Title: Abigail Adams to William Smith, 26 June 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Smith, William

              Dear sir
              Philadelphia June 26 1798

            Since writing to You, respecting Thomas Welch, I have received last week a Letter from mr Adams which wholy discourages me from Sending any person abroad. he states certain difficulties which I do not see can be surmounted, certainely not, as it respects Thomas I cannot but regreet that I did not receive the Letter which is dated the last of Feb’ry sooner, that I might not have proposed the thing. I fear it will be a dissapointment to him, under his present situation. The President will give him an appointment in the Navy, or in the Army which is to be raised, which ever he may prefer— The Dr has applied for the place of Loan officers in case of mr Appletons death but it cannot be— private Friendship must not superceed the publick interest and confidence. it may lay in the P——ts power to promote him in his Profession. in that case he will not neglect him, but sir, could you advise to the other would the publick be satisfied with it?
            Inclosed are the last printed dispatches. the Letter from mr Gerry to the President, he has layd before Congress as you will see by the papers. I would not be in mr Gerrys coat, if the dispatches should reach before he gets out of France. He has too much Charity, to believe all things tho he hopes all things. he is doing more than duty, to stay— Will the orders given him to retire be better relishd by Talleyrand, when he finds “Millions for defence but not a sixpence for tribute” to be the voice of all true Americans? I am grieved for mrs Gerry, who will hear many harsh things Said, many things which mr Gerry does not deserve if he is caught, he will have little

compassion exercised towards him. it is an insult upon our Government to Chuse out whom Talleyrand pleased to treat with, but treat he will not, and cannot. that will Soon be put out of Question, for money tribute must be the terms—and the Cannons mouth must answer the Demand—
            Congress will—not rise sooner than the last year— my kind regards to / all Friends / Yours as ever

              Abigail Adams

            Mr Perkins at the Castle will be attended to. mr Perkins son in Law to mr Appleton is strongly recommended to fill his Fathers place


Title: Rebecca Leppington Hurd to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1798
From: Hurd, Rebecca Leppington
To: Adams, Abigail

              Boston June 26th. 1798

            If, Madam, I still retain a Place in your esteem, (and I am not conscious that I have ever forfeited it) let me Solicit your kind interposition in behalf of an Application made by Mr Hurd in a letter to the President for the loan Office now Vacant by the decease of Mr Appleton. Shoud Mr H be thought properly qualified, by the President, for this Office, he wou’d endeavor to merit it by a faithfull discharge of the duties of it—
            In a letter, Madam, I had the honor to receive from you in July 1790, you was kind enough to Say it wou’d give you pleasure to contribute towards my happiness if it was in your power, I having at that time made a Similar application to this;
            That you have the Same disposition to Communicate happiness now, will not admit of a doubt: I will therefore presume, being well acquainted with the benevolence of your mind, that you will mention Mr Hurd in favorable terms to the President; and Shou’d the request meet his approbation, it wou’d confer an Essential Service on Us, and enable Us to Support with decency a promising family of Children, who are Just coming into life, and for whose welfare we are anxiously concern’d.—
            It is the oppinion of many Gentlemen in Town, that Mr Hurd is perfectly well qualified for Such an Office; and shou’d he be So happy as to obtain it, it wou’d meet their intire approbation; but if any more fortunate person Shou’d be prefer’d, a mindfullness of Mr Hurd, Shou’d there be any other Vacancy, wou’d be acknowledged with gratitude by one who has the honor to / Subscribe herself / with great respect & esteem / your humble Sert.

              Rebecca Hurd

            my kind love to Miss Louisa Smith


Title: Abigail Adams to William Smith, 29 June 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Smith, William

            Dear sir
            June 29 1798

          I have this moment received your Letter of June 25th. I wrote to you by the post of twesday, and told you that from a Letter received from mr Adams I thought it would be impractable for Thomas Welch to go out. I now inclose you the Letter and you must judge what is best to be done mr Adams will undoubtedly give Thomas his Board if he goes but you see the expences of his going to him, and of his return must be from the Sum allowd. mr Adams finds the court of Berlin so expensive that with the utmost oeconomy he can but just Live within his means. The President says if Thomas and his Friends conclude, that it will do for him to embark upon those terms, the sooner he goes the better. if he should think the terms inadequate, the President says he will make him midshipman on Board Captain Sever, or any other vessel, or give him a commission

in the Army if he raises one. he will leave it optional with him. I wrote you on twesday respecting the Loan office and am happy to find that you think in the same manner The President considers himself as trustee for the publick, and his conscience responsible for the Charge committed to him. he yesterday conquerd all his own personal feelings and inclinations in an appointment of collecter of this port. the most respectable & responsible Merchants came forward in favour of an upright honest Man a firm federilist, a good citizen, who from his connections & his misfortunes claimd every attention, and for whom the President felt his Heart greatly interested, but he dared not commit the publick interest into the Hands of a Man whose private affairs were desperate, tho he no ways in fault. accordingly the speaker of the House of Reps of this State was appointed, mr Latimer a Man in good circumstances, who did not need it, as a support but who is very respectable— it is an old Proverb, [“]Let the Shoemaker keep to his last” it would be well for many if it was more attended to— in his Professional Line the President will serve him when ever opportunity occurs—
          You will write me the determination as soon as it is made—
          it is really a fine way of fortune making, plundering ones own Countrymen. what an infernal scene of iniquity has been practised by the French & the wretches who have united with them. I do not doubt but many vessels have already gone out with these commissions. I was told a number were hurrying away from Nyork. the Prohibition should have taken place as soon as the Bill past, but it seems as tho it was deferd to give time to them to get away— they have Priviledged merchants here—and many of them are known—but we shall never be free from these intrigues untill the Treaties are declared void. this city is a fine Situation. the Blacks whites & Grays are come from the Islands, here, and be sure we must let them Land and take them into our Bosoms because they have fought for Britain, and they chose to come here, and really peter is advocating their admission, tho cursing incessently every Frenchman— Peter never shewd himself a more bigoted English-Man, yet there exists no authority to exclude them, or any others whilst the treaties are in force. by them they have a right to come. I do not know what will be done. they are bold dareing and Insolent I hear.
          In short we must have more decision.
          I mourn with you the heavy loss sustaind by the death of our worthy and excellent Friend Dr Belknap. at any period it would have been cause of regreet, but at this more particuliarly so. a Clark &

Belknap, are not the Growth of every Age— as Men of Learning Piety, pure and undefiled Religion Benevolence and Candour, I know not where can be found their equals.
          all these things serve to wean us from the world & will lead our minds I hope to place our trust, not in Man, not in an Arm of flesh, but look to the great first cause, with Humble hope, and trembling pinions Soar to the first Good first Perfect and first fair.
          Kind and affectionate Remembrance to mrs smith cousin Betsy & all our other Friends
          From your &c

            A Adams


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 29 June 1798
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

              Dear Sister
              Quincy June 29th 1798

            Nothing but dire necessaty has prevented my writing as often as you could wish I do not always think it necessary to give you a list of the avocations which forbids my taking my Pen. but you know what it is to have ranting Boys to make & mend for & young men to pull about & leave upon tables chairs &C Books papers & clothes: I have no one to feel the propriety to keeping a house unincumber’d when cousen Betsys is away then newspapers & now Books which I want to read comes in my way & I cannot totally Seclude myself from Society a little visiting & many visiters all helps to take up my time I allow very little to sleep mr Cranch says I live without any. tis true I often do not go to Bed till one o clock in the morning & rise by five or Six— but I fall asleep in my chair after dinner which does me as much good as a nights rest: mr Cranch has been So unwell, that I have been broke of my sleep with him but what fatigue’d me most was having our house fill’d for ten days with company one Set have no sooner gone than another came you know it happens so sometimes, & almost all of them I had to nurse I do not think the weather has been friendly to health this spring & Summer we have hot Suns & cool damp air it has brought on fevers & complaints of the Bowels
            I am glad mr Marshal is returned & I think it would have been more for mr Gerry honour if he had done so too. his letter to the president is an odd one do you like it? his esteem & respect does not appear quite so perfect for the President as for his Friend the Bishop of Auton— If his professions are Sincere to that man are Sincere, what can his country think of him. he has fix’d his character in my mind
            I thank you for the Books & Shall Send them where I think they will be most wanted one to mr McKeen the minister of Milton to be read to the man of Fur who is So willing to take by the hand these Scorge’s of the nations & welcome them to his house. I Shall send one to mr Niles of Abington to be read at their next Town meeting— The horrid Scoenes it exhibits need no comment—
            My dear Sister I fear you will be keept too long in Philadilphia I want to hear you are on the road home— I am Sure you must have Much information by mr Marshal that I long to hear & which would not be proper to write— the Sedition Bill will be pass’d I hope befor Congress rises: colln. Hubbart of abbigton ought never to be smile’d

upon by the President again or admited into his house— tis true he is an ignorant creature but he ought to be Silenc’d, notwithstanding—
            I have had a letter from Sister Peabody & another from Cousen Betsy. they give me no hope of Betsy Shaws recovery— Sister is So distress’d that I Should not wonder if She Should go before her Daughter I must write to her every week if I can I cannot be with her. tis hard for her to suffer without a Sister by to Sooth & comfort her— She has every thing in mr Peabody that a kind good Husband can be but She want the assistance of a Sister: cousen Betsy is a great comfort to her & cousen Betsy Smith of Boston is gone to her also— Such a lovely child as Betsy Shaw is & Such comfort as she look’d to receive from her is hard to be parted with. I feel so myself at the thought, that I want the Support I would give—
            Mr Appleton was not quite dead when I wrote you he was, but he liv’d but a few days after Doctor Belknaps loss will be greatly felt by those who knew him he certainly had great merit
            I believe you will be much pleas[ed with] your Building. the Library will be beautiful. [The] Books will be put up next week or the week [after] but it has been a great job— you may have two large upright uper chambers in it if you please
            Mrs Norton is here with her children & I have a Tailor at work for them— our Friends here are all well— cousen Betsy will not know how to leave her aunt. mr Foster has made them one visit & Sister is much pleas’d with him.—
            Respecful regards to the President & Love to cousen / from your ever affectionate Sister

              Mary Cranch

            Mrs Norton sends Duty


Title: William Smith to Abigail Adams, 29 June 1798
From: Smith, William
To: Adams, Abigail

              Dear Madam.
              Boston. 29th. June. 1798.

            Your barrels & Trunk, for which you inclos’d me a Bill of Loading some days since arriv’d safe Yesterday.— I hope the business of Congress will permit you soon to leave Philaa. before the extreme hot weather comes on.— Our House of Rep. Yesterday pass’d a Resolution, Unanimously, to instruct our Sen. & Rep. in Congress, to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, excluding all but Native Citizens & those who were here, at the declaration of Independence, from being eligable as Pres. Vice. Pres. Senator or Rep. in Congress. I wish such an Amendment might be propos’d to the several States this Session. most of the Legislatures will meet in the Fall & if it meets the approbation of 2/3ds. it might the next Session of Congress be adopted.—
            we have placed at the disposal of the Governor, $50.000. in case of any emergency before the next session of the Genl. Court. this with $50.000. appropriated for Military Stores, &c will put us in a more respectable state than for some Years past.—
            An Amendment was propos’d by the Member from Cambridge, on the Resolu. I have mention’d, “to exclude all those Americans who were in Arms & joind the British.” this proposal recd. but one Vote besides his own. the Question was taken by Yeas, & Nays, before it was taken this Genn & a few others slipt out of the House, & did not leave a single Nay.—
            Mrs. S. & our children are well she joins me in Affectionate regards—
            Yr H Sert

              Wm. Smith.

            Boston, tho’ not the first, in proposing to [. . .] Ships, have shown their attachment to the Govt by subscribing $104.000 in 12 hours for this purpose. Deacon Phillips subscribd. $10,000.— by this post, I have forward’d, an application from Cap. Eben. Kent for a Commiss. in the Provisional Army. he serv’d with reputation the last warr & wishes to be of service in case the Country is in Danger. he is Brother to Mrs. Evans & Grandson of our Aunt Kent. he will make a faithful, good Officer.—


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 3 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

            My dear sister
            July 3d 1798

          The extreem heat of yesterday & the no less prospet of it this day, is beyond any thing I ever experienced in my Life the Glasses were at 90 in the Shade yesterday. tomorrow will be the 4 July, when if possible I must see thousands. I know not how it will be possible to get through. live here I cannot an other week unless a Change takes place in the weather you had as good be in an oven the bricks are so Hot. I can only say to you that yesterday the President Nominated Gen’ll Washington to be commander in chief of the Army to be raised, and as soon as the Senate pass upen it, the Secretary of war will be sent express to announce it to him. His Country calls. no Man can do so much for it in that Line. “The knowledge that he lives” is a Bulwark. it will unite all Parties in the Country. it will give weight force and energy to the People—& it will dismay our Enemies— I cannot think that he will decline the station—
          Mr soper from Braintree was here yesterday, & he disclosed my whole secret about my building the President had a hearty laugh & says he is sorry it was not carried clear along. he is affraid it is upon too Small a Scale, so tell the dr we shall not incur any blame
          I inclose you the paper of this day. you will see how Politicks are. tis so Hot I cannot think or write more than yours / as ever

            A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 7 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw

            my Dear sister
            Philadelphia July 7th 1798

          I received your Letter of June 21. on the 29th  the extreem heat of the last week so totally unfitted me for every exertion that I could neither Eat, sleep Read write, or do any thing but labour to Breathe. I took the earliest opportunity to consult dr Rush upon my dear Neices case. what is past, cannot be remidied. his opinion, as to her case is that Bleading would have been the first application necessary. he even thinks now, that it might be salutary to take as much as 3 or 4 oz from her: if releaved by it, it might be repeated as she could bear it. a Blister to her side, and that repeated as soon as one drys up he conceives might be of use— he apprehends an abscess forming in her Side from the statement made by you. he advises to vegetable diet, to the use of whey, or Butter Milk if her stomache will bear it, and if she can take animal food, it should be of the salt kind, such as a little Bit of Tongue or ham— moderate Excercise. as to pukes, he is altogether averse to the use & habit of them. they procure a temporary determination to the surface of the Body, and so far lessen pain & cough as to enable patients to use proper exercise, but he conceives Blood letting to remove the symptoms of Inflammatory Diathesis, & of much greater utility, & riding on Horse back of great use if the Patient can bear it. these remidies must however be conformd to the strength & ability of the Patient. there is a Lady in this city whom I well know—who has been thought to be in a consumption for these 10 Months. nothing which has been used could conquer the fever. she has a voracious appetite. she is not a Patient of dr Rush’s, but her Physicians have confined her altogether, for two months past to Bread & Whey— I have not learnt what effecet

it has had. she has not a cough. her disorder was produced by a miscarriage— she sometimes Rides out we had a case of a man in Quincy, Anthony Baxter, I believe cousin Betsy Remembers him, who for a long time was thought to be in a consumption an Abessess formd in his side, & dischargd it self by the application of Blisters he is now recoverd. he had every complaint in his Limbs of a Rhumatick kind & did not walk for many Months. his appetite was Ravinious at times, and his Bowels frequently affected— I hope still that my dear Neices case is not past recovery— the Numbness which you say, she complains of is an other indication of the Abesess in the side— keep her spirits Cheerfull, and her mind easy—and you my dear sister will endeavour to bring your mind to that state of Submission & resignation, “Which shall say thy will be done” He Gave, and blessed be his Name, [“]he takes but what he Gave.” you have a Friend and comforter in your worthy partner whose tenderness upon this trying occasion must endear him, more & more to you— I could say much more to you, and of my dear Neice whose amiable qualities I loved, whose mild & complying temper was a continual feast but I forbear, the fitter she for the abode which may be prepared for her—
          I have written to you once since the Letter by judge Blodget, and inclosed some money I hope you have received it—
          I flatter myself with the hopes of passing a little time at Quincy, but many of my Pleasures have fled since I left it. the losses I have sustaind by the death of some of my most valuable acquaintance & Friends cast a Gloom over the Scene. Mrs Gill Mrs Quincy dr Clark & Belknap, “grew not on every tree,” as Young expresses it nor can I expect at my Age to have their loss supplied. For those I have left God be praised. may they be continued as Blessing to me.
          The worldly circumstances of others is an other source of affliction to me— to see Families reduced from competance to necessity, and that without even Suspecting their situation is at one a stroke, unkind and I almost said, treacherous. I could not forgive such deception— our worthy Friend mr smith is a much injured man by the benevolence of his Heart, and the readiness of his Hand. I wish such men possessd mines— who upon this stage of existance can say he is without trouble? the scripture assures us that Man is born to it, and Religion alone teaches us to bear it like Christians.
          It will be scarcly worth possible to detail those which fall to the Lot of Him who precidies over a Nation in a season of such danger

and at a period so critical as the present. they cannot be enumerated. I hope they may be surmounted, and that as the day is so may the strength & support, be proportioned.
          I wish I could send my dear Boys some of my 4th of July plumb cake. out of two Hundred & 20 weight, I have a slice remaining for them and that which I think is very good. it would have been a Glorious sight to them to have seen 400 young Men, all in uniform and 60 Grenadeers, none of whom exceed 22 years—marching in Review as Volunters whose services had been tenderd to their Country in a free will offering to the Chief Majestrate of united America. I feel when I see any of them as tho I had a more than common interest in them. many of them are the sons & Brothers of my particular Friends and acquaintance and of the first Families in the city. To the Committe of young Men from Nyork I presented a cockade in the middle of which is a small silver Eagle, being the Arms of the united states. they have been polite enough to Name them after me, & the whole volunteer Corps have adopted them.
          Louissa is writing to her sister her Health is very delicate. she has no flesh, yet I know not the reason— I think she suffers for want of proper exercise, to which she is the most averse of any Young person I ever saw— kiss my little Abbe for me. God preserve her to you— to my dear Neice I pray for those comforts & consolations which are neither few nor small. with respectfull Regard to mr Peabody & Love to all others—
          I am my ever dear sister / your truly affectionate

            Abigail Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to William Smith, 7 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Smith, William

            my dear sir
            Philadelphia July 7th 1798

          I have received your two kind favours this week of June 29 & July 2d as Hot a day as I ever experienced. I was therefore upon that and the succeeding day unfit for any exertion, and thought it would be impossible for me to go through the fatigues of the 4th without a Change of weather which fortunately took place on twesday afternoon, otherways it must have proved fatal to the Young troops, when many of them had fainted the morg’ before at their excercise— the day was however Propitious, and the exhibitions truly Military and Patriotic. good order and strictest dissipline were attended to & tho the various companies dinned in different places & parties, not a disguised man appeard amongst them all. they serenaded us at various parts of the Evening & night, but all was harmony— I should however except from the Number a company of 15 republican Blews as they were call’d all of whom partook of Liberty and equality— the city was quiet, tho thousands were gatherd in our street & a pass allowd only for the troops who with Some difficulty could keep a passage open—
          I rejoice in the firm & decided conduct of the Legislature of my Native state, whose Patriotism shews it self by more than words. I take pride in belonging to it. with less than half the Numbers of Nyork, Boston appears in front, not in the Background whilst 70 thousand dollors are repeated, & repeated, and the labouring oar can scarcly stem the tide, Boston rides triumphant upon the wave— I have been astonishd at the Langour of Nyork, so much exposed, and so much to lose—yet torpid, unfealing as dutch men, with a Representation in Congress which is a disgrace to the state, and made still worse by their late Election—
          two Printers in the city every day libelling the President and the

Government. Burk who could not find food in Boston, and who was driven from his own Country for sedition, is now employd in publishing the Time Peice which Freaneu could no longer carry on— this wretch in a paper of this week, says in the most Possitive language, that the Letters sent to Congress by the President as from mr Gerry, were altogether a forgery palmd upon the publick to answer his particular views— you see the concert between the Printers. Bache asserted a similar falshood, and was arrested in concequence of it as Burk will be— I hope a similiar prossecution will take place in Boston if the Chronical ventures upon so dareing an outrage— as you take Fennos paper, you will see, in that of July the 6th a peice signd Themistocles with an extract from Burks time peace— the peice which I allude to, and for which a prossecution is orderd, is still worse than that. yet the Bill to punish sedition sent down from the senate will be hard fought in the House, and will have the old french faction opposed to it. the Bill you see for declaring the Treaties void past by a majority of ten— these Antis are possesst by the devil; or they could not at such a time as the present make such a stand against the voice of Reason Religion Property, all that is dear and valuable to Man, and without which Human Nature is more savage than the Beasts of the field— Let Russel print the peice under the signature of Themistocles. the more these wretches are seen, the more they must be detested. that wretch is a hireling of France to defame the Government. we shall see who will be his bale— the President will immediatly Revoke all the Exequators of the consuls. the amendment to the Constitution of the us proposed is a good one I wish it may succeed— a Leiut is this day Nominated for this cruize only for the Constitution, the other to fill it when he returns. a Sailing Master has never been yet recommended, nor does the President know whom to appoint—
          I hope Congress will rise next week, but I cannot absolutely say— I have written to dr Welch—. Many applications reachd here for the Loan office after the place was filld— I am glad you approve the appointment, as you must I trust of Commander in Chief tho some were exerting every power and faculty for Col H——n the President decided without communication, and sent in the nomination of the old General, without the least intimation what his own mind will be. he sends the Secretary of War on Monday with the commission You can hardly conceive what a powerfull interest is made for H——n I am surprizd at the want of knowledge of Human Nature— that man

would in my mind become a second Buonaparty if he was possessd of equal power yet my opinion is singular. what is the sentiment your way would any man there like he should have been made Commander in Chief? that he will make an able and active officers I have not a doubt, and will do in his place— oh how many passion are sit at work by ambition, by an asspiring Genious— virtue virtue, how little consideration is paid to it in these days— “these are the old opinions of which” Burk complains. What I have written of H——n is between ourselves, and in confidence. I should like to learn the opinions of others. What is Knox’s what is Lincolns? would they have advocated his being first— I hope Washington will not decline— he must not, he cannot— our good Friend Mr Sewall has been very timid this Session. how few of the sons of Men, are qualified for bold decisive action when danger threatens? a very upright honest man and an able one—varnun. pray do not let our state have one Black sheep amongst the flock—
          My kind and affectionate Regards to mrs Smith and to the Children from Your / Friend

            A Adams


Title: Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1798
From: Cranch, Mary Smith
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dear Sister
            [7 July 1798]

          How did you live thro’ the heat of Monday & Teusday we could but just breathe the glasses Stood at a 100 at Boston I thought much of the inhabetants of our citys especially Philadelphia I hope you will not stay much longer in it I see the v President has ask’d leave of absence. is he gone to Secure his papers— we are rejoicing to see that a beginning to stop the mouth of Sedition has began at the fountain head the reason why a Sedition Bill was not made here was that our court expected one from congress it was talk’d of—
          So they design’d to pour in their armies from St Domingo upon us to aid their Friends here— I think this will Shew the necessaty of Declaring war before congress rises Surely they will not be permited to land any where the fortifying our Sea coast: will be found absolutely necessary also. we must have a Botany Bay to send our Jacobins to or we Shall be in constant danger from them
          I receiv’d two Letters & two Hankercheefs from you last Teusday they are very nice. mrs welsh sends her kind love & respects to you & thanks you for your Presents to her Sister Smith also She has been very Sick this week— as for me I should feel very unhappy if you did not know I have a grateful heart because I cannot find language that will convey all I feel for your Sisterly kindness to me & more than maternal tenderness & attention to my children I will inclose one of nancys letters it will speak her gratitude I have not time to make an extract from it or I would not send the letter I wish she would write plainer—
          Your Last Letters I could not read without a tear— they were So Solemn. there has indeed been more breeches made upon our Family & particular acquaintance within the last 18 months than in any so Short a space of my life— I have not heard from Betsy Shaw dear Girl this week—but have no idea of any favourable turn to her dissorder we must resign her— I am distress’d for our Sister— it will break her all to peice if not kill her. I have willm the letter & hankercheif.
          Capn. Thayer you will see by the papers is number’d with the dead he lived but ten days after he was taken we attended the Funeral it was a very large one the company of light horse of which he was Capn: attended in their uniform he was carried into the meeting

house Mr weld gave a Prayer & a Funeral Oration as full of words as the address to the President
          They are a most afflicted Family he was greatly bel[oved] by his Friends & neighbours as well as by his Family
          Mrs Belknap bears her troubles much better than was expected She behaves well—
          I think sometimes that those whom we esteem our props our ornimints of church & state are taken from us in times So trying to shew us that we are not to depend upon an arm of Flesh for our Salvation. it looks dark I know, but affliction was ever the Safest State for Man— If there had been half as much pains taken in times past to inlighten the People at larg as to deceive them, we Should be much More united than we now are a Sedition Bill will do more with a certain class than reason & argument but their numbers I hope are not large—for where there is neither virtue nor reason, you can never do any thing but by force— they only Set down to rise again upon the first opportunity which presents— we are all well— your House is ready for you— the Stage is come
          adieu affectionately

            M C


Title: Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 8 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Johnson, Catherine Nuth

              My Dear Madam
              Philadelphia July 8th 1798

            I received your Letter of July 4th.  I was indeed so allarmd at the beginning of it, as scarcly to have power or fortitude to proceed. I thought the next line was to anounce to me the death of one, or other of our Children. happily that was not the case tho the affair which gave rise to your Letters is very destressing to me I thank God

that it did not prove a fatal one. I know the candid and Generous mind of my Nephew too well to believe him in any way the agressor. he would much sooner receive an injury than do one, and I have reason to think the more intimately you know him, the more he will rise in your esteem— Nothing but misfortunes seem to have marked his way ever since he first went to the Federal city. his Benevolence & the Generous confidence of youth, a Strong sense of probity and honour in his own Breast, led him to place too great a confidence in others, to his own injury, but mr Morris drew every one into his vortex, who did any buisness with, or for him. as you represent the affair, mr d  appears to have transferd his Malice to the Agent of mr Roy, and to have insulted mr Cranch, previous to the Blow which he so basely inflicted. I hope he has not lastingly injured him—but a blow upon the Head, and that sufficient to lay a man flat, is too serious a Buisness to be considered in a very light point of view. mr Cranch’s fair and unoffending Character will bear him up, where ever truth and justice prevail, and the Law I trust will punish the offender most of our troubles in this Country arrise from imported foreigners, Men who have neither an affection for our Laws Government or People, who many of them, escape from the just vengence of their own Country, & flee to this which affords them protection and shelter. here they are still wrestless & turbulent, and prove that the Leopard cannot change his spots.
            As to mr D——s Bondsman, I know not what to say, or what plea he may have to urge. I have ever lived in habits of friendly intercourse with the whole Family, and considerd them amongst my firmest Friends. I am not insensible to their vunerable past, but mr dalton has always been considerd by the President, and myself, as a Gentleman of honour and integrity. he knows mr Cranch & his whole family he has lived in habits of friendly intercourse with them, & mine, for many years—nor can I suppose him capable of taking part against them. what facination may have bound him to mr Duncanson, or any of Family to him, may be better known by others, than myself— I have been in company with Capt D—— at New york some years since. his manners were not particularly attractive to me, but I am very ignorant of all th[. . .] Party squables which subsist; either in Washington or George Town I he[. . .] the late President had trouble Enough in arranging the Buisness of the city the Present President has had enough of it, since he came into office, but has been too much occupied with the approaching Calamities

of our Country to attend So much to it, as he otherways would have done—and he has not contnued the commissoners in any thing, which they esteemed for the Benifit of it. I scarcly think it possible for him to visit it this Season. he is overpowerd with Buisness, and if he can get a respite of a few weeks, it must be Northward for his Health requires it. I read him that part of your Letters which respects mr J——n. he has not heard of the intended resignation, tho I believe he has of the disscentions. I presume it must be a very unpleasent & uncomfortable Birth for a Man who values his Peace or quiet.
            Pray my dear Madam continue to inform me of the state of my Nephews Health. I dare not communicate it to his Parents untill I hear further. he is very dear to them, and it will greatly afflict and distress them. I have in Charge from them their best respects to mr Johnson and yourself. I rejoice that Mrs Cranch is so near you; and that you & the Ladies take so kind an interest for them.
            A few lines from Thomas of March 30th the family were then well— I hope soon to hear more fully from them
            I am my dear Madam / your truly / affectionate Friend

              Abigail Adams

            my Love to mr & mrs Cranch—
            I open my Letter this Evening to inform you that Captain Decausler in the deleware—who saild on fryday has this moment returnd with a french Prize of 10 Guns, & 70 men, upon which I congratulate my Country— this is the first Capture—


Title: Thomas Boylston Adams to Joseph Pitcairn, 9 July 1798
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Pitcairn, Joseph

            Dear Sir.
            Berlin 9 July 1798

          Your favor of the 6th: currt. is at hand. It is true, that I mistook the statement in your preceding, respecting the exchange, but now comprehend it better. I agree with you also in opinion as to the propriety of drawing now rather than at a future day. Money in Holland will probably find less opportunity of improvement than hitherto. As it respects myself however, security is all I want for my property.
          By all the accounts which reach us from home; there seems to prevail a wonderful spirit of independence, & a resolution to assert it, by all the means within the reach of the people. The dispatches from our Envoys really seemed to operate a sort of divine revelation; but I had no conception that the mist before the eyes of our Countrymen had been previously so thick. To me I confess it is astonishing, that for two years past there should have been two opinions respecting the french Government & their manner of conducting towards us. The spirit that is roused, I well knew to exist among us, but so little of it had appeared, when, in my mind, there had been so much to provoke it, that I began to despair of any powerful display of it in the present crisis. It will do infinite good if properly & judiciously directed.
          We have just got through with the ceremonies & rejoicings upon the occasion of the homage, which took place on friday last. The spectacle was novel to me, but excited no great degree of interest, because there seemed to be none of that enthusiastic ardor, which, like the electric spark communicates & spreads from man to man, upon occasions to which I have been a witness in my own Country. Such as prevails, I hope, at this day, among us, and which will not suddenly be allayed or extinguished. There was here a wonderful decorum observed by the people, actors & spectators, and the faintness of the shouts which burst forth on the occasion was doubtless owing to the rigid regard to decency, which so abundantly prevails here on all public solemnities. The Sieyes was a spectator of the scene.

          On Saturday evening there was a brilliant & splendid ball at the palace, which I found more to my taste than the first ceremony; & yesterday there was a grand Concert of sacred music, intended for a Te deum. This I found tedious beyond measure, as indeed to me are all Concerts. Here, I believe, the shew is over—
          With esteem I am, dear sir / your friend & servt

            Thomas B Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to William Cranch, 12 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, William

            Dear sir
            Philadelphia July 12th [1798]

          It was with much anxiety and concern that I learnt from mrs Johnson the outrageous attack which was made upon you by mr duncanson, and the dissagreable circumstance of your being Badly wounded. I hope however from What I yesterday heard that the concequences of the wound will not prove so bad as was apprehended. mr Greenleaf call’d yesterday to inquire what intelligence I had received. he spoke like a friend and felt like a Brother I related to him the circumstances as detaild by the pen of mrs Johnson who was exceeding iritated & hurt at the event. I wisht however to See some person from whom I could lean the state of Parties and Character of the persons— I applied to mr Stodard who conversed very fully with me and satisfied me, that to steer between them requires great skill and management. No person would wish an other to Speak in higher terms of approbation and praise of the Honour integrity impartiality & concilitary disposition of an other than mr stodard did of my Nephew and mr stodard if I justly estimate him possesses all those qualities him Self. it was very ungentlemanly and

Rascally to attack a Man merely for his being Professionally engaged in the service of his attagonist the Law must decide upon the Equity of the dispute between the Parties—
          I cannot say but that I felt hurt that Mr Dalton should tender himself as Bondsman— a respectable one he is and is therefore I trust the more honorable security for the good behaviour of Duncanson of whose Party to whom I hear he has attachd himself I know you too well to suppose you can harbour any lasting Enimity and I trust you will as you have done stear as clear as possible of all Paty animosity and bitteness, in all cases consistant with what You owe to yourself, strive to heal animosities and soften Passions, to do good even to those who despightly use you and Percecute you. I do not mean by this that the Law ought not to have its full course and that as a Man unjuctly injured, you ought to have justice done you.
          I hope this will be Mrs Cranch—study also. where a city is divided against itself, it must come to mine and it is to be regreeted that at the commencment of Private interest should So embroil Friends and Neighbours. I lament that mrs Johnson should be fixt down in the very focuse & Hot bed of dissention. I believe no part of America is so circumstanced, having lived in a Country where one neighbour does not trouble an other, nor even know them, it must be the more unpleasent to her— I would advise all my friends to hear see & as far as possible to be silent
          Whilst I am writing a Letter is brought me from mrs Johnson, with the pleasing intelligence of your recovery so far as to think of sitting out upon a jouney— I hope you will not be too soon; Some accounts have reachd this city of the affair. all of them criminate duncanson— tho some say that he is really injured by mr L—— & R——
          I received a Letter from your mother this morning the family were well. I dared not in my last Letters hint the affair to her— I shall now give her an account of it—
          My Love to mrs Cranch tell her I hope Louissa will meet with as kind a friend in Berlin as a reward for the interest her amiable mother takes in Mrs Cranchs and your situation— I presume mrs Cranch will find a Mother & sisters in your absence. I hope the Washington Family will be gratified with the cordiality which subsists & has never known an interruption between the Late & Present President. I assure you that the invitation will be cordially accepted, and a great relief it will be to the President What can be the occasion of Thorntons animosity to the President. he never injured

or offended him— he is the only one of the three who are not personally known—


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 13 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

            my dear sister
            Philadelphia July 13 1798

          I begin my Letter by saying that mr Cranch was so much better on the 7th, the date of mrs Johnsons last Letter, as to conclude to go to the Court the next day— I would not make a long preparation to allarm or distress you, or write you a word upon the subject untill mrs Johnsons 2d Letter came for I would not have you feel as I did, upon reading the first part of hers of the 4 of july. upon any account, I veryly thought I should drop it before I found out the cause— to save a long detail I inclose you her Letters tho there are several confidential communications in them which you will not permit to go out of your Hands. perhaps you may have received a Letter from Nancy with more particulars. I know when mr Cranch was here, he gave me some accounts of the Party quarrels and animosities, but said he had been happy enough to keep clear of them— You will learn by mrs Johnsons Letter that in taking mr Cooks buisness, he was engaged for mr Cooks clients, and mr Ray being one of them, he was also engaged in his buisness. this it seems was the cause of duncansons animosity against him. duncanson is a scotchman who had held a command in the East Indies and came

over to this country when mr Law did. I saw them both frequently at col smiths in Nyork the summer I made a visit there. Ray is an Englishman. the dispute between them is concerning a vessel which they fitted out for the East Indies coverd as American Property, but which was taken by the English upon suspicion that she belongd to British Subjects—and Ray pleads that tho a partner, he became so after the vessel was purchasd duncanson thinks himself cheated by Law & Ray, and has been hardly used as dispassionate people say, but the quarrel has arrived at such a pitch as to throw all George Town into two strong Parties— Property in the federal city in different parts of it, is an other source of contention. I really pitty mrs Johnson who is come into the very heart of contention, and will judge of All America, I fear from what she sees & hears round her. the warm interest she has taken in behalf of mr Cranch who is inded the much injured Man, makes her too deeply interested as a Partisan with the Ray, & Law, people—
          I was surprizd to find mr dalton becomeing Bail for duncanson, but suspect he had a family reason for it. indeed intemperate and unjustifiable as duncanson was towards mr Cranch he is said to be much injured, and kept out of money due to him, by his opponents, but he should have waited untill the Law decided— a responsible Bondsman is no disgrace to the injured Party, and I cannot see it in the light which it appeard to mrs Johnson when in her warmth & agitation, She wrote first. you will see there were heavey Bonds required
          I could not know the state of things to my satisfaction, untill I sent for mr stodard the secretary of the Navey who is a man of great modesty worth and integrity. he came from George Town and he conversed freely upon the subject with me, giving me the true state of the Parties— he spoke in high terms of the fair & honorable Character which mr Cranch sustaind, and particularly of his Prudence in keeping himself clear of party animosities.— I found that he himself and two others were the only persons who had not taken their sides— I have just been writing to mr Cranch. mr Greenleaf came in great distress to me yesterday, having got by Rumour a report of the matter he talkd like a friend, and felt like a Brother— he looks very well and so does his dear Nancy—
          I received a Letter from you this day. Congress will rise on Monday next. the House I mean, the senate will yet remain in session. the appointment of officers cannot be made without them, I mean Gen’ll officers and the secretary of war cannot get back untill next week

from mount vernon. the President would not nominate any other officer untill he received an answer from Gen’ll Washington. Return my Letters as soon you have read them. the weather is now delightfull. I find that it was as hot at Nyork & Baltimore & Boston as here— I thought it would have killd me for, I was not well and the heat added to the pressure of my complaints. we were happily relieved on Twesday afternoon by Rain and wind—since which the weather has been agreable. I long however to see my friends, those which remain to me, should be doubly dear and precious— O that I could slide along to them, unnoticed and without Parade.
          I presume William shaw will be with you. I have sent him a white waistcoat pattern by mrs otis. You will take charge & have it made— I sit my Heart upon going to commencment this year; but the publick would not let me
          I have heard from Atkinson, but I get no comfort or consolation. that poor Girl has in my mind been sacrificd by a wrong management by her Physicians in the first instance if she had been early Bled—she might have been saved. at least that is my sentiment, tho I would distress her mother by saying so. I think there is no doubt that an Abscess is forming in her side—
          I shall want you to procure me some stores. I will give you notice and send you money for the purpose— I am my dear sister affectionatly your

            Abigail Adams—

            P S thank you for Nancys Letter tis a very good one. in the first instance mrs Johnson attended from my recommendation, but both mrs & mr C require only to be known to be loved


Title: John Quincy Adams and Thomas Boylston Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, 13 July 1798
From: Adams, John Quincy,Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Johnson, Catherine Nuth

              Dear Madam.
              Berlin 13 July 1798

            I hope the enclosed letter from my dear Louisa, will be more fortunate in its passage than those which she wrote you from Hamburg, and upon her recovery from illness after her arrival here. Several of our Letters have failed and it gives us much pain to find that those which we wrote to you, were particularly among the unsuccessful number.— I hope however that even before this you have the evidence under the own hand of your beloved daughter that she is in good health, and as well satisfied as she can be in a strange country, with an ocean rolling between her—and almost all her dearest friends and relations.— Since her recovery she has formed some agreeable and valuable acquaintances here, and wherever she has been seen she has been invariably loved and admired
            Since writing the enclosed she has received a letter of 26. May from her kind and affectionate father to whom I beg to be cordially remembered, and to whom I feel warmly grateful for his remembrance of me.— I hope he will find his affairs at home growing more pleasant and satisfactory as he advances with them
            I suppose by the time when this arrives it will be in season to give joy to Nancy to whom the warmest friendship can only wish that she may be as happy as she deserves. Caroline, I dare say will soon follow the example, and will alike participate in our most ardent wishes and prayers for her happiness. To them, and to all the rest of the family I beg to be affectionately remembered, and am, Dear Madam, your very sincere friend, and / hble: Servt:

              John Q. Adams.

            A young gentleman, who feels himself highly flattered by the kind remembrance, which he has been told is contained in a letter from a certain lady to her daughter, cannot refuse himself the satisfaction of expressing his best acknowledgments for it. He retains a lively sense of gratitude for the many marks of kindness & hospitality heretofore experienced from the same source, and hopes that the period is not far distant, which will place in his power an opportunity of giving confirming by a verbal assurance, his respectful attachment & esteem for the Lady & her amiable family, to each of whom he presents his best regards.

              T. B Adams.


Title: Thomas Welsh to Abigail Adams, 15 July 1798
From: Welsh, Thomas
To: Adams, Abigail

            Dear Madam
            Boston July 15. 1798

          I acknowledge with Pleasure your Letter of the 7th Inst:  thinking it uncertain whether you may not have left Philadelphia before this reaches that City I shall desire the President to open it provided you should have entered on your Journey northward unaccompanied by him I am induced to do this least the Appointments should be made out before I could make known my Wishes to him they are to obtain an Appointment in either of the Departments of the Medical Staff of the Army or Navy I mean one of the Principal Offices I have been flatered by my Friends I mean not those immediately of the Family but by others that I could fill one of them with Reputation I partake in a Degree of this Sentiment and shall fell myself honored and served should this Opinion meet the Approbation of the President. I am sensible that although the Law has passed impowering the President to make these Appointments yet the Officers may not immediately be called into Service and that they will not receive any Compensation untill they perform Service and I am also sensible that Congress have not attended to the Medical Marine Establishment. but I can hardly conceive that the Session will close without making Provision for such Prisoners as may be brought in sick or wounded or may be sick in their Places of Confinement if they take this Business up they will find it necessary to establish a Marine Hospitel in the Great Maritime Districts and if so no doubt one must be founded in Massachusetts and I suppose in the Harbour of Boston should this be the Case I should wish to have the Charge of it. but should it not be taken up this Session and the President should think proper to fill up the Commissions of Phisicans General to the Army perhaps they may be instructed to take Charge of such Sick and Wounded either of our own Fleet who are left on Shore without a Surgeon or Prisoners as may require Medical Aid ’till the Meeting of Congress. But should The President not incline to fill up these

Commissions at Present and no Provision be made touching the Marine Establishment still Many of our own Sailors will be left on Shore when the Ships leave Port who will require medical Assistance as well as those of the Enemy perhaps it may be thought expedient to fix up a temporary Warrant ’till further Provision can be made I hope I shall not be thought too minute upon this Occasion but these things have made a considerable Impression on my Mind and no doubt they will if not at the present Moment eer long be attended to by Congress.
          My Son is waiting with Impatience for a Passage there is no Opportunity from this place sooner than a fortnight.
          I am with great Esteem & Respect your obliged Friend & Humble St

            Thomas Welsh


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 17 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

            My dear sister
            Philadelphia July 17th 1798

          I had a Letter yesterday from mrs Johnson of the 12 July, in which she says mr Cranch had just returnd from the Court to which he went, the Judge being indisposed; that his wounds were getting well fast, and that he did not suffer any inconvenience except a headack, by his ride—that he had written to you a full account of the whole buisness.
          Congress rose yesterday. the House the Senate are obliged to sit a few days longer. mr McHenry is not yet returnd from mount vernon— he is expected to day. I hope we shall be able to leave here next week, but I cannot possitively say. we do not design that it shall be known here the day we are to sit out. we wish to avoid Military Parade.

          We get no News from abroad, and Mr Gerrys stay is a plausible pretence for the Jacobins to circulate Lies and falshoods in abundance. Le Tomb has circulated the report, that mr G— was received and was negotiating & that a French minister might daily be expected here— if one should come, he will not find America a resting place—24 hours—but I have not any Idea of such an Event.—
          I wrote you in my last that I should want some Stores, a couple pound Hyson Tea ditto souchong Hundred Brown sugar Several dozens Hard Bread half Hundred coffe Gallon of Brandy Quarter pd Nutmegs pd cinnamon Mustard Pepper 2 oz Maize half pd Cloves— I want also for one Bed a Bedtick it is for a common one— Mrs Porter can tell you— I think I must have a couple of Bedsteads— I shall have 4 Men Servants. I would have them saking bottoms. would it not be best to get them of Bedlow. I have Bedsteads enough out in the Grainary chamber, but they are such lumber that I do not know if any thing could be done with them. if they could I should not regreet their being cut for the purpose. they put up with screws which screws are in the store closset some of them & some of them over the Top of the Granary chamber window— if any of them should be put up—I shall want some straw Beds to be made to put upon them before the others are laid on I also wish you to purchase me a peice of Russia sheeting and sit Nabby to make it. I have not half sheeting enough for these People which is stout— I also want you to get me a peice of the plain Russia towelling. the sheeting & toweling take a receipt, for as thus “for the use of the Household of the President of the u s[”]— I also want some Tea pots & a coffe pot or two—some tea spoons for the kitchin. any thing which you may think I want beside you will be so good as to provide I inclose you a Bill of an Hundred dollors— it runs in my mind that I want some yellow dishes & plates some kitchin knives & forks—half dozen pd spermiciti candles, flask sweet oil— I have a small field Bedstead in the Garret which might be put either in the little Chamber or the one mrs Porter used to occupy— it wants a littel mending if I remember right—
          I have put things down just as I have thought of them and without much order—
          Mr McHenry is just returnd and brought with him Gell Washingtons acceptance of his appointment, but the printers wittout any Authority have published that he was expected to come on to Philadelphia—whereas no such thing is at present intended. the present

opperations necssary can be carried on by communicating with him, and by other and younger officers who will this day be nominated— as Congress would not proceed to a declaration of war, they must be answerable for the concequences— with a kind remembrance to all Friends—and in the hope of seeing you e’er long / I am Sincerely / and affectionatly / your sister

            Abigail Adams—


Title: Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 19 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Smith, Abigail Adams

            my dear Mrs Smith
            July 19th 1798 Philadelphia

          I received pr. post yours of the 17th this day. I shall forward your Letter to the Children. I received a Letter from mrs Johnson of the 12th in which she says mr Cranch’s wounds were healing, that the most dangerous was just below the Hair, two other upon the side of the head. the skull was laid bare. the Bravadoes struck him twice after he was sensless upon the Ground, and for no other cause, than that he refused to deliver a House up, for which he had not received any Warrant but the wretches will be tried by the Law, and must suffer the penalty. I have not yet had a letter from mr Cranch. his poor Father and Mother will be greatly distresst. it is a great mercy that he was not murdered upon the spot.
          Captain Morris must have misunderstood me. I had not any thoughts of sitting out so soon I hope however to see you in the course of the next week, and hope you will be ready to go with us— you had better send a trunk by water. You can take on a small one. Col smith is nominated for Adjutent Genrall of the Army Col

Hamilton is inspector Gen’ll. I will send on the List of Nominations. the president desires he would impress upon his mind the necessity there will be for union & harmony between all the staff officers— and particularly between the Inspector & Adjutant Generals—as well as with the commander in Chief— I hope the appointments will give vigor, and animation to the torpid state: of Nyork, which conducts as if they were willing to receive the Enemey. Some federal exertions are & have been made, but they have chosen six out of ten Antifederal members to Congress, and citizen Levingstone if he is not an Agent of An Agent of the directory, he is not an American in word or deed. he is an unblusshing false deceiver of his Country— Virgina is more animated, more united and federal than the city of Nyork. they betray an apathy a torpor, which considering their exposed situation astonishes me and I know not how to account for it, but by supposing that the Diplomatick skill basted of by X & Y, is in full excercise there—but there is no place where such a deadly Lethargy has taken possession—but what have paid with their Blood and Liberties, for the infatuation. Philadelphia is all Patriotic warmth & Zeal when compared to them.
          I do not wish you to mention when we expect to be on. it is uncertain, and we shall not stay in Nyork at all. our design is to quit here as silently as possible, and to get through Nyork in the same manner
          The little trunk committed to my care I shall have put up with our plate & sent to the Bank in my absence unless you send different orders—
          with My kind Regards to the Col & Love to Caroline I am your affectionate

            Mother A Adams


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

              my Dear son
              Philadelphia July 20th 1798

            I wrote you in a Letter not long since: that as mr Malcom had declined going abroad, I had thought of Thomas Welch. Thomas has past through College with Reputation, and tho as you justly observe, you cannot expect to have your Brothers place supplied to you, you will find in Thomas Welch, personal attachment fidelity and honour. honesty of Heart must compensate to you for whatever is deficient in the Graces— His situation at leaving College, opend to him but a melancholy prospect. His Fathers affairs in a desperate and Ruined state; I felt hurt for a young man just entering into Life, when he had reason to expect some Aid, to find himself without the least suspicion of it, thrown pennyless upon the wide world. I made known to him the terms upon which he must embark, according to your statement in your Letter to me. I presume that he will live in your Family, as an indulgence. I hope he will arrive safe and be usefull to you. William shaw, will come to Philadelphia and take mr Malcom place. I have just closed a Letter to mrs Johnson in answer to one from her of the 7th and have informd her of this opportunity of writing which I have no doubt but She will embrace. I forwarded a Letter by the Secretary of states conveyance for mrs Adams by way of Hamburgh, in a vessel which saild on Monday of this week, by which I wrote you a few lines and sent you a bundle of News papers. Miss Johnson I presume has acquainted her sister that she expects soon to be married to a cousin—a son I suppose of Govenour Johnson’s I received the intellegence from her Mother.
            Congress rose on Monday the 16th.— if we may credit the voice of the people from Georgia to Main, exprest in the Numerous addresses which have overwhelmd the Chief Majestrate for more than two months past, there lives and fortunes are ready at the call of their Country to be offerd up in the defence of it. with one voice, they repeat the toast Given—“Millions for defence, but not a cent for tribute”— The Navy of our Country is rising to respectability our three Frigates are all man’d with care & celerity, and are out several

20 Gun Ships are also out, besides Gallies— Captain decateur has captured a 12 Gun French Privateer, and brought her into this port. Philadelphia has shown a spirit of Patriotism which does them great honour. the Merchants have voted and subscribed 80 thousand dollors towards Building a ship to loan to Government. Nyork tho more dormant & less alive to their own danger, has subscribed 75 thousand Baltimore has done the same, but Boston outstrips them all. old mr Philips at one stroke subscribes 10 thousand dollors with the assurence that ten more were ready if wanted, and in three days the Subscription amounted to one Hundred & 27 thousand dollors— The General Court ceeded castle William to the united states, and voted $50,000 to purchase warlike stores for the use of the state. Mr dexter is appointed Senator in congress in lieu of mr sedwick resignd. the NEngland states are firm and strong, united and determined. the people throughout the united States, with few exception’s, would have heartily joind in the most decided declaration which Congress could have made. they calld for the declaration to be made from various quarters of the union,—but the majority in Congress did not possess firmness and decission enough to boldly make it. as in England there are Bouroughs which they term Rotten. so here we have false Brethren. foreign influence tho wounded and limping and hobling, Halts, and Rallies, and finds in every state some votaries. tho their Numbers are few—their mischief is extensive. whilst the Emissaries of France are permitted an assylum in our Bosom; we must expect the wounds of the assassin, and the stabs of the Bravado.
            you will learn with high pleasure and satisfaction that the Commander in Chief of our Armies raised and to be raised, is the Great the immortal Washington. I inclose to you his Letter, and acceptance of the important trust. “His Name is a Host, and the knowledge that he lives, a Bulwark” His commission was made out & Signd on the 4 of july, and is a new Edition of our declaration of Independance—
            we are still without any News from mr Gerry. Since the arrival of mr Marshal, I have transmitted to you by different ways a copy of his Letter to the President. his remaining at the Instane of Talleyrand, as the one he chose to select and communicate with, is adding insult to injury, and in a manner dictating to the united States a minister but mr Gerry must e’er this time have received his recall. I was pleasd with a Toast given on the 4th of July at Walpole Elbridge Gerry Esqr—may his locks never be shaven by the Delilahs of France—

            I have this moment received a Letter from mr smith at Boston, who says there is an arrival from Lisbon to the first of June, which brings an account that the dispatches from our Envoys were publishd in a London paper, and received at Lisbon— it was said mr Gerry was orderd out of France in concequence of them. I sincerely hope it is true, or that upon the arrival of his orders, he required a pastport. I can never believe that he would take upon himself any responsibility. His stay was however a real injury it was a bub for the Antifederal Party to throw out, and they did not fail to make use of it. it caused an indecision in the counsels of our Nation.
            As to your private affairs, I presume doctor welch will inform you of their state. by his son, I have requested him to transfer them to doctor Tufts, untill you shall send a power to some person. what you committed to the Hands of your Brother, I hope is safe. it is but a hope. I did not get an answer to my satisfaction when I applied to him— duty to you requires me to say this—
            I have not any Letter from you of a date later than Feb’ry one from Thomas to your Father of March 4th the last scrap inclosed a Letter to your Sister from Thomas, of March 30th—
            I shall write to Thomas. with my kind regards to mrs Adams— / I am my dear son your ever affectionate / Mother

              Abigail Adams

            I have not been able to get the Acts for this conveyance


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

            my dear Thomas
            Philadelphia July [21] 1798

          As there is some Probability that Thomas Welch will Embark before I shall return to Quincy, I write from hence; I shall esteem myself peculiarly fortunate to see you again in your Native Country. a longer residence abroad in your situation, would be wholy incompatable both with your interest and future establishment in Life, as you will have to commence again in your Profession— you may also find it necessary to take an active part in defence of your Country. I should like to see you enrolld in the Grenadeer Company of this city. I send you by this opportunity what I presume he will not himself neglect too, your Friend Quincys oration deliverd upon the fourth of July. it is a very handsome performance, and does honour to him— I hope it will bring him forward in Political Life. I wrote you the loss he sustaind in the winter past, by the death of his Mother. Never was Parent and Child more cordially united. his marriage previous to her death to an accomplishd and amiable woman, is in some measure a compensation to him— you will learn from the Papers I send, and have forwarded allready, in the week past by way of Hamburgh, the temper and disposition of our Country, that she is approaching to very serious times, when every citizen will find it necessary to exert all his Energies to preserve, and secure the Liberty and independance of the Country. Congress have risen this week after a session of Eight Months, the first part of which was neither employd to their honour, or the benifit of the Country. their last deeds may be ranked amongst their best, an Alien Bill a sedition Bill, and a Bill declaring void, all our Treaties & conventions with France, are of the Number.
          you who were here at the Time of the insurrection and was witness to the apathy which for a long time possessd this City, would now be gratified to see the Martial Spirit which exists here. all the young men of the City are training to Arms. they have at their own expence put themselves in uniform, and are about four hundred in

Number, beside a Grenadeer Company and a company of Cavilery— Genll Mackpherson commands them. a Company of Artilliry is forming. Mackpherson expects soon to have a regular Legion— for a time, they excercised every morning, now twice a week. Some young Quaker have joind them, as they say, to prevent War— Many More would, if they could obtain the consent of their Parents. the Quakers are more united in opposition to France than they ever were in any former War— whilst this state have come forward and retreaved their Character by active exertion, and a firm spirit, the City of Nyork manifests a coldness and an apathy, quite astonishing, as they have all at hazard, and are in a very exposed and defenceless situation. the Levingstone Aristocracy, their corruption & venality, is a mill stone upon the federal part. there is as much of Jacobinism there, as in any other state in the union, and I would hope more. even Virginna is assumeing a more cordial & candid asspect. the Members lately Elected to Congress, are said to be six out of ten, antifederal from Nyork
          N England behaves well. with few exceptions they have done themselves great honour at the late Session of the Legislature mr Dexter is Chosen senator to Congress in lieu of mr sedwick, resignd. it is the exchange of one good Man, for an other, but that is not always the case Freeman, will not be reelected. I wish I was as certain that Varnum would fail.
          I inclose to you the list of Nomination for the staff of our Army you will naturally ask, where is the Col.? Gen’ll Washington who was consulted, Named him for Adjutent General. he was nominated to the senate but decidedly negatived, for prejudices which as an officer I think ought not to have influenced them. it was done in a hurry, without proper inquiry, and upon the last day of the session. thus is one of the best officers we have, rejected for Reason’s which would have equally applied to Lee of virgina, and I Shall be glad if at the winding up—it will not be found to apply to many others a Military Life I have ever considerd him as peculiarly calculated to shine in. he has fought and bled in the service of his Country, and I believe would have cordially done so again, if call’d to the trial— I expect it will compleatly depress him—and tho it was done by Friends as well as foes, I cannot but think, better information would have exculpated him from “charges which would have been proved unfounded.[”] You know, and the world know, that in pecuniary affairs he never conducted with the approbation of his nearest Relatives,

but the school of adversity is a usefull one, and tho not pleasent, her paths are strewed with instruction.
          I hunger for Letters from you. we have not any intelligence to be relied upon since the Month of April, from any quarter, Rumours only that mr Gerry had left Paris: Mrs Johnson desires me to present her Love to you. she Says that she was mortified that you did not mention her in Mrs Adams’ Letter that you was much of a favorite with her. Mrs Johnson is not fixd in the most agreeable part of Ameria. Mr Cranch has removed to George Town, and is very intimate with the Family. our Friend are all well, who survive, but we have lost many valuable ones in the year past. Dr Clark and Belknap, are of the Number who will long be rememberd and regreeted—
          I am my dear son with the / tenderest affection your / Mother

            Abigail Adams—


Title: Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 25 July 1798
From: Tufts, Cotton
To: Adams, Abigail

            Weymouth July. 25. 1798

          In Consequence of its being a rainy Day and confind at Home I have an opportunity of acknowledging the Receipt of Yours of the 29th. Ulto. & the 8th. Inst. about the 8th. or 10th. Instant I wrote to the President and to you also—

          I have now compleated the Business assigned me respecting the new Building, and such Repairs to the Dwelling House as appeared to be necessary have also been made and on the Barn on the Farm bought of Mr Cranch. All the Accounts for the new Building are not as yet collected, but to close the whole apprehend that 3 or 400 Dollars more will be wanted
          That the Roof of the new Building was not carried the whole Length of the old, Reasons satisfactory I presume will be given— The Presidents Idea that it is upon too small a Scale may be just and I am sure frees my Mind from some Degree of Anxiety, But when he returns, views it and contemplates the Difficulty of making Additions to an old Building so as to comprize all that might be wishd for I feel well satisfied that He will admit that it does in some Degree embrace what was wanted— I have gone through the Business under some Embarrasments from the Season, Difficulty of procuring Materials to Advantage &C but more especially from my infirm State of Health, which nevertheless has not prevented me from being frequently on the Spot, this having been indispensably necessary not only on Account of the Building but the general Concerns of Your Farms &C In Addition to this We have had more Sickness in this Place for 3 or 4 Months past than usual, all which I have attended to with much bodily Weakness and cannot now ride more than 6 or 8 Miles with great Fatigue and am all day busy in doing that which I could heretofore have done in half a Day— You have desired me to take the Charge of Mr J. Q. Adams Affairs in Boston, I doubt whether my Health and advancing Age could render it adviseable for him to commit them to me or for me to undertake the Charge of them; I am however willing if Health permits to proceed so far as to see the Doctor and if He is disposed to transfer his Power to me and deliver up his Trust, to take the Business into my Hands till some other Person may be appointed, if his Power is not transferrable, I do not see of what Use I can be as I shall have no proper Authority to act—
          In a former Letter I express’d a Wish that You would enquire of Mr. Goodrich relative to Mr. Turell Tufts’s Character, I wish You also to enquire of Mr. Paine Senator from Vermont who I understand is well acquainted with him— Mr. T. T. has made me a visit & spent several Days with me, I find Him to be an intelligent Person who converses well upon Religion Politics and Government, has been studious and well acquainted with Trade & Business in general and has his Mind well stord with Knowledge, I am not enough

acquainted with his Life to decide upon his Moral Character he having lived in Vermont & Connecticut for many Years past during which Time I have known but little concerning him nor have seen him till lately but have never heard of any thing impeaching it— He is a single Man and solicitous to be in Business—
          If his being reducd in his Interest is not an insuperable Bar to his being a Candidate for office, I should advise him to come forward with necessary Recommendations— I do not wish or desire that He might be appointed to any office upon my Recommendations alone or contrary to the Rules adopted by the President or upon other Grounds than he might be, were the Application from any Respectable Quarter— I have only to request You to inform me whether there is any opening and if so whether there is any Probability of his succeeding under the Circumstances I have mentiond should He come on to Philadelphia and produce sufficient Testimonials of his Ability & Integrity. When I wrote to the President on the Subject I mentiond his having been unfortunate in Trade and in speculating in Georgia Lands, with respect to the Latter Mr. T. T. tells me that he was never concernd in them other than by taking a Scrip from a Person who owed him 2000 Dollr. as a collateral Security for the Payment of the Debt, which indeed involvd him in considerable Trouble and has lost the whole—
          President Willard has lain dangerously ill for a Number of Days past with the Strangury and I fear from the last Account I received that He will not recover—
          As I hope to see You here shortly, many Things which I should wish to say must be referd to that Time— I beg you to remember us to the President And Am with Affectionate Regards / Your H Servt

            Cotton Tufts


Title: Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 July 1798
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dear Mother.
            Berlin 26 July 1798.

          I have already acknowledged your favors of March 18. April 4. since when, at different intervals I have received your kind letters of May 1. & 7.— My brother has one from you of June 12. in which the receipt of my letter of March 4th: to my father is mentioned, and in a manner calculated to call forth all my gratitude, if not to excite some little emotion of self-applause. I have given way to this illusion for a moment because it may tend to confirm & fortify those sentiments & principles, which have met your approbation, but independent of this indulgence of my vanity, I have a firm persuasion that the love of Independence & attachment to my Country are coeval with my being and can only cease when that expires. The time has come, when it behoves young Americans to give other testimonials than bare profession, of the existence of this passion, and I feel a pride little short of exultation, when I see the specimens of ardor & enthusiasm, which have already emanated from that source—from my co-temporaries—the rising youth, who tread the steps of their fathers & so closely at their heels, that they even threaten to outdo them in the course.
          My distance from these scenes in which both my body & soul would delight to participate, is almost reproachful to me; I feel it to be so, and am therefore doubly impatient under it. With my consent it shall not long continue.
          The frequency & punctuality of your communications to us, at this interesting period, deserves all our thanks. The pleasure & satisfaction we derive from them is not to be described; it can only be felt; but I am ashamed to say, that in point of reciprocity of communication, since we have been here, I have no pretention to it. I have even received acknowledgments of all the letters I have written to you, and I have only one very insufficient reason for having suffered such an interruption; it was the expectation, that I should have embarked ere this for home. How soon this may actually take place I cannot positively inform you; but my letter may possibly follow me.
          In the event of my return this autumn, it will be necessary and important to me speedily to enter upon that course of life, which is to be my future occupation. I know of no other resource for me than the practice of the Law; but I shall be under the necessity of

much diligent application, uninterrupted by different pursuits or avocations, and of course I must expect to indulge in very little intercourse with Society. But in the execution of this purpose, I must be my own master, and whatever pain it may cost me I must necessarily isolate myself from my family, and neither be seen at the levee of the P——t nor at the drawing room of his lady. I know full well the attractions of Society, & how difficult it will be for me to enforce a resolution of abstaining entirely from it, but if I am to get my bread hereafter by practising the law in Philadelphia, all my time must be devoted to the acquisition of the essential qualifications of a lawyer; neither politics or pleasure can furnish these requisites, and the farther I am removed from both, the more speedy & effectual I hope, will be my professional attainments.
          You charged me, I remember, in one of your letters, to return home with a meek and humble temper; with small expectations, & less pretentions. This injunction, which I much reverence as coming from you, I shall endeavor to obey. I have no other pride, than that of being an American born Citizen & your Son.
          The pamphlets and newspapers, which we have lately received in considerable abundance, through your kind attention, have aforded me a sumptuous feast. I have perused the greatest portion of them; especially the gazettes. Not an address or resolution has escaped me, and they have contributed not a little to kindle & excite that fervid glow of patriotism in my mind, which seems to have existed so forcibly in those of the addressors. It would be improper perhaps to discriminate between the comparative merits of these public professions; but simply as a bold, vigorous & manly turn of expression, I have particularly noticed the energetic address from Princeton Kingston Monmouth &ca: in the state of New Jersey. There is heart of oak in that State nearly as much as in Connecticut. The Speaker of the house is a bold man, rather passionate, but an useful member.
          As there is a possibility at least, that my letter may be laid before the little Directory of the little nation, I shall dwell but little upon our affairs at home. For these two months past my “meditations have been sweet unto me”, because I have seen strong and unequivocal tokens of awakened vengeance, which I had begun to despair of beholding. My own pulse, (to use a figure of your’s) had so long betokened an existing fever, without the smallest appearance of like symptoms in the public body at home, that I already regarded myself as the solitary & hopeless victim of a distemper, which however

I did not cease to wish might eventually prove epidemic. My vows are accomplished, and I now feel that sort of firm composure, which unbounded confidence in the physician & the efficacy of his remedies could alone inspire. We shall outlive this disorder. Hundreds & thousands of us may be cut off in the struggle; but our Country, its honor & its Independence will survive. Such is my creed.
          Instead of political news, which reaches you in sufficient abundance from other quarters, you may like to have a sketch of our occupations here and a description of objects which may have occurred, exciting our notice. I shall leave to a personal interview some particulars, which it would be imprudent to commit to the hasard of being intercepted.
          The settled political system of the Country, which no occurrence within the reach of probability, will be likely to alter, you are already acquainted with. Since the return of their Majesties from their Prussian tour, we have seen & assisted at the ceremony of taking the homage, which was performed on the 6th: instt:. The novelty of a Monarchical fête to me, necessarily excited comparison with those of a republican nature to which I have been accustomed. It is not the fashion here to be very animated on these occasions. The Speeches of the Minister & the answers of the Presidents of deputations, are loyal, zealous, patriotic & independent. You will shortly see them, and will form a judgment of your own, how far the sentiments they contain are participated by those in whose name they were made.
          The soil & climate of this Country, just in the neighborhood of this town, are rather unpleasant at this season of the year. Bottomless sands surround us on all sides, which by turns furnish us with the pleasant variety of mud & dust. A single day of rain, will render the roads almost impassable, on account of the mud, and another day of clear warm Sun will with the aid of a little wind, set the same roads afloat in the air. The face of the Country, notwithstanding these unpromising preliminaries, is not barren, excepting here & there a growth of pine’s; there is even a shew of abundant crops of grain &ca: though the soil does most certainly not admit of exuberance. The sands of Brandenburg & the fatness of Saxony are equally proverbial. If I had time it would give me much pleasure to visit the Capital of the latter Electorate. Dresden not long since, afforded many objects worth a travellers curiosity—it does so still, because it has had the good fortune hitherto not to be “scratched by the war”

as many others of the Circles have been. A Countryman of ours (Mr: Childs of N. York) has lately passed some months there & was much delighted with the residence. He is now here, and is the only American we have seen since we have been here. From what I have observed, he seems to be a clever, honest & true American; such is his character as recommended to us. Though an inquisitive traveller, especially an American, may at this time excite distrust, I should be sorry to raise an unfavorable insinuation against this Gentleman; though I remember Dr: R.—whom I saw in Holland.
          My health has not been very good since I have been in this Country— Nor was it in Holland or England or France—in short I know not what perfect health is, but I am not singular in this calamity & do not therefore find it insupportable. You have often prepared me to find great alterations in the personal appearance of my parents, and I apprehend that I have equal reason to inspire such expectations respecting my own; but the qualities of the heart I trust are less liable to change than those of the person; and sure I am that time nor sickness have made any ravages upon the ardent affection with which I shall ever be your Son

            Thomas.


Title: Ruth Hooper Dalton to Abigail Adams, 28 July 1798
From: Dalton, Ruth Hooper
To: Adams, Abigail

            my dear Madam
            Washington July. 28. 1798

          Your welcome letter of the 20th instant I did not receive till last evening, on our return from Mount Vernon, where we had spent a very agreeable week, and left General and Mrs Washington in perfect health. they often mentioned the President and yourself much wishing to see you at Mount Vernon.
          I am truly happy to find my account gave satisfaction, as to Mr Daltons conduct in the affair of Mr Cranch, and Mr Duncanson. the truth will always speak for itself, and that is what I ever aim at. soon after I had the pleasure of writing to you, in conversation with Mrs Cranch she told me he nor she had wrote you, but that Mrs Johnson had given you the particulars, and from her I suppose you must have heard that Mr Dalton was Bondsman, I shall feel very unhappy to thing wrongfully of any Person. What ever accounts you may have in future I trust you will with your Usual candour, acquaint us. I hope you will never have reason to doubt our Friendship, which you may rest assured is as firm as it has been long.
          I am very happy to find Mr Cranchs wounds were not so bad as they were thought at first. He has left of all the bandages for ten days past, and Mrs Cranch told me his head was quite well. I hope he will never feel any bad effects from them.
          Our intimacy with Miss Duncanson has been ever since she came. as to Mr Daltons with Mr Duncanson it has not ever been great, onely common Frendly intercorse. Mr Dalton has never been consulted about his affairs nor took a part in them. he has so far acted the Friend as to tell Mr Duncanson that he was too warm, that he hurt himself very much by the Violence of his temper. he has not been in our House since Mr Dalton refused to be bound for him. you know Capt Duncanson. he has often spoke of you with great respect to me, I think he saw you at New York. as to his and Miss Duncansons connections Mrs Liston can give you a better account than I can

          I hope the Law will soon settle all these disputes and the City Once more be at peace, and both in Publick and private concerns in a better situation, as we do not proceed very well at present. there has not been a board of Commissioners for Several weeks-past. Mr Scot is gone to the springs for two or three Mounths, in very bad health. Mr White has not been here for a long time, so that only Docttor Thornton is on the spot and he can do nothing alone. such is the present state of the City, which gives the well wishers to it great concern— I fear I am taking up too much of your time, but indeed dear Madam I have been very unhappy since we received Mr Bartlett’ letter, to find that any body wishes to injure us in your good opinion which has made me trouble you on the subject, wishing the President and you a very pleasant Journey hope you will find your Friends well, Mr Dalton and my Daughters joyn me in sincear Regards to the President and yourself with our love to Louissa. I remain Unalterably / Your very affectionate friend / and humble servant

            Ruth Dalton


Title: Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 29 July 1798
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

            East Chester July 29th 1797 [1798] Monday Evening
            my dear sister

          we left Philadelphia on Wedensday last. the day preceeding was very Hot a partial Rain had waterd the Roads for 15 or 20 miles So as to render the first part of our journey pleasent. we were overtaken by showers—and detaind by them, but on thursday we found clouds

of dust for want of Rain. troops and calvacades did not lessen it, and the Heat was intolerably oppressive, so much so as to nearly kill all our Horses, and oppress me to such a degree as to Oblige me to stop twice in a few hours, and intirely undress myself & lie down on the Bed. at night we could not get rest—small Rooms bad Beds & some Company obliged me to stretch my wearied Limbs upon the floor upon a Bed not longer than one of my Bolsters. from twesday untill the afternoon of this day, we have not had any respite from panting beneath the dog star. I never sufferd so much in travelling before. the Rain I hope will cool the Air & enable us to proceed, but I fear we shall not reach Quincy this week. mrs smith & little Caroline will be of our Party
          it is a long time, Since I had a Line from you—near a fortnight before I left home. I had a Letter from your Son since I left Home. he writes me that he is well, and that his family are so. I wrote you inclosing to you a Hundred dollors which I hope You duly received, as I found it necessary to give you some trouble to procure me several articles.
          If I can get time on the Road I shall write you as I progress onward. mrs smith desires to be kindly rememberd to you—so does your affectionate sister

            A A—


Title: John Quincy Adams to Charles Adams, 1 August 1798
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Charles

            My dear brother.
            Berlin 1 August 1798.

          I wrote you on the 14 of February a letter, which I am informed you have received, but to which no answer from you has yet reached me. Nor have I since it was written received a line from you.
          I must again repeat the request that you would give me immediate information concerning the property which I have entrusted to you.
          I have also to request that you would not draw upon Messrs:

Willing of Amsterdam, for any further sums on my account, as I hereby withdraw all power & authority that I have heretofore given you to draw for money in my behalf.
          You will also cease to make any further payments of money belonging to me to Dr: Welsh.— But you will untill further order from me, remit the interests payable upon my property in your hands, to my mother.
          I am still your affectionate Brother.


Title: Thomas Boylston Adams to Joseph Pitcairn, 10 August 1798
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Pitcairn, Joseph

            Dear Sir.
            Berlin 10 August 1798.

          Upon my return from a short excursion to Pottsdam, where we passed three very pleasant days, I received your obliging letter of the 4th: currt and thank you for the detail respecting the Hamburger’s accommodations. My voyage I rather think now, will be deferred until after the autumnal equinox say commencement of October or last of September, because possibly by that time a person may arrive to relieve me at my post— I would not however forego a good & safe opportunity, by this delay, though I think it would not be convenient or even practicable for me to take passage with Mr: S. much as I should esteem the pleasure of his & his lady’s company. A neutral ship I believe to be the safest conveyance for us at this time, & therefore shall thank you for particulars chiefly in that line—
          The remarks of Mr: Thatcher & the reference of Mr: Harper respecting a conspiracy against the government, will I hope result in some discovery of consequence—a false alarm would be very hurtful in business of this nature— As to the existence of a traiterous correspondence with the french I have no doubt, nor have had for three years past, and I have thought the government culpable for not using all the means in its power to detect & expose it. If a few of our honest scruples are not got over, the enemies of our Country & Government may organize insurrection & rebellion in perfect security, fearless of discovery & in defiance of punishment.

          Dr: L, who has lately been with you, is one of the damned— He has come over as a Jacobin Agent Plenipotentiary— he can have no authority from a majority of the Government—his character as a State Politician, I know something of—a man of some capacity— popular talents—a writer, famous in town & individual quarrels &ca: but supereminently a democrat— He is employed, depend upon it, for the worst of projects against our Government—Hichborn too— Where is the Livingston deputy— there should regularly be three.
          Gerry, we are told, is gone— I have seen his letter to the President, by Gen Marshall, beseeching to be helped out of a scrape into which he had purposely fallen and from which he would be extricated only in his own way. He advises also a fresh appointment how often, in the name of God, would he have the experiment tried? There is here no news— Cobenzel is here, but for what?
          I am dear Sir, your’s

            T B Adams—