a Shop is a Point of Importance in Trade, and may have some Use in the Practice of Law.— This Circumstance may not however be of so much Weight as another vizt that that Room is the best in Boston, on account of its Situation. I would advise you to take it, at all Events.
My Law Library You may take into your office as soon as you open it, and keep it till I shall call for it.— You will find it agreable to go to Braintree and Spend a Week or a Month especially in summer. You may board at My Brothers, very agreably.— This I should recommend now and then for Variety, on account of your health; leaving it to your discretion after all.
I shall endeavour to enable Dr Tufts at all Events to pay Mr Parsons his Honorarium for your Education as soon as the Term expires. The Dr may draw upon me for that when he will.
Your Information on political Subjects is very Satisfactory, as it is given with that Freedom and Independence of Spirit, which I wish you always to preserve. our Family are all well. Your Brother Charles pursues his Studies with an ardour that gives me great hopes. He reads as much as you did, and that is as much as I desire. Your / affectionate
John Adams


Title: John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 7 April 1790
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Cranch, William

Newbury-Port April 7th: 1790.
As you were somewhat in my debt in the article of Letters, when I left Boston, I expected ere this to have received something from you; and I was not a little disappointed when Bridge came from Boston to find he had nothing but your compliments, or some such thing to deliver me from you. I am willing however to make allowances for the multiplicity of your avocations, and not having the same excuse myself, I have seated myself to write you a Letter though I must confess I have not yet thought of a subject. I suppose however I shall still harp upon that inexhaustible subject, of all my Letters to you; I mean my single self; and I wish you would imitate my egotism, a little more than you have done; for the employments the studies the adventures, the passions, and even the amusements of a friend are always interesting in the relation; at least I always find them so; and I am willing to suppose it is from the expectation of gratifying a similar disposition in my friends, rather than from an irresistible fondness of talking about myself, that I fill so great a proportion of my letters with my own affairs.
It is just four weeks since I returned to this Town. Since which, the distribution of my time has been similar to what it was for several months, before I went to Boston. The days have pretty regularly been pass’d at our office, where a man may be lazy or indolent with as much facility, as at any other place. I have read but very little Law. Part of a volume of Burrow is all I have perused, in that line; while I have been much more studious with novels, and poetry. The most weighty performance which I have attended to; has been Voltaire’s Age of Lewis 14. and I recollect with pleasure the time which I spent in that employment. It was not lost time. I have now begun upon Hume’s Essays, but Mr: Parsons has now return’d, and while he is here, we can read but very little of any thing. He goes next week to Concord; and will after that, be gone almost all the remainder of my noviciate. I hope to employ the period of his absence to some advantage— It is a subject of uncomfortable feelings to me, to find so much of my time denying me the pleasures of recollection, but I am strongly inclined to consider the evil as inevitable.
But from your observation upon the state of my mind while I was in Boston, you may perhaps feel a greater degree of curiosity, for information relating to my amusements. You were sufficiently witness to the struggle which has arisen between my sentiments and my opinions. I could not, consistent with that friendship which I trust will ever subsist between us, attempt to conceal from you feelings, which I wish not to be known to the world in general; and which I submit to, merely from a total impossibility to help myself.— Those feelings have since my return been acquiring additional strength from day to day; and I am more than ever convinced of the absolute necessity for me, to leave this town very soon. Flight, and speedy flight too is the only resource that is now left me

“My wishes, lull’d with soft inglorious dreams
Forget the patriots’ and the sages, themes”

We have had three assemblies since I returned: and they have afforded me as much pleasure, as I could have expected. These assemblies are dangerous places. they are not only dangerous to females. We have in our situation quite as much real evil to apprehend from those moments “When music softens and when dancing fires.”— I mean not to say they are immediately dangerous to our honour and reputation, but the disposition they give to the mind, may often be fatal to the peace of a person whose welfare consists in preserving a perfect indifference. We are to have one more, on the 22d: of this month; when I very much wish to see you here; though I have almost resigned the hope.— The Assemblies are however not the only occasions, when I am exposed to the perils of Sentiment. I have passed a number of evenings in companies similar to those, which I have mentioned to you; and every single instance has tended to increase my alarm. I should even at this day leave the town with great reluctance. Three months hence I fear I shall find still greater difficulty to break away.— Yet I hope you will always find the conduct of your friend to correspond with the ideas which he professed to you in some of his Letters last Summer. He may suffer more in obtaining the victory, than he could at that time have imagined, but the conquest will only be the more meritorious. The following lines of your poetical friend Akenside occur to me very frequently

“I feel diviner fires my breast inflame,
To active Science an ingenuous fame.
Resume the paths my earliest choice began,
And lose with pride the Lover in the man.”

Putnam repeats these lines, from a little Elegy of that writer (which I pointed to him as being peculiarly applicable to his present Situation,) with more energy than I can. He is struggling with a Passion deeply rooted, and confirmed by habits of almost three years standing. His contest is infinitely more difficult in that respect than mine can be; but in the imperfections, the weaknesses and caprice of the Object of his attachment, he finds a source of support to his resolution, of which mine is altogether deprived. The two Ladies though very intimate friends, are widely different in character. And this difference is daily increasing; for they are both now at an age, when perhaps improvement is more rapid than at any other period of human life, and while the one is acquiring graces and virtues in addition to incomparable beauty, the other is increasing her power and influence, only by the refinements which experience offers to her for her System of coquetry.— Is it not a hardship that the best of the two characters should be by much the most dangerous.— Putnam sees the contrast as clearly as any one, and feels a degree of shame at having been so strongly attached to a person of so much levity and inconsistency of conduct. He is weaning himself as fast as he can, and I have so much friendship for him to wish he may completely succeed. He has yet but partially obtained his end, for

“though Reason flies the hated door,
Yet Love, the coward Love still lags behind.”

Bridge, since his return affects the Philosopher, or is really so.— He did not attend our assembly, and has been as yet but very little into company; he has hitherto excused himself from the infirm state of his Health. But whether this be his real motive or not, I think him right in “laying the axe at the root of the evil.”— We remain excepting in these particulars as we have been for several months past, and I know of nothing further to which your curiosity would give an interest:— Pray let me hear from you as soon as possible, and believe me still your unalterable friend.
J. Q. Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 18 April 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Tufts, Cotton

Dear sir
Newyork April 18 1790
Your kind favour of the 5th Instant came safe to Hand. I know our interest at Braintree can be of very little Service to us, seperated as we are from it, and lying so much in Buildings. I do not know what benefit was last year derived from the great Garden but unless Bass could carry manure upon it, it would soon become good for very little. if any method could be devised by which the Rent could be paid, I should have no objection to their continuing there for the last year. I was to have it in work whenever I or my Friends calld upon him, some of it has been paid in that way. I have been informd that one of the Fosters was engaged to mrs vesey for the payment of her House Rent, perhaps they might be induced to now. as to Clark I should suppose there was garden enough both for Pheby & him in the peice fenced of, but if there is not, Bass & he may perhaps compound. the House in Boston I do not think will let at all after the lower Room is taken of. if it should prove so, it will certainly be much more prudent to give 15£ pounds for an office than take that which yealds 36£. as to our return to Braintree during the Recess of congress—it depends upon the Length of time that they now Sit, and the period for which they adjourn. it is necessary to make nice calculations. the expence of a movement of that kind may be attended with more trouble than advantage. if the adjournment should be from june untill the Next April it might answer for us, but should they rise & make a fall Sessions, it would not answer. we must content ourselves to Tarry where we are without visiting our Friends I fear. From the progress made in Buisness it is impossible to Guess when congress will rise. The Buisness before them is a Harculian Labour the Members of different states think so widely from each other, that it is difficult to accommodate their interests to each other. what one Member esteems the pillar, the Bulwork of the constitution, an other considers as the Ruin of his State. the late vote respecting the assumption has made much ill Blood, and as the Members are not yet cool enough to persue the subject, they have taken up other Buisness for a few days— from the conversation which I have heard, I believe it will again be brought on, or Congress will rise without doing any thing more upon the subject it is impossible Sir, You must be very sensible in such an assembly those only should speak who speak to the purpose. it is frequently the case that those who have least matter, ingrose most of the Time. they must be heard and frequently answerd, or they would complain of unfair dealing for Instance, how much Time has that Mad Man Gardner expended this very year in your Legislature, to very bad purposes. Men of Sense and industery complain here as loudly as their constituents, but untill Men of Superiour abilities compose publick assemblies, Buisness will be procrastinated. the National Debt is a subject of such vast weight and importance as requires the wisest Heads, and honestest Hearts to adjust with any degree of satisfaction. mr Gerry has acquired great honour and Reputation upon this Subject, and restored his former credit.
I wish sir you could find it convenient to make us a visit. it would give great pleasure to your affectionate Friends / and particularly to your Neice
Abigail Adams

Ps I should be glad of the Hams when Barnard comes— I do not find any like them here
I have received two Letters from mrs Cranch. I shall write her by the next post. we have had a severe snow storm to day attended with a very high wind. it has turnd to rain but storms severely yet. my duty to your good Lady. be so good as to buy me a ticket in some of the Lotteries, I care not which.


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 21 April 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

my dear sister
Richmond Hill April 21 1790
I received your two kind Letters of April 1 & 5 I am extreemly sorry to hear that mrs Norten is afflicted in the way that you write me she is, but tell her to keep up a good Heart. I can Sympathize in her Sufferings a Bath of Hot Herbs was the most salutary means made use for me. a poultice of Camomile flowers is also very good, but I hope she is relieved before this time. painfull experience would teach me upon the very first chill, to apply a white Bread poultice because those cold fits are always succeeded by a fever and complaints of the Breast always follow. I am glad to hear that my great Nephew [is su]ch a fine child.
When I wrote you last, you may remember that I told you I would speak to Genll Knox in behalf of mr Cranch. I thought I had best do it before I said any thing to mr A about the place as the arrangments which the Genll might make would prove more advantageous to him and require his attention upon the spot. I talkd with him and he engaged to send me a letter for him which is now inclosed to you. he told me that at west point he would find a dwelling House work shop &c and two years employ if he would go there immediatly that he believed there was yet Buisness to be compleated at Springfield. there are many applicants so that Mr Cranch should not be dilatory as there may be now a good opening for him. he will not fail of writing directly to Genll Knox and giving him the information he requests The Miss Palmers may continue in the House untill mr Cranch can accommodate them better. I wish my dear sister that I could come to Braintree, but I do not see how it can be effected to any good purpose. pray can you tell me where I could get a Boy of a dozen years I would have him come round in Barnard if any one is to be had. Such a wretched crew as N york produces are scarcly to be found in any city in Europe. I am so much discouraged by every Body here that I dare not attempt to take one. I wish you would inquire of Ruthe Ludden whether she would be willing to come in Barnard & let me know. Mr Smiths Petter had a likely Boy that he askd me to take before I came here. if he is not put out, and he will Send him to me by captain Barnard I will take him— Let me hear from you soon Mrs Smith is going to House keeping in N york the 1 of May, the day when every Body Removes as they tell me here— I shall feel lost— the children amuse & divert me much but they will be here half there time. William is down on his knees searching the pictures in Milton, whilst I write. Gammar he says look here, the Man with a great sword going to cut them are Men all to pieces.— he is a lovely child with a temper as mild & sweet as one would wish. adieu my dear sister. I must quit to dress, as mrs washington Lady Temple mrs dalton mrs King & Several other Ladies drink Tea with me this afternoon
Yours most affectionatly
A Adams
wednesday Noon—
Mr Brisler desires me to ask if mr Cranch has got the Remainder of his money from mr Baxter and prays he would see mr Baxter & let him know that he wants it


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 28 April 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

my dear Sister
Richmond Hill April 28 1790
I designd to have written to you by the Monday Post, but I was so very ill on Sunday that I could not set up. I have had the severest attack of the Rhumatism attended with a voilent fever which I have experienced for several years. I have not yet left my chamber, tho I am much releived. the weather has been uncommonly wet and cold, Snow we have had in the course of this fortnight more than through the whole winter. our House has been a mere Hospital ever since Saturday last. I have been confined in one chamber, col smith in an other with a Billious attack Charls is in an other with a fever, my House keeper confind to her chamber with Saint Antonys fire, and a servant of col Smiths laid up with a voilent seazure of the Breast & Lungs, but thanks [to] a kind Providence we are all upon the Recovery. I was in hopes [to] have heard from you by last weeks post, & to have learnt how mrs Norten was, for whom I am much concernd. I am anxious for her, from more disinterested motives than Swifts Friend, tho perhaps I can more feelingly sympathize with her for, having “felt a pain just in the place where she complains”—
my last letter to you was accompanied by one for mr J Cranch which I hope came safe to Hand. I wrote you something respecting Ruthe Ludden, but I wish now to be very particular. if her Time is out with her Aunt as I think it was in March, and she is inclined to come Barnard will return here sometime in May. her Passage by him will be six dollors which I shall pay. there is a mrs Laffen with whom mr Brisler is acquainted who went from here to Boston in Barnard and means to return again with him, so that she would not have to come alone. my terms to her will be three dollors a Months, and to give her the small pox. I wish to have an immediate answer because if she does not like to come, mr Brisler has a sister Betsy in Boston, who would be very glad to come and I shall write to her to come immediatly. I do not wish to send Polly home till I get somebody in her Room, but send her Home I must, or I shall never have a quiet family. this I must say of her, that I have never found her otherways than stricktly honest and I have not had the least difficulty with her on account of Drink. in short it is next to imposible here to get a servant from the highest to the lowest grade that does not drink male or Female I have at last found a footman who appears sober, but he was Born in Boston, has lived a very short time in the city & has very few acquaintance there. you would be surprizd if I was to tell you that tho I have been long trying to get a Boy here I cannot find one that any Body will Recommend, and I should be very glad to get one from Boston—I mean Peters son. my Housekeeper who on many accounts has been the most Respectable Female I have had in the Family, is so sick and infirm that she is obliged to leave me, partly I know because she will not live with Polly. if I could find any middle aged woman of a Reputable Character who understands Pastry &c in Boston I would send for her. I give 5. dollors a month to my Housekeeper, my kitchen and offices are all below stairs, and where there are a Number of Servants there must be one respectable Head amongst them to over see & take care that they do not run head long as well as to overlook the cooking & to make Tea for me upon my publick Evenings—to make my Pastry to assist in the Ironing &c this is the Buisness which falls to her share. Ruthe I want for a house maid. She will have no concern with cooking at all, as I keep a woman solely for that purpose. I wish you would be upon the inquiry for me. If I had not Brisler with me I should be tempted to give up publick Life. the chief of the Servants here who are good for any thing are Negroes who are slaves, the white ones are all Foreigners & chiefly vagabonds— I really know now more than ever how to Prize my English servants but I think when the cat is once gone I shall do much better do you remember the Fable of the Cat the Sow & the Eagle Scarcly a day passes that I do not think of it, yet I have a real value for Polly. She has a great many good qualities, and alone in a small Family would answer very well, but Authority she cannot bear to have the least, it is only by keeping her Humble that she is any way to be bourn with. in many things as mr Althorp observed, she seems as necessary to me as my daily food, and but for that temper, I would not part with her. with that I could deal, but the eternal mischief between others, keeps the whole House in disorder, and gives a bad Name to the whole Family— thus having detaild my whole Family grievences to you I bid you adieu with Love to all Friends / from your ever affectionate sister
A Adams


Title: John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 28 April 1790
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

Newbury. Port April 28th: 1790.
I received your short Epistle by Mr: Thomas at Ipswich, where I was then attending the Court of Common Pleas: and at the same time he gave me very agreeable information respecting your performance at exhibition; which has been confirmed to me from several quarters. From the conversations which have repeatedly passed between us, you will readily imagine how much I was gratified, to hear that you acquitted yourself with so much honour; and to a mind so generous as yours, I am well perswaded, that the idea of having given pleasure to your friends, will greatly enhance the value of your own.
Your Question respecting A and B. and A’s Wife, may be very ingenious; but I confess it is rather beyond my comprehension. And as my imagination in pursuit of your meaning might chance to run foul of Scylla or of the other place, I will even leave it as I found it.
I presume that in the course of six weeks or two months; it will be necessary for me to take some measures in order to obtain my second degree.— But as I do not wish to take the trouble of a Journey to Cambridge; I must request you, to do the business for me.— As soon therefore as the usual advertisements to the candidates for the Master’s degree, shall appear in the papers; you will apply to the Steward, the Butler; and the Sweeper, for receipts, which it seems are necessary, though, I have never owed them any thing since I left College: Doctor Tufts will supply you with ten dollars, five of which are to be paid to the President, and five to the Steward: and I herewith enclose three questions which you will deliver to the President, who will select from them that which appears to him most proper. These are all the requisites, to be complied with that have ever come to my knowledge— If any thing more should be required, you will give me the information; at any rate I suppose it will not be necessary for me to go to Cambridge, merely for the purpose of securing my degree.
I should have been very happy to have seen you here in the course of the late vacation; and they had some expectation of seeing you at Haverhill; where I spent, the Sunday before last. I found almost all our friends there unwell. Mr: Shaw’s House was a mere Hospital. He was so sick himself that the public services were omitted; they were however upon the recovery; and I presume are before this wholly restored; though I have not heard from them since I came back.
I have a Letter from your father of the 16th: instt: and one from your Sister of the 18th: they were then all well; at least as far as may be collected from negatives; I am not told that any of them were unwell.
Coll: Smith moves into New York in the beginning of May. They have taken a House in Nassau Street. Perhaps you know where it is.
Have you as yet determined upon your future profession? This Question I have more reasons than one to wish you immediately to answer. I shall decidedly go to Boston immediately after Commencement. If you conclude upon studying Law, and incline to become a fellow-student with me, I hope I shall be able to procure the consent of the Bar. At least you might study the two first years in my office; and the remaining year with a man of more abilities and experience. This plan would be much less expensive, and in my opinion Quite as advantageous to you, as any that could be proposed. I expect, (but this I wish you not to mention) to board with Dr: Welch; and should you adopt this scheme, we might both I suppose, live there together; and at less expence than we could live separately. You will reflect upon the matter and determine according to your own judgment; but I wish you to inform me as soon as possible what your intentions are.
Meanwhile, I remain, your affectionate brother.
J. Q. Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 May 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

my dear sister
[8 May 1790]
I wrote to you ten days ago and informd you that my Family were very sick. I did not then conceive it to be, what I have since found it the Influenza. I have got better, but my cough & some other complaints still hang about me. Polly Tailor is so bad with it, that if she is not soon relieved the concequences threaten to be fatal to her. Louissa is very sick confind to her chamber I keep a Bottle of Tarter Emetick and administer it as soon as they complain. mr Adams has kept clear of it yet, and he is the only one who has not been attack’d in a greater or less degree Mrs Smith has had a slight attack. the children appear to have it comeing and almost every Body throughout the whole city are labouring under it. this afternoon I heard that my Friend mrs Rogers lies dangerously sick. this distresses me greatly because it is not in my power to render her any assistance. I last Evening heard from Thomas, and that your Family were well, but he does not mention mrs Norten by which I would fain hope that she is better. Mrs Smith Removed last week, and this makes it necessary for me to request a few articles from my House in Braintree. I must request the favour of my good Brother Cranch to get me a case made for my large looking glass, and to be so good as to pack it for me & send it by Barnard, with a note of the expence which I will pay to Barnard, my kitchen clock & press which stands in the kitchen, and two Glass Lanthorn which are in the chamber closset & the Stone Roller for the Garden. I should be glad to have all these things by Barnard. the Glass I do not know how to do without the Top I have here, I cannot afford to Buy, besides I have enough for the Braintree House, & should I purchase here must sell them again at a loss. this House is much better calculated for the glasses having all the Rooms Eleven foot high. I have not heard from you since I wrote you respecting Ruthe Ludden mrs Brisler has this disorder tho not Bad. I am impatient to hear from you pray let it be soon.
yours most affectionatly
A Adams


Title: Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1790
From: Washington, Martha
To: Adams, Abigail

Wednesday— May 12. [1790]
Mrs. Washington presents her compliments to Mrs. Adams— She wishes to know how the Vice-President and Mrs. Adams are to day— Mrs. Washington is happy to inform that the President is a little better to day than he was yesterday


Title: Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 30 May 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Tufts, Cotton

dear sir
N york 30 May 1790.
I received your kind Letter of May  last week I was very sorry to hear that you and your Family had not escaped the prevailing sickness. the disorder has universally prevaild here. not a single one of our Family, except mr Adams has escaped, and Polly, it was very near proving fatal too. We Have been in very great anxiety for the Pressident. during the state of Suspence, it was thought prudent to say very little upon the Subject as a general allarm might have proved injurious to the present state of the Government. he has been very unwell through all the Spring, labouring with a Billious disorder but thought, contrary to the advise of his Friends that he should exercise it away without medical assistance; he made a Tour upon Long Island of 8 or ten days which was a temporary Relief, but soon after his return he was Seazd with a voilent Plurisy Fever attended with every bad Symptom, and just at the Crisis was seazd with Hicups & rattling in the Throat, so that mrs washington left his Room thinking him dying the Physicians apprehended him in a most dangerous state. James powders had been administerd, and they produced a happy Effect by a profuse perspiration which reliefd his cough & Breathing, and he is now happily so far recoverd as to ride out daily. I do not wish to feel again Such a state of anxiety as I experienced for several days I had never before entertaind any Idea of being calld to fill a Place that I have not the least ambition to attain to, the age of the two gentlemen being so near alike that the Life of one was as Probable as that of the other, but such a Train of fearfull apprehensions allarm’d me upon the threatning prospect, that I Shudderd at the view. the weight of Empire, particularly circumstanced as ours is, without firmness without age and experienced without, a Revenue setled, & establishd, loaded with a debt, about which there is little prospect of an agreement, would bow down any man who is not supported by a whole Nation & carry him perhaps to an early Grave with misiry & disgrace. I saw a Hydra Head before me, envy Jealousy Ambition, and all the Banefull passions in League. do you wonder that I felt distrest at the view? yet I could not refrain from thinking that even a Washington might esteem himself happy to close his days before any unhappy division or disasterous event had tarnishd the Lusture of his Reign
For the Assumption of the debts you will see in the papers a wise and judicious Speach of Father Sherman as he is call’d, and a very able & Lengthy one of mr Ames’s. all has been Said upon the subject that reason justice, good policy could dictate. I hope it will yet take place, but mr M—— leads the Virginians like a flock of sheep. if congress should rise without assuming, I perdict that the Next year will not be so tranquil as the last, let who will hold the Reigns
With Regard to our own private affairs mr A says the Money for mr Parsons shall be ready at the Time when our sons time is up and that he approves of your proposal that John Should pay it himself to mr Parsons. as to the House, he thinks that, if a credible person or Family could be found to take the rest of the House at a Rent, equal to the present after deducting what must be given for an office, it would be advisable to let mr J—— have it, but if not an office had better be procured else where, and he would request you to use your own judgment about it. if you are in want of 30 pounds before commencment you will draw for it. I am fully of your mind that the place which Pratt lives upon had better be let at a certain sum under restrictions. as to the other, it would be better for us if the whole sum had been laid out in paper securities, then one might have had a chance of some benifit from it. Pratt has such an Army to mantain, & tho an honest Man I believe, he must be embarressd with such a Numerous Family. I believe G Thayer a much better Farmer.
As to commencment I do not know what Thomas wishes. if I could have been at Home to have taken the trouble upon myself I should have been willing that he should have made a similar entertainment to his Brothers, and am willing that it should be so now, but know not how to trouble our Friends with it. it has given both mr A & me great satisfaction to learn that he acquited himself so much to his Honour & the pleasure of his Friends at the exhibition
The Hams arrived safe and appear to be very fine. I shall pay Barnard the money for them.
Present me kindly to all inquiring Friends and believe me Sincerely Yours
A Adams
you will be so good as to write me Soon


Title: John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 5 June 1790
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Cranch, William

Newbury. Port June 5th: 1790.
Phillips delivered me at Exeter a half sheet of paper from you, I trust I need not say it was very acceptable; I would only observe by the way, that I am no great friend to half-sheets. Sat verbum—
We had a comfortable ordination. Phillips can give you any particulars that your curiosity may wish to be informed of. He was however by an unfortunate accident detained from the dance in the Evening. The weather was rather too warm but we danced till between three & four in the morning. The company was not so numerous as I should have expected. Nothing like a crowd.— Of five dances in which I join’d, I had a Miss Newhall as my partner for four; she was in former times reputed to be a flame of mine; and help’d to make me pass my time tolerably— There was however a weight hanging up on my spirits which she could not remove, nor could all the bustle and festivity of the time serve any further, than to make it somewhat less oppressive.— You have known me heretofore in such a state of mind for several days without any cause whatever; and I am persuaded that if from rational principles you cannot allow it to be a pitiable situation, your friendship will at least prevent you from considering it as a subject of derision. There is a passage in Hamlet, which describes in a striking manner that temper of mind, which you who are blest with a better flow of spirits cannot perhaps readily conceive. It is too long for a quotation, but if you wish to turn to it, you will find it in the sixth scene of the second Act. It begins “I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth &c” Putnam who went with me, and who has a fund of Spirits almost inexhaustible, enjoyed the occasion to perfection: and if laughter is a full evidence of happiness his felicity was incessant. The people were very hospitable, and we made ourselves quite familiar at almost all the houses in the town. We returned home on Thursday in the afternoon, very much fatigued, and I rejoyced that the expedition was brought to a close.
My Forensic with Bridge is at the same period of advancement that it has been at from the creation of the world to the present day; and will continue, and from this moment to the end of time in statu quo. I know nothing of such a forensic, but from common report— At any rate it will not take place, for Bridge is gone to Pownalborough; is now I presume a sworn attorney in the County of Lincoln, and has no thoughts of attending Commencement. My ambition and vanity are at present so much swallow’d up by a stupid indolence, and an unmeaning listlessness, that I have not a wish to show myself at that time; but I hope the President will offer the forensic to you and some other of our classmates residing in Boston; and that you will accept it if offered.— Little, as you know is gone to Virginia, and therefore the valedictory Oration must go to some one else: perhaps to Beale.
I was at Haverhill about a fortnight since. They were then tolerably well, but I presume you saw Mr: Shaw at Election. He was at the Ordination with Betsey Smith and told me the family were all in good health. The young daughter is verily the child of their old age— For my part I cannot readily imagine how they can reconcile it to their consciences, to carry on that work yet. I wonder people at that time of life are not ashamed of getting children. I was so much scandalized, that I could hardly refrain from expostulating with them upon the subject.
I have not yet, I believe replied to a Letter of yours dated April 18th: it was written at Braintree, and I did not know how long you would continue there; this was one reason which has prevented me from writing; another has been a deficiency of subject. My time has been spent of late to very little purpose. Park’s Insurance, Buller’s Nisi-Prius and Blackstone have employ’d my few studious hours for two months past; and I have ventured to expose myself to imbibe opinions of infidelity by reading Hume’s formidable essays; I have taken pleasure in the perusal; but I believe my religious principles will not suffer much from the catagion they contain.

The rest of my time has been but little diversified with Events. I have moved generally in one circle of company, and have had only a repetition of scenes which, however agreeable when they take place, would be very tedious in description.— We have had as a visitor for a month past, one of your fine Ladies, Miss K. Amory. I have been several times in company with her; and find her sensible and agreeable.
The proximity of my departure from this place, has become an additional inducement to dissipation, and I shall henceforth scarcely look into a book. I feel very anxious to hear from Dr: Tufts upon the subject of an Office for me in Boston.— Never did I make an exchange in my situation with more unfavourable expectations.— Yet I believe it will be for the best— A firm determination to make the present a sacrifice to futurity is often the dictate of policy as well as of virtue
As to my being permitted as you say “to go about my business,”

“No more of that Hal, if thou lovest me,—
Perdition catch my soul but—”

I am ever affectionately your’s,
J. Q. Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 13 June 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

my dear sister
N York June 13 1790
I received your Letter of May 16. and was very happy to find that you were all upon the recovery. we have daily mercies to be thankfull for, tho no state is exempt from trouble and vexation. the one which at present Torments me is the apprehension of a Removal from a very delightfull situation, to I know not where, and I am too short sighted, or too much blinded, to see any real advantage from a Removal unless a Permanant Seat was fixed. the fatigue and expence are objects not very pleasing in contemplation, and the Removal to a more southern state what I do not like, especially to Baltimore where I am told we cannot in any respect be half So well accomodated. if I could see that the publick good required it, I should submit with more Satisfaction, but to be every session disputing upon this subject, & sowerd as the Members are, is a very unpleasent thing. if we must move I must relinquish every Idea of visiting my Friends, and I had a latent hope that I should come for a few weeks merely on a visit, after Mrs Smith gets to Bed, which I presume will be in july. I wish to hear from my Mother & Brothers Family. I know not what to do with the House. I must request you to have an Eye to it, and if any trusty Body could be thought of to go into the kitchen part I could wish they might, but I own I do not know of any Body. all the interest we have must go to destruction, and we can barely live here upon the publick allowence. Your Romancing Neighbours may amuse themselves, but their storys will never gain credit. there is a Gentleman here, several indeed of whom I could inquire, but I am ashamed to ask, and indeed I do not recollect enough of the first part of the Story to inquire properly about it, and I have every reason to think it all fabulous. they are all together the strangest Family I ever heard of— I last week accompanied mrs Washington to the Jersies to visit the falls of Pasaick we were absent three days and had a very agreeable Tour.
I wish to have the articles I wrote for, sent by Captain Barnard. We have a fine growing season, is it so with you? I wish to hear from you with respect to commencment, what will be necessary and how can it be managed? I fear it will give you a great deal of trouble especially as you are not very well accomodated with help. as it will be impossible for us to be at Home, I have thought that it might be dispenced with, yet as Thomas has conducted himself so well I could wish that he might be gratified if it is his desire.
Be so good as to let mr smith know that Prince is very well and quite contented. we are all well & Polly is better, than she was. adieu write to me as soon as you can remember me affectionatly to all Friends.
Yours most tenderly
A Adams


Title: John Quincy Adams to Cotton Tufts, 18 June 1790
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Tufts, Cotton

Dear Sir.
Newbury-Port. June 18th: 1790.
I received a few days since your favour of the 10th: instt. and as there will be a difficulty in procuring a tenant for the house, I should wish if possible to take some other office at least for a time. The multiplicity of your affairs almost precludes the hope that you can attend to this matter: if however you should hear of any room conveniently situated which might be hired for a temporary office, I shall rest assured of your goodness to engage it, or give me the information. I expect to be in Boston immediately after Commencement; and shall be quite impatient to get into my office; every day becomes additionally precious and important.
I am again obliged to request a sum similar to that for which I applied two months since. I hope I shall not incur the censure of extravagance. My horse adds to the expences to which I have formerly been subjected.— I am now quite destitute.
In three weeks from this I expect to be sworn in to the Court of Common Pleas at Salem. Mr: Parsons’s fee will then be due and £6. for the fine for admission.— I wish I could see a prospect of ever counterbalancing all these outgoings.
I have no expectation of going to New-York this Summer; and indeed at present my sole object is, to get well settled in my office.
I am, my dear Sir, your very humble Servant and greatly obliged nephew
J. Q. Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 July 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

my dear sister
N. york july 4th 1790
A Memorable day in our calender a Church beloning to the dutch congregation is this day to be opened and an oration deliverd. this Church was the scene of misiry & horrour, the Prison where our poor Countrymen were confined, crowded & starved during the War, & which the British afterwards destroyed. it has lately been rebuilt and this day is the first time that they have met in it. they have done us the favour of setting apart a pew for us. the Clergyman is dr Lynn one of the Chapling to congress and I think a better preacher than most that I have heard to day; an oration is [to] be deliverd by dr Levingstone the other Minister belonging to this Church, but as to an orater, the oratary of a Clergyman here consists in foaming loud speaking Working themselves up in such an enthusiam as to cry, but which has no other effect upon me than to raise my pitty. o when when shall I hear the Candour & liberal good sense of a Price again, animated with true piety without enthusiasm, Devotion without grimace and Religion upon a Rational System.
My Worthy Friend Mrs Rogers is returning to Boston. she has engaged to convey this to you with a Magizine which has for a Frontispeice a view of this House, but the great Beauty could not be taken upon so small a scale which is the Noble Hudson, as far distant from the House as the bottom of the Boston Mall is from the Governours House if you see mrs Rogers, as it is probable you will at commencment, she will tell you how delightfull this spot is, and how I regreet the thoughts of quitting it. I shall miss her more than half N york besides. we are very well, but impatient to hear from you and Family. I wish Congress would so far compleat their buisness as not to have an other Session till the Spring. I really think I would then come home and pass the winter with you. mr Adams wants some exercise ever since the 4th of Jan’ry he has not mist one hour from attendance at Congress. he goes from Home at ten and seldom gets back till four, and 5 hours constant sitting in a day for six months together, (for He can not leave his Chair) is pretty tight service. reading long Bill, hearing debates, and not always those the most consonant to his mind and opinions putting questions, Stating them, constant attention to them that in putting questions they may not be misled, is no easy task what ever Grumblers may think, but Grumblers there always was & always will be—
adieu my dear sister Remember me affectionatly to all Friends yours
A Adams


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 4 July 1790
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

My dear Sister
Braintree July 4th 1789 [1790]
Mr Cranch has pack’d your things & sent them on Board Captain Barnard I hope they will go safe but since they were put on Board mr woodward has sent for the stone roler & says he lent it to mr Adams, that mr Borland sold it to him we sent him to the Doctor about it. If tis so I suppose it will be taken out—I told him you certainly suppos’d it purchase’d with the House or you would not have sent for it.
I cannot bear the thought of your removing so far from me, while you are at new york I live upon the hope that I shall see you in a few months, at least I go on pleasing my self so from one time to another but if you go so far without making us a visit I shall dispair of seeing you for a long time & this thought draws tears from my Eyes— A Sad train of Ideas will force themselves upon my imagination. The air of the more Southern States will not I fear be so friendly to the Health of my dear Friends as the pure air you now Breath— We are sadly seperated already I can see Sister Shaw tis true in a few hours but the expence of visiting you is not to be thought of— I wish I could be sent upon some publick Business like the Gentlemen—
I have been so full of cares that I have not been able to finish even a short Letter to you for a long time. Miss Eunice Paine has been with me for six weeks in much worse health than you ever saw her. She sent to me to get her a place to Board at, & mention’d Doctor Phipps, & beg’d I would bring her out as she did not think she should be able to be mov’d if she stay’d in town another hot day— I told the person who came, to tell her I could not board her as our house would be full when my son & cousin Thomas came home but that I would send for her to stay a week with me in which time her Freinds might find some place for her I soon found she did not design to leave us if she could help it,— I sent to Doctor Phipps however to know if they would take her. they were willing to at two dollars a week—but she did not like to go, said if she could not stay with me, she had rather get some place at newtown Mrs Paine went but could not find one that would do— six weeks were spent in this way till poor Lucy & I were almost made sick— we have not maid but celia & Miss Polly Palmer has been with us Ever since they Broke up house keeping Ben Guild is also with us till his Parents return from Europe besides this mrs Bond & her Daughter from Portland have been with us for three weeks— What do you think I have done with them all? Miss Eunice is so helpless that she cannot rise or sit without help nor stand alone nor take one step she is to be carried from one room to the other in her chair & is in great pain The spasms seize her throat so badly sometimes that you would think she would choak She often finds great difficulty to swallow & sometimes I am affraid she will starve to death She is drawn almost double & one Leg is a quarter of a yard shorter than the other She is greatly to be pity’d. She is pind away to Skin & Bones
I was obligd to put a Bed into our east room for her while she stay’d She has at last consented to go to Doctor Phipps & has been there a week—but she has lost her Spirits & I think will not live long unless she has some relief
Mrs Hall din’d with us to day & I was surpriz’d to see how well she was & how active. her eyes are better, but mrs Turner she says is still in a very poor way I believe I told you that she had lost her Baby— Cousin Thomas is with us prepairing for commencment—he is well but thin—
Mrs Norton is a Shadow—but has her health pretty well She must not nurse her great Boy much longer—it make her too faint. Sister Shaws Family I hear are better but she has had a dreadfull sick one—poor William has been suffering for his gross feeding—
I hope to hear you have a Grandaughter soon my Love to mrs Smith poor mrs Tufts has got to Bed with another dead child & it has affected her much


Title: John Quincy Adams to William Cranch, 12 July 1790
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Cranch, William

Newbury-Port July 12th: 1790.
I have been wishing to write you, for several weeks past; I intended to have replied to your favour of the 10th: of last month, at  an early period; but for sometime I was too lazy, and for this fortnight past I have been too busy. Just upon the point of going away, I find myself crowded with a hundred little trifling affairs, which at divers times during a residence of three years I have deferred to some leisure time; though the leisure time never came. so that I find myself really hurried.— Besides this I have been puzzled for a conveyance to Braintree where I supposed you would be; though by neglecting to write, I have actually lost one or two very good ones.
How do you find yourself in heart? I do not mean with respect to the Ladies, of whom I hope you still persist in your resolution to be greatly independent; but relative to the prospects of Life, as they begin to approach so near. This week is in my mind an important Epocha of my life. I consider in fact, that the critical period, within which my fate as it respects my connexion with Society is to be decided commences with my admission to the common pleas. The step which I have determined to take is in my own opinion hazardous. In that of many people it will perhaps appear compounded of impudence and vanity; but it has the sanction of all the friends upon whose judgment I can chiefly depend; and if I must fail, I hope and trust it shall be the fault of Fortune, and not mine.
Your Situation must for some time at least be vastly more eligible, than mine. You will not require so much business for your immediate support. You will have no young rivals to rejoice at your failures or to envy your success; and you will not have the prejudice against you of assuming an higher tone than becomes you. All these disadvantages will probably be mine. But are not difficulties the test of merit?— The test it is true may be too powerful, and I am persuaded you are not without anxiety with respect to your own prospects.
Thompson wrote me last week (I think it was) that he was charged by the president to propose to you and our friend Forbes, to write together for Commencement, but I have not heard what was the success of his application; I hope you will appear, for your own sake and for the sake of the class.— The matter was conducted with me in such a manner that I had no option left me; I was obliged to refuse. You are in some manner personally concerned, and I therefore hold myself accountable to you, for my conduct upon the occasion; and accordingly I shall take the first opportunity which shall present to relate the facts to you, in order to justify myself for refusing an honour which I will not affect to despise.
Do you still feel yourself sufficiently interested in the fate of our fair damsels to receive with pleasure information relating to them. If you do I have no such information to give you. Every thing remains nearly in the same situation as when I last saw you. But

“When light wing’d toys
Of feather’d Cupid, soil with wanton dulness,
My speculative, and offic’d instruments;
That my disports, corrupt and taint my business;
Let housewives make a ladle of my pen.
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against my estimation.”

Rant enough—is there not? But I will drop this flimsy subject. I must mention to you one, of much more importance to me. It is that I am very much in want of fifteen or eighteen pounds. I have suffered a number of small debts in this town to remain unsatisfied, because I have always wished to have some cash at hand, till I find, they amount to eight or nine pounds. I shall have upon leaving this town about £3. to pay for arrears of board and washing; and upon taking the oath at Salem, I shall be called upon for £6. by the Clerk of the Court. To discharge all these sums, and to pay my expences to Commencemt. &c. I have about six dollars remaining of 20 that Dr: Tufts supplied me with when I was last at Boston. I know not indeed what I shall do to pay my Duty, for which I understand the Clerk makes it a practice never to trust. I had hoped to have heard from the Doctor before this.— [I] can get a sum upon Newell’s execution, and send it to Salem in a bill by Th[ursd]ay or Friday, the gratification which I shall feel at being relieved from my embarassment, will to a mind so benevolent as yours compensate for the trouble it will give you. But if this cannot be done, will you, if you can conveniently inform Doctor Tufts of my situation, and he will, I am sure if he can, send me a bill by the Post which will come to this Town next Monday the 19th: instt: as I intend to go the next day to Cambridge. In the mean time I will make out as well as I can.
Adieu, my dear Friend, I am as usual, wholly your’s.
J. Q. Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 27 July 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

my dear sister
july 27 1790 Richmond Hill
I received your kind Letter of july 4th the articles sent by captain Barnard all arrived in good order, and I have to acknowledg mr Cranchs kind care in attending to them.
you have got through commencment and I hope have not been made sick with the trouble and fatigue. we had a pleasent day here, not over Hot and I pleasd, myself with the hope that it was so with you. We got Thursdays paper, but had very little account of commencment. I know you must have been too much fatigued, and too buisily occupied to be able to write
I do not know what to do with the House. I wish with all my Heart that Mears would go in. I did not once think of her, but I do not know any person I would so soon commit the care to. mr Brisler is anxious about the wine Casks he says that there are only two Iron hoops on each and he fears the other will Rot off. if you have not the Keys, pray get them and let me request you to have the things lookd to. the Rats he says may undermine the Bottled wine which is pack’d in sand. he is very anxious about it, and I am not less so. I beg you my dear sister to accept of a dozen of the wine and present half a dozen bottles to my mother. if it is not drawn of let Thomas go, and do it, and send him for the Keys. if the casks look like to give way, I must request that it may be New hoopd or otheways taken care of. I do not know when I shall see you. I think it would be a cordial to me, and mr Adams pines for relaxation, tho if one was to Credit the Clamours of the Boston papers we should imagine that their was nothing going forward but dissipation, instead of which, there is nothing which wears the least appearence of it, unless they term the Pressidents Levee of a tuesday and mrs Washingtons drawing of a fryday such, one last two & the other perhaps three hours She gives Tea Coffe Cake Lemonade & Ise creams in summer all other Ladies who have publick Evenings give Tea coffe & Lemonade, but one only who introduces cards, and She is frequently put to difficulty to make up one table at whist. pray is not this better than resorting to Taverns, or even having supper partys some amusement from the Business of the day is necesserry and can there be a more Innocent one than, that of meeting at Gentlemens Houses and conversing together, but faction and Antifederilism may turn every Innocent action to evil

we are all well you see my pens are bad beyond description, and dinner calls.
Love to all Friends from / your ever affectionate / sister
A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 2 August 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Tufts, Cotton

my dear sir
August 2d 1790 N york
Commencment being finish’d some of your cares for my Family will be lesned. I esteem it amongst my blessings that my young Family have all past through Colledge with so much Reputation, and that in scenes strewd thick with dangers, they have escaped so well. I hope their future progress through Life may be equally pure. I feel myself indebted to many of my Friends for the kind care they have excericed towards my sons in the almost constant absence of their Parents, and particularly So to you Sir whose attention has been truly Parental. I hope they will ever mantain towards you a gratefull sense of your kindness.
Mr Adams proposes that Thomas should come on here as soon as may be. I hardly know what studies to advise him too. for some time he appeard inclined to merchandize, but without Stock, there is but a poor prospect, and I do not think that scholors ever make very good Merchants. Mr Adams remitted a Bill of 500 dollors to you which I presume was duly received, but immediatly after this he heard of the arrival of 2 casks of wine which we Suppose will more than swallow up the surpluss. his intention is to send on 40 or 50 dollors more by dr Jeffries who will leave this City in the course of the week. Congress are not yet up, they hope to rise in a few days. you have no doubt seen the funding & Assumption Bills they are not what was wisht by many members of each House, but the danger of finally loosing the Bill was so great, that it was consented to by both houses as an anchor that it would not do to quit, least the whole should go to shipwreck the funding the whole debt at once, at an interest of four pr cent and placing the indents upon the same footing, was what was most earnestly wishd for by many, but the states who were opposed to it, Clamourd so loudly that the best, is done that could be effected the House are now upon ways and means, designing that the first Quarters interest shall be paid on the first of April next. I will thank you sir to let me know by my son Thomas the amount of the little interest I have in your Hands and what proportion is state, & what continential, and whether you cannot fund it in your own Name, giving me some memorandum that you hold in your Hands such an interest belonging to me which may serve in case of accident.
The wine which I suppose is in mr Codmans store we should be glad to have sent round by Barnard our present intention being, not to Remove this winter, but when Congress set mr Adams designs to go & tarry only during the session, which he flatters himself, will be a short one
my best Respects to your good Lady I am sorry for your daughters repeated misfortune I wish my dear sir you could make us a visit here. you would be delighted with this situation, and not in the least wonder, that I shall have a regreet at quitting it—
I am most affectionatly yours
A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 August 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

my dear sister
Newyork 8 August 1790
I have the pleasure to inform you that last Night mrs Smith got to Bed with an other fine Boy. We could have all wisht it had been a Girl, but rest satisfied with the sex as it a very fine large handsome Boy and both mother and child are well. She spent the day with me on fryday, and I urged her as I had Several times before, to accept a Room here, and lie in here, as the house in which she is is Small and Hot. she told me she would come out, and the next day intended [to ge]t her things ready for the purpose, but found herself so un [wel]l on Saturday, yesterday that she could not effect it. I have been very un well myself for a fortnight, so that she did not let me know she was ill, untill I had the agreeable intelligence of her being safe abed. I shall get her here as soon as possible I have both the children with me. I have not heard a word from you since commencment, and I expect all my intelligence from you. Congress rise on twesday I wish and long to come to Braintree, but fear I shall not effect it. how does mrs Norten stand the Hot weather? your Grandson grows a fine Boy I dare say I should be quite charmd to see him & my dear cousin Lucy when is she to be married to that said Gentleman? pray give my Love to her and tell her she need not have been so sly about it. I had a few lines from Thomas just before he set out for Haverhill I expect him on here daily, and think he had best send his things Round by Barnard. I have nothing new to entertain you with unless it is my Neighbours the Creeck Savages who visit us daily. they are lodgd at an Inn at a little distance from us. they are very fond of visiting us as we entertain them kindly, and they behave with much civility. yesterday they signd the Treaty, and last Night they had a great Bond fire dancing round it like so many spirits hooping, singing, yelling, and expressing their pleasure and Satisfaction in the true Savage Stile. these are the first savages I ever saw. mico maco, one of their kings dinned here yesterday and after dinner he confered a Name upon me the meaning of which I do not know, Mammea he took me by the Hand, bowd his Head and bent his knee, calling me Mammea, Mammea. they are very fine looking Men placid contanances & fine shape. mr Trumble says, they are many of them perfect Models. MacGillvery, dresses in our own fashion speaks English like a Native, & I should never suspect him to be of that Nation, as he is not very dark he is grave and solid, intelligent and much of a Gentleman, but in very bad Health. they return in a few days.
adieu my dear sister Remember me affectionatly to all Friends I see miss Nancy Quincy is married, I wish her much happiness
Yours
A Adams


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 9 August 1790
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

My dear Sister
Braintree August 9th 1790
It is so long since I have heard from you that I begin to be very uneasy I am the more so as I know it is about the time for mrs Smith to be confin’d & you did not give me the most favourable account of her health in your last letter. you I know feel all the anxeity of a tender mother for her but I hope to hear soon that She has presented you with a fine Grandaughter— my little Richard grows astonishingly he is not five months old & yet he can step very well & stand alone with only resting his hands upon a Chair & is so fat that I wonder how his mama can tend him, but She poor girl is wasted to nothing almost. She wants better living than a country Clergyman can afford— I made her get some wine & drink a glass or two of it every day She complains of such a faintness as you use’d to feel when you nurs’d
I dare say you thought much of us on commencment day. we had a fine day of it, but a very Crouded assembly. I did not go till the morning & then went to meeting, but I was made quite sick by it— I came home about ten a clock with a violent sick head-ack mrs Norton came the day before & keept house for me She wanted to go but I perswaid’d her not to
every thing was in very nice order: We dind above a hundred People besides the multitude who came in to drink, & eat cake & cheese in the morning & afternoon— our cake was excllint I wanted to send you a peice of it—but the company gave the best proof in the world of its being good—there was only a few Broken Peices came home. We had thirty one chickens, 2 Legs of Bacon four Tongues, a rump of Beef roast’d—& a round allamoded, Lettuce & green Peas. Lucy went up with her Brother the day before & had all the Tables sat in the morning— we had mr Beals as before for five days— For care & fidelity he is another mr Brisler— We took Celia with us to be in the kitchen to Boil the Peas wash the Dishes &C— we got a lower Room for that purpose. Mr Cranch had laid up the Benches & tables we had before for this purpose—but I believe I have done now with the care of commencments— We dressd all the meat here but the roast Beef—mrs Foster did that for us
you will see an account of the performences in the Paper—but it will not tell you that your son spoke as well both as to matter & manner as any of them He has left college my Sister with deservedly the best characture in the World
His behavior has been not only unexceptionable but exemplary says the President & professors & not a hint did I ever hear of his misconduct either in Publick or Private. His characture is form’d I trust go sweet youth & act your part in the world in such a manner as finally to obtain the approbation of the Judge of all the Earth— It must give you pleasure to have him with you—but I do not know how to part with him. Cousin JQA has been with us a few days this week he is well, has taken an office from one part of your house in Boston & is to Board with Doctor Welsh I shall go to Town this week & see what State is cloaths & linnen are in & put him into good repair Mr Cranch has inlarg’d his Shop & made an office for William in one part of it—& now My dear Sister I know we can feel for each other— may success attend them both as they act with integrity & honour
There is a Gentleman & Lady from Demerarah who are come to this country for their health who wish to hire your house & furniture for a year or more mr Alleyne apply’d to me to know if you would lett it & desir’d me to ask you She is a cousin of his they have no children & but two Servants & mr Alleyns says they are steady good People— I told him I hop’d you would come & Spend the wintre here your self: I cannot give up the hope—how I shall feel to have you go further & not see your Face once more— we think it will not be best to remove your Books from the office they will be safer there than any where else— We go to the House & open & air it as often as we think it necessary I am more concern’d about the carpets than any thing else I am affraid the moths will get at them— we are going this week to make a Brushing & rubing— All the things which were brought from college are to be put up & stow’d away— we took part of a hamper of Porter which we found in your cellar for cousin Tom. one dozen was left which we return’d to the cellar again we did not take any of the wine, but bought a few Gallons
Miss Nancy Quincy was married, the week befor last Deacon Storys Family & mrs Quincy & Son & Deacon Marsh were all the company— William & Lucy din’d with them the next day—
Ned green is dead. What a dreadful thing it is to dye unlamented—
our worthy uncle Quincy was at meeting to day & is well mrs Eunice is yet at Doctor Phipps’s but is no better—I think she will never return to Boston again. if she continues to wast as fast as she had done there will not be much left to remove any where. her Brother & his wife came to see her last week & brought her every thing she wanted for her comfort mrs Paine & Mrs Greenleaf have been since—they appear to wish to make her last days as comfortable as they can—
William & Lucy are gone to Weymouth their Sister was very sick yesterday & took a Puke I hope she is better but I feel uneasy she had been eating milk & made her stomach ack—

mrs Hall is well but mrs Turner does not get well—
My Love to mr Adams & My dear Cousins all— pray write soon I cannot bear to be so long without hearing from you— Shall you want any rose wather
mr Cranch sends Love— I am with the tenderest affection ever your Sister—
M Cranch


Title: John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 August 1790
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail

My dear Madam.
Boston August 14th: 1790.
I received on Commencement day, your obliging favour of the 11th: of last month, and should have replied to it before this time, had I not been constantly employ’d in making and executing my arrangements for my removal to this place. For kind wishes which you are pleased to express for my welfare and happiness, I can only return the sincerest assurances of gratitude; Thanks, are called the exchequer of the poor, but there are favours, (and such must be those from Parents to their children) which can admit of compensation from no other fund. To improve for my own benefit the advantages which I owe to the goodness of my Parents, is all they require of me; and I can only lament, that so great a length of time must necessarily elapse before I can demonstrate by the Event that their labours have not been in vain.
I have this week opened an Office, in the front Room of your house in Court Street, from which place I now write. I have but little expectations at present from business, and I am sometimes tempted to regret, that I came to a place where the profession is so much crowded, and where my expences must be considerable. The only thing that keeps me here is that I know not of a more advantageous Situation; and if Fortune should be disposed to befriend me, she will have a larger scope here, than she could have in the woods. My anxiety will be very great, untill I shall stand upon my own ground. At my time of life it is a grievous mortification to be dependant for a subsistence even though it be upon a Parent.
With respect to the horse, I have ventured to keep him here notwithstanding your direction upon a proposal of Doctor Welsh, and shall keep him untill I have your further commands. The Doctor has a very good Stable, and a boy who can take care of the horse. He has offered to stable the horse, and to be at one half the expence of keeping him for the occasional use of him, as he does not keep an horse at present himself. This will I think render it less expensive than it would be to keep him at Braintree; and it is very probable to me that the necessary occasions upon which I shall want an horse, would in the course of a year, amount to a greater sum in the hire of horses, than the keeping of this one, upon these terms. If however you should be of a different opinion, I will send him to Braintree immediately upon receiving your instructions so to do.
You will have heard before this that Miss Nancy Quincy is married, to Mr Packard, and thus you will perceive your darling project for the advancement of your Son blasted even before the bud.—
Indeed Madam I hope you will not think the worse of your Son, if he assures you that he never will be indebted to his wife for his property. I once seriously thought that I should easily be enabled to make matrimony an instrument of my Avarice or my Ambition. But really it is not so, and I am fully perswaded like Sancho, that if it should rain mitres in this way, there would be never an one to fit my head.
I know not of any news. The principal topic of conversation this week has been the arrival of the Columbia from an expedition which has carried her round the world. The adventurers after having their expectations raised to the highest pitch, were utterly disappointed; and instead of the immense profits upon which they had calculated, will scarcely have their outsets refunded to them. This failure has given universal astonishment, and is wholly attributed to the Captain, whose reputation now remains suspended between the qualifications of egregious knavery and of unpardonable stupidity. Mr. Barrell, I am informed is not discouraged, but, intends to make the experiment once more, and if he should not meet with any body disposed to second him they say he will undertake it at his single risk and expence.— The people of this vessel have brought home a number of curiosities similar to those which you have seen at Sir Ashton Lever’s Museum. They have likewise brought a native of the Sandwich Islands, who bound himself as a servant to one of the passengers. He was paraded, up and down our Streets yesterday, in the dress of his Country; and as he speaks our Language has been conversed with by many Gentlemen in this Town.— One of the passengers it is said, has kept a very accurate Journal of the Voyage, and proposes to extract from it a relation for publication. It will probably be curious; though among uncivilized and barbarous Nations it appears to me the observations of travellers, must generally consist chiefly in a repetition of what was noticed by the first adventurer who discovered them. The situation of a Country, and whatever relates to inanimate matter continues the same. The peculiarities of the animal Creation when once remarked, seldom afford any further field for information.— It is from Man that we must always derive our principal source of entertainment and instruction. And although the knowledge of the human heart may perhaps be promoted by inferences drawn from the manners and customs of a people newly discovered, yet the savage Inhabitants of a petty Island, cannot have many customs or opinions which may not be discoverable to the first Man who becomes acquainted with them;
I wish to be remembered affectionately to all my friends with you. I shall write to my brother Charles as soon as I have the courage; which will be when I shall be able to inform him that I have one Client.
I am your affectionate Son.
J. Q. Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 August 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Son
Richmond Hill 20 August 1790
I congratulate you upon your having setled yourself thus far, and am pleasd to find you so well accommodated. you have a good office, a Good Library, and an agreable Family to reside in. be patient and persevering. you will get Buisness in time, and when you feel disposed to find fault with your stars, bethink yourself how preferable your situation to that of many others, and tho a state of dependance must ever be urksome to a generous mind, when that dependance is not the effect of Idleness or dissapation, there is no kind parent [bu]t what would freely contribute to the Support and assistance of a child in proportion to their ability. I have been daily in expectation of seeing your Brother Thomas here. he must be expeditious in his movements or he will be calld to an account for visiting a most heinious offence you know in the view of those, who think there is more merrit in staying at Home. Your Father talks of taking a Tour to the eastward. it would be peculiarly agreeable to me to accompany him, but there are reasons, not of state, but of purse which must prevent it; and yet I think I could plan the matter so as that it would be no great object, to pass a couple of Months with our Friend’s. Lady Temple & mrs Atkinson will set out tomorrow by way of RhoadIsland. they have offerd to take Letters to my Friends, but I have been rather neglegent in writing the weather has been so extreeme Hot. I have the two Boys with me Billy & John, and it is employment enough to look after them. your sister has a third Son. heaven grant that she may add no more to the stock untill her prospects brighten. a Marshells office will poorly feed a Family and I see no prospect of any other at present. I will give you one peice of advise, never form connextions untill you see a prospect of supporting a Family, never take a woman from an Eligible situation and place her below it. remember that as some one says in a play [“]Marriage is chargeable” and as you never wish to owe a fortune to a wife, never let her owe Poverty to you. Misfortunes may Surround even the fairest prospects. if so Humbly kiss the Rod in silence, but rush not upon distress and anxiety with your Eyes open— I approve your spirit. I should be ashamed to own him for a son who could be so devoted to avarice as to marry a woman for her fortune. Pride and insolence too often accompany wealth and very little happiness is to be expected from sordid souls of earthy mould. I always loved Nancy Quincy from a native good humour and honesty of heart which she appeard to possess—but I never was in earnest in ralying you about it. (if you should perceive that the spelling of this Letter is different from what you have been accustomed too, you must Set it down for Websters New) plan. I write in haste, as I must dress for the drawing Room this Evening, and take my Letter to Town—
We have had our Friends the Creeks very near us for a Month and very constant visiters to us some of them have been— I have been amused with them and their manners. tho they could not converse but by signs they appeard Friendly, manly, generous gratefull and Honest. I was at Federal Hall when the Ceremony of Ratifying the Treaty took place it was truly a curious scene, but my pen is so very bad that however inclined I might be to describe it to you, I cannot write with pleasure. I inclose you some papers that I believe were mislaid before
Remember me to the dr and mrs Welch and all other Friends— you must go to mr Thatchers meeting and get a seat in the old pew—
yours
A A


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 29 August 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

my Dear sister
Sunday eve Nyork August 29 1790
I last Night received your Letter which I have long expected, dated 9th of August, and thank you for your account of commencment, as well as your care. I have written to you a number of times and wonderd much at not hearing from you. by dr Jeffries I wrote you an account of mrs Smiths getting well to Bed. She is very cleverly and has been once out to see me tho only three weeks last Night since she got to Bed, but the weather being so warm she has got the Air very soon or rather never Shut it out. She was going to dine below stairs to day, and said if she was not asshamed she would go with me to take leave of mrs washington who sets out tomorrow for Mount Vernon. I am [goin]g into Town for that purpose, and shall part with her, tho I hope, only for a short time, with much Regreet. no Lady can be more deservedly beloved & esteemed than she is, and we have lived in habits of intimacy and Friendship. in short the Removal of the principal connections I have here serves to render the place delightfull as it, is much less pleasent than it has been.
I have been almost upon the point of visiting Braintree. I even made several arrangments for that purpose in my own mind, but had it all overthrown by an arrangment for a Removal to Philadelphia this fall mr Adams talks now of going there, to look out a House, as he begins to think he shall be very misirable at Lodgings, but I will hope that I may come next summer, and be a Border with you for some months if we should let our House if the people you mention are responsible and worthy people I should have no objection to letting it to them with the furniture the best carpet & china & Glass tho not much excepted.— I know more injury may be done to furniture in one year than a House can easily sustain in several. a Hundred dollars goes but a little way in good furniture. perhaps they may run away with a fancy that as the house is unoccupied we would readily let it for trifle. the House I should rather let at a low Rent than it should stand empty, but not the furniture 200 dollors a year or not much less I should expect to have for it including the Garden stables &c there are three Beds two very good and three carpets besides the best; at Philadelphia we must give four hundred for an empty house and that out of the City, but I shall ha[ve] opportunity to write you more fully if they should have any fancy for taking it and I would consult the dr about it.
we are anxious to get Thomas here and wonder that he does not come on pray hasten him as mr Adams is very anxious desirious to have him here— my dear Sister I never take the ten guineys so pray say no more about them I am under obligations to you for the care and attention to my children which nothing pecuniary can repay & it hurts me that I have it not in my power to do as I wish— I hope our young folks will get into Buisness I am glad mr Cranch will be like to get something for his hard Labour— I hope the remaining part of the debt will be provided for in less than ten years— our publick affairs look very auspicious not withstanding the grumbling I have many more things to Say to you but am obliged to close to go into Town, but will write to you soon again— we are all well. you may write by the post they have not Chargd us postage yet and I presume will not as the New act if it had past excepts the President and vice Pressident, and as it is known to be the intention of congress, I suppose they will not tax us with postage under the present act.
Love to all Friends / ever yours
A Adams


Title: John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 August 1790
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail

My dear Madam
Boston August 29th: 1790.
I received by Mrs: Atkinson your favour of the 20th: instt: which has added not a little to the weight of anxiety which, before hung heavy upon my mind. The Suspense in which I must continue, I know not how long with respect to my own prospects, has at present a constant operation to depress Spirits not naturally very lively; but when my solicitude for the welfare and happiness of my Sister is painfully excited by the circumstances which your Letter suggests, I must confess my state of mind is very far from being enviable— I am fully sensible, and I hope properly grateful, for the superior advantages with which I am favoured, above many other young people of my own standing in Life; yet perhaps the idea, that “to whom much is given, of him, much shall be required,” does not at present tend to alleviate the disagreeable sensations, which in my present state of doubt, while the impression of fear is strong, and that of hope but weakly supported, prevail in my mind. I have so often promised on my part, that industry, application, fidelity and oeconomy, should at least concur to render Fortune propitious, that the repetition of those engagements, might wear an appearance of ostentation.— But upon one subject, on which, from a passage in your letter, I am led to suppose you are under some apprehensions on my account, I think I can safely assure you, they may be quieted. You may rest assured, my dear Madam, that I am as resolutely determined never to connect a woman to desperate Fortunes, as I am never to be indebted to a woman for wealth. The same Spirit I presume will operate equally to prevent either of these cases, and you shall never be requested for your consent to a connection of mine, until I am able to support that connection with honour and Independence.
I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing my father here; and to converse freely with him upon my present prospects and expectations. Perhaps his presence here may be of some service to me.— I wrote to you requesting directions respecting the horse, which I have still here; and I am waiting for your orders. If you think it best that I should keep him upon the terms which I mentioned, I can purchase hay, at a cheaper rate at present than in the winter, or perhaps I could be supplied with it from the Farm; if you think otherwise I will immediately send him out to Braintree. As my expences must at present be yours, I cannot think of incurring any without your approbation.
I have been so much in the habit of complaining to you; perhaps even of whining that it is time to say something on the other side of the Question; I will therefore close this Letter, with assuring you, that except the want of business, which perhaps I ought not yet to expect, my situation here is perfectly agreeable; and that I think I should be very happy if I could only have an opportunity to work my way. And with this good news I will only add, that I am, and ever shall be, your affectionate Son.
J. Q. Adams
P. S. I attend public worship at Mr: Clarke’s, where Mr: Smith, has been so kind as to offer me a seat in his pew. Mr: Clarke’s discourses are so solid, so ingenious and so instructive, and those of Mr: Thacher are so empty, and flimsy, that I am sure you would approve of the principle upon which I have sacrificed the small point of policy which you suggest in your Letter, for the real advantages of improvement, which I may derive from Mr: Clarke’s instruction— I would however observe that I shall be the only Lawyer, attending at Mr: Clarke’s, which would not be the case at Mr Thacher’s.


Title: Abigail Adams to Abigail Bromfield Rogers, 5 September 1790
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Rogers, Abigail Bromfield

dear Mrs Rogers
[5 September 1790]
I Received by judge Cushing your very obliging Letter and am very happy to find that your Health was so far restored by your journey as to enable you to attend upon commencment. it would have afforded me much pleasure to have been present as I was peculiarly interested in the day. it is a little Singular that I should have three sons graduated there and not be able to attend at one single performance of either of them. the good and amiable Character with which mr Thomas quits the university affords the most pleasing Sensations to his affectionate Parents. you must excuse this maternal effusion as I believe you too Sincerly my Friend not to participate in that which so tenderly concerns me. and now my dear Madam How do you immagine Newyork both looks, and feels to me, one attraction after an other has left me here almost alone. Mrs Smith and Family are still strong ties, but were they Removed, I should wish to follow those who are gone before me. I visited mrs Walker twice after you left Town, but as mrs Page occupied your Appartments and we did not visit, I was saved the dissagreeable sensation of entering them and finding them destitute of all that endeard them to me. mrs Walker never spoke of you but in terms of most affectionate Friendship and her Eyes testified to the Sincerity of her professions. this day week I took a most tender and affectionate leave of mrs Washington She took me by Hand embraced me tenderly saying god Bless you my dear Madam we will meet again at Philadelphia but She has repeatedly told me that she shall never see N York again. She was extreemly affected the morning she left the city. I did not attend her upon the water as I had parted with her the Evening before. the Citizens of N york behaved with the greatest propriety. the Ladies who usually attended her drawing Room had taken leave of her in the course of the week, but the Govenour Clergy ministers of state and citizens who attended upon the President to the Barge which lay of just behind his House preserved a total Silence, not a word was heard, when the Barge push’d of each person took of his Hat bowd and retired. mr & mrs Lear remain in the House with part of the domesticks untill they remove to Philadelphia which will be in october with regard to myself I am so devided between a wish to remain with mrs Smith, and the doubt whether we ought to tarry here, that I am in a state of suspence which I am apt to think will terminate in a Removal but where ever I may be it will always afford me pleasure to see or hear from my dear Mrs Rogers. mrs Smith dinned with me yesterday being just a month since her confinement she has a fine Boy we cannot however help regretting the Sex